Not All Who Wander Are Lost

We have done a lot this week. On our first night, there was a party for Jess and Raven's birthday (Jessica's cousin). We celebrated with all of Jessica's family. On Monday we visited Jess' s aunt Gordy and her cousins at their place and went swimming, in the hot tub, and watched a really great movie. It was really nice to bond with them as well. On Wednesday was Mariah's 8th grade graduation ceremony. Her ceremony was beautiful. There were 31 graduates in her class, and every single one of them was exceptional. Mariah graduated with Presidential Academic Honors, as well as the Headmaster's Award. She represented her class as Secretary of Student Coucil as well. We are so proud of her hard work and we are so glad we had the opportunity to watch her take this next step in her life!

Talon (another(!) of Jess's cousins) took us to Santa Barbara to check out the pier, eat some sushi, and just relax. Afterwards we hung out at one of his friends houses. It was a good time.

The other night we visited Raven and Darin (more cousins!) at their apartment to have coffee and dessert, basically just to visit. Darin's parents were visiting from Miami, so it was a great opportunity to visit and enjoy eachother's company.

In the in-between time we have been swimming, hiking, doing homework, research, you name it!

Yesterday we went hiking, had lunch at Suzanne's in Ojai, with Auntie Carol, Uncle Matt, and Mariah. Later we went to a concert later at Ventura Center for Spiritual Living, where Jess's family goes for services under the 'Science of Mind' beliefs. Last Sunday we attended a service with Aunt Carol and Jess's cousin Mariah that was very uplifting. If that is what every day is like there, I'm definitely converted.
And we did hike today through the Gridley road access trail area behind Ojai. The flora and mountains were spectacular. One of the mountains we saw has layers of rocked that are perfectly curved and stacked, and sideways, like taking pieces of paper and wrapping them around a ball. It was awesome to see and think about how exactly they were formed in that shape. Since we arrived in California, we have experienced the wonderful hospitality of Jess' family here. We have been staying in Aunt Carol's house and hanging out with the doggies Buster and Bonnie, and a kitty Riley. Mia, a very beautiful Belanese kitty, has been hiding out around the house for the most part since we arrived.

Suzanne's is a beautiful restaurant that is very special to our family. Auntie Carol treated us to such a beautiful and romantic dinner for Jessy's birthday. It was right next to the fountain and the garden, and they made a birthday dessert for Jess. It was so wonderful =)

Last night we went to see Larisa Stowe and the Shakti Tribe at Ventura's Spiritual Center (Auntie Carol's sanctuary). It was absolutely incredible. This woman's voice is unrivaled. The group combines spiritual mantras and beautiful eastern music...it was thought-provoking and soul-searching. We meditated, sang, danced, clapped, yelled, it was incredible. John really, really enjoyed them as well. It was just so incredible. Tomorrow, I've got to study for an exam, but John is going to go to church with Auntie. I am sooo glad we have found a place to love, a place for peace, a place to be ourselves and love eachother and share our joy with like-minded people doing great things for our world. We aim to embody these mantras and believes throughout our every day lives, and live in the NOW. It is so easy to forget how important now is. How important it is to take time for yourself, meditate, reflect, relax...school can be so stressful and take over our lives. But it won't anymore, because when you are balanced and you are living with intention, there is no reason to feel negativity and stress. We have been enjoying our time here in Ojai so much! Tomorrow is Mariah's graduation party, and the whole family will be here again! It is so exciting, when we arrived we had a party (for Raven and my birthday) and we are leaving monday after a party! It has been an amazing week that has gone by sooo quickly. We love our family <3 Thank you to everyone who has made this week so special!