Spring Break 2010

This has been a good spring break for us. It was a great time to get away with some great friends who absolutely spoiled us as well as a lot of fun to be with Tami and the kids. There is an event that has struck me over this past week. It was a late night of watching basketball when my sister-in-law found a water leak in their house. Wet carpet....late at night....have to work in the morning....(insert your own vernacular) I was able to locate the leak the next morning, pulled the guts out of a valve and took it to buy new guts only to find out that they no longer make that particular gut anymore. So, the young employee asked his older (more experienced) boss what to do. Experience placed the part in a vice, grabbed a drill bit, drilled out the broken part, tapped out the hole and replaced with a larger screw and new washer. Old part now fixed. Experience told young employee to now go to the computer and figure up a bill!! He could run the computer but not think himself into a simple solution.
Later that day I arrived at mom and dad's and dad asked if we could flip the trampoline over so he could braze some broken legs. Seth kept asking me "is he welding?, can I watch or do I have to look away?" it was then that I realized that we are losing our abilities to fix and mend the broken by using simple techniques. We would rather discard the broken (its not worth it, it will take less time to buy new) rather than get involved, get dirty, have pride in our work and keep what is worth keeping. We can peck a computer but not be able to remove a screw!! Experience is a great teacher. The Experienced need to invest in the Inexperienced and the Inexperienced better be learning from the Experienced. Which one are you?

OH YEAH!!

Its going to be a great week!!

Parent of the year!!

Do you ever feel like your competing for the parent of the year award? It seems to me that all other dads should just drop out this year because I believe that I have this years award in the bag! Drew, has complained about a stomach ache for several days only to have it get unbearably worse last evening. When your youngest son is begging you to take him to the doctor, then you should take him! Me, I'm a paramedic, I think I know medicine, "your fine son, just relax!" as he rolls on the couch, floor and bed for two hours. No fever, "your fine", no vomiting, "your fine", no diarrhea, "your fine", no other indication of any sickness whatsoever, "suck it up son you'll be fine". "I just want it to go away!" Okay, that one got me I was now starting to feel bad but yet still wanting to avoid the ER. I know the ER. The waiting, IVs, X-rays the unexpected CT scan (are you kidding me, for an appendicitis?!?) and not to mention the cost! Well, we went and explained to him the possibilities of what might take place. He never cried! "I was trying not to cry" he said after they started the IV. He was awesome. Never complained about the IV, blood draw or the CT scanner. He was awesome. My son was tough! Scared? Yes, Questions? Yes but he wanted to be better so he was willing to endure temporary pain for permanent relief! What about Isaac? "Dad we have the fire and the wood but no lamb to sacrifice what are we going to do?"
"God will provide" says Abraham. I believe that Abraham was a man of honesty and boldness yet knew what the possibilities were. The Bible does not say that Isaac put up a fight with Abraham. Was Isaac willing to suffer a temporary pain for a permanent gain? Maybe God just wants to see our willingness. Remain faithful, be bold and walk to the edge of where God takes you and be willing to jump if He wants you to. That's my lesson for the week. I am now off to meet with someone whom I really don't want to but......

Drew is fine. No appendicitis, no pain, he is back at school!! Go figure!

I Love This Month!

There are a few things in life that I would love to continue to be a part of until my death. One of those is basketball. I love this sport. My dad was a great player who had a solid set shot well into his 50s. My goal is to play one year longer than my dad!! To this day, dad travels around the state to watch highschool basketball. For the next two weeks he will be at every sub-state and state game possible while mom enjoys her time at home....alone. He will travel for hours to watch a particular team play. He will find as quiet of a spot (which means off by himself) as possible and as close to the court as he can to watch the games. He loves the game and the competition. He has become a person who some schools look for at their games. He also attends all of his grandkids sporting events because he loves them and the sport. I love that man. This month is my favorite month because of basketball. In two weeks I will be in Sedan Ks which is in southeast Ks competing in an FCA tournament. I really should not be there because I am getting old and slow but I just can't convince myself to quit. There will be teams from Oklahoma and across Ks at the tournament. For some teams it is a dunk fest which is fun to watch. Me, I run up and down the court a few times then go get some O2. We have fun and enjoy the day. My next challeng is to convice Tami to let me have ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN U, Fox Sports and a TV in every room with surround sound. I would let her have my laptop in exchange, so far NO DEAL! For you Cat lovers out there, prepare for a thrashing by the Hawks! I Love This Month!! Talk to you in April!!