We cannot discover new oceans unless we have the courage to lose sight of the shore.

I keep trying to figure out how we've already been in SoCal for 7 months... has it really already been that long? In the last 7 months we've been to Texas, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Nevada (Vegas!) and California- not including the other places we drove through. Since we've lived here we've done beach trips, Hollywood, Santa Monica Pier, Disneyland, California Adventure, Legoland, Sea World, San Diego Zoo Safari Park.... and I'm certain that I'm missing some things. Military life can be very challenging... missing my hubby a LOT when he is away, but we certainly are rewarded with some amazing adventures. :)

The most recent was our Sea World trip this past weekend. Disneyland was wonderful, it was magical and exciting... but Sea World was just flat out more FUN.I didn't feel as stressed thinking we were going to miss out. I love the mystery of Disney and all the hidden stuff there, but it was nice to just enjoy everything without feeling rushed. We got there right when they opened and had time to see some things before it got crazy. A beluga whale swam RIGHT up to our kiddos and put its nose on the glass...

And now I'm obsessed. We MUST do a beluga encounter before we leave here.

I can't even begin to explain what it was like to see this. It was floating in the water on the other side and just swam directly to them. Was it probably a trainer trick? Yeah. But to have it happen to them was just a magical memory. Even better? I happened to be recording it on my phone. I'll have to figure out a way to get it on here.

We rode some rides, went to all but one of the shows (the cirque de-la whatever).. Dolphins and whales make me cry. There's just something about them and I cannot control myself. I love them! It was a great adventure... totally worth the $580 it would cost us for season passes. :) 

Almost 13 hours at the park.. was worth every minute! We finished with the Shamu Rocks show and some fireworks... absolutely spectacular. I really prefer the Sea World in San Diego to the one in San Antonio. The only thing I missed out on from TX was being able to actually feed the dolphins, but our kiddos still got to see them up close and touch one, so all is well. 

I think our next adventure is to visit my husband's mom in the San Francisco area. Who will be crossing the golden gate bridge off her bucket list VERY soon? This girl! Also on my list for this summer is the San Diego Zoo. The Safari Park didn't impress me, but I hear the zoo is absolutely amazing. :) We are making the most of our time here and I am grateful to be married to someone who loves to explore and have adventures as much as I do. I was terrified to leave my tiny town where I'd lived all my life and move on to other things. Trusted in my amazing husband, took about a year to get my bearings outside of the only home I'd ever known... but now I'm not sure I could ever move back. I love to go new places and see new things. I think 3 years here is just about enough to make some great memories. :)