Man About Menifee: Skills, Work Ethic Should Be Shared

By David Baker

When I was a kid, my dad served aboard the USS Enterprise. No, not the starship, but the aircraft carrier.

You see, my dad was a Master Chief in the Navy. Part of his job was to service the F-14 Flying Tomcats aboard the aircraft carrier. My dad taught me a lot about what he did. He did not necessarily teach me about the jets themselves, but more about how tools worked and what could be done with them.

To a larger degree, I’ve had a great number of people in my life who had specialized skills they were willing to share them with me. I’ve even been able to share some tricks with them that my dad had taught me.

About eight years ago, I started working at a pipe and plumbing supply store in San Diego. Through my experiences working with plumbers and contractors, I've come to the realization that there are a large number of projects in and around the house that are surprisingly easy, if one takes the time to learn.

This is a skill and value I have tried to pass on to my children and hopefully empower them to become more self-sufficient adults. My children have helped me do everything from simple auto repair to replacing faucets, toilets and even installing, repairing and hooking up appliances. I’m proud to say that my son Nikkolas (18) has even surpassed me when it comes to technical skills.

Recently, the brakes started to squeak on Jennifer's car, so we decided to replace the brake pads. This is a procedure Nikkolas has done many times since he was about 13, so I let him take the lead. We found ourselves painted into a corner when we bought the brake pads and got the right front side changed, took off the driver side wheel and realized one of the caliper bolts had a stripped head and could not be removed.

Once again, I was wowed by the sense of community in Menifee, even over this tiny tragedy. The neighbor let me borrow some tools, an employee at a local auto repair shop whom I’ve never met heard about our dilemma and came out to help at no charge, and a friend who was an automotive technician for a large local Toyota dealer gave me some insight that helped as well.

We were able to change the brake pads, replace the caliper bolt and get Jennifer back on the road. What skills are you passing on? Leave a comment below.

David Baker, our Man About Menifee, writes about his adventures in and around town every Friday in this space. You may leave comments for him here or email him at manaboutmenifee@gmail.com.

Menifee Mom: Thanks to All Those Who Volunteer Their Time

By Karen Thomas

Lately, I've been impressed by all the people I've come into contact with who do volunteer work or some kind of service for others without pay.

Last weekend marked the beginning of soccer season for our local AYSO region. We've been a part of this region for quite some time and I've noticed there are a handful of people on the Board of Directors who continue to serve year after year. I know the amount of time and dedication this takes and I'm always impressed by people who put in so many hours and get no monetary benefits for it.

A similar example is our local PTA board members. These parents put in limitless hours planning events, organizing fundraisers, and counting box tops, just trying to make a difference in their school.

As parents of young kids are aware, area schools have tightened up their student safety rules. As a result of this change, becoming a volunteer is not easy. A person now has to fill out paperwork, get a TB test, get a Megan's Law Background Check, as well as fingerprint clearance from the Department of Justice. This must be done at the expense of the volunteer.

People can still volunteer at school on an occasional basis without jumping through as many hoops. But if you want to put in some regular hours, you must be cleared by the district.

I am not going to get into a debate about this change. However, I will say I am impressed by the many parents who are willing to not only sacrifice their time to volunteer, but are also willing to pay for the privilege to do so.

As I was out running this morning, I passed a man who was walking his dog. I noticed he was carrying several pieces of trash in one hand. Yesterday, I noticed a different man walking along a road, collecting trash in an effort to keep our town clean. (And no, he wasn't wearing an orange jumpsuit!)

So why do so many people go to such great lengths to be of service?

This is my first year coaching a soccer team and I've realized how much fun it is. I am coaching some little ones and it is amazing to see their enthusiasm and excitement. My heart was touched when after our first practice, one of my players said, "Soccer is really fun!" For me, seeing them learn, grow, and have fun makes it all worth it.

I think that ultimately the reason we all willingly give of our time (and now money) to serve is because of love: Love for our community, love for a sport, or love for our kids. That love in our hearts spurs our efforts to do good for someone else.

It is inspiring to watch people around us do good for others. I hope that when we observe those selfless acts, we take the time to say "thank you" and let people know we appreciate their service.

And so, to all the people I've mentioned above and to everyone else who finds their own ways to serve, I say, "Thank you for all you do! You truly make a difference in your world and mine."

Karen Thomas is a stay at home mom of four daughters, has been on the PTA board at her kids' school for four years, and is a volunteer at her church, in addition to her activities as a volunteer soccer referee, a piano teacher, and a runner. Her column will appear here every Thursday. Comments are welcome.

