Priceless!

We went to Merced last weekend and we always feel so blessed when we travel back home. So fortunate to be able to make it down and spend some quality time with the ones we love. Truly, in all the world, nothing else really matters than having the time and energy to hug the ones that mean the most in this crazy world we all live in!

My list of memorable times would be:

1. Staying at my Mom's, sipping on coffee and having leisurely mornings with her. So thankful.

2. Coloring, hugging and dancing with our grandbaby Kaelyn.

3. Attending church and praising God with our long time, amazing friends, having lunch and celebrating a birthday of one of these friends.

4. Enjoying a movie, laughter, good eats and sharing love with Andrew, Erika, Grace and Kaelyn.

5. Kaelyn saying again and again, "You're MY MAMA!" over and over, emphasis on "MY" - melting my heart!! I love it!!!

6. Hearing Kaelyn say, "I want PaPa hold me."

7. While waiting for everyone to get ready for dinner, Kaelyn used my compact mirror and I took a few pics. A few are a little blurry but still precious.

As we left, of course there were tears.....I talked to Kaelyn about how we will see each other in a few days (not really until the end of the month, but thankfully she doesn't know 'time' yet). She calmed down and we were able to depart on a good note.

On Monday morning we left Merced after another leisurely morning with my Mom and Frank. We had planned to meet with one of Dick's BEST FRIENDS from elementary school. We met up with Randy in Stockton and enjoyed a 4 HOUR LUNCH!!!! 4 HOURS??? REALLY??? Yes! He is a GREAT guy - hmmm, surprised? A friend of Dick's and a GREAT person? Just for the record, my hubs has AMAZING friends and I am ever so grateful that they call me THEIR friend. What a blessing!! Randy began his career as an Episcopalian priest. He is married and has 6 children. After disagreeing with the Episcopal Church on many levels, and researching how the Catholic Church met his intellect and beliefs, he became a Catholic Priest. Now, you say, what? a Catholic priest that is married and has children? That cannot happen!! Well, it did and does happen. There are about 4 priests with this status in California and about 80 in the nation!

Our lunch began with the reminiscence of Kindergarten through high school memories, followed by deep discussions on Catholicism, religion, and the Bible, followed by more reminiscing of bygone years and of current events. He is a very easy going, easy to laugh, intelligent, love for God kind of a guy! Seriously, if neither of us had anything else to do, we'd STILL be sitting at Carrow's in Stockton TALKING!! Dick and I had to go to the bathroom soooooooo bad afterwards. We both agreed, neither one of us wanted to leave the conversation in case we would miss something!

We look forward to another visit, meeting his family and perhaps even hearing him preach on a Sunday Service. He is a priest for a lock down facility of 18 - 25 year olds in Stockton. Once or twice a month he will preach at a church in Stockton, outside of the facility. We'd love to take Taylor to one of his services too.

We had to pick Gabby up from her "shared custody" parents - David and Vasi. We arrived just in time for dinner!! Perfect timing!!!

Just a little lobster to begin, followed by a 5 cheese ravioli, and topping off with vanilla ice cream with Chocolate Merlot sauce.

Gabby hated to leave - always a good time with her "Big Mom and Big Dad"!

Today, we went for our daily run and I could not help but to stop and smell the purple blooms, looming out next to the incredible GGB.

Ah, life is precious. Grab a hold of it each and every day because in an instant it all can change. Thank you God for all of the blessings you've bestowed on us. May we use these blessings to help others.