Aug. 2012: Campfires and Fair

  Got to love August it is such a fun month to do things. First, Joel and I go to enjoy the relaxation of camping by a campfire with his godparents at Lake Viking. We left on a Friday evening and not return until Sunday evening. We wished that the weekend did not go so fast. All four of us enjoyed the quietness and the splendor of the woods. Saturday we went into Red Oak where Joel's godparents use to live. They showed us all around. When we got back we made a quick lunch then it was off to the Lake for some fun at the beach and in the water. Joel enjoyed the water with his godparents and me. We worked on his swimming techniques. Then Joel's godmother and I had fun watching Joel and his godfather made sand castles. Those two boys are hillarious any way.
  That night we made supper on the campfire as well as dessert. Oh was all the food awesome to the taste buds, but the dessert was the bomb. Wished it wasn't so late when we started it. Because it got dark fast, and ended up raining on us. Despite the rain Saturday night into early Sunday morning it was relaxing. The rain actually got us all to got to sleep. 

  We decided to go to church Sunday morning in Red Oak where Joel's godparents use to preach at. It is a nice fun loving church just like our own. Joel did very well there, and even went down to children's church without one of the three of us adults. We were so proud of him. Thank you to Red Oak Church of the Nazarene for their warm welcome to Joel and I. Someday we hope to go back and visit again. After church we went back and had lunch. The boys when on a hike while us girls cleaned up. Then we packed up, and headed back to Winterset. Can't wait to go back next year.

 Next we went to the Iowa State Fair. Which is  family tradition since I was a child, and I chose to keep it going with Joel and I. We go every year even if it is just a few hours. My parents took Joel and I this year. It was a blast to watch Joel see the different animals. Our favorite thing is too at least eat one or two things from the fair. So, hot and corn dogs it was. Cheapest things really out there. It is a big place to walk around so there was many breaks to sit and rest. It is fun watching my son enjoy seeing different animals and doing new things as a family. I don't care if it costs me a little to do things like going to fair, because the memories we are making are priceless. 

California Trip July 2012: Part 5 Sightseeing and Goodbyes

Fort Point and Golden Gate Bridge
San Francisco, California

     Our last full day in California was spent sightseeing more of the beautiful land of San Francisco. Everyone that went sightseeing the day before went sightseeing the next day. We decided to go to Fort Point, the old fort that was once used in battles turned into a museum. It was directly under the famous Golden Gate Bridge. It was a little chilly. The fog was still covering the bay area so it was hard at first to see the Golden Gate Bridge. Joel and I really didn't care because it was a chance of probably a lifetime. Joel was loving the waves, and watching the different boats that were there.

 We decided to go inside Fort Point to check out the museum. It was fairly big. You could go into so many rooms. Joel loved seeing the cannon balls and the cannons. If we wanted to we could of went clear to the top, but we didn't. I got Joel a new hat and jacket while we were there. Everyone was not really dressed for the cold air that day. It was fun though just being together, and hanging out sightseeing.

   My brothers and my mom decided to back to where we were staying. My dad, Joel, Angel, and I decided to go over to Sausalito, California which is just across the Golden Gate Bridge. Just to look around, and check things out. It is a really nice place. I really enjoyed it there. I could of stayed there longer even than what we did. The only thing that I did not like was there was a weird dude with a snake on his shoulders walking around. The people in California are strange, but dude a snake. We walked and even watch a guy make sculptors out of the rocks. It was neat how he got them to balance even big rocks on their sides. We had a snack at this little hole in the wall place there. It was a very good Italian place. 
  It was hard to think it was our last day and night there. The week went so fast for us. My mom and my brothers made supper of Chicken Noodles and Mashed Potatoes. Then Angel and his dad took Joel to see Spiderman Movie. It was hard to let Joel go, but he wanted to see the movie so bad. I paced the whole time they were gone too. Joel did very well, and loved the movie. The next morning we got up very early to head back to Iowa. It was so hard to say good bye. Maybe some day we will get to go back out.

