Mermaid

I knew we would see one and she is beautiful. My Mermaid

Dolphins!!!!

We went on a boat/snorkeling tour one day. We went to Molokini which is a giant underwater crater that has great snorkeling and then to a site called Mani Lau where there was allot of the same fish. I think they just followed the boat and showed up looking for handouts. Now don't get me wrong, snorkeling is fun although I can only take so much of floating around looking at the bottom of the ocean. The real fun came on the return trip the marina where we came across a extremely large pod of dolphins. We were not guaranteed any dolphin sightings so when we came upon this pod it was exciting. Almost as exciting as 122 people rushing to one side of the boat. Good thing there was a few of the heavier people who stayed on the other side.

Tattoos

Are you kidding me!!! There we are in a surf shop renting snorkeling gear, paddle and boogie boards and Jenna and Alyssa both come rushing in to say that they have found a Henna Tattoo shop next door and can they each get one. Well my first thought is to be the responsible dad and say that "Your Grandma would kill you if she found our you guys had a tattoo!!!" But by the time we came back later that evening, all six of us were lined up waiting and who do you think was first in line??? Yup, your's truly. "Well they needed someone to go first". So now I wonder what's next . . . corn-rows, piercings, BOYFRIENDS!!!!! May it never be. . . . .

The Real Day One

Ok, so this is the REAL day one. Our first full day here on Maui. Holy Smokes. We got problems..... The kids have already said that this is the best day of the trip so far!!!! Snorkeling with sea turtles, paddle boarding righteous sunset (again) and Tattoos (Henna Tattoos). If I am correct then aren't you supposed to build up to the last day of the trip and have it be the bestest day ever!! we are definitely in trouble.

Day One

This is the first day here in Hawaii. Now we did spend a large portion of the time on an airplane but it was fun. The trip from one island to another was very fun. Just as we were getting into Maui the pilot decided to bank real hard coming in line with the runway. and when I say hard, I mean real hard. We were looking at the ground from our window...straight down, crazy. I've been in small planes and I know how much fun it is to bank hard, so I know the pilot enjoyed it. So inspite of the excitement of the trip we made it here. Hooray!!!!!

Number 49

One of the most fun distinctions that I have and my kids all think it is great is that I have had the opportunity to visit all 48 states in the continental United States. From Maine to Florida and California to New York and everywhere in-between. I have seen the fort at St Augustine in Florida, Mt Rushmore, Old Faithful. My family stepped into Maine just to say we had been there. But now I have the opportunity to up the ante. Hawaii. Tomorrow I will be able to add one more state to the list of states I've stepped foot in. And it will be fun. With a Capital F.....

Ouch

Isn't it funny how a couple of bones the size of your wrist, along with a bunch of muscles can hold the entire body erect. And when those bones are out of whack it affects everything. Well my back hurts. It's a ailment that I have been dealing with since a volleyball injury in college and having one leg just alittle longer than the other certainly doesn't help. The worst part is that I am heading to Hawaii in less than36 hours. Motrin and ice, then ice and Motrin. I am glad all 4 of my children are going with me that way they can carry me where ever we go. Or maybe even just leave me on the beach with a drink that has an umbrella and check on me at the end of the week.

Adventure Travel

I guess this post was destine to happen. in a nutshell, I love to travel. We are headed to Hawaii in roughly 72 hours and I cant wait. Not just for the great fun that we are going to have but for the trip itself. I love every aspect especially the airport. At the airport, people are going somewhere or arriving from somewhere. It is fun to people watch there. but I digress. . . . When I get on a plane there is a sense of adventure, going someplace I have never been before and seeing something I have maybe only seen in pictures. I think I got this ability to travel from the days when as a kid my dad, every August, would load up the Chevy Van and tent trailer and the family would take off for a months adventure to . . . where ever. Across the United States, Pacific to Atlantic, Canada to the Gulf. I have see the Baseball, Football, Cowboy and Indian Halls of Fame. The petrified Forrest, the Niagara Falls, Times Square, The Ozarks. Been to every state in the Continental United States, even Maine. And now I get to go to Hawaii. Number 49 for me. I can't wait.

