To Tucson and back

We left the Bay area on Saturday and flew to Tucson for the long weekend. There are no non-stop flights on any airline (with exception of an early morning United flight) to Tucson, so the supposedly 2hr flight turns into 3-4 hrs. Our Southwest flight touched down in LA to pick up more people and continued onto Tucson. The short stop in LA confused Russell when he saw others getting off and he had to stay on the plane, so he threw a tantrum and cried the rest of the trip. I now warn the person that sits in front of Russell's seat that he will kick the seat and I can only do my best to stop him! Happy travelling! (Alysun, how did you get to Africa with a 2yr-old????!!!!)

Once we got to Arizona, Dan's dad picked us up. We spent Sunday morning at a mini-zoo (2 lions, 1 tiger, 1 turtle, 2 baboons, ducks, 1 polar-bear, 2 giraffes, a couple other little animals). It was a good experiment and proved my theory right: Russell doesn't care for the animals! He much rather enjoyed running up and down the wheelchair ramps and climbing the stairs and playing with the ceramic water-shooting frog. We'll wait a little longer before spending the money on the San Francisco Zoo.

The father in this picture had his two sons with him and both of them were autistic. He was so patient with the boys and they were so well behaved. We kept running into them as we walked thru the zoo.

Lone Mr. Turtle.

Nowhere close to Africa but maybe someday!

Russell and his Grandpa.

After we visited the zoo, we went across the street and Russell played on the play-structures. Supposedly, the Colorado Rockies were practicing (see below) in the adjoining field. The Padres' were in town as well but we didn't see them.

We came home on Tuesday afternoon, very glad to be back.

Finally- an update!!

On our trip to Victoria last month, Russell was a true trooper. The weather was cold (we forget how cold is cold) and it snowed a little. Russell missed Dan and he was so excited to see him when we returned. My mom came back with us (!!) and her help on the return trip was priceless. We had boarded the plane in Seattle but had to deboard and 1 hour later, reboard another plane, due to engine problems. I am glad the mechanics were doing their jobs but to awaken a sleeping child is NOT fun.

Pictures from our time in B.C.-

Barney!!!!! He loved Aunt Candice's 'white elephant' gift/poster. Don't throw anything out- it could be used in 6-8 years;-)

My Mom make a yummy cake. Check out the 3 minute video for 'live' time.

Russell's 2nd birthday in B.C.

One piece of cake + 1/2 a candle= Russell's birthday. He picked up and ate the candle since it was covered with chocolate frosting. Of course, the candle was tasteless so he didn't mind;-)

When we got home, I made a carrot cake with gooey cream-cheese icing. We stuck 'Thomas' trains on top since I have no decorating skills. It went over big! (The other pictures we took this evening were poor due to the inside lighting.)

The weather the last two weeks has been a glorious relief from the rain and wind! We were so glad the weather was nice when Mom was here. We were outside every day. On Friday, we went to Half Moon Bay...

Showing Little R the flowers...

Timeless picture.

The waves were HUGE and the surf was high, so no walks on the beach this time.

I dropped Mom off at the airport on Saturday morning, and when I got back home, Russell was looking for 'Mum-mum'. He really enjoyed Grandma being here for a whole week!!!

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I haven't posted in almost a month. I usually post during R's nap times since that is the only time I get to type more than one sentence without being interupted. Lately, I've been reading Jane Austen's Mansfield Park -a definite classic. No speed reading here. The English is a little old (choppy, compared to today's English) and if you 'skim', you'll miss the details. My only reading time is also at R's nap time so I've chosen to read instead of write. (No surprise to those who know me!)

I've been attending a new Bible study group on Tuesday mornings at the church. We've started Beth Moore's study of Daniel. God's Word is truly living and active when I read/study Daniel. Daniel and his three men were disciplined and devoted- true examples of God's own. I am in a group with women I don't know so it has been a good way to 'break out' of my comfort zone and engage in new relationships.

Speaking of other ladies, our church continues to reflect the trend as "the only Western nation to have a rising birth rate." There are lots of preggo mamas and newborns appear each month. This is so wonderful but sometimes (okay, often), it is a reminder of what we're going through. Most days are okay but some days just are very difficult emotionally. Russell is a wonderful little boy but when he throws his tantrums and we have our 'battle days' I wonder if I could even handle more than one. On these days I feel like a failure as a mom. Dan is an awesome husband and partner and is so encouraging and helps me with the discouragment.

In the Beth Moore study, she says that "tests/trials will burn the fake out of you!" Yes. Yes. Yes.