Monday, September 29, 2008

Surf's Up

The kids watching a huge pelican that flew right down to visit us. It was bigger than it seems in this photo and closer too.

Saturday was such a wonderful day. I had a teary time falling asleep the night before. Too much sorrow built up in the heart. It still happens about once a week. So Saturday was just the remedy I needed. 

We woke up to a foggy morning. This is quite a novelty for us know coming from Las Vegas. I love when the weather seems to mimic my moods. And a cool and humid fog was just the right atmosphere to fit the bill. 

After a wonderful breakfast of waffles by Elizabeth we organized and pack and headed to the beach. I had never been to this beach before but it is the perfect place to learn to surf. My girls swore they were not going near a surfboard. They only wanted to play in the sand. 
Here are Lauren and cousin Charby playing in the sand.

Sometimes I am amazed I am raising such girly girls. I grew up surrounded by 3 brothers. I could ride and jump a bike as well as any of the neighbor boys, I played football and soccer and tee ball with the boys and could do almost any trick they could on the trampoline. My girls have little to no interest in any of this. I try to get them to be a bit more sporty but they are -- how can I put this nicely -- "easily frightened."

So I wasn't sure how successful the surfing would be. At the beach, they watched their cousin Berk surf a few waves with his dad and then Annie said she would try. She just didn't want to get wet. I had to pick her up and carry her out to the surf board. But then well... you can see for yourself below.
Go ANNIE!

After Annie surfed, Sabrina thought she might try. This was the girl who swore to me she was not going to get on a surfboard. Here she is below on her first try with Uncle Morgan.
See that big smile? She loved it!

When the girls had had their fill, I decided I better show them their mom is not a wuss. So with a push in the right direction, here is my first ever attempt at surfing.
It was fun. I am glad I did it. Now I just need to work my arms out more so I can more easily paddle out. That was a workout on the arms.

The sun never did shine through the fog for more than a minute or two the whole time we were at the beach. I kept hoping it would burn off the clouds and warm us all up, but no such luck. Sometimes, the fog is harder to burn off than others. But there is a stillness and beauty in the fog too. It is cooling and soothing like being wrapped in a cool blanket. 

From the beach, we headed home, showered and changed and went to church to watch the Women's Conference broadcast from Salt Lake City. The world wide leaders of our church speak to us in these conferences that occur twice a year. This conference was the most amazing one I have ever heard. Perhaps it was more that I was more prepared to hear the talks. If you haven't heard it you should go watch it on the internet HERE. I loved Julie Beck's talk and Elder Uchtdorf's was simply inspiring. I could write a whole post just on the insight I got from this conference. Maybe another day.

After the conference my friend Kathryn and I headed to the Honda center in Anaheim for the So You Think You Can Dance tour. It was even better in person. Our seats were amazing. We were the second row from the floor and the stage was set at half court. The dancers were incredible. Will is just a work of art and his dance is a thing of beauty. They performed all the best dances from the season. Best of all I got to spend over 4 hours with a dear long time friend. It is so comforting to be in the presence of those who really really know you. Love you Kathryn! Thanks again!

What a great day Saturday was. Falling asleep that night with a cool comforting blanket of fog covering all the land was quick and easy.


21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Welcome home, Stephanie, Sounds like a nice vacation was just what you needed. Nothing beats the San Diego beach.... I am in need of a visit there myself!

Have a wonderful week! Thank you for taking the time to post and share. (Beautiful pictures as well)

Julie : )

Anonymous said...

Stephanie:
You are so lucky. That may sound strange to say right now with all the grief you are experiencing, but I truly mean it. I wish I had the family and friends you have that help buoy you up during this painful time. I know they do not take the pain away, but they seem to help with the healing.
I did not grow up in the church, and I have a very small family who do not support my choice. I suffer privately with a pain that is so intense at times that it is all I can do to put one foot in front of the other. The Lord is my true confidante, but sometimes I wish I, too, had someone who could help with my healing.
I'm glad you had a great weekend. Sometimes a change of scenery, and weather refresh us.

Anonymous said...

