TO: Kathryn - the best wife EVER!
Well, here we are. 16 years later. What a different world we are in now, don't you say? 16 years ago, I thought I loved you and felt like I couldn't be closer to a person than I felt like 16 years ago today. How wrong I was, but how pleasantly surprised I am to find out that I had no idea how great it is to be married to my best friend in the world (universe really) and how much I could love someone as much I as I love you.
We have seen a lot, you and me. Some of it has been awesome. Some of it has been horrifying. Some of it has been challenging. Some of it has been downright nasty. But somehow we made it through and we're still best friends; even better, really.
I don't know what to say today to let you know how I really feel. I have never been good at it. But let me say this one thing to you, Kathryn:
Now, and forever.....
Love you!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Morosity - is it really a word?
So, it's been a while since I last posted. How many blog posts start that way? No idea. Well, here's one more.
It's not that I haven't wanted to post. I have had thoughts about it. Many, in fact. But how do you post something without talking about the one thing that has dominated your time, thoughts, efforts, and emotions for the past 5 months? I don't know. Maybe that's why I haven't posted.
Scout camp was great. Tim did really well. Mostly. He did get 6 merit badges. I guess I could complain that he could have got more, but for a 12 year old first year camper, 6 merit badges is awesome. I thought that he was really going to set a world record when he came back with his first merit badge before lunch the first day. But then, he fell victim to Archery and spent about 2 days working on that. Then the "Oops, I lost it again" bug started on him and he lost his score sheet. Well, at least he moved on and did finish up other merit badges. That was great. I was proud of him, although there were many "learning moments". I guess those are important too.
Camp New Fork, in the Wind Rivers of western Wyoming, is a great place for a Scout Camp. I have been there at least 5 times with troops (it may be more; I keep losing track). The most striking thing about that camp is the forest there. It was just awesome.
Sadly, the pine beetle has taken a huge toll on that forest. I'd say at least 50% of the trees in the camp are dead now and we saw many areas that either were totally dead or at least 90% dead. There are a lot of factors that have contributed to it, of course. The best way to put it is that it's all a natural cycle and the forest will come back. It may take a generation, but it will be back.
As fun as it was to go on the Camp, particularly the first camp with a son of mine, it was great to come home. I am so lucky to have the best kids in the world. I missed them all.
It's hard to believe I have a 14 year old daughter now. I hope she knows how proud I am of her. She is a great kid and I know she has great things ahead of her.
Sierra is just so cute, even though she did cut off her beautiful hair! Well, she is still cute and looks great with shorter hair, but I am a Dad that likes long hair on his daughters. I know, I don't have to wear it, so I shouldn't say anything, but I am allowed to have my biases.
Savanna is the bravest, most wonderful birthday present a guy could ever hope for. She still wants me to tuck her in at night. Sometimes I get annoyed and wish she would tuck herself in; then I realize my tucking in nights are numbered. Then I just am grateful she still gives me a hug, smiles, and kisses me on the cheek when I tuck her in.
Ethan is a super, awesome, medium big-ish boy that I just don't know how I could possibly live without. He keeps us all happy, and if you are feeling down, those medium big-ish boy hugs are tonic and balm for the soul.
I like to post stuff that is funny, and I do try to make those posts from time to time. This one won't be as much, but I am sure I'll dredge up some funny stuff sooner or later. It's too ingrained in my personality to make people laugh, I think. I guess that is because laughing is so much better of an emotion; if you are laughing you aren't crying. Sometimes life throws curves at you that make you cry a lot, even when you are tough "manly man". Hopefully, those are the times you learn, grow, and move on so that you can laugh again.
I will be back with more posts, I am sure. There will be funny ones; there may be other ones like this. So for now, so long and thanks for all the fish.
It's not that I haven't wanted to post. I have had thoughts about it. Many, in fact. But how do you post something without talking about the one thing that has dominated your time, thoughts, efforts, and emotions for the past 5 months? I don't know. Maybe that's why I haven't posted.
Scout camp was great. Tim did really well. Mostly. He did get 6 merit badges. I guess I could complain that he could have got more, but for a 12 year old first year camper, 6 merit badges is awesome. I thought that he was really going to set a world record when he came back with his first merit badge before lunch the first day. But then, he fell victim to Archery and spent about 2 days working on that. Then the "Oops, I lost it again" bug started on him and he lost his score sheet. Well, at least he moved on and did finish up other merit badges. That was great. I was proud of him, although there were many "learning moments". I guess those are important too.
Camp New Fork, in the Wind Rivers of western Wyoming, is a great place for a Scout Camp. I have been there at least 5 times with troops (it may be more; I keep losing track). The most striking thing about that camp is the forest there. It was just awesome.
Sadly, the pine beetle has taken a huge toll on that forest. I'd say at least 50% of the trees in the camp are dead now and we saw many areas that either were totally dead or at least 90% dead. There are a lot of factors that have contributed to it, of course. The best way to put it is that it's all a natural cycle and the forest will come back. It may take a generation, but it will be back.
As fun as it was to go on the Camp, particularly the first camp with a son of mine, it was great to come home. I am so lucky to have the best kids in the world. I missed them all.
It's hard to believe I have a 14 year old daughter now. I hope she knows how proud I am of her. She is a great kid and I know she has great things ahead of her.
Sierra is just so cute, even though she did cut off her beautiful hair! Well, she is still cute and looks great with shorter hair, but I am a Dad that likes long hair on his daughters. I know, I don't have to wear it, so I shouldn't say anything, but I am allowed to have my biases.
Savanna is the bravest, most wonderful birthday present a guy could ever hope for. She still wants me to tuck her in at night. Sometimes I get annoyed and wish she would tuck herself in; then I realize my tucking in nights are numbered. Then I just am grateful she still gives me a hug, smiles, and kisses me on the cheek when I tuck her in.
Ethan is a super, awesome, medium big-ish boy that I just don't know how I could possibly live without. He keeps us all happy, and if you are feeling down, those medium big-ish boy hugs are tonic and balm for the soul.
I like to post stuff that is funny, and I do try to make those posts from time to time. This one won't be as much, but I am sure I'll dredge up some funny stuff sooner or later. It's too ingrained in my personality to make people laugh, I think. I guess that is because laughing is so much better of an emotion; if you are laughing you aren't crying. Sometimes life throws curves at you that make you cry a lot, even when you are tough "manly man". Hopefully, those are the times you learn, grow, and move on so that you can laugh again.
I will be back with more posts, I am sure. There will be funny ones; there may be other ones like this. So for now, so long and thanks for all the fish.
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