Sound of Silence

Silence is not a sound we have in our house. There is a constant buzz of light sabre fights, brothers fighting, TV, video games, and many other noises. But, the other sounds I actually love are the sounds of little boys laughing and talking. I'm not sure how we got two boys that talk so much but we did.

Yesterday we went to the Ranger game and we had a long walk from the car to the stadium and I'm not sure if Seth ever took a breath. His mouth was going non-stop. Then during the game, we were getting question after question, commentary after commentary. While quiet is nice, I would much rather hear the voices of my little boys.

44

Today is my birthday and I'm not sure how I feel about being 44. I don't feel 44 but also I don't feel I have accomplished nearly what I hoped to by this time.

First Day of School

Today was the first day of school for Seth and Chase. Seth is going into 2nd Grade and Chase is Kindergarten. It is always a hectic day because we aren't in a routine yet for getting up and getting ready, everyone is walking their kid in so the parking lot is a madhouse, and the halls are full.

So, we took our customary pictures and video but I didn't get to savor it. It was partly because it was crazy there, and second because I was preoccupied with going to work. I know I will regret it.

I don't want these days to go by too fast. Shelley and I are doing everything we can to take these days in. We have a ton of pictures and videos so we will have plenty of memories. Plus between the blogs and facebook, we will have captured a lot of the memories.

I am not ready for my babies to grow up yet, though.

Why Me?

God, why me? Why:

do I have a wonderful wife?
do I have 2 healthy boys who are not suffering from a disease?
was I born in the US and not some third world country?
do I have a job when others don't?
do I have a roof over my head when others don't?
do I not have to worry about my next meal?
do I have reliable transportation?
do I have a great family?
am I blessed with a wonderful mother in law?


These are just some of the things I wonder about Why Me?

God is not Boring

Yesterday as we were walking into school for Meet The Teacher I guess Chase had school on his mind.

He said, "When I went to Rainbow School all we learned about was colors and God. Colors were boring but God wasn't."

Living Alone

I spent my first night last night alone and it has made me really appreciate my family and all the craziness that brings.

I got up one time and walked bare foot from the living room to the bathroom and didn't step on a single lego and I was really sad about that.

4 days, 11 hours until I pick up Chase. 5 days, 3 hours until I pick Shelley and Seth up.

Money, Money, Money

I have been stressed out a lot about money lately. And I also have been experiencing some of that green monster, envy. It seems like all my peers at work are driving new cars. I then heard this song and it really leveled my head.

Home Alone

I am home alone for then next 6 days and I already think I am going to go crazy.

Chase has been in Oklahoma for the past few days and I really miss him. Our family isn't complete without him and this hasn't gone unnoticed by Seth. Once during dinner, Seth said "dinner isn't the same without Chase." Then last night when we walked in to church, Seth said "something is missing? It's not the same without Chase."

This morning I dropped Shelley, Seth and Tate off at Alasso Ranch for a week of church camp. When I walked in the house, I realized being alone was going to be hard. I don't want to ever take for granted the blessing that my family is.

Homesick

Can you be homesick and have never left your home? Well, I am or at least preparing to be.

Yesterday Chase left for Oklahoma and will be up there for the next 10 days. Then this next Sunday I am driving Shelley and Seth to Allaso Ranch where Seth will attend camp and Shelley will volunteer for one week.

I am already missing Chase and I am not looking forward to dropping Shelley and Seth off this Sunday. I am going to be alone next week and I dreading it. I don't think we all have been separated for this long ever.

While I will be sleeping in my own bed, I know I am going to be homesick. I will be posting and updating on my "condition."

Economics 101

Chase came into a little windfall courtesy of grand mama. So, with his new found wealth he decided to go on a little spending spree.

Yesterday, he went and bought some Phineas and Ferb sunglasses. Today, I took him out to Office Depot to buy a #14 Tony Stewart Office Depot chevy NASCAR model car.

On our way into the store he told me he got more money yesterday.

Me- "where did you get more money from?"
Chase - "when I bought my sunglasses they gave me more money. Am I going to get more money today?"

I love his economic model.

Praises

This week at church the message was about glorifying God and being thankful for all he has done. This isn't the first time I have heard a message on the power of praise so here are some things I am praising God for today.

1. You sent your Son to die for me.
2. Shelley
3. Seth
4. Chase
5. Shelley's theme of family this year and how much of our family we have seen.
6. My job
7. Having a roof over our head
8. Our wonderful church
9. Good friends
10 Our health
11. I don't have to worry about where our next meal will come from.
12. I'm home this morning with my boys.

Friends

I was sitting behind the boys when the picture above was taken. As soon as it was taken I thought about one of those coming of age movies where they start out showing a picture of a bunch of boys when they were kids and then you flash forward to them all graduating high school together. I wonder where all of these little boys will be in 10 years?


In the picture from left to right - Nolan Givens,Cole Ladrew, Isaiah Brogan, Cameron Bitz, Alex Ladrew and Seth