Here we are at the end of April already. It's phenomenal how quickly time passes these days. I guess growing older and having children both attribute to the perceived acceleration of time, but whatever the reason, days are flying past unimpeded. Because of this, every once in a while you have to step back, hold your hand in front of you, and say "whoa".
As a parent of young children, saying "whoa" is a valuable commodity that is not so easily wasted. Opportunities for it's use are few and far between. Think of this "whoa" as the last cup of water in your canteen, as you walk across the desert. You want to drink it in the very worst way, but do you HAVE to drink it to continue on? When you get to the point where that water's consumption is a necessity, then it's time.
Well on that note, Lori and I are not only going to be allowed to sip from the chalice of life, we are actually going to be allowed to jump feet first into the pool of rejuvenation. Yep, the misses and I are going on a vacation together........to HAWAII!. Just the two of us, sans children. While the thought of spending a week in a tropical paradise is very exhilarating, leaving the kids for that long will be a challenge.
This will mark the first time Lori and I have been on trip together without the kids. Since Aidan is 7 1/2 years old, you can see that opportunities are indeed few and far between. This opportunity would not be possible if Lori wasn't having a business seminar on the island, and most importantly, if Lori's mom was not suffering from temporary insanity. Yes, that's right, she's agreed to come down and watch both monkeys for the entire week. Like I said......INSANE........but hey, what's that about a gift horse and a mouth?
Are we feeling guilty? Yes, of course we are, both for leaving and for the burden we are placing on Dianne. Missing even a little bit of our children's lives is enough to have us second guessing our decision, but throw into that mix the fact that we have to miss two of Aidan's baseball games, and it's almost enough to make us cancel our trip. Almost.
We leave next Sunday with a sense of nervousness and invigoration. The picture post on the next blog should be epic. Wish us and Dianne luck. Stay tuned.
William
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Free Weekend
During Aidan's baseball season, it's not very often you have a game free weekend. This past weekend was the first one since the season started so we took full advantage.
The weekend started off on Friday night with the entire family unit going to the Frisco RoughRiders baseball game. We purchased the tickets about a month ago, and went to the game with 4 of Aidan's teammates and their families. We sat down the left field line, and it was a beautiful night for baseball. It just doesn't get much better than spending an evening at the ballpark with your family. We all had a great time, but we ended up leaving during the 7th inning due to one really tired 2 1/2 year old monkey. Still, good times.....good times.
Saturday morning arrived with just as much anticipation as Friday night. Saturday with no baseball game could mean only one thing........A TRIP TO GRANDMA'S HOUSE! Yep, after Lori finished torturing herself with her running group bright and early Saturday morning, we sat out for Grandma's house about 10:00am. We arrived about 2 1/2 hours later, after one stop for a bathroom break and happy meals for the boys.
I was really nice seeing Mom/Grandma again. It had been too long, and big hugs were distributed accordingly. Just as I started unpacking the CX-9, Uncle Jim arrived. It was nice to see my brother, and the boys were really happy their "playmate" showed up. We spent most of the day playing in the backyard and the time we spent in the house, we were watching Golf on TV. Aidan and Christopher made the most of the POGO swing.
Boy, this is fun!
Oh, that's why they call it a POGO swing.
Ahhh....nothing like a refreshing treat after such hard work.
Hey...where's my treat?
Saturday night we all gathered around the TV, and watched a new blue ray movie that we brought down with us. The Fantastic Mr. Fox. It was a really cute, funny movie that we all enjoyed. After the movie Christopher went to bed, and Aidan, Lori, Jim and I settled in for a few heated games of UNO. We all had a lot of fun, and after Grandma and Aidan and Lori went to bed, Jim and I stayed up and watched Terminator Salvation. It was quite the contrast to the movie we watched earlier.
Sunday was spent watching the final round of the Masters, and playing with the kids outside. Aidan and I squeezed in a fun little trip around town in Grandma's convertible. I always have to get my sports car fix while I am at her house. It never fails to bring a smile to my face, and our oldest monkey just loves riding with the top down.
