Trip to CA

Finally the day had come that I had been waiting for....my kids (and Logan) got to come see ME!!!  It was the best because I was so ready to see them.  I picked them up at the airport in the mini.  They were so excited to be there.  In the very beginning so many friends had given us money for Southwest Airlines so they all got to fly there and it was totally covered.  Amazing friends!  

Joss (AG doll) is actually a surfer from CA so she got to come along too :)

They first went to Santa Monica with me and went to hyperthermia.  My team of nurses at HT loved getting to meet my crew.  It's crazy how close you can get to people you see everyday.....they had become new friends.  So it was so good to have them there with me.  It was a long drive but we made it back to the center in Irvine.  I had a few things to do at the center that day so Lucy came in with me and sat with me.  It was the BEST to have her (and Joss) with me.

After I finished we headed to the park for a picnic and played for awhile.  The weather was so nice and it was just so good to be together.

Afterwards I had an appointment at the center with Trish and Devlin.  It was a lot and very hard.  I explained all I was feeling and the bloating and how I didn't really feel like I was getting better.  They were encouraging and telling me new things I could look into and try.  I then brought up my visit with Dr. Fong.  I explained that Fong said I needed to be on full dose immediately.  Devlin asked me if I was open to that and I said yes I just want to get better.  He said he didn't realize that.  So then he agreed with Fong and said that's what he would suggest at this time too.  Wow....that was a lot to take in.  I never thought Devlin would say that but it's EXACTLY what we prayed for....a clear answer/direction.  After that Devlin wanted to examine me.  It was hard and emotional because he was making sure what the bloating was about.  They took me across to have an ultrasound and was checking all my organs. It's like I couldn't even breathe because I was so worried about what he would find.  Logan was in the room with me and felt the same.  Thankfully he didn't see anything new but just saw that I was retaining fluid.  So we left feeling like the Lord had really given us a new path and direction....I was coming home and needed full dose asap.  So that night just felt different with the kids.  I felt this relief of knowing that I would be home with them soon.  It honestly was the best.  Being away has been so incredibly hard.  We went to San Clemente that night for pizza at Pizza Port.  It was packed but fun and kids loved the food.  Then we walked to a healthy vegan ice cream place.  I even had a little bit and tasted SO good.  The kids didn't love it but I sure did.  We drove down to the beach.  It was Lucy's first time to see the ocean and she LOVED it.  They got soaked and played in the water.  

After this picture we told the kids the news about my appointment and that I was coming home.  I thought it would be immediate excitement but Weston took it differently.  He was afraid that meant I was getting worse and not getting better.  I tried to reassure him that this was going to be better for me.  It's all a lot to take in.  It was a beautiful night and so fun to be on the beach with my crew.

The next morning I was scheduled for eboo...this is kinda of like dialysis.  It's a process that cleans your blood.  The kids came in and were with me for awhile.  It went fine and of course I was glad to have them with me. 

We were packed for the beach so we headed straight there afterwards.  We went to Laguna beach.  The waves weren't big but great for boogie boarding.  The kids had a blast.  Lucy loved jumping over the waves and playing in the sand.  Caleb loved boogie boarding and the skim board.  Tyson and Weston loved the boogie board too.  It was so fun!

Afterwards we cleaned up and went to Urban Plates.  This was one of my favorite restaurants the entire time I've been in CA.  We ate their and then headed to the CA angels baseball game.  

Our seats weren't the greatest but we didn't care.  It was super fun and the kids loved it!  I was pretty whipped just walking up to our seat but felt fine for the most part.

The next day we did some back to school shopping.  The kids started school later that week so I wanted to get them a few things.  We did some shopping and then went to swim for awhile at the pool at my condo.  It was fun!  That night we went to a really fun restaurant that was right on the beach. It was called Oceanside.  We had to wait awhile but it was worth it.  The food was great...best burger Weston ever had :) and the view was incredible. 

We were done eating and just sitting there and I remember thinking gosh wouldn't it be cool if we saw dolphins and then I looked out and it was dolphins!!!  It was so awesome.  The kids loved it and we watched them for awhile.  

There was a famous gelato place right close so the kids all got some.  There was a super long line but the kids said it was SO worth the wait.  They said it was the best ice cream they have ever had!!!!  Wow!  We walked down to the beach and sat there while they ate it.  Best night....love them!

The next day we spent the entire day at the beach....this time we went to Doheny Beach at Dana Point.  It had much bigger waves and lots of surfing.  Everyone loved surfing!!!  All the kids tried it and got it at some point.  Logan did it a lot too.  

And sand building :)

We drove around the corner and ate at a Mexican food type restaurant.  We got to sit outside and it was so nice.  The food was so yummy.  Such a great night but also hard because they had to leave the next day :(

Hard to tell them bye but a little easier knowing I was going home soon!

So thankful for the time with them and for the new direction that we feel strongly the Lord has had his hand on.