Things I never thought I'd hear my wife say

Here is a short collection of things I never thought I'd hear my wife say,,, all of which were to or about our son Austin:

"You can't pee there"

"If you want to go outside you must put pants on"

"Don't wipe poo on the wall!"

"Why are you naked again??"

"We're going to a party!" (we went to a wedding, when we got there, Austin looks at mommy and says, "I see no party.")

Joshua 24:15

So I’m watching this movie on Netflix called, “Ironclad” and it is reminding me of one of my favorite scriptures.  “Chose ye this day whom you shall serve, as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.”.

Life is filled with so many choices.  Some days you can be “grey” and not pick a side.  On other things, you must choose a side.

I am reminded from my lifelong friend Damian Skinner who preached from this scripture several times, and I am always reminded of what he said, “How long can you ride the fence?”  There are always options in your life, but sooner or later you have to pick a side.  What side are you worth betting your life, your family, your eternity on?

The Office Season 8 Episode 1

Just finished watching the season opener of the Office Season 8 Episode 1... thought it was a great episode on positive management... but at the end made me think of this... my own list:

Jessica           |
Austin           |  Everyone
Jackson         |     Else

Jim is a genious on that show :)

9/11

So it was one of the worst & best days in American history.  Worst because of all the death, destruction, tears, & lost loved ones.  Best because of all the heroes, the patriotism, connection, & realizing what is most important in life:  Love.

My great grandpa Davis had this book about the Chicago fires.  One of the most eerie lines in it was, “lest we forget”.  Same line used in the attacks on 9/11.  On any traumatic event, people will want people to never forget and will never forget where they were. 

I was getting ready to leave my apartment that morning, as I listened to Katy Couric on the Today show talk about the 1^st tower being hit.  When I was about to turn off the tv, is when I watched the second plane crash into tower 2.  I sat on the edge of my bed watching in horror trying to understand why this would happen.  I missed a boy talk and called the school later to apologize, but in my conversation they told me that the recruitment night was canceled . . . I understood.

I remember calling my dad who was in Washington DC and was stuck there because all the flights had been canceled and there were no cars to rent.  I remember telling him to get a uhaul.

Driving to the office a day later, I was amazed to not see a single plane in the sky.  It was a horrible experience and wondered how could we ever move on from such a horrible event?

5 years ago, Jessica and I bought our first home.  This is the first home for Austin & Jackson.  In a world of destruction and sadness that some things can be there worst.  But when I look forward on 9/11 I see hope, I see love, I see my family.

Dr. Austin

So as I look at this picture of my son Austin,,, all I can think about is the opportunities that await him.  His life is full before him.  I hope I give him the best of what is before him.  I hope that I give him the foundation of values that means the most to him.  I hope that I live a life that gives him a foundation to live from.  I hope.  This is my future, this is my now, this is who I hope for. 

Sunday Morning Jog

So I decided to take a jog through San Gabriel Park this morning. I've been doing most of my running on a treadmill and wearing headphones. I made the decision this morning to not listen to music. Just listened to the sound of my shoes crunching against the gravel and watched the nature around me.

Truly relaxing and gave me a sense of peace. The trail in San Gabriel park is 1.5 miles and if you run it twice you have a nice 3 mile run!

Movies I'm excited about this summer

Yes, I'm about to be deeply profound on the movies I'm excited about for this summer.  Here's my order:
1)  Captain America
2)  Green Lantern
3)  x-men first class
4)  Cars 2 (this one because I'll be watching it with Austin!!)
5)  Transformers
6)  Harry Potter
7)  Cowboys & Aliens
8)  Super 8
9)  Priest
10)  Rise of the Planet of the apes
11)  Thor (albeit after seeing it. . . I think it was highly mediocre)

Your thoughts?

5k-10k-5k

So the races I’ve experienced have been in this order:  Turkey Trot (5k), Capitol (10k), & red poppy festival (5k).  Attendance at the 3 races?  25k, 23k, 200.  My times?  50ish minutes, hour & 20 minutes, & 38 minutes.