After eating some dinner and saying our goodbyes, we sat out for home about 7:15pm. We arrived about 2 1/2 hours later, with the boys already sleeping, and Lori was drifting in and out. After putting the kids to bed, and did not take long for Lori and I to follow. Having fun sure does take it out of you.
It was a great trip.....too short as usual, but we all had a fantastic time. Thanks Mom for being such a great host, and thanks Jim for being such a cool Uncle to the boys.
William
The weekend started off on Friday night with the entire family unit going to the Frisco RoughRiders baseball game. We purchased the tickets about a month ago, and went to the game with 4 of Aidan's teammates and their families. We sat down the left field line, and it was a beautiful night for baseball. It just doesn't get much better than spending an evening at the ballpark with your family. We all had a great time, but we ended up leaving during the 7th inning due to one really tired 2 1/2 year old monkey. Still, good times.....good times.
Saturday morning arrived with just as much anticipation as Friday night. Saturday with no baseball game could mean only one thing........A TRIP TO GRANDMA'S HOUSE! Yep, after Lori finished torturing herself with her running group bright and early Saturday morning, we sat out for Grandma's house about 10:00am. We arrived about 2 1/2 hours later, after one stop for a bathroom break and happy meals for the boys.
I was really nice seeing Mom/Grandma again. It had been too long, and big hugs were distributed accordingly. Just as I started unpacking the CX-9, Uncle Jim arrived. It was nice to see my brother, and the boys were really happy their "playmate" showed up. We spent most of the day playing in the backyard and the time we spent in the house, we were watching Golf on TV. Aidan and Christopher made the most of the POGO swing.
Boy, this is fun!
Oh, that's why they call it a POGO swing.
Ahhh....nothing like a refreshing treat after such hard work.
Hey...where's my treat?
Saturday night we all gathered around the TV, and watched a new blue ray movie that we brought down with us. The Fantastic Mr. Fox. It was a really cute, funny movie that we all enjoyed. After the movie Christopher went to bed, and Aidan, Lori, Jim and I settled in for a few heated games of UNO. We all had a lot of fun, and after Grandma and Aidan and Lori went to bed, Jim and I stayed up and watched Terminator Salvation. It was quite the contrast to the movie we watched earlier.
Sunday was spent watching the final round of the Masters, and playing with the kids outside. Aidan and I squeezed in a fun little trip around town in Grandma's convertible. I always have to get my sports car fix while I am at her house. It never fails to bring a smile to my face, and our oldest monkey just loves riding with the top down.
After eating some dinner and saying our goodbyes, we sat out for home about 7:15pm. We arrived about 2 1/2 hours later, with the boys already sleeping, and Lori was drifting in and out. After putting the kids to bed, and did not take long for Lori and I to follow. Having fun sure does take it out of you.
It was a great trip.....too short as usual, but we all had a fantastic time. Thanks Mom for being such a great host, and thanks Jim for being such a cool Uncle to the boys.
William
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
The Best Game in the World
Casey at the Bat
by Ernest Lawrence Thayer ©
Published: The Examiner (06-03-1888)
The Outlook wasn't brilliant for the Mudville nine that day:
The score stood four to two, with but one inning more to play.
And then when Cooney died at first, and Barrows did the same,
A sickly silence fell upon the patrons of the game.
A straggling few got up to go in deep despair. The rest
Clung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast;
They thought, if only Casey could get but a whack at that -
We'd put up even money, now, with Casey at the bat.
But Flynn preceded Casey, as did also Jimmy Blake,
And the former was a lulu and the latter was a cake;
So upon that stricken multitude grim melancholy sat,
For there seemed but little chance of Casey's getting to the bat.
But Flynn let drive a single, to the wonderment of all,
And Blake, the much despis-ed, tore the cover off the ball;
And when the dust had lifted, and the men saw what had occurred,
There was Jimmy safe at second and Flynn a-hugging third.