Observations, Tips and Questions About Life: Aug. 28

Featuring Bill Rhoads

Each week, Sun City resident Bill Rhoads shares with us some of his "tips about life." Bill keeps a written record of "tips" that come to mind and has a strong motivation to share them with others. His purpose in doing so is to stimulate his own thinking and to stir some ideas into the pot of life. He believes in God and the Golden Rule.


Don’t be a problem;
Someone’s liable to solve you.

We are made in God's image.
"Devilution" is the process by which
the Devil tried to bring us
down to his level.

Don’t be troubled when people speak the truth;
Be very troubled if they don’t.

If you have thoughts and/or responses to Bill's tips, leave a comment here or send emails with your feedback to menifee247info@gmail.com.

Man About Menifee: Helping Others is a Simple Task

By David Baker

My dad likes to tell the story of when the kids spent the week at their house a few summers ago. My dad had Jeremiah in the car and they were on their way to help rebuild the porch of a home for disabled men.

The men's group from church had already done most of the construction and my dad was bringing Jeremiah to help paint. My dad was talking to Jeremiah and explaining what they were going to do when they got there. He asked Jeremiah if he knew why they were helping out that day.

Jeremiah replied, "Because they need our help?" Jeremiah was only 5 or 6 years old at the time.

The first time I heard this story, it made me incredibly proud. It meant I must have been doing something right and the lessons I was trying to teach had sunken in. My son understood that if someone needs your help, you help them, and that’s all there really is to it. There doesn’t need to be a reward or payment in it. Kindness really is its own reward.

Part of this, of course, is the environment in which he was raised. You see, for most of their lives my children have lived in what you would consider small towns. While Menifee is very close to the freeway and to shopping, I still consider it a small town. Just the other day, I appeared in traffic court for a citation, and I knew two of the officers there socially.

Recently, I stopped by Stater Brothers Grocery store on Newport road to pick up just a thing or two on my way home. Nothing elaborate; I think it was milk and eggs. As I stood in line waiting to make my final purchase, I heard a familiar phrase -- one that I had uttered myself on numerous occasions.

The woman with the loaded up cart in front of me asked, "Is that all you've got?" Then she motioned for me to take her place in line. I thanked her and checked out. On the way home, I started to reflect on this. This really is a quintessential part of life in Menifee.

It really helps me to raise quality citizens if my children are surrounded by quality citizens. Every day, my children are bombarded with the example of the kind of people who take a moment and recognize how their actions affect others. To treat someone like a neighbor even if you've only just met them. To me, that's exactly what it means to live in Menifee.

David Baker, our Man About Menifee, writes about his adventures in and around town every Friday in this space. You may leave comments for him here or email him at manaboutmenifee@gmail.com.

Menifee Mom: Sometimes, Motivation is All it Takes

By Karen Thomas

I'll admit, my running schedule this summer has been a bit erratic. The heat alone is enough to destroy any motivation that might have actually gotten me out the door. And, despite good intentions, a busy summer schedule often overrides even the best laid plans for a good morning run.

But what is really frustrating for anyone who is a runner is finding out how quickly you lose the level of fitness you worked so hard to attain.

So now that my kids are back in school and back in soccer, I am working on getting back into my regular running routine. One of my scheduling strategies as a busy mom is to fit in runs during my older kids' practices. I'll run laps around their park or head out into the nearby neighborhoods to try out some new routes.

Last week I did just that and was determined to fit in my weekly "long run" during a long practice. The problem was, the weather was particularly hot and I was zapped after a long week.

I was well into my run, feeling just wiped out, and trying to get into my music when the monotone announcer from my "Runmeter" app interrupts the singing in my head. I hear: "Two.. point.. zero miles." (The pace is something I'd rather not share!)

If I didn't know better, I'd swear she was mocking me from inside my phone. I had been hoping that maybe I had just missed some previous announcements and that I was a lot further in my run, but no such luck.

As a runner who had only weeks before been running 10 miles easily, this was not what I wanted to hear. I'm hot, I'm tired, my feet hurt, and I just want to quit. I figure I could chalk it up to a bad diet and hot weather, finish at three miles, and try again next week.

But for some reason I keep going. I guess it is my stubbornness and my knowing that if I stop, I'll regret it. My pace continues to be anything but stellar, but at least I'm still covering distance.
At about mile 6, another runner crosses the street in front of me. She's moving pretty good. Immediately, I go into race mode and all I can think about is that I've got to keep up with her. I find that I can match her pace, but then I want more. Now, I want to pass!

