Trampoline Fun

“Plan more day activities with us….”

I listen to my kids, because I want to be a better mom. 

After watching Mia’s softball game on Saturday, I took the kids and Shane to Surf City Trampoline Park in Huntington Beach for two hours of physical activity and fun.   I thought an hour would more than suffice, but the kids pleaded for a two-hour jump so that’s what we did, and quite frankly, those two hours slipped by!

I got my workout clothes on because this  two-hour excursion was going to be my workout of the day.  The thing is though....this didn’t feel like exercise.  I had so much fun.  We jumped all over.  We jumped in foam pits.  We played basketball, but what was the best part of the day was playing dodgeball.  You really burn up a sweat.  I was probably the oldest player (ok, not probably….I was the oldest person on that Dodgeball court.).  I was playing with teenagers and little kids.  I probably looked like a fool, but boy—was it fun!!

I woke up the next morning with a sore back and sore arms.  I AM HURTING!! I wanted a workout, and I got exactly that.  Mission accomplished  And, you know what?  When are we going again? I am so ready.  The kids loved every moment and so did I.

Jog-A-Thon

There is an annual jog-a-thon at Brandon and Mia’s school. This event is the biggest fundraiser, and I have always attended, but mainly as a sideline spectator.  This year, I volunteered to help the classrooms.  Mia’s class was overwhelmed with volunteers, and Brandon’s class was in need so Lance and I assisted this year in tallying up the kids’ laps, giving water, and leading them in the warm up.  It is such a little thing, but I just LOVED leading the warm up exercises.  All the kids followed me, including some of the other parents and teachers.  It made me even more aware that my real calling in life should have been a kinesiology major.  Lance even said he loved being around the kids and he even questioned if he should have been a teacher instead.

 

 

I am fiercely competitive. When I learned there was a medal for the top boy and girl runner in each class, I began giving my motivational speech to Mia and Brandon.  I would not have pushed them so much if I did not believe they both had potential to receive this honor.  Brandon and Mia are AMAZING runners.  They always beat their teammates during running excercises in softball and baseball.  So, the poor kids had to listen to their crazy mom…Mia ran in a smaller lap designed for the younger children and though I was volunteering for Brandon’s class, I would run over to Mia’s track to give her encouragement as well.  The end result was Brandon tied for first place, completing 22 laps.  In my estimation, 22 laps is probably a little over 4 miles.  According to Mia’s tally sheet, she ran 25 laps.  The girl who received the top honor ran 26 laps.  When Mia came home from school, she gave me her tally sheet, and I (nut job that I am) recounted the marks and I quickly learned that they miscounted Mia’s tallies.  She had 26 laps as well, which means she should have received a medal as well.  No point in disputing it, because I would just sound like an even more nut job so I just let it go and told Mia that I would take her out for a special award. 



Mia's 1st Grade Class

Mia's class about to start

Brandon's First Place - Running Medal. So Proud

 Brandon with Dean (one of his best friends) who tied for First Place.  The girl raised the most funds.


 
Brandon with his classmates. The girl with the pink shorts next to him won for most laps by a girl in his class.  

 

I took the kids to Target to get a small reward.  Both of them pushed themselves.  I would mutter, “Dig deep.  You can do this.  You got this…don’t give up…” or “It looks like Dean is a quarter of a lap ahead of you….you can do this…”  I believed in them, and well, they did absolutely amazing.   Brandon has a natural competitive drive.  They both are superbe athletes.  Am I too competitive? Am I teaching them that it is all about winning?  I dont believe it is all about winning, but I do believe you have to be aggressive and give everything your all.  You have to hussle.  My dad taught me that.  You have to have that drive to do the BEST you can do....and I hope that is what I'm teaching them.  Ok, ok, ok....so  Brandon reminded me that I said, "your friend won't be standing up there with you next year...."  Brandon knew I was joking or was I not?

A Grateful Easter 2014

Our Family - Easter 2014

bunny ears...

 



"Honey, thank you.  That truly was the best Easter I have ever had....It really was...."

