We live here...really

We met Doug on campus today and went to a park for lunch.  It's rare when Doug takes an early 11 am lunch, but when he does we love to play.  Ethan and Sydney nap at noon here, so lunch must come early.  We went to a play set by the temple that is identical in setup to the one where they play almost every morning.  The university has several of these sets around campus housing.  So awesome.  The public parks are mostly grass around here, no play equipment, so this is so nice!  I snapped a photo to show the temple in the background.  So beautiful!

On our way to the park, I got a call from the doctor with my MRI results.  I have NO TEAR in my meniscus.  This is evidence that prayers are heard.  All my symptoms pointed to a tear, so I feel very lucky.  He said the tendons and ligaments looked fine also and I can return to running when I feel ready.  He said there was some fluid behind my knee still in the MRI so perhaps I had formed a cyst that burst.  I am just so happy that I can run again, I don't need surgery, and I can play while I am here!  It is still stiff and somewhat painful, but my range of motion is coming back and changing diapers is getting a little easier each day.  I think I'll take a short run this next week and see how it feels.  Woo hoo!!

After playing in the sun, they took an extra long nap--4 hours!  I didn't know what to do with myself once 2.5 hours passed.  I went out on the patio by the ocean and made some calls for work.  I was interrupted by a couple asking me to call for help because they saw a sea lion that looked like it needed help just 30 feet or so away from our house on the rocks.  I was shocked (and excited) and made a few calls before discovering that this is normal behavior and it was in fact a Hawaiian monk seal.  I snapped a few photos to send to the wildlife 'people' and stood in awe of something like this in my backyard.  After walking back inside, Sydney and Ethan were awake and I was so excited to play with them.

When Doug came home, he taught Ethan and Sydney how to hold hands.  I think watching them interact sometimes takes my breath away.  They kept saying "hand" to let the other know they wanted to hold hands.  Kissing, holding hands...all 'regulars' around here.  We're pretty affectionate people, but maybe it's the spirit of Aloha...