Suddenly, I'm in my rhythm. I am focusing on my breathing, my stride, and now ... my competition. Soon I'm close enough that I think I'll break out and pass, and she speeds up. It's as if she is competing too! I respond by increasing my speed, telling myself that surely she is still early in her run and if I wasn't on mile 7, I would not feel like I'm about to die keeping up with her.

But I press on. I gain on her, and she takes off. I catch up, and she's gone again. Finally, we reach a traffic light and I break the ice with, "So, how many miles today?"

She responds, "Oh, I just finished my 12th."

And with that, my bubble bursts.

I sheepishly tell her I'm at 7. I'm hoping she has no idea that I've been racing her the last mile! The walking man comes on and we continue, but each going our separate ways. I've still got one more mile to go, but I soon realize I'm not nearly as tired as I was back at mile 2. In fact, I'm feeling rather energized.

My announcer friend (yes, she's my friend again) comes back on and I learn that I've just run the fastest mile I've had all summer! That little friendly "competition" was just what I needed to get me past the defeating messages in my head and just RUN. It feels amazing.

I guess it is human nature to feel defeated and slow down when the going gets rough. I would never have thought that a perfect stranger would have been the one to pull me out of a rut.

I'm wondering how else in my life I can apply this strategy. Always competing against others will ultimately cause issues, and I'm certainly not advocating that. But if we can look for ways to turn our weak moments into opportunities to prove that we can push harder, then surely we'll find those mountains a little easier to climb.

Karen Thomas is a stay at home mom of four daughters, has been on the PTA board at her kids' school for four years, and is a volunteer at her church, in addition to her activities as a volunteer soccer referee, a piano teacher, and a runner. Her column will appear here every Thursday. Comments are welcome.

Man About Menifee: Value of Fundraising is a Good Lesson

By David Baker

When we moved into the first house we bought here in Menifee in April of 2012, I was in a mixed mood.

Anyone who has gone through a home purchase knows the process is filled with a series of "hurry up and wait" moments. I was going through boxes and a few fell over and the contents spilled. While I was silently cursing at myself for being so clumsy, something caught my eye.

It was a book cover I hadn’t seen in at least two decades. I saw my very first Scout Handbook.

I attribute a lot of who I am to the things I learned from the Boy Scouts of America. I learned more than just skills related to camping and knot tying -- important values and lessons as well. One of those values was self reliance.

In the first part of this book, it talks about how a Webelos Den is organized and what is expected of a scout. In this section it talks about a uniform and how a scout might earn the cost of his uniform by doing odd jobs such as lawn mowing around the neighborhood or collecting and redeeming recycling. I realize now as an adult what an important lesson that was.

One big way the scouts fund themselves is through fundraisers. The most common form of fundraising for the boys is Trails End Popcorn.

Trails End is gourmet popcorn that rivals Redenbacher in quality and is a good deal for consumers as well as the boys. Like most fundraisers, it is not a "bargain" until you remind yourself that you’re donating to the boys, and you’re getting some really tasty popcorn in return. The prices range greatly, from $10 to $75, and include options to send popcorn to our Military men and women overseas, and 70 percent of your money stays with the local scout.

My favorite value is the 2-pound bag of popping corn for $10. We like to make it in my cast iron dutch oven over the fire or over the stove. Just enough oil and popcorn to cover the bottom of the pan, and five minutes over a medium heat seems to be just about right. Two bags can last us for most of the year.

We had the district popcorn kickoff recently where they covered proper salesmanship and politeness, how to behave and ask for the sale, and how not to. Starting Labor Day weekend, you will see those boys in tan or blue knocking on doors and selling in front of the grocery stores.

Make sure you stop by and reward their attempt at self reliance. You’ll do some good, feel good about yourself, and have a tasty treat to boot.

David Baker, our Man About Menifee, writes about his adventures in and around town every Friday in this space. You may leave comments for him here or email him at manaboutmenifee@gmail.com.

Menifee Mom: Start of School Brings Mixed Emotions

By Karen Thomas

It is hard to believe that the time has already come for the kids to head back to school.

Just as we are starting to get into the summer groove, it's over. In my day, we had a much longer summer break and a lot more time to get bored. Whether a longer break is good or bad is a matter of debate, but I just know that this time of year brings mixed feelings.