Lance Wade



I woke up at 5:15 a.m on Easter morning.  The sun had not yet come out.  I strangely felt such a burst of endless energy, and I began my very productive day. I was truly on fire.   The kids were with their dad, and Lance was in San Diego on the boat so I began the laborious preparations for our family Easter.  I wanted to show my family how much I loved them and how they are quite simply, my life.

I thoroughly cleaned the house, and I mean four loads of laundry, sweeping, vacuuming, changing linens, dishes, and cleaning the kitchen/patio.  I assembled four Easter baskets, I made little potted lollipop plants.  I walked the dogs. I did some cooking, but nothing major. For the first time ever, I ordered a family feast from Honeybaked Ham, and boy, it was scrumptious.  It was also easy.  Why have I never done this before?  We agreed for Christmas that Honeybaked Ham will be our holiday dinner.  It was too easy and it really was absolutely delicious.

Easter Menu

• Honeybaked Ham
• Honeybaked Turkey (oooooh, this was the best turkey ever!)
• cheesy scalloped potatoes
• stuffing
• creamed corn
• potato casserole (courtesy of me)
• zucchini and yellow squash casserole (courtesy of me)
• pistachio fruit salad (courtesy of me)
• dinner rolls
• cheesecake
• apple pie with vanilla ice cream
• carrot cake
• frosted sugar cookies

Desserts (minus the cheesecake) and the vanilla ice cream to go with that apple pie

There was so much food.  It fed all nine of us, and there is plenty for dinner tomorrow night.  I invited my sister and her family to join us for this delectable dinner. I really enjoyed spending the holiday with her.

What is an Easter without an egg hunt?  I waited excitedly for all the kids and Lance to return home, and we immediately went on an egg hunt.  Lance didn't even have time for a shower and shave. What makes my egg hunts unique is that each person has to find their special egg in addition to all the candied-filled eggs.  It is this special egg that provides a clue to where their basket is....It makes Easter fun as everyone tries so hard to find that special egg.  I hide that egg in the hardest possible place.  Lance and Dylan needed hints to find their egg...basically me telling them, "you are getting too cold...you are getting warmer..you are hot! Hot! Hot!"

the hints...

Once everyone received their hint, it was rather easy to locate the baskets.  I had so much fun filling everyone's Easter basket.  I love to see their smiles and excitement.  Lance said, "Wow! This is just like Christmas!"

Dylan is a typical teenager so he wanted money, and his basket was filled with money and facial cleanser.  He grabbed the bag of cotton balls from his basket and asked me with a puzzled expression, "Mommy, are these used? The bag is open and it has hair in it." Ok, so that is weird, but I was prepared to buy him his own brand new bag of cotton balls, but I saw that I had two pretty full bags in my bathroom so I threw one in his basket. Picky, picky, picky.  Brandon got Nike Elite basketball socks, books, Xbox gift card, and Skylander figurines.  Mia got some new clothes, hair accessories, books, and shoes.  Lance found a small Coleman carry-on cooler and a thermos in his basket.  I thought this would be perfect for day rides on the dinghy. He got new shirts, deodorizer for his car, and these awesome work gloves.  He also got some aromatic massage oil.  Yes, I'm going to give him a swedish massage.  I love spoiling my family.

 

However, Easter isn't about eggs, candy, or baskets.  There is so much more to it, but I think the true meaning often gets lost in the traditional marketing celebrations.  While eating, Lance asked the kids, "what is the meaning of Easter?"  They should know.

No, we did not go to church. We are not members of any church, but I personally don't need to belong to a church to feel close to God.  I thought of him throughout the day, but I realized I needed to do more to worship him today, and the best  way I knew how to do that was to go for a run so I ran 6.2 miles.  Running does many things for me.  It brings me closer to God.  With each step and breath, I pray as my feet touch the pavement.  I am in total reflection of what my life means, all the important people in my life, and how God has always been by my side.  I listened to Hayley Westenra's "Amazing Grace" during my run.  It was my service.  I felt peaceful.

my path during my Easter 6.2 mile run

I hope everyone's Easter was filled with blessings.  Sometimes it seems unfair.....why am I receiving so much blessings? I am beyond fortunate, but more than anything, I am grateful, and I will never stop being grateful.

