Our Story (85 Percent): February 2015

It is a big deal when your baby hits the double digits. Brandon turned 10 on Valentines’ Day. It is so easy to remember his birthday not only because of the holiday it falls on, but also because he popped out at exactly 12 noon. He was my easiest childbirth, but frankly, that is about it. Brandon is a very demanding, difficult to please, highly-intelligent, incredibly sensitive and an annoying perfectionist. When I talk about how demanding and difficult to please he is, it is mainly with himself. He gets frustrated easily because he wants things perfect. We worked on a Valentines’ box for a school project in which he made a jet engine. I thought he was going to have a meltdown when the aluminum foil wouldn’t fold smoothly. Really?

Regardless of how irksome he can be, I love him more than anything. I love that he still allows me to hug on him and kiss him in private. I love that he likes to play the snake game where I trap him like a giant anaconda and he tries to escape.

Brandon is in boyscout with his cousin Maddox and Uncle Mike. We actually have it made. He was in boyscout a few years ago, but with the time commitment involved and all the other activities, we had to quit because it was impossible to do all of it. A couple of years passed, and my sister asked if Brandon could rejoin because Uncle Mike was now the den leader. They would take him to the meetings so there would be limited time involvement/commitment for us. Brandon enjoys boyscout, and he was able to lead his troop in the pledge of allegiance and flag salute at the Fountain Valley High School Baseball opening ceremony. I’m not surprised at how well he did. He wasn’t nervous. He was confident, articulate, clear, and loud. He is an amazing public speaker. He held that microphone and was so poised. I’ve seen him speak in front of his class, and I have been trying to encourage him to run for school council, but he doesn’t want to.

Brandon and his cousin Maddox

Brandon is playing basketball again, and what an amazing player. He has skills and brains, and in my opinion, is one of the best, if not best player in his division. His team, however, is not doing as well. They have only won one game. As a family, we are enjoying the bonding time basketball gives us. I like watching Brandon play because he knows how good he is....he knows how much the team depends on him, but yet, he doesn't carry a big ego about it. He treats his teammates as valuable players on the team. He is not a star. He is just another player. He doesn't take every shot. He doesn't hog the ball. He doesn't get angry when his teammates make mistakes. He supports and encourages every team member . He has such strong leadership skills. He is confident. He can be aggressive when need be. He is smart, smart, smart! He is articulate. He is wise, but he is also kind and giving. He leads. He doesn’t bully. It would be so easy for him to take on a star role, but Brandon doesn’t need the spotlight. He genuinely cares about everyone. He is fair, just, and equitable. He doesn’t treat those who are less skilled or less smart any differently. There is such kindness in his heart (except with his sister).

I hate this picture. I look like a fat cow, but it is one of the few pictures that the entire team is looking at the camera.

I am proud of him, and I’m so anxious and excited to see him grow up and accomplish BIG things. I love you Brandon. Happy 10th Birthday!

My commitment to writing regularly has suffered so I’m consolidating the activities of the last month into one blog posting.

Lance is coaching a second season of basketball. His team, the Gryphons, have had a disappointing season thus far, having only one their first game. We are starting to question Lance’s coaching abilities. It seems to be a repeat of last season when his team won their first game and lost every following game. We are having fun and making new friends. Lance coaches 8 and 9-year olds, and because he enjoys it so much, he will continue to coach while Brandon advances in the league until he is 14 years old. It is rewarding to watch these kids grow up and to know the impact you have made in their lives. Brandon is irrefutably the best player on the team. The Gryphons will be playing the Running Rebels on Saturday. This is the only team they have beaten, but Brandon had to make a decision because a conflict arose. He is scheduled to lead the pledge allegiance and flag salute with his Boy Scout troop at the Fountain Valley High School Baseball opening ceremony. There will be more basketball games and so Brandon will miss the game, and honestly, without Brandon, the chances of winning become very slim. Brandon is also now registered to play in the Boys and Girls Club (off season) and for some reason, he wouldn’t play without Lance coaching him so Lance agreed. We have determined that if the team at the Boys and Girls Club have similar ratings/standings (another losing season), then it is definitely Coach Lance’s coaching abilities.

Because of the commitment to coaching, it has been very challenging to juggle the boat. Lance tries to make it to San Diego every weekend, but he doesn’t have the two full days. He is so talented. He installed new instruments on a wooden display. It is gorgeous. He also began working on our upstairs bedroom. He installed two windows that just give us the most glorious ocean view. He also installed four porthole windows that actually open that will help circulate the air. I’m hoping the bedroom will be completed in the next few months so that the dogs and I can accompany him to San Diego regularly. He is going to create a custom bed. He continually leaves me in awe.

It’s slowly coming together. In a few years, the boat will be ready for charter services. As the name dictates, Lance will be chartering Tide the Knott for small, intimate weddings.

No windows yet

First two set of large wiindos installed

Outside view of the windows

Stabilizing port hole windows

Outsie view of large and port hole windows

wooden frame for gadgets

before the wooden frame

Finished wooden frame and instruments

The last two months have been stressful as my future was at a crossroad. I have been in my current position as the assistant to the CEO for 11 years, and I am damn good at what I do. In fact, there is no one better. I don’t care if that sounds arrogant because frankly, it is true. However, I have maxed out at my salary range, and an opportunity presented itself for a new position in another department. I applied. I interviewed. I was left with a big decision. I didn’t know what to do. I frantically called Lance who was in San Diego, and after several failed attempts, we connected. He told to stay in my current position because I have such influence, power, flexibility, and freedom in my current job. I have so much trust in Lance. He could tell me to do almost anything, and I would do it. I trust his judgment and his wisdom. It was a very difficult decision, but I was motivated by one thing: Retirement. I am trying to expedite my retirement so that I could spend my time with Lance, my kids, and the family. After two grueling months of weighing pros and cons, I will remain in my position until I retire. I feel happy and relieved with the decision.

My three CEOs that I have assisted in the 11 years

I am the boss!

I have also been playing with retirement scenarios. I’m a bit passionate about this, but with the numbers plugged in, the goal stands as Lance will retire at the end of August 2024. He will be 65. I will continue to work until December 2025. I will be 53 when I retire. Mia will be three months shy of turning 18 and six months short of graduation. I am so excited I can taste it. It is not that far off….nine years.

Dylan and I ran the Surf City Half Marathon on Superbowl Sunday. This race is meaningful to me because it was my first half marathon, and it was also the course, I received my PR in. I ran it in 2:07:20. I was pleased with the time. LA marathon is about 5 weeks away. I have two 20 mile runs, one 18 mile run, and then I start tapering down.

Dylan shows off bling

Lance and I not only support Wildlife SOS, but we are now foster parents to a baby elephant named Mbegu. Her story is sad. She was left behind by her herd when an elephant in her herd killed a villager. The villagers became enraged and killed an elephant. The herd stampeded out and poor Mbegu was left behind. The village was so angry and they wanted vengeance. They attacked baby Mbegu with spears. She was frightened and ran into a classroom at a school where the kids began throwing rocks at her. David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust came and rescued her. She was only 7 weeks old. Now, this is truly an amazing organization that rescues orphaned elephants in Kenya. I know people think we are nuts, but I don’t care. It is our money, our time, and our choice.

When I received my raise, the first thing I did was increase my financial commitment to Wildlife SOS. I love my elephants.