Monster Garage

When I was young... maybe 12 or 13, I came home to find my younger brother in the garage tricking out his bike. As carefully as he could manage, he had painted in red and yellow letters the words "Sweat Lightning" across the top tube of his silver Huffy. Being a good speller and a lousy brother, it took me no time to identify the mistake. In spite of all available brotherly options, I was stupid and sarcastic.

As we got older... even just by a couple of years, the competition or contention seemed to subside. He may not even remember that day. I always will.

Nostradumbass

I found these watercolors in an old sketchbook the other day while Tracy and I were cleaning out the shed. (good times) I think I did them about 10 years ago, when Evan was just one or so... something that might explain why he looks like a six foot toddler. Guess I was trying to predict how they all might look in the future. Admittedly, I did get some things wrong. Evan doesn't wear hats. Hailey doesn't wear shorts. And Eden almost certainly has feet.

Lately.

Okay... I haven't posted for about 12 days. But rest assured, they happened. I even have the pictures to prove it. So just to catch you up....some events from the past few weeks... in no particular order.

Evan went swimming with his class.
Mom liberally (and with some satisfaction) applied the sunblock.




Eden had a week for the record books...
- was filmed in HS Musical III, played volleyball with the "stars".
- had 5 pieces in the East High Art Show. (one 1st place)
- was named to the high school All-Star Team in Lacrosse.





I went on a turkey shoot for Subway. In case you were wondering, this is what people with middling grade point averages do when they get out of school.





We said farewell to some close friends.




Ev's been playing the guitar. I wouldn't call him a prodigy just yet, but he has taken to it with the same intensity he does everything else. Anyone remember the lockpicking phase?



I "ran" in the Law Day 5k at the University of Utah.
Next time I will definitely not let anyone pushing a stroller pass me.

Crossroads

Today, Microsoft Word asked me a really tough question:



Honestly, I wasn't prepared with an answer.

What is "Normal" anyway?
And how could I possibly foresee the effects of replacing it?

There's a lot at stake here.

I mean... I'm pretty happy with my life. Tracy and the kids are great, right? Yeah, the house needs a lot of work and my job is sometimes a challenge. Wouldn't I be crazy to give all of this up? I should definitely just click "No".

Or perhaps... by clicking "Yes", I would overcome a comfortable but limiting status quo only to soar like a majestic bald(ing) eagle.

I clicked "No".

I knew the question was coming... I just turned 40.
I just didn't expect it from a word processor.

Her. Them. Us.

This is Her.
Also known as the only reason I am anything.
We've been married almost 20 years.
Yes, I am that lucky.
I am grateful for many things.
But maybe most of all.
I am grateful that she loves me as much as I love her.
And she knows everything.
If that isn't love, I have no idea what is.



This is Them.
The result of Her and Me.
They were all together on Sunday.
Mother's Day.
Yesterday they were demanding.
Tomorrow, expensive.
On Sunday, they were perfect.



This is Us.
Homemade pasta.
Hung on a broomstick.

What time would Jesus meet?

The other morning I attended a 7:30am meeting at our church. Sometime in the hours before or after, I honestly don't remember which... I began to wonder:

Would Jesus really want us to have a 7:30 meeting? I mean... He had long hair. Wore a robe. Spoke in parables. I don't want to assume to much here, but I think he might be more of a 9:30 guy.

Honestly, the meeting was fine... even uplifting.
They almost always are.

It just made me think.

96 Hours

I've seen my family very little.
Worked way too much.
Eaten at my desk.
Missed perfect weather.
Stressed out.
Failed to get a passport photo.
Failed to exercise.
Failed to sleep.
Forgot to lock up.
Played the martyr.
Sent ill-advised email.

Ate banana bread (just out of the oven).

All in all, it's been a decent week.

Just Like That

Hailey moved out this week.

She didn't run away. (like she did when she was 5).
We didn't kick her out (like we threatened to do when she was 17).

She calmly, and with as much forethought as an 18 can muster, signed a lease on an apartment, packed her things over a three week period and took a another sizeable step toward adulthood.

The most surprising thing? The complete and accidental lack of fanfare that accompanied the final moments.

It's a funny thing sometimes... trying to detect when the end of something really happens. Apparently, when it comes to moving out, the end comes when you move the bed. Of course, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this out... I'm just slower than most.

So on Tuesday night when I helped Hailey move the couch and bed, that was it. No big, final hug. No teary send off.

Why not?

It might have been because she only moved just down the street (she was here for dinner). Or because I have a suspicion she might be back. Or maybe because I am only now just realizing that something big might have just ended.