The End of a Year

A lot of people are happy to see this past year left in the past. It's been a trying year in a lot of ways, but the purpose of this blog is not to look at the bad, but to focus on the good. We end this year healthy, not just in body but in mind. We have jobs, we have a solid roof over our heads, we have daily food. In that, I'm sounding like my father and I appreciate that now.

We also have a couple of children who bring us much joy and satisfaction, and but for the grace of God, would very well be elsewhere. But they grace our house. Yes, it's trying at times, coordinating schedules, breaking up disagreements, but what would it be like if we didn't have them? What would it be like if we didn't have a little boy who loves life? A boy who is happy to look for and try to catch bugs and lizards and then turns around and hops on a bike or skateboard to try some new trick. A healthy boy. What would it be like if we didn't have a beautiful girl? A girl who is doing all that she can to maintain grades and sports in order to gain a scholarship someplace. A girl who is realizing the inner beauty she has and is starting let it be seen. What would we do without these two? I don't want to imagine.

I have a wife who truly and deeply loves me and accepts me as I am, with all the junk I have around me. A wife who dedicates herself to our family and works hard to keep it all going smoothly. A wife who has shown me the beauty that the holidays are, not just the meaning but the visual.

I have friends and family who are genuinely happy when I call to talk, even if those times are few and far between. Friends and family who also love and accept me for who I am. Friends who consider me a brother and not just a friend.

Yes,  a passing year...taken as individual moments, there have been some bad times. Taken collectively, I can't complain.  Happy New Years.

It Never Rains in Southern California

Or so the song says. Getting a little rain today though and it's beautiful, even if I do have to be out in it. There's just something really cozy about looking out the window and seeing the rain fall. It's relaxing. I guess that's why the sound of rain is included with those sound machines. That and the sound of waves coming ashore. When I choose to lose myself in those sounds, all troubles just naturally go away for that time period. Getting sleepy just thinking about it.

We're Going to Disneyland

We've been talking about going to Disneyland for the past week or so. Finally agreed to do it today. Besides we needed to renew our annual passes so we picked today, not knowing how crowded it was going to be. We went to the original park and each line for the rides we wanted was well over an hour so we hopped over to California Adventure. I kind of like that side of the park better anyway and the rides were all about 20 minute waits, which was lovely. Ryan rode California Screaming for the first time and laughed most of the way through it. He had a wonderful time. Cassandra was a well-behaved young lady who even said that "hanging out with the family wasn't so bad every now and then". We had a great weekend.

Merry Christmas

What’s not to love about this day? The excitement of children? The joy of play? The tiredness that comes from being a parent, but when all is said and done, it’s the flying of the remote control helicopters, the snowboard slalom on the Wii fit board, the sound of Mario Brothers and watching the highlights of the Chargers stomping of the Titans. Wonderful day.

Yesterday, 2 Christmas Eve performances. The power and emotions that come across from standing on the risers, watching the candle light singing of Silent Night. I had to just listen during the last verse as all of the congregation sang, candles held in hand, dark room. It was very moving.

God's Beauty

Took Dakotah on a walk this morning. We took a different route than we normally run and the first idea was to walk up over the hill and down the other side. Almost to the top of the hill on the sidewalk, I saw a trail that went up the dirt hill. Took it on a whim and I am so glad I did. I got to the top of the dirt hill just as the sun was coming up over the mountains. To the north, I saw the snow capped mountains of San Bernardino. To the east, I saw the light of the rising sun cresting the hills, a single palm tree silhouetted. Clear sky, beauty shining all around. Truly a gift from God.

A job well done

Had to replace the hot water heater today. I was able to do 98% of it. I’m glad that I’m able to do these types of things. It still cost a little bit for a plumber to come in and finish the job but it would have cost several hundred dollars more if they would have had to do it all. Accomplishment.


So the big question is, "Well, do I just dump all those unwanted things and try to start fresh?" And we say, no. You just set the Tone, where you are, by looking for things to appreciate. And by setting your Tone in a very clear deliberate way, anything that doesn't match it gravitates out of your experience, and anything that does match it gravitates into your experience. It is so much simpler than most of you are allowing yourself to believe.
--- Abraham

The Growth of a Friend

Quite an accomplishment today. Helped one of our choir members in learning his notes for the Christmas Eve performance. It’s taken a couple of practices but to hear him go from off-key and monotone to hitting the notes and learning parts - such a proud moment.

That's what love is

My turn to sing at church this morning. I was honored to be on stage with some of the best singers we have. Sometimes I just want to sit with the congregation and listen. In fact, on one of the songs I was able to. Listening to wonderful music sung by incredible singers...goose bumps.

Sat through a stressful Charger game. 52 yard field goal made with 3 seconds to go in the game. What a lift.

We hosted the varsity basketball team Christmas party. A room full of girls just having fun being themselves. How nice is that?​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

At the end of the day, there were several moments that caught my attention...

Flying kites with the boys
Watching Cassandra play basketball and make a 3 point shot
Going across the street and looking at our Christmas lights with Nanci.
Dakotah laying at my feet.

Simple things that so often just slip on by, but not today.

Let's go fly a kite

Taking a break from the last bit of Christmas decorating/cleaning. It's been a bit windy, though in gusts. Pulled out the kites to see if the boys and I could get them flying. A beautiful hawk gliding overhead. Clear, 80 degrees.

Then, later in the day, I had the honor of watching Cassandra make her first 3 point shot.