LOVE THEM SO MUCH....

So what do they do while I'm at work? Just chillin' with Mommy and getting dirty...LOVE THEM.

HEEEEEELLLLLPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!

AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! I am frustrated over a problem I shouldn't be frustrated over. How frustrating! I need a book to sink (i mean REALLY sink) my teeth into. No idea where to turn. Zero focus.

Here is a sample of what my "personalities" have been thinking about.

1. Read the Bible...SINNER!!!
2. You need a good "Self-Help" book to help your get life in order.
3. Get a novel, open it, start reading, zone out.
4. Pick a cool dude (or dudette) and read their biography.
5. The Classics (Dickens, Faulkner, etc.). Study the words, the language and learn how to communicate a story (you're a trial lawyer for crying out loud).

Can someone please offer up some thoughts or suggestions?? PUH-LEAZZZ!!!

Fishing while freezing

Ella had a soccer game Saturday morning and we all fried in the heat. Naturally, for her attendance at an afternoon birthday party, we had her sporting a nice little t-shirt/short set. BAD MOVE! Summer turned into mid-Fall around 3:30pm. Crazy that we're all sick. BUT, not all was lost. Checkout this monster bass that Ella landed on a borrowed Zebco 303 (yes that's me holding it because it freaked her out).

It's been another great year...

Karen, Ella and I were at the beach last week (Will didn't make the trip cuz he still eats sand...next year, he's in). While we were taking a break from the ocean, Ella informs me, "Daddy, I miss my soccer coach!". She has had a great soccer year...great coaches, teammates and fun! Only one more game left. I'll miss it lots, but not nearly as much as Ella (and Will).

Counting Sheep.

It's late, Karen's asleep, I'm tired and tomorrow promises to be a huge day of practicing law. All the while, I can't sleep. "Why?" you ask...that's a reasonable question. I'll tell you why...I can't shut my brain down. And, ya know what? I'm not thinking of anything deep or great. Nope...I'm thinking of stupid stuff...things that have zero significance.

For example, just moments ago, I had a lengthy debate (with myself, naturally), as to why we say:

"If I were to get hit by a bus tomorrow..." or

"If you leave here tonight and get hit by a bus...".

We ALWAYS say "bus"!! Why a bus? Do we really stand a much better chance of survival if we are hit by a sedan or SUV? Why not a herd of bison? My conclusion, for the moment, is that we all have a little drama queen in us.

Anyway, you see my problem. Unfortunately, this little test that I am running right now, that is "does blogging make it easier for one to turn his brain off and go to sleep?", is not trending the way I had hoped.

Sweet Dreams (not really)

Just a quick update...

Karen and I have embarked on an exciting, but challenging, crusade. God has finally convinced us (okay, confession, we have finally listened to God) that WE are the keepers of our time and WE, and only WE, are the ones who have to be disciplined in guarding our "balance". It's exciting in that we feel empowered to take control. Buuuuuuut, it's challenging because it is so difficult to determine what it is that we should get involved in.

This past Sunday, for the first time in more than six years, I went to church and didn't have any responsibilities at the "Warehouse". I HATED IT! I DID! But, we are committed to sitting still over the next several weeks and just...listening. As Karen might tell you, I'm not great at listening. I do feel strongly that God will put us into service somewhere, we just pray that we are patient to hear from Him (on His timeline). We covet your prayers on this...THANKS IN ADVANCE!!

Lunch date...

We (Karen, Ella, Will, Jonathan) were eating a really quick lunch at the house today since I was able to get away from the office for a bit. I had to go outside for some reason and Ella starts a conversation with Karen that went something like this:
E: Where is he going?
K: (being a silly mommy) He's going to walk back to work, I guess.
E: No he's not Mommy.
K: Yes he is...he's walking to work.
(I re-enter from outside and pick up the rest of the conversation)
E: SEE MOMMY!!! I knew he wasn't going back to work!
K: How did you know?
E: Daddy never leaves the house without giving me a kiss...

Yep, I melted...nearly had a real live breakdown right there in the kitchen.

Sushi woulda been good...but it wouldn't have held a candle to PB&J with my peeps.

That's My Boy...

Okay, so I have been putting in some long hours at the office and, let's face it, I HATE (umm, I mean I passionately dislike) doing anything that has anything to do with flower beds. So, I hired some help...sweet deal for me because he trades services for Oreos.

That's a BUNCH!