Father's Day

I initially did not have high hopes for a exciting Father's Day this year. I had just got done working 48 hours and Cindy was spending the day at the hospital making sure things run smoothly as only she can make them. So I figured my day would go something like this..... Come home tired, find kids asleep, go to Church by myself send the afternoon watching TV or cleaning something that needed cleaning, dinner at a local restaurant and home to bed. Wooohooo.

But I was surprised. When I did get home I was not that tired and even though I went to the 9:00 service by myself at Northpoint, by the time I got home the kids were ready for the 11:00 service at Crossroads. The service was awesome every aspect of it. They had stuff for men to do afterwards with their families like Rock climbing, hackett and knife throwing, off-road course. car show, paintball, live rock band (first time I have ever heard Hotel California sung at a church) and a dozen other things. We then headed to Chronic Tacos for lunch (shrimp burritos) and then to Iron Man 2 in the afternoon. We picked up Cindy and headed to Kings Fish House for dinner and I ordered (for the first time) sushi and Zach and Jenna each tried a piece. While they were not to excited about it, I was in 7th heaven, it was awesome. Then to Target to shop for our trip to Hawaii. I had alot of fun and I had the power of Father's Day which means I can say things like, "Don't argue cause its Father's Day" and " I want to drive, cause its Father's Day". It was great.

Everything turned out OK. Until I realized I had forgotten to call my own dad to wish him a Happy Father's Day. Luckly I had 30 minutes before midnight and made it just under the wire. I was so busy worrying about My Father's Day that I forgot I had a Father. But dad, don't feel too bad. I missed mom on Mother's Day too.....

Another Favorite Picture

This Picture was taken at a wedding of a friend. It is one of many of my all time favorites.

The Holiday Birthday Club

I have this problem My birthday falls in a very inopportune time. Let me explain. My birthday is June 15th. Now at first glance it worked out great. I was always the correct age for the grade I was in. When I was young, the toys I would get I could use all summer and best of all my birthday signaled the beginning of Summer and best of all summer vacation. But as I grew older I found that around that same time were graduations and after kids Father's day. And it became easier and easier to start combining the days. So gifts would start coming as "Graduation/Birthday" gifts and "Birthday/Father's Day" gifts. Now I know some of you are about to nominate me for the Selfish Award and i probably could win. But think about it.... a special day right next to a special day. Like having your birthday on the day after Christmas. Everyone has gifts, oh and by the way here is an extra gift for your birthday tomorrow don't mind the Christmas wrapping!!! I think I will seek out all people whose birthday falls on or around a major gift giving holiday and we'll form a club. We'll stock up on "Birthday" wrappings only and always make a birthday a VERY special day no matter what holiday it lands on or near. We'll start the "Holiday Birthday Club".

My Favorite Picture

Came across this picture when I was just browsing through my iphoto library. I love this picture. I will always love this picture.

Play Night

Friday night and all day Saturday Zach, Jenna and Shelby are in the show Tom Sawyer. And because the parents participation in the Green room, back stage, costume design, props, lighting, Etc, it becomes very difficult to see the show from anything other than the curtains at the side of the stage. But Saturday I had the opportunity to sit in the audience and watch as 65 kids from the ages of about 10 to 18 performed.... and it was awesome. There is some incredible talent. I was awestruck at Zach's rendition of the preacher. I fully laughed. It is fun watching my kids on stage, acting singing and dancing. I would have never thought, but there they were, without fear and totally comfortable on stage in front of an audience. I am a proud papa.

Opposites Attract

In my house I have two animals that are direct opposites. I love my dog Smokey, a very large German Shepherd, bull in a china shop, protector, with a row of teeth as long as my hand. Smokey stands guard in the house and no one comes in or out without a thorough looking over. Everything you'd ever want in a guard dog and companion. Then there's Bella, my daughter's cat. Graceful, beautiful, playful, not a care in the world, fun with a capital F. And somehow against all odds they are inseparable. They spoon each other. Bella is always waiting at the door for Smokey and they are never far from each other. Even as I am writing this blog Smokey is next to me and Bella has her paws across Smokey's. It is against the laws of nature that these two should be so close, but they are. They do spend time apart but as soon as the day slows down or there is lull in the everyday hustle and bustle of our house, you find Bella and Smokey laying next to each other, playing, Bella moving in and between Smokey's legs and Smokey simply watching, and protecting. I don't know if the two of them can communicate, doggie language versus kitty language. Maybe there is some kind of chemistry that constantly draws the two of them closer. Maybe in a different world or a different land Dogs and Cats live together all the time. I know that it exists here in my house and it makes me happy.

