The Beginning

I have decided to copy my stepdaughters and create my first blog.  I am completely new at this so please be patient as I learn.  I consider this a new type of journaling that would enable family and friends to keep connected with us and most importantly, would give my children a written memoir of their childhood which is a priceless gift.  I've always been a writer.  Writing is therapy.  I started to journal when I was 13 years old and continued this habit until about 8 years ago.  Lately, I've been too distracted with the dutiful demands of life. I do want  to remember all I can but regrettably as we age, all the wonderful little intricate details of events fade, but with this blog, everything will be immortalized; another reason why I'm prompted to start this blog.

However, I do not know if I will have the dedication to routinely commit to updating this blog, but I will make a concerted effort.  My intention is to include regular updates on Dylan, Brandon, and Mia's activities; the obnoxious and yet adorable actions of Buddy and Bella; the restoration project of Tide the Knott; family vacations; my running career, and any other noteworthy changes or experiences in our lives.  This blog is not just about me even though I am narcisstic enough to talk incessantly about myself. I am, after all, quite interesting.  This blog is about Lance, me, Dylan, Brandon, Mia, Buddy, and Bella.  This blog is about us.  Additionally, I am a picture fanatic so rest assured, there will be plentiful pictures of us. This is The Beginning so let me introduce the stars of this blog:



Joseph Lance Wade



Joseph Lance Wade--He is 54 years old and a retired Navy Commander from Houston, Texas. He holds a Bachelors degree from Brigham Young University and  Masters from Florida State University (I think--may have gotten the University wrong).  He is a master of all trades. He is currently working on a restoration project; a 70-ft boat that we just purchased in San Diego appropriately named "Tide the Knott".  Lance is a genius.  He can do anything.  What I love about him is that he is extremely educated but he is also a man's man.  He knows how to fix or build anything. In fact, this is one of many restoration projects he has taken on in his lifetime. He previously restored a WWII aircraft that upon completion was purchased and is currently on display in a museum.  Lance is very family oriented. He has very traditional values.  He is a Republican and has very strong opinions about politics.  He can be very outspoken at times.  He is funny and makes me laugh uncontrollably.  He is also an extremely sensitive and loving man who is selfless and giving.  We were married in March 2011, and it has been an amazing year.  Prior to our marriage, Lance lived on a yacht in San Diego.  He relocated to Orange County.  Lance is very involved with the kids, and I could not have chosen a better man to be their stepfather.  Lance loves working on his boat; visiting friends in Texas; hunting; having a beer with friends; fixing, building, and restoring things; and watching movies.



Elizabeth Violet Fellows Wade.  I am 41 years old. I was born in Saigon, Vietnam, but moved all over the country due to my father's military career.  I am half Vietnames and am very proud of my heritage.  I have a Bachelor's degree in English from California State University, Fullerton.  My passion is my family.  There is NOTHING more important in my life than my family.  They give meaning to my life.  I am a very independent, open-minded, passionate, and sensitive person.  I enjoy running, taking pictures (of myself), and just spending time in the gym or with my family.  I also hope to resume my writing.  I have journal books in my closet.  I love old Hollywood and classic literature. My favorite novel is Jane Eyre and Losing Julia.  I am a deeply romantic person.  I am also a person full of contradictions.  I'm arrogant and insecure; gregarious and shy. I have a sailor's mouth at times, and I'm not very good at censoring my thoughts.  I speak what I think, and most people either like me or they find me offensive.  I am also a dog lover, and it sickens me the way animals are abused and mistreated. 



Dylan Roy Bivens



Dylan Roy Bivens.  Dylan is a typical 13-year old boy.  He is currently obsessed with basketball.  Everything is about basketball.  His favorite team is the Boston Celtics, and his bedroom  is Celtics themed.  Dylan has played basketball, baseball, and spent years studying jiu jitsu.  He has also participated in a chess club and is quite a worthy opponent.  Dylan is a sensitive boy, and he is the most caring, selfless person.  My mother once told me that Dylan had the best heart of anyone and when I'm older, he will be the one who is always there me.  I believe that.  Dylan is also into video games, but everything is secondary to basketball.  He is now in a Basketball Academy.  Dylan is also interested in cooking, and he has begun cooking several family meals.  He made salmon last night, and it was absolutely delicious. One huge accomplishment of Dylan's is that he completed his first half marathon (Disneyland Half Marathon ) at the age of 13.  He was the youngest person to complete the race in 2012. I am very proud of him.



