Vacation!

Okay, a couple of things. This post is long. We did a lot. And I still want to post some videos that crack me up... And because blogger messes me up, this post is in reverse order. I am making peace with that, but not entirely yet. Oh well.

This is the last day after Sea World. Spencer is tuckered out. Spencer never sleeps in our arms unless sick and I guess SUPER exhausted. Cute.

We sat in the soak zone at the Shamu show and were super close. I was nervous to get soaked, but we barely got any drops. phew!

Spencer loved watching the seals and sea lions beg for food up close and personal.

The dolphin show was a lot of fun and we were safely out of the soak zone.

Spencer loved the penguins!! The indoor exhibit was pretty fun as the little guys were hyper and swam super fast and were so quick to jump in and out of the water.

So I realize this is not the best pic, but I think it is funny and cool how close they were swimming.

We spent a day at a few beaches and the coast. Spencer loved the sand and relaxing. He has perfect skin and got a great tan, while I burned on the other hand...ouch.

You should see the other attempts at taking this picture. Let's just say I am happy with his eyes closed.

Case in point. Loved the beach!

Watching the waves, safe in Daddy's arms.

Cute how he chills in his chair!

Building sand bridges. Not sure where that came from, maybe because we had driven over the bridge to Coronado...

So while getting gas at a Costco, we asked some employee for some good Mexican food and his recommendations did not disappoint. El Indio was yummy, and the other Luche Libre has been featured on Man vs. Food and was also really, really good. Jean has always wanted to go to a restaurant that has been on TV. Check.

USS Midway was a big hit for the boys. Spencer (and Jean) had a great time climbing in and out of planes, jets, and helicopters.

Spencer also loved pushing all the buttons around the ship!

These posters freaked Spencer out. So funny!

The zoo was awesome and Spencer loved all the animals. We are on the Skyfari here.

Bus tour

They had polar bear noises broadcasting into this "cave" and Spencer was happy to get out! He thought the bears were around the corner.

these hippos stayed this way for a long time and Spencer would have nothing to do with them up close. Sad, would have been a great photo op.

Loving his Blue Angels jet.

Air and space museum

On the way we went through Phoenix and stayed with Leticia and Martin for a couple days. Spencer loved horseback rides from Martin (videos to come). And not sure why Martin is making this face, but it is really funny and hopefully he doesn't hate me for posting it!!

And he always loves Leticia.

Rock band

Loving his guitar!

As it was ridiculously hot, (duh, Arizona in August, what were we thinking??) Spencer had to play in water. He also would not put down his water gun that Uncle Spencer was so kind to give him!

We also stayed in Vegas and visited Spencer for a bit. But I only took videos, so they will come later. We had a great trip and it was fun to see some family as well!!

apple store fun!

Spencer was freaked out by this picture and grabbed his cheeks! haha

graditude

I just wanted to get some thoughts down that have been close to my heart lately. I have touched on this before, but working as a social worker in the emergency department at a large hospital I definitely see a large portion of our community that is not well emotionally, mentally, spiritually and physically. The sadness and trauma that I have seen have made me so grateful for the things I have and the things I don't have to worry about. I have felt that I have done a decent job (that should be my indicator that I need to be doing more) of being grateful to our Heavenly Father for the blessings I have been given that I definitely do not deserve.

I am grateful for a wonderful husband that wouldn't even think of abusing me or Spencer, or anyone for that matter, in any way. I am grateful that I have not had a loved one die or be injured in a traumatic way. I am grateful that I don't have to try to decipher what external or internal stimuli is reality and what is a byproduct of my mental illness. I am grateful that I am not sunk down in the depths of despair and sadness. I am grateful that I don't have to battle thoughts of suicide or harbor intense feelings of anger towards others. I am grateful that I don't have to go to homeless shelters or try to brave the weather on the streets. I am grateful for my support system and how kind and generous others are towards me. This just scratches the surface of what I am grateful for, but you get the general idea.

And then the other day I was humbled again by watching the 5:00 news with Spencer. They showed scenes in Africa right now of people who all I can think really know what it is to suffer in every way. They showed starved people in long lines to get food and a spot to sleep in a makeshift tent. People without that basic tier of human needs of shelter, food and safety. Then they showed a baby/toddler lying on the dirt ground, staring into space, obviously malnourished just covered in flies. Spencer immediately looked up to me with eyes full of tears and said, "Mamae, that baby has bugs all over him." Needless to say, seeing that child that way was heartbreaking enough but then to have my sweet little boy recognize and bluntly state the inhumanity in the world really has made me think a great deal.

What do I do with what I have been blessed with? I am sad to admit that it is very little. I know I need to be a better steward of my blessings and the resources the Lord has provided me, with the trust that I would be a good and wise servant and use them for good. I wonder how sad it must be for the Lord to watch his children, especially the little kiddos, suffer in this world. It also must be so hard for him to watch those who have received so much more squandor it away with little good to show for it. I want to be a better servant. I want to give more of what I have to those who are so much less fortunate than me. I want to show more compassion and love to not only those in remote places but to those in my community. And hopefully by this expression, I will be held to a greater accountability to actually follow through on these things. Unfortunately, I need those reminders to jolt me out of my comfort zone and look outside of myself. Let's all be a little better and more giving and compassionate to those that are just as loved by the Lord as we are.