Warrior Games

Jason made this video from when he volunteered at the Warrior Games in Colorado earlier this year.

He loved going and volunteering, he talked about it for weeks and weeks after wards.  I know he is looking forward to going again next year.  He likes that the job he is doing now allows him to help out with Navy Safe Harbor,  they are such a good group that do good for a lot of people.  I am proud of all the work he does for our family, he is such a good Dad and husband,
 and I am thankful that he can even enjoy some of it from time to time.

All the pictures and video he took came from he cell phone.  Cool huh?

Jay's Promotion Ceremony

June 1, 2010

Jason and Capt. Vogh

Jason invited me and the boys to his work to watch his promotion ceremony.  I am so proud of him, and all the hard work he does.  And I am so happy that he seems to have finally found his stride in his career (yes, I said career, we will be CG lifers).  He knows what he wants to do, and he is excited about it.  

Way to go Jay!

(Sorry the pictures are so crappy.  I had to stand in the WAY back, fighting Harry, and trying to take pictures at the same time.)

(Again, bad picture I know, sorry.)

Giving him his first class pins.

On the left is Jason current Chief (well, until we left Hawaii) Dan Perkins.  And on the right is Tom Heimann, Jason's old Chief from when he was stationed on the CG Cutter Sherman.  By some weird chance Tom just happened to be vacationing in Hawaii the week of his promotion, and Jason invited him down.  Tom was/is such a good friend of ours, and Jason loved working for and with him.  I thought it was special that he was able to come participate.

After the various awards and what not, the honorees have a chance to stand up front for everyone to congratulate.  Naturally Clark thought he needed some praise and he took his place at the end of the line next to Jason.  I thought it was sweet that everyone played a long and shook his little hand.  Clark was so good that day, so very good.  I am proud of my little man too.

Tom Heimann, Jason, me and the boys, and Dan Perkins

I am proud of you Jason!  Thank you for letting us be a part of your special day!

Way Back Wednesday, or My Travelin' Man

Way Back Wednesday this week, but only because I have forgotten the past couple Flashback Fridays ;)

Jason's weekend work trip to Wake Island.

Earlier this month Jason got called out on a last minute trip to Wake Island.  Occasionally, with his job, he will have to fly out on the big C130's to pick up people up who need medical attention.  Sometimes he only has to go to Kauai, or the Big Island, and other times he may have to go as far as Guam, Christmas Island or Midway.  Even though it is work, I don't think he minds getting away for a day or two, and visiting some pretty cool places.  I, on the other hand, am very jealous and wish I could sneak along with him.  I wish I could visit some of the places he has gone for "work" but I will just have to be satisfied enjoying his pictures.

Can you believe how HUGE these hermit crabs were!

Jay on a boat, getting ready to go pick up a wounded fisherman...or something.

This picture really doesn't have to do anything with this post, I just think he looks handsome :)

These pictures were taken when we lived in Alameda, California when he was station on the CG Cutter Sherman.  He was stationed on the boat for about 18 months, and they went on some pretty amazing trips, down the coast to South America, and up the coast to Alaska and the Bering Strait.

Jay and his friends/co-workers on the CG Cutter Sherman.

Getting ready for his horseback tour through the jungles in Costa Rica.

(Work???  I was/am so jealous...maybe I should join the Coast Guard.)

Some of the stops during their South American Tour was Ecaudor, Costa Rica, Cabo San Lucas, and Puertro Rico... just to name a few.  They were gone for such a long time, but they did some good work out there.

Jay and his friends/co-workers taking a much needed break from the rigors of boat life.  

I know it was hard being on the boat, for months at a time, away from family and the comforts of home, so I am glad they got to get out and take breaks every now and then, even if I am still a little envious.

I am so thankful for the Coast Guard in our life.  It provides for our family well, gives Jason great education and a job he loves (most days), and we have been able to meet some of our closest friends and make some unforgettable memories.

Our 9th Anniversary

Last month we celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary.  Nine whole years we've been married!  Somedays it feels like just yesterday we got married, and other days I can hardly remember a life without Jason and my boys in it.

Jason is so sweet.  He planned a nice romantic dinner for us, at the Top of Waikiki, which is one of those crazy-high rotating restaurants.  He even made a thoughtful little playlist (via iPod) of all 'our' songs to listen to, on the way down town. It totally brought me back to our dating days, listening to and sharing music (via mixed tapes/cds...  awe, remember the good old days of mixed tapes).

There is our restaurants, way up there, I think it was 25 stories high (yikes), and it rotated, CRAZY.

Beautiful view of the ocean and the Royal Hawaiian hotel.

Our sunset view was marred by these obnoxious buildings.  Too bad we weren't a little higher up (wait, did I just say that, I am scared of heights, down please).

All in all it was a lovely evening, good food, quiet dinner without fighting kids and food on the floor, and some quality time spent with my sweetie.

Hoping and praying for another wonderful nine years.

Happy 34th Birthday Jay!

