Spring Break ~ B

Having to spend my week off school on a 41’ yacht, at the beach, jet skiing, parasailing, boating, biking, swimming and fishing was rough, let me tell you. Getting out of Missouri and hanging with my family on No Más was awesome. We crammed in so much in a short time. Mom had to bring Gma’s car back from Arkansas so she flew in to get it and picked me up. We drove all the way from Missouri to Florida. Mom made me listen to her audio books but I’ll admit, one wasn’t bad. It was about an ex-Duke bball player turned detective kinda guy. Lots of sports and fighting….pretty cool. When we finally got to the boat, we left the marina and motored to Captiva. The sails and some of the rigging still need to be fixed so we just motored, which was cool because No Más has a turbo engine and if you get it going fast enough, will actually plane! A 41’ 14 ton boat, with the nose rising out of the water…….sweeeeet!
Captiva is a really cool island. It has the "No shirt, no shoes, no problem" vibe. Everyone is laid back, almost everyone there is on vacation, and there is a lot to do (and a lot of bikinis). Since Dad runs the bikes, I got to bike around a lot. We took a golf cart out one day and went down to see the big marina. There was a 101’ yacht down there that was amazing! It was called To’Kalon and I can’t imagine what it would be like to live on that thing. They had their own crew in matching shirts and their own jet skis. My sister wants to work on super yacht like that when she’s older. Can you imagine Dani captain of a 100’ ship?!?! She’d probably need a stepstool! lol

We went parasailing too. I think that was the most awesome thing I have ever done. It was surprisingly quiet once you got up there. We saw a sea turtle swimming and mom saw a shark. You can see almost the whole island and we even saw our boat. The driver lowered us down twice to dip us in the water only to speed up so we would go up again. It was amazing and not at all scary. If you ever have the chance to go parasailing – I really recommend it!! It didn’t hurt that we had some cute girls along with us taking our pictures for us.

The girls that went with us

I took a bike up to the North end one day and rode jet skis. It is so much fun jumping the big waves from the Gulf and from the big boats. I could have stayed out there all day. I think if I ever live on a boat, I’d have a jet ski as my dinghy. Then I could ride it all day just for fun.


So all in all, my trip was really great. I like No Más much better than The Dreamer. Mainly because it’s huge compared to Dreamer but also because it feels more like home. I really liked getting to spend time with Grandma too. I don’t get to see her much and she’s a lot of fun. I think she might be getting more crazy the older she gets. lol

It was good to see everyone else too. Ralph, Sophie, Mom and Dad - Dani never grows and Jake is still Jake. 






Oh yeah and we had some really pretty sunsets too. Now back to school and basketball – till next time
~B

March Madness ~ The Admiral

We’ve had such a busy month, this is the first time I’ve had to sit down and write. The big news of late is that we have our full crew on board! Welcoming Mate Brandon and Commodore Peggy, who will be staying for a couple months. Brandon was only able to squeeze in his week of spring break from school but any time he can visit is a blessing. So needless to say, we’re pushing the limits on this old 41’ but she’s working just fine with all of us here.

B at the helm

We decided to leave the safety and expense of the marina and anchor off Captain’s resort job for awhile. His commute just went from 90 minutes to a 2 minute dingy ride! Not too shabby. Our trip down river was great, No Más ran beautifully and we didn’t run into any trouble. Mate Brandon was even able to take the helm and Dolphin Dani was able to make full use of the hammock turned swing!

Dolphin Dani in the hammock swing

Once securely anchored off Captiva in Roosevelt Channel, the manatees were quick to welcome us! We had about 6 all swimming around our boat, checking out the new guy. Here's some footage B managed to get of them.

Manatees greeting us at anchor spot

We have been busing playing all week and instead of writing about it, I’ll just post some pictures we took.
Safe seas and God Bless.
~The Admiral



Commodore Gram with the grandkids

March Madness VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

What my friends think I do

We've recently discovered something the rest of the world has known about for awhile. That is, these funny little pictures depicting a job and what different people see them as AKA "What my friends think I do". I found a funny one for homeschooling and none for liveaboards so I made one. I will share them both. I updated the homeschooling one with a picture of the kids doing school.
Enjoy,
~Admiral

Floating Science Theatre ~Dolphin Dani & Jurassic Jake

This is episode 1 of the Floating Science Theatre. We put this together for a project in Science class but we liked it so much and had so much fun doing it that we will try to keep more coming. We shot this on our old boat The Dreamer. If any of you have a suggestion for another one, please let us know.

Thanks!!
Jurassic Jake and Dolphin Dani

Happy Valentine’s Day ~The Admiral

This is going to be a mushy love story post so if you don’t like reading about happiness, you’ve been warned.
The devotion the Captain and I had yesterday was titled "The Meaning of Rings”. I found it very fitting that it just so happened to be Valentine’s Day this week and what better way to celebrate it than this.

So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” Matthew 19:6

My favorite part of my wedding was exchanging our rings and vows. “This ring I give you, as a symbol and pledge of my constant and abiding love.”

Symbol: Something representing something else by association.
Pledge: A solemn promise to do or not do something.

