Just reminiscing about our California vacation visiting family for a few weeks. What a great time we had! While we were there we were able to celebrate Mom & Pop's 50th wedding anniversary - what a treat! 50 years is quite an achievement when you think of it! And 3 great kids to show for it (and a few other fine accessories like a FAB son & daughter in law - wink, wink...and a cute little grand-daughter). In addition to the anniversary festivities, I crafted some wicked abdominal muscles while Wii wakeboarding. We spent some time listening to vuvuzela's and checking out the Patterson Apricot Fiesta. Abby & Aunt Julie read a combined 72 million words during their shared "reading time". Of course, we can't forget electric blue toes and fingers...or the Pub Mix. Oh yeah...I'm a fan of the Pub Mix.

Here's a little compilation video from some of my Patterson photo shoots...enjoy!

Patterson 2010 from kristin amaro on Vimeo.

Tonight is our last night here in Patterson for awhile....we have enjoyed being so close in distance (only 74 miles to be exact) for so many years. When we wake up tomorrow, we say goodbye to Grandma and Grandpa....our hearts are already heavy thinking about it! As we tucked Abby in to bed tonight she showed signs of sadness as she spoke about a dream that she had last night. As best as I could, I tried to help her through the feelings that she was having - careful not to dismiss them, but also gently reminding of the positive. A mother's heart is burdened seeing the sadness of her child....it increases the difficulty in my own goodbye preparations. I do find some comfort in knowing that although the quantity of our visits will decrease, the quality and length of our visits will increase. It's been nice staying a whole week (first time we've done this)....it doesn't feel so rushed, there's just more time for relaxed visiting.

So tomorrow morning when we take off down Sperry Ave - we'll jump on Hwy 5 - but this time, we are going SOUTH instead of our usual North. It will be a strange feeling. Up till now, it hasn't truly felt like we've left home yet - maybe because Patterson feels so homey to us! - but, we're still so close....it's like we could just hit Concord again before we leave.

Next stop on the Road Trip - San Diego...

Today wasn't all heavy hearted....we had a fun night hanging out with Tito and Kim, as well as Mike's childhood buddy, Kevin (who we all call "Lopes"). Mom & Pop took us all out to dinner (Lopes came over later on) to "El Rosal" - Mexican food, yummy. The portions were out of control, but the food was very good. Especially funny was Mom & Pop's "number 2" that they each ordered. If you know Mom & Pop - they are like most 55+ - they eat very little and usually leave with a hearty portion in their doggy bag. Tonight was certainly no exception! There was so much food in their order, they had to bring it on 2 plates (4 between the 2 of them)....good grief. I looked over at their plates when the waitress brought their to-go box....there was barely a dent.

After dinner - Tito and Kim came back to the house and Mom served up some fantastic orangey-goodness bundt cake. Lopes rang the doorbell just as she was cutting up the slices (great timing, Lopes!). So we all got to sit around the table for one last dessert (although there's still breakfast tomorrow), visiting and telling stories.

Now, the night wouldn't be complete with out some Wii-ing....and, since Lopes has never Wii'd before, we had to break him in. Of course, after Mike showed him the official buttons and movements, Abby broke it down for Lopes and showed him how it's done.

We loved our time visiting family here in Patterson. It was the perfect first stop on this crazy adventure of ours....enough like home so that we feel like we haven't gone anywhere. It's been a great way to "ease" ourselves into a "homeless" state. Not sure about feeling homeless - I rather like the old saying that "home is where the heart is". Yep, I'll be hangin' my hat on that one for awhile...

virtual hugs and kisses,
k

Prayer Request: please pray for travel mercies for us as we hit the road...praise that we are blessed with good weather tomorrow.

Here we are in Patterson, Ca....74 miles away from the city that we "used to" live in. 2226 miles (and 7 weeks) away from our new city, Murfreesboro.

Yesterday was all about errands and the "last lasts" - we were constantly saying, "well, that's the last shower I will have in Concord" or "that's our last trip to Trader Joe's" or "that's the last time we'll have Chinatown Cafe". We had such favor with our errands - I didn't quite know how we would get through them all, but everything went so smoothly. Front parking spots, no lines at the stores, etc., etc. It was a perfectly executed errand day :)

A few items of significance....the handing over of the keys. We met John, our realtor, at the house around 11am. The house was all clean and empty - it was so strange. We handed over the keys and did some chit chatting, then piled in the jam-packed car and rode off into the sunset. The last time we will ever pull out of the garage.... Now, as we speak, the house is being fumigated.

Also of great significance to us was saying goodbye to more very special people. First stop, Bob & Eva D. We got to visit with them for a few minutes and then they prayed for us....hugs and tears with some laughter mixed in.....they are special people in our lives that have seen us through alot (and vice versa). We will miss you guys!

Another tough goodbye was waiting for us up in the hills of Oakland. It was a bittersweet visit w/ Kathryn B. (aka "Queso") because we FINALLY got to meet her Mom, (aka "MABS"). And it's true - she is as cute as a bugs ear, and then some! We had a great visit - lots of laughs as usual. Saying goodbye to KB was hard because we've become closer over the last 6 months or so....and, I could have just stolen her Mom right then and there. I'm bummed that I can't stay and get to know Mabs more too. More hugs, more tears....yaddah, yaddah, yaddah....you know the drill.

After our ride down the hill, we were OFFICIALLY on our road trip. It was really funny because all day long were were in the car it seemed stopping off and doing all these errands. Every time we got back in the car Abby would ask, "are on our road trip yet?" The whole time, Abby never even touched her "activity" basket that holds all the fun goodies that we've collected for the road trip. I thought that was interesting that she wasn't diving in trying to find something to do. However, when we left KB's house, she asked us, "are we on our road trip now?" We answered yes and she immediately started grabbing stuff out of the basket to do!

I wish I had something more profound to say about our "last last" (which was driving away from the Bay Area for the last time as residents). But, it was quite uneventful to tell you the truth. I think the reason for that is because the physical place is not what has our hearts - it's the people.

We arrived in Patterson sometime around 7:30pm and were greeted by the usual barrage of Mom & Pop hugs and excitement. We are looking forward to a week of chillaxin' and hanging out with family.

Stay tuned!
love,
k

Be sure and check out the pictures that Abby took during our weekend at the "Apricot Fiesta" in Patterson, CA. We had a great time - although there were alot of extra ciricular activities (hanging out in emergency rooms until midnight, 7 people searching all weekend for a remote control, etc.)

Click Here to see the album. My pictures, which are way inferior to those of my shutter-bug daughter of mine, are forthcoming.