Another Week in Northern Cal

I think this might be a sign that we visit San Jose a lot:The hotel where we normally stay has a breakfast in the mornings and they have some fantastic, kind people working there. My favorite is Sal - he's an older Hispanic guy who is SO sweet to my kids even when they are a bit rambunctious. He saw me in the lobby the first day we were there and greeted me like an old friend. He said it was good to see me again and asked where were my husband and kids. Yeah - I think we spend a bit o' time at the Pruneyard Hotel in Campbell, CA. With the kids off track, we like to tag along with BB on his business trips. It was a bit rainy this week but a good time was had by all. Here are a few hi-lights:

On our way in, we detoured through Carson City, Nevada and then up around Lake Tahoe. Helloooo,,,, I had no idea how ridiculously blue and beautiful that lake is! WELL worth the extra drive time (which wasn't that much).

Rain or shine (and we had a little of both this day), the beach is a must!

BB had a co-worker from England who wanted to check out some Redwood trees so we took him to Big Basin State Park

The good news: the San Francisco Exploratorium was free that day.  The bad news: I think all the kids in San Francisco went.

Outside the Exploratorium:

On our way out we detoured again - this time to Yosemite National Park.  We'd like to spend a bit more time there but were not disappointed with what we saw.  This is in front of Bridal Veil Falls.  You can see them in the distance to the right of Anushka's head.

In front of Half Dome

We saw our first snow of the season on the way through the park.

Just crazy beautiful scenery driving through this park

Deep Thoughts in San Francisco

So, we've been in nothern California this week while BB is working and, for some reason, my mind has been in kind of a crazy place.  I blame Dawn.  Watching her (do fabulously - did you see her kill it in the challenge last night?!) on Survivor and fulfill this dream has caused me to reflect a bit.  So, when I was a teen-ager, I had every intention of going to law school, and eventually joining the FBI.  I also wanted to write a book.  Then, I had a church leader that I really really looked up to who told me those goals (the law school/FBI ones, not the book) were huge mistakes and that I would ruin my life.  I (sadly or not) listened.  I have often wondered where life would have taken me if I hadn't heeded that counsel as a teenager.  Here's what I realize about myself now:  I'm kind of a hippie at heart.  I've started many different books - all in various stages of completion.  I wonder if I have the drive to go the distance (I've seen Shannon Hale's roll of rejection letters after all)... I am not a type A personality.   I like chillin', hanging', kickin' back... I really like to get out and play with my kids - they know they can coax me into the hotel swimming pool even in fifty-degree weather.  Here's the strategy used tonight by D-man: "Mom, come in the pool!  Please!  Right now Dad is in the lead but you can pass him if you swim with us!"  Yes, he's six.  In the lead for WHAT? 
But, it would probably be a good thing if I was more motivated to plan what's for dinner most nights and if I could sew a stitch beyond a button.  Anyone who's seen how much I like to sit back with a Mountain Dew can imagine what I'd be without the WoW. 
Is there a point to all this?  Maybe.  Here it is: I look around my life and am inspired by so many incredible people.  I moved into a neighborhood of people that blow me away with their drive, their kindness, the millions of extra miles they go.  I married into a family of incredible, smart, talented people who have integrity coming out of their... well you get my drift.  I met people on my mission that have forever changed my life.  I grew up with some folks that absolutely astound me with the hand they were dealt and what they did with it.  I am NOT exaggerating about that. 
I was placed on planet Earth with a couple of fabulous parents and another couple of great sibs (far better than me).  If it wasn't for my family and faith, I'd probably be sporting dread locks on a beach somewhere doing my best to not work an honest day.  OK - maybe not quite that extreme - BUT - If it wasn't for my family and faith, the people who have made the biggest impact in my life would not even be in my life.  I'm not sorry at this point that I'm a mom and not Scully.  I've been ridiculously blessed.  Back to that point (if it actually is a point).  Sometimes I feel a little burdened by what is required of me by said family and faith; but when I really stop and think, those two elements in my life have brought everything worth anything to my life.  I'm sorry if I've ever griped about having to prepare a Sunday School lesson or attend a family dinner.  Not to say I'll never gripe again.  But just at this moment I'm realizing where I would or wouldn't be without them.