Photo Friday: Yerba Buena Gardens San Francisco

No, my kids are not down there I wouldn’t let them go and color.  Just call me the mean mom.

Awe Inspiring Moments

  A few weeks ago during our Boy vs. Girl Bay Area weekend while Leah and I were walking under the rotunda in the Westfield Mall on Market street in San Francisco she blurts out in her 7 year old way "The Government Is rich.". I asked her why she thought that and she said “Because this building is beautiful.” I could see she was overwhelmed and in awe of the beautiful artwork of the rotunda. I tried correcting her by reminding her that we weren't in a government building but she wouldn't budge she said "Still the Government is rich.". Over the next few weeks her words brought a smile to my face as I recalled them. Then I remembered a time when I felt much like she did underneath the rotunda. Overwhelmed with beauty and inspired to believe in incredible greatness.   In 1982 my family journeyed to Alaska. We camped in a pup tent and full size van through out the entire trip through British Columbia, Alaska, and the Yukon Territory. It was an experience of a lifetime and I had an amazing view from my car window where I could watch and see how the landscape changed. I remember at one point near Boundary Alaska how in awe I was of the view. Our elevation was up above the tree line which meant that as you stood on the cusp of one mountain you could see for miles and miles around you and all there was to see was mountains. I suddenly felt very small and insignificant. Our little van and the dirt road we were on was completely swallowed up by the huge vastness of the land. I was in awe and knew that there surely was a God and he was powerful, and majestic, and great. Have you been to a place that has inspired you and left you in awe?

The Joseph Family's Boy vs. Girl Bay Area Weekend Part 2

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When I shared the title of this blog with everyone this morning "Boys vs. Girls" my son promptly responded "Boys win!" There was no doubt in his mind that he was going to have more fun than the girls. So, the competition was on, who would triumph in our quest to find and indulge in the most fun? There is a certain thrill of adventure every time I buy my BART ticket into the city. As Leah and I walked to the station, bought our tickets and waited on the platform it was a moment of hopeful adventure for both of us.

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One of the best stops on the BART route is Powell station. Who couldn't love being dropped off in the basement of one of the best malls in the city.  You could literally take BART into San Francisco exit at this station and never even step out into the fresh crisp ocean air this city is famous for. Leah proved to be quite a shopper today. I dare say she just about out shopped me. Of course, we shopped the Hello Kitty store, the toy store, Bristol Farms, a favorite of mine, and an accessory store. I now know that Leah is a fan of all things that glitter and, feathers.

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We finally stepped outside into the city and she gasped as she took in the view of skyscrapers that welcomed us. We were right at Market and Powell streets where the cable car stop is. There is always live music and a lot of people around this location. Leah kept asking "Where's the parade?". We continued on up Powell to Union Square but had to duck inside a pink and white shop filled from floor to ceiling with sparkly costume jewelry. I didn't think I was ever going to get her out of this store. I'm sure she left only because I promised the next stop would be the Disney Store. We finally got to the corner of Powell and Post where the Disney store has always been and low and behold it wasn't there. Thank God for the iPhone that let me Map Quest it and find its new location saving me from having to disappoint my 7 year old. After the Disney Store my next stop was Yerba Buena Gardens. This has been on my list of to dos for awhile and I decided this might be the best time to discover what some say is the city's best little gem
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Once in the gardens it really does feel like a rare gem. The green grass and shady trees all enclosed by sky scrapping buildings. Leah and I enjoyed walking through the gardens and seeing the waterfalls and she even enjoyed the children's play area but, when she spotted the ice rink it was all over. There was nothing she wanted to do more than ice skate. So, we did. After ice skating we went next door to the bowling alley and played a few games when, wouldn't you know, we heard from the boys who told us they were finished with their LAN party. We convinced them to come join us because Leah was determined to go back for more ice skating later. About the time open session started again at the rink the boys showed up and we all enjoyed some skating around the rink, except for Daddy who took a nap instead.

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We found some dinner and then began our journey home. As we were approaching the Altamont Pass I kept thinking it seems awfully dark something's different about the landscape. Then it dawned on me, the huge Jesus Saves Cross on the slope of the hillside wasn't lit. It is amazing how things can become so familiar to you. Most of the time you pass them without even thinking, but when they are gone it stands out. I spent many years traveling this particular route for work and it was somewhat of a mile marker for me as I traveled back home. One of those familiar sights that assure you you’re on the right path.  It was missed tonight as I thought of how many times that it also spoke to my heart and reminded me that no matter how far I go from home He is always with me.

The Joseph Family's Boy vs. Girl Bay Area Weekend Part 1

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Here we are just four days away from heading to the Bahamas and what does our crazy family do? Decide to spend the weekend before we leave in the San Francisco Bay Area of course. It started out with Stuart and Steve just going away to do some guy stuff but I quickly jumped on the bandwagon for Leah and I. Thus our boy vs. girl weekend. Steve and Stuart are attending the GeForce LAN party in Alameda on the USS Hornet. If you’re not familiar with LAN parties they are computer gaming parties. You bring your computer hook them up to a network and then play games against each other all weekend. It's a total guy thing. Although, I hear that girls do attend and my fear is that someday Leah, with her love of first person shooter games at the age of 7, will one day be begging to join them leaving me all to myself. Maybe that's not so bad after all? Anyway for now we're split 50-50.

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The USS Hornet is a fun place to visit even without the LAN party going on. It's a World War II aircraft carrier that sailed mostly in the South Pacific. It was also used to pick up the astronauts after coming back from walking on the moon. The aircraft carrier is where they took their first steps back on earth. They have a huge exhibit about this and even have the isolation/decontamination trailer they used to quarantine them while they made sure they weren't bringing back any harmful bacteria. And for those of you who like a good ghost story it is supposedly one of the most haunted places in the Bay Area. So, the boys are going to have a great time no doubt but, Leah and I are ready to have some girlie fun. Our base headquarters is Pleasanton California. From here it is only a quick ride to Alameda for the boys. Our hotel is in the parking lot of the Stoneridge Mall and only steps away from the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) station. I'm sure you're already imagining how much girlie fun we can come up with. Once we got to the hotel. We walked right over to the mall and went to the nail spa for pedicures. It was Leah's first professional pedicure and she was loving every minute of it. From the picking out of the nail polish to the lemon in the water and finally the lotion and massage that comes just before the polish. Leah had flowers with added jewels painted on her toes. They look so cute and she couldn't take her eyes off them all night. I on the other hand (or, perhaps foot) had chose a color named Cajun Spice the perfect coral color that goes with both reds and pinks. Leah and I now have toes that are ready to step on Caribbean sands and soak up the sun. Next stop dinner. We indulged ourselves with honey walnut shrimp from Panda Express before coming back to our hotel room where we brought stuff to make new hair-bows for vacation. This was a great start to our weekend. Tomorrow, Leah and I head in to San Francisco for the day.