What a great day!! i agree, those talks were great. It was a great day. I need to listen to them again. I was struggling that night, so i am sure i missed a lot. Love the fog.

Amanda said...

I am impressed you got up on your first surfing attempt - much better than mine. You are awesome.

Katie Webb said...

Good job on the surf board. It took me an entire day to be able get up and then I could only stay on for about 0.8 seconds. I'm glad you got away for the weekend. And I agree about the fog. Sometimes its actually nice to have it lurking all around you.

Molly Bice-Jackson said...

I'm so glad you are having a great time. (Or had a great time...don't know if you're home yet). Isn't the beach so healing? I can't wait to see you this weekend.

Shanan said...

Oh how I miss the beach!! I'm so proud of you and your girlies for getting up surfing. Cloudy skies often make for a better day at the beach anyway!

Shanan said...

Where's Jon's attempt up on the surf board?? Was he the designated photographer instead? ;)

EvaMarieva said...

That looks so much fun-even in the fog. Have fun on the rest of your vacation! I too loved the RS broadcast and really felt like they spoke to me, it was just what I needed to get back on my right track.

e said...

As always, we cherish having you here! It's good to just be able to walk over and give you a hug or giggle with the girlies. My only complaint? It wasn't long enough. The Waite girls can now say they are surfers... next time they'll have to drag their daddy out too ;) Still working on Morgan for January... I am a persuasive one, so we shall see. Love you to infinity and beyond (as my mom would say). -elizabeth

Jennie said...

Stephanie,
It sounds like you had a great time. Good job on getting up on the board! It's tough. It sounds like your friend Kathryn was the medicine you needed to lift you up. I'm glad she could be there for you. Friends make so much of a difference in our lives. I loved the conference as well. It was just what I needed to hear.

Melissa-Mc said...

Good job at surfing!

I loved Pres. Uchtdorf's talk. It inspired to want to go out and do good.

Marleen said...

Sounds great. Love the picture of you surfing. The girl behind you has a look of awe or is that, "huh." I love that.

RS conference was definitely amazing. I recorded it and watched twice! I love DVR. I can't wait to get the Ensign so I can read it. I usually will catch or be inspired in a different way when I read the talks.

Anonymous said...

Oh, I'm so glad you got the respite, inspiration and companionship you needed. Sounds like a wonderful day!

Susan Anderson said...

Good for the girls! Good for you, too!! (And I am JEALOUS that you got to watch Will.) How did he get kicked off??? =)

Maggie May said...

so glad you all had that experience!
your surfing picture is awesome :)

Unknown said...

Steph and Jon,
Glad to see you guys are having fun!!! Was thinking of you this evening and logged on to the scoop. Keep doing the good you do. You are an inspiration. We love you.
Dana & Anna

janalee said...

Oh, this sounds like a wonderful break! I'm so glad you enjoyed the trip. Surfing is, well, awesome, and the Women's Conference was awesome in an entirely different way. I had a hard time taking notes, because I needed to hear *everything*. Wow.

Anonymous said...

Loved this post Steph...the photo of you on the board is fabulous! I had SUCH a good time with you at the SYTYCD tour. The dancing was A.MAZ.ING.(!) but the time with you was even better! I am so thankful to have you in my life. Even though I don't see you very often (and hardly ever without kids anymore!) it still felt like just yesterday we were roomies. Two girls with big hopes and dreams wondering what great things the future had in store for us. I still felt that when I was with you...a great hope for what the future has in store. I was happy to see and feel that your spirit is still the same and still so strong. I love you!!!!!!!

Rachel said...

I loved Elder Uchtdorf's talk, too, I've already watched it again a couple of times. On a lighter note, Adam begs to differ with your statement that you could do things as well as ANY boy in the neighborhood:) I know exactly what you mean about the girly girls, I was a big tomboy, my best friend was a boy, and it always takes me aback how prissy they can be, especially my oldest. In fact I just wrote about this yesterday, I think you'd get a kick out of the conversation we had: A New Princess Archetype
Rachel Merrill

Stephanie said...

You look like a natural on the surf board :)