San Diego Temple

Another one of our favorite places is the San Diego Temple. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we go to the temple to be taught, we make covenants, and receive blessings that the Lord has in store for us. Our children don't go inside the temple, but they can feel a special spirit by visiting the temple grounds. Everything about the temple lifts us and encourages us to look upward. Our family has many wonderful memories visiting the temple, and Joseph and I have many special feelings associated with attending this temple.

On the eve before Joseph left, we went to do a session together and we arrived a little late. Instead we did sealings and were taught so many wonderful things by the sealer. It was a perfect way to start the long month that we had ahead of us.

I will miss so much about this temple and the grounds surrounding it. The air is so wonderful in La Jolla where the temple is located. I love waft of balmy ocean air that hits you as you walk up to enter the temple. The sights and smells are indescribable.

Why did we move again?

Buccaneer Beach

I took the kids to Buccaneer Beach on Saturday afternoon. It was nice and relaxing after our busy ballet week and with all of the work we had done to prepare for the movers to come. I am really going to miss living near the ocean. I don't love sand, but I've learned to tolerate it. I do love the water though. As I watched the waves crash yesterday, I started to crave a ride on the bodyboard. There were some perfect waves, but I was afraid my boys would try to follow me out into the ocean. I ended up watching the girls ride the waves. I feel like I'm on a vacation or at a party and someone has told me it's time to go home, but I'm not quite ready. I can't wait to come back and visit!

San Diego Maritime Museum

If you've ever walked along the Embarcadero in San Diego, near Anthony's Fish Grotto, you've probably noticed the pirate ships that line the bay. We always walk past, but we've never taken the chance to visit. We decided to spend a Saturday in at the Bay and tour all of the shops. It was interesting learning the history of all of the ships. At the end we took a little Bay Cruise. We had some beautiful views of the Bay and also some great reminders of just how much we are going to miss this place. I secretly hope that someday we have the opportunity to live here again. I love the area. Maybe we can request to go on a mission here someday. I remember back in January, before we had received the offer to transfer, we were visiting the Mormon Battalion Museum and there was an older gentleman and his wife who were serving in the visitor's center. They were preparing to end their mission and the very next day fly back to Utah. As we sat there, visiting with him, in the middle of January, enjoying the balmy air, and 80 degree weather and blue skies, I started to feel a little bad for him; for the fact that he had to go back to the frozen earth that is Utah in January. Thank heaven we are moving in June! I'll have months to prepare for my bitter winter. :)

Sea World

I took the girls and some of their friends to Sea World during spring break. We loved it so much that we've gone back a few times since and we even took Joseph with us once. We all thought the shows were amazing! The kids also love Rocky Pointe where they are able to interact and touch the dolphins, the shark tunnel, and all of the fun rides. When I was their age I wanted to be a trainer at Sea World after visiting with my family. I still think it would be pretty cool. It's amazing to me every time we go.

Balboa Park~Fleet Science Center and SD Zoo

During Spring Break we went to the Fleet Science Center at Balboa Park. The kids loved all of the exhibits. I didn't really ever enjoy science while studying it in text books during school, but after visiting the science center I realized that science is everywhere and it's fun and interesting! (...and also very over my head... ) I love watching my children discover! Perhaps the funniest part was watching Isaac and Aaron "discover" that you could do more than put groceries on the conveyor belt. They took turns pulling each other through, it was great!