Soaking in the California sunshine!

I was so appreciative to fly out to CA for 10 days, and be there for Mothers Day and Rebekah’s High School graduation. This trip was an eye opener for me in a few ways. This is the longest amount of time Glenn and I have been apart in the 2 ½ years we have been together. About 5 minutes away from the airport it all of a sudden hit me that Glenn wasn’t coming and I started crying and missing him already. I knew I would miss Glenn. I just didn’t realize how severely and how hard it would be for me to be apart. The next thing I realized came from a simple question the guy sitting next to me on the plane asked. “Are you headed home, or leaving home?” I hesitated for a second because I honestly didn’t know how to answer anymore. California was home to me for almost 23 years, and in my heart it will always feel like going home. At the same time, my life isn’t in California anymore. I was teary-eyed the second I left NY because my life is here with my husband and our puppies. The home is where the heart is! The ultimate in cliché’s but so fitting of my feelings for my sweet marriage and how happy I am. I don’t say any of this to take away from how much I will always love to visit CA, and my family and friends there. At the same time I felt like just that, a visitor. When I was staying in my old hot pink bedroom, the color of the walls was still the same, but it didn’t feel like mine anymore. It made me appreciate how much I love having our own home, and having our own unique way of doing things.

Aside from extremely missing Glenn, I am so grateful that I didn’t have to wait until Christmastime before I could see my family again. My trip started with Rebekah picking me up from the airport. This was my first time ever in the car with her behind the wheel, and after a detour to Woodland, we made it home safely. After warm greetings a very tired girl still on East Coast time wanted to sleep, only to awaken at 6:00 AM completely alert and ready for the day. I spent my Saturday with my Dad running errands, and enjoying some of my Elk Grove favorites. We got Daddy/Daughter manicures, ate Tops Yogurt, and went to Target. Target may not seem like that big a deal, but when you live 30 minutes from one trust me it’s very exciting! I had to laugh this day because everywhere we went I ran into random people I know, Target parking lot, Safeway, and my favorite Chaleen Cowley waving wildly to me at the stoplight.

Mother’s Day was another early morning. My Mom volunteered me to work registration at the Run like a Mother 5K, so I was ready to go at 5:40 AM. I enjoyed this time because I was able to work and chat with Nancy, one of my Fairy Godmothers whom I love! Then there was my Mother’s job on race day. She is one of many identities. She is Cruella Deville, Mrs. Claus, and now she is the official race day Fairy Godmother complete with tutu, wings, and purple hair. I love you Mom, you have always been one for fabulous flair! It was so nice to be home and spend Mothers Day with you!! I went to my family ward and I always love catching up with people there who have known me forever! Sunday night was our usual Sunday night dinner craziness! Normally dinner is just the two of us and I like how crazy, loud, and full of laughter my parents home always is on Sunday nights. I hope I can be like my mother in that sense. She has the most impressive ability to bring people together and make all feel welcome.

Most of my trip was pretty low key. What I was looking forward to the most was just seeing people. I was able to spend an afternoon with my Grandma eating sushi and wandering around Arden Fair Mall. I visited with my in-laws and darling nieces eating pizza and playing Cataan. I was hoping for another niece to arrive while I was in CA, but unfortunately that didn’t happen, no matter how much encouragement from Auntie Abbie. I spent time loving on puppies and babies. I had lunch with my second mom Debby. I saw Cindy and Kai, and finally met baby Mary. I wish they would all move to the East Coast so I can be her nanny again! I saw my friend Cameron and met his new wife Rachel, and talked about how we have gotten old. It’s always so difficult to see everyone that I want to see, and if you didn’t get quality one on time I’m sorry and I love you and lets Skype!

The main reason for my trip was Rebekah’s High School graduation!! I’m going to brag for just a second. Rebekah is a gorgeous, smart, and talented girl. All you have to do is look at her in her sky high heels, in her cap and gown, with three chords, and national honor society sash, and you can’t deny she is going places with her life! We like to joke in our family that raising Rebekah was a group effort, and therefore we should all take a little pride in graduation day. The combined powers of the masses made for one remarkable girl. You are so loved! UNR is lucky to have you in the Fall.

Another day that I was looking forward to was Mommy and Me day!! I miss doing craft projects with my Mom. I accomplished lots of knitting while in CA, and even went to a knitting tasting with my Mom and Grandma. My Mom is tremendously crafty and I wish I could have her closer to assist me when I get stuck and take knitting classes with me. We went to sewing day, had a yummy lunch, and watched The Help. Glenn was thrilled to get out of watching Letters to Juliet. He isn’t always thrilled about my taste in movies so I had to get in my chick flicks fix with my Mom.

The Saturday before I left was family fun day! Now that we’re all grown and going in a million different directions it’s harder to find times where we can do something fun as a family. Rebekah, Corey, and I went and had a sibling breakfast at Ihop in the morning. Or should I say the Propovich kids ;-) Some may wonder, when did I gain a brother? Corey was my parent’s replacement child when I got married, and he fits right into the family. That night we went to Leatherby’s Elk Grove for dinner, and got our bowling action on at Strikes. Despite our best efforts at family fun day, Kayla still missed it. I love my sisters and hope that no matter how much distance between us we never forget how special that bond is.

It’s impossible to write absolutely everything about my trip. I had a wonderful time, and loved visiting with people. Now come visit us in NY! By Sunday night I was so ready to be home with Glenn and to see my Rocky!! Little did I know of the long journey home ahead of me! It took me flying Sacramento to Minneapolis, Minneapolis to Cincinnati, finding out my flight was cancelled, having to run to catch a flight to Atlanta, and then arriving in Atlanta to almost not get a seat to Newark. After 4 flights, I was sick, exhausted and most likely smelly from my near 24 hours of traveling, but all that didn’t matter when I was finally reunited with Glenn. You know that moment in the movies when two people see each other from a distance, ditch their luggage, and start running into each other’s arms, to have the man lift up the woman and kiss her passionately? Yes, that really happened!