California Dreamin'

Although San Antonio is far from being a winter day with temperatures in the upper 90's and feeling like 102 (so says weather.com), I still have California on my mind. My home could use a good airing out with fresh cool night air, but that isn't happening any time soon. We especially miss our family and the fun we had together. Thank heavens for cameras and memories remembered via blogging.



Fernando's brother recently returned from his mission in Portugal. It was fun to have all the family together again after almost 4 years of being apart. (his sister Sulay served a mission as well a few years earlier in Brazil). As mentioned in an earlier blog, our trip started early to make our flight in Austin about 2 hours away from our home. On a billboard, a informative bulletin flashed the time of 4:45 am and the temperature of 87 degrees. When we got on the plane we discovered the 2+ hour flight would land us in temperatures of 67 degrees. We were a bit concerned about our short and short sleeve shirts, but what can you do.

We had about 5 different types of midsize cars to choose from. It wasn't until the 4th 60+year old we saw driving our twin car that we realized what type of option we choose. Oh, well. It offered a lot of head and leg room.

Saturday was spent cooking and cleaning for the hosts of extended family and friends that would be arriving to attend the Non-Homecoming Sacrament meeting of former Elder Daniel Tovar. I was some how entrusted with preparing Beef and Broccoli stir fry as one of the main entrees that would be served the next day. I usually feel pretty ok with cooking, but shifting a recipe from family size to 20+ pounds of meat was a bit daunting. I felt like a Costco employee, up to my elbows in soy sauce marinade. Thanks to Mama Clara's clever thinking, a plastic tote with a lid was used as the holding bin for the meat. Several onions, and cloves of garlic later. . operation Homecoming Luncheon was underway. This event wasn't for the faint in heart, but it fit the Tovar's idea of party perfectly. Someday, Fernando and I hope to build them a larger and fully functional cooking space to make such events a bit more comfortable to undertake.

The Sacrament meeting was amazing. The Spirit was really strong as each sibling bore testimony of God's love and desires for all of His children. Talia was less then impressed and was more interested in joining the noise then keeping the peace. We have always tried to follow Pres. Brigham Young's advice which is: "Noisy children and good intensions should be handled in the same way. They both should be carried out." Unfortunately, climbing over legs to remove the screaming child can sometimes be equally distracting. Once out of the room, I try to make things as uninteresting as possible. This, in my mind, is to convince them that leaving the meeting is far less pleasurable then staying in with coloring options and funny people. I am sure I look very comical every Sunday getting up and leaving only to return a few minutes later and start the whole process over again.

Aside from the excellent meeting and delicious food, the next best thing was getting a tour of Aunt Tirsa's new home. I wish I would have brought the camera. The home was amazing although you wouldn't think so about how modest Tirsa is about it. We were all excited for her new adventure and can't wait to help make it feel more like her own. This is what I had hoped we could help with while we were down there. I just think that it is good to serve with your family instead of just mooching off them for a week.

My wish for service was granted in the form of fire wood maintenance. I readily agreed, imagining that we would work side by side talking about who knows what. I didn't realize what sort of tasks we were about to undertake. I helped as much as I could and even braved a few nasty bugs, but I could only do it while Talia was asleep. We also attempted to declutter some of the back yard to give them a little more room to expand. This required a rental truck from the local Ace Hardware. Aunt Sulay, Mia, Talia, and I decided to pick it up. While the gentleman was filling in the information, I began to ask him about some policy I saw on the back of the computer. I guess he couldn't hear me so he said, "I'm sorry SIR, what did you need to know." I stepped out from behind the computer into his line of sight with a shocked look to match his. He tried to ignore the Sir mess up, but I milked it for all it was worth. I even asked him for any discounts that I would qualify for--Military, Costco Membership, Gender Confusion.

After two days of hard labor, the wood job was halted for better things like bowling. Fernando's parents were in it for the kids' sake, but came out of the bowling adventure wanting more. On our last day, we headed to the Kern River as per tradition. Last time we were there, I was pregnant (unbeknownst to me at the time) and ended up losing my wedding band to the river. This time was spent walking Talia back and forth from the water's edge and accepting swimming challenges from Fernando. The Kern is used as a white water rafting river and can pack a serious current. The bank we always set up camp at has a little inlet that becomes like a mini lake near the rushing waters. Fernando got some genius idea to swim across the river to the opposite bank and back. Sulay and Fernando were the first to try. Once they came back unscathed, I thought I would give it a go. The cold, swift water made the challenge all that more exciting. Probably not the most responsible thing for us parents to do.

Our final night was filled with camp fire and s'mores. What a perfect way to end a great vacation with the Tovars. It passed too quickly, but that's how it goes. We were off to Camarillo to visit my sister and her family for a day. Fernando then left with his family to Sacramento for his cousin's wedding. Because of his departure and the timing of our return flight, we spent Father's day and our wedding anniversary in different states. Good thing, love knows no bounds and we can celebrate another day.



*the Mama's and the Papa's song was what the Title of the post and beginning lines were inspired by.

Going Home

Family vacations are always a bittersweet experience. Time always passes more quickly then it should and I am left with the question, "why?"

Why is it that some families grow up 30 minutes away from each other instead of in different time zones? Why is it that some cousins grow up as playmates instead of people in a picture and remembered from past vacations? Why do people get to enjoy living next to my family and I don't? Why are these girls so dang cute?

(side note: Talia loved her little cousin. She would hug and kiss on her and try to make her smile. This picture was Talia during a love on Naomi session.)


