Good Friday

Last night was the first Good Friday service I've ever been to. Not sure why . . . I have to say, one of the most moving times I've experienced. It wasn't so much about the service itself, as good as it was. I think it was setting aside the time to really focus on and reflect upon the significance of the cross, the sacrifice, the passion. All of this . . . for me.

God knew from the beginning of time, that the day would come, when an an old Texas boy would fall on his face broken and empty, in need of rescue. What a beautiful terrible cross . . .

If only . . .

If only I could stop by the Starbucks on my way to work, or coming home, and see my boy. . . If only I could swing by and pick up John David and Julia and drop them at school in the mornings. . . If only I could go over and work out with Jeremy at the clubhouse. . . If only I could run over and blow snow from a sidewalk and driveway on Hoover. . . If only Jeremy could swing by and watch the football with me. . . If only I could take the babies to Chuck E Cheese while John Clay and La went to the movies and dinner. . . If only I could see my boy playing in the band . . . If only I could make lunch or dinner for everyone, at least once a week. If only . . .

Yesterday, I saw the flurry of people, mostly men, shuffling through the Valentine card displays. Each of them looking almost desperate to find that one card that could most clearly communicate their affections to their wife, girlfriend or whomever . . . Been there. Done that.

I haven't seen the card that will convey to my girl what I want to say . . . it's a simple yet profound statement. Three words that seem to translate "I Love You" into something deeper, something higher, something more valuable, more precious, more passionate . . . So rather than saying "I Love You" today, I choose to say . . . "I See You". And I really, really do . . .

The Dance

I haven't posted here since Thanksgiving Day 2007. I think I'll get back into a groove, starting today. It's Saturday morning and we're having our weekly business meeting. You know, looking at the bills, discussing the budget, planning, expanding or contracting where needed.

We are on a mission. One that we've been on before. One that we've actually accomplished before. Mission = Debt Free. I hate it that we haven't always been disciplined with our finances. We don't have mountains of debt, but enough to keep us from the freedom and flexibility we want.

The plan in is place, the wheels are turning and today, Saturday February 13, 2010, one of the chains fell off and we actually danced together in celebration! We have several more dances to go but the music is playing and we're tapping our toes looking forward to the next dance.

Thanksgiving Day

It's been over 2 months since I posted here so I figured today was perfect. When you move in and out of reflecting upon your current life and all of the things that brought you to this moment, you realize that you have categorically aligned your memories. Fun, sad, difficult, amazing, transforming, etc. Whatever the memory or life experience is, it has a category tag. We all have them. Some we talk about freely, others we would rather just move on. That's life. So today as I'm reflecting and shuffling through random memories I'm sure at some point I'll think of you. And when I do, I will be thankful. Thankful that you are in my life. Thankful that I have been influenced in some way by your love and friendship. Thankful that we have shared some experience together and you have a unique place in my life. One that no one else can claim.

i know, i know . . .

i'm so ridiculously bad at keeping this blog up-to-date. i could make the excuse that i'm just way too busy. or i could say life just moves too fast and i can't keep up. but any excuse i come up with would easily be shot down by Lori and her multi-tasking, super-mom self! so i won't even try to rationalize my inconsistency. but i do know one thing for sure, we had a wonderful time this summer when Lori, John David, Julia, Boo and Max came to be with us in Colorado! Rather than post a bunch of pictures, just go here:Summer 08

5 more days!!!

only 5 more days till the fun starts! woo hoo! we're gonna have pancakes and tacos and cheezy spaghetti and coconut pie and home-made donuts and cheese burgers and popsicles and candy and apples and smoothies and steaks and shrimp and crab legs and ice cream and snow cones and popcorn and chocolate pie and peach cobbler and home-made chicken fried steak and mac & cheese and mcdonalds and rumbi's and cinzettis and then a nap . . .