Blah Blah Blah

Mark referenced a verse in Job that I had never noticed before, but that really caught my attention.

13 Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.

We've all had some bad days! One of the worst for me was 9 years ago, the day I found out my dad died suddenly from a heart attack. Well-meaning people all offered their advice, condolences, and words, which I did appreciate. But the people who I appreciated the most were the ones who came along side me, but said nothing!

Too often people think they need to say the right thing, give magical advice, and make things better! Blah Blah Blah!!! It just doesn't work. You know what works? Sitting with someone! Walking with them! Being with them!! Just being! And preferably, saying nothing!

MAKE DA TRADE!!!

Kobe to the Bulls?

Could it happen?

Should it happen?

If it does, watch out NBA!!!

I'm all for it! Here's an interesting article in the Sun Times today (click here)

NOT For Rent

You know how people can get on your nerves. Ever had co-workers or so-called friends try to manipulate you? You know how people can be mean, or say mean stuff, or make you feel bad, feel guilty, or feel like less than you know you are? Or do you ever get obsessed with what people think about you, or are going to think about you? It can wear you out!!!

I love what one of Carrie's work-friends always says. She says, "Don't let those people rent space in your head!"

The Dad I Want To Be!

I have a new appreciation for a healthy body, cause I haven't had one lately! About 3 months I was playing hoops, and got a partial tear in my rotator cuff. Than, about a month ago, I was playing soccer and hurt my back. From what they've diagnosed so far, it seems that I have a herniated disc in my lower back. What's worse is that either the nucleas pulposes or the anulus fibrosis (a.k.a. the disc) that is bulging out is pushing on my sciatic nerve, so my right leg is killing me (see image of disc pushing on nerve)!

click image for hi-res view

I haven't been able to toss the frisbee with my kids, kick the soccer ball with my kids, run around the yard, or the park, or even wrestle with them in the living room! It's so frustrating because a lot of our bonding points are centered around doing those things together! I don't know what to do?!?!? Obviously there comes a day when your relationship with your sons moves beyond wrestling, frisbee's, and games, but it's not time for that yet!


I'm really praying that this thing gets fixed up because I miss doing these things with my boys! And by the way, I'm not picking up crafting or anything like that, so don't even suggest it! :-) I JUST WANT MY BACK TO GET BETTER so I can be a DAD again!!!! :-(



Pray for my back!

I'm Ready For Vacation!

Things have slowed down at work, the weather is warm, the school year is ending this week, and I am ready for a vacation!!!

We have two family trips planned for this summer: first is our pilgrimage back to Chicago! It's more of a mini-vacation, but I'm so excited about taking the boys to Wrigley Field for a game, visiting some museums, going to visit the town we lived in when the boys were born, and going to my home town, Naperville.

Than, the BIG vacation is the last week of summer. This will be our fourth year going to the Outer Banks of N.C. (OBX)! It is one of the most enjoyable family vacations ever! We rent a beach house(click on photo for tour) with some friends of ours, and we literally hang out at the beach for a week straight. No phones, no watches, no sense of time, just enjoying each other. We eat when we're hungry, sleep when we're tired, and play the rest of the time. I could totally be a Beach Bum!

Well, I just had to write about it to motivate me to keep up the work, cause vacation is around the corner!!! Can't wait!!!!!!

My Soccer Stars!

One of my favorite things in the world is coaching Noah and Sammy's soccer teams!

We had a great season this year. Noah's team only lost one game all year, Sammy's team only lost 2, and both boys scored goals!!!

We had a BLAST!

Sammy setting up to steal a goal kick

Noah taking the ball down the sideline

Breakin' The Tooth Fairies Bank!

"Pick Two"

I can't believe another school year is almost over! The boys have 6 1/2 days left, counting today, and than they will be in 3rd and 5th grade! I just can't believe how big they are getting! Noah will be in his last year of elementary school, and getting ready to head off to middle school. Sammy, who just lost both his front teeth (CUTE!!!), is heading into his first year with letter grades and not just the S, S+, etc. system. I don't want my boys to grow up too fast!!!

On the other hand, every year gets better!!! The older the boys get, the more we can do, the more we can talk and communicate, the more we can share together, and the more we have fun! Everything about Noah and Sammy gets better and better! I am so proud of them, and so happy to be living life with them. If your kids are still little, enjoy it while they are! But don't feel sad about them growing up, cause it gets better and better and better!!!

If you took all the kids in the world and lined them up and said I could pick any two kids to be mine, I would pick NOAH and SAMMY every single time!!!!!!!!!!

I love my family!

Super Soccer Players

Once again, I have to give big-ups to my two main man's, Noah & Sam! Two weeks ago, Sammy scored a goal for his soccer team, helping lead them to yet another victory. And than yesterday, Noah scored a goal for his team, helping lead them to yet another victory.

You guys are AWESOME!!!

My 2 Favorite Boys in the Whole World!

Rainbow Over Our House!

The Money Gazebo!

ps. - notice the pristine lattice-work I did under the deck!