On my way home from dropping Merrik off at the train station today, I got all choked up. I am so fortunate for the family I have and for the family I have married into. My kids are the luckiest kids around and get to experience so many fun things with their grandparents on both sides. I grew up spending a lot of time with my mom’s parents. They both had a big impact on my life. Merrik and Maliea’s grandparent’s on Jim’s side coordinated an amazing journey to begin what they host each year called “Camp Gramma Grampa.” They …
We had a fantastic trip up to the Sierra National Forest. It has taken me awhile to get back into the sway of life so it must have been a good trip. Our drive through LA was unfettered but the kids had a difficult time sleeping in their car seats. Jim was determined to drive all the way through so my job took a back seat..(hah!) soothing Maliea and calming Merrik. Our destination was Fresno where Jim spent 4 days swimming in the United States Masters Swimmers Short Course Yards National Meet. While he was busy setting records and “sailing …
Yesterday, Merrik, Maliea, Nana Papa, Aunt Katie and Cousin Rose took the train up to Fullerton to watch the BNSF freight trains, have lunch and meet me at the station after work. I usually take the 2:30pm train home so we all hopped on the Surfliner and headed back toward San Juan Capistrano together. Merrik, Maliea and I got off in Laguna Niguel where my car is parked and everyone else went on to SJC. Train travel is always a great experience. I am fortunate to be able to do it every week.
Gasp, I turned 42 yesterday. I started the day at 5:30am processing images for Jim and his unreasonable deadline then I spent the day driving to and from swim lessons at Waterworks Aquatics only to find out they were closed for the week. Then I took Merrik and Maliea on the Amtrak to Fullerton to watch the big BNSF diesel freight trains rattle through the station with a whistle and a hiss. I did get to enjoy (?) a screaming, clinging kid lunch at one of my favorite restaurants, Rutabagorz, with my good friend Chris before having to field “loading” …
we put up our tree-and thus the christmas train that goes around the tree-early this year. merrik is in heaven and he tells everyone he sees, ‘it’s christmas.’ he asks us every day if it is still christmas. the train is the best christmas yet. we’re having christmas at our house every day lately.
I went back to teaching today. Of course it was a long night last night as both Merrik and Maliea were restless. It always seems to work out that way on the night before an early or busy day. I took the 7:11am Metrolink out of San Juan Capistrano and returned on the Amtrak. The schedules work out great for my class schedule so once again I am loving the commute to work. I also met a couple of very interesting people on the train. It made me feel connected to the world again. Liz was taking the Metrolink in …