Brandon Joaquin Bivens



Brandon Joaquin Bivens.  Brandon is 7 years old and he is a very strong-willed and extremely bright boy.  There is no question in my mind that he will be very successful in life. He is able to grasp concepts that are far advanced for his age. His mathematics calculations in every day life just leave me in awe.  He once asked me my annual income as well as Lance's and was able, within seconds, to calculate our annual combined income.  Moreover, I once told him if he drank two of the protein shakes daily, he would have consumed 500 calories.  Within a second, he corrected my estimated addition with the accurate amount of calories consumed. He plays baseball, flag football, and has also been doing jiu jitsu for years.  He is also in his second year of boy scouts.  Brandon is small for his age, but he is a fierce competitor.  He has that drive to win.  He has a leader type personality.  He constantly teases his sister all the time.  If there is an argument between the kids, it is always with Brandon in the middle.  Dylan and Mia seldom argue with each other.  Brandon is also into video games, but we are trying to divert his attention into less brain frying activities.  His nickname is Brandonio.

Mia Bronte Bivens

Mia Bronte Bivens. Mia is 5 years old and she is the Princess.  She is a complete girly girl. She has had an obsession with clothes, shoes, hair, accessories since she was 2 years old. In fact, she plays more with her clothes than she does with her dolls.  She loves the color pink.  She likes to have her nails painted and her hair done. She is very sweet and just worships her brother, Brandon. She is more into the social scene than academics at school. It takes her quite awhile to figure out the outfit of the day, and yes, she is only in kindergarten.  I once told her,"You are so photogenic, Mia. Do you know what that means?" She replied, "Yes. It means I am very pretty."  She loves dogs. She also loves to have her picture taken.  Mia has recently developed the hobby of competing in pageants.  She has done three and has a commanding stage presence. She is not shy on the stage. She is in her second season of cheerleading.  She loves to cuddle in bed with Mommy and watch movies.  She is a very affectionate girl.  I have nicknamed her "Bubble Butt" and "Mia Pachia" Notice I named Mia's middle name after the famous Bronte sisters?

BuddyYellow Pants Wade and Bella Baby Wade

Buddy Yellow Pants and Bella Baby Wade.  Buddy is a 4 1/2 year old 110 lbs Labrador retriever.  Bella is a 2 1/2 year old 70 lbs Labrador retriever.  They were both adopted by us from a rescue group that specializes in rescuing labs.  Buddy suffers from an ACL tear that has never healed properly. He was saved on the day he was going to be euthanized.  Bella was a stray found wandering the streets.  Buddy is the typical boy dog.  He has an obsession with all kinds of balls.  He loves to carry them in his mouth and he will play fetch continuously , disregarding how exhausted he is....he also has a very keen nose and can find anything.  It is incredible to watch.  Hide a ball and Buddy will find it!  Bella is our fat girl.  She has gained 10 - 15 lbs since we adopted her, and she will never stop eating.  She is also extremely sensitive and needy. She constantly needs reassurance that you love her and always wants to be petted.  She doesn't know how to play, but she is learning.  She also cannot stand loud noises, but she loves to hunt things.  She also tends to get extremely excited when going on an excursion much to the annoyance of everyone in the family.  These two dogs are spoiled, untrained, and obnoxious, but they are the most sweetest, loving, animals.  They both love the water and could swim endlessly.  They are also bed hogs.

Well, that is all of us.  I hope I can continue to provide updates.  Lance has expressed his preference that I create a blog instead of doing Facebook.  He dislikes the lack of privacy from Facebook, but a blog will only be for close friends and family.  I think this is going to be a fun, learning experience for me, and a good way of sharing "Our Story".



2011
Our Family Before We Adopted Buddy