Speed Racer!

I realize that lately I haven't been posting a lot. Mainly I have been traveling, preparing to travel, or just recovering from traveling. I will be like this through the middle of June...then hopefully life will return to normal.

OK, probably not.

For some reason, I do better when I stay very busy. It seems as though I am constantly balancing time with my family, work, church, God, hobbies, side-job, oh yeah and rest! Most of my friends say I am crazy (OK, my family too)..and I guess sometimes we are.

Yet, every time I try and slow down, cut things out of my life I am miserable. I am passionate about many things, and want to be a part of many things. Does it come at a cost? I am sure it does. I can pretend it doesn't, and assume that I spend the right amount of time in each area of my life and that all is well...but that isn't possible.

There is sacrifice...the question is where? As some of you know, I just returned from vacation with my family. 8 days of uninterrupted fun with my wife, kids and extended family. We had a lot of fun. I played in the pool and ocean with the boys, we went whale-watching, etc.

However, last night I took some time for "myself" and went with a buddy to the new REI in Stockton. (if you have to ask....never mind!) When I returned, I found my youngest in tears because I was gone to long. My first thought...but I just spent the last 8 days with you...I was only gone a couple of hours!

Then it kinda hit me. He wasn't really crying because of that one evening...but rather an accumulation of times gone. I have not lost my priorities...God, Spouse, Kids, Church, Work. However, sometimes there is some fudging...because I "just need to get this done" or "it is just a busy time and it will settle down". Have you ever experienced or felt that way?

If not, great! Don't ever let it happen. If you have (or do) grab control of it. It is so easy to take time away from the things most dear to you, for what we perceive as important. A great little book to read about this is Choosing to Cheat by Andy Stanley. It is a great little book that helps us to keep things in the right perspective.

I came home to day after work and spent all afternoon playing Legos with my boys...let's just say I am one heck of an airplane-car-people-man builder(per Austin). Oh yeah, the boys and I are good!

Now I need to go spend some time with God! See ya!

Rumor!

I was visiting my favorite coffee place earlier this evening, and I was thanked by them for referring my friends. Apparently she had a couple come last friday (or maybe the friday before) and spend the morning sharing a breakfast sandwich and did some studying.....was that you?

If so, let me know. I would like to know what you thought. If it wasn't but you have been there....share your thoughts as well.

thanks!

The Vacation....starts now!

We are sitting at the airport in Sacramento. 13 of us are beginning our journey to the "islands" for 8 days of fun! At least I sure hope it is fun, because getting up at 4:00 this morning was very exhausting....but you know what I mean...we have all been there.


Here is a couple of pictures of me and my family sitting in the food court at the airport eatting our wonderfully over-priced meals. Yummy!

If I feel so inclined to boot-up my computer this week, I might try and send some photos of our trip. Just to let you feel like you are part of the trip....and then again..maybe I won't!

To all 4 of you that read my blog...I will miss you, see you when I get back!

Time flies when you are in Love!

10 years ago, today I made the biggest, blindest step a man can make. I married this woman. This woman, who would become my partner in life, both good and bad.

To say that every day has been good, would be a lie. However, to say that every day has been a blessing, because I have had her by my side to lean on, laugh with, comfort, be comforted, experience life with would be an understatement.

As I look back over the past 10 years, I have grown significantly. I clearly would not be where I am today, had God not brought such a wonderful woman into my life.

I am grateful to the Lord and to Autumn for loving me right where I am!

Autumn - You are the most wonderful woman in the world. You are a great mother and teacher to our children and you are the reason we are who we are.

Thank you for all you do and for agreeing to marry this dorky kid 10 years ago!

Whew! That was close!

Those were the words I spoke Monday afternoon when my mom called me. Let me back up a bit and explain what happened.

Many of you know that my family and I have a chance to visit Hawaii in a couple of weeks, at little to no cost to us. We are really excited and can't wait to go...or at least until Monday morning at 6:45 when I received a call....the airline we had our flights on (Aloha) went bankrupt and we had no flights.

What??...how can an airline just declare bankruptcy and just stop flying? Isn't there some government rule that requires public transportation to continue operating, and the government just comes along side and subsidizes the company through the restructuring?

Apparently not, as I learned this morning another airline did the same thing, ATA declared bankruptcy as well. Sorry to those of you on ATA...I know your pain.

Luckily, I have a great mom and she spent the better part of 4-41/2 hours on the phone and internet on Monday morning and finally tracked down flights for 13 people (yes 13) and we are all on the same flight, and at least 7 of us are sitting together..the cost?? only a couple hundred dollars more than our original flights. Not to bad!

I got a call shortly after noon on Monday saying that we are ok and we have flights...."Whew! That was Close!"

Just remember, you may never know what is around the corner; put your trust and faith in Christ first, and he will be there with you through the rest. Ok, there is my application for you!

Man, I am so glad I have a flight...I need a St. Arbucks!