Moving was and still is sometimes one of the scariest things I have yet to endure, I know at least one of my kids would agree with me on that one. But, on the other hand it also is one of the most amazingly fulfilling experiences as well. Especially when the move lands us living one block from the ocean in sunny San Diego, California; not to mention the drive across the United States of America to get here, which was one of the most beautiful experiences I have ever encountered. The most marvelous part about the trip - every one of the Merricks were all experiencing it for the very first time, together! Being in my Mom's belly when my family took a tour around the country doesn't really count! You know you are driving across country for the first time when you are in awe of the vast flat lands and cow pastures in Oklahoma.
Anyway, not to get off on a "how beautiful is this country of ours" tangent here. ...back to San Diego and what we think of where we are! OK, to say the least, absolutely everyday is a total adventure. We are always seeing or learning something new here! I swear all of our brains have at least doubled in size. If not from all of the new names and faces to learn, than from all of the fresh sites and information that is necessary to learn to be a non tourist or a local. We feel pretty spoiled to live so close to Cabrillo National Park, and also Sunset Cliffs where we have watched spectacular sunsets and simply breathed in the beauty. Not to mention the extra love we get from my brother, sister-in-law, super sweet niece, cousins and new friends!
We also have seen some pretty wild sites too! Just last week we saw a lady wearing a bird cage attached to a strap which she wore around her neck! Of course the bird cage was not empty, it had a cockatiel in it! We see unicycles and all different types of bikes even motorized ones, lots of skateboards and surf boards, giant size pizza slices, acrobats, a band with a suitcase guitar, and the list goes on! There are so many people that live here, you never feel alone. Most of the time that is a good thing, only sometimes do we miss the quiet as an airplane flies overhead now :)
Rowan loves eavesdropping on people who walk through the alley at night. She enjoys filling me in on the gossip, which thankfully has been fairly G rated during her waking hours. I think all of us Merricks could contribute to book named What Happens in the Alley Gets Amplified. We all just LOVE the guy who revs up his car at the crack of dawn! I guess it is a pretty car, I will give him that.
Ryan is working long days and is feeling great about the company he is working for. There is always something new surfacing at work, and he is glad for the upward direction they are moving in together! He enjoys riding his bike half way to work and then hopping on the trolley for the rest of the trek. This gives him a little bit of time to himself which he enjoys, especially on the way home. By the time he gets home, he is no longer thinking about work any longer and ready to walk into our home to a multiple greeting and dinner! We are all loving the time we have with him on the weekends as well! He has had some fun with the surf board as well!
The kids were so excited to hit and even surpass their August reading goal. Their reward was a trip to Seaworld, and they couldn't wait to finally go! Every time we pass Seaworld (which was often) the kids asked when we could go. I thought Seaworld would be a wonderfully educational incentive for reading well over 1000 pages combined. Yesterday was the magical day we got ourselves packed up and shipped off to the famous Seaworld. We all had an absolute blast! The kids had so much fun learning about the different animals. The kids are stoked that we now have passes for the next two years thanks to a nice ezpay plan, so we can hop on in at any time to enjoy each of the spectacular areas without feeling rushed!
You see Shamu?? How cool is that, we accidentally got her in our family photo at Seaworld! We still have a lot of love for Shamu and her friends, even after being drenched by them! Hey, that's what you get for sitting in the splash zone! Ryan warned us ;)
Overall, we are quite well here in San Diego! Yes, we have our ups and downs, comparable to our ups and down while living in Michigan. Speaking of Michigan, can I get a GO BLUE? As I was saying, mostly we have ups, but we are human and still adjusting to our new life. I am still adjusting to my teeny kitchen in which I use the stove as a storage unit! I do love that the longer we live here, the more material items I am able to pass on, realizing that we are spending most of our time enjoying the outdoors and living a more simple life rather than indoors enjoying "things". We are so grateful for the many things to be "up" about living here. It is a healthy place to be, no doubt about that.
Yet another sunset to enjoy! We never get tired of that gorgeous oh so available sunset, and the many different locations where we can enjoy it! This sunset is open to all of you, if you don't mind staying in a cozy space! Let us know when to pick you up at the airport!
No comments:
Post a Comment