We exchanged vows and we exchanged rings. Those rings are more than just jewelry. They are a symbol and a promise to each other. They are a constant reminder of the vows I made to my husband and to God. They are not fancy, they are not expensive, but what they are is ours. Those simple rings make us a set, my husband and I. A matching set that God Himself picked out carefully and we should not forget He knows what He has planned for us, even if we can’t see it yet. As a part of our devotional yesterday, we were to find our wedding vows and read them to each other again. I can’t tell you the joy this brought both of us. For me, it was a powerful moment, remembering just how much I loved him when I wrote mine, but realizing just how much MORE I love him today.
Since we didn’t have anyone other than our children at our wedding, I thought I’d share our vows today, with our friends and family. Our way to celebrate Valentine’s Day with everyone and a way to share our love with you. 

Captain’s Vow to his bride
I feel I started living the day I met you, and I will spend the rest of my life making up for our lost time. I have never felt the way I do when I’m with you. Every day I find new ways that show me that we were meant to be together. Your strength, your vulnerability, your stability and your support of my dreams make me feel I can accomplish anything.

Whether it’s finding paradise in a small town, living simply and raising our children, or planning our future sailing into the unknown and living as most people wish they could.

You are the shelter for my soul, you heal me when I lost control. Only you know who I really am, and only you understand.

You make my life complete, for you are now and forever my wife. I love you for everything you are, and for everything you are not. I will build my life around you, support and encourage you, heal you when you are sick and keep you from harm. I promise to never grow up and to never take you for granted, to love you more today than yesterday, and like there is no tomorrow.

Admiral’s Vow to her groom
Steve, today I give you my heart and soul because you have earned it. They have been enriched and brightened since you came into my life; by your love and your laughter, by the touch of your hand and the smile of your eyes, by your strength, your compassion and your kindness.

Today I give you all of who I am because you have earned it. I am, in every thought of my heart, completely and forever, yours. I will be with you always, growing in love day by day, hour by hour. Never above you, never below you, always beside you.

Today I give you my love, all of my love because you have earned it. Multiply it by infinity, take it to the depth of forever and you’ll still only have a glimpse of how much I love you.

Today I give you my heart, my love, my soul. I give you me….because you have earned it. You will now and forever be my husband. I love you for everything that you are, everything that you are not, and everything that you will become.


So now we’re busy planning our future, sailing into the unknown and living as most people wish they could. Happy Valentine’s to all our friends and family. We send our love and our blessings. May God shine His love upon you on this day of love. He is where all love begins and ends.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
~ The Admiral

Update of pictures ~The Admiral

We haven't been able to really post as many pictures as we'd like so I'm going to remedy that today. This will be a Random Thoughts (inspired by my friend KH) in pictures.

Steve and Ralph

My dogs are happy "Boat Dogs".

Sophie at the bottom of the stairs...waiting for someone to step on her.

 

Just a portion of the amazing stuff that our great friend Bill H. sent us.

Friends are an amazing gift to have.

Dolphin Dani loves to take videos.

My dogs are weird.

  

I woke up to this in my face.

Sophie loves looking out the aft porthole.

Ralph sleeping in Steve's bed.

Under the fancy walls, boats are ugly.

Before

Wall after vinyl covering. (Behind the handsome dog)

Running water is AWESOME!

My youngest son is handsome......and silly.

Jurassic Jake

Cleaning makes everything better.

After

Before

Sometimes bigger IS better.

"The Dreamer" is on the left and "No Más" is on the right.

Game night is always more fun on a boat.
                   






Christmas is more fun with friends.

Boarding ramp built by Captain Steve

My husband builds really great things.

Custom wine glass rack built by Captain Steve

I love this man!

Dolphin Dani

My baby is getting too pretty for her own good.











And finally, my dog likes Jake's Christmas present almost more than Jake.

 ~Admiral

Faith ~Dolphin Dani

 What is faith? Faith means different things to different people. Faith is a noun and a verb. According to the Webster.com, faith, as a noun, means ‘belief and trust in and loyalty to God’. It also means ‘firm belief in something, for which there is no proof, complete trust’. Faith, as a verb, is 'to trust or to believe'. Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”


My mom took this picture at our church


Faith is a lot of things, and faith is pretty amazing. It actually goes beyond the church, and into your heart! I have faith that God will protect me no matter what when I devote my life to Him. I don’t think that means no harm will come to me, because when you are hurt, there is usually some purpose behind getting hurt; whether that is a lesson that I needed to learn or the opportunity to test my faith. All things happen for a reason. My Grandma Peggy says that ALL the time but it's true. And now with our new boat, my family and I plan to stock up on bibles and other needed items, and head to the islands and spread the Word of God (aka the Bible)!! Mom and Dad made some friends down the dock that want to do practically the same thing! I will use my faith during those times knowing that God will be with us and use us for His needs and for His good. I am excited to see what adventure my life will take when I live my life for Him. 

Bethany Hamilton

There is one person who has taught me more about faith than anyone else and got me thinking about my faith a lot lately. That person is Bethany Hamilton. At the age of 13, she survived a shark attack that took her left arm. During her time in the hospital, one verse stayed in her head, Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I have memorized this verse and I think of it often. Bad things will happen to me but when they do, God will show me the reason behind it. He will give me hope and a future. Bethany is so amazing, determined and has a super strong faith! My faith has grown stronger because of her example and I think that's awesome!
So thank you Bethany; for giving me strength, courage, PLUS a super duper boost in my faith. You got your arm taken off by a SHARK, so that sort of means the bad things that happen to me are small, compared to losing an ARM. But I know that God is just testing us on how strong our faith is, and now I have a better perspective for when I have had a bad day. I have faith (or confidence as in Hebrews 11:1) that He has plans for my future and I will be ready for whatever I face.

Now you know what faith means to me. What does faith mean to you?

~Dolphin Dani