You have all experienced this crazy phenomenon (did I spell that right?) at some point. I love how kids go waaaaaay over the line when they need to use a big number. I was putting Ella to bed tonight and she says "Daddy...know how many times I love you!?" "No Angel, how many?" (*in her most animated style*) "SEVEN FOUR THREE MEEELLYUN' THOOUWSUND...TEEEN....HUNDRED!!!" "OHMYGOODNESS Baby thats a bunch!!" "IIII KNOOOWWWAH!....Daddy do you love me that much?" "Nope, I love you lots more than that". "REALLY!?!?!?.....Like....Like....NINE HUUUNDRED!?!?" "YEP, like nine hundred". "Daddy.......that's like God."

Its just FUNNY!! Then again, she's my little girl and I think she is funny when she's terrible.

I'm working on it...

NO...I have not forgotten that I have a blog and that there is a huge number of people out there who simply can't figure out how to function in life without my writings (Oh you know who you are and I do to). Well, you are going to have survive this dry spell. But fear not, I'l be back. I would go into the details of why I have been so quiet but you don't want my excuses. Candidly, they are weak excuses anyway. SEE YOU SOON. out.

I KNOW...RANDOM!!

Karen is back and life is trending back toward normal (which is anything but). I had a blast with the kids and there were no major catastrophies. So, what now?

Well, there's work and that demands some attention. Funny though, recently one of the partner's wives asked him how it is that "Jonathan has time to blog?" Well, clearly she has never read my blog (I mean how long can it possibly take ;-)).

Now I don't plan to blog about work much, but what I will say is this. I am genuinely blessed to have, not just a job, but a really cool job. One where I get to work (doing stuff that I believe in) with some of my best friends in the world and other great people I've met along the way. As those of you who have known me can attest, this hasn't always been the case with me. I have been in some situations where I experienced some real challenges. And, chances are, the three or four of you who read this post may have similar struggles. But look, if there is one thing I have learned, God is not into wasting his resources. I am amazed at how He has redeemed the time and effort I put forth in my past experiences and uses them to benefit me (and more importantly those around me) today.

I'm fortunate...blessed. And, I certainly realize that not everyone out there is experiencing what I am. At least not right now. But what I do know is that you are "EXPERIENCING" something. So, whether it's work, school, home, finances, relationships or whatever, we have to take what the experience gives us and be ready to put it to use later.

I toldya'!!! RAN...DOM!!

Ain't No Sunshine...

You're right! It has been a long time since I posted last. And, well, I hope you didn't come in here today with high hopes. Why? Because I am a bit preoccupied and working in a very short time frame. See, I am gaining a deeper understanding of, and appreciation for, the value of a Wife/Mommy.

My wife is on an overdue, well-deserved, break from me and the kids. I am going to try to avoid all of the easy dramatizations that I could use to describe this process...Oh wait...WILL!!.......

Gettin' SMOKED...(and loving it)

I love early (okay middle and late too) Spring. Sure, the grass is green and the flowers are pretty and, well, that's nice. But what's even better is that I finally get to stop dressing like a Sherpa to go for runs. It's the time of year when the season has just the right balance of air to make any run, at any time of day, a good one.

For one reason or another though, I have been a big ole lazy tail this Spring (you're right, "big ole" might be a stretch...but still, you get the idea). But, over the last few weeks or so I have found myself getting back in the game. This is in large part due to the fact that my bride has been smokin' me for the last couple of months. No kidding...SMOKIN' me. She's been getting up, running her 4 to 6 miles and getting ready for her day all before I hit the snooze button for the first time. And trust me, her "normal" day of dealing with Ella and Will are far more physically demanding that my "saving the world one case at a time" job.

Truthfully, I love that she is running again. Why? 'Cuz she loves it. I am blown away by her dedication and discipline to wake up at 4:30 to "do something for herself" so that she doesn't have to take time away from doing everything that she does for us.


NEXT YEAR I'LL BE CARRYING THE PURSE AND SHE'LL BE DOING THE RUNNING!! :-)

--OUT

I'm always responsible sometimes

Question. Was it "practical" for us to jump in the car one Saturday morning, drive an hour or so, and pay money to rescue a dog? Mind you, we had no bed, blankets, toys, food or anything else to accommodate such an addition to our little family. Also, the info sheet on the dog's cage said that the cute little puppy you are holding could end up weighing around 80 to 90 pounds!! Wait, there's more. What if you throw in the fact that we have a 5 year old girl with more energy than the Sun and a toddler who was just beginning the get his legs underneath him? Sit! I'm not done. What if I said we had nowhere to keep the animal outside and the dude at the shelter said "now, just a furr warnin', he might like to chew on furniture and wood frames and what such"? These are just a few of the many reasons why the answer to the question first asked above is "NO!!"

