Cold Front comes to South Florida

No, it was not this cold! But, I think the temperature was a cool 50 degrees this morning... chilly!! I am wearing a sweatshirt today as we are not supposed to get above 70 degrees...you can' take a chance with that windchill!

Actually, this is the coldest it has been in several weeks. I love the change in temperature and I do miss the cold, cold

weather...in fact, I just realized this past week that this is the second year in a row that I will not be snowskiing... that has GOT to change next year...in fact, Zachary will probably
be ready to hit the slopes next year...so I am already looking forward to it...

I said it before, I will say it again to all my friends and family living elsewhere...you are welcome to come visit! It's not paradise (sorry Guy, I think heaven will be A LOT better then South Florida) but it is a great place to be in the winter (especially if you are tired of driving on ice and shoveling snow!).

In fact, this past weekend, we hit a high of 89 degrees! HOT! I had both boys playing outside on Sunday afternoon... here is a video of them!

Pictures by Zachary

I was going through our digital camera recently and I found a bunch of pics taken by Zachary, our three year old. I put them online because I think, if you look at them the right way, they have an artistic flair. Well, at least to him they do (plus he is only three feet tall!).

If anything, they help me see life from his point of view, which is something we should be doing for everyone we care about...

Hey Jenny (my sister, sorry having a private conversation now!), he is available for wedding pictures! As long as you are ok with knees and chins of you and the party...And, he is cheap!! He just has to be in bed by 8:30pm...actually, you are the one to give him a desire to have and hold the camera...

Preach it, Bono!

I love U2. I love the fact that Bono and the band have been making GREAT music the last 25+ years. I am grateful that he uses his fame not to puff himself up but to challenge people, including the church and those who say they love God, to live their lives and make a difference and to care for others throughout the world.

You gotta see this...I am inspired!



What do you think?

I think I know what happened...

Today, power was lost throughout South Florida for anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. At first, I heard the rapture happened! But, after realizing I was talking to Guy, I knew that couldn't be it (or else we have some serious issues...HA!). According to FPL, there was a "significant equipment failure".

However, after doing some more research, I now know that everybody at FPL ran to Starbucks since they will be closed for several hours this evening! Thanks alot guys! I know caffeine is important but come on....

On a side note, what a move by Starbucks...they really value leadership, training, their employees, the brand, the customer, the stock owner, the company...this may seem stupid or foolish, but I think it will pay off in the long-term...

What are some things we need to stop doing in order to re-learn something we have forgotten?

I like books...

I really do! I love to go to Barnes and Noble or any other bookstore and just walk around and soak it... I would say the same about the library, by haven't been to one of those in years! If they start serving Starbucks coffee in them, maybe I will go again! I have a shelf in my office of books waiting to be read and I am always buying more...my goal is to have a library/ study of books that will help me be a better follower of Christ, husband, father, pastor, son, person, friend... whatever!

Some things I've learned about reading books...
1. turn the tv off...in a world of multi-tasking, reading is something best done all by itself...no distractions...
2. leave the books where you will see them and have the chance to read...come on, that is why the bathroom is a great place for books!
3. Use a pen and underline and "dog ear" the important stuff... this helps you learn in the present and re-learn in the future (without having to read the whole book again!). Some people also write important page numbers in the front of the book...by the way, please do this in books you own, not the ones you borrow!
4. If a book bogs you down, put it down or skip ahead... you are not reading a book to say you did it, we are reading to learn... if you are not getting things from it, don't be afraid to move on!
5. feel free to read some fiction and non-fiction... don't be afraid to mix it up and also don't focus in only one or the other... reading is to be enjoyed and it keeps your brain fresh and imaginative!

It is usually hard for me to tell people (family and friends) what I want when it comes to gifts...now I can just have them buy me books! In fact, I have a wishlist from Amazon.com here that I will be putting on the blog...so, feel free to buy me a book!

Read any good books lately that you want to recommend?
I am looking for a good book on parenting (specifically about sons)...any suggestions?

It's been over a week....

Since I last posted... what in the world!