At the end of the school year, it seems that as moms, we always have grand plans for all that we are going to accomplish over the summer. For some reason, we imagine that things will slow down and there will be more time to focus on the things we didn't have time for during school. (I think somehow we are dreaming that the grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, and laundry is going to magically disappear!)

The irony is that when back to school time rolls around, we find ourselves feeling the same way. I know that I am already imagining all that I will get done when the kids are back in school all day!

But really, who am I kidding? Back to school means back to getting the kids up at 6:15 a.m., back to making lunches while I'm half asleep, back to hours of homework, back to school pick-up and drop-off chaos, back to volunteering, back to soccer, and basically back to days and weeks that are determined not by me, but largely by my kids.

So this week was spent trying to "live it up" for the last few days. Maybe, like us, you have managed to squeeze in one last trip to the beach or an amusement park. Most likely you've run around town, with kids in tow, trying to buy those last few things the kids "need" before school starts. (And you'll soon do it again when you find out you bought all the wrong stuff!) I know I have tried really hard to enjoy the few extra minutes of sleep I get in the morning.

Whether we checked everything off our summer bucket list or not, school is starting and our time is no longer our own. But as we send our kids off with the backpacks they had packed up days in advance wearing the outfit they had laid out the night before, we can look forward to all the exciting things they will learn and experience. Sure enough, a new adventure is beginning!

Karen Thomas is a stay at home mom of four daughters, has been on the PTA board at her kids' school for four years, and is a volunteer at her church, in addition to her activities as a volunteer soccer referee, a piano teacher, and a runner. Her column will appear here every Thursday. Comments are welcome.

Observations, Tips and Questions About Life: Aug. 14

Featuring Bill Rhoads

Each week, Sun City resident Bill Rhoads shares with us some of his "tips about life." Bill keeps a written record of "tips" that come to mind and has a strong motivation to share them with others. His purpose in doing so is to stimulate his own thinking and to stir some ideas into the pot of life. He believes in God and the Golden Rule.


Happiness cures more ills than doctors’ pills

Be wary of those who have no opinion
They are always afraid
And easily swayed

Adversity is the forge of strength

We tend to shelter our children
from that which made us strong

If you have thoughts and/or responses to Bill's tips, leave a comment here or send emails with your feedback to menifee247info@gmail.com.

Man About Menifee: 'Back to School' is a Good Thing

There’s a very popular Staples commercial featuring a Dad dancing down the aisle to the Christmas carol refrain "It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" while filling his cart with back-to-school supplies. Following a short distance behind the Dad are his two children, with sullen expressions and their hands shoved down deep in their pockets.

While I used to find this commercial amusing when I was single, having multiple school age children has really given me a greater appreciation for the humor in this video. What makes it so funny is the truth behind it. When I was a kid, I used to look forward to summer vacation, but as a parent, I feel very differently about it now. I view it with a cautious sense of optimism and even a little stress.

At first, I was as excited as the kids were this summer about the thought of taking them places and doing things. We went on several hikes and campouts this summer, including at the Cherry Valley Bow Hunter’s Club and the La Ladera Father’s Day Campout. We had several family cookouts, attended three birthday parties, two of which we hosted, and went to the Del Mar Fair for the Fourth of July.

Nikk graduated from high school, and Joshuah learned to walk, run, and use the word “No” in proper context (yes, we have hit that stage). We even successfully fended off two minor epidemics of summer flu with minimal repercussions. Entertaining these little critters and keeping them well and out of trouble can get very exhausting. What typically starts as a grand adventure and exemplary teamwork at some point generally descends into a "He’s touching me", "She’s looking at me" scenario.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my children dearly and they are each wonderful human beings – individually. However, there is a chemical reaction when any two of them get into the same room that is baffling to behold.

I’ve been seeing the back to school commercials on the television and ads in our mail. The kids all have a few new outfits, pencils, crayons, markers, notebooks and other supplies. Because most schools are starting in the next two weeks, we feel a great sense of relief in our household that this, the most wonderful time of the year, has arrived.

I am interested in finding out more about how your family is dealing with the back-to-school season. Do some of you veteran parents have any tips for the new parent readers out there? Please leave a comment below.

David Baker, our Man About Menifee, writes about his adventures in and around town every Friday in this space. You may leave comments for him here or email him at manaboutmenifee@gmail.com.

Menifee Mom: Family Adventures on the Road

By Karen Thomas

Last night, we got home from a 2,278-mile road trip with the kids. We visited grandparents, attended a family reunion, and enjoyed Mesa Verde and Grand Canyon National Parks. Anyone who has road tripped with kids knows that this long of a trip leads to a lot of interesting experiences.

