Thursday, May 24, 2012    

Tattoo #4

Saturday, July 30th, 2011

This past Tuesday, after much searching and contemplation I took the plunge and got Tattoo #4. This one is a tribute tattoo to my brother Donny…who passed away 20 years ago…and to my sister-in-law Kim…who passed away 1.5 years ago. Being a double portrait, I wanted to be sure I go the right guy/gal to do the work. The patience paid off!

Here are the two pictures that Colin at Red Sky Tattoo was working from…and I asked him to add the phrase “With You Always” to the piece…

My Favorite Picture of Them Both

I got the recommendation to use Colin from the shop owner and I visited him a couple of weeks ago and set an appointment on the spot. When we showed up he took about an hour to do the stencil and once he showed it to me I was no longer concerned…it rocked! Here’s the stencil on the arm…

It's Big! Anita thinks too big, I think just right!

It took 2.5 hours of actual chair time to finish. I was in the shop a total of 5 hours, but that included the drawing time and breaks. Here it was after the first break…

Looking Good

There are three questions most people ask me about the tat the first time they see it. I’ve already answered two of them (where did you get it done and how long did it take). The first question is usually, “Did it hurt?” Answer: “YES!”

But the final result was SO worth it (added the photos so you can see the comparison “side by side”). It’s hard to get a good photo right now since it’s still healing, but you get the general idea…

Love It, Love It, Love It!!

The whole thing was a great experience and I absolutely L-O-V-E the tat. It was worth waiting to find the right person (and I highly recommend the entire crew at Red Sky Tattoo in Castle Rock). I miss both my brother and my sister-in-law very much, but they are always close to me now!

30.07.2011 Family, Hobbies, Misc Ramblings 1 Comment

Scout Camp 2011 Photos

Monday, July 4th, 2011

Here are the photos from Logan’s Scout Camp (Ben Delatour…which is near Red Feather Lakes in Northern Colorado). Just click on any photo to see them at full size (and press “ESC” to exit out of the gallery).

Enjoy…

04.07.2011 Boy Scouts, Family, Hobbies, Recreation No Comments

Summer Camp 2011

Friday, June 24th, 2011

This Sunday Logan and I take off for our first-ever Boy Scout Summer Camp. I remember going to two summer camps when I was a Boy Scout (seems like eighty thousand years ago). I don’t think we’ll actually see much of each other, but I have a feeling we’ll both have a lot of fun!

Next year he’ll be going solo…a week away from family all by himself. Part of growing up and becoming his own man. Has me a little nostalgic…I can still remember bringing him home from the hospital. But it’s great to see him learning, growing, and becoming…well, Logan.

Not exactly sure what’s in store for the two of us next week (aside from some rock climbing and an obstacle course for me…and hopefully some R&R). However, I full expect it to be yet another chance to build some memories…even if we are on two sides of the camp.  ;o)

24.06.2011 Family, Guy Stuff, Hobbies, Misc Ramblings 1 Comment

Following His Example

Thursday, June 16th, 2011

I got a double whammy in my scripture reading this morning. With Father’s Day fast approaching (how did that happen so soon), a specific phrase kept leaping off the page at me. Now, I’m not usually one to use a “Hallmark holiday” such as Father’s Day as a reminder of how we dads are supposed to act (I’d much rather do the celebration thing instead).

Even so, the words I read this morning are a good reminder. I’m in the portion of 1 Kings where the author is running through all of the kings that lead Judah and Israel after King Solomon’s death. It’s a long list…primarily because each one of them did “evil in the Lord’s sight”. As a result He wiped them off the planet (you’d have thought the later kings would have put two and two together).