Happy Birthday Jay, 34 years...

you are getting old!

I met you (Jason) when you were 22, 

which means we have spent the last 12 years together, 

8 of them being married.  

It honestly doesn't seem that long.

In that time I have seen you learn and grow so much.

You have become a better husband and friend.

A wonderful father, and the best Dad...

the boys adore you.

You have excelled in your job, and schooling.

You are always looking for new ways to better yourself,

and trying so hard.

I am really so proud of all the hard work you do for our family.

You make us laugh, and bring us joy,

(sometimes in the form of presents...you are the best present giver).

I don't know what we would do without you, 

you complete us :)

I hope all your birthday wishes cames true.

Love,

 April, Clark and Harry

For Jason's birthday we had a week full of celebrations, which included;

Panda Express one too many times (one of Jason's favorite fast foods),

me not complaining over the dumb movie/tv shows he wanted to watch (that was really hard),

a day off of work,

lunch at Dave and Buster's with games to follow,

dinner at Ruby Tusedays,

(you can see that the way to Jay's heart and happiness is food, and a lot of if), 

and a new cell phone (which just happened to be buy one get one free...so I got one too)!

Jason and his one true love...

Fast Food!

Jaosn is a junk-food-aholic. Seriously, he eats all day long, massive amounts of food. Its no wonder I have gotten plumpier the longer I have known him. He can eat an entire combo meal (biggie sized) with a shake, finish off my food, and still be ready for seconds in just another hour. Gah! He has already gotten Clark so addicted to McDonald's that he starts to hyperventilate every time we pass one (Clark, not Jason...ok sometimes Jason too). I am the ONLY person in our house that eats vegetables, no kidding.

How is it possible that he is still cute, even while he is stuffing his face?? That has got to be true love... on all sides.

3 more years.

Jason and Lt. Cuhl on the wing of a C130 for Jason's Coast Guard re-enlistment.

I guess it is the popular thing to choose a cool place to do your swearing in, when you re-enlist.  I have heard for people choosing some pretty crazy places.  Jason played it a little safe this time and chose to have his re-enlistment ceremony on the wing of a C130, at his work.  There goes three more years of our lives to the Coast Guard.  If you would have asked me eight years ago, when we first started this whole thing, I NEVER would've thought we would be lifers...but we are.  Only twelve more years and Jason can retire!
I think he looks so handsome, and I am so proud of all the hard work he does for our family!  I am so thankful that Jason has a good steady job, especially in these uncertain times, we surely are blessed.  We have about 9 more months left here in Hawaii, and right now we have no idea where we will go next.  Jason is in the mist of a very difficult decision, whether to change fields from HS (which is the medical field) to ME, which is the new law enforcement rate the Coast Guard is starting next summer.  He keeps on going back and forth...from something comfortable that he is REALLY good at, to something new and exciting.  It will be a big change for our family, one we aren't 100% sure of it right now.  Jason could use a lot of your prayers.  We are hoping to find out within the next few weeks which direction we will be going.  It is so exciting and scary at the same time.  I can't wait to start looking at the places where we could move to next!  Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Connecticut....there are so many good places to choose from!  We will keep you posted.

Fathers

Happy Father's Day

Nothing means more to Jason, in the whole world, than being a good Dad.  He loves his boys so much.  He is never quick to anger when the boys are out of control, and can always find the patience to laugh at a situation...even when I want to rip out my hair.  He is so proud of every little accomplishment that the boys make, and loves to teach and introduce them to new things.

He is always about having a good time, and he loves to take the boys to the park, mall, beach, zoo, anywhere they want.  He gets so excited when a new kids movie comes out so he can take Clark, more excited than Clark most of the time.  He revels in all of Harry's firsts, just like he did/dose Clark.  He works so hard for our family, with the Coast Guard and going to school on the side...yet he never misses an opportunity to do something with the boys.  I know I give Jason a lot of crap for all of his faults, but I am thankful that we could start a family together, and I look forward to many more years of raising out children together.  The boys and I are lucky to have Jason, for he is truly a great Dad.  

I also would like to take a moment to share my love and appreciation for my Father and Grandfather.  I love my Dad so much, and I cherish the memories we've made together.  Working in the garden (although my younger brothers and sisters had to...I mean got to, do it more than I) having debates over my ever changing views of the world, summer vacations in New Mexico, going to the temple together, and quiet evenings spent talking and reminiscing, watching Food Network or Travel Channel.  My Dad has and continues to teach me and inspire me to be better than I am.  And my Grandpa, who is so generous with his time.  He spends a lot of his time these days taking pictures for different family events and making albums and dvd slide shows.  What a great talent to share!  I love having the dvds to watch...what a great way to document family events and memories.  One of my favorite things about my Grandpa is his love of reading, I love that we can share it together.  Trade books, and thoughts on a story.  You can tell a lot about a person by the books they love and read, and I have loved getting to know my Grandpa in a new light.  I miss both so much, it is hard to be so far from them.

Happy Father's Day to all!