California Trip July 2012: Part 4- Sightseeing

Angel and Joel

  The day after the wedding My mom, my dad, my brother-in-law, my brother, and my boyfriend (at that time I didn't even know he liked me), Joel, and I decided to go sightseeing for the day. Really wished everyone would of got around a little sooner so we had more daylight, but it was okay. We were all wiped out from the wedding the day before. 

Pier 39 Fisherman's Wharf

   We decided to spend the first day sightseeing at Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf. Oh my goodness it was busy and crowded. We had to take two vehicles, because there were so many of us going. There were so many things to see at Pier 39. I really wished I had more money to spend there as well. 

Sea Lion at Pier 39

Alcatraz

   Yes, they still have a few sea lions there. Not as many as they use to, but it was fun watching them. Joel's eyes got so big, because he had never seen one before. It was funny listen to him ask so many questions of why they are called sea lions, to what are they doing. From a distance we got to see Alcatraz (you can actually see if from anywhere on the bay line. Joel was like what is that castle doing on that small island. So, we had to explain to him that it was not a castle that it use to be a prison for really bad people. He said, "They  bad people deserves to be on an island to themselves."

Rainforest Cafe at Pier 39

Rainforest Cafe at Pier 39

 My brothers decided to take us out for lunch. We decided to go to the Rainforest Cafe at Pier 39. It is a real neat place to go to. Joel was in awe of the neat water tank, and the animals in there that would come to life at times. Only part he did not care for was when it would do thunder and lightening sounds. It freaked him out a little. We had to tell him it was pretend. He was worried it was a real storm, because he associates those sounds with tornadoes. The food was very expensive and hard to choose from. It was good even if the service stunk a little because they got my order all wrong 3 times, and then they forgot about my son's meal. Then they gave my son a piece of chicken with tiny bones in it. Don't worry I wrote a long letter and complained about it.

Steep Streets in San Francisco

Cable Car in San Francisco

   After we got done at the Pier my dad, Joel, Angel, and I decided to go sightseeing a little more. So, Angel the only one that sort of knew the way around San Francisco did the driving, and I sat up front. Yes, I forced my dad into the back seat with Joel. Angel took us on the famous steep streets and hills of San Francisco. While I was trying to keep it together, my son was in the back seat saying this is a fun rollercoaster, and saying WEEEEEE. As we drove around we saw some of the famous Cable Cars of San Francisco. I wished I would of had more time I would of took Joel on a ride, because he really wanted too.

China Town in SF

Lombard Street

 Angel took us to the famous Lombard Street. It is the street that is the most windy street. It may of been a short thing to do, but Joel had a good time seeing it, and it is a memory that will always last for us that we had a neat adventure. 
 Angel asked me if there was any where else I wanted to see, or do before we headed back home. We chose drive through China Town in San Francisco. It is really busy, and neat to see. Hopefully the next time we go out there I can go shopping and have a Chinese dish while I am there. I really can not wait until we can go back to see these different places again, and get to do a little more. 
  It was so wonderful to have a special adventure with my son that he will always have the memories of these places with his mommy.




  

California Trip July 2012: Part 3- The Wedding

  July 20, 2012 My brother got married to not only to his best friend, but the love of his life. Yes, my brother is gay, and yes I attended his wedding. I love my brother very much, and I wanted to be there for his big day to show it. I love my brother no matter what lifestyle he may live. 
   It was such a beautiful, long, busy day. My brother and my brother-in-law asked if my son would be the ring bearer, and when we got to California they asked if I would wedding coordinator. They day began around 6am California time. My mom, my brother-in-law's mom, and me drove to Oakland to get our hair and make-up done. We look awesome if I would say so. Then it was time to hurry back to get changed, and also get my son changed into his outfit.

  Joel was so proud to be the ring bearer, and to look like his Uncle Matthew. He is actually my brother's mini me. All my brother's friends say that when they see pictures of Joel. Getting 11 people in one house ready was a mad house. Everyone was scrambling.  
  Goal was to be in the car be at the wedding site by noon so I could set up chairs. The grooms got married in San Francisco at the San Francisco Park in the Shakespear Gardens. It was so beautiful place to get married at. The wedding was suppose to start at 3pm. They had such a wonderful turn out. Joel did okay, but didn't want to stand up there for the who ceremony so he came and sat with his grandparents, and me. I was so proud of my son because it was hot there, and he knew that there was a playground not too far away. He didn't care much for walking with the three flower girls. He basically did his own thing.  

