Year / 2008

by Greg

Current TV

I must say… it’s weird, and slightly annoying to be watching a current TV show. I have said here before that I do not watch much current TV (really, barely any) but I got to watch the pilot of the Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles show, and liked it. I can’t really explain it, but somehow it was something I enjoyed and could watch.

So the weird part is, not only do I have to wait a whole week for the next show (and this one keeps a story line going from one week to the next) I also have to wait till who knows when for the resolution of the season finale’s CLIFF HANGER! ARGH!

Totally forgot about that. I need to just stop watching till the whole show is done, and then watch it all in a couple weeks on DVD (without commercials!!) like TV was meant to be seen!

(Although I kinda feel hooked… so we’ll see if I can stick to that…) 🙂

by Greg

OK Night

I can’t remember now if I have posted this here or not, but it’s worth of a post (or two) for sure.

A while back (I think it was for Kirsten the first time) we thought it would be a good idea for one on one outings with the kids. Usually it would be Dad (since they all get more time with Mom usually) but it could be with Mom sometimes, too. We had heard the idea a time or two from other families, and liked it, and it seemed like little Kirstie was getting lost in the shuffle a bit. So, we did it.

Well, after a long break, we started it up again… but this time we thought Ian needed a little alone time with Dad. So we decided to go in descending age order. Well, after the first time, all the other kids were very much looking forward to their turn with Dad. 🙂 Somehow along those various conversations, we started calling it the One Kid Night… which I shortened to “OK Night.” And it stuck. 🙂

Last night was Julia’s turn (our 4th, and almost 2 year old) and we had a blast. It’s pretty funny when a 33 year old and an almost 2-year-old are out for an evening together. The conversation can be … intriguing, as well as… difficult to understand at times. 🙂 She’s a cutie! Was so fun to hear her starting conversations with Dad! We sang songs, we rode the carousel at the mall, we shared some ice cream, we visited our favorite stores… it was a blast! Can’t wait for the next one!

It’s pretty cool to see what comes out of one-on-one time with the kids. We love being a big family, and we love being together, but sometimes some pretty cool stuff happens when you just get one kid with one parent.

Like I said… can’t wait for the next one!

by Greg

Subtle Difference

Today the boys and I read the very familiar paragraph in Matthew where Jesus says with the Ask, Seek & Knock stuff. God wants us to come to him and he wants us to know that he’s listening. And that’s amazing.

But the part I noticed is something that I have also been thinking a bit about recently.

At the end of the paragraph, Jesus says, “Treat others as you want them to treat you. This is what the Law and the Prophets are all about.” (Matthew 7:12)

I have said that many times to my kids, and that is really how I want to live my life. Thinking about other people like I’d want them to think about me. Treating them as I would want to be treated. I actually forgot that Jesus said “That’s what the Law & Prophets are all about” regarding this phrase. The other phrase I frequently use is “Love God, Love people.” which is taken from another time Jesus said that, “Everything God has said up until now is summed up by that.”

When he says that, it seems to me that we should listen.

But then, I have been challenged recently that thinking that way, and trying to live that way is still a bit religious. Though the motivation may not be from guilt, or a desire to earn God’s favor, it is still about what I do. How I must change. How I must be. And certainly, on one level, that is good and right. When we do what is right – the way life is supposed to be lived – then life is good, and things work out the best way they can. Mostly.

Could a possible (subtle) alternative could be to focus on our relationship with God, rather than what we do after that? Could it be an even more healthy view of the Kingdom if we could say, “I am loved, and so are you.” Do you see the subtle difference? I’m honestly not that sure I do, but a part of me does. The difference seems to be in the focus. One focus is still on what I can do, the other is focused on what God has done and is doing. He has restored our relationship, and he leads me every day, and he puts other people around me that I can love as I have been loved. Doesn’t he?

It could just be semantics, and I know that I am prone to thinking too much on things at times. But the funny thing is, the more I “think on” this, the simpler it gets. Perhaps that is the true way of the kingdom.

Live loved today. I think when we do, then we are best able to really love back, and love out.

by Greg

Too Many Streaks

Buffalo SabresThis is the year of the streak for the Buffalo Sabres. Frustrating to fans, perhaps even more frustrating to the players and coaches.

Just when it looks like the team is getting back to their winning ways, the Sabres seem to match a long winning streak with an equally long losing streak. The result has been hovering about in the middle of the conference standings, with just over a .500 record on the season.

Now three points out of a playoff spot, with key losses to the teams they are chasing in this current losing streak, the Sabres are definitely in danger of not even qualifying for post season play. And they know it. The players held a “players only” meeting following yesterday’s embarrassing 4-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings.

At least they understand that they need to step it up. And I believe they can. But will they? Maybe they can have a nice win streak to make the push for the playoffs, followed by their typical long losing streak, followed by a long winning streak to carry them into the playoffs? Not sure there’s time. Then, wouldn’t they just be saving their losing streak for the first round of the playoffs? 🙂

It looks as if this year’s team may have taken too much of a hit with the loss of Briere and Drury in the summer, and now losing one of their top defensemen, Brian Campbell (who always logged a lot of ice time) in a trade to the Sharks. Time will tell. And it will tell soon.

