Married In Minnesota

What word do Indians and kids have in common?

2011-10-16T13:01:00.009-05:00

Yep... The word "Sucker." Well that... and cigars.

My daughter asked me if you get a free sucker when you find an Indian with a star on your tootsie roll pop? I said no. She asked if when I was a kid whether it was true... Nope. Wasn't true back then either. I am amazed that this legend has continued to exist. The only answer I have for this is that Kids are suckers for suckers. Out of curiosity, I googled Indian on a tootsie roll pop. Here is the story I got:

The Legend of the Indian Wrapper

For many years the company responded to kids who wrote in to claim their free Tootsie Pop with an apologetic (and surely disappointing) note, but since 1982 they've also enclosed a short work of fiction called "The Legend of the Indian Wrapper," apparently intended to serve as a sort of consolation prize.

In fine ad-executive prose, it tells of a man "long, long ago, when all lollipops were made alike," who wanted to make a new kind of sucker with something special inside. But he couldn't figure out how. Well, one day the man awoke "to find a grand Indian chief smiling at him. The chief told the man that he would help him make a lollipop with a chewy candy center, if the man promised the chief that he would never, ever, stop making them for people. The man promised. ... The 'Indian Wrapper' is supposedly a sign that the grand chief has personally checked that particular lollipop for the chewy candy center."

They should have just said... "Nice try kid... Close, but no cigar."

Which transitions me to my next question... Which is: If I can't get a tootsie roll pop, can I get a cigar... ?Because everyone knows that Indians smile and hold containers of cigars for you to take. Right? Where did that come from?

Courtesy of wikipedia... History of the cigar store Indian:

Because of the general illiteracy of the populace, early store owners used descriptive emblems or figures to advertise their shops' wares. American Indians and tobacco had always been associated because American Indians introduced tobacco to Europeans. It was what barber poles were to barber shops.

So in the end, i am sure Tootsie Roll's response would be sorry... "no sucker and no cigar..."

My response is simply: "That sucks."

No More Cabooses

2011-10-13T09:51:00.008-05:00

Was waiting for a train today and the thought crossed my mind about back in the day... There used to be Cabooses at the end of the train with a guy in a conductor's hat that would wave. I remember waiting in anticipation as a kid to see if there was anyone in the cupola and wether the guy would wave... I did a little research and the initial intent of the caboose was to have a home on a set of wheels for the conductor...

Anyway, this got me thinking... The only thing constant in life is the Lord and change. Some changes for the good... Some for the bad... Some just necessary... Some just because the old way of doing things doesn't make sense anymore. With this last change in jobs, we explained to Jake that there may be another move coming up... We have now moved 3 times in last 4 years... Seems like every 2 years, as of late, we have made a move in a direction we have felt the Lord was calling. When Jake learned about what was happening, he was upset because it seems like he just starts to settle in and we move again. This one wasn't our choice, but I get what he is saying. We have come full circle and have temporarily ended back in Southwest Minnesota and Jake is enjoying being back with his original friends.

This conductor is tired of having our home traveling around the state of Minnesota.

In the end, I guess I am hoping and praying that there are "no more cabooses..." and that the train stops here... Rather than continuing to have our home on a set of wheels

Though, not my will but His. Our life continues to be on the Lord's track until we reach the end of the line. Only he has the authority to determine which track and when the end of the line is...

Until then... Wave if you see me going by in the window of the Caboose.

Updated Photos

2011-10-12T13:05:00.003-05:00

Well it has been about 6 years since I began this Blog... Much has changed with the family as Jake, Mackenzie, Leah and Benji are now older... Here are some updated photos. Jake is now a teenager and Benji is 6. Time flies!

Enjoy!

Amy's big catch!

Amy and Benji

Micker Mackers and Leahbug

Jake cheering on his team!

Daisy - Thee.Best.Dog.Ever.

Dad and Bug

My Buddy Matt's 5 Pound bass.

Jobless...

2011-10-12T11:01:00.004-05:00

Quit my job, flipped off the boss, took my name off the payroll... "screw you man." Picked up my cell, rang my baby's bell said, "I'm three miles from home." I said, "Sugar wont you put on that sun dress I like so much... Wait out by the road, I'm commin' to pick you up!"

Well, not really... But I did walk away from my job and I am working temporarily for some friends driving truck during harvest. A lot has happened since I last posted. I moved from my Director of International Programs position about a year and a half ago. I took a job at a small private Christian College and was employed there as their Director of Undergraduate Enrollment. I was there for a year and six months. We were shooting for a 20% increase and we got a 9% increase. My boss was upset because the administration decided to base this year's budget off a 20% increase instead of a historical benchmark. So when we had a 9% increase, it wasn't considered a win. I attempted to give him perspective based on what was happening in the industry. Some of the State Universities were down 15% to 20% and another private was down 11%... so considering where others were at... We were doing well. He wanted nothing to do with perspective... He was like a little kid... Upset because the numbers didn't turn out how he wanted them to... So, he called me into his office and met me with the Human Resource Director there. He decided that we needed to move more in the direction of a results driven environment. I don't have a problem with results, I want them as badly as the next person; however, I have the perspective that you work as hard as you can for the Lord and allow him to bless your efforts. His perspective was that if you didn't achieve the results, you didn't work hard enough. But then he was a control freak... I argued that if we were going to shift our focus towards a results driven environment, then by default we were taking our eyes of the Lord. That I even had to have this discussion at a college where Christ was supposed to be central to everything we did was bewildering to me. So he gave me a lecture about how he needed a director that was in alignment with his leadership and philosophies and that he was giving me 60 days to come into alignment with him and if I didn't, he could fire me at will. He then had the human resource director explain my severance package should I opt to leave... And then he prayed for me. (Which seriously about put me over the edge... But I didn't say anything... I just got up and walked out.) We had a couple more conversations and toward the end of these conversations... I asked him that if I followed his prescribed methodology and we still only received a 9% increase instead of a 20% increase, that... He interrupted and said, "yep... Then shame on me..." I responded by shaking my head and said, "Mike, you're missing the point. You are not in control... But that is not what I was going to say..." I continued by saying that he was looking for alignment... But that alignment goes both ways... And after throwing me under the bus with the president and VP for finance, that it was clear that he did not have my back. I asked (based on how this has all gone down), that if we followed his prescribed methodology and we still only had a 9% increase instead of a 20% increase... whether he would have my back this time or if it would be more of the same? His simple response was "more of the same." With that response, I chose to walk away. But in walking away, my separation agreement had a confidentiality clause whereby I could only talk about this with my wife, my employment lawyer, or my tax accountant. Knowing full well that if I signed the separation agreement, that I would become accountable before the Lord for maintaining complete confidentiality... I chose to walk away from an $11,500 severance package with my integrity intact. I have friends and family that I need to explain what happened. Future employers, my staff... They all deserve(d) an explanation of what happened. So, on to the new job... Wherever that may be. I trust the Lord will provide.

Katie is a "Chicken Rex."

2009-04-09T12:51:00.001-05:00

Bawk.

One Eyebrow Raised...

2009-04-08T19:42:00.004-05:00

I am looking at life with one eyebrow raised lately.

Discontent.

But if you are not content with being discontent... this is a good thing.
Right? What I need is a change of perspective.

Question: Why does a new perspective become old so quickly?

Wrestling with my thoughts.

Bridging as hard as I can.

Bookworm BURP!

2009-04-02T11:03:00.003-05:00

I just downloaded this game to my iPod Touch. I had this on my computer for the longest time and this game is great. There is just something really amiable about a burping bookworm. My highest rank is "Publisher." The Game costs about $4.99 but worth every penny. If you have an iphone or touch, spurge a little. If you are up for the challenge (KATIE), my high score is: 190,860... and this is only after the first night of having it. Look out... because I am the BOOKWORM CHAMPION OF THE WORLD!

... and I burp too!

Scratch that... My rank is now "Publisher Emeritus" ... High Score: 233420.

Hold the applause... Thanks... Nope... that's okay... don't stand...

SERIOUSLY... put the lighters away.

Time for Change.

2009-03-31T22:15:00.004-05:00

Well, I am changing the look ... And I am going to make a few other changes as well. One of which is using our real names. So from this point on we will be known as Greg be Amy rather then Ben and Sydney. I am not going to go and change all of my old posts... so it may be a little confusing, but oh well... you will just have to deal with it.... Not sure if I will have any of my old readers back or not... probably a few... but maybe there will be a change in audiences as well? Also, you will notice that all my pictures don't work any more because they were located on someone else's server and I no longer have access to it; I decided not to pay to host Married in Minnesota any longer. This was due largely to my lack of posting. Oh well... It is good to be back. Missed writing... It will be good to hammer out some thoughts.

Whhhhoooo!

2009-03-12T16:46:00.002-05:00

Just blowing off the dust on my blog... it is like an old book that I am pulling off the shelf to read and add to again... so I guess I am back for now... I need to write out my thoughts more.

So, pull up a chair and grab a cup of Joe.

Might be a few twists this time.

Test....

2009-03-12T15:11:00.000-05:00

Hello?

Old friends....

2008-07-07T20:16:00.004-05:00

It's nice to have old friends track you down... always fun to catch up.

Speaking of catching up...

Job is going well. My raise finally came through... all told, it was a $14,000 raise from my last position. Not too shabby. :) I was catching up with an old college friend and this will sum up our move over the last few months:

We purchased a house in February not having the finances in place as my raise didn't get finalized until 2 weeks ago... there were times where we were $900.00 short for our Mortgage payment and God provided every.single.time... not that I doubted. Mixed in there were car repairs and what not... however, we have were never short. A few months ago, we had a choice between paying $600.00 to church or paying our mortgage, and we chose to pay our tithe knowing that God is faithful... and he has been. It has been a wild ride but it has been fun depending on the Lord... in the past, I would have been really anxious; but there has been a peace in resting in the Lord that I have not felt before. The job has been full of challenges and exciting new opportunities. I am heading to China for 3 weeks in November, so that should be exciting as well.

Anyway, Sydney and I both feel we are where the Lord wants us for now. ;) AND... the raise came through, so we can now pay most of our mortgage... not quite there,but then, what fun would that be? lol.

It's a sad day...

2008-03-05T08:09:00.003-06:00

for a two reasons:

Brett Favre has retired. By far my favorite player of all time... Can't believe he won't be playing for the Pack anymore... It had to come some time, but my thoughts were: "Play as long as you want... we love to watch you."

Also, to add insult to injury... Little Eddie died this morning. After two years of swimming around next to Katie, he decided to leave us. Katie is still doing fine, but I would expect she will die of a broken heart soon.

Maybe Little Eddie heard that Brett Favre retired and couldn't take it anymore?

No matter what happened, Little Eddie is gone, Brett is retired... not a good week. :(

Don’t tell Sydney that she has got it easy or she will have to strike you.

2008-01-29T08:52:00.000-06:00

Moving is stressful and it seems like there is an endless amount of junk to pack. The task seems insurmountable and daunting. Fortunately for me, I have been up here working my new job. Unfortunately for Sydney, I have been up here working my new job... Not that I would have been much help anyway, I must say that I tend to be lazy. Sydney needs a cattle prod to get me moving sometimes… That said, I will say that after she cut the Direct TV a few weeks ago, I did get a little more accomplished on the weekends.

Anyway, when I was negotiating my contract up here, I negotiated moving expenses… up to $5,000 to be exact. So, we don’t have to do a lot of packing. The moving company will come in and pack us and then they will unload the truck and unpack us on this end. We feel like we are lower-upper class or… at least upper-middle class because we are having someone move us. All of our friends have made the comment to Sydney that, “it must be nice to have someone do all the moving.”

If you want to see a flash of fire in someone’s eyes… tell Sydney she has got it easy. What people don’t understand is that she has been preparing for this move without the help her husband, (not that he would have been a lot of help… because he is lazy… see above.) and she has had four kids to take care of in the mix. There have been things to sort and certain items to pack… and you still have to be organized even though someone else is doing the packing… She is tired and is about ready for a break.

So, internet… while the move is easier because someone is moving us… Sydney hasn’t had it easy.

Me on the other hand? Easy Street.

So if you would like to contact us in the future:

My new address is 930 Easy Street.
Sydney’s new address is 930 Not-So-Easy-Street.