  The reception was at a condo in Oakland, California. So, we had to rush to tare down everything, make sure the wedding site was very clean, and get in the vehicle. By this time it was almost 5pm. My little guy was getting hungry, and tired. He slept all the way to the reception. When we got to the reception he was having fun playing with the other children there. When the music began he became the life of the party. He tried getting everyone on their feet dancing. My favorite thing was when he was in the dance room inside he had full attention of everyone watching him dance. It was cute. He tried to do the Egyptian, but it looked more like him dancing like a monkey. 

California Trip July 2012: Part 2 Sites and Ocean Beach

Food Market in San Mateo

View from Twin Peaks in San Francisco

   We stayed actually with my brother, brother-in-law, and my brother-in-law's family in San Mateo, California. Just a short drive from San Francisco. We arrive around lunch time. We were all hungry, and needed to stretch our legs. My brother was at work in San Francisco so my brother-in-law took us to an El Salvadorian restaurant to eat at in San Mateo. Oh, boy was it good. It was also by a food market store. There was so much fresh fruits and veggies. Joel was amazed with all that they had there. Of course many of the things were written in Spanish, and my brother-in-law had to translate for us. 
   After we got done we headed back to the house where we were staying. My dad wanted to sleep for a while. My mom and Joel played outside. I went with my brother-in-law shopping and to get Mani and pedi's. That night we had Guatemalan food from a restaurant. That night my brother took our mom and me into San Francisco to to Twin Peaks to over look San Francisco. It was so neat to see. It was also very cold. Not even two minutes after I took this picture the fog rolled in. I was so lucky to get this wonderful picture.

Ocean Beach, San Francisco California

  The next day while my brother was gone to work my brother-in-law took us to the Pacific Ocean. We went to Ocean Beach in San Francisco. It would be my second time to an ocean, and Joel's first time ever. The water was freezing, but got to it after so long. Joel was so excited to see a cargo boat in the background. He loved touching the sand as well as the water. At first he did not know what to think about the waves. He took in a couple of gulps of the salty water.
While my dad looked for shells and rocks on the beach, and my mom resting on the towels watching our stuff; my brother-in-law, Joel, and I enjoyed the water of the Pacific Ocean. We got sand dollars from under the water, laughed as Joel enjoyed he waves hitting us, and just enjoying the California sun. Even though Gabriel (my brother in law) and I had a hold of Joel we had his life vest on him. Some of the waves were quite forceful, specially with Joel being so young. 

Downtown Market Street San Francisco, California

  After we got done at Ocean Beach it was time to go pick up my brother in Downtown San Francisco. My brother works at Lens Crafters on Market Street. It is different downtown San Francisco, California than back home in Iowa in our State Capital of Des Moines, Iowa. Lot more congested that is for sure. Downtown San Francisco on Market Street has pedestrians walking to and from (some not caring others have right away), bikers, homeless sitting on the sidewalks, homeless pushing grocery carts, there is people driving personal vehicles, public busses, Trolleys, and Trams. Joel was in awe of all that was going on. He was like, "Mommy look, Mommy look."  He was pointing at everything from the trams to the birds, to the high buildings. It is amazing thing to see, and be a part of.

San Francisco Bay in San Mateo, CA

  The next day Gabriel's mom, his sister, my mom, and I went out for the day to do some shopping and get mani's and pedi's. The guys and Joel hung out for the day doing different things. Joel loved it because he got to spend quality man time with the guys. 
  After we got back we rested for a little while. Then Angel (my brother-in-law's brother) wanted to let Joel go enjoy a park in San Mateo. So, Angel, Joel, and I went to a really neat park that sits right off the San Francisco Bay in San Mateo. Joel had fun playing on the awesome equipment. Really wished we had playground equipment in Iowa like they do there. We enjoyed the bay, and seeing San Francisco and Oakland California on the other side. Joel and I just loved taking in the sights of California together. Who knew that the walk we did with Angel to the park would spark so much. I guess that is when Angel fell in love with me, but didn't know until later after I would leave California. I just thought he loved hanging with me because of Joel. Joel and Angel became really good buddies.

