Recent Happenings

Alright, another call to repentance, and here I am posting again... Life is grand! Life has been somewhat crazy the past 6 months. I've been working a lot on my Darth Vader costume for this Halloween. Yes, that's right, it's June, and I've been working on a costume for about 3 months already. I'm not sure if I'll have it all done in time for Halloween though, that's how involved I am on this one. Yes I am a nerd, yes it's expensive, and yes it will be super awesome! Here are a couple pics of the progress... The helmet then and now.

I'm still serving as first counselor in the Bishopric, and I love every minute of it. I'm so blessed to be able to work alongside such great men every week. I love them and am glad to call them friends. Liselle has been serving in Activity Days, and is really great at it, she's the best. Aside from my nerdy hobby, church calling, and family life, I've been looking for a change in employement. I've had that feeling that the 'winds of change' were blowing in my life, especially in the realm of employment. After seeing a friends post on Facebook, I inquired. Three interview dates later I was offered a position as a payroll manager and accepted. I'm so grateful for seeing that post, and am very excited (and a little nervous) to start down another path that will bless our family greatly. It's amazing how things just happen when the time is right.

I am grateful for this new opportunity, and will really miss some of my co-workers. With change comes new life. I'm looking forward to working with people who want me around. I've felt that isn't the case with many that I currently work with. I may be mistaken on that, but that has been my perception. At any rate, I am looking forward to the new challenge and to expanding and stretching myself with my new responsibilities. I'm so grateful for Liselle. She's been so supportive of me as I've been going through this process and hasn't shown any signs of stress. She truly is amazing, and I am so very lucky that she chose me. I'm sure she wonders why in the world she did such a thing, but I'm sure glad she did! I love her with all my heart, and look forward to increasing that love every day. If you don't know her well, do it. You will be enriched beyond measure, and will find a loyal, kind, caring friend forever.

Okay, enough with that mushy stuff. Keep your eyes peeled for more nerdy posts as i get closer to completing my costume.

Early Mornings

So today I started working out again. It's been about three months since the last time. Sure, I've played football and what not since then, but haven't dedicated any time to specifically work out.

Let me premise this by saying that I hate waking up early in the morning. The only time I do it with little trouble is when I have an early morning Church meeting. For some crazy reason, all other occasions are tough for me to get up and ready. This morning began at 5:30. I felt like crying when the alarm went off. Forget the fact that I was out late practicing with Anthony for our first Christmas show, and that Ewan decided to crawl into bed with us somewhere around 3 or 4. I know the old saying "early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise". Well, now you all know why I am miles away from being healthy, wealthy, or wise.

So I rolled myself out of bed, got into my workout clothes and warm sweats, and waited by the window for my ride. I'm not going to lie, I was hoping John would not show up so I could go back to bed. He showed up. I stepped out into the cold air and woke up a bit. We decided that it would be cool to work out together as a Bishopric. Adam works at USANA and was able to get us access to the facility there. So away the three of us went. We got to the gym, and Adam went about his workout while John and I started the Sparticus routine. It's a circuit style workout that includes lunges free weights etc. I really enjoyed lifting, and had amlost forgotten how great it feels.

After working out, I got home just as the kids were waking up. After Chloe finished her cereal, I decided to try something we have never done as a family in the mornings (I'm a terrible example)... Family prayer and scripture study. Now with young kids (6, 3, and 7 months) it's kind of hard to actually study the scriptures. So we read 1 Nephi 1:1. I didn't just read it, but we actually broke the verse down and I explained what it meant. The kids were great, and it was short enough to keep them interested. As I sat and thought about it, I realized that doing this little "study" with the kids will be very beneficial to me. I have had the feelings to get to know the scriptures better, and I know that by reading one verse, and explaining it so a 6 year old can understand it, will help me to better understand them. I just need to kick myself in the butt and get rolling on my personal study as well.

At any rate, it was a great way to start the day, and I hope it continues. I'm curious to know how all my friends handle family prayer and scripture study. If you feel so inclined, share your ideas and techniques.

Chloe's first day back at school. She is in first grade now and is gone most of the day. She is growing up too fast.

Frozen Custard and Front Yards

Last night we went for a family walk over to the new frozen custard place by our house. After we got our treats, we walked back home and ate them on our front lawn. Chloe scarfed hers down like it was going out of style, Ewan gave himself a chocolate goatee, and Liselle and I sat and laughed at the kids as they ran around looking for 'clues'. As I sat there enjoying the evening, I couldn't help but think about how short this time with them will be. I just had the thought come to my mind that I really need to relish these times, and make sure to take it all in while I have the chance. Can't they stay little forever? I know they will grow up to do amazing things in this life, and I'm glad I'll get to see those things happen as well. There was just something about their innocence and happiness with small things that made me feel bad for stressing or worrying about dumb things.

I hope to get more of that perspective with things I deal with daily. I want to find the awe in just looking up at an airplane flying overhead. I want to be excited to see the moon at night. I want to run in the grass barefoot for hours. I want to drive my hot wheels through an imaginary city on the living room floor. All these things, seemingly little things, bring such joy and fulfillment to my kids. I love them too, but need to be much better at taking the time to get involved with it more. Just thought I'd let you know so that my neighbors wont thing I'm crazy for getting out my toys and playing with them more often. :D

A wee note...

I find it so amazing that the week or so following my entry about dreams, Liselle and I both had some very powerful dreams. I wont go into specifics here, someday I may share them, but suffice it to say that we both had dreams that left us with strong spiritual impressions. I love waking up in the morning with that feeling.

So many things have been on my mind recently, many spiritual things, many temporal things, and all that fun stuff. Can I just say that I am so lucky that Liselle has had the same types of things on her mind as well? This week marked our eight year anniversary, and as we sat at dinner Saturday night, we discussed many things that might seem weird or uncomfortable to many. But as we sat in that crowded restaurant eating our food and chatting, I felt the peace and comfort of the Spirit there with us. Many of you know Liselle. Some might not know her that well. She is one of the most amazing women on the planet. She is shy, but not timid. She really is incredible, and for those who don't know it, you should spend time with her. You will be enriched as she opens up to you.

I'm not really sure where I am going with all this, but I just felt the need to write it here. I love Liselle so much, and I know she will always be with me because of the blessings of the temple. Whether I go first, or she does, we will be together forever. I'm so glad that I took first aid. I knew I'd be learning life saving technique's, I just never knew I'd have my life saved by a fellow student. I love you Liselle.

I know he's in his underwear, but I thought it was cute. He was doing this for a long time. He could've done it for even longer if he wanted.