(Boy, I sure hope that we still get to see each other... not living on the same street and all.)

What's the point of this post?

Simply that: Sydney is a Saint.

T - minus 6 days and counting

2008-01-23T18:34:00.000-06:00

So, on the 29th, Sydney and I sign on our house.... and our family is together after 5 MONTHS!
Yippee!

Here are some pictures:

We can't wait to move in... should be a nice house for our family. Overall, including the basement there is about 2500 Square Feet... so it should work well.

After 5 months, we are excited to be together as a family again... pray that everything goes smoothly on closing day.

Later all!

Hello?

2008-01-10T17:38:00.000-06:00

Hi all! Have you missed me? :)

It has been a freakin roller coster of ups and downs and twists and turns so I have not had the time to blog for EVER.

We were up here for the holidays. Visiting Sydney's folks and my folks... So that was good. Sydney and the kids are still down in Cottonwood... BUT we found a house so they will be moving up here shortly. We close on the 29th so I am thrilled about that. They will be moving up here the first week in February and this 35 year old is moving out his parents' house... fricken frackin... lol.

(Okay, it really hasn't been that bad and Mom has made lunches for me from time to time... so I can't complain too loudly.) HA! Can't wait to have Sydney and the Kids up here though... glad this commuting is drawing to a close... and while the lunches have been okay, I really can't wait to get out of my parents' house.

Anyway, my new job has been an adventure... that is for sure. I like it and I knew it was going to be a challenge... just didn't know how big of a challenge... I have been building bridges with all departments around the University because the person in the position before me had burned them all down. BUT we are getting there and many of the departments have made it loud and clear that they are happy I am here... it feels good to know that people appreciate what you are doing. Before I got here, there wasn't much communication between the Office of Admission and my office... now Gina and I are looking to explore some joint possibilities. She is great to work with. Ranks right up there with a former boss.

On another note, I have had to chair the search committee for the position I am hiring and we got down to the final candidate and she declined the offer... so that has been fun. So I am scrambling to extend the search and it is a continuous headache... I just need someone (someone good) in the position, so hopefully in the next 3-4 weeks we can have the position filled. (And I can start on the reclassification of my job.) Oh, and I haven't had a secretary since I arrived either... that's been fun too. I had to ask a few favors of Gina to get one of her Office Assistants to help process the 200+ applications that just sat there for 2 and a half months from the time Kim left and I arrived... (Funny, I didn't see that stack on desk out front when I interviewed.) Despite the chaos I walked into we still brought 56 students in for Spring Semester. While I was slightly disappointed... the President was excited because that is the most international students MSUM has brought in during a Spring Semester...and in the end... if the President's happy, then that's what really matters I guess. Anyway, I dropped off a plant and a card today for the Donna in admissions because with out her, I would be in a straight jacket somewhere... much of the credit of our 56 students goes to her. Hopefully in the next week or 2 we will have a new secretary in our office here as well.

That said, with all the bumps it has been a good move. I actually have a budget of about $60,000 to make sure that we are providing services for our international students... talk about rags to riches. I took new international students out to the China Garden Buffet the other night... (It was cheaper to do that then food service... no surprises there.) It has been fun to implement the programs that we need and not worry about not having the funding to do it.That said, in the end... Work is Work. It's not all bad and it's not all good... just work. :)

Glad I made the move from a professional standpoint with the opportunity to become director and the increased responsibility that comes with that... but I miss my last university as well... especially my friends in the Office of Admission. I guess you take the good with the bad. :)

Anyway, that's what has been going on...

So it begins...

2007-08-17T15:04:00.000-05:00

It's official. I took the job.

Mixed emotions. Excited and sad all at the same time. Too many close friends here to count... This has been home for the last 15 years (including school.) So that will be the hardest part about leaving. But family and opportunity are there so, I took the plunge.

I will be moving into the same position that I am doing here for the first 6 months. As soon as I get there, I will design a position underneath me and he or she will report to me... as soon as this occurs, my job will be re-classified to Director of International Affairs... which will come with about a $14,000 raise. (Above and beyond the increase they have already given me. ) But, in the mean time, because we were not paying a mortgage here, Sydney and the Kids will stay here for the next 4 - 6 months and I will travel back on the weekends.

Told the kids last night... Leah and Benji don't have a clue... but Jake and Mack started crying. That was tough. I moved when I was nine (same age as Jake) and it sucked. So I know exactly what he is going through.

And I am 35 and it doesn't make it any easier than when I was nine.

Anyway, that is the big news.

The adventure begins.

They....

2007-08-13T12:41:00.000-05:00

Offered me the job.

Hm. How about that. Feels good. I have options...

...

Now what.

I would appreciate any prayers you want to send up.

I need wisdom.

No News is Good News...

2007-08-08T14:05:00.000-05:00

Well... the interview went really well. Great actually. At least from my perspective. I would say that out of all the interviews I have had in my life... this one was the best. I was comfortable. Enjoyed my time, was myself... what they saw will be what they get. The nice thing is that I don't need a job, so I was interviewing them as much as they were interviewing me.

They have one more candidate coming in this Friday. I had a really good feeling when I left the interview. So if I go with my gut... I think I may get offered the job. If I do, I have absolutely no idea what I am going to do. I have been going back and forth between what is best for me professionally and what is best for my family.

Granted, they have to offer me the job and they need to offer me the right salary... so much needs to happen before I can seriously consider it. Also, what will my current school do? Will they counter and try and keep me? Needless to say things are up in the air.

Regardless of what happens, it has been a good experience...

Just wish I didn't have to move... if I take the job... if they even offer it to me.

No news is good news... because then I don't have to make a decision.

You know that interview I spoke about...

2007-08-01T15:48:00.001-05:00

The one at another State University... well, I made the final 3...

My interview is Friday. I guess we will see where it leads.

I'll keep you posted.

Marathon Pictures...

2007-07-19T11:12:00.000-05:00

This is the Start... there I am... can you see me?

Towards the end...

Couple of thumbs up!

Crossing the Finish Line.

Finshed.

I had a great time... I think I might run it again next year... Goal for next year is below a 3:20. This year, I was under 3:30. I may be addicted.

She not only likes me...

2007-07-12T09:06:00.000-05:00

She licks me too...

Crazy month.

2007-07-11T12:37:00.000-05:00

Well it has been a crazy month and busier than all get out...

It started with me being hired as the head cross country coach for a local high school... so now I am known as "Coach" to some... My back ground in high school was cross country and now that I am back into distance running, I figured I would apply for an open position... and what do you know? I got the job. So now I have to figure out how to coach again... but it is coming back to me.

My Marathon went well. My goal was 3:30 minutes and I ran it in 3:27. So that was exciting. Not too shabby for my first marathon. I competed on a team from the University and we won the College Cup as well. I just got a HUGE trophy as a result. If I was a drinking man, I would totally fill it with beer and drink out of it... but I am not... so it is a moot point. HUGE Trophy.

I have an application in at another State Univeristy for a similar position. I am applying for it with the intent (if I get offered the position) to let my current school try and keep me here... but who knows... I may end up at a different school shortly. If I am offered the job... it will give me a lot to think about. That is for sure.

Just got back from a week of vacation... we didn't go to a lake cabin like we have the last couple of years, but my family got together at my folks' place for the week and we had a good time there. Much fun was had by all.

That's about it for now...

Blog-glect:

2007-06-08T13:18:00.000-05:00

tr.v. blog·glect·ed, blog·glect·ing, blog·glects
1. To pay little or no attention to your blog; fail to heed; disregard: blogglected their pleadings to post.
2. To fail to care for or attend to your blog properly: blogglects his readers.
3. To fail to do or post, as through carelessness or oversight: blogglected to enter a post.
n.
1. The act or an instance of ignoring your blog.
2. The state of being blog-glected.
3. Habitual lack of care of one's blog.

So... I have been blog-glecting my blog lately. Not sure why... lack of interest... lack of comments. I guess that life has been consuming my time...

Anyway, Life is good with Ben and Sydney... I am still as in love with my wife as I have ever been. More so than the day I married her, actually. Pizza is good. She is a hottie... why wouldn't it be?

I am 8 days from running my Marathon. I am ready... can't wait actually. My friend and I ran 22 miles 2 weeks ago at a 7 minute 45 second pace... our goal is to run it under 3 hours and 30 minutes... so we were right on track. If you think about it, pray for me next Saturday sometime between 7:30 am until about 11:00. I will be in the midst of my race. Praying for a cool day with the wind at my back. :)

Jake, Mick, Bug and Benji are all doing fine. Mick just turned seven 2 weeks ago... so one more year to getting married I guess... *sigh* Jake got a new bike... new used bike... but cool none-the-less.

So that's about it for now... I need to get into the habit of posting more... I will see what I can do about that.

Later all!

Sydney wants to block me...

2007-05-16T15:30:00.000-05:00

...from sending text messages. I sent her the following text message this morning:

"Hey sexy, hot, good looking, gorgeous woman! Just wanted to let you know that I think you are so very beautiful and that I love you more than I could ever describe. I thank God that he blessed me with you... I love you. (See how fun it is to get text messages? Definately worth the extra money.) Love you. ;)"

She read the first line and thought it was some pervert that she didn't know... about ten minutes after sending the message, I get a call from Sydney saying:

"How do you block people from sending you messages?!?! I just got three text messages from someone I don't know and it started out being somewhat sexual... Some pervert is sending me messages!"

I said, "Did you just get them about 10 minutes ago?"

She paused and said, "YES!"

I said, "Did you read them?"

She said, "No... I don't want to read that kind of stuff!"

I said, "That pervert would be me... Go read the messages."

She called me back and reassured me that "the pervert that sent the message could come home with her anytime."

Classic.

Needless to say, I am still trying to sell her on the idea of text messaging.

Put on my blue suede shoes... and I boarded a plane...

2007-04-27T12:24:00.000-05:00

Touch down in the land of the delta blue... in the middle of the poorin' rain...

I love this song. I have never walked in Memphis...

But it is funny how a song will bring back a flood of memories...

Everytime I hear this song, I am suddenly transported back to the summer after my senior year in high school.

18 years old...
Experiencing my first adventure...
Living with friends in a small central Minnesota tourist town...
Delivering pizza's in my boss's white geo or my friend's parents' red chrystler station wagon... Pizzas in the back warmer...
Heading to some unknown destination to deliver pizza...
Hoping for big tips...
Song comes on the radio....
It's a summer night...
Sun is setting...
Dating my first love...
Thinking that she could be "the one."

She wasn't.

Which is COMPLETELY fine...

Sydney is perfect for me.

Amazing what a song will do. I don't even really get the song... but I like it none-the-less.

Happy Anzac Day!

2007-04-25T13:23:00.000-05:00

What is ANZAC Day?

ANZAC Day - 25 April - is probably Australia's most important national occasion. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The soldiers in those forces quickly became known as ANZACs, and the pride they soon took in that name endures to this day.

Why is this day so special to Australians?

When war broke out in 1914 Australia had been a federal commonwealth for only fourteen years. The new national government was eager to establish its reputation among the nations of the world. In 1915 Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula to open the way to the Black Sea for the allied navies. The plan was to capture Constantinople (now Istanbul), capital of the Ottoman Empire and an ally of Germany. They landed at Gallipoli on 25 April, meeting fierce resistance from the Turkish defenders. What had been planned as a bold stroke to knock Turkey out of the war quickly became a stalemate, and the campaign dragged on for eight months. At the end of 1915 the allied forces were evacuated after both sides had suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. Over 8,000 Australian soldiers were killed. News of the landing at Gallipoli made a profound impact on Australians at home and 25 April quickly became the day on which Australians remembered the sacrifice of those who had died in war.
Though the Gallipoli campaign failed in its military objectives of capturing Constantinople and knocking Turkey out of the war, the Australian and New Zealand troops' actions during the campaign bequeathed an intangible but powerful legacy. The creation of what became known as an "Anzac legend" became an important part of the national identity of both nations. This shaped the ways they viewed both their past and their future.

I am not Australian or New Zealand... but it was on my Dilbert Calendar... so...

Have a good Anzac Day.

Wheeeee....

2007-04-19T10:15:00.000-05:00

That's right, we purchased one and it is a lot of fun...

