Vitamin D Deficiency

The sun was absent again today. The weather was warmer, but that orange globe that lights the earth, was noticeably covered and my body was without it's daily dose of vitamin D again.
Even Garrett (who is not a complainer) came home and said the same thing. We have been without those California weeks of sun for far too long and are missing home.
It's not that we don't appreciate Maryland. We do, in our own way. We love to travel, love new places, new people, we love taking on new challenges in most ways I think. It's more that it is really our first real winter..... ever.
I mean, we lived in England for a while and yes, it was in the middle of the coldest season of the year, but we were so pre-occupied with work and adjusting to a new culture, that the weather was hardly even noticeable. Here, without the distractions of work and family, the cold carries with it more of a chill than I am used to and it seems to drag the hours of each day into an eternity of waiting for Spring. Even with family visits, phone calls, and SKYPE, I am still left missing the sunshine more than I can say.
It may sound trivial to those that have lived on the East Coast for a while, or those that are used to the cold, darkness of a "real" winter, but for this California native, the lack of that warm orb makes a noticeable difference in my mood and ability to function on a consistently cheery note (I know.... I can hear you all saying I'm not exactly the over-the-top "chipper" type anyway, but imagine how I must be NOW!!! :P).
I think of my girls and their adjustment to the cold weather. Ethiopia only has two rainy seasons throughout the year and they only last about a month a piece, so I know that they too, are missing the warmth and brightness that our sun brings.
Our travel plans to go home in March could not possibly come any sooner. I can't wait to wrap my arms around those I love and soak in the warmth (even if it's only a mere 50-60 degrees the entire time that we are there)of the West Coast. My bridge is in desperate need of a visit and I long to see the sun set over the mountains just beyond it.



I am trying to hold off counting the days until we hit at least the end of February, but I'm not sure how successful I will be. Both Garrett and I can't wait to get a little family time in and enjoy a little R&R.
If you are one of those that doesn't understand- you'll have to just suck it up and forgive me. I'm unforgivably Californian!