Now, when that little puppy ran up to my little girl (4 at the time) and starting licking her face while she giggled and laughed I guess, I could've said this isn't "practical", "smart", "convenient", "a good idea" or "a good use of time or money". When Will pointed to the dog and looked at me and his Mommy and said "MOMMY-DADDY DOGGY!!! DOGGY!!! DOGGY!!!" I probably should've said something like "okay gang, this was a fun trip but we should get out of the way so someone can come look at these puppies and take them home" and headed for the door (probably could've bribed them with McDonald's and ice-cream for good measure). But...I didn't. For some reason, that day, in that moment, the practical/logical me stepped aside and a much cooler, more fun-loving, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants dude took the lead.

Listen, I am not Mr. Spotaneity that often. And, well, that's kinda the point. I should be. We all should be. If I had let the "everyday" me call the shots at the dog shelter, my family would missed out on the sweetness of having Dunkin' (the licking, chewing, forever eating everything, 4 month old, 30 pound, sack-o-sugar) around. Okay, yes, be responsible. But, don't be so responsible all the time.

it’s flattery...no really, it is!

I was recently told by a good friend and trusted advisor (though “trusted” may be a bit of a stretch for obvious reasons) that, in the event my legal career crashes, I could, and should, move to Branson, MO to become an impersonator. You know what? I’m not good at impersonating folks at all. But, I love, and am infatuated with, people. Constantly, I’m watching and listening to those small idiosyncrasies that make all of us so different. Now, before you get paranoid and think I may pick up on some annoying habit you have next time we are together, let me clarify.

The exercise of the gifts that so many of you have been given is what draws my (and others around you) attention. To watch someone doing what they are passionate about is captivating and we are immediately drawn in...our senses heightened. We become keenly aware of how you sound, stand, sit, gesture, react, smile, frown, laugh, cry, zone out, clue in and tons of other stuff.

Simply stated, we are really interesting creatures when we passionately pour ourselves into...whatever. I have buddies who preach, sing, sell, "practice" and work on the line. And, it's not just work. Some are most passionate when playing or spending free time. The ones I (and others) want to watch, or even imitate, are the ones who do it like they HAVE to. These people desire, in fact they insist on, doing whatever their passion is, even if that means giving it away for free.

Do you feel that way about anything?

Bear Hug...

Tonight, I BEAR-HUGGED one of my closest friends (yes, he's a he). Now, I'm a hugger, so this is not an unusual occurrence. But, what made this particular hug different than countless others is that my friend has just suffered the second of two very significant losses in his life. This brother was, for all practical purposes, at the end of himself physically, emotionally and mentally. What's crazy about this encounter however is that I left feeling encouraged, energized and challenged.

For quite some time now, I have been watching this son/brother/husband/daddy take care of his sick mother and stand strong for the balance of his family. This has been one of the most impressive displays of selflessness that I have ever witnessed. Sure, there were times when I wished he could "take a breather" or "call a timeout" but, life and circumstances didn't allow it. You know, truth is, I wouldn't have blamed him one bit for whining a little, complaining some or just flat out throwin' a fit over what he has had to deal with. But he didn't. The tough spots only caused him to lean in more and press harder to serve.

For me, I guess the point is this. I want to be like my friend Dave. I don't want to wait. I don't want to be caught by one of those terrible life situations before I start "leaning in" and "pressing harder". What I know is this, tomorrow I will be surrounded by opportunities to encourage, laugh, share, love and serve. And, tomorrow, it might be easier to do than it will be the next day.

Why would I blog anyway!?!?

I don't know! Isn't this for writers (or at least those who can write), or creative folks, or individuals trying to sell a product or people with a laser sharp message or idea they need to disburse? Maybe. For me, it'll be a bit more eclectic.

In my view, life is much more exciting when I'm not being a "grown up". So, there will undoubtedly be a fair share of childishness in my posts. On the other hand, life is real and it can get serious in a hurry. God uses people and circumstances to teach me things in some really neat ways. Some of those lessons, I believe in my heart, are ones that God has given to me with the intention of me passing them on. That said, this page will be one of the mediums I use to share thoughts, ideas and beliefs that mean something in my life.

Look, perhaps there is a hint of narcissism in anyone who writes with the intention, or hope, that others will choose to read. Will I write about me, my family, my friends, my God, my work, my hobbies, my...? Yep. But, please know that this is not about creating some sort of following. My intentions are (and hopefully my posts will be) humble and honest.

And remember, I'm new at this...gimmie a break every once in a while. Thanks. Talk to you soon.