The Old Man and The Sea

This book is in my head. I feel like the Old Man is living inside my heart right now and won't leave. 

Ostensibly, it's about an old man (which I'm not), fishing (which I practically care nothing about) in the sea (which I've seen probably twice in my life) and baseball (which I really care nothing about); but it gripped me and it won't let me go. There are many metaphors, but if there's one thing about this book I can pin down it's that I feel stronger after reading it. 

But don't ask me why.

10 Things to Love About Sarah...

...As if there is only 10.

This is Brad, Sarah's husband.  A few days ago she humored me by publishing a post about me.  I figured since it's Valentines day that I could return the favour.  

1.  She's Smart.  I mean really smart.  Read this blog, 'nuf said.

2.  She's beautiful.  I mean reaaaallllly beautiful.

I can't believe that I (see below a candid pic the darn paparazzi snapped of me while I was innocently bathing in my back-yard)...

could score her (again, see below)  Whoa!

3.  She makes me feel good about myself.  She always humors my obsession with technology,

 and numbers (but who isn't impressed that there are over 100 billion stars in the Milky Way, I mean, seriously.

4.  She loves with her whole heart.  When Sarah decides she loves someone, she really loves them.  She has friends that she has been loyal to for her whole life because she loves them.  I've been married to Sarah for over 5 years and I have never met her friend Tracey (she lives in Europe, or something), but she talks about Tracey like they see each other every day!

5.  She loves our kids, even when they are a handful.  How do you honestly love someone who makes you clean up this...

Most days I am grateful that I get to go to work in the morning, and leave Jesse and Breanna with Mom.  Don't get me wrong, I love my kids, but they're a lot of work.  I don't know how she gets through the week.  I have about as much as I can handle when she goes to the gym for 2 hours, but she happily spends time with them reading, painting, teaching, playing, loving, praising, building and disciplining.  Thank goodness for Sarah.

6.  She cares for her body.  Health is very important to Sarah, but it's more than about looking good.  It's about being able to live a fuller life.  To Sarah, working out is much the same as saving for the future.  Continually depositing money in her 'health' bank while she's young and able will allow her to make withdraws from that bank long into the future.  I wish I shared this discipline.  

7.  She loves the scriptures and wants to make sure that our kids share that same love.  I can't think of a day that Sarah has not read her scriptures.  I'm not sure if I have a bad memory, but I'm amazed that every day when I leave for work, Sarah has her bed lamp on and is reading her scriptures.  

8.  Sarah is continually looking for ways to improve herself.  Seriously.  I go through stages, where I'll strive for improvement for a while, then quit for a looooong time, then try for a few days, then quit again.  Sarah is not like this.  She is constantly thinking about what she can be doing better - for herself, her kids, me, her church calling.  She may not always succeed, but it does not stop her from trying, and I think that's what is most admirable.  She just doesn't get down about it.  If she is feeling down, she'll just 'matter-of-factly' admit that you can't change the past, so lets change now and make sure the future is different.

9.  Sarah stays true to her commitments.  When Sarah decides she's going to do something, it gets done - 100% of the time.  

10.  Sarah's smile and laugh.  There is nothing in this world that I love more than to see my beautiful wife smile.  Smile at me, our children, a small bird, a beautiful rock, the mountains, warm water, long showers, a comfortable bed, a good book, a funny movie, a sad movie, an unpredictable situation or a good conversation - I just love her smile.   

Happy Valentines Day Sarah.

Love Brad

I'm a Sugar Addict

Admitting it is the first step right? 

 :(

The Hiding Place

I just finished this eye-opening book. So many thoughts are floating around in my head now. I want to be honest about them. My first thought came in about the middle of the book when Germany took over Holland. I felt gratitude for freedom. Nothing has made me appreciate my freedom like hearing a real-life tale of what it's like not to have it. As I continued reading, I felt grateful for the other luxuries I enjoy. I think truly no one in history has had an easier time of it than my generation. I also felt gratitude for the brave souls who lived and died for liberty, who sacrificed their own freedom, comforts, who put aside fears and selfishness and fought for my freedom. Mine! It amazes me how ignorant I have been of that sacrifice before today! I have tried (and this is total honesty) to appreciate the soldiers who fought and/or died on Remembrance Day, but did I really understand the darkness and horror they had to fight against? And it wasn't just the soldiers, it was everyone in the world who worked for the good guys, who was a good guy and tried to further the cause of the good guys. So I felt like a spoiled brat! 

