Successful Trip

Bryce, Rece and I took a trip last weekend to Cincinnati for Rece's Birthday celebration. What a trip! It was about a four hour drive, so I'm glad the boys now each have their own Nintendo DSi. When we got to the hotel (actually in Covington, KY) we checked in quickly and started the 1.5 mile walk across the Ohio River and to Great American Ballpark. Our seats were in left field, right next to the foul (fair) pole. In the second row. Manny Ramirez was playing left field right in front of us. So at one point between innings we got up to grab a bite to eat and just as we did and I turned my back, Manny threw his warm-up ball into the crowd. I noticed a ball land at my feet and in my stupor, I just stared at it. Someone else picked it up before I could figure out what happened. Then as we were walking in the concourse, a Reds player wrapped a homer around our foul pole. Thankfully, upon watching the replay, some folks on the other side of the camera pit (right at the foul pole got the lucky bounce, so I don't think I would have been able to get that one. Anyway, we loved the game, even though the Reds lost. It was entertaining. We ended up taking a taxi back to the hotel, and getting more to eat, then we went swimming in the hotel pool. The boys were more than happy to just relax in the hot tub, but we got a little bit of "dad throwing the boys" in the big pool too. It was time to go to bed, so we all snuggled up together in the king-sized bed in our room. I set the alarm kind of early, knowing that we wanted to do some more swimming before we checked out and wanted to make sure we hit Skyline Chili before we left. So overall we had a really good time, I really cherished the time with my boys, I hope we can have more adventures like this one.

Recinnati

This year we gave Rece the option of a birthday party with friends or taking a trip to a Major League Baseball game with Bryce and Dadda. He chose the baseball game. This, of course, makes me very excited, not only because I love baseball, but it's fun to just hang out with my boys and have another grand adventure. I purchased tickets online a few weeks ago. Earlier this week, I tirelessly researched hotels in Cincinnati to go see the Reds play. Growing up my favorite baseball player was Pete Rose, yes, I know his character is questionable at best. But going to Cincinnati is kind of like going to Memphis, if you are an Elvis fan. Even though Pete is officially banned from baseball (perhaps I'll debate the merit of that in another blog post), there's still tons of reverence for the all-time hit king of baseball. (4,256). They've even named a street after him. Great American Ballpark is also a really nice place to watch a game. I've been there once before with some friends. It's really a beautiful park.

Rece also had a few other requests while going to Cincinnati. The city is famous for it's chili. They have a famous chili restaurant chain called Skyline Chili. The ballpark also has Skyline Chili Dog stands. Rece is a big fan of chili, so that's definitely on his list.

Since we are staying at a hotel, Rece also wanted to make sure we are going to be able to swim at the pool. I found a hotel that has an indoor pool, but has a retractable roof. That will, hopefully, guarantee us of swimming success.

I am excited to be able to spend a good portion of two days with my boys. Hopefully it will be a weekend we all remember for many years.

Dad from a distance

It's been hard, these past few weeks to be without my kids. I am trying to talk to them on the phone as much as possible and be dad for them, but it's just hard to not be physically with them. Bryce called me the other day. He sounded very down, said he was homesick. He wanted so much to be with his toys and bed and house, but most of all with his dad. He said that he got a new football with rocket fins on it and he couldn't wait to play catch with me. If there was any possible way I could find to play catch over the phone, I would do it in a second. Can't wait until they get home.