What caused these men to go so far off the rails? Here’s the cause for almost every one of them (with King Asa being the main exception). This is just one example out of many that say the same thing in one form or another…

“[Nadab] did what was evil in the Lord’s sight and followed the example of his father…” (1 Kings 15:26, NLT)

What a reminder for all of use dads. Generations of Israelites had to put up with bad kings who led them down the wrong path all because these men did what came naturally to them…they followed their father’s example. Reminds me of the sappy Philips, Craig, and Dean song…only because it’s true…

16.06.2011 Family, Father, Guy Stuff, Manhood, Spiritual Musings No Comments

Proud of Logan – Arrow of Light

Tuesday, February 1st, 2011

Yesterday marked an important milestone for Logan and I couldn’t be more proud! He crossed over from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. But that’s only part of the accomplishment (which is awesome all by itself). In addition, he was awarded the Arrow of Light award…meaning that he has completed every rank from Tiger through Webelos II. That’s an elite group and it’s the only Cub Scout badge that he can carry with him to his Boy Scout uniform.

He worked hard for a very long time and it’s an amazing achievement. He couldn’t be more excited to move onto Boy Scouts (Troop 16 for us). We couldn’t be more proud of a young man who achieved his goals and continues to look for bigger and better things! We’re both looking forward to the years ahead of camping, hiking, and learning everything he’s supposed to learn.

We’ve got Eagle in our sight. I have no doubt he’ll accomplish that next big goal. He wants it and he’s shown he’ll keep at it. We couldn’t be more proud of a young boy who’s learning to become a fine young man! Congrats Logan! Love ya boy!

01.02.2011 Family 1 Comment

They’re Naturals

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

Last night Anita and I took the kids down to the park to play catch and swing the bat a little bit. It has been a long time since we’ve taken them to play catch and it’s been even longer since I’ve played softball (I miss it). We expected to have a little fun running around, messing around, and trying to learn/teach a few skills. I fully expected Kyle to pick it up (he tends to be the jock in the family)…but we were pleasantly surprised.

Every single one of our kids was able to pick up the bat and make good (if not great) contact with the ball. They took instruction and applied what they learned with positive results. And throwing the ball was no exception. Each one of them can throw and catch (to one degree or another). They’re naturals. It runs in the family blood I guess (on both sides of the family).

We had a great time together a a family and I’m starting to plan my retirement.  ;o)  We are planning on getting them signed up for t-ball/baseball/softball this next season. They’ll make their GGPa proud!! Watch out world!

18.05.2010 Family, Hobbies, Recreation, Sports No Comments

Coach is a Verb

Monday, April 12th, 2010

A little warning as I start this blog post…it’s a rant on my part and I just hope I feel better when I’m done.

Lindsay is playing soccer for her school this year. She loves playing organized sports and she puts effort and heart into it. She’s good at volleyball and soccer. Her team…not so much. They’ve played three games so far this year and if my math is correct they have lost by a combined total of 30-2 (and no, I am not exaggerating). One of the games they lost they actually played two extra players for half of the game (their field is so small they play 9 players instead of 11). The last game they lost to a team with only 9 players…no subs.

And it’s not that the girls aren’t playing hard…they are giving it everything they’ve got. They want to win. They want to learn. Lindsay left the last game crying because she wants to win and get better. But it isn’t happening…and I know part of the reason why…coaching.

The word “coach” is a noun…as in: “One who instructs players in the fundamentals of a competitive sport and directs team strategy.” More importantly, it’s also a verb…as in: “To instruct, direct, or prompt”. Lindsay’s coach has the title of coach, but isn’t taking the verb part seriously. They don’t run drills, they don’t get basic instruction, they don’t get correction during the game. They don’t even get passion.

It’s hard to watch. I don’t want to be one of those parents…but that’s becoming increasingly more difficult with each game. I’ve offered to coach (or assist) in the past for her school and been turned down every time. I don’t claim to be a great coach, but I’d at least be active and help the girls learn along the way. I don’t even really care about the winning part as long as they are learning and getting better (which will often lead to winning a few games).

