Thanksgiving & The Rapping Llamas

What a fun Thanksgiving weekend we had!

One of the best memories of getting together with all our family is when the cousins all work together on either a skit, a play of some kind, a day spa, a car washing business, or some other creative endeavor. This time, it was a concert. Not only was the concert fun and funny, but the tickets we had to purchase at 25 cents were something that will never be forgotten.

As noted above, the concert was labeled, "The Rapping Llamas." What is so amazing to me is that you knew how to spell "Llama". It's the other word you had trouble with:

And here is the concert (which happened to break out into a riot afterward)

Simple is not Simple

Great quote by Cousin Dave, who is quoting Andy Stanley:

"I remember Andy Stanley sharing that complexity is easy. Busyness is easy. That just happens. The skill is simplifying life."

I want that skill.

Stress!!!

Stare at that picture for a couple seconds!!! The feeling you get from looking at the picture is how my head feels lately!!! It's not like a MAJOR life crisis, it's just a bunch of little tiny things, and maybe a couple medium weight things. But added up, it feels like 1 BIG thing!

Why do we go through phases in our life where it seems overwhelming? Times when you question everything? Times when you are impatient, irrationable, anxious, tired, angry, unhappy, and just plain worn out?

Granted, it's all mental and spiritual and emotional. I know it's not reality! I KNOW!!!

But how do you get what you know to convert into what you feel? Feeling is just soooo strong! Granted, knowing is stronger because it can actually win the battle and control the actions ... but if the mind/will becomes weak, the feelings will take over.

What is the most frustrating about being stressed in life is how it can affect those around you, most importantly, those you love. I get upset easier, and raise my voice easier, and don't think through my responses as carefully, and I know I hurt my wife and my kids. I HATE THAT! Cause than I feel more stress b/c I'm making mistakes.

Jesus, I need you to help me get perspective today! I am sooo blessed, and I just need to get the 30,000 foot view, and not this ground level view that is currently overwhelming. Give me perspective. Please!

I Know I Am Loved

I always tell my boys how much I love them, how proud I am of them, and how special they are to me. But what I don't always tell them is how much I feel loved by them.

I can't tell you how special they make me feel. Both Noah and Sammy tell me over and over, almost every single day how much they love me. They give me hugs, they give me snuggles, and they show their love with little gestures of kindness - - wether it's a back rub, sharing candy, drawing me pictures, writing me a special card, making some kind of gift, or just sitting next to me on the couch. I have never felt as loved as I do by my boys, and I never question their love for me!

The reason I am writing this is because one of the biggest regrets people express about a loved one that has passed away is that they didn't feel they told them they loved them enough. They regret not giving them more time, or more affection, or more kindness, or other simple things. I know it seems to depressing to ever talk about death, but one of the reasons I blog this is because none of us knows our time or season, and I want to leave my boys with a piece of me - - wether I am 100 when I die, or only in my 30's.

Either way, I want my boys to know I loved them, and I want them to know that I could not have felt any more loved BY them. They love me perfectly, and I wouldn't change one thing about how they show me love, or when they show me love, or how much they express their love to me. They do it perfectly!!! How? Simply because they do it.

My life is so good, and I am so blessed to have been given the amazing gift of Noah and Sammy!

The 5 Million Dollar Dog

Last night as I was putting Sammy to bed, he looked at me and said, "Dad, do you know what I would rather have than 1 million dollars? Actually, I would rather have this than 5 million dollars? Do you know Dad?"

Of course, I said "What?"

He said, "I would rather have Mocha alive again than to get 5 million dollars." Than he said, "I feel like I'm going to cry right now!"

I miss Mocha too. A LOT!!!

Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, a Camel, and a Coif

Hiking & Camping

Had a blast with my boys going camping and hiking. Every fall we take a litte trip out to Shenendoah National Park. We always camp at Yogi Bear's Jelleystone Park, drive down Skyline Drive, and do some hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains. This year we hiked one of our favorite trails, the Dark Hallow Falls Trail. It's a fun trail because there is a 70 foot waterfall along the way. The only down side is it's a really steep hike! I was definitely huffin-and-puffin.

We definitely do this trip at least once a year, and try do to it twice. It's one of my favorite times with my boys b/c all the normal distractions of home, technology, etc. are all gone and we just hang. My absolute favorite thing in the world is sitting around the fire at the end of the day and just talking. I honestly never feel closer to my boys than in these moments. We talk about funny stuff, silly stuff, and life stuff. And every year I realize how my little boys are growing closer to becoming young men. I can begin to see their character, values, personalities, and heart in a new way, and I sit there amazed. I am amazed because I am so impressed. Both Noah and Sammy express themselves and these traits in ways that make me so proud!!!

I could not be more proud of any other 8 and 10 year old in the world!!! I definitely want to prioritze more times like these. Noah and Sammy - you are my pride and my joy!!! I love you!

2 Years Later

Here are Noah and Sammy with the Trick or Treat Bounty in 2005, and than in 2007.


p.s. - you'll also notice the upgraded countertops! :-)

All Saints Day Eve ...

... also known as Halloween!!!

Noah and Sammy are at an age where they didn't want to costume-up, so they both just wore masks! Noah was a scarry skelaton face, and Sammy was the Faceless Man! YIKES!!!

And when they got home and spread out the candy, I took the opportunity to teach my boys about paying taxes and tithing!!!

Noah and Sammy in action ...