Friends

My wife says that I like work way to much. She is happy that I have found a career that I enjoy but at times I feel that my happiness for work is overboard. But what's not to love. My crew has become my friends. I like to hang around with these guys. They are fun and full of life. I like the Fire Engine, who wouldn't. I get to run red lights, run the siren, people get out of my way. I enjoy the calls, well most of the calls. They are interesting and I get to actually help. I enjoy the hospital, the doctors, nurses and staff, they have become my friends.

I know that I am rambling but there is probably nothing that I do not look forward to tomorrow. From the people I will see to the emergency calls I go on (even at night). This is strange I know. But part of me feels blessed that I am where I am and that I interact with the people I interact with.

I think that this is called community or making a difference. Whatever it is, I like it.

Modern Day Zacchaeus

I was reminded as I read a good friends blog that one of the purposes of writing these stories and glimpses into our lives is that we never forget the things that matter and that impact us. So I will attempt to reach back into my past to log an event that to this day still makes me wonder, and still somewhat impacts how I think and act. So here it is.....


It was the summer of 1984. I know this because the Olympics were in Los Angeles and the Olympic torch was making it way across the nation. I was a courier for banks and small businesses just taking deposits and cancelled checks to a central processing center. Nothing big, no armored car just my new bright red Toyota Corolla driving around the streets of Orange County. It was the middle of the week and my route took me through downtown Fullerton at the same time that the Olympic Torch was supposed to pass through. To a courier time is money. There is always a schedule but I had the unfortunate luck to end up on Harbor Blvd just north of Commonwealth as traffic ground to a complete stop. I knew I was going no where and there would be hell to pay for being late when I got there, so I simply settled in and waited for the torch to arrive. As 15 minutes turned into 30 minutes, turned into 45 a crowd had started to gather and the mood had begun to pick up. A line of people began to form between myself and the side of the street the torch would be making it's appearance and between that line and my car my modern day Zacchaeus showed up. I was standing in the open door of my car, making me a good three feet taller than the crowd, and I noticed that this man, maybe 5 feet tall had begun to pace back and forth looking for a break in the large crowd that had formed. (I just got shivers reliving it) He asked me no less than a dozen time "Do you see it?", "Is it coming?" each time answering "Not yet", "I don't see anything yet!". Soon I began to see, off in the distance the beginning of the entourage for the famed Olympic torch. The crowd became electric. People had begun cheering and clapping, it was easy to be caught up in the moment as I forgot that I even had a job and was engulfed in national pride. As the torch drew near I began to notice my little friend had grown more nervous and even a bit frantic as he realized he would not be able to see the Olympic Flame passing by. His pacing became more desperate and his questions came faster, "Can you see it?", "What does it look like?" The noise of the crowd was deafening. I had a clear view of the torch and as it came within 20 feet of me, my modern day Zacchaeus made his final plea. He thrust his camera towards me and said these words, "I cannot see the torch passing, would you please take a picture for me?" I reached down, grabbed his camera and clicked off three pictures as fast as I could with his "non-digital" camera. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed that my friend was no longer pacing and with his back to the flame and the crowd, was staring up at me as I took the pictures of something he could only wish to see. The flame passed within 10 feet of me, I was estactic. Out of sheer luck I had landed my car in the middle of a parade and was privy to an incredible wave of national pride. A minute later the torch was gone, the crowd had begun to dissipate and my friend could not wait to have his camera back to develop the film and finally see what I personally had witnessed. I handed him his camera, he thanked me and disappeared into the crowd. I climbed down into my car and immediately realized what I had done. I had been witness to a remarkable event. I had seen a simple flame ignite a city, much more a country with patriotic fervor. But Zacchaeus only saw me. He watched me as I watched this great event unfold before me. I was floored. I had seen the "light" and did not have the presence of mind or even courage to show someone else. I should have grabbed my friend by the scruff of his neck and stood him on the roof of my new car and told him "Here, you look, you see the glory that is passing before us!" But I didn't. I drove around the block twice looking for him. I was 90 minutes late to my next stop. I drove by again after work just hoping by some chance I would have the opportunity to apologize, to describe in detail everything I had been witnessed to. I never saw Zacchaeus again. By the time I got home I was visibly shaken. I had been given the opportunity, the direct opportunity to show someone the light, and I had failed. I still get goose bumps every time I drive through the intersection of Harbor and Commonwealth in Fullerton. I think when I get to Heaven I will ask God about that divine appointment and how I missed it. And ask, can I see that man, Zacchaeus so I can apologize and tell him how beautiful the light is.