Thank you, God.  Thank you for all that you do for me.  I have had pain in my life, but even during those difficult times, I could feel your presence embrace me.

Wedding Bells: I Do. I Do.

The two best celebrations in life are the birth of a baby and the matrimonial union of a man and woman.  On Saturday, April 12, our son Joseph Leigh Wade married Karmen Geszler in an intimate ceremony in Laguna Hills.  Joe met Karmen in Europe over a year ago. It has been a long journey for them, but in the end, love conquered and they are now husband and wife.

 

the very happy and good looking bride and groom

 

 

Here is the condensed version of the story.  Joe left the Navy and Europe last summer. He returned to the states  and began to adjust to civilian life.  During this transition period, he lived with us for three months. However, he could not forget Karmen.  He was able to bring her back for a three-month stay in September.  It was during this stay that Joe got on one knee and asked her to be his wife in a romantic setting in San Diego.  Karmen, unfortunately, had to return to Hungary in mid-December and the waiting began while the application was completed and the paperwork processed.   With God’s blessing, everything was approved and a beautiful wedding followed.

I cannot complain because my stress was nowhere near in comparison to that of the bride and groom, but I WAS STRESSED.  Lance was just as stressed. The wedding was scheduled in the least desirable time for us.  Lance's good friend from Texas, Keith, had arrived for a long planned boys weekend.  Lance was trying to balance both, and I had to pick up the pieces.  The wedding was the priority, and it is....it truly is all about the bride and groom.   Ultimately, everything worked out.   Karmen and Joe exchanged vows in front of a fountain at the Laguna Hills Civic Center.  It was an emotional and touching expression of love.  Both had tears in their eyes as they recited their vows.  Karmen looked simply BEAUTIFUL.  Karmen’s mother and brother flew in from Hungary.  Joe’s grandmother, aunt, mother, stepfather, and stepbrothers flew in from Idaho and Utah.  Jessie, our daughter, was able to come too and serve as the official wedding photographer.  Unfortunately, Lauren, our other daughter,  was unable to attend.  She was definitely missed.  Following the ceremony, the wedding party drove to Laguna Beach for some amazing photos before we drove to Palos Verdes for a reception, that included delicious Hungarian food. 

 

The entire wedding party

Lance giving Joe a great big hug

Joe, Mark (Karmen's brother) and his friend (I can't remember his name. I suck.)

Karmen with her new husband and mother and brother.  Her mother is absolutely gorgeous. Now, we know where Karmen gets her beauty.

In Laguna Beach

Joe and his new bride with his entire family minus Lauren, Brandon and Mia who decided to play the sand.  Joe's adorable grandma and sweet mother, Trudy are to the right of Karmen.

with my two guys, Mr. Keith Kosan

the reception house in Palos Verdes

 

On a side note….not only is Karmen beautiful, but she must have superpowers.  She cooked for her wedding!  It was an amazing meal, and we just devoured everything. 

When the wedding concluded, we were able to have a nice dinner with the newlyweds and Karmen's mother and brother on Monday night.   This gave us a wonderful opportunity to get to know them, because honestly, at the wedding, our conversation was limited.  I just fell in love with her mother and brother. 
 