Wii's are hard to come by... When we were up at Sydney's brother's place for their kids' birthday party on Easter weekend, I was exposed to this brilliant machine. Jay purchased one and I had a Fantastic time playing his Nintendo Wii. I had told Sydney several weeks before that I had no interest in the Nintendo Wii and that it didn't even sound fun...

BUT!

...that was before I played the game.

Good times...

So after experiencing such bliss... I thought to myself, "I should by a Nintendo Wii!" The next week, I went to purchase one and guess what? Sold out. Everywhere. I was oblivious to this cultural phenomenon that was occuring whereby you couldn't go out an purchase something you wanted. The first store I stopped by... I looked around and couldn't find the Wii and so this guy came up and asked... "Can I help you?" I said, "Yes, I am looking to purchase a Nintendo Wii."

Sales guy: "Are you serious?"

Me: "Yes."

Sales guy: "You do know that you can't find one anywhere don't you?"

Me: "Um... no. "

Sales guy: "We get a shipment in every Tuesday... but get here early because they are gone as soon as we get them."

Me: "Thanks."

I then proceeded to check Kmart and Walmart and other electronic stores... Nothing. Nada. Zilch.

Something happens to the mind when you want something and you can't get it... kind of like dangling that unattainable carrot out in front of you... try as you might... your efforts are futile.

That is until I went to Cananada.

I walk up to a counter and there is a Wii for sale... and I say, "Cool. A Wii. I'll buy it."

Cashier: "Sorry. That one is reserved. We are all sold out."

"BUT!

...we have a store about 10 minutes away that just got 7 in and they have 5 left... do you want me to call them and reserve one for you?" (At that moment... I think I recall hearing music coming from the heavenly realms.)

*Trying to contain my giddiness* I nonchalantly responded: "Sure. If it's not too much trouble."

So, after much effort I got my Wii. Jake was pumped and MacKenzie is FINALLY good at a video game. AND... most importantly... Sydney likes playing it too.

End of my Wii story.

Commence Wii-ing.

Land of Canucks.

2007-04-17T15:44:00.000-05:00

That's where I was... and just so you know... canucks is not a derogatory name because the canadians have a hockey team called the Vancouver Canucks.

Glad I am back home though... I did purchase a Wii up in Cananada... So the trip wasn't fruitless. Although I will say that I am sick of hearing about Hockey and how great they are compared to the US... and how their women's junior national hockey team just kicked our butts. We have a women's junior national hockey team? And they played Cananada?

Okay.

And you say you beat us? Hm.

Good job I guess. *shrug*

Did I tell you that I am glad to be back?

Benji's Girl... It could have been a popular 80's song.

2007-04-06T13:47:00.000-05:00

"Jesse is a friend...
You know he has been a good friend of mine...
But lately somethin’s changed, it ain’t hard to define...
Jesse’s got himself a girl and I want to make her mine. "

I don’t know why I like this song so much... I have no friend named Jesse; so if he has himself a girl, I wouldn’t know it... and if I did know Jesse, I wouldn’t want his girl because I have my own. In all likelyhood, Jesse would forget all about his girl and he would want my girl. The fact of the matter is, Jesse would be singing:

"And she's watching him with those eyes
And she's lovin' him with that body, I just know it
Yeah and he's holding her in his arms late, late at night

You know, I wish that I had Benji’s girl,
I wish that I had Benji’s girl
Where can I find a woman like that

I play along with the charade,
there doesn't seem to be a reason to change
You know, I feel so dirty when they start talking cute
I wanna tell her that I love her, but the point is probably mute

Cause she's watching him with those eyes
And she's lovin' him with that body, I just know it
And he's holding her in his arms late, late at night

You know, I wish that I had Benji’s girl,
I wish that I had Benji’s girl
Where can I find a woman like that

Like Benji’s girl, I wish that I had Benji’s girl
Where can I find a woman, where can I find a woman like that

And I'm lookin' in the mirror all the time,
wondering what she don't see in me
I've been funny, I've been cool with the lines
Ain't that the way love supposed to be

Tell me, where can I find a woman like that
You know, I wish that I had Benji’s girl, I wish that I had Benji’s girl
I want Benji’s girl, where can I find a woman like that,
like Benji’s girl, I wish that I had Benji’s girl,
I want, I want Benji’s girl "

Cause really, who WOULDN’T want Benji’s girl? Yes internet... Sydney is that beautiful. Without question, Jesse would most definitely want Sydney. And his girl would be all mad because she heard him singing about Sydney. I can't believe that Jesse would treat her like that... idiot.

Anyway... that was just the thought that passed through my mind as I was listening to that song. Crazy, I know.

Still like the song though.

Little things in life...

2007-04-05T10:22:00.000-05:00

I will say that life would not be the same without Bug... (or any of my kids for that matter, but today I am focusing on Bug.) I had to run some paystub information down to Sydney as she was waiting in the van. As I approach the window, from the depths of the van comes a: "Hey Day-ad!" Bug has this southern drawl for some reason... not sure where she gets it and if she didn't look so much like her mother... we would begin to wonder if she was ours. Ha! The thought just crossed my mind that... maybe I need to start wondering if she is mine. (The Schwan's Delivery man has a southern drawl come to think of it.)

Anyway... life just would not be the same with out Leah... she is a bright spot to a cloudy day... unless she is a crabapple. Then look out. But today... she's got nothing but love for her "Day-ad."

I am a blessed man. Hot wife and cute kids. Still don't know how I won that lottery.

I'll take it though.

Bleeding from the nipples is never a good thing...

2007-04-02T11:28:00.000-05:00

This weekend, I learned something new. Nipples can bleed.

I don't know why this thought has never crossed my mind before... (maybe it's because my nipples have never bled before.) ...but boy is it ever apparent right now. I feel like a mother whose nipples have been gnawed and sucked on by a set of quadruplets... to get that last drop. (At least in my mind, this is what it MUST feel like.)

Anyway, yesterday I discovered that marathon runners have different ailments that they suffer from... one of which is chaffing of the nipples against your shirt. You don't even feel it until, suddenly, they are bleeding. After I got done running 15 miles with a friend who is training with me... He said, "Are you bleeding?" I looked down and my shirt was red where my right nipple is located. My immediate response was, "Hm. I guess I am... wonder why that is?" My friend Mark informed me that during the marathon, there are runners that come in that have red streaks of blood all the way down their shirts... So he told me about something that will help that called body glide... so I guess I will check into that.

In the mean time... my nipples sting like they have never stung before.

For whatever reason, Sydney did not offer me an ounce of sympathy... She just said, "You haven't experienced anything in terms of pain until your children have sucked on you until your nipples bleed and then you get a plugged milk duct."

I will leave you with that mental picture for chew on...

Whatever the case... my nipples hurt.

I am KING (of gadgets)!

2007-03-28T12:24:00.000-05:00

Hear me tinker!

So last week I bought something that I could probably live without... but I really wanted... and since it was gadgety... I had to get... (WITH the approval of my wife I might add.)

I love the fact that Sydney gets me and that she realizes that I have something deep down inside of me that makes me ~~want~~ NEED gadgets. She doesn't understand why I am so driven by them; however, thankfully she does understand that my very breath of life depends on having gadgets... and that if I don't have them, I will die as I am gasping for air. And because she loves AND respects me... she wants to keep me around. So when I start to quiver and wheeze from gadget withdrawal, she races me to the nearest electronic store so that I can purchase something. (Trust me, it's cheaper than the Emergency Room... by a few dollars anyway.)

Anyway, back to my point... The gadget that I purchased was a:

I love this thing. I mean who WOULDN'T want a GPS that straps to your arm. It is great, because now I don't have to mark out a route with my car before I run 10 miles... I can just start running and keep track of my miles as I go and when I get to 10 miles... or 15 (like I have to run on Saturday), I can stop running. This GPS has a display for current speed, average speed, distance traveled, time traveled which are why I really needed this item... but it also has so many more features like: a two way radio, a cellular phone, a shortwave radio so I can receive broadcasts from the other side of the globe... a thermometer, a mp3 player and a candy dispenser. (In case I get hungry.)

Okay... maybe it doesn't have all of the aforementioned, but it is pretty cool. And I can wear it on my wrist when I am running and I know what pace I am running so I can train for my marathon properly. That, and if I ever get lost in the woods, I have a compass to help me find my way out... AND it is waterproof so if I fall into a lake or river while I am finding my way out of the woods... in the middle of the night... (Because the LCD screen glows a brilliant shade of yellow because it is BACKLIT) ...it won't get wrecked. Although I don't believe it floats. (That would be a nice feature.)

Anyway... gotta run! (With my GPS strapped to my wrist.)

*QUIVER*... *WHEEZE*

Hugging and Smooching

2007-03-27T11:40:00.000-05:00

Well... it was that time of year again... time for our Annual Marriage Retreat. Sydney and I, as always, had a great time hanging out with each other and enjoying friends as well. This was our tenth year of going to this Marriage Retreat and we can honestly say that it was just as fun as the first year... although, the talent show has gone by the wayside... which we need to revive... but other than that, it was fun. Sydney and I both agree that we don’t believe that our Marriage would be as strong had we not gone to this Marriage Retreat every year. We didn’t do a whole lot... just hung out with each other and went to the sessions that were planned. One of the Sessions was centered on keeping the Presence of God in our House and in our Marriage and one was focused on the women this year and the importance of respecting their husbands. (Last year we focused on the men and the importance of loving our wives.) One comment that Joan, one of the presenters made, was that she didn’t want to let the husbands off the hook... but that it was important that women were still willing to respect their husbands even when they didn't agree with them. After the session I approached her and said... “You know, I don’t think we are wanting our wives to ‘let us off the hook’ ... I just think we just want them to give us a break from time to time. Show us that they do respect us. I think that doing what is right by our wives is something that is ingrained in us... it’s just that when, as a man, you don’t feel like your wife respects you... you figure ‘what’s the point.’ So if our wives affirm us by telling that they respect us... then, we will surpass any expectations that they may have ever had.”

Anyway, it was a good time... and our marriage is tuned up again. Ready for another 10,000 miles.

It has gotta be Monday...

2007-03-14T09:39:00.000-05:00

I went in to work out this morning and it didn't go so well... I got there and was unpacking my Gym bag and I forgot my dress shirt for work. How exactly I did that is beyond me... I even went through my mental checklist last night and thought "Dress Shirt... check." On my way in this morning... I had this feeling that I was forgetting something... so I went through my checklist again ... this time outloud... and I said:

"Underwear... check."
"Socks... check."
"T-shirt... check."
"Razor... check."
"Pants... check."
"Dress Shirt... check."
"Shoes... check."
"Belt... check."
"Deoderant... check."
"Wallet... check."
"Cell Phone... check."
"Glasses... check."

BUT... when I got to the Y... no dress shirt. And then after lifting weights... I got on the treadmill this morning... and I was only supposed to run 4 miles... but, mentally, I couldn't do it. The last 2 days it has been nice enough to run outside and it has been enjoyable... so going back to the treadmill was terrible.

Anyway... I ran a mile and a half and kept thinking about the shirt that I forgot and what I was going to do... I thought about going to work shirtless today... I am looking really buff lately. But then my better judgment kicked in and I thought that my 60 some year old secretary would be too distracted by my wonderful physique... and she wouldn't get anything done... and far be it from me to be the cause of such lustful thoughts... so I stopped the treadmill and I decided that, at that very moment, that I needed to go home and get a shirt. Besides that... 4 miles felt like it was going to take forever today.

Oh well... tomorrow is another day.

And I guarantee that, tomorrow, I will remember my shirt.

I know I posted something about cell phones before...

2007-03-09T08:16:00.000-06:00

HOWEVER... for some reason my archives are missing the whole month of March 2005 and I believe that is when I purchased my last cell phone...

I remember ranting about "the fact that we live in a steel sided house that is lined with lead which will not allow for a cell phone signal to breach the walls of this impenetrable fortress and that while we are very thankful that we are protected from the radiation / fallout from a nuclear blast... that it was frustrating that we could not use a cell phone in our house..." I said something like that anyway...

