The Family Vacation

This year we decided to take a longer family vacation. For three weeks we were away. Now you may be thinking that this was an exercise in insanity given that we took our five children (11, 9, 8, 5 & 4) back East. We visited many places and ran around with friends and family.

New York Part I

The first part of our trip took us back to Wales, NY (just outside East Aurora). This is where I grew up and where my parents live. We spent 5 days there hanging out with family, fishing in the pond, going to Lake Erie and riding the Sarasota (I know it's a golf cart).

After the time spent with family we took a couple of days to visit Niagara Falls, Palmyra, and Fayette NY. We met up with our good friends Jared and Michelle, who came up from Virginia.

You may have noticed the two handsome cutouts. They are "Flat Stanley's" of our Orthodontists. Their office was having a competition and we had to take them to these places.

Hershey PA

Next on our trip was a stop in Hershey, PA. This was roughly the halfway point between Palmyra, NY and Lexington, VA where our friends live. Of course we had to go to Hershey park and eat chocolate!

Of course no trip to Pennsylvania would be complete without a visit to Amish country.

Lexington, VA

We left PA and headed to our friends home in Lexington, VA. Here we got to mow the lawn, take a tour of Virginia Military Institute, go to a lake and relax with our friends.

We had a great time with our friends, but soon it was on to another destination.

Washington DC

We left our friends in Lexington to spend a couple of days in our nation's capitol. We visited the Air and Space Museum, the National Zoo, Ford's Theater, the Museum of Natural History, the Lincoln Memorial, the memorial to the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Washington DC Temple.

New York Part II

We left DC and drove the 7+ hours back to my parents house. 7+ hours you say? Yes, because there are really no major highways between the two places. We did take a side trip on the way back as we passed Gettysburg. We had to stop. Levi is really big into the Civil War and so we took an auto tour of the battlefield. None of us realized how big the site is. We were amazed at all the divisions that fought in this turning point battle.

We arrived about 10PM at my parents house and spent 3 days relaxing and enjoying Grandpa and Grandma's house. We even got to see a summer thunderstorm which made Cheryl and I very happy. We then boarded a plane and flew the five hours back to AZ. Hopefully our children enjoyed this time and will have many memories to draw from.

What can we do for an encore you ask? Well the day after we got home was our church camp out. So yes, we slept one night in our own beds and then went up into the wilderness to sleep in a tent. Are we crazy? Yes, yes we are.

Lord Stanley Goes Hollywood

The NHL Stanley Cup playoffs concluded last night with the LA Kings beating the New Jersey Devils 6-1 in game six. The Kings won the series 4-2; the only series where they lost more than one game in these playoffs. The Kings only lost 4 games total in the playoffs (3 at home). They defeated the top three seeds in the Western Conference and were the best team in hockey this post season.

That said, you also need breaks to go your way and this post season the Kings got breaks when they needed them. Whether it was killing of a 5 on 3 power play, or a missed call (and there were several of those), things broke the Kings way. I'm not saying that the breaks gave them the cup. I truly believe they were the best team in hockey. However, they really didn't face adversity in these playoffs and that also helped them.

Yes, I'm a little disgruntled because of my support for the Phoenix Coyotes who play in the same division as the Kings and were eliminated by them in the Western Conference finals. There were definitely some times in that series where the breaks seemed to go all in favor of LA. But that is life. Things don't always go the way you want and in the end the better team won the series.

 So, congratulations LA! You're team beat the best teams in the West and delivered in the finals. Celebrate this victory, it's a great thing for your franchise. I hope that you will share this with your team legends (especially Marcel Dionne who was one of my favorite players). By the way, next year you won't get the chance to win the cup again. You see Captain Coyote (Shane Doan) and crew are going to take you out in both the regular season and, if you're lucky enough, in the playoffs. Just saying.

Bandwagoners

So the NHL playoffs are in full swing. For me, this is a great time of year, especially since it's the third straight year that the home team, the Phoenix Coyotes, have made the postseason.

I do have one problem though. A certain set of bandwagoners who pretty much ignored the Coyotes all season. This set comprises the local sportscasters here in Phoenix. These are the guys who lead with meaningful NFL draft stories in January while the Coyotes are fighting for a playoff birth. These are the guys who give the score in their segment while showing highlights of how the Suns got blown out by the Clippers. These are the guys who think that just because the seats aren't filled they shouldn't cover the 'Yotes. But if it's the DBacks then it's just fine.

The problem comes in that now that they are in the Playoffs and on the verge of winning their first round series that all of a sudden the Coyotes are the most important piece of sports news. One of the stations who are guilty of the aforementioned non-coverage actually sent their sports crew to Chicago to cover games 3 and 4. Talk about jumping on the bandwagon.

As a loyal fan who watched the season from Game 1 through now I just have one word for this set of bandwagoners - GET OFF! You didn't care about them when they were in the regular season. You didn't really care when they pretty much were the best team in Hockey during the month of February. You didn't really care that they won the Pacific division. You only care now because it gives you a positive sports story in a town where only one team has been consistently making the playoffs.

Trust and Boundaries

We had an interesting weekend. Our oldest, Levi (who is high functioning autistic), has been playing a video game at a friends house and really wanted it. The game is rated 'M' and that gave us pause. We really don't want games with that rating in the house.

Trust:
We discussed our concerns with Levi. He was explaining that the game wasn't that bad. So we went online and read reviews and opinions. A lot of the opinions expressed that the game should be rated 'T' instead of 'M'. We talked with the father of the friend to get his take. Finally, we decided to check the game out ourselves and see what it was about. Game Stop is good for this. They have a 7 day return policy on Previously Owned games so it gave us a chance to look at the game and try it out. So we picked the game up and had Levi show us what it was all about.