Frustrating…and not sure I actually do feel better…but I tried.  ;o)

12.04.2010 Family, Hobbies, Misc Ramblings, Sports 1 Comment

Praying for Kim

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009

Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and
pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord.
Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick,
and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins,
you will be forgiven.  Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so
that you may be healed.  The earnest prayer of a righteous person has
great power and produces wonderful results.
James 5:14-16. NLT

As most of you know, my sister-in-law Kim has cancer. She has been doing pretty well over the last year until just recently. And last night we got a call to let us know that she had been taken to the hospital. She had some abdominal pain that got bad enough they took her in. They did a scan in the ER and found two new tumors…on in her abdomen and a new on in her lungs (where the other tumors are).

It’s frustrating! We thought she was healed…at one point the tumors were gone and she was feeling well. Then over the past few months her cancer score has gone up and now this. It doesn’t make sense. It’s not fair. She has four beautiful kids…two of them are still babies. They need their mom. We need her.

So I have been praying. I confess that I am not much of a “healing prayer” kind of guy. I know God can and does heal…I’m just always wrestling with the fact that I don’t know His plans for our lives. Sometimes He heals. Sometimes He doesn’t. So I pray for healing, but I’m not always sure if I have the right faith. I know we’re commanded to pray and that prayer is powerful. So I pray and trust God.

I do know that God loves Kim more than I can imagine…more than anyone else does. I know He has a plan for her. I know she loves and trusts Him. Beyond that…doesn’t seem like I know much, but that’s enough. I am asking God to heal Kim once again…and trusting His heart and His plan even though it doesn’t make a bit of sense to me. I’m rambling a bit…but that’s okay…it’s cathartic and it’s how I’ve been praying. It’s how I think my prayers will go all day.

Will you pray too? Maybe you have the gift of healing prayer? Maybe you have the right kind of faith?

We can trust Him together…

26.08.2009 Family, Prayer No Comments

So Far, So Good

Sunday, July 19th, 2009

Anita has now officially been gone for three days. I think most betting people had the over/under for me taking care of the kids without losing my mind at about 3 days…so the rest of this week will really tell tale, but so far we’ve managed just fine.

The house is in working order…even managed to vacuum, mop, and do some dishes. The kids haven’ been bored yet, but that’s because I’ve kept them so busy they haven’t had time to think much: The pool, movies (thank Beth!), a car race, fixing my brakes, and hanging out together. Again, next week will be the real test since I will be working from home and not able to do all the “fun stuff”.

They also haven’t missed Anita too badly yet. Skype has helped that a lot…and staying busy. This is one I know will change. The longer  she’s gone the worse it will get. The more bored they get. The more “mean” I get (a.k.a.: The less new I am). I miss her already and wonder how she does this “job” so well. It’s a lot of work…God Bless all those single mom’s out there. They are a miracle!

So…next week here we come…more to report as the week goes on. Pray for me…pray for Anita…but mostly pray for my kids. ;-)

19.07.2009 Family, Misc Ramblings No Comments

In a Little Row Boat to…

Thursday, July 16th, 2009

beijingIf you are truly a child of the 80′s then you will be able to finish the song lyric (hint: “China”). This morning at 5:30 am Anita was picked up by our friends and her travel companions for an 11 day trip to China! Quite an adventure for a woman who has only been outside of the country once (and it hardly counted…Vancouver).

She and five other members of our church Praise Team are heading to China to lead worship for two Sundays at the Beijing International Christian Fellowship, an ex-patriot church of about 6,000 people that is allowed to worship on Chinese soil. They will also be doing some sight-seeing (i.e.: Great Wall and Forbidden City) and visiting a couple of orphanages. It’s a great opportunity for Anita and she is following God’s leading…and what a big step it is! They have an 18 hour flight before hitting the ground running on Saturday and Sunday.

I’m way excited for her. Now…11 days playing “Mr. Mom”? Doesn’t sound too bad…should be a lot of fun…but a lot of people think I’m crazy!  We’re going to have a lot of fun together, but we will all miss mom a lot. Kyle is already saying he misses her…I’ll just have to keep them so busy they don’t have time to think about it.

Anita will have all kinds of pictures and stories when she gets back…so stay tuned…

16.07.2009 Family, Ministry, Outreach No Comments

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