What a game!!

Danny and his Ruby team were down 12-0 in the second half Saturday when they caught fire! It was an exciting game. They won 24-17 and have advanced to the State Semi-finals on Memorial Day. Regardless of the outcome, it will be an AWESOME day because most of our family will be there (Andy & Troy will be the only absentees). In the pic to the right, Danny just scored the try (5 points) that changed the tone of the game...he was EXCITED!!!

I left the game VERY hoarse...but it was sooo cool!

A Saturday to Remember

It was a GREAT plan!!!

Pick-up my pants from the tailor, go to ally's Mayfest performance, see Danny's Rugby match and then enjoy the Leadership and Saturday evening sessions of Stake Conference.

Like most GREAT plans, it quickly required revision. Ally's Mayfest performance lasted 2 hours, not 1 which meant it ended just after Danny's AWAY Rugby match started. In the past, I have been BAD about letting my feelings show when things don't go the way they were "supposed to" (sorry, Laurel!!!).

This time I was prayerful about 2 things:

1. That I would be patient...remembering that I couldn't do anything about the fact that it was going to end just after 2.
2. That I would be able to catch the end of his game (which was happening down by the Indianapolis Zoo).

After Ally's performance, I was upbeat and positive. We shared an enjoyable ride home chatting about things that happened during her show. I left her @ home and, without any tension, just kept praying for 1 & 2 above.

I made it to the Rugby field w/4 minutes left in the match (it was their second game of the state tournament). They were down 10 - 5. It was beginning to rain (thankfully, Mom keeps umbrellas in the car!!). With about 1 minute left in the game, Danny got the ball. He knifed into the center of the field. First one Cathedral player hit him, then another until he had drawn 4 guys to him. He was fighting forward, standing tall and just as they were about to take him down, he passed the ball. That pass led to 3 more as his team reversed their direction and ran to the left. Two of their fastest guys were on the wing. Around the corner they went...and scored a try!!! Five points...it's tied!!! Because the try was touched down near the sideline, the kicker had the most sever angle possible to kick and score 2 more points to win the game.

As time was expiring, the kicker drop-kicked the ball through the uprights...it was good!! Make that GREAT!! Two more points...the Nobleville Rampage had won!!!

They have a game Saturday and if/when they win that one...they go to the State semi-finals in South Bend on Memorial Day!! I'm looking forward to a Family Reunion picnic @ the State Semi-Finals in South Bend!!!

Immediately after the game was over, I hopped back in the car and drove to Muncie for Stake Conference. I cried for several minutes because it was clear to me that the Lord had answered my prayers. I felt so blessed!! I was so happy for DAnny & his teammates!!

I made it to my meeting about 10 minutes late. The rest of the evening was full of GREAT talks from inspired sons and daughters of a loving Henavenly Father.

It was a Saturday to remember...and I always will!!!

It sure is quiet!!

Mom's in the beehive state
Todd's at work
Danny & Ally are @ school

It's WAY quiet in the house when I'm home alone!

Danny's rugby team won their first tournament game last night 20 to 5. They play again Saturday. Ally's choir sings @ May Fest Saturday as well. Stake Conference starts Saturday...it will be a busy day!

Indifference

I have been pondering the concept of indifference for several weeks now. It's a sad concept! To feel nothing about an idea, a person, a family...not positive or negative...just indifferent. So empty. So lazy. I believe indifference is a choice. I believe it'san easy way out of difficult situations.

I've been trying to settle on an antonym of indifference that made sense to how I have been feeling. I couldn't settle on a single word, but the phrase "make a difference" just connected as I was cutting the grass last week. It fits with the outlook on living that I believe brings happiness.

I'm choosing to "make a difference"...in everything I do (or trying to anyway). It's hard...but I am becoming more of the man, the husband, the father, the priesthood holder, the Oracle employee the Lord intended me to become because I AM trying.

Perhaps "making a difference" resonates w/you as well. It's worth thinking about and acting upon...

Happy Birthday!!!

Mom celebrated her 54th Friday!

She grows more beautiful every day...

We celebrated by spending Thursday - Saturday in St. Louis w/my parents and Sister...Dr. Aunt Trish. Trish bought a home and we helped her settle in. Mom & I enjoyed the chance to help...painting, unpacking, fixing small things. It was GREAT to be together!

Fast & testimony meeting today was amazing. Person after person bore testimony to how they had been blessed by the service of others. It came at a time when some members had become weary of all the service they had been providing. I felt uplifted both for them and for myself!!

Losing myself to find myself...

Favorite movies

The Mighty
Second-hand Lions
The In-Laws (original w/Peter Falk & Alan Arkin)
IronMan
The Testaments
Nate's Group Stupid series

Quote for the day: No!

Enjoying the ache from our labors

Ya gotta love Saturday's!

Yesterday Mom and I started spreading mulch @ about 8:00 a.m. We took down a tree in the front yard @ about 10:00 a.m. (it fell the wrong way and landed on the front porch roof...no real damage. I made 2 judgement errors and paid a price). Todd & I chopped it up. We went to Danny's Rugby match (they won!) and returned home to finish cleaning up the tree (Danny & Todd both helped). Mom and the boys went to MC Sports to purchase a Trampoline (yes, another one...so the grandkids can bounce when they visit in 6 weeks). While they were gone, I cut the grass. During the grass cutting Mom, Danny, Todd & I assembled the Trampoline.