I am grateful.  I am grateful that Joe found someone to share his life with. I am excited for him and Karmen as they start a life together.  Young love is full of such promise and hope, and we only wish them everything beautiful life has to offer.   I am grateful that Keith was so accommodating to adjust his weekend to be there for his best friend’s son's wedding.  Lance loves Keith so it was even more meaningful to have him there.   I am grateful that I got to spend some time alone with Jessie.  Prior to this weekend, I communicated with Jessie in emails, texts, and through our family gatherings, but I must admit I was feeling a little anxiety with her arrival this weekend. Lance would be in San Diego, which would mean “alone” time with Jessie.  There would be no buffer or distractions.   I was uncertain as to how the conversation would flow and how natural it would be, but she is just the most amazing, easy to talk to, wonderful young woman.  I could easily spend a weekend alone with her and have the BEST time.  I felt like we bonded, and I truly grow to love her more.  I am also grateful for the warmth from Joe’s maternal side of the family.  Trudy, Mari, his grandma were just incredibly sweet, kind, warm people, and I have nothing but great things to say.  They just exude a genuine warmth.  It could have been awkward, but it wasn't.  It was just wonderful.

 

Congratulations to Joe and Karmen Wade!  We love you and are so very happy to be part of this extraordinary moment in your lives.  Now, when will we see some grandbabies?????!!!

USS Iowa

I asked my kids what I could do to be a better mom…a little constructive criticism.  They gave me the typical responses like “buy us more things”, but Brandon also added, “take us on more family day trips”.  Though we are no way short of activities, we could do a better job of exploring the local museums and attractions together. 

We have been wanting to visit the USS Iowa.  It is a battleship that is now located in the Port of Los Angeles.  It was ordered in 1939, launched in 1942, and commissioned in 1943.  Lance absolutely loves this stuff, and he loves sharing this passion with the kids.

 

When we boarded the ship, they announced Lance’s presence aboard over a loudspeaker.  I thought that was such a wonderful tribute to someone who had served 21 years in the military. 

Everyone had endless questions, and Lance was a wonderful tour guide explaining what was what.  This ship is much smaller than the Midway, but it was still such a rewarding visit. 

 

Here are some factual information about the historic USS Iowa.

 

USS IOWA Statistics

 

Namesake: The State of Iowa

Ordered: July 1, 1939

Builder: New York Naval Yard

Laid down: June 27, 1940

Launched: August 27, 1942

Commissioned: February 22, 1943

Decommissioned: October 26, 1990

Motto: "Our Liberties We Prize, Our Rights We Will Maintain"

Original Nickname: The Big Stick, which referred to President Teddy Roosevelt’s advice: "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far."

Additional Nickname: Battleship of Presidents

Standard Displacement: 45,000 tons

Length: 887 ft 3 in (270.43 m)

Beam: 108 ft 2 in (32.97 m)

Draft: 37 ft 2 in (11.33 m)

Speed: 33 kn (38 mph; 61 km/h)

World War II Complement: 151 officers, 2637 enlisted

Bulkheads: 11.3 in (287.0 mm)
Barbettes: 11.6 to 17.3 in (294.6 to 439.4 mm)
Turrets: 19.7 in (500 mm)
Decks: 7.5 in (190.50 mm) Aircraft carried: floatplanes, helicopters, UAVs

Armament:

1943:

9 × 16 in (406 mm)/50 cal Mark 7 guns
20 × 5 in (127.0 mm)/38 cal Mark 12 guns
80 × 40 mm/56 cal anti-aircraft guns
49 × 20 mm/70 cal anti-aircraft cannons

1984:
9 × 16 in (406 mm)/50 cal Mark 7 guns
12 × 5 in (127.0 mm)/38 cal Mark 12 guns
32 × BGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missiles
16 × RGM-84 Harpoon Anti-Ship missiles
4 × 20 mm/76 cal Phalanx CIWS

Armor: Belt: 12.1 in (307.3 mm)

USS IOWA Timeline

 

June 27, 1940: Laid down by New York Naval Shipyard

 

Aug. 27, 1942: Launched

 

Feb. 22, 1943: Commissioned

 

Nov. 13, 1943: Carried President Franklin D. Roosevelt across the Atlantic to meet with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin at the Tehran Conference, where the three leaders decided to open a second front against Nazi Germany

 

Jan. 23, 1944: Engaged in first Pacific campaign in support of carrier air strikes against Kwajalein and Eniwetok Atolls.