WELL... times have changed. And thanks to the GLORIOUS technology that has been incorporated into the Motorola RAZR V3. We are now able to have not one, not two... but sometimes 3 (count them) 3 bars in our house at times. So, Sydney and I, for the past month have been able to call each other at any moment. I have a hotline straight to the most beautiful woman in the world and she is at my beck and call anytime I want (Okay, that might be a stretch.) ...for FREE even. My own personal "Hottie line." :) How cool is that?

...Now if it would only be possible for God to carry a Motorola RAZR V3... I would be set.

Anyway internet, the key is that we have now reached the 21 st Century out on the edge. We no longer live in the bermuda triangle of cell phone signals...

Wow... that was going to be a quick introduction into the fact that I downloaded Tiger Woods PGA TOUR '06 for my cell phone yesterday... and that, after about 4 hours of playing it last night... that I am now an expert. I can't believe that my cell phone can play cool video games... so someone download the game and I will challenge you to a match. I will even let you practice... cause you would need it...

Did I mention that I am AWESOME at Tiger Woods PGA Tour '06?

EA SPORTS. It's in the game.

What the heck?

2007-03-08T08:58:00.000-06:00

Why'd you have to go and "enter 77?!"

Way to go John... ya big loser.

Errant Nose Hairs...

2007-03-06T15:16:00.000-06:00

Someone get me a nose hair clipper. I must be getting older because my nose hairs are beginning to grow. I have no idea why this occurs... why you can go 33 years of your life and no nose hair growth and then suddenly: BAM! Nose hairs that need to be trimmed. This is so completely beyond my scope of comprehension. And what do you do when you get nose hairs that start growing? Well, I just pull them out with my thumb and pointy finger... and while it looks like I am picking my nose... I am actually just yanking the errant nose hairs out of my flared nostrils.

And, just so we are clear, ...if my eyes are watering... it wasn’t a booger... it was a nose hair.

WOW. I just googled nose hair trimmers and there are numerous models and styles of nose/ear hair groomers. 3 immediate thoughts come to mind:

1. My EAR hair is going to start growing?

And

2. If I am going to buy a Nose hair groomer... I am going to only use it for my nose and not my ears too... there is something entirely wrong about clipping your ear hairs and then sticking that same trimmer up your nose.

AND

3. If and when I do get around to purchasing said product... I am going to purchase the “Turbo-Groomer 5.0” because it just sounds cool. It looks pretty cool too... complete with the "rotary trimmer for nose hair" and the "clipper style trimmer" for ear hair I presume?

The one about my hot wife.

2007-03-05T13:04:00.000-06:00

I have a hot wife. Sydney just got her haircut and highlights and lowlights and mediumlights and she is just plain gorgeous. Seriously... Beautiful inside and out. And some days I can’t believe that I am married to her... glad I am though. Nothing like a hot wife who loves you to help thee old self esteem. :)

So three cheers for Sydney because she is Hot and she is MY wife.

Yep... just bragging a little bit.

An overabundance of activity.

2007-02-27T08:59:00.000-06:00

Where the heck have I been? Here... I have things to say... but I have been too lazy to post them. For example, I had a busy weekend. I took Friday off and Jake and I went to the Timberwolves game... we ate popcorn and drank pop and howled when the howl-o-meter came up as our opponents were shooting free throws. Jake chased down the cotton candy guy and we had a great time over all. Got home by about 1:30 and then I got up the next morning at about 7 am. I was in charge of the technology for the Beth Moore women's conference that was held at our church on Saturday. It was the first women's conference I have ever attended and it did not disappoint me. There was a lot of hugging and hand holding... kind of what I expected. Beth Moore is a pretty good speaker though. So that was good. It snowed about 12 inches over the weekend, so I had to blow out the driveway with the tractor. That is always exciting... and then after Church on Sunday, we went to our friends and snowmobiled with a bunch of friends pulling kids on sleds with snowmobiles and 4 wheelers. Which was fun, until the tire of the 4 wheeler I was on ran over my best friend's daughter. Fortunately, we were not going real fast and it was kind of a freak accident that was tough to avoid. When you would slow up, the sled would run along side of the 4 wheeler because of momentum and then the wheel would run over the rope and then draw the sled in towards the wheel. Kind of spooky seeing it all happen. The problem was that I had a nine year old girl riding with me thinking she could control the trottle and I told her that she needed to slow down because she was going too fast... so I was trying to control too many things... including a little girl that doesn't follow instruction well. Anyway, Regan was fine... just a little spooked... and who can blame her.

So, that was my weekend... full of howling, hand holding, hugging, snowblowing and spookiness.

It was a plethora of activity.

Happy Valentine's Day

2007-02-14T10:16:00.000-06:00

Here are some socks!

Nothing says " I love you" like a few pairs of socks... don't you think? Not any old socks, but fuzzy, warm, multicolored socks. When I gave Sydney her present last night... (Because I was so excited to give them to her that I couldn't wait until today) the look on her face was great. She was extremely excited. I believe her comment was, "Cool!"

and then...

"You took notes!"

She was completely surprised; AND I was able to give her something that had "Sydney" written all over them.

I didn't give her a card... but I think the socks said it all.

I love you Sydney. Happy Valentine's Day.

Running like crazy.

2007-02-13T14:28:00.000-06:00

It is official. I am signed up for Grandma's Marathon in Duluth Minnesota. The 26.2 miles will be run along the shores of Lake Superior. Monday was my official first day of training... so I am counting down the days. The race will be on June 16th... so internet stalkers, if you want to hunt me down and shoot me... that would be the day to do it.

That is if you can find me in the crowd of nearly 9,000 runners.

Looking forward to it though... well, as much as anyone can look forward to 26.2 miles of pain.

Consequences...

2007-02-09T15:21:00.000-06:00

No one likes them. Poor choices in life result in consequences... they, in themselves, are a painful reminder that we are accountable for our actions. And while they are painful, it is easier to handle them when you are the only person that has to experience them. That said, the worst kind of pain comes when someone that is close to you carries the brunt of those consequences rather than yourself. If there is anything that I have difficulty handling, it is when the consequences of my past actions affect someone else more than me. You have to live with the fact that your poor choice has affected someone else more than you. There is an overwhelming guilt that you struggle to get past.

If it weren't for God's grace, it would be unbearable.

Thankfully, there is grace and forgiveness.

It gives you the ability to keep walking forward... knowing that you have been forgiven.
... knowing that there is hope.

2 Corinthians 4:6-9

6 For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;

9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

Little known fact...

2007-01-31T16:24:00.000-06:00

I like Pineapple Juice on Icecream.

A friend demanded that I post... so that's what you get... a random fact.

I love pineapple juice on icecream. It is one of my favorite things in life. I seriously find myself wondering if Heaven has icecream with pineapple juice there? And if not, why not? Not that I am questioning why God does things a particular way... but if I am going to be Praising God for eternity, can't I do that while eating icecream with pineapple juice on it?

There wouldn't be anything wrong with that... and if Praising God is going to be everthing that I know it will be... then what could adding a bowl of icecream with pineapple juice on top hurt?

Twolves.

2007-01-10T12:03:00.000-06:00

I am taking our international students to the Timberwolves on Saturday. Timberwolves vs. the New Jersey Nets... this will be a great game. Give them a taste of good ol' American Culture... Sports. After the game, we get to go down on the floor and have a group picture taken... So they will get a court's eye view... should be fun. The bonus is that the guy who set up the group tickets is comping me 2 lower level tickets for later this spring... so Jake and I are heading to a Twolves basketball game on February 23rd against the Phoenix Suns. For free. How cool is that. Can't wait. I think I am more excited for the game with Jake than the one with the international students... but oh well... both will be fun. It is Crunch's Birthday on February 23rd... so I think Jake will like that a lot. Should be good times!

Go Wolves!

Nothing extrodinary.

2007-01-09T10:56:00.000-06:00

Weekend was good... nothing new happening. We did get a new refriderator and oven though. My folks are renovating their kitchen and just purchased new stainless steel appliances. Their old appliances were only 8 years old... so practically new. They gave them to us. Which is great because our refridgerator was old and it's seal was coming off. It was pretty much on it's last leg... everytime I would open the fridge, I would be stressed out because it was about to die and I had no idea how I was going to be able to afford a new fridge. But, as always, the Lord provides. We even got a bonus oven and dishwasher... so life is good. What a great example of how the Lord knows what we need and how He puts things in motion to provide for us. Sometimes, He provides even when we don't ask Him to.

Anyway, Jake and I drove up to Fargo and back to pick them up. Jake played video games all the way up and back on his game boy... so we didn't get much talking done... but we did enjoy McDonalds and Paridiso together. Paridiso... is a Mexican restaurant in Fargo... I ate until I was as big as the chicken chimi changa that I had just consumed.. Muy Delicioso!

*Adendum

I forgot to mention that my good friend Jim helped me load all of the aforementioned appliances and he ate at Paridiso with Jake and I. Sorry friend... your absence from the story was completely unitentional. Thanks for all the help though! I really am grateful!

A Rebel With Conviction.

2007-01-04T14:58:00.000-06:00

I am a rebel.

Like James Dean, I am wearing my white t-shirt and leather jacket while smoking my Marlboros... or Camels... (or whatever brand he smoked) as I cruise around on my motorcycle. Like him, I defy authority and live my life on the edge not willing to succumb to moral instruction. I am less defiant in that my rebellious nature is not intentional... but rather because of my lack of will to follow what has been spelled out to me as being right. I don’t know what’s worse... someone who is a rebel because they intend to be defiant or someone that is a rebel because they are apathetic and are too lazy to do what is right? Does it matter? Whether you intend to be defiant or you are defiant by default of not doing what is right... you are still opposing the One who rules... Correct?

And so here I sit... on a dangerous precipice... toes dangling over the edge because I fail to follow instruction. Not that I want to be here... many times I just don’t find myself caring enough to NOT be here... not willing to do something about it. Too many times I am fine with the status quo... failing to keep in mind that I will be held accountable for my lack of effort.

Thankfully, I am a rebel with conviction... I am convicted to take steps toward a living God who requests more from me. Steps... I don’t have to “arrive” ... just need to take steps toward Him. Rather than just standing there or even worse... walking backwards.

Hebrews 3:7-14.

7 So, as the Holy Spirit says:
"Today, if you hear his voice,
8 do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion,
during the time of testing in the desert,
9 where your fathers tested and tried me
and for forty years saw what I did.
10 That is why I was angry with that generation, and I said,
'Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.'
11 So I declared on oath in my anger,
'They shall never enter my rest.' "

12 See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. 14 We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first. 15 As has just been said:

"Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts
as you did in the rebellion."

Convicting.

Today Chirky! Today!

2007-01-03T12:29:00.000-06:00

I am back! And it looks like I am missed. It always feels good to be missed... don't you think? I need affirmation to survive and when people miss me, then it just affirms that they care about me. So, that makes me feel all good inside. I am glad to be back... actually. 2 weeks is a long time to be away from home and when there is no snow outside to go snowmobiling and the ice is too thin to go ice fishing... and there is nothing to do... your days drag on. So, I am glad to be back...

Christmas was fun. We had several because of Sydney's Grandparents, and her folks have one... My folks have one... and of course we have a small one at home before we leave... so the gifts kept coming. I got some shorts to work out in and then some socks... so that was good. I got a lot of money this year... I haven't spent it yet because I am not sure what I want to purchase yet. I thought about a Leather Jacket... but the one I want is about $268 and I didn't get that much. I thought about getting one of the gifts on my list. So I might do that. I thought about getting a new Cell Phone... but I want one that is really gadgety. Those are about $199.00 for a Palm Treo... so I can't get that... So I am not sure what I am going to get. I have about $120.00 burning a hole in my pocket... so the question becomes... what should I get?

New Years was fun... I rang in the New Year smooching with Sydney... so I ask how the new year could start any better? It can't. Too bad you can't all smooch Sydney on New Year's eve... then you would be as cool as I am.

Anywho...

We played games that night and hung out. I gained a few pounds over the break because I was grazing on snacks the whole time. I did work out on Sydney's folk's eliptical. I will take a treadmill over that anyday... you work like crazy to burn off a few calories. That and my left knee started to hurt because your feet are stationary. To me, it was harder on my joints than running is... So that was my vacation. I was pretty much a bum... Sydney will agree...