Then I read about the underground network and the love of the book's author and her family. At that point I felt admiration and a tinge of jealousy-or regret-guilt- because of how well these people (at least as the author told it) understood the true nature of Christianity, understood love. I really do long to love like that- to be simply guileless, seeing the good in everyone, loving easily, giving freely of one's substance, because self-consciousness, pride, anxiety, don't get in the way. It's not naivety, it's guilelessness. There is a difference, although the world would not have you believe it. Life would be so full! 

Then as I read about the concentration camp and Corrie's experience there, I wondered to myself-wait a minute. Nothing is worse than this. The Savior descended below all things, and he was alone. But in human history, I don't think anything has been worse. So I wondered, why do people say that we are in the last days? Why is everyone talking about how horrible the last days will be? Is there more to come? And is this comfort, ease, etc. supposed to prepare me for worse if worse is coming? Right now my life consists of getting through a long and tedious day with my kids, wondering what to make for supper and waiting for some kind of burst of energy so I can finish my housework. Blah. If times like war and famine did come, from what experience would I garner the strength and courage, the selfless spirit I would need to fight with any kind of valor on the Lord's side? Would I have the same faith as these people had? I hope those who fought for my freedom can see what a wonderful life they paved the way for, and I hope they don't see my ingratitude and how much I take for granted! Finally, Ephesians 6:12 came to mind:

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

Perhaps ease itself is one thing we fight against. Complacency. All those little teeny tiny Christian principles that everyday ease makes difficult especially with family. I hope this stays in my thoughts for a while. What a great book, I can't believe I hadn't read it already! 

And with THAT... I'm going to go watch American Idol.

Another Video

I wish I was in this audience because heaven knows I would not have sat there and said nothing!! I agree this whole comparison of abortion to the holocaust is a bit gory and doesn't do much for the pro-life position, but I think this guy's point is that if you agree that unborn babies are human beings, the comparison to the holocaust is not as much of a stretch as it might originally seem. I thought Universities were publicly funded and places where all viewpoints and positions should be allowed to flourish and be expressed. This, and the case at U of C where the pro-lifers were charged with trespassing, are beginning to make me wonder.

Everyone Needs to see this!!

An interview with a former KGB agent.



Love this. The whole world needs to see it! How have we all become so blind?

Ten Reasons to Love Brad

1.  He can fix anything, I mean anything. He's so smart it's almost weird but he never brags or lets on about it.

2. He's really good at guitar hero. He doesn't play that much but he's a natural! You might be wondering, is that a reason to love him? Well, yes and no. It's kinda cute.

3. He rarely criticizes people and never gossips. He doesn't judge people either (which is why he's the lucky guy who got to marry ME!)

4. He looks really good with a baby. The way he looks at Breanna about makes me melt. 

5. He has the most beautiful blue eyes

6. He lets me do whatever I want, whenever I want and never complains about it.

7. He cuddles me at night and in the morning before work (awwwww!)

8. He's a great dad, plays with the kids all the time, reads to them, takes them swimming, etc.

9. He says he's sorry. How many guys do you know that can do that??

10. He is good to the core. A good person, with a good heart and good intentions who loves to serve although he would never admit it.

Kids

We're not too crafty around here, but we still have some messy fun.

I let Jesse use good paint because the colors are so much more vibrant than the cheap kid stuff

 Good old cornstarch and water, we call it "goo" and Jesse loves it.

Breanna just gets into everything, like Jesse she's not interested in what she should be doing, but in pushing the limits and seeing what she could be doing. Her favorite things include my makeup drawer, anything out of the dishwasher, pulling videos and DVD's out of the hutch, anything small enough to put in her mouth, and anything that can be climbed on, in, or through.

Bush

Anyone who knows me knows I have stood as a supporter of President Bush through good times and bad. He wasn't perfect, but I still feel strongly that he was a man of God with good character who did wonderful things for his country and withstood a great deal of negativity from the people of his beloved country whom he labored diligently to serve for 8 years. I think what he said will come true: "history will prove me out." So these are for anyone who feels as I do (anyone? anyone?....) p.s. Brad always gets at me for putting copyrighted things on here but it got sent to me in a forward so I'll take the chance :)