California Trip July 2012: Part 1 The Drives

  July we also spent time going to California for my brother's wedding in San Francisco. Boy was it a blast, but it was a long long trip there and back. My biological dad, my biological mom, Joel, and I went together. I was so proud of my parents for getting along on the trip and while we were there, because they are divorced, but they agreed to put differences aside for a week, and put up with one another for my brother as well as for my son, and me. We traveled through several states: Iowa (of course we live here), Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, and into California. 

  We met up with a friend of mine and her children in Stuart, Iowa as we traveled most of the way together, because she was going almost the same way as us in California. We thought it would be better for her and her children to travel with us in a group instead of by herself. That way we felt she was safe, and if she needed any help we could help her. All the children did surprisingly well. Joel had a good time because their was other children to play with when we stopped. I think our favorite time we stop was in right after we crossed into Wyoming in a little rest area. The kids were able to play on a little playground and run some steam out. That is where we got the good picture of all four of them together that is above.

You really never knew who was going to be in the backseat with my son. Most of the time my mom rode back there. I got back there off and on. My dad did some of the driving. Driving out to California I drove a lot through the night unless we went through a major city like Salt Lake, Utah when I let my dad drive. Crazy us drove straight through to California. My dad ended up getting sick early the second morning of driving. Thank God my mom was there to help my friend with driving off and on. We were all getting tired. The kids did all the sleeping for us. I think each of us adults had only one to two hours each of rest. I think I had the least sleep. Joel had a hard time resting starting about 4am the second morning which was good because he talked to me as I drove.

Mountains in Wyoming

Ames Monuent

Some of the scenes we saw on the way was so beautiful while others were left to be desired. It was so neat to watch as we went from flat land to little bit of mountains off and on. We even made a few stops to see some things on the way out there if we had time. Our first stop we decided to really check out was this roadside monuments that looked like a pyramid with  plaque of Lincoln called Ames Monument. When they talked about it they said that it was right off of I-80. Well, needless to say it was right off my rear end. We had to take this bad red gravel road that was rough on the car. Needless to say it was something that I will only see once. We really didn't not see Utah at all. Little bit of Nevada on the way out California. We saw more of them on our way home.

Mountains in California

San Francisco and Golden Gate Bridge

 One of my favorite pictures I took of the mountain country was in California. The yellow of the land the few trees just was wonderful. Every once in a while you could see the bay mixed as we got closer to San Francisco.  When we got closer to San Francisco we saw the sign for it. Joel only 4 yrs old at the time looked up and said, "Mommy we are almost to Uncle Matthew's I see the words." Joel knows that San Francisco has two words with the first part beginning with S. I knew I was in San Francisco when I was able to see bits of the famous Golden Gate Bridge.

July Fun: 4th of July and Star WarsNight

  July 2012 was such a busy month for Joel and I, but we started if off with a bang. July 4th we spent the morning  hanging out just the two of us. In the afternoon we went over to Joel's godparents for some fun and food. That night we all four went to Raccoon River Park in Des Moines, IA to watch fireworks. It was so hot and muggy. Plus there were a lot of people there. Joel enjoyed running back and forth on the path. Next time we got to remember to take snacks and drinks for little man. Finally the fireworks began. They were not only beautiful in the sky but the reflection of them over the water was so beautiful.

At the end of the month Joel, his Grandma M., his godparents, and I got to watch Joel get to meet his favorite Characters come to life. Joel just loves and adores Star Wars. So one night they had a Star Wars night at Valley West Mall in Des Moines, Iowa. It was neat to watch Joel has he went around meeting both bad and good guys. I think his godfather had just as much fun as Joel. As he loves Star Wars as well. It was a good bonding time for Joel and his godfather. It was neat watch my son's dream of meeting Star War characters in person come to life.

