Sun, Surf, Sand, & Stones?

Well our fall trip to California was once again a wonderful trip. We started out on Sunday the 8th to the Palm Desert area where we got to spend about 3 hours with Cheryl's Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Nelda. They are such wonderful people and we are really blessed to have been able to spend some time with them. The girls were enamored with both of them and loved being "measured" by Uncle Jimmy on the wall where he measures all the little kids in the family.

From there we were on to the Beach!Found the resort after an hour delay on I-10 in inner Riverside county. Traffic was horrible on a Sunday evening and we could not figure why. We also could not understand the toll roads, but oh well they were lighter with traffic for sure. Monday and Tuesday were spent shopping at local malls for clothing, earrings and other miscellaneous items we always look for when out or in need of something. We also took the girls to see Open Season. Pretty funny movie but it seems as though most of these animated movies these days blend a lot of adult humor into them - some which is questionable at best.

Wednesday was probably our most exciting day - We met with Jennifer and Ron at the gates of Disneyland to have a day of Disney. The girls were so very excited. Once through the gates we were of an running...well Natalie and I were at least. We headed off to do some of the bigger rides and Hit Indiana Jones first. It was nice to see Natalie blow away the height requirement after a disappointing last minute denial last year when she just touched the height bar and the manager decided not to let her ride. She took it all in stride, her first Big ride and she did great. She said she didn't like it much at first, but afterwards told me she did like it and would do it again next year and maybe even space mountain. All the while Cheryl, Payton & Alexxis were enjoying Dumbo, Mr. Toads wild ride and other Fantasy Land rides. Once were rallied back with Cheryl and the other girls it was onto the princess waiting line....1 hour later we saw princesses finally and took pictures with them. This is always the girls highlight even if it takes 6 hours in line. They love those princesses. After the princesses we again split up at California Adventure to do some individual rides. Natalie and I headed to Soarin over California (her favorite ride) and the Roaring Rapids. She just could not stop grinning. The others went to the Bugs life area and also caught the Aladdin show. Finally we all decided to meet back at Rainforest cafe for some Dinner with Ron and then back to Disneyland for the remainder of the day to hit Pirates and a few other rides. Best laid plans right? well, during dinner I had horrible left stomach pains and could not sit still.

It was decided I could not manage the park for another 2 hours as the pain got worse by the minute. By 8:00pm Cheryl tried to pick up some medicine at a local Albertsons and once she was back in the car I had told her it was Urgent Care time. So off to the ER we went. Thank the good Lord for the GPS system my grandfather allowed us to borrow for the trip -- it led us to the nearest hospital only 1.8 miles away. By this time I could not sit still and I was wondering if I had an appendix issue. well 3 hours, 3 blood tests, 1 CT scan and an IV later I had a kidney Stone and it had passed. Praise God for only 3 hours of pain when it could have been a weeks worth of waiting for it to pass. Cheryl and the girls had no idea for the 3 hours basically and Natalie and Payton were sleeping on a makeshift bed in the lobby for the whole time. We arrived back at the resort at around 12 midnight Wed.

Thursday proved to be less exciting but not less fun. The day was sand and sun filled as we took off to Aliso beach for the day. What a cool beach, parking right at the beach and the water was fairly warm for this time of year. Great warm sun and cool sand graced us all day and we all had a great time playing in it. Thursday night was also a great time. we got the pleasure of spending time with Wendy and her husband Tim @ their home in Orange. It was quite the nice time. The girls really enjoyed their company and so did Cheryl and I. The girds got to feed a horse they are boarding at their home a some carrots and also do a little hike to see other horses in the area. Wendy & Tim were gracious enough to have us over for a meal and share their lives with us as well. For that we are grateful to God for getting an opportunity to break bread with a bother and sister in Christ.

Friday again were were on the road down to the San Diego area to take the girls to the SD Wild Animal park. We had never before taken this trip and so we ventured down and spent the day frolicking with the Elephants, Giraffes, Lions, Rhino's and the like. We were fortunate enough to have seen 2 baby White Rhinos who had recently been born and also a very neat elephant show. The star was Cookie a young elephant who was showing off tricks her trainer did not even know she could do. After another long day we headed back to CB and the resort. I must mention that all week long the girls enjoyed a super size tub in our condo and had numerous bubble baths which was almost as fun as Disneyland for them....ahhh to be content for the simple things...we could take lessons from 3,6,&9 yr olds.

Saturday was a rest day knowing we had but 1 day left on vacation. Most of the day was spent relaxing and playing games at the resort. We did hit the pool for a bit although it was considerably less sunny and warm so we did not spend a ton of time in it. Finally as a goodbye to California and our family vacation time, we headed off to get a pizza and watch the sunset back at Aliso Beach. What a great night to do it as we were blessed with a perfect spot on the little outcropping at the beach where a picnic table was waiting just for us to sit and eat as the sun fell.

Quite an ending for a fun but interesting week. we praise God for our safe travels, our wonderful company and all the things that made this vacation time memorable.

Well, reality as they say hits hard....Back to work and another full week of items to do and things to accomplish. I am reminded by what Paul states in Act 14:22 "...We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God" We are so blessed here in America that we whine and complain about anything that interferes with our comfort zone or our routine. As Beth Moore states "recognizing the inevitable nature of hardships can motivate us to redirect our energies"...and focus on HIM and the glory that awaits in Jesus.

The Phillips Family