I did watch two full seasons of 24 while we were at her folk's place... so that was okay... I am caught up now and am ready for the next season.

That's about it though. No new year's resolutions... don't believe in making choices out of obligation only to fail at them 2 weeks later. Speaking of which... the YMCA was PACKED last night... because of all those people with similar good intentions. Good thing those resolutions only last about 2 weeks... I should be able to get a treadmill easier in about two weeks.

So, that was my break... much time with the Kids and Sydney and our families.

Happy New Year everyone!

MiM is...

2006-12-19T13:35:00.000-06:00

for the season. Back in 2 weeks.

Forget it.

2006-12-18T15:10:00.000-06:00

I give up. I have tried writing something 4 times now... nothing is feeling right.

Writer's block bites.

It was a "Weekend of Spew"

2006-12-13T13:07:00.000-06:00

People were spewing all over the place.

On Friday night, Sydney went in to work out at the Y. Jake, Micker Mackers and I had just sat down to play a game.

The game we were playing was Millborne. It is a racing card game where you play mile per hour cards to be the first one to reach a thousand miles. You can play 25, 50, 75, 100 and 200 mph cards. In order to play cards you have to have a green light. At any time, people can place hazard cards on you like: Flat Tire, Out of Gas, Accident, Stop Lights... They can also play speed limit cards on you where you can only play 50 mile per hour cards or lower. In order to be able to play, again, you need to get a remedy card like: Spare Tire, Gas Tank, Repairs... etc and then in order to get rolling again you have to play a Green Light again. Fun game and there are a few more rules, but you get the gist.

Anyway, we are having fun... speeding along when I look over to Bug Bug who is laying on the couch, and she is SPEWING all over the couch! So I drop my cards and grab her to race her to the bathroom... on our way, she proceeds to spew all over the dining room... as we reach the hallway, she spews some more... and then when we FINALLY reached the bathroom... she spewed AGAIN.

So, I immediately go out to the living room and instruct Jake and MacKenzie to go upstairs before they look at the vomit and start barfing themselves. I grabbed Benji and put him in his room and closed the door. (He wasn't happy.) And then I got Bug into the bath tub. After that... I cleaned up all the spew from everywhere... took the couch cushion down stairs along with the bathroom rug and anything else I could find that had spew on it. And then I washed Leah up. Once that was done and she was dressed, I laid her on a towel in the living room (in case she spewed some more... which she did.) And then Jake and Mack came back down. Jake said his stomach felt a little off, so I gave him a bucket. Got people to bed shortly there after... although, I, being the wise one that I am, had Jake sleep on the dining room floor because his room was a mess with toys and I could see him spewing all over his room and toys.... Good thing because Jake started his barf fest by missing the icecream bucket. Unfortunately for him, the Stomach flu hit him the worst and he continued to barf every half hour from about 8:30 until 4:30 in the morning.

And then I got sick on Saturday night.

And then the "Weekend of Spew" was over.

Distress signal coming from our bathroom last night:

2006-12-08T13:39:00.000-06:00

Bug Bug: "HELP!"

Sydney: "What's the matter Bug Bug?"

Bug Bug: "I need some help."

Sydney: "What's wrong?"

Bug Bug: "I got some poop stuck in my cwack."

That's an emergency if I have ever heard of one...

Number 34

2006-12-06T08:22:00.000-06:00

To Me.

Snapshots in my mind...

2006-11-29T16:11:00.000-06:00

Last night, we decorated the Christmas tree and listened to music and sang Christmas Carols... it was great. I tried my best to take as many "snapshots" in my mind of the experience... the kids... the joy... the laughter... the twinkle in their eyes. Sydney... and how beautiful she looked in the glimmer of the lights... the snuggles I got from Micker Mackers and Bug Bug as we were watching the Christmas Tree and listening to music when we were done. Jake ... hanging ordaments by standing on a chair... Benji, trying to hang a small stuffed animal on the tree because he saw everyone else putting stuff on the tree.

I know that the moment was fleeting and for some reason... it made me sad that some day, life will be different.

So, I tried to capture the moment as much as I could so I can remember how fun it was...

It was a great time.

Where have I been?

2006-11-19T19:29:00.000-06:00

I hate to say it... but nowhere in particular... blogging has been losing it's appeal. Not sure why... feels like a job though. It's not supposed to feel like that... It's supposed to be fun, enjoyable even. So where do I go from here? Not sure. Might take a break though. So, if I am not around... it may be that I am taking a break... it may be that I am not coming back... but as long as the site is up and running... then I am taking a break. If the MiM.com comes down... it means I have quit. So keep checking back... because the site is still up and running... so that means I will be back. ;)

This is the easiest Gig I have ever had...

2006-11-09T15:23:00.000-06:00

I have this job licked. Sydney is up north for today through the Sunday to enjoy some time away from the Kids for a much needed break. So I am at home holding down the fort.

Here's how my morning went:

Got up and fed the kids.
Got them dressed.
Made the Bed.
Picked up the living room.
Taught Jake and Micker Mackers school.
Put Benji down.
Popped in the movie "Cars" for the Kids.
Cleaned the Kitchen.
Polished the Silverware... (yes I am that good.)
Fed them Lunch... (Kenzie asked me what was for dessert and I said "nothing" ...but because I am so cool and I live right... the Schwann's Ice Cream man drove into the driveway just at that moment.)

Now that I have the house spotless and Jake and Mack are outside playing and Bug Bug is down for a nap, I have one eye on Ben "the troublemaker" jino and one eye on the computer screen... blogging.

Sydney off to work you go... I am going to stay home...

I am like a Lion taking care of his cubs... in all his grandeur....

Well?

2006-11-07T08:32:00.000-06:00

Why are you reading my blog?

Go Vote Already.

I was a Big Yellow Chicken for Halloween...

2006-11-01T15:27:00.000-06:00

It's official... I am the Ebenezar Scrooge of Halloween... It's too flippin' cold to go trick or treating. That and we never went Trick or Treating when I was a kid... okay... we did for awhile... but then we stopped after awhile. Largely because it is a holiday that celebrates all the evil spirits and what not and my folks didn't think that was necessary. Instead my parents created a tradition of having a family night where we played games and ate doughnuts and drank apple cider.

So yesterday, after a lack of planning on our part... Sydney told the kids that we were not going trick or treating... Lips came out and tears were shed. That is until she told them we were going to have a family night and play games and what not. Then the smiles came back. I stopped by the devil store itself (walmart) and purchased 2 tiara's and wands with stars on them... Micker Mackers and Bug pretended to be fairies all night. I can't tell you how many times that I was changed into something and then back into "Dad." Jake was King Peter from Narnia. I picked up cider, and doughnuts and candy and caramel squares and ingredients for popcorn balls. So we spent a fun evening together making memories... and caramel apples and popcorn balls... Candy was eaten and games were played.

And it was WARM... and I didn't have to freeze my ol' tail feathers off out in the cold. Because, although I did not have a costume, I was a BIG Yellow Chicken for Halloween... BUT I was a warm Chicken.

Anyway... that was our house last night.

"Hom chicky bomb chicky dongdiddly dong diddly dong dong bow wow wow..."

2006-10-26T11:41:00.000-05:00

Hi YA!

Recently I purchased a Sudoku Calendar and each day I get a new Sudoku puzzle which needs solving. It has different levels: White Belt, Green Belt, Brown Belt and Black Belt... I have mastered the White and Green Belt... but the Brown and Black Belts are throwing me for a loop.

BUT... this young (okay middle aged) "Grasshoppa" will not give up. I am the Karate Kid of Sudoku... with Mr. Miyagi smacking my head saying, "At ta ta ta! Always look eye!"

So that's what I am doing with my opponent, Sudokuson... Weilding my pencils like chopsticks... Because "Man who catch fly with chopstick accomplish anything." (So if I am solving my Sudoku puzzle and a fly zips by... I will be ready. )

In traditional "Cobra Kai" fashion... I am chanting:

"Defeat is not accepted in this dojo... is it?"
"No Sensei!"
"Mercy is not accepted in this dojo... is it?"
"No Sensei!"

"Strike Hard! Strike First! No Mercy's Shown!"

....That or I am Henry from the hit cartoon show Hong Kong Phooey

Hi YA!

You remember Hong Kong Phooey... right?

I am cool like that.

Who is this super hero?
Sarge?
NO!
Rosemary the telephone operator?
No way man!
Henry the mild mannered janitor?

COULD BE!

"Hong kong phooey, number one super guy.
Hong kong phooey, quicker than the human eye.

Oh, hes got style, a groovy smile, a bite that just won't stop.
When the going gets rough, hes super toughWith the hong kong phooey chop!

Hong kong phooey, number one super guy,
Hong kong phooey, oh he's quicker than the human eye.

hom chicky bomb chicky dongdiddly dong diddly dong dong bow wow wow"

Just call me the Hong Kong Phooey of Sudoku.

Seriously.

Okay... the Birthdays are over until May...

2006-10-19T11:27:00.000-05:00

Whew.

All I can say is there were a lot of cold winter nights that Sydney and I enjoyed and that's why we have 3 children so close together. But when you think about it... when it is snowing out... there are really only two choices... Watch TV or make your own fun.

Apparently we did the latter. ... and now Christmas (in terms of presents) comes twice a year.

Too much information I know... but then when have I ever cared about that?

We also watched a lot of TV though too. I love TV. If my wife wasn't so beautiful (both inside and out) my options would have been narrowed down to one choice. I am amazed by the number of TV shows that are really good now days... and TIVO has allowed me not to have to make a choice and I can watch until my heart is content. That and the INTERNET. I really need to thank Al Gore for creating the internet... it is such a cornacopia of amazement. Did you know that you can watch TV on the internet now? You can blog... you can chat with your friends... and NOW you can watch FULL LENGTH EPISODES... without commercials... of your favorite shows like LOST or the Nine... at work even. (Unless you are Chirky.)

Crazy.

In the same breath, Al Gore is the Devil. Only an evil man would create something that would introduce such conflict into one's life. How do people get any work done with all of the options placed before them?

So, I guess what I am trying to say is: Al Gore, if you really did create the internet, and had I known that I was going eventually be able to watch FULL LENGTH EPISODES of my favorite TV shows at ABC.com... I probably would have voted for you. I would have even worn an I "HEART" AL GORE Button.

Maybe.

Okay... I am lying, I would have never voted for you... but you get the point.

Happy BIRTHDAY Bug!

2006-10-18T14:24:00.001-05:00

You are such a Cutie!

3 years old today!

Have I told you guys that I absolutely love my family?

I am so Blessed.

Lowering expectations

2006-10-17T11:51:00.000-05:00

Ben,Syd, and the kiddos are out of town. How I come by this information is top secret but I am a truthful mole if there was one. I also know the secret combination to crack into MIM and do a little bit of damage . . . . . but alas I won't.

I did promise to post in Ben's stead while he was off galavanting through fields of corn (not that they are actually doing that but it puts a nice mental image in your head). The problem is that my expectations of a "guest blogger" are high, really high, and I fear I will fall short, so I've determined to just start off with low expectations and when I meet those I will feel satisfaction and be able to point at this post and say with ignorant pride "Look what I did!!". Ben of course will roll his eyes and shake his head and say in a mumble "that's the last time I ask Katie for anything."

So what to post? Hmmmmmmmm, the witty part of my brain seems to be malfunctioning or is set on a timer to go off at an inappropriate time. Like when you are in a very serious meeting and you think of a really funny joke or completely inapproriate comment or pun and you just can't help but giggle and then you get the look of death from those around you and that only makes you giggle more because if they knew what you knew those looks of seriousness (or just constipation) would soon be replaced by joyful laughing (or fear). Why do people laugh when they are scared? I have. Is that part of our emotions in our brain so close togehter that the electrical charges get a bit woppy-jawed (embrace this word and use it in conversation, it always gets a good reaction)?

Well as I said Ben, Syd, and the kiddos are off doing something, and they left me here to entertain you, or at least to not bore you so much that you never return. That was my one goal, to not drive off all of Ben's readers, so if you come back tomorrow and the next day than I will have reached my pitiful goal.

Ok, that's it for me. Hopefully Ben and the crew will be back soon so this post will mosey its way down the page after being replaced with much more entertaining and Ben-style publications.

Realizing that you are falling short is never a fun thing.

