The Wahrmund Family: Sunny and Warm in October

Hello Desert Sun

This past weekend, Trev and I headed south to Arizona to visit some dear friends and had a truly wonderful time. The intention wasn't to go for a "vacation", I just hadn't seen them in so long and had an opportunity to go. But as I lay by their pool soaking up the 80+ degree rays (they thought I was crazy by the way, as this is their "off season" and they think it's too cold for the pool....HA!) I did truly relish the moment. How lucky was I to enjoy such a lovely four days in the warm desert sun with people I hold so dear to my heart? Referring to them as "friends" hardly fits, as they have always been more like family. Outside of family, no one has known me longer than they have. It all began in San Diego in the early 80s when my dad got stationed aboard the USS CLEVELAND. My dad and Mr. Jim (yes, I am in my late 30s and still address them as Mr and Ms...) were shipmates and our families lived in the same phase of Navy housing at the time. My mom and Ms. Janet hit it off and thus began what will nearly be 30 years of friendship. Sadly, my dad has fallen out of touch with them, but that was not an option for me. My mom's death has brought me closer to them and I think with Ms. Janet especially, we are an extention of my mom for each other. Jay and I had taken a trip down there for Mariners spring training in 2004 and that was the last I'd seen them. They had not met any of my boys in person, so it was really fun to introduce Trev to all of them. I thought this was the best time to travel with him because he is not mobile yet. He did great and was a very good house guest, but I am thankful that I didn't wait a day longer to take this trip with him as he was on the brink a couple times of a major meltdown on the flight. I picked this weekend in particular because they are all Arizona Cardinals fans and this was the weekend Seattle happened to be hosting the team. Thus, Ms. Janet planned a big party and we had a fun day of football, food, games and playful banter, although I confessed that I was really not educated in the game of football and honestly not a true Seahawks fan, but it was fun to represent anyway and oh, Seattle won :) I have to admit, I did take a little pleasure in the fact that it was wet and cold in Seattle during the game whilest I watched it down south in the sunny warmth....all in all, it was a trip well worth taking, even though I hate flying, and I just hope that it isn't another six years before I see everyone again. But even if it is, it never seems as though that much time has passed when we're together.