To start off the trip, we left later in the day than planned. Lesson learned: Don't let your kids change rooms just days before leaving on vacation. We finished the little details of the room change the night before, so that day we still had to clean the house and pack. The week had been so exhausting that, honestly, we were actually looking forward to the 10-hour drive and getting to relax! (Who was I kidding; road trips with four kids are anything but relaxing!) The downside was our ETA was 2 a.m.

A classic sibling moment occurs a few hours in. The 5-year-old is arguing with an older sister. Apparently they won't stop touching each other. I remind her to keep her hands to herself and stay in her space. Instantly I hear the little one say, "See this line here? That side is your space and this side is my space. Stay out of my space!"

Many hours later, we are enjoying an amazing lightning show (the first of many thunderstorms on the trip.) We have to make the kids turn off the movies in the back and watch with us. Soon, some have fallen asleep and all is quiet. I think I can finally relax.

Before long, two of them are having difficulties. We hear, "Stop leaning on me!" followed by, "But I can't sleep sitting up!" and then, "But you're hurting my back!" After about 30 minutes of tears and anguish, we have moved items around and set up what we think is a good sleeping situation.

One is not happy. "I can't put my feet on the floor!" We point out that she now has two seats to spread her legs out on instead. "But, I want my feet on the flo-oor!" She is now crying. The children that started out asleep and managed to stay asleep until this point wake up from the non-stop whining from this child. No one sleeps for the rest of the drive.

A few days later, we get a glimpse into maybe one reason there is so much bickering in the backseat. We are riding on 4-wheelers and come upon a dumping ground for trash and old furniture. The littlest asks who put all the trash there. My husband tells her he doesn't know, but whoever did it was naughty. "They need a spanking, don't they?" he asks her.

I don't think she knows what that is, but she responds, "No Dad, what they need is a pinch. What you do is take a little piece of skin and you squeeze really hard and pull at the same time! That's what I do to my sisters." The truth comes out...

The last two days of our trip was spent driving between and touring national parks. We logged a lot of hours in the car. It could have been really aggravating, but instead my husband and I listened in and enjoyed a lot of laughs. Here are a few of the things we heard:

"Gross, she's picking her nose!" And shortly after, "Stop sticking your fingers in my mouth!"
"Stop giving me wet willies!"
"Get your feet out of my face!"
"Get your feet out of the carrots!"
"Do you want a carrot? Seriously, I didn't do anything to it. I just like smiling and laughing sometimes."
"Don't cross that line"...the response..."Then you suck my toe!"
"Ooh...I like to smell my armpit!"
"If you have to go the bathroom speak now." One child fills in, "Or forever hold your pee!"

We had some classic moments and packed in a lot of fun, but apparently it was OK because my little one told me, "Mom, it's awesome that we're going to so many places in one trip!"

It was exhausting at times, but it's the snorting contests, loud laughing, squeals, pushing stuff onto each other, poking, and rainstorms that makes these trips what they are. Every family reunion I attend reminds me this is the stuff memories are made of and is a part of what eventually binds us together. Still, I arrived home happy that school starts in just seven days!

Karen Thomas is a stay at home mom of four daughters, has been on the PTA board at her kids' school for four years, and is a volunteer at her church, in addition to her activities as a volunteer soccer referee, a piano teacher, and a runner. Her column will appear here every Thursday. Comments are welcome.

Observations, Tips and Questions About Life: Aug. 7

By Bill Rhoads

Each week, Sun City resident Bill Rhoads shares with us some of his "tips about life." Bill keeps a written record of "tips" that come to mind and has a strong motivation to share them with others. His purpose in doing so is to stimulate his own thinking and to stir some ideas into the pot of life. He believes in God and the Golden Rule.


Some people’s minds itch as much as some people’s backs do.

Focused can be a synonym for self-centered.

Expectation is like water;
Essential in small doses,
Devastating in large doses.

If you have thoughts and/or responses to Bill's tips, leave a comment here or send emails with your feedback to menifee247info@gmail.com.

Man About Menifee: Campouts, Baseball at the Ballpark

By David Baker

I remember one summer when I was 13, my friend Charlie and his dad took me to my first Major League Baseball game. It was a San Diego Padres game at the old Jack Murphy Stadium (now called The Qualcomm – or Q for short).

