Our California Adventure

Grandma took us all to California this past week. It was quite the adventure. The trip started and ended with a 10 hour drive. (Thank goodness for Scripture Scouts. It kept the kids entertained the whole way.) We spent three days in Disneyland, an afternoon at the beach, and also made a day trip to San Diego to visit Sea World.

Collin was the perfect age for Disneyland: old enough to go on most of the rides, and brave enough to try anything once--even the Tower of Terror--but still totally thrilled by the kiddie rides and meeting the Disney characters. It was fun to experience everything through his eyes.

Luke's favorite ride was the Disneyland Railroad...go figure. But the Carousel and Buzz Lightyear were close seconds. Owen seemed to really like It's a Small World, though he couldn't say as much. I'm partial to roller coasters, and have never much been into princesses. But I did meet Mary Poppins. That was a highlight for me.

Collin lost his first tooth at Disneyland. It was likely the same tooth he cut five years earlier at Sea World as a baby. He was so excited.

Luke puked at Sea World. We were pulling into the parking lot after an hour and a half drive from Anaheim to San Diego and out came his breakfast. All over himself and all over the car. When Merritt tried to enter the park with a three-year-old wearing no shirt, his little brother's shorts, and a Mickey Mouse baseball cap they turned him away. No shirt, no service. But all Merritt had to do was show them the plastic bag full of throw up clothes and they waved him in. It's a good thing Sea World sells t-shirts.

My favorite day was Sunday because after church we went to Huntington Beach. My kids were SO excited to be back at the ocean. As usual, Collin headed straight for the water to splash in the waves. And Luke passed the time building sand castles, making friends with everyone on the beach. The smell of salt, the wind in your hair, the sand beneath your feet...it reminded me of home. I called my friend Amber from the beach to tell her I missed her.

That night we rented the movie Blind Side. It was appropriate for Mother's Day I thought. It's supposed to be about football, but it's really more about mothers. How everyone needs one and what can happen if you don't have one...and the difference a good mother can make in a child's life.

That night I told my kids the story of the 2,000 young warriors whose lives had been miraculously preserved because their mothers had taught them to have faith in God and obey His commandments with exactness. It's one of the best stories in the Book of Mormon. I told my boys the most important thing a mother teaches her children is that God is real and that He loves His children. His commandments provide protection, much like armor and a shield and a sword provided protection for the young warriors. A good mother arms her children with faith and knowledge and preparation as she teaches them the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I am thankful for a mother who taught me these things and taught me to cherish my children and find joy in motherhood.