2006-10-11T12:06:00.000-05:00

So I have been thinking lately... I think my kids are scared of me at times. It is a sad and humbling realization that I am falling short of being the father that God wants me to be. And what bothers me more... I know that the characteristics that I display through my actions tend to be the same attributes that my kids will assign to their Heavenly Father. Not a good thing.

I grew up under a father who had a quick temper... who, when he was in a good mood, his love was evident... but then when he was in a bad mood... love was not there. Love was somehow conditional. It still is to a certain extent... but... I left, so I don't have to deal with his fits of rage anymore. Unfortunately, as a result, I struggle against this idea that God's Love is unconditional. It's hard for me to believe. Do I believe it? Not sure. I have to, but I am not sure if I am there yet.

...anyway, back to my kids... unfortunately for them, I too have a short fuse.

When I was a kid, I remember lighting firecrackers on the Fourth of July. Most of them went off without much effort... but every now and again, one would have a fuse that would stop burning. I remember approaching it cautiously not knowing if and when it would go off and when you did light it again, the fuse was so short that you couldn't get away fast enough and it scared the crap out of you. That's me. My kids approach me cautiously because they don't know which dad they will encounter. Honestly, it depends on the day.

What can I say? I am my father's son. It's not an excuse because I know that even though this is the case, it is unacceptable. I need to change. I just don't know how to change something that is so ingrained in me. I need to break the mold though so my kids, particularly my sons, don't end up like me... so that none of them have the same perception of God that I do...

I guess that as I think about this... it also becomes evident that I can't change it by myself. It is apparent that only as I walk more closely with my Heavenly Father will I begin to display His image... Only then will I display Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Gentleness, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness and Self Control. And only as I am able to display these attributes will my kids' perspective change... only then will they truly find me "approachable."

As I begin to change, only then will they have a perspective of the true attributes of God.

I only wish walking closer seemed easier... it's worth the effort... but am I willing? It is definately a struggle of my will against His good and perfect will.

Old friends.

2006-10-10T14:07:00.000-05:00

Today has been a day of visiting with old friends... gotta love old friends.

You know the kind... the ones that you can pick up like you never left off... and even though you are miles apart... you never forget them... although, when I called my friend Katy... she did say, "Um... I think you have the wrong number bud." We proceeded to talk for 40 minutes after that exchange.

Old friends are like your favorite hat or shirt... no matter how long it's been since you have seen them... when you are reunited, something just fits.

Happy Birthday...

2006-10-05T08:37:00.000-05:00

Jakers!!

I can't believe you are eight!

EIGHT!?!

When did that happen??

Gosh. I am old.

"Everyone likes Boobies"

2006-10-04T08:37:00.000-05:00

Conversation heard as I was fixing the kitchen sink last night...

Bug Bug: "Mommy... everyone like's boobies."
Sydney: "What did you say? Every one likes buoys?"
Bug Bug: "No.. boobies"
Sydney: "What... I can't understand what you are saying... Buoys? Boys?"
Bug Bug: "No. BOOBIES?"
Sydney: "Boobies?"
Bug Bug: "Yes. Boobies."
Dad from under the sink: "Guys like boobies."
Bug Bug (with a confused look on her face.): "No Dad. Boys don't have boobies."
Dad: "But they like them..."
Sydney: "Do we really need to have this conversation?"
Dad: "I'm just sayin..."
Sydney: "All we need is for her to go into Sunday School saying that "boys like boobies."
Dad: "Good point."

End of conversation.

All I need is a bullet...

2006-10-02T14:20:00.000-05:00

and a gun...

Okay... I have both. But I am this close to using them...

The dog chewed up Micker's glasses. Mick fell asleep on the way home from Grandma's and Grandpa's house and took her glasses off and placed them in her lap. When she got out of the van, they fell to the ground. Buddy found them the next morning and proceeded to chomp on them.

It's not his fault... or Micker's fault... it was an accident... a $200+ accident... but an accident none-the-less.

Maybe if we sell the dog... we can make enough to pay for the glasses?

Happy Birthday...

2006-09-28T14:42:00.000-05:00

Benji!

One year old.

Cool.

Love you Benjino.

Pain...

2006-09-25T22:19:00.000-05:00

Sometimes it is a twisted ankle or a broken arm...
Sometimes it is a body riddled with uncurable cancer...

Sometimes it is a Husband or Wife falling short of his or her vows...
Sometimes it is a Father's words cutting like a double edged sword that destroys a daughter's confidence...

Sometimes it is losing a loved one...
Sometimes it is feeling like you have lost all control...

Sometimes it is as simple as harsh words on the playground when you were young...
Sometimes it is someone not valuing you as they once did...

Sometimes it is a Son looking to His Father, wondering why He has forsaken Him...

I have been on the receiving end and I have also delivered the blows... but standing from a distance seeing someone else deliver the painful blow to another hurts worse... (especially when you see yourself in the other person's actions.) But, there is nothing you can do; it is a painful feeling of helplessness. Until the one who lands the blows realizes the hurt caused by their actions... nothing will change. You can't get through to them... they must come to this realization on their own. Unfortunately, once they come to this realization... they experience a pain that is like no other... Realizing how their actions have hurt another. What's done is done... you can't take it back.

You can only hope that it's not too late to change your ways.

Life is full of pain... fortunately, there is forgiveness and Grace.

I am the unluckiest lucky guy I know...

2006-09-20T07:50:00.000-05:00

Or am I the luckiest unlucky guy I know...

Last Thursday and Friday, I traveled up to Duluth MN for a Minnesota International Educators meeting... and I won a Dell Inspiron 2160 Laptop. About 3 years ago, our organization purchased a laptop for our secretary to use; however, the secretaries, over the last few years, have never used it. So our organization had a laptop that was pretty much unused and in pristine condition. As a result, they had a lottery and all the members dropped our business cards in a bag and my business card was pulled out. Now, normally, I would be estatic that I just won a laptop computer... but the problem is, that Sydney and I purchased two laptop computers about a year ago and we already have a desktop as well. So our family now has 4 computers.

Hm.

Now I am in a dilema about what to do with this computer. I was talking this over with one of my close friends the other day and our conversation when like this:

Me: "Why couldn't we have purchased the secretary a 4 wheeler?"
Friend: "...because a 4 wheeler is needed so much more in an office setting than a computer?"
Me: "EXACTLY... need to go for coffee... jump on the 4 wheeler."

...If someone is giving you a hard time at the office... run them over. I could find all kinds of uses for a 4 wheeler at the office. And the point is, she wouldn't have needed the 4 wheeler either, so I would have won that instead of a computer that I don't need. Anyway, this is just my luck. So now I am trying to figure out what to do with this computer that we have... I was going to use it at the office... but my current computer has 712 megabytes of RAM... and this computer only has 256 megabytes of RAM. So I decided that won't work. We thought that my brother-in-law may need a computer... but he doesn't anymore. We have a couple other ideas, but for the sake of making things more confusing... I am looking for suggestions. The most creative suggestion may even win a computer... who knows?

Just Say No Sydney.

2006-09-18T07:56:00.000-05:00

Setting the stage... when Sydney and I met in Fargo for the first time, I was wearing blue jeans and my Brett Favre Green Bay Packer Jersey. After talking for a while, Sydney said, "Who's Brett Fav -er-ay?" (At the time, he was the league MVP for 3 years running.) My response was, "What kind of vacuum do you live in? ... You must live under a really big rock." Anyway, I soon found out that she had absolutely no clue about football what.so.ever. Didn't know teams, rules or scoring. Nothing, Nada, Zip. Fortunately for her, she was very hot, gorgeous and sexy... so I looked passed this major flaw. Over the years however, Sydney has studied the game... picked up on the rules and joined fantasy football. The fact that she loves football turns me on.

That said; I have created a monster. Yesterday, there were only 2 games on during the afternoon... so Sydney spent the afternoon moping in the living room upset that she didn't have a chance to watch our fantasy football players. She even went as far as complaining about how expensive the "NFL Ticket on Direct TV is and how it is a big conspiracy and that the networks are working together to reduce the amount of games on Sunday afternoon so that if people want to watch football that they have to purchase the $250.00 Sunday Ticket...."

Internet... it was really sad. I felt like I was a crack dealer who was watching a customer suffer withdawl. I couldn't tell if Sydney was just cold or if she was suffering from "the shakes."

I feel bad about what I have created... but then I would choose this over a wife who yells at me for watching too much football.

... So stuff that NFL crack pipe full and smoke it baby!

Picking your brain...

2006-09-13T15:12:00.000-05:00

What is your perspective on a woman's role in the Modern day church... and what is that based on? Scripture or changing societal norms?

Interesting discussion last night and I am interested to see what you all think.

Are you here Daddy?

2006-09-12T09:20:00.000-05:00

Many times when I come home from work, Bug Bug walks into the bedroom and asks, "Are you here Daddy?" It would be easy to say no... just to keep her on her toes... but the smile that she gives me after I reassure her that, "Yes, I am here Bug Bug." is worth somewhere between 1 million and 10 million dollars.

Moments like that are worth any sacrifice you have to make when it comes to standard of living... we are broke... but dad's here and that's all that matters.

I am tired of losing...

2006-09-11T09:01:00.000-05:00

This weekend was filled with losses... Jake got sick on Friday, so he lossed out on being able to go to the football game on Saturday at the college I work at... but then, one little boy's loss is two little girl's gain... so Micker Mackers, Bug Bug and I went to the game instead. We ate at McDonald's before hand and then headed over to the game... and then they "gobbled" up some snacks at the game. (We even thought about Jake and bought a big box of Milk Duds for him... so it wasn't a COMPLETE loss for him.) We had fun... except for our team lost by 3 points to some team that wasn't supposed to be any good. Then... Sunday rolled around and the Packers lost. First time they have been held scoreless in a game since 1991. So they lost in a big and bad way. Felt bad for Shenna who was at the game. Didn't even get to celebrate once. It was a good day because we got to watch the Packers, but it was a bad day because they lost.

So anyway... my Alma Matter lost and then the Packers lost... and then our Fantasy Football Team, "The Gangster's of Love" look like they are about to lose. It's not looking promising anyway... we have LaDainian Tomlinson playing tonight... but he needs to have a BIG game cause we are down by 17 and our opponent still has his kicker left to play.

It has been a weekend of losing. I am tired of losing.

So everyone say a quick prayer for the Gangsters of Love tonight... so that we win... and so that we don't have to be dejected once again.

I feel like Job... with sores all over my body.

2006-09-07T11:02:00.000-05:00

Okay... well I guess I don't have sores all over my body, but I do have this huge honken pimple on the end of my nose and it is making me all self concious. I have a big nose already, and really, that doesn't bother me because it fits my big head... but the zit on the end of my nose makes me notice that: PEOPLE ARE NOT LOOKING AT ME IN THE EYES. But rather, they are looking at my big red shiny nose... thinking, "GOOD GOVENOR! LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THAT THING!!!" They are in awe of the grandure of such a huge, inflamed pimple. I notice that their eyes get really big and then they realize that they are staring and then they look away quickly... and then they don't look at me because if they do... they know that, like a curious monkey to a shiny object, they will be drawn back into it's mesmerizing power. And the worst part is, I have had it for about a week... and it was getting better... but then I picked the scab and now it is festering... so it is my own fault. I had this vision this morning that it is going to get infected and then I am going to have "red streaks" going up the bridge of my nose and then the infection will effect my brain... and then I am done for.

Needless to say, it's not a pretty sight. It's a good thing I am married... that way I don't have to worry about "total rejection." Just call me Rudolph. And no... you don't have to allow me to play in any reindeer games... it's okay.

Really. It sucks to be me today.

A smorgasbord of Chicken McNuggets, coveting and guilt.

2006-09-06T08:29:00.000-05:00

Thou salt not covet... thy neighbors Packer's/Bear's Tickets...

I know this is wrong on so many levels but after Shenna said that she is going to the Packer's vs. Bears Game this weekend... I had twinges of jealousy. I would love to go to a Packers game. (Hint, Hint) Someday, I will... but it looks like this will be in the very distant future...

In the meantime, I am trying not to covet...

