Nashville Summer 2009

I went home to work at the VA and then was on the road again....this time to Nashville. Mom was in Nashville for a bit to visit with her mom so I went for a few days to see her again and visit some friends. Betsie, Stephanie, Becky, Emily Ann, Vanette, Mau Mau, Aunt Leslie, Melissa.....to name a few. Melissa who is Marcelle's sister spent the summer taking care of our Mau Mau and did a great job! Mau Mau is 93 and the most lovely resident of Richland Place!




When I came back from Nashville Adam had lunch ready for me. And then an evening out shopping!

The Rest of Califonia Summer 2009

We spent the night after the winery at my grandparents and then headed the next day to Point Reyes National Seashore, only one of my favorite places in the world. We again had a clear, sunny day, saw and smelled lots of sea lions and visited the light house. Adam and I braved the cold water but only for a few moments before getting out to lay in the sun!





Adam had to get back to work and I stayed in California with the family. I spent time at the grandparents and we celebrated their wedding anniversary with chocolate ice cream, only their favorite food in the world!



It was good to get to spend more time with the Smiths, Gail and my mom. Abigail is a ton of fun and definitely has a personality all of her own! We got to visit with Abigail and Mary Jane who have moved to Sacramento. We sure do miss them! The Kibres and Aunt Helen and Uncle Norm also came to visit which was so fun!







I started online summer classes while I was in CA which was interesting. I have sworn off summer classes but I am not sure that I will be able to actually keep that promise to myself:-) I do want to finish school sometime.

On to the Winery

After visiting with my family Adam and I headed to Napa Valley/Sonoma to check out a winery. You can see that Olivia was not happy to see us go - (I love this picture!). We again had beautiful weather and good food. They fried lemons to put on our lemon and shrimp pizza. Yummy again! We brought a bottle home to share with our friends Molly and Adam.

California Dreaming

With the semester over it was time for me to head to California to see my family. There was a new addition making it especially crucial -Olivia Smith was born the end of May and is a precious addition. Gail was finishing her first year at college which was more of a challenge since she broke her foot/ankle in a trampolining accident. Her friends had been a great help getting around campus and even bought a carrier so they could bike her to go with them. Gail also has a significant other in her life right now - Ben. I thought he might be interested the way he acted when I visited in January and I was right. He has been a great source of friendship and support for Gail and we like him!































Adam come to meet my family for the first time and since my mom was in town to meet Olivia it was great to have everyone in the same place (minus dad) for a little bit! Abigail really missed her Nanni ( my mom) after having a constant playmate for a month. I know the feeling was mutual. We spend an afternoon at the park and just hauled Gail there in the little red wagon!


















Meet Olivia!
Dad had read about the world's best Barbecue place that was located in Oakland, CA. Adam and I picked it up on the way back from San Fran. I passed on the meat but it was a hit with the rest of the clan!
The three girls were happy to be together and to have our mommy in the country!
The whole clan minus mom who could not stop taking pictures:-)
Gail and her newly found mothering skills. It has been great for her to live so close to Lynn and the grandparents. Currently (August 2009) she is in Bangladesh visiting my parents but she spent the beginning of the summer helping Lynn and the grandparents. There was still a lot of recovering to be done to recuperate her foot.









































Adam and I spent a night with my cousin in San Fran. We went running on the beach in the morning and ate clam chowder in sourdough bread bowls at Fisherman's Warf. It was a beautiful day to be on the Golden Gate Bridge and you could see everything in the city. It was wonderful to get to see my cousin. Lots of things have changed for her life as well and we did a lot of talking! She still loves being in San Francisco!


I love my cousin!


Adam and I visited Ghiredelli Square and had one of the best fruit sundaes every created. We sure do like to eat


I often am asked questions about Adam. One of the most frequent is " Is he really mature?" I guess because he is younger than me and I have had some different life experiences it is a question so yes he is mature but I also taught him the fish face above:-) We are in a serious relationship and prayerfully considering the future. There are many questions, uncertainties and unknowns but we do know that we love being together. We make each other laugh and are able to cry and rejoice with one another. It is another part of the journey. It is a bit more complicated having been married before but has been a blessing! If you are still praying for me, you can add prayers about our future to the list!