So my first 2 races felt amazing, to feel yourself running past thousands of people is just an amazing feeling.  To know someone started the race 30 minutes before you and you finish ahead of them is just an addicting feeling to me.  What is aggravating:  to know that there were still some who started those large races that still managed to pass the finish line before me that I could have “beat” but because they had a 40 minute head start they crossed the finish line.  Then again, waiting, walking slowly to cross the start line for 40 minutes is rather exhilarating.  Feeling the excitement of the race.  Recognizing that there were those who started 20 minutes after me that probably could have beat my time too. . .

When I ran the Red Poppy Festival (by the way, on Foursquare,,, I am the Mayor of the Red Poppy Festival!) It only took me 40 seconds to pass the start line.  There was an amazing sense of knowing who I was racing against.  I understood my group, I knew what level I was really at.  I actually enjoyed the smaller race, because I knew when I finished the race, I wouldn’t be next to a wagon and a stroller as my father in law so affectionately pointed out from my Turkey Trot experience!

My coworker and friend Doug Cooper has been a great resource as I begin to expand and desire running more.  He’s run multiple marathons and has inspired me to use running as a way to “get to the next level”.  Setting a goal, feeling the achievement of it is very rewarding to me.   Beyond the feeling of accomplishment, I’m thoroughly enjoying the race excitement.  Every race, people there cheering on.  What an exciting thing to do!  If I can ever achieve marathon status, I will start volunteering at these 5ks etc cheering on the runners.  What a great way to encourage health.  I think I’m getting hooked on running… just hoping my back and knees don’t quit!!!

Here’s to me living my life, hope you’re living yours…

My first 10K

So I woke up excited, energized, pumped up.  10K, 6.2 Miles,,, my first.  The start of the race was lack luster… standing in the midst of 25,000 people preparing to run/walk 10k sounds exhilarating, but as I stood there for 30 minutes just to cross the start line was not that exciting.  Before the race I knew I had to pee,,, and yes,,, I stood for 45 minutes to use a port-o-potty.

You know what I love about running?  That feeling that the world of care, the  world waiting back for me when I finish disappears.  All there is?  The pavement beneath my feet, and the view in front of me.  There is a point as I run that I envision everything disappearing except what I am doing.  There’s just something freeing about that.  What other moment of my life is there that I feel no constraints but time and space?  What other moment is there that someone isn’t trying to control what I do and when I do it?  I can see through the static . . . I can see through the moment and  see nothing but the race.

My first mile was tough as it ended running up a hill . . . not a huge hill, but large enough that I was feeling winded.  Who would have thought that running down a hill was just as complicated?   My muscles tightened, my knees hurt,,, but I made it through.

Running past thousands of people… it is just empowering.  Knowing that they started before you and you will finish before them.  Wondering how many people started 30 minutes before me that I have passed?  Wondering how many started after me that ended before me?  I race on against myself regardless of these runners.

Mile 5, I realize I have never done this before.  Going this far, wondering can I make it?  Will I make it?  I feel so much power and strength.  I want to finish strong, I will finish strong.  People on the street are cheering their friends or families, some cheer on everyone, I push on.  My legs are feeling tired, my lungs   are wanting to catch up, I pass the 6 mile mark and I hear someone cheer “just around the corner, Finish strong!” and so I push on.

As I see the finish line, I run harder, I start to smile.  10k, 6.2 miles, a life changed. 

I look forward to my training for my first half marathon!  I am not who I am, but who I will be!

My first post

Yes, this is the obligatory acknowledgement that I'm starting a blog.  It’s the thing to do when starting any online presence, kind of that here I am, come find me mentality.  So why am I starting a blog?  My friend Damian Skinner said, “You should have a blog”.  So, I’m starting a blog. 
In my attempt to renew my life through health I’ve dropped almost 100lbs.  My new goal is I want to run a marathon.  Well, right now my goal is to complete a 5k running.  Then I want to run a 10k.  Sensing the pattern?  We’ll see how far I get in this journey, but I have a new lease on life and I’m going to keep on going.
I’d ramble on more and link other information, but I think I’m going to keep this first post simple. 
Here is to living my life, and hope you’re living yours.