Anyway, I had to drop a movie off at Redbox at the local McDonalds last night and guess what?? Through September 24th, you can get 6 Chicken McNuggets for a dollar. How cool is that?? Lather those babies up in ranch sauce and SCORE. I ordered a 6 piece chicken nuggets, medium fry and a water for $2.56. Cheap AND Tasty!

So, I go up to the counter and I say, "I will take a 6 piece chicken nuggets for a dollar."

And the girl behind the counter says, "I can give you a 6 piece chicken nuggets... but it will cost you more than a dollar."

My left eyebrow raised and I said, "So what... these signs hanging all over the place saying that you are selling a 6 six piece Chicken McNuggets for a dollar are just for show??"

Her manager walks by and tells her, "They are a dollar."

She responds back, "Oh."

They really need to have people who are working behind the counter that can READ.

I know... that's not nice.

So I guess I need to work on being nice AND not coveting.

I felt twinges of guilt afterwards too... because Sydney had made homemade spaghetti and the chicken McNuggets ruined my appetite. So, she did all that work for nothing.

Oops.

Now back to your regularly scheduled program...

2006-09-05T08:17:00.000-05:00

Well, I decided to start posting more regularly again. It has been hit and miss lately... but I am changing my ways because... as always, I am all about change.

This weekend was pretty good. On Saturday, I lazed around... I think. I am having a mental block on Saturday. Now that I think about it, I actually can't remember what I did on Saturday. Hm. Completely blocked out of my mind. That's spooky... kind of having a moment here. Wonder if this is the first sign of old age? Saturday, Saturday... *shrug* Well, I can't remember what I did on Saturday. WAIT! It just came to me... I did lay in bed all morning and then in the afternoon, Sydney and I went grocery shopping. That's what we did. Okay... whew... feel much better now. MUCH BETTER. Okay... anyway, Sunday started out with me preaching at my church which went really well. I enjoyed getting up there and speaking God's word... it is amazing how God will use you if you allow him too. Very humbling experience to stand before the Lord preaching His word. However, I would do it again in a heartbeat. Sunday afternoon was an international student picnic. So Sydney and the kids joined me as we hung out with people from all over the world. Jake had a blast playing baseball, soccer, frisbee, football. Definately in his element.

And then yesterday was our Fantasy Football Draft. Which was good except for our Curtis Martin Pick in the 10th round. What a waste! I didn't know he was out for the next 6 weeks! Fricken Fracken! Razzle Frazzle... And people told us we could change, but my pride got in the way and I kept him. Other than that... it was okay. Think we will be alright... hopefully. So yesterday was the "Official Start" to the NFL season... which is great. I love football... I must admit that it is one of my most favorite all time things.

Go Pack!

Anyway, that was my weekend...

Because I don't have a lot to say today...

2006-08-31T08:01:00.000-05:00

I liked Katie's post yesterday... so I changed it slightly and am posting a similar post here. This requires people to participate...

Please finish this statement in whatever way pleases you.

If I could. . . . .

My friend Katie...

2006-08-30T09:57:00.000-05:00

Is no help. I ask her for ONE favor and she can't help.

Still like her though... even if she is of no help to me.

The one where I can't think of a title so I am just going to ramble for a bit so that I can make a memorable title for all who read my posts...

2006-08-29T08:10:00.000-05:00

Well, things are getting back to normal... I think. First 2 weeks since the students arrived have been crazy, but I would think that things would begin to settle down. Wish I could tell you something really exciting has happened since I last posted, but pretty much nothing has. Just been enjoying life with the family.

The exciting news is that this weekend I will be preaching at my church. We are in between pastors and so the elders have been given an opportunity to preach if we feel led. So I volunteered to preach. I will be preaching on 1 Corinthians 9: 24-27.

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Paul is amazingly accurate when he compares our walk with the Lord with the idea of running a race. So, from a runners perspective, I am going to take my experiences as a runner and compare them to what Paul is telling the Corinthians. I used to be a runner in High School... and I quit running for about 14 years... but I am back into the swing of things running everyday... so I guess I can classify myself as a runner again. After all, a runner is someone who runs. And I have been running... so I am a runner. Follow the logic? ANYWAY, Should be a good sermon I hope. I don't have to worry though... for it's not me that is doing this, but it's the Lord who will be speaking through me. I think too many times we, as Christian,s feel like we are doing this on our own. What we need to remember is that it is God who is speaking through us. We just need to be willing vessels. So I have been praying that He uses me in a mighty way.

Anyway, I am excited to preach the Gospel. Should be fun.

Happy Birthday...

2006-08-25T08:09:00.000-05:00

Sydney!

She is 30 today...

After doing the math... Sydney has spent a third of her live with me. Isn't she lucky?

Or maybe the question is: Aren't I lucky?

Happy Birthday Sydney! (You are much sexier at 30 then you EVER were at 20... just so you know.) :)

Still Alive.

2006-08-16T16:43:00.000-05:00

Quick post... I am still alive... I didn't die running my 10k. Actually I took 5th place. I ran 6.2 miles in 44.26 which is a pace of 7 minutes and 11 Seconds per mile. Sydney ran her 3.1 miles in 28 minutes which is 2 minutes faster than her quickest pace. So we had fun... Ate some italian food to pack in the carbs... then after that, we ate a little pizza... then we raced at 8:30 on Saturday morning... and then after that did a little shopping. So, we had a great date weekend.

This week has been crazy with new student orientation. Crazy, psycho, busy... Busier than all get out even. So that is why I haven't been blogging. But it is a short break... I will be back before you know it... and then you will be sick of me again.

Cheers!

I woke up this morning...

2006-08-10T14:50:00.000-05:00

Not wanting to go to work at all... I just sat on the edge of the bed for what seemed like forever... just sitting there looking out the window. Ambitionless. I had no desire to do anything. I just sat there wiping the sleep out of my eyes thinking to myself: "I should really get going." I finally willed myself to move. I made it to work on time, just barely. It's a good thing I have a beautiful wife and 4 kids to provide for... otherwise I would have become a failure a long time ago.

Right now, I have no ambition. I keep thinking, what's next? I wish happiness wasn't so fleeting. Each pinnicle of achievement leaves me feeling empty. I am a modern day Solomon of sorts.

I try and hold steadfast to His truths, but they just slip through the fingers of my mind and I find myself unable to grasp a firm hold on that which will keep me grounded. Instead, I find myself not knowing how I will feel from one day to the next... frustrating.

The good thing is: Tomorrow is a new day.

It's a date!

2006-08-09T14:02:00.000-05:00

Sydney and I are going to be running a 5k and a 10k on Saturday. The day has finally arrived. I started working out to get in shape and lose some weight... but I figured since I was running I might as well have some fun and run a race. I asked Sydney if I found a 5k for her to run if she would and as always, she was a trooper and said yes. So we are going out on our first "running" date. Should be fun. Sydney and I will farm out the kids and on friday night, drive up to the cities to enjoy an evening out. Then we will wake up at 6 am on Saturday morning so we can be at the starting line by 8 o'clock. And then... we will see what happens.

No matter what, it is something that Sydney and I are doing together and that will make it special. We have been an encouragement to each other and it has helped us to remain dedicated to this lifestyle change. To date, I have lost 19 pounds and Sydney has lost around 10 pounds.

Both of us are looking fit. It feels good.

Back from Fargo...

2006-08-07T13:48:00.000-05:00

It was a good trip. On the way up, Micker Mackers and Bug Bug fell asleep about a half an hour into the trip and Jake played gameboy the whole time... so, I didn't even have to stop once for the bathroom. How freakin' cool is that? We had a great time... went swimming in the Neighborhood pool Saturday morning and then I went to Ethan and Angie's wedding that afternoon while grandpa and grandma watched the kids. Sunday I woke up and we headed home so we could make it back for a friends wedding reception down here... we went to their wedding in Denver but they were having a reception for all their friends back home who couldn't make it. So that was fun... and then last night was the first night of Vacation Bible School and... once again, Sydney pulled off an absolute miracle decorating... It feels like you are in Bethlehem. There are Oxen and Asses and Camels and Sheep and a huge star of Bethlehem hanging from the ceiling and the market place and it goes on and on... She is amazing for having the ability to turn cardbord into something of worth and her creativity won't quit.

As a result, the kids are having a great time.

So there you go... I went from Fargo to Bethlehem in approximately 6 hours yesterday... Beat that.

Traveling to Fargo, ND...

2006-08-04T11:22:00.000-05:00

...with 3 kids and no mom. Hm. I wonder how this will work? Because, let's face it... moms do this all the time... but Dads? Not so much.

Anyway, I am heading up to my folk's place for the weekend and I am bringing Jake, Micker Mackers and Bug Bug with me. One of our former youth kids is getting married and so I decided that I would go to his wedding. It happens to be in Fargo, where I grew up... so Grampa and Grandma will watch the kids while I am at the wedding. Works out great. Sydney's staying at home with Benji while she is finishing up Vacation Bible School Decorations.

But I am dreading the drive. Sorry guys... But NO kids music. It's just not happening. I know, I am a grinch...

I am okay with that.

A New Look

2006-08-04T01:51:00.000-05:00

Trying to think of something brilliant to say...

2006-08-02T14:51:00.000-05:00

But:

Nothing is coming. Life just "is" right now. Nothing exciting, but nothing bad is happening. Just living life. I run each day... I work... I eat a little... I watch TV Shows... that's life right now.

I am okay with it... but for some reason, life seems kind of anti-climactic.

And when life is like that, then I tend to be a little melancholy...

Tigers vs. Twins

2006-07-31T08:28:00.000-05:00

It was the best of times. It WAS the worst of times.

It was the best of times because Jake and I spent the day at the Metrodome. We had great seats, 10 rows up behind home plate. We had our jerseys on and we were eating dome dogs and brats, eating chips and popcorn and cracker jacks... as well as guzzling pop. We were watching the Detroit Tiger's beating up on the Minnesota Twins... like this throw from center field to tag Castillo out at home plate:

After the 7th inning stretch, the Tigers were leading 3-0 and I remember thinking, "Two more innings and it's over." Life was good at that moment. ...that is until the bottom of the eighth. At this point, it became the worst of times. The Twins rallied and next thing you know it was 6 to 3 and the stadium was going wild including, Jake, Uncle Eric and my nephew Blake. All I could do was laugh and shake my head. I will say, that if there was a game that I am glad the Twins won, it would be this one. Jake has been deciding whether he was going to be a Twins fan or a Detroit Tigers fan... and this week, he decided (after much wavering back and forth) on the Twins. So we bought him a jersey. For his sake, and my pocket book, I am glad that the Twins won because this will solidify his loyalty to the Twins and I won't have to purchase another jersey. But anytime your team loses... it is a tough pill to swallow. So my day was bitter sweet.... Spending time with Jake enjoying the afternoon... making memories... but my team lost.

Oh well... Detroit won the Series 2-1 and is still currently the best team in baseball... so all hope is not lost.

Good Times.

"The Tournament of Champions."

2006-07-28T07:56:00.000-05:00

I have finally recovered from Sunday's "Tournament of Champions." "The Tournament of Champions" you ask? Yep, "The Tournament of Champions." For the last 3 years, my friend Matt, who is the Head Football coach of one of the local high school teams, has but together "The Tournament of Champions" which consists good friends competing in several sports and games. Normally, there are two teams of 5 or 6 (depending on the year) and we compete in different sports to see who will be the champions for the year.

Last year, our team won 2 sports (Basketball and Dodgeball) and their team won 2 sports (Floor Hockey and Volleyball). This year was a different story though... We won the relay (400 x 100 x 100 x 200 x 400)... I started with a world record setting pace and was able to put nearly 50 to 75 yards between my opponent and myself. There was no chance of them catching up. We won both games of football (40 -12 and then 26 - 12). We won the Tug-o-war. We won the one pitch whiffle ball game 13 -7 and then we won the Volleyball match 2 games to 1. While it was good Christian competition, egos were crushed on the other side.

On one hand I felt bad for the losing team... But on the other hand I thought, "Oh well, someone's got to lose... Better luck next year. Ha!" I told Sydney that evening, "Tonight, you are sleeping with a Champion. Bring on the celebratory pizza!" She just laughed.