And, although I have loved seeing my family in California City and Camarillo, it's time to go home. Time to get back into the routine of housework and summer school. Time to head to Sea World (after Mia's sunburn dies down) and feel the brunt of humidity. Time to download vacation photos and blog about the good times we had. Time to give Fernando a big hug and kiss and be our family again.

Irony, Sweet Irony

Rachelle has been asking me to write a blog for some time now. Well today is the day I give it a go. Now, remember, this is Fernando, so don't expect the intelligent prose and witty humor that grace Rachelle's posts...



Let me give you Background information lest you think me an absent minded fool. On days that I finish early at work I try to use the extra time to enjoy a little stint of exercise, jogging, swimming and the like. Today was such a day and I decided to go swimming. On other days I have lugged a duffel bag containing my swim shorts, goggles, etc. as I jog the 3/4 mile to the pool, which, as you can imagine, makes for an interesting time as I try to keep it from jostling about. Today I had the brilliant idea of leaving it in the car and only lugging along my trunks along with a few essential items. Unlucky for me, the car keys did not make my list of essential items. I came back to find both spare keys to the car, my only house key, my cell phone and my wallet locked in the back seat. No problem, I thought. I'll just call someone to bust the lock.

Well, after waiting an hour and a half by my car on a beautiful San Antonio day, I walked back into the hospital to call "Pop-a-lock" to see what the hold up was. Let me detail the conversation, it tells the story nicely:

Me- I was wondering when you were going to come by and unlock my car?

Heidi- Let me see if our technician has passed by.... It says that he passed by but no one was by the car. It will be a $10 dollar extra charge to send him back.

Me- I'm sorry but that's not true. I have been standing by my car for the last hour and a half and no one has come by.

Heidi- Well he has written that no one was at the car, so it will be an extra $10 to send him back out. (total of $45 now)

Me- Well he didn't pass by my car. No, I will not pay the extra $10 dollars because I was by the car the whole time. Not only that, but you will deduct $10 dollars from the total for the inconvenience you've caused by making me wait outside for an hour and a half.

Heidi- Let me talk to my manager to see if we can wave the fee....(click) (dial tone)




So I call back.




Me- I just called about getting a technician to come unlock my car. I first called an hour and a half ago.

Kathryn- Oh, okay. Let me see if the've passed by yet... It looks like he passed by and nobody was by the car. It will be a $10 fee to send him out again.

Me- That is not true. I have been standing by my car for the last hour and a half and nobody has passed by. I will not pay the fee and I want a $10 reduction in the total price for making me wait so long.

Kathryn- (mumbling) I just talked to my manager and we will not waive the fee. If you want him to come back out it will an extra $10.

Me- Let me talk to your manager, please.

Kathryn- Okay, just one second...(click) (dial tone)




So I call back once again.




Me- Can I please talk to your manager. I have been waiting for an hour and a half in the sun for a technician and been hung up on twice.

Kelly- Okay...(click)

Manager- Hello, this is Regina. How may I help you?

Me- Hi, I have been waiting by my car for the last hour and a half for a technician and no one has shown up. I've called back and been told twice that he passed by and no one was at the car and both times been hung up on. That's not true because I've been standing out there since I first called you.

Regina- Well, it looks like he couldn't find the car and so it will be an extra $10 to send him back.

Me- I will not pay an extra $10 dollars and you will reduce the final cost because you've made me wait so long and hung up on me twice.

Regina- Well, your first call shouldn't have even been accepted because you didn't leave a call back number.

Me- Please explain how I can leave a call back number when my cell phone is locked in the car with my keys?

Regina- We will not send back another technician unless you pay (click)




I had enough. I began scheming on how I could pick the lock myself. I rummaged through the surgeons locker room and left someone's poor unsuspecting uniform without it's wire hanger as I headed back out the door. Luckily, cooler heads prevailed and I thought to call USAA, our car insurance company, for some "roadside" assistance. After taking my information, the rep had me hold on the line while she contacted someone to open the car.

After a long pause the voice on the other side of the line said:

Okay.... Pop-a-lock of San Antonio will be there in 35min.



Half an hour later a "technician" was shoving an air bladder along with a thin bow looking contraption with pink thread tied around a black rubber band in between my doors. After several failed attempts, he proceeded to jam a spackling spatula along with a wooden wedge in the interface between the window and the door, followed by some long, thick, strangely twisted wires. 15 min later he succeeded with a long malleable wire by tapping the electronic unlocking switch, ironically enough, while I was saluting the flag as the National Anthem played.

So, 4 hours after first placing the call, there I was, with keys in my hand, and not a penny poorer.

May be we could Home School

Fernando and I have often talked about where we will end up after the military no longer owns us. It's strange for us to think about hunkering down for the long haul in any one place. Since getting married 7 years ago today, we have lived in 5 permanent houses, 2 extended stays, and 3 states (not including the the 6 months spent spread over several medical school rotations in different states). And that is just the beginning.

Yesterday, we went to a beach by some mountains and watched the sun set into the wave cresting ocean bundled in jackets. Several majestic birds skimmed the water and a few seals peaked up to say hello. After several scenic drives and reveling in the fact that windows can be opened to air out the house, I contemplated CA as our resting place.

Family would be close by, I could once again enjoy the cool night air, and much much more until I remember CA's weirdo school situation and the types of things they teach in school. I remembered the pollution and traffic and thought, "I guess no place is perfect."