A the while Ally babysat Lucy Marquart.

Today, I'm feeling the muscle ache of a Saturday well spent.

We had a great Sacrament meeting. Josh Lefgren gave a talk on Humilty...it was a wonderful talk. Looking beyond all the great things he said, I believe it's the first Sacrament talk where I've heard "cajones" referred to.

Quote for the day: “Whatever they grow up to be, they are still our children, and the one most important of all the things we can give to them is unconditional love. Not a love that depends on anything at all except that they are our children.” Rosaleen Dickson

April!

Mom had pneumonia in March!

I cut the grass on April 2nd and then got a stomach virus!

Danny has earned "Man of the Match" in his last 2 Rugby matches...beyond his obvious skill and passion for the sport, his sportsmanship pleases us the most...

Ally's on her "right of passage" journey.

Todd is enjoying the pleasant weather.

We are all sons and daughters of a loving Heavenly Father.

a Flash from the Past

During the time in our lives when I was actively edging slightly ahead of everyone else in the world (but our bank account didn't realize it!), I was out and about, in my suit when the water pump went out on our car. I recall being in the parking lot outside of an auto parts store, changing my water pump in my suit. I haven't the slightest idea where the $ came from to purchase the water pump!

I did get it done.

"Tomorrow" came and with it a renewed desire to seek the Lord's guidance. With his blessing, I ended up working @ NCR w/my good friend Randy Wardwell...and stopped trying to edge slightly ahead of the world. What do you know...the scriptures are true..."seek first..."

Busy

I like being busy!

Having my mind and body both engaged in good work is a good thing.

Some of my best thinking is done while my body is working (like cutting the grass...or in Saturday's case, fertilizing). The future looks bright when I'm thining about ways to make life better.

I like being busy!

A VERY quiet Saturday

The clouds hang low in the sky.
Rain drizzles down in fits and starts.
It's in the 50's.
Danny is in Nashville for Nash Bash.
Todd's on his way to Florida.
Mom's not feeling well.
Ally's learning about her new phone.
It's VERY quiet!

So I'm using the time to get caught up on important things that don't always get down in the rush to deal with the urgent.

Last night, Mom and I were watching a DVR of our favorite show - NCIS. during a commercial, we were talking and she reached down, gently pulled my head up to hers (I was on the floor, she on the couch) and gave me the most wonderful, soft, loving kiss. It melted my heart and reminded me yet again how blessed I am to be able to be her husband. It was heavenly!

Thanks to Troy & Kristin for letting Todd & his buds spend the night last night. You guys ROCK!!

2 in a row!!

Sunday evening...looking @ being on the road all week.

I'm particularly quiet today...really tired, for no apparent reason! I'm definitely worn down a little after a VERY busy work week w/another coming up...BUT...knowing the God lives and that his Son, Jesus Christ is my Savior SHOULD help bouy me up. Perhaps I'm feeling "quiet" because I haven't given the Lord a chance today. Hmmm...

Mom & I participated in a neighborhood "Progressive Dinner" last night. We visited 5 homes w/about 15 people and had a VERY nice time. We ended @ our house for dessert...Carrot cake, chocolate Creme pie & Lemon Cheescake!!! We enjoyed chatting w/our neighbors! They asked me to bless the food...nice to be known as someone williing to do so in ANY situation!

I had a physical last week...my cholesterol is "High" so I'm to begin taking some medication and visit the Dr. again in 3 months...no more Carrot Cake, 1/2 stick of butter on my toast and BLT's w/6 pieces of bacon!!!

I love my fam. I love my wife. I'm working on felling happy at this moment. I'm trying to understand "what I REALLY want" (I know the Lord wants it to be "Eternal Life" for me...I want to develop a burning desire for the same thing) so I can let it guide me around all the "what I want today" that comes up.

If it is to be, it's up to me!!!

Hey!

2:40 p.m., 28 February 2010:

The last day of February. The last day of Oracle's 3rd Quarter. The first day of the rest of my life and my best day so far.

Tomorrow is the anniversay of the day that Laurel & I were sealed for time AND eternity. March 1st, 1980...30 years ago. We had been married for more than 1 1/2 years before I was prepared to take her to the Temple. I'm grateful to Heavenly Father that I'm even more prepared now...so we have been attending monthly doing @ least 2 sessions. I cherish the moments in the Temple when I can gaze @ her for a few un-interrupted moments.

After we were sealed that first time (by Grant Bowler...Laurel's former HS Principal and then member of the St. George, Utah Temple Presidency), "they" (I don't remember who it was) brought Nate into the sealing room and laid him on the alter between us. He was 3 1/2 months old. I had no appreciation @ that moment how blessed and challenged we would be honoring our covenant to "multiply & replenish the earth". Nathan, Anna, Shelley, Kristin, Todd, Jordan, Danny & Ally have loving and oft times unintentionally shown me my limitations while also showing me that something called a limitation today, is only a limitation tomorrow if I let it be so. I'm grateful to the Lord for this knowledge & his example.

Perhaps I can become a more regular blogger...if it is to be, it's up to me!

ILU4E

I Love U 4 Ever

Dad