Let me just say, this has been one of the craziest weeks in recent memory. Over the last few days, we had Valentines, our family grew by two, our family's health has been temporarily diminished, we have canceled a trip to Orlando... and that is just on the homefront! At work, I am preparing for Easter mailing and services, working on estimates for renovations, gave up my laptop for a few days while our team swapped out our server, a health fair, building a team (yay!), taking on criticism (boo!), realizing it comes with the territory and I am not alone and this is part of following God (woohoo!) and enjoying working with some great people that God has brought to our church.

So, I will be hitting the blog updates pretty hard in the near future... you have been warned!

Stuck in a (big) decision

I have been pulling my hair out the last couple of weeks and months, trying to make a big decision. In December, I hinted on a post a decision I am in the process of making that will change the life of my family and the life of me personally. Well, I am "out of gas" in that process!

You see, I am looking to buy a car. My 2000 Ford Expedition with the 5.4 liter V-8 currently averages a whopping 13.8 mpg! Yikes! I need something better on gas mileage, better for a family of four, better for safety, better for the future...you know, better!

However, I do not want to spend more than about $12 grand (preferrably a lot less!). And, I am trying to decide between a 4 door sedan, a small SUV, or (gulp) a mini-van... AHHHH!

It's driving me nuts.

So, any thoughts? Suggestions? Do you like what you drive? Or should I just keep what I have?

On your mark, get set, comment!

2 Minutes of Fun...

Country music and fishing...it doesn't get any better than this! Ha!

Random Thoughts

- I worked out last night! Only three more times this week for the challenge.
- I think I am going to ride a bike as part of this challenge...need to get the heart pumping as well as working on different muscle groups
- The moment you decide to eat a little better, you get more tempted... the Little Debbie's looked awesome last night but somehow I kept walking...oh, and did you know Publix has Key Lime and Buckeye Ice Cream for a limited time?? Somehow, I was able to bypass that as well...
-Things are moving forward with Oasis NoMi... Easter is still coming and we have a lot to do!
- Anyone want to buy a house in North Miami?? What do I have to do to get you in house today...
- Today is National Signing Day for High School Senior Football Players.... Go Canes! Optimism and hope are at an all-time high!
- Had a staff outing at IKEA yesterday...good to get away and create some experiences together (even parking was an adventure!)...thanks Boss for the fun time together (and thanks to my team!).
- Is the news true? NKOTB back in concert?? Please, NNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
- Only in Floriduh...Exhibit 1, Exhibit 2, and Exhibit 3...nuff said!
- Hey Shaq... thanks for the memories!

A Month Long Challenge - Physical

Ok, here is the deal... I do better with short-term goals than long... so here is the challenge for all who want to join in...

Between now and March 4th, let's focus on doing things that will change our physical bodies. For some, that means exercise (bike, run, swim, play, whatever...). For others, you will watch what you eat. For some, you will work on getting more sleep. For others, you might just take a bath!

Take the challenge... let's spend a few weeks seeking for change and then, go from there. Who's with me? Who's willing to take a picture of yourself today and put it where you will see it everyday to remind you of your goal? Who's willing to have some accountability for your goal by sharing it in the comments?

I will go first first... I am seeking to work out 4x's a week the next four weeks and do a better job of eating healthy... there, I said it... and we will see the results on March 4.

Carpe Diem! Carpe Challenge!

Super Bowl Closing Thoughts...

MVP Eli Manning??? Are you kidding me? Did anyone see that coming?

The Patriots leaving the field before the clock runs out... did anyone see that coming?

Playing with confidence and momentum was the Giants... when no one expects you to win (they were the underdog all throughout playoffs) 1.there is no pressure and 2. what do you have to lose?

It took 19 games and 59+ minutes, but at last all the old men in South Florida (Shula, Morris, Melton, etc...) can breathe easy...1972 lives on! At least everybody who remembers (like it was yesterday) and lived during that time (in a place far, far away) handled this whole season (2007 & 08) with class and did not cry, moan, accuse, whine, point fingers, belittle, name call, or otherwise show your true selves... way to go everybody! Cause everyone knows "winners aren't whiners!"

By the way, the best story of this season, was not wins or losses... it was Kevin Everett and the miracle that God did in his life (by sparing it and healing him).

Another great thing about the Super Bowl? The day after means a new season is coming... all our teams are contenders again! I can't wait until August!