True Love

How is it that almost every movie I watch has some kind of love story or romance. If it wasn't for movies like Saving Private Ryan or Predator or any Chuck Norris movie, I would say that our society is obsessed with finding and/or having true love. Well I saw it. It was a short brief glimpse into the heart of true love, but it was there, glaring obvious even to the point of bringing it to the attention of my co-workers. An elderly gentleman had fallen. He took a medicine that had dropped his blood pressure and before he knew it, he had tumbled to the ground in a parking lot and banged up his forehead. As all this happened his wife who had Alzheimer's sat quietly in a chair next to him oblivious to what had happened or even, no doubt, who it was who had fallen next to her. But as we evaluated him it was obvious his concern was for her. He was not hurt but for a scratch on his forehead and as we walked away I watched as he took the hand of his wife, who could not even remember his name, and led her to the car and helped her in. This man embodied the phrase "In sickness and in health". She could not even tell us his name, but there he was, taking his wife out, caring for her, directing her, and loving her . . . . truly. It is not man-made, it is divine and it is slowly becoming more rare every day. I for one am glad I saw this couple. It is a challenge to me. It was, truly, True Love.

The Day I almost Died

I have never landed this and this is the closest that I have ever come. We used this video to help the ER put Humpty Dumpty back together again.

I'm Back

I was told by a good friend that I was a bad blogger. I didn't even know that I was a "blogger" but I guess that because I have a blog I should probably write on it. So let me recap since the last blog entry...... well I graduated high school, wait that was too far back!!! Closer to this decade, I am working in Placentia and loving it. With the amount of calls, being a paramedic again and actually going to a hospital instead of handing a patient off, I feel like I am back in the game again. And it feels good. I only hope I can keep up the pace. Oh and thanks to that person who pointed out my blogger-insufficiency, I will be better.

ps and maybe I will figure out how to put pictures on this blog . . . maybe

To Live Like you are Dying

It has been a very long time since I have posted on this blog, not for a lack of what to say but no doubt out of pure laziness and an inability to sit down and write what has been on my heart and mind of late. Much has happened in the last 6 months but it is the latest string of events that has caused me to think again about what truly does matter in this short time here on earth.
In my profession (Firefighter/Paramedic) rarely am I moved by many of the things I see, but occasionally someone, or something crosses my path and I am reminded of the frailty of life and the simple promise that once alive, we all will someday die. I met a 35 year old lady with all over body aches and rib pain severe enough to affect her breathing. She had bone cancer that had moved to her lungs, then to her brain and was beginning to affect other organs. She was dying. As we moved into help, her sister, her mother and her two young children stepped aside unable to grasp the ever present question... Why? Diagnosed barely 6 months prior, their sister, daughter and mother was being dragged away from them by this disease called cancer and there was nothing they could do to stop it. They watched with blank faces as we gently helped her to the gurney, then into the ambulance and to the hospital. Their ability to hang on to the one they loved was like trying to grab smoke from a flame and hold onto it, nothing more. I could not help but think what goes on in her mind? What does she think about as she rapidly approaches her maker? Is there regret? Sadness? Anticipation? And then I hear my pastor talk about how would you live your life if you had only 30 days to live? What would become important and what would get left on the curb. This lady, our patient, was at that crossroads. She was facing the ultimate questions of life. When you are staring death in the face, where do your affections lay? What becomes important? I met this lady and outside of the miraculous grace of God, she will die, yet I am profoundly affected by her. How would I live if I truly was staring death in the face. Would I live it with regret, wasting the short time I have. Would I share with others God's love and grace as they slowly walk the path that I find myself running down. Would I love as much as I could those who are close to me. I don't know. I do know that my 35 year old patient faces these questions that I can only wonder about. My desire is to learn to live as if I had only a short time, showing the love of Christ that was shown to me.
I do not know what was the outcome of my 35 year old patient. I do know that she sees the end of her life and because of that she has had a profound affect on me.