My Name is Rindi: September 2, 2017

We spent the day at the beach in Carlsbad, California. Since the weather has been so hot, the water felt so great and the waves were pretty big. So, that made for an awesome day for our kids. They swam out in the water for hours and hours and hours. They jumped over and under the waves again and again. Miles took a boogie board and rode it over and over. The little boys played hard, but then I snuggled Lance and rocked him in a towel until he fell asleep. I was stuck under his little, sandy body for two hours! It was such a great day---one of those days where your heart just thrills to see your kids playing so hard. Greg made a long trek to this great sandwich shop for lunch. I had a really yummy turkey avocado sandwich. It was super good. We just relaxed and hung out with all of our Jacobsen family. The weather was beautiful (and hot!) and the day was perfect.

We were a tired and sandy bunch when we climbed back into the car. In fact, we hadn't been able to get the girls' attention for them to come in so we just left them at the beach to catch a ride with Brent and Suzette. We all dozed our way back to Temecula.

I had gotten up early to do my run. Brent offered to run part of it with me. I decided to do one loop first and then catch him on my way back. I woke up with the dreaded cold that has been plaguing everyone else. So I decided to shorten my run. I did a quick little three miler before coming back for Brent. I ran up a road and found it ended in a dead end, so I turned back... only to see a coyote hunting along the scrub on the side of the street. I stopped. My heart started pounding. I was pretty sure it wouldn't harm me, but I just didn't know what to do. I ducked behind a tree on the other side of the road and called Greg. He calmed me down just as I saw another runner coming up the street. I picked up a handful of rocks and decided to pass by at the same time as the other runner. The coyote looked at me for a few seconds and then moved on. So I just kept on running. But then I looked over and saw him parallel to me...across the street! I was scared all over again. I probably ran pretty fast and the coyote turned around. It was quite the morning adventure!

Brent and I had a good run and he gave me some good tips from his marathon experience. In the end, I only did 8 miles. But I decided that would have to be good enough. I was so shocked when Stalee texted me that she had run 20 miles!! I am so proud of her.

Our evening was super relaxed. We ate tacos that Suzette made (they were so good!), we swam in Cathy's pool while the guys all watched the BYU game. Then I took the kids back for bed and fell asleep with them. I think Greg had a great time hanging out with his family until really late.

I just want to mention that Lance has been a dream on this trip! He has been so friendly to everyone. He has been an angel to ride in the car for so many hours in a few short days. He has been so cute and talkative. He has been so nice. He has gotten right into bed with the big boys and held still and fallen asleep. He has slept all night, no problems. He has hardly cried. He has been able to eat almost every meal. He has smiled for the pictures and looked cute when everyone talks to him. I can NOT believe the difference this has made to me. I have been under enormous stress with Lance whenever we have traveled. This is a whole new world. Lance and I swam for hours and he has had so much fun. I am so thankful!

I also need to mention about my dad. We nearly lost him again this weekend. They found fluid and blood clots in his lungs. They found blood clots in his legs too. He also had a fever and an abscess in his stomach. It has been really scary and really touch and go. Once again, I tried to pray and prepare my heart for what might happen. I cried a little and worried. The whole family (and his ward) will fast for him tomorrow. It will be so difficult because we are traveling home, but I am praying for him and for my mom. They also discovered that he did indeed have a small stroke. But he is learning to read little by little again, and although things are really scary, he is still here with us. This has been such a long and treacherous journey for my dad. I love him so much.