I remain hopeful, but weary of the streaks.

by Greg

[Things That Are Weird] Gambling Aversions

I know that I probably just can’t understand, since it really has no pull on me, but one more Thing That [Is] Weird to me is how much of an aversion some folks have to gambling on any level. Not just Christian, “God hates gamblers” folks. Regular folks who feel like any wagering is fruitless, and even dangerous. Can’t it just be a fun way to spend money (and possibly make some?) just like going to a movie, or an amusement park or something? (Perhaps those games at amusement parks are equal to gambling? Odds are just as good…..) 🙂

Just one more of the many Things That Are Weird.

by Greg

Kirstie’s Day

What a great fourth birthday for our little Kirstie! I figured it would be fun (at least for us!) to write out all the details of the big day, so here we go!

Kirstie was the last of the kids to wake up yesterday, so I gathered the other three and my guitar and we snuck into her room and quietly sang Happy Birthday to wake her up. 🙂 After a little disorientation… she stumbled out her door to see her new birthday poster (see below) and open a present (a new pink booster seat for a BIG GIRL in the van!) and then went downstairs for breakfast.

Mom did some fun-for-Kirstie things till lunch time, and then at lunch Dad came down from the office and Kirstie went on a birthday present scavenger hunt! Mom gave her an initial clue, and then each present she found had a clue for where to find the next one! Great idea by Jen, lots of fun for Kirsten (and the rest of us, too!) After that I made an awesome pink cake – later to be frosted with pink icing – for my pink-lovin’ girl!

I worked a bit more in the office, until the evening fun, which began around 7pm when we headed out for dinner.

First up was a birthday meal at Red Robin. Kirstie got a pink balloon (which ended up in the ceiling rafters…) and ordered a full kids meal – since she was a big girl – and of course had the free sundae which is brought out by singing red robin employees. Ian sang along and said, “I know all the words by heart!” 🙂 Fun times! We love birthdays at Red Robin!

After that we headed around the corner to Chuck E. Cheese! We love birthdays at Chuck E. Cheese! Thanks to some coupons, we got 120 tokens for $10! That’s a great deal, and a LOT of games! We fanned out and had a blast. Kirstie got to play games with all her family members, and just had a great time. One of her favorite things to do!

We stayed until close (they were very gracious) and then headed home, but with a stop at Uncle Scott & Aunt Leah’s first to eat her pink cake! It was a bit late for all, but they were great. Leah had the plates and ice cream (and birthday candles!) ready, and we got right to singing happy birthday, blowing out candles and eating cake & ice cream! The whole visit was only 45 minutes but nice that we could share another birthday with them before they move to Washington DC. We’ll miss them.

At the end of all that, Kirstie was BEAT! Exhausted. Wasted. But… in still able to bring up a few fun things from the day. When we got home she was crying about something (again, just exhausted) but managed to stop, and give Dad a big smile as I was saying good night. For her fourth birthday she felt like the little princess that she is. 🙂

Kirstie is four… next is Julia in just under two weeks… unless….

Baby is due pretty soon, too!

Lots of BIRTHdays! 🙂

by Greg

Happy 4th Birthday, Kirsten!

Happy Birthday Kirstie!
Today is our little girl’s 4th birthday. Kirstie Rae is FOUR today! The other kids and I sang her happy birthday this morning to wake her up, and then she opened a few presents (and got her birthday poster…) before heading down for breakfast. Mom has a fun scavenger hunt planned for her other presents, and then tonight we’ll celebrate at Red Robin and Chuck E. Cheese (two of her favorite things!) 🙂

So happy birthday little girl! Love you! 🙂

by Greg

Third Party Candidates

Ralph Nader runs for President again
No, I am not a Ralph Nader supporter. I would not vote for him as his view of government seems to be quite different from mine. (He wants universal healthcare, less military spending, etc… which I don’t believe I am for.) But on one level, I wish I could.

We saw Nader announce his candidacy (I think?) on Meet The Press this past Sunday. Tim Russert did his best to dissuade him, saying he would just ruin the chances of the Democratic candidate by stealing votes from that party. Nader said basically, “What kind of system is that??” I agree with him entirely. I don’t like the two parties. I think anyone and everyone should be allowed to run for president, especially if they can get some support. I would most definitely vote for a third-party candidate that I agreed with on major issues.

Why are we so locked into the current system in this country? What would it take to break out of it? Nader is just ignoring the system and doing what he wants. I do applaud him for that, though again… I am also thankful he most likely won’t win. 🙂

Power to the people. Or… something like that. 🙂

by Greg

Sabres Deal Campbell to Sharks

Defenseman Brian CampbellAs predicted last night, the Sabres did find a taker for their all-star (super star) defenseman. He will join the San Jose Sharks who are having a very fine season, and look to make a run at the Stanley Cup. He’ll also join former teammate Mike Greer, who joined the Sharks a couple years ago.

The Sabres acquired winger Steve Bernier in the trade, along with the Sharks’ 1st round and 7th round picks in 2008. They are definitely looking at it as getting something instead of nothing for Campbell. This article at NHL.com says that Regier tried to sign Campbell till the last minute here, and then dealt him so they didn’t just lose him.

It’s sad to see him go. That’s three really big name players that we have lost in the past year. Chris Drury, Daniel Briere, and now Brian Campbell. Ouch.

We did sign Thomas Vanek, though…

The Sabres are in a bit of a slump, still riding a ten game streak with no losses in regulation, but only 2-3-1 in their last six. That puts them in 9th place for the moment, and out of the playoffs if they began today. Not sure if Bernier will be enough boost (or compensate for the loss of Campbell?) but perhaps the Sabres are not done dealing just yet.

They are a good team with a lot of talent. But this front office is getting a little annoying. It’s time to hold on to guys like Drury, Briere, and Campbell. Is Ryan Miller the next to go?

Let’s hope not.