We weren’t able to do many of the traditional touristy things while in San Francisco so we definitely want to go back again. The city has beautiful architecture and we look forward to seeing more of that, the Golden Gate Bridge up close and trying some local cuisine. Speaking of – does anyone know what San Francisco is known for other than rice-a-roni?
The 4th of July weekend was a very typical weekend here in California. Mike and Dad were both off on Friday so we got sandwiches from a local deli and ate lunch down at the beach. The weather was so awesome and it felt great to enjoy the sunshine. Mike wiggled into his wetsuit and tried to catch some waves, but the waves just weren’t there that day so he and Dad went to the golf course to play a round of 9 holes before dinner. Saturday was another beautiful day and we celebrated with our friends at a cook-out. There was a friendly rib cook-off that not only ended with a vow for a re-match, but every single rib was devoured in mere minutes after they were finished cooking! You can bet we’ll be at the re-match to reap the rewards again of the duel!
With the rule of thumb, “as long as they don’t leave the ground,” fireworks are legal in Marina so the annual fireworks show on Forest Circle commenced once the sun went down. It was lots of fun with all of the kids staying up WAY past their bedtimes and watching “all the pretty colors” light up in the street. Josh was brave and watched the whole the show sitting on my lap, under a blanket, while chewing on a glow-in-the-dark bracelet. It was so wonderful to spend the time cuddling with him since those times are few and far between now that he’s a “big boy” and about to be a big brother.
Our family was very blessed on June 29 when my step-mom and close friends from church gave me and #2 a baby shower. I only knew the date and time – everything else was a surprise and I had such a good time. The neutral bear theme in green and brown was a perfect fit for the big unknown in my belly. Dad and Debbie worked VERY hard with decorations and made DELICIOUS food – mini-Reuben sandwiches, crab cakes with roasted red pepper aioli, parmesan bruschetta with spinach avocado dip and various fruits and vegetables for dipping. Chocolate-covered gummy bears adorned the food table and I couldn’t keep my hands off of them! We played games including “guess how many teddy grahams” and guessing how big my belly was with string. Finally, we received so many wonderful gifts from our friends and family and we feel so incredibly blessed to have so many people who care about us in our lives. It was great to spend the day with my close friends and family and I know that friends and family from afar were there in spirit!
On a completely different note, earlier this month I was offered a job teaching criminal justice classes at a local college. I was INCREDIBLY flattered to receive the call and to be told that of all of the applicants, I was at the very top of the stack. Unfortunately, the timing was off with the school year divided into quarters and the next quarter starting July 20 – only 6 days before my due date! They were very understanding about the baby situation and willing to work around it, asking me to contact them in early September to teach the next quarter in October, or to even wait until the January quarter if I wanted more time off. I’m very excited about this possible opportunity to share my enthusiasm for criminal justice, and I’m also excited to see this program grow within this college and its branches throughout California.
So we’re in week 38 of 40 and we’re in the home stretch. I really don’t think it’s possible for my belly to get any bigger and I don’t think my back can carry it much longer. Yes, I’m having contractions and labor can come tomorrow or it could be another week or so. We’re packing hospital bags today and making the final preparations so that we’ll be ready when the big day comes!