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I can't believe I was gone for 3 weeks. The flight home was long and tiring, since I had one stopover (in San Francisco). The lane from Sac to SF airport was a very small one, the propeller type, so we had to walk to the tarmac and climb up the stairs to the plane. My bag was quite heavy for me and since I only can carry on the left shoulder, it was tired by the time I landed in Chicago. I was so hungry on the plane but all the snacks they had to sell had either chicken or meat in them. So, I drank lots of water, read a book and prayed I could at least take a nap. It was good to see Frendell when I got down to baggage claim. it was cold and rainy when we stepped outside. I was very tired and hungry and my arm was throbbing.

I am glad I was able to go to California to be with family. It was a much needed break from the reality of my life here. Out there, my sister did not let me do anything... I just got to talk to the kids, go on car rides and go with her on her errands. I have really missed living out in a semi-rural area. I enjoyed driving around and seeing the vineyards and cherry orchards and nut orchards and olive groves.... there is something calming about being able to see nature. Of course, in the background are my chocolate mountains. I miss seeing mountains and the ocean as well.  We attended Lauren's choir/band/Singers concert the first week-end I was there. It had a very healing effect on me. I have always enjoyed music but have not been able to attend concerts lately. Lauren was in all three and they did a wonderful job in their performance. Mr. Doug Brown (former principal of HAA, now principal of Lodi Academy) gave a touching sermon about a young woman who attended Adventist school, made some bad decisions and is now away from the church, due to some criticism she's received from members. It really hit me that the story he told is unfortunately not unique or even of the past. Even today, we lose youth and young adults due to our "well-meaning" attitudes, that sometimes are judgmental and critical of others.

I was happy that I could see Lauren in her school activities, even if it was her last performance for the year. She's done so well in flute and voice and I enjoyed hearing her play and sing.

Christian turned 5 while I was out there. I am so glad I got to attend his party as well. He and Kori are exceptionally good in reading. Christian is probably 2nd or 3rd grade level. Kori is very precocious and will try to reason her way out of anything. There is definitely a strong-willed pattern I see with all the kids :-)  Hmmm... wonder where they got that from? One thing I wished I could've done alot of but couldn't was hug them and carry them. Kori would once in a while sit on my lap, but when she wiggles, it still hurts my incision site and so it was hard for me. 

I rested alot and still can't get rid of this cold. I got home and I've been feeling under the weather since. Frendell is also sick with a cold and had a terrible headache yesterday. Today, he's coughing and sneezing like crazy. I finally made him some salabat, Ats solution to colds and fever. I hope it does the trick. I will drink some as well... I hope it gets rid of my nausea.

I was also able to see some friends while out west. I will try and post some pictures soon. It was great to be able to see friends, spend time together, catch up on life and just appreciate the fact that we're all still alive, able to visit and enjoy each other's company. 

And now, back to reality... I get more melancholy when I'm here. I think having the kids around, demanding time and attention, does not leave me much room for melancholy. There is also the escape aspect of being out there. Now that I'm back, there are a couple of doctors' appointments to go to next week, and I think I may have to go back to PT since I am having alot of pain in my armpit. I got a sleeve before I left, but it's not fitting well and tends to go roll down a lot, so it's more frustrating than helpful.

Well, I hope I will be motivated to get up and walk everyday. Faith has made an appointment to walk at the end of the month, so I have to try and keep up with her.  I want to train for the 5k in October as well. Tomorrow, if I feel well enough to go, I will go to Lakeview Church to cheer for the Avon Breast Cancer Walk. Our friend Jose is pastor of the Lakeview church and through his wonderful insight, has made his church a cheer station as walkers walk right in front. What a neat way to show the community that we, as a church, take an active participation in issues that affect our community. I pray for nice, sunny weather. They predict rain... but God can always perform miracles. 

So I'm back. I hope I can post with some regularity again now. It's been good to take a break... I wish I could've stayed there longer, Ats, Ross,Lauren, Frank, Candy and my Mom took such wonderful care of me... but I needed to come back for treatment. I miss my family and I hope we'll be able to be together again soon. I am so happy to be reunited with Mahal, though. I've missed him. He takes such great care of me here, even when he's sick. Have a great week-end!! ;-)