Camping Trip in Virginia Beach

Oh boy, there is a lot of details and packing that goes into preparing for camping.

First of all this the first real vacation in 10 years.  Meaning there was not a long flight or trip to anywhere except to the beach for three (3) whole days with Mrs. Smith and the girls (AIAYF http://aiayf.blogspot.com/ and EIAYF - http://eiayf.blogspot.com/).

On the first day, Mrs. Smith and I setup our new tent while the girls played and watched us.  After we setup our camping site at the KOA, we went to the Oceanfront of VA Beach and we took turns with AIAYF in the water which was quite refreshing.  The water was a big relief with the humidity and the hot sun.  EIAYF was in the stroller (keeping out of the sun, even though she had sunscreen on).

Once we finished up we headed back to the camp site and got cleaned up (showered and refreshed). Mrs. Smith had prepared (some help from me, of course) meals.  One of the nights we cooked our burgers on the Coleman stove (not the fire pit, we didn't realize we should have had a flat grill piece to go over the pit), but we made out well.


















Our first full day, we enjoyed some more beach time and the pool at the KOA.  AIAYF and I had fun going down the water slide into the pool (which was 8 feet deep).  I had to propel her upward as I went into the water.  The ladder we took was not the typical one.  We actually had short crawl openings to each level whether to the blue or red slide.


























One of the other fun activities at the KOA was a large bouncing pillow that Mrs. Smith and AIAYF saw.  But the day AIAYF and I went was really hot, so chose not to go on it



Later in the day Mrs. Smith put EIAYF down for a nap which was needed, she was wiped out from the busy day, sun and heat.  We kept them hydrated especially EIAYF.  She would drink out of my water bottle to keep her hydrated and cooled down.  For two days for her day nap, I had EIAYF in her car seat and I drove around in our Odyssey Van to keep her cool and peaceful, she slept good!

In the evening we drove to visit friends of mine that I knew when I lived in VA Beach and Norfolk. We attended bible study fellowship and got to see good friends that I hadn't seen in awhile.  Needless to say we had a great time hearing about God's love for us and enjoy some delicious refreshments too.

It amazes me that anywhere that we go, we enjoy visiting friends and having great fellowship time!

One of the days we saw and heard the Navy's F18 Jets flying over the beach towards the Naval Air Station.  It was a good sound to hear, but not for little children to hear!  It can very loud.

I also enjoyed the slower pace of traffic versus the traffic in the Washington DC and Northern VA area. There are some great things that I miss about the Hampton Roads area are the people and the various fun things to do year round.

Check out the following websites:
http://hamptonroads.com/

Virgina Beach, VA
http://www.vbgov.com/Pages/home.aspx

Well, I am believing that those that read my blog will be inspired and excited to live life and have fun living one day at a time!

God Bless to all!

Family Lifestyle Versus Working Lifestyle

It appears that I have been on hiatus for quite sometime (almost 2 years)!  I guess that is called starting a family and working heartily unto the Lord.

A lot has happened since then.  I have been working in the Information Technology field (CADD - Computer Aided Drafting & Design) generating & revising Architectural floor plans (contracting world).  I have worked in various disciplines:  Architecture, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Civil and Electronics (IT) within the CADD field.  You might say I have become diverse and versatile in my skill set.  I have been able to travel to some countries for work (site surveys).

Well, enough of work!  Life has become an adventure and fun as a parent.  You may have wondered and thought that married life is not for you or being a parent!  Well I have to say from my experience it is all a joy.  Of course there is learning, loving, patience, patience and more patience in any relationship whether as a spouse or a parent.

The summer of 2014 has many new & fun activities and adventures.  In planning and preparation there is so much detail that Mrs. Smith and I have planned out what to do for the summer.

Well, living in Northern Virginia there are many things to do and see in the Washington DC area and in Virginia.  There are so many different museums, National Monuments, Concerts, Outdoor movies and various "Gardens" to see and do (good thing many are interactive things for the kids!).  For those Aviation fans, there is the "Air & Space" Museums (one in DC and one in Chantilly, VA called "Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center", website:  http://airandspace.si.edu/visit/udvar-hazy-center/).

I went last year and it was awesomeeeeeee.  I went with Mrs. Smith nephew (he grew up in Germany, so it's his first time to the US).  He and I had a blast and we took a lot of pictures.

The family recently went out for "Father's Day" to a city called "Leesburg, VA"  It was such a beautiful and sunny day!  We enjoyed some German food at a place called "Doner Bistro." (http://www.doener-usa.com/)  It was packed but we were able to sit outside (under a canopy tent) and enjoyed meeting other people and enjoying some German beer (oh, so much better then American beer!) and food.

That is the family life...having fun anytime and anywhere.

The working lifestyle currently is great and I enjoy the company I work for.  One of the VP's comes by the office I work at in Northern VA.  I work as a contractor in a Gov. building, so he comes by to see how things are going.

My current working lifestyle has been good, but about a year I was working for another company that informed me that my CAD Designer position was being removed from the contract (which they informed me about 2 months before the last day).  I was grateful for that because I had worked for them for over 8 years.  For Christmas they would do a big holiday party (combined with their brother's company) for all employees.  Let's just say they took good care of their employees.

Once I left this company I started working for another company as a sub-contractor (Government) which lasted for about 4.5 months.  I then was unemployed due to "contract issues" and for two months applying and interviewing until I landed a part time job (contract with the US Navy) for three days and then I got an interview on my third day (Thursday) with a company (contract to Government) which I had known through my previous employer (of 8 years).  That following morning I received an offer letter which I gladly accepted (my current employer).  So God is good and never late!  I always been a believing man of God and taking the action.