Then from 5,000 throats and more there rose a lusty yell;
It rumbled through the valley, it rattled in the dell;
It knocked upon the mountain and recoiled upon the flat,
For Casey, mighty Casey, was advancing to the bat.
There was ease in Casey's manner as he stepped into his place;
There was pride in Casey's bearing and a smile on Casey's face.
And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly doffed his hat,
No stranger in the crowd could doubt 'twas Casey at the bat.
Ten thousand eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt;
Five thousand tongues applauded when he wiped them on his shirt.
Then while the writhing pitcher ground the ball into his hip,
Defiance gleamed in Casey's eye, a sneer curled Casey's lip.
And now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air,
And Casey stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there.
Close by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped-
"That ain't my style," said Casey. "Strike one," the umpire said.
From the benches, black with people, there went up a muffled roar,
Like the beating of the storm-waves on a stern and distant shore.
"Kill him! Kill the umpire!" shouted someone on the stand;
And its likely they'd a-killed him had not Casey raised his hand.
With a smile of Christian charity great Casey's visage shone;
He stilled the rising tumult; he bade the game go on;
He signaled to the pitcher, and once more the spheroid flew;
But Casey still ignored it, and the umpire said, "Strike two."
"Fraud!" cried the maddened thousands, and echo answered fraud;
But one scornful look from Casey and the audience was awed.
They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain,
And they knew that Casey wouldn't let that ball go by again.
The sneer is gone from Casey's lip, his teeth are clenched in hate;
He pounds with cruel violence his bat upon the plate.
And now the pitcher holds the ball, and now he lets it go,
And now the air is shattered by the force of Casey's blow.
Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright;
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,
And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout;
But there is no joy in Mudville - mighty Casey has struck out.
Let's raise our glasses to opening day and the start of another year of glorious baseball.
William
by Ernest Lawrence Thayer ©
Published: The Examiner (06-03-1888)
The Outlook wasn't brilliant for the Mudville nine that day:
The score stood four to two, with but one inning more to play.
And then when Cooney died at first, and Barrows did the same,
A sickly silence fell upon the patrons of the game.
A straggling few got up to go in deep despair. The rest
Clung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast;
They thought, if only Casey could get but a whack at that -
We'd put up even money, now, with Casey at the bat.
But Flynn preceded Casey, as did also Jimmy Blake,
And the former was a lulu and the latter was a cake;
So upon that stricken multitude grim melancholy sat,
For there seemed but little chance of Casey's getting to the bat.
But Flynn let drive a single, to the wonderment of all,
And Blake, the much despis-ed, tore the cover off the ball;
And when the dust had lifted, and the men saw what had occurred,
There was Jimmy safe at second and Flynn a-hugging third.
Then from 5,000 throats and more there rose a lusty yell;
It rumbled through the valley, it rattled in the dell;
It knocked upon the mountain and recoiled upon the flat,
For Casey, mighty Casey, was advancing to the bat.
There was ease in Casey's manner as he stepped into his place;
There was pride in Casey's bearing and a smile on Casey's face.
And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly doffed his hat,
No stranger in the crowd could doubt 'twas Casey at the bat.
Ten thousand eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt;
Five thousand tongues applauded when he wiped them on his shirt.
Then while the writhing pitcher ground the ball into his hip,
Defiance gleamed in Casey's eye, a sneer curled Casey's lip.
And now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air,
And Casey stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there.
Close by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped-
"That ain't my style," said Casey. "Strike one," the umpire said.
From the benches, black with people, there went up a muffled roar,
Like the beating of the storm-waves on a stern and distant shore.
"Kill him! Kill the umpire!" shouted someone on the stand;
And its likely they'd a-killed him had not Casey raised his hand.