I remember popcorn and soda, ice cream and hot dogs. I remember the cheering, the seventh inning stretch, and the extra innings. I don’t remember who they were playing or what the score was, but I do remember they lost, and Tony Gwynn (Sr.) seemed to take it hard. He walked right past all of us kids hollering for an autograph on his way to the locker room, with his head hung low.

When I had kids of my own, I made sure to take them to a sports event every so often to share the same excitement, the highs and lows, the sound and the tastes.

When Jeremiah graduated from Kindergarten, he was so excited to find out that he was finally old enough to join Cub Scouts as a Tiger Cub. Tiger Cub achievements are broken down into three main categories. First, there are activities performed with the rest of the group, or Den, such as various games, arts or crafts. Then there are activities performed at home with the family, and finally there are “Go See Its”, or field trips that can be done either with the family or as a group.

The third "Go See It" requires a boy to “Learn the rules of a game or sport. Then, go watch an amateur or professional game or sporting event.” For this achievement, we were invited to our first ever “Scout Night” at the Lake Elsinore Storm Stadium.

When we arrived, the boys lined up outside the gate with several other Cub Scout Packs and Boy Scout Troops and marched in while the announcer announced each group and city they were from. The boys got to watch the game, enjoy a hot dog, and after the game, they got to chase Thunder the mascot around the bases, get autographs and set up their tents on the grass in the outfield while a movie was played on the jumbo-tron.

The next morning, we got breakfast, packed up and left. We had so much fun, we made it a family tradition.

We just signed up for our fifth annual Storm Stadium Scout Night Campout and we are all very excited. On Aug. 23, the boys will line up at the gate and the tradition will resume. What are your family’s summer traditions? Leave a comment below.

Menifee Mom: Sometimes, a Little Alone Time is All You Need

By Karen Thomas

A few weeks ago, my husband and I took a short trip to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. We had discussed a variety of options, but in the end, we settled on a local getaway.

It was interesting that my husband, who works long hours, felt bad about taking a long trip away from the kids. For me, however, time away from the kids was exactly what I was after!

When our kids were younger, we seemed to get a lot of alone time, but in recent years, kids have pretty much dominated our schedule. This is the time we need to focus on raising them, but we also realize we need to focus on each other. Someday they will be gone and each other is all we will have. I think it’s also important that our kids see that we enjoy spending time together and that our spouse is a priority. It brings them comfort and security in an unsure world and lets them see what their relationships should be like.

Thankfully, I had some great friends who offered to take my kids for a few days so we could have some time alone. Because my kids aren’t allowed to do sleepovers, it felt like a vacation for them as well. Almost every day for a week, they asked how much longer it would be until we were leaving!

My husband and I stayed at a hotel in Dana Point and then took a day trip out to Catalina Island. It was so relaxing to not worry about work, dishes, laundry, cleaning, or kids for a few days. We enjoyed exploring the beach and the boat docks, relaxing by the pool, and eating at some fantastic hidden restaurants.

Catalina Island was fun for the day. As we watched multiple kids cry and get sea sick on the boat ride, we were both happy we chose to leave the kids behind!

We took the standard route of renting a golf cart to explore the town of Avalon. That was fun, in a very touristy sort of way. The best part for me though, was the Garden to Sky hike. If I’m going to take a trip without the kids, I’m all about doing things I couldn’t do if they were with me. This hike was one of them.

It was about a four-mile loop, half of it up a steep hill. My husband, who isn’t a runner, was a good sport about doing the entire loop with me. I think he was thinking, “She brought me all the way out here just to go on a hike?” but he must love me because he never complained. Once we got to the top, the views were amazing! We could see both sides of the island, the mainland and other islands in the distance, and the crowded city and bay below.

After reading the sign warning us of bacteria in the water, we decided to skip the snorkeling and take a kayak out in the water instead. We had fun, just the two of us. It is amazing how enjoyable simple activities can be when you are reveling in the fact that you are free from four children!

During the trip, we had time to reflect on our 15 years. We’ve been able to experience a lot of different places and had some amazing opportunities to travel. We could have gone to a more exotic location and spent a lot more money doing thrilling things, but all we were really after was some time alone away from the stresses of daily life.

We went home feeling a greater appreciation for the relationship we share and, after getting a break for a few days, a greater sense of the love we have for our children as well.

Karen Thomas is a stay at home mom of four daughters, has been on the PTA board at her kids' school for four years, and is a volunteer at her church, in addition to her activities as a volunteer soccer referee, a piano teacher, and a runner. Her column will appear here every Thursday. Comments are welcome.