 

Feb. 16, 1944: Attacked naval base at Truk in the Caroline Islands

 

April 15, 1945: Relieved USS NEW JERSEY off of Okinawa, Japan

 

July 15, 1945: USS IOWA, MISSOURI and WISCONSIN attacked Muroran on Hoakkaido

 

Aug. 29, 1945: IOWA and MISSOURI enter Tokyo Bay for the formal signing of the Japanese surrender

 

March 24, 1949: First decommissioning

 

Aug. 25, 1951: First recommissioning

 

April 9, 1952: Joined bomb line off coast of Korea

 

May 25, 1952: Destroyed Chongjin’s industrial center (48 miles from the Russian border)

 

Aug. 20, 1952: Helped Destroyer Thompson escape to safe waters

 

June 1954: Training exercise with all four IOWA class battleships off of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba

 

Feb. 24, 1958: Second decommissioning

 

April 28, 1984: Second recommissioning

 

Aug. 12, 1984: Provided medical and dental assistance in Guatemala

 

Feb. 1985: Provided humanitarian support for Costa Rica and Honduras

 

Aug. 22, 1985: Awarded Brattenberg Cup as best ship in the Atlantic Fleet for 1984

 

July 4, 1986: Carried President Ronald Reagan on the Hudson River for the nation’s Celebration of Liberty in New York City

 

April 19, 1989: Forty-seven sailors were killed in an explosion in Turret #2

 

Oct. 26, 1990: Third decommissioning

 

March 8, 2001: Begins journey from the East Coast to California via the Panama Canal

 

April 21, 2001: Arrives at the “Mothball Fleet” in Suisun Bay

 

March 17, 2006: Becomes available for donation by the U.S. Navy

 

May 26, 2010: Navy accepts Pacific Battleship Center’s Letter of Intent to submit an application for the donation

 

Sept. 24, 2010: Los Angeles City Council votes 13-0 in support of a resolution to bring the USS IOWA to the Port of Los Angeles

 

Oct. 7, 2010: Los Angeles Harbor Commissioners indicate support

 

Nov. 4, 2010: Los Angeles Harbor Commissioners staff recommends Berth 87

 

Nov. 18, 2010: Los Angeles Harbor Commissioners vote 5-0 in support of a resolution to make Berth 87 the future home of USS IOWA

 

Nov. 22, 2010: Pacific Battleship Center submits application to the Navy

 

Sept. 6, 2011: Navy awards IOWA to the Pacific Battleship Center for a museum

 

Oct. 27, 2011: Leaves “Mothball Fleet” in Suisun Bay and arrives at California’s Port of Richmond for renovation in preparation for tow to Los Angeles

 

April 19, 2012: Remembrance Ceremony honors 47 sailors who died in the Turret #2 explosion

 

April 24, 2012: Re-stepping of the 50-foot-tall mast in preparation for tow to Los Angeles

 

April 30, 2012: U.S. Navy Vice Admiral W. Mark Skinner and Pacific Battleship Center President Robert Kent sign final documents transferring ownership from Navy to PBC

 

May 26, 2012: Leaves Port of Richmond under tow, crosses San Francisco Bay and passes under the Golden Gate Bridge and heads for Los Angeles

 

May 30, 2012: Arrives at Los Angeles for hull cleaning at offshore anchorage

 

June 2, 2012: Completes last voyage on open water and docks at Berth 51-52 in Port of Los Angeles

 

June 9, 2012: Makes final journey down the main channel to its permanent home at Port of Los Angeles, Berth 87, in San Pedro, Calif.

 

July 2, 2012: Celebration (by invitation only) for Plankowners who made donations to the nonprofit Pacific Battleship Center by May 20, 2012.

 

July 2-5, 2012: Reunion of the Veterans Association of the USS Iowa (by invitation only)

 

July 4, 2012: Independence Day Celebration featuring Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad and U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa (by invitation only)

 

July 7, 2012: Public grand opening of the ship as a floating museum

 

Brandon is right. I think I need to do these things more.  There are so many local activities.  We definitely have to do more exploring.