June 2012

  June had been a very fun and busy month for us to say the least. Swimming, blastball, family visiting, heart walk, and Joel taking a new step of in the milestones of life. Each day with each other for Joel and I is such a blessing. He is growing up so fast. It is so much fun to do things together where we have fun, and not focus on things that really don't matter.

It was so wonderful to have my son hit a new milestone in June. Yes, I did cry. One day my son decided that it was time for the training wheels to come off his bike. He said, "Mom, I am no longer a baby, those baby wheels need to come off." So, the wheels came off. We tried a year ago, but he just couldn't grasp the whole idea. This time when the wheels came off it took a little while until he had the idea of what to do, but when he fell he got back up. He scared his godmother and I a few times. One time he ran into the mailboxes. Thank God he had his helmet on because it would of sliced his little ear off. It was hard to think that my little boy was growing so fast, and becoming even more independent. 

  We went and swam a couple of times at Joel's godparents house in their pool. It was so much fun. Joel loves to be in the water. Even a couple of time his godparents and I were in the water with him. Joel really enjoys being with all his family, and having fun at the same time. One evening when we were swimming, Joel's godmother and I got a real kick out of him. Too bad his godfather missed it. He got on his godparents back deck, and pretend it was a stage. He sang to his godmother, and I. Joel really loves to be the center of attention. That is for sure.

Joel played blastball for two out of the four weeks. He did like it a little because he loved hanging with one of his buds. He got bored with it though, because really they didn't do much but hit off of a tee, and then run to one base that honked a them, or they ran to get a ball and throw it to their coach. Joel wanted to do more that just the little things. I wished that they would of taught a little more fundementals of baseball to keep the older ones attention a little better. The cool thing is my dad that lives in Arkansas got to see him play the first week of blastball. My dad loves and played baseball when he was in school. So, to share this expierance with each other was priceless.
  One of the other things that made our June so much fun was going to the Des Moines Heart Walk. This year I was an ambassador so it was a little different. Joel, his godparents, and my parents walked in the heart walk for me. I couldn't walk the whole mile so I stayed back waiting for them. It was cute though. We took Joel's wagon this year because we knew his little legs wouldn't do the whole thing. It was adorable. He had his little sign on his back of wagon saying, "I walk for my Mommy." When someone would ask him why he does heart walk he would tell them, "I fight for my mommy. Her heart is bad, but it loves me." Awe he just loves to melt this mommy's heart. Can't wait to see what June 2013 brings for us next year. I do know nothing will be like this year. It was a priceless and memorable June this year. God really blessed us with such a good time together.

Spring Vacation Part 4: The Trip Home

   On our way home from Arkansas with my dad; we decided to stop and see some road side things. Two of the three were really neat to see. Joel really got a kick out of the two that was great to see and visit. My father was a kid in the candy store as well seeing the places with his only grandson. I enjoyed them as well, but I had more fun watching the two boys.

   First, we stopped at the Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center near Fort Smith, Arkansas. It was a really neat place for children can learn about nature, and there is so much for the family can do together. Joel loved looking at the reptiles in the nature center. Mostly the snakes and turtles that lived in Arkansas. I am so glad that the snakes were in glass cages. They also have boating that you can do, but do to time we decided not to. Maybe next time we can. We saw an area for children to play. So Joel and I played on the spiders web together. We decided to take a short cut through one of the hiking trails (we were wrong), but it was nice to see the woods and plains of Arkansas. We all three were very wore out when we got done.

   Next we stopped at Neosho, Missouri at the National Fish Hatchery that is there. FYI do not follow they way the road signs take you. For some odd reason it takes you for a scenic route to it. Just go into the town itself. It is basically in the center of town. You can see trout from just being eggs to being great big size. You can feed the bigger ones in the special ponds. The young ones are in there own area, and they are in level areas. They are on time feedings. It was cute when on of the time feeders went off. Joel just had a hay day watch the fish jump over one another to get the food. Both my dad and Joel are nature guys so it was neat to do something they both love.