Fugaciuos Film Foray

So over the past week and a half or so, With Liesl and the kids out of town I have gotten a chance to catch up on a lot of movies that Liesl would not really be interested in. And a few that have been on my list for a while and just not gotten the chance to view. While you may think it's rather sad that I've just been sitting around watching movies in my boxers, well, maybe it is... So here's what I've seen:

Harry Potter 1-6

Breakfast At Tiffany's

Lost In Translation

Signs

Dazed and Confused

A River Runs Through It

Fight Club

Out of all those, besides "A River Runs Through It", which I have seen many times before, "Lost In Translation" was probably my favorite. I was really disappointed in "Fight Club" after many people told me how good it was. It just kinda left me feeling sick. It was just really messed up. I thought "Dazed and Confused" was very much like "American Graffiti", only set in the 70's instead of the 50's. "Signs" was really pretty good with a really good theme of losing faith and being redeemed in that loss. I thought "Breakfast at Tiffany's" was a little slow, but the end was really good. Just had to be patient with the story a little.

I've got a few more days before my family returns, I'm not sure if I will rent any more movies, But I've been wanting to watch (for like the 10th time) "The Last Samurai" again. I love that story.

2 weeks

Liesl took the kids and left me for two weeks. I assure you, nothing is going on with our marriage. In fact, I think we are stronger than ever. She made her yearly trek to Iowa to hang out with her college friends. In fact, I think she's meeting with everyone she went to college with. Well, the school only had 200 people, so that wouldn't be too hard. Anyway, I am alone for two weeks. So I am trying to figure out what to occupy myself with other than going to work for 9 hours a day. I am borrowing the first five Harry Potter movies, so I embarked on the HP marathon last night, by watching the first two. I'd seen 1 and part of 2, but I thought I'd watch them all in succession. I of course have some things to do around the house... I will most likely be renting some more movies also. Wow, what a boring life I lead. Suggestions are welcome. maybe I'll pick up the crime fighting life of the Lone Ranger.

To Boldly Go Where Many Men Have Gone Before

I spent last weekend hanging out with a couple of friends and had some time to chat about life. One of the things that came up as we talked about life and the brokenness of the world, was Martin Luther's quote of "Be a sinner and sin boldly...". Of course there is a more important part right after that quote of "but believe and rejoice in Christ even more boldly". But that first part is what really got me thinking. What is Luther talking about? Should I really sin intentionally? should I bask in the knowledge that God has already saved me? Should I be careless?

I believe that what Luther is talking about is when I sin, I shouldn't try to hide it or be fake about it. There's no sense in trying to hide the truth about my life. Yes, I will feel guilt and shame about it. I will try to not do it again. Hiding it would only help me to prolong it, do it again, and not allow people who care about me to speak into my life or be with me in it and help me through it. I also believe if I am real about my fallen-ness It allows me to seek healing more expeditiously. The quicker i hit the bottom, the faster I realize how much I need Jesus, and will surrender to him. God is big enough for my sin. no matter how ugly it is. This whole process gives me freedom. Not freedom to sin more, but freedom not to sin. It's not about rules, it's about letting God transform my life.

wonder what, wonder if

As some of you may know, the past several weeks have been kind of crazy to say the least for Liesl and I. While enjoying a pleasant dinner with the kids and Liesl one night, a few weeks back, Liesl simply says, "By the way, I'm late." She wasn't late for a meeting or anything. Her time of the month was late. She took a home pregnancy test the following day. While I'm sitting in a meeting at church that evening, she calls me hysterical. I knew right away. She was pregnant. We were both so scared. Really, really scared. Over the next few days in chatting through this whole pregnancy thing with God, I started to feel some peace about it. If God really wants me to have another child, He will prepare me. He has already made me into a better man and a better dad through my marriage and with my kids. I can do this again. He has made me capable. It was also something that I grew to experience more joy through. This is a precious life! I was surprised after the birth of each of my children so far, that God increased the amount of love I had to share with them. He would certainly do it again. Yet, I was still scared. A few short weeks later, the baby miscarried... How could we go from one to the other so quickly? My fear turned to sadness. Great, intense sadness. Which is where I am today. So here I sit, wonder what he/she would have been like, wondering if there was anything I did, or didn't do. Even through my life goes on, it feels different. Just a little lonelier, like I am missing someone who would be here. Like I was meant to give someone part of me, that I am no longer needing to give, but I still want to.