Category: family

A little piece of Germany

One of the things I loved about living in Germany was the extensive bike trail system. You could theorhetically get from anywhere to anywhere cycling. Since I lived 7 miles from the city of Hanau where I went to school, the bike trails became my source of exercise as well as my commute.

Yesterday I took my first trip on the Macomb Orchard Trail that just got connected to our neighborhood. What was once an abandoned train corridor is now a nicely paved path that connects Romeo to neighboring communities to the east and south. It’s really quite cool!

As I slowly worked my way a couple of miles towing our kids in their bike trailer my mind was filled with memories of that time spent in Hanau. There were many adventures found on those bike paths. From the wicked slalom course for expert mountain bikers to the big loop that went up 2 miles and down 6 back to my little village to getting lost in the country and having to ask the man at a castle for directions back to town.

I kind of doubt that my kids will have similar opportunities when growing up. Living in Germany is unlikely… but you never know! What I do know is that having this great resource of a bike path will help them make memories of their own.

It also made me think… "Maybe we should have another German tradition that involves a path like this… a Volksmarch. It would be fun and interesting. Too bad there aren’t a lot of German’s here!

First, Stoney has a complete inability to eat one of those mean black squirrels that reside about our backayard.  Now, Kristen didn’t take him jogging this morning. He just sat by the window and cried. I think his tears are him realizing that while he is getting into "squirrel eating shape"by going jogging every morning the squirrels are also losing their winter weight. See, missing one days workout could be the difference for fulfilling that dream and not.

On June 21, 1997 Kristen and I did something crazy. We got hitched! We heard all the reasons not to get married at 21 years old and frankly all of those naysayers were wrong! The last 10 years have been fantastic, it wasn’t as hard as people made it out to be, we never lived on government cheese, and I hope I haven’t been as big of a loser as some probably told Kristen I was.

So, I’ve been trying to figure out what to get Kristen for the last couple of years. I’m not big on Hallmark holidays, I barely do Christmas, Valentines day isn’t on my radar, birthday’s aren’t something I am big on either… so what will I get Kristen for our anniversary?

(more…)

Yesterday we signed Megan up to play soccer this Spring and Summer. Since I grew up playing as a kid, I know that soccer is a great way to make friends, learn sportsmanships, and of course begin her quest for the World Cup.

On Wednesday morning the whole family was dropping me off at church for work. Since it was so warm we let Stoney out… and we all saw it at the same time. A black squirrel on top of the kids play structure.

Stoney tore off after it… it’s little pathetically disgusting ears propped up and it dove off the structure. Stoney rounded the corner, ready to taste the black fur he’s dreamt of. Just then… the evil squirrel put it into overdrive and scooted under the fence just in time.

Stoney will eat him an evil squirrel. It’s just a matter of time.

Everything Paul does, says, and dreams about involves punching, wrestling, breaking and otherwise destroying. I knew boys were different than girls… but sheesh. I think he has a future in the WWE.

Stoney really has developed into a great family dog. Sure, he farts a lot and he hates squirrels. (Though, hang out with the McLane’s and you’ll see those a two pretty normal qualities.) He is a very good dog for our kids.

In the last couple of days I’ve noticed Megan and Paul playing with him a lot. They’ve "discovered" that he is really fun to play with and lay on and toss his toys. And he is very gentle with them.

Today I’ve watched as both kids have taken turns tying a jump rope around his collar and leading him around the living room. He faithfully does what they ask and has managed to not run them over so far. I love that about Stoney. He’s been patient with our kids as they’ve gone through phases of liking him and hating him.

It may sound strange. But I also like the fact that my kids always have a dog to play with and even talk to. I think it’s one of those cool things about growing up around a dog.

p.s. Yes, we are still getting a cat. Just haven’t found one yet.

Last night Kristen and I got one of the new countertops cut and ready to mount. We’ve had the world’s longest kitchen remodel underway for the last year or more. It’s nice to see things coming together. I was looking at a
some old pictures. We have come a long way from that gross old brick and yellow kitchen with baskets hanging everywhere.

Basically, we need to finish the drywall, get it painted. Get the rest of the countertops in, install new lighting, and we’re done. I also want to tile in there but that may end up waiting for a while. It’s going to feel great to have this project completed!

Our small group had a great ending tonight. At least… it was memorable.

Memorable moment #1 Megan, her friend, and Paul come down from upstairs all dressed up. Paul made his grand entrance dressed like a princess! Complete with jewelry and skirt. It was great! The sad part was that it caught us all off guard and we laughed… causing him to get embarrassed.

Memorable moment #2 All the excitement about Paul got Stoney worked up. He got turned around in his crate and freaked out. The the process of being stuck and freaked out he kind of pee-ed/scented in the dining room. The scent pretty much ended our group!

See, not only do we learn about God in small groups. We get to know one another in our natural environment.

Back on June 2nd, my mom tried desperately to surprise me for my 30th birthday. The truth is, I had sniffed it out that she was coming…

Well last night after Light Force she surprised me for real. She has been stuck at JFK since 5:00 AM Thursday morning due to the snow storm. While she had been having a great time at the Westminster Dog Show, a snow storm was keeping her in New York.

The surprise is that she can’t make it home to Las Vegas any time soon. So they are diverting here here to Detroit until she can get it sorted out. So, in a few hours I have to run to the airport (an hour+) and pick her up for a few days.

We’re actually quite thrilled about this unexpected visitor. It will be fun! I just have to juggle a very hectic schedule. Yikes!