1st Day of 2nd Grade

Today the girls started 2nd grade. They didn't seem as excited as they were for Kindergarten and for 1st grade. It has kind of become a bit routine now - getting back into the same routine of getting up at 6 am to catch a 7 am bus - going to a now familiar school but just a different classroom - getting off the bus at 3. Both girls seemed more excited when they got home. I don't think they'll be quite so excited tomorrow - I fear the homework will begin.

Tour De Cure

This September, I'm riding in the Tour de Cure to raise money for Diabetes research. Click here to go to my fundraising page. I still need to get a photo or two up there. But I really want a cool action shot of me riding - and that's something I don't have...yet. Stay tuned.

Vacation Time

We're going on vacation! We are headed north to St. Louis for a once-in-a -lifetime opportunity: to celebrate my parents' 50th wedding anniversary. My sister and her family and a number of uncles and aunts will be there as well. We looking forward to seeing them and the celebration. But we aren't looking forward to the drive: 2 days. First day we travel 13 or so hours to Jackson, TN to stay overnight with Sheri's folks. And then another 5 hours to St. Louis the next morning. We will be visiting our Jackson people for a few days on our way back.
Anyway, it's good to get away for awhile.

Can You Trust?

A few weeks back, the computer on my bike failed. It is a Specialized Speedzone Wireless Computer. The bluetooth transmitter that picks up wheel speed stopped working. I did the whole change the batteries and reset the computer to no avail. So I looked to see what kind of warranty Specialized offered. The manual said it had a two year warranty. But I had to ship the computer back to Specialized where they would repair or replace. Okay...do I send it in and trust that Specialized would honor the warranty? (Meaning I'm without a bike computer for a few weeks.) Or do I just buy a new one? It comes down to trust. Can I trust a company to keep its word? Twenty years ago or so, this wouldn't even be a question. But with the way many companies have recently betrayed the public trust, (just watch the Nightly News every night!) I had to make a serious decision. So I decided to go for it.
About two weeks later, a FedEx package arrives at the door. Inside was a brand new computer! Specialized came thru and honored their warranty. The weird part is that I was suprised at all. I shouldn't have been. A company should back its products and honor their warranties. But I cannot deny that I wasn't surprised. While I commend Specialized for doing the right thing and I will continue to do business with them, the fact I was surprised says something about the state of commerce and public distrust in America today - that I fully expected them not to do the right thing.

School's Out

Yeah!!! Today was the last day of school for the year for Abby and Emma. They have now completed 1st grade. Bonus: We don't have to get up at 6 am to get them on the 7 am bus. Downside: I loose my "date days" with Sheri on Fridays.

Forty One

Yesterday was my birthday - my 41st. I woke up thinking it wasn't going to be a big deal. But it evolved into something somewhat significant for me. The first moments of the day included receiving gifts from Sheri and the girls: An iPod Touch (how cool is that) and a couple of nice dress shirts with matching ties - very nice. Later, I got to work and at 9:00 am, the entire staff met for our usual Monday Morning meeting. As each staff member entered the room, the told me "Happy Birthday." And then they decided to take me to lunch. Later that afternoon, I opened up Facebook and found that dozens of my friends from all over the country had taken the time to wish me a happy birthday. That evening, I enjoyed a nice dinner at home with my family, followed by phone calls from my sister and from my parents.

I was just going to write off the day as a tick on my personal odometer. But all of these people in my life made it so much more. I am truly blessed beyond imagination. I, a sinner worthy of nothing, have been chosen by my God to be his child through baptism and has called me to be an ordained servant of the Word among some amazing people. My Heavenly Father has taken care of all my needs - most especially the gift of salvation through my Lord Jesus Christ. I have a wife with whom I am privileged to share my life and she shares her life with me. We have been blessed with the gift of two beautiful and incredible daughters. And yesterday, so many people took the time to share in my day.

Forty One isn't so bad after all.

Abby's Spring Recital

Abby gave her spring recital today. Her pieces include "Brother John" and "Graduation Song."