Summer in NYC

Bekah and I were so fortunate to be able to take a Mother and Daughter trip to New York City this summer. What a blessing to be able to spend this time together. We had so much fun. We shopped, saw Phantom of the Opera, we shopped, we went to a great, absolutely great concert in Central Park of some of Bekah's favorite artists, Expendables, Ziggy Marley and 311, we shopped (not sure I said that?), experienced dinner at Tavern on The Green, which was awesome... Bekah said and I quote "That this is the BEST food I've ever had" and walked, walked, and walked everywhere.
Oh, and we talked about boys, well, one in particular that she happens to be fond of right now and just met a couple weeks before we left for NYC. I remember those days... being on the phone at all hours, talking about everything, being excited and as Bekah so uniquely called it, being "all giggly inside."
Aww, young love, it is so special.
Bekah and I like so many of the same things, it is really cool. We really connect. The biggest difference between Bekah and I when I was her age is that she is so much more independent and says what she thinks and feels. Much more than I ever did at her age, probably more than I do now. I respect that strength and confidence in her.
I love this time we spent together and will cherish these memories forever.

I Love LA

Totally out of sequence, but I just finished this page tonight and I liked the way it turned out. This was a fun trip (except for the getting lost and traffic!). These pictures are from our trip to LA. I flew out to meet with a client and Bekah and Zack flew out separately to meet me. We went to Hollywood, Venice Beach, the Getty Center, drove on Sunset Strip and went to Santa Monica Pier. We went to the LA Farmer's Market twice for breakfast... that along with Venice Beach was our favorite. We stayed in West Hollywood, close to Beverly Hills.

I have more great pictures from that trip that I will have to create a matching layout with. More to come...

Happy Father's Day

Rich,
Happy Father's Day! When I decided to blog this, I thought I would insert a Father's Day Poem or a saying or quote...but as I searched for one, I could not find one that seemed to be the right fit. I can't write from our children's point of view about you as their Father, but I can write from my point of view as to what type of father I see as your wife and the mother of our children.

You are a great coach, you listen and you teach! I have watched our children hang on to every word you say when you are teaching them something knew. Always, if they have a question about something, it's "Dad will know." Even when you think they are not listening, I know they are. They look up to you, always have and always will. You have taught them so much about life and about love. The way you love me teaches them about true love and what they should expect out of their own relationships. The unconditional love you have for others even when you are hurting teaches them never to give up on people.

You are loving, caring, you hug and say "I love you" often. Those actions might seem like little things, but they say so much. It's hard to believe that not everyone does those "little" things. You have taught our children how to love and show affection.

Have fun and enjoy what you do. Another lesson I see you instilling in our children. Enjoy life, be responsible doesn't mean you can't have fun. Laugh and be silly.

You teach tolerance. I see someone who doesn't always have to be right, you listen to other's perspectives and opinions.

You are supportive, you support them and me and they see that. So important.

I could not have asked for a better friend, husband and father to our children. I am thankful everyday for our family and how we have been blessed. When I was a little girl, my mother's prayed for the partner that God had picked out for me. I am glad she did, I am so grateful we found each other all those years ago.


All my love,
Kim

In Jakki's Honor

Saturday we drove to Jacksonville, FL to particpate in the "Running of the Pies" one of Jakki's favorite races in downtown Jacksonville. We had a great time! It was so much fun getting together with Craig, Marc, Kayla, Tiffany and Mike. We are so blessed to have this time with each other, supporting one another, sharing stories and memories, laughing and just being together. We have our next 5K in Orlando on July 4th. I'm so excited our running team is growing, Rich's brother and nephew will also being running on July 4th with us! As most know, I am not a runner, but I plan on walking in the Watermelon 5K Walk/Run on July 4th as well. The run is in support of the Wounded Warriors Project, I support this project 100% and am personally honored to be raising money for the brave men and women who serve our county.

...and off she goes!

Bekah's last day as a junior in High School was yesterday 06/03/09 and today she is starting her very first job! She has training for the next three days to become a National Sales Representative for Cutco Cutlery and Vector Marketing. She is very excited and she looks awesome! ... with Sales skills she can do anything, go anywhere and always have a job! Go get 'em!

DMB Live from the Beacon Theatre

New music from DMB new album
"Big Whiskey and the Groo Grux King"
This wouldn't be my blog if I didn't post some DMB to it!

Promotion to Lance Corporal

The post is a little late, but I wanted to get it out here. Congratulations to Zack on his March 09 promotion to Lance Corporal! Love you! Great job!

Zack, You AMAZE me!

Congratulations on earning your Green Belt!
5/28/2009 By Byline Cpl. Laura A. Mapes, Unit Marine Corps Air Station Yuma

Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz. — Students in a Marine Corps martial arts instructor course here worked through their sweat and tears to earn special training certificates May 21, 2009.

The 15 green belt students in the course volunteered to be sprayed and certified to carry Oleoresin Capsicum spray, which is a nonlethal weapon used by law enforcement.

The circuit course was designed to show the Marines what it is like to work through stress and disorientation, said Poulin.

“The instructors are here to coach the students through each station,” said Warrant Officer Bradley Poulin, Marine Air Control 1 maintenance officer and martial arts instructor trainer. “As long as they don’t freak out, they will be fine. They just have to keep their eyes open.”

The OC course was set up with nine stations. After being sprayed, the Marines worked their way through each challenge, before being rewarded with water and decontamination.

At the first station Marines were sprayed in the face from about three paces away and had to correctly count a number of fingers held up by an instructor.

From there the students are guided to the next station by the sound of the instructors’ voices. Here, they test their muscle memory with upper body strikes and punches. The next station called for the Marines to practice knee strikes.

“I’m glad I did so much MCMAP before we did this (OC spray) course. I think that it helped me, because when you get sprayed, you can’t think clearly and your brain just doesn’t want to work,” said Cpl. Daniel Byrd, station armorer and student in the course.

At the next stop, students had to locate a rubber knife and defend themselves from knife-wielding instructors using proper techniques.

During the fifth portion of the circuit course, the students were guided under simulated barbed wire while low, back and high crawling with a rubber rifle.

The Marines fought their way through the next stations using lower leg strikes and weapons of opportunity, as well as subduing and handcuffing an opponent.

Once they completed the stations, each student was steered to a table at the opposite side of the field, where they had to write their name and answer two questions in writing: how do you feel, and what did you think of the OC spray circuit course?

This last station was designed to simulate writing orders, where Marines might debrief or write up orders under stress.

“This is the worst feeling ever, but it’s worth it because I know that I will never have to do it again,” said Cpl. Tony Ellerbe, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron range coach and student in the course.

Once all 15 students made it through the circuit course and were decontaminated, Poulin spoke with the Marines and commended them for completing the training.

“You all followed through with your commitment and you’ve finished the training,” said Poulin. “That is good to go Marines.”

The spray is not a requirement for graduating the class. However, once the students finish the training, they never have to requalify with the spray for any other training.

The instructor course is scheduled to graduate May 29, 2009 at 11 a.m. in the station chapel.