FOOTBALL IS BACK

Football is back and it didn't take long to get totally addicted. I don't think that it is actually the love of the game as much as a way to bond with Tony that really gets me going. And I wonder if, for the next month, if you are going to care if I spend more time on football but spend less time listening to Christian podcasts and sermons. By the way, thanks for the great job of getting me in shape. I am in awe of how putting trust in you really seems to work!

GREAT AMERICA

It was what I think was the greatest trip we ever had. Sometimes you have to give up your own plan to be open to the ideas to others. I doubted that the water park would be a good idea at Great America, but it really helped to give the kids energy throughout the day. And it was really fun, just playing. It was great to just get up, work out really hard, pray and give it my all throughout the day. God, I gave this day to you and it came out really good. Please help me to do more of that.

CAMPING

I don't know what is happening to me. While I really am happy with how well are kids are doing at being good people, I am really disappointed in the parent I am becoming. Instead of taking advantage of the opportunities I have to hang out with them, I am always doing "work". I have lost the kid in me and am becoming old and I don't like it. I feel tired all of the time and the eating I did didn't help.

BAPTISM

Tomorrow should be one of the greatest days as a parent we can imagine. Maybe because of my lack of faith, or maybe because I am not totally into the celebration of stuff, but it doesn't seem like such a big deal. I am more impressed with how my kids live on a daily basis than I could ever be with choosing to partake in a ceremony. Regardless though, it is really cool that they are choosing to do this and that at such an early age they know how important Jesus is. They could teach their old man a few things.

FREDDY DAY

So I had a little chat time today and it was bogus...I just fell asleep. But I did hear a good sermon from Bill Johnson. Maybe the devil has tricked me into thinking that I am a good Christian. Let's look at the resume though, not much Christ-building! I want to do something. I want to give my life to God, but what am I accomplishing for Him lately?

Washing Cars

We didn't really have a plan for today, and it would have worked out great, but I am increasingly becoming disgusted with myself for not having any energy and for just being lazy. I just know that it would be so much better if I just got over the being tired thing. I also think that I just need to work to get in shape, but I worry that I may be stuck in the stage of not being able to get faster or stronger. Really, I just have to be like the Soul Surfer and do it for the love of doing it. I have to get out of the rut where my life revolves around my physical being and go back to where the physical serves the spiritual.

ALEXA DAY

Alexa is totally original. Today we went to Build a Bear, Speedway, Burritoville, the Movies and Walmart...and ate a Pint of Ice Cream! The whole time, Alexa stayed awake and just talked. She was totally exhausted, but really did well. It was awesome to just spend time with her. I can imagine how cool it is for God to get to spend time one on one and experience people just really enjoying that time. Our kids are great every day, but those one on one times are really special.

FOURTH OF JULY

Sure I ate too much, but no pop is a win! Suzi and Bob add so much to the family. We made three stops today and they were all good. And I didn't even have to dodge the kids today. So that was good. Every day life seems to get a little better. Thank you!

GETTING BACK

Getting in shape has been tough this week. I have been tired, but I realize that one, I haven't been working out really hard in a while and two, everyone gets tired. It's how they react to what they are doing when they get tired that separates the people who are "in shape". I do like life a lot better when I am working hard and just have to remember to not use "sleep" as an excuse for being crabby.