Boundaries:
After watching the game we decided that it was inappropriate for our house. This is something that is personal to us. It is something we are not comfortable with. Now we had to explain to Levi the reasons why we felt the game was inappropriate. It took several "sessions" along with a promise to work with Levi to find appropriate games that can be a part of our house. This morning it finally clicked (or at least seemed to) with Levi. We did some searching and have found a game that could be as fun and that can be played in our home. We will be taking back the 'M' game and getting the other game.

Results:
The results are pending. I have a good feeling that the new game will keep Levi happy. I also think that Levi has learned that we will work with him to ensure that video games we get are "fun" but also appropriate for our household. It will always be a work in progress, but I have great hopes that this weekend is a spring board for other conversations that will be had as we get older. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Roll Tide. . . Whatever!

Alabama won last night's "BCS National Championship" game 21 - 0 over #1 ranked LSU. Shall we look at why Alabama was in the National Championship game?

• Alabama won their division in the SEC. . . NO
• Alabama won the SEC Conference Championship. . . NO
• Alabama played a schedule where they beat other conference champions. . . NO
• Alabama played a team that could have played for the championship except Alabama beat them. . .NO

Only in College football can this happen. Who did Alabama beat to earn the right to play for the national championship? Let's take a look at their schedule:

• Kent State - Home Win 41 - 7
• #23 Penn State - Road Win 27 - 11
• North Texas - Home Win 41 - 0
• #14 Arkansas - Home Win 38 - 14
• #12 Florida - Road Win 38 - 10
• Vanderbilt - Home Win 34 - 0
• Ole Miss - Road Win 52 - 7
• Tennessee - Home Win 37 - 6
• LSU - Home Loss 9 - 6 OT
• Mississippi State - Road Win 24 - 7
• Georgia Southern - Home Win 45 - 21
• #24 Auburn Road Win 42 - 14

So let's break it down:

1. Played 1 team in the FCS which are not eligible to count towards a bowl game
2. Winning percentage of the teams played - 60.1% (.601)
3. 5 of the teams played had losing records
4. Played 4 ranked teams, only one of which was ranked in the top 10 (1 - 1 record against that team - LSU)

So tell me again why they were ranked #2? Oh yeah, a bunch of coaches were polled and some geeks (which I am one of) rated them based on some mythical formulas.

Don't get me wrong. Alabama played a dominant game. They had 43 days to prepare for it after all. But still, one wonders if the opinions of coaches and the points accumulated via various formulas didn't somehow favor them. What would have happened had they been forced to play their way in? Would they have made it? Possibly.

So today Roll Tide, you won a game that you were placed in instead of playing against the best teams who won their conferences. You are the BCS National Champions. Yeah, WHATEVER!

Rushing to Christmas

It's the holiday season! And it feels to me like we are all in the following state of mind:

Sally: I've been looking for you big brother. Will you please write a letter to Santa Claus for me?

Charlie Brown: Well I don't have much time. I'm supposed to get down to the school auditorium and direct the Christmas Play.

Sally: You write it and I'll tell you what I want to say.

Charlie Brown: Ok, shoot.

Sally: Dear Santa Claus, How have you been? Did you have a nice summer? How is your wife? I have been extra good this year. So I have a long list of presents I want.

Charlie Brown: Oh Brother!

Sally: Please note the size and color of each item and send as many as possible. If it seems too complicated make it easy on yourself. Just send money. How about Tens and Twenties?

Charlie Brown: Tens and Twenties?! OHHHH!!! Even my baby sister!

Sally: All I want is what I have coming to me, all I want is my fair share.

Here is the link: Sally's Christmas Letter

Does it seem like we are rushing to get presents? Are we trying to get our "Fair Share"?

Christmas is a time for giving it is true. But we should remember the true meaning of Christmas and maybe we would be wise to follow the example of shepherds over 2000 years ago (Luke 2:8-7, emphasis added):

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

The shepherds made haste to view the savior that was promised. They didn't rush to the local market to get gifts for everyone and their dog. They did rush to the site of the most wonderful event to occur up to that time. The birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I think we would do well to follow the example of the shepherds. That this Christmas we should rush to Him instead of rushing to the store. That we might follow the signs given to us today as the shepherds followed the signs the angel gave to them. That we might find him. Because as we sing:

Hark the Herald Angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King.
Peace on Earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled.

It was through Him that reconcilement has been made, and it is through Him that we might receive mercy mild.

Time Flies and Can Be Too Short

Today is Levi's eleventh birthday. Seems like only yesterday that we were bringing him home. I can't really say where the time has gone. I do know this; recent events have made me realize that life's too short to miss time spent. Let me explain.

Not too long ago a friend of ours passed away from Brain Cancer. A few weeks ago we found out about another friend who went in for pancreatic cancer surgery and came out with a short life prognosis. A cousin of ours was also recently diagnosed with ovarian cancer stage 4. BAM! 3 instances of cancer. All 3 at different stages in their lives. All three too young.

It got me thinking about what I would miss if something like this happened to me. No parent should ever miss the graduations, weddings, grandchildren, and other torch passes that happen in life. As a parent, it made me realize that I need to enjoy the moments. Find joy in life now as nothing is guaranteed. Try to connect more and disconnect less. Take the time to show love, not just say it.

So I'm trying to be more aware of the moments. To love a little more. To laugh a lot more. To keep the frustration down (not easy that one). To be positive. In essence to be a better Husband, Father, Son, Uncle, Cousin, Friend.

And so I reflect on the last eleven years of my life. When our family grew from two to three. Reflect on all the good times. To know that as we are now seven, there are more chances to enjoy life. Maybe, just maybe I can make the memories that will last for more than my lifetime.