*Side story* Before the competition started, Sydney whispered, "If you win, there will be some celebratory pizza for you" (said with a twinkle in her eye.) I said, "And if I lose, will there be consolation pizza?" She said, "Nope. You have to win." My response was, "Oh. I better win then." So needless to say, I had a little motivation behind my record breaking pace in the 400. ;)

The next few days I was sore from all of the "juking and jiving" in football. I have finally recovered and can now truly enjoy our victory. Never in the history of "The Tournament of Champions" has one team swept every single event. It may be a long time before this feat is once again duplicated.

It was a great day, a great victory and great pizza.

Congratulations are in order...

2006-07-27T08:01:00.000-05:00

As of yesterday, it has been 9 years since Sydney became mine, choosing to forsake all others.

It's been the best 9 years of my life. I love her approximately 9 times more than I loved her back then. It is such a great feeling when you look back and you know, without question, that you made the right choice.

Sydney is the best and I am a blessed man.

(On a side note, I had a nightmare that Sydney told me she was pregnant AGAIN! ... it was one of those dreams where you wake up in a panic and then realize it was just a dream. Talk about relief! Whew. I love kids and I love our family... but 4 kids are plenty.)

"Eatin' Pizza"

2006-07-19T08:39:00.000-05:00

So my posts have been lacking a certain amount of wit or humor to them lately... Yesterday, I began to think about this and how my humor quotient goes in cycles... I am funny for about 2 weeks straight and then I go into a drought and then it picks up again... Anyway, as I was driving home last night, I began to think about the Seinfeld episode where George decides to abstain from Sex (yes capital "S" ... guys always think of Sex with a capital letter) and he discovers that the longer he abstains, the smarter he gets... and he becomes some research scientist involved with all these experiments ...and then at the end, he gives into his Sex drive just as he has to give this big speech... and he is a complete idiot.

*Side Story* Sydney and I celebrated her "Golden Birthday" when she was 25 and we had our friends Mark and Erin take Jake and Micker Mackers for the night... So we stayed in an AmericInn in the jacuzzi suite... well that evening they called because they had a question about one of the kids and Mark asked, "What cha' doing?" My response was, "Eatin' Pizza." To which his response was, "Ooh, So that's what you call it..." Ever since then, Sydney and I have referred to Sex as "Eatin' Pizza."

Back to my thoughts as I was driving home:

So I was thinking last night that I am kind of like George Castanza and that there might be a correlation between the amount of "pizza we eat" and how funny I am. That somehow, my humor quotient increases exponetially as the amount of pizza consumed decreases. For example, we didn't eat any pizza last night... have you noticed that I am funnier today? Most of you know that both Sydney and I have been working out... and as we have dropped in weight, we have had a craving for more pizza. As the pizza intake has increased, my humor quotient has decreased.... a lot. (What can I say? We have consumed A LOT of pizza lately... and we aren't just talking those $1.00 Totino's Pizza's they sell at Walmart, but the Pizza Supreme with the Stuffed Crust pizza from Pizza Hut...)

So, there you have it... my posts havent been very funny because we have been "eatin' a lot of pizza" lately.

Can I just add that the pizza has been extremely delicious? ... or is that too much information?

Still here...

2006-07-18T11:12:00.000-05:00

Sorry about the lack of posts... it has been a combination of several things... one being that work is really busy and the other is the fact that I can't think of what to post. I have a short week this week... Our church is sponsoring a Neil Anderson conference on Wednesday Night, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I guess Neil is supposed to be very well reknowned in some Christian circles, although I must admit that I have never heard of him. But then, I live under a rock... so that doesn't surprise me. I am running the sound board on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I have a special prayer request for my friends from Nepal. They will be attending the Friday night session so please pray that they would be able to hear the God's Truth. I am excited that they are coming... I have been praying for them since I visited them in Nepal.

Then on Monday, I am taking our Youth Group to Valley Fair... which is an amusement park like 6 Flags. On Monday, this will be me... riding the "Wild Thing." And I will be riding the Power Tower and eating funnel cakes and Dip 'n Dots and Mini Doughnuts and riding the Rip Tide and whatever other new rides they have and going to the Pepsi Imax Theater... even though I don't like Pepsi. So it shall be exciting. Good times ahead! Anyway... that's what's goin' down right now.

Quick Pic

2006-07-14T09:24:00.000-05:00

I was going to post a few more pictures but I forgot the disk is at home... in the mean time, here is a quick pic of Sydney and I. She is my best friend and I love her a lot. Can you see it in my eyes?

So I suppose I should post....

2006-07-13T08:25:00.000-05:00

It's been crazy at work... but I figured I made y'all wait long enough... Vacation was great. I have come to the realization that I could spend the rest of my life on vacation and be perfectly fine with it. Kids had a great time... to many stories to list. So rather than telling you them all, I will post pictures. Pictures say a 1000 words, so why should I. I will add a little commentary as needed:

Jake and Dad in our "fear no fish" hats... Jake learned to take his fish off the hook... so he "fears no fish" ... or at least he "fears no sunfish" anyway.

Here is Micker Mackers. I am biased, but she is SUCH a cutie.

Bug and Mick amidst the bubbles.

Dad and the great Benjino!

Jake Kneeboarding for the first time. What a stud.

Micker Macker's first time tubing. Good times!

Jake's got my back.

Anyway, had a few more pictures but blogger is retarted. So, I will load them later... including one of my "Sexy wife" Sydney and myself together... needless to say, "I am in Love." ...so stay tuned.

Back.

2006-07-11T08:18:00.000-05:00

MiM is back open for business... you may now commence at getting your daily fix of Ben, Sydney and the crew. I realize that not having MiM available for about 11 days is like going into detox after being hooked on crack cocaine... but you made it. (Okay, maybe it's like going without coffee for 11 days... we aren't quite as addicting as crack cocaine.) Anyway, we are back... and I have numerous stories to tell... but I have to get caught up with work before I can spend frivolous hours typing away on my blog. But the point is... you no longer have to miss us... 'cause "we're baaaack." Scarey, I know.

Talk amongst yourselves.

A week of R & R.

2006-06-30T08:11:00.000-05:00

For the second year in a row... my folks have rented a cabin in Alexandria Minnesota and so our families are getting together for the week... fireworks will be shot off, and burgers will be cooked, chips will be eaten, fish will be caught, skis will be used, water fights will be had, four wheelers will be ridden, aloe will be applied, movies will be watched, snacks will be eaten, snoring will be heard... in short, fun will be had.

It will be a cornucopia of activity.

Speaking of cornucopias... we will be giving thanks for this country and all the abundance which God has provided us. Also, we will lift up a prayer for all the soldiers and veterans who have stood in the way of danger and who have given their lives to protect our freedoms.

Have a great 4th of July All! I am out of here until the 10th... no posts, no nothing... I am checking out for the week! MiM is officially...

Enjoy the 4th!

The cold hard truth about...

2006-06-27T11:47:00.000-05:00

...the innocent little girl we know as Bug Bug. This morning Bug wakes up and crawls onto the couch and says, "Share Blanket Jake?" Jake, being the nice big brother that he is says, "Sure Bug... " She proceeds to snuggle with him and says, "I wuv you Jake."

...Jake jumps off the couch to put a DVD in and when he comes back she says,

"Get your own blanket Jake."

How funny is THAT? Suckered her brother out of his own blanket.

The Lake Elmo Lion's Huff-n-Puff.

2006-06-26T08:44:00.000-05:00

I decided that I am going to run a 10K in August. August 12th, in Lake Elmo Minnesota. I have been running everyday for a little over month averaging 3 miles a day and now I am up to 5 miles a day. I have lost about 10 lbs and I am slowly slimming up. Sydney has been running and so she is also getting into shape as well. We decided to change our lifestyle and become healthier. I has been encouraging to see both of us become more fit and I have found that I have been happier lately. I have also started to lift weights which I haven't done in about 11 years and that feels good as well.

So, after feeling great after my 5 mile run yesterday, I told Sydney that I am going to run a 10K (6.5 miles) and I asked her if I found a race that also offers a 5 K (3.25 miles) would she be willing to run the 5K? And she said, "Yeah, I think I can run a 5 K..." So it is set. I downloaded the forms this morning and we are going to run a race together. I am excited and we have been a great team, and a great encouragement to each other.

So, for the first time in AGES... I am excited to be running again and I am excited to run a race. I think I might decide to do a race every couple of months. Might even work up to a half Marathon.

We'll see what happens I guess.

My life has come to a new all time low...

2006-06-22T08:19:00.000-05:00

I have an MBA and my 7 year old son STILL beat me in NFL Monopoly... *ahem* the first time he ever played the game... *ahem* by over $4,000.00. Internet, it was a sad sight... by the end of the game, Jake was rooting for me to land on free parking... all I wanted was to end the game so the bleeding would stop. Jake was like, "I know, I only owe you $12.00 for landing on the Baltimore Ravens, but I want to give you $50.00 dad." My response was, "Jake you don't owe me $12.00... the team is mortgaged." To which Jake responded, "Oh. That's too bad dad." So, he was trying to stop the hemorrhaging for me; although, he has this irritating habit of kissing the dice... so he wasn't completely philanthropic.

The sad part is that I had him right where I wanted him... I had the Denver Broncos and the Green Bay Packers (Boardwalk and Park Place) and he didn't have a monopoly and couldn't get one... In order to own three-fourths of the board, I had my properties mortgaged to the hilt so that I could continue to buy more... where he was just storing up his cash. My biggest mistake was that I should have waited to trade the Washington Redskins for the New England Patriots until AFTER I had my properties unmortgaged AND I had enough money stored up to place bleachers and stadiums on my monopoly...

Trust me... I have been thinking about this all night; replaying each move in my mind and how I could have played things differently. Although... Jake skated through The Denver Broncos and the Green Bay Packers EVERY.SINGLE.TIME. It was so sad... I couldn't get a break.

I wonder if this is what it feels like to lose the Super Bowl...

The Many Faces of Jes...

2006-06-21T08:27:00.000-05:00

Today's post is dedicated to the many faces of Jes from JustSayJes!

Jes! (I'm just saying.)

Anyway, I met my friend Jes through our blogs and I have always been intrigued by her mind... her thoughts... the way that she writes and lets us peak into that mind of hers. She makes me laugh. And anyone who makes you laugh is fun to be around. She is an introspective, humorous person and I have enjoyed getting to know her. The following are several of the many faces of Jes that I have gotten the pleasure to know.

This is the "I am SO very glad I married Roger because he kisses me on the forehead and makes me feel special" face. It suits her, don't you think?

This is the "dancing with some foreign guy I don't know but what the heck" face. (Although, note you can not see her face in this picture.)

This is the "I am so mysterious that I should be on the cover of National Geographic... that and I don't want you to see who I am completely" face.

This is the "Caricature I am feeling very spunky and humorous today " face.

This is the "introspective, contemptating life" face... that or it is her "looking at a jelly fish deciding whether or not to step on it" face.

This is the "Everyday, ordinary, 'Hey everybody, I'm Jes!'" face. I love this face... Pleasant smile, confident, and loving life. The face of a friend who would welcome you whenever you see her.

This is the "cultural dancer, look at me, I am a movie star" face. There is something exotic about Jes when she covers herself in flowers and wears that head dress.

...Okay, maybe that last one wasn't Jes... but the point is, she has many faces... and I like all of them... they fit her well and they make up the person whom her friends have come to know and love. There are other faces to Jes, I am sure... Sad and depressed are a couple. I am sure there is one that is not so confident... everyone has those faces. But I must say that it has been fun to get to know all of them...

AND I am blessed to be able to call her my friend. How is it that I can call her this?? Well, because this WONDERFUL person that we all know as "Jes" (JES! ... I'm just sayin'...) sent Sydney and I a care package of Wasabi peas and Dublin Dr. Pepper. How cool is that? Friends come beside you and say, "WHAT?? You have never had Wasabi Peas before? Well I care enough about you to make sure that your mouth is flaming hot and you have to drink a lot of water to put the fire out in your mouth... That's how much I care." Thanks Jes! Although I don't like Dr. Pepper, I did take a small swig of Sydney's and I MUST say that Dublin Dr. Pepper tastes a little better than regular Dr. Pepper! You are the BEST! And Sydney and I Love you because you send us stuff. ;)

Oh... yeah... and your cool personality helps a little too. :)