With a smile of Christian charity great Casey's visage shone;
He stilled the rising tumult; he bade the game go on;
He signaled to the pitcher, and once more the spheroid flew;
But Casey still ignored it, and the umpire said, "Strike two."
"Fraud!" cried the maddened thousands, and echo answered fraud;
But one scornful look from Casey and the audience was awed.
They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain,
And they knew that Casey wouldn't let that ball go by again.
The sneer is gone from Casey's lip, his teeth are clenched in hate;
He pounds with cruel violence his bat upon the plate.
And now the pitcher holds the ball, and now he lets it go,
And now the air is shattered by the force of Casey's blow.
Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright;
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,
And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout;
But there is no joy in Mudville - mighty Casey has struck out.
Let's raise our glasses to opening day and the start of another year of glorious baseball.
William
Monday, April 5, 2010
Egg..cellent Day
There were Easter smiles all around yesterday, as everybody seemed to really enjoy the day.
It started bright and early yesterday morning after the kids woke up. They were greeted by Easter baskets that were left on the porch by the Easter bunny. Needless to say, it did not take them long to rip open packs of candy and start putting together their miniature Lego gifts. Here is Christopher showing his enthusiasm about his everlasting Gobstoppers.
The Easter bunny even showed up for Lori, leaving a beautiful basket of flowers.
After enjoying their bunny gifts for a couple of hours, it was time to get cleaned up and dress for the occasion. Here are the boys ready to hunt some eggs.
A proud dad ready to watch the festivities.
Momma and her sons just oozing Spring.
"Hey Aidan, you want to hide the eggs this year instead of searching for them"?
I'll take that as a no.
It's amazing how much Christopher is growing up. Here he is looking like he might start shaving next week.
Aidan and Christopher got to hunt Easter eggs with their cousins Wyatt and Jackson. Good times were enjoyed by all. Here are all the boys actually sitting still at one time.
Fun times, kids are great.
William
It started bright and early yesterday morning after the kids woke up. They were greeted by Easter baskets that were left on the porch by the Easter bunny. Needless to say, it did not take them long to rip open packs of candy and start putting together their miniature Lego gifts. Here is Christopher showing his enthusiasm about his everlasting Gobstoppers.
The Easter bunny even showed up for Lori, leaving a beautiful basket of flowers.
After enjoying their bunny gifts for a couple of hours, it was time to get cleaned up and dress for the occasion. Here are the boys ready to hunt some eggs.
A proud dad ready to watch the festivities.
Momma and her sons just oozing Spring.
"Hey Aidan, you want to hide the eggs this year instead of searching for them"?
I'll take that as a no.
It's amazing how much Christopher is growing up. Here he is looking like he might start shaving next week.
Aidan and Christopher got to hunt Easter eggs with their cousins Wyatt and Jackson. Good times were enjoyed by all. Here are all the boys actually sitting still at one time.
Fun times, kids are great.
William
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Miracles
Happy Easter everyone.
Easter Reflections
(by: Helen Steiner Rice)
With OUR EYES we see
The beauty of Easter
as the earth awakens once more…
With OUR EARS we hear
The birds sing sweetly
to tell us Spring again is here…
With OUR HANDS we pick
the golden daffodils
and the fragrant hyacinths…
But only with OUR HEARTS
can we feel the MIRACLE of GOD’S LOVE
which redeems all men…
And only with OUR SOUL
can we make our ‘pilgrimage to God’
and inherit His Easter Gift of ETERNAL LIFE.
William
Easter Reflections
(by: Helen Steiner Rice)
With OUR EYES we see
The beauty of Easter
as the earth awakens once more…
With OUR EARS we hear
The birds sing sweetly
to tell us Spring again is here…
With OUR HANDS we pick
the golden daffodils
and the fragrant hyacinths…
But only with OUR HEARTS
can we feel the MIRACLE of GOD’S LOVE
which redeems all men…
And only with OUR SOUL
can we make our ‘pilgrimage to God’
and inherit His Easter Gift of ETERNAL LIFE.
William
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