Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Monday, May 7, 2012
First Communion
My son did wonderful this Sunday, as he has been preparing well for the day, dressed up in a nice suit, performed all his tasks at the church service, and showed that he thoroughly is a blessing to his family. He processed in and bowed appropriately to start mass, carried in the wine (without spilling) when gifts came forward, received his eucharist in body and blood respectfully and gracefully, and performed the closing blessing with father (and the other first communicants).
All of us were very proud! Some pictures for your perusal:
All of us were very proud! Some pictures for your perusal:
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Early riser ...
Family came into town last night ... Yeah!
I slept in the same room as my son ... Boo!
Don't get me wrong - I love my son and he sleeps well ... until he wakes up ... at 4am to go #1 ... and 5am to go #2 ... and 6am for good.
I'm not an early riser. And I'm glad we sleep in separate rooms most of the time. Because obviously he is.
Love you, buddy!
Friday, May 4, 2012
Hope ...
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| http://organizationalchangesolutions.wordpress.com/2012/01/04/finding-hope-in-a-time-of-uncertainty/ |
hope/hōp/
| Noun: |
|
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Suicide prevention
In light of the news, Wednesday, regarding Junior Seau, I'm going to take this opportunity to remind people about EVERYONE'S responsibility to do something. Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) anytime if you need help - for anything. This is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Who should call?
- Anyone who feels sad, hopeless, or suicidal.
- Family and friends who are concerned about a loved one.
- Anyone interested in mental health treatment and service referrals.
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/GetHelp/Default.aspx (NSPL "Get help now")
Here are some of the warning signs of suicide, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention:
- Observable signs of serious depression: Unrelenting low mood, Pessimism, Hopelessness, Desperation, Anxiety, psychic pain and inner tension, Withdrawal, Sleep problems
- Increased alcohol and/or other drug use
- Recent impulsiveness and taking unnecessary risks
- Threatening suicide or expressing a strong wish to die
- Making a plan: Giving away prized possessions, Sudden or impulsive purchase of a firearm, Obtaining other means of killing oneself such as poisons or medications
- Unexpected rage or anger
What to do: 1) KNOW THE FACTS; 2) RECOGNIZE IMMINENT DANGERS; 3) TAKE IT SERIOUSLY; 4) BE WILLING TO LISTEN; 5) SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP; 6) ACUTE CRISIS MANAGEMENT [do NOT leave person alone!]; 7) FOLLOW UP ON TREATMENT
http://www.afsp.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewPage&page_id=F2F25092-7E90-9BD4-C4658F1D2B5D19A0 (what to do)
"Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact." - William James
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| http://operationbeautiful.com/ |
You can help. Teachers can help. Counselors can help. Clergy can help. Police can help. Family can help. Friends can help. Acquaintances can help. Strangers can help. Neighbors can help. Co-workers can help. Teammates can help.
Look. Listen. Do something to help.
Smile at someone. Brighten a mood today.
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| http://www.keen.com/CommunityServer/UserBlogPosts/dianalc/Just-For-Today/512103.aspx |
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
What’s best for me
“To think that I know what’s best for anyone else is to be out of my business. Even in the name of love, it is pure arrogance, and the result is tension, anxiety, and fear. Do I know what’s right for me? That is my only business. Let me work with that before I try to solve problems for you.”
- Byron Katie
(via @GradnessMadness and http://gradnessmadness.tumblr.com/)
- Byron Katie
(via @GradnessMadness and http://gradnessmadness.tumblr.com/)
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Happy May Day!
Celebrating the coming of spring, the departure of evil, and the rights of workers everywhere!
Monday, April 30, 2012
Monday's quick takes ...
... I will never run the Crazylegs class 8k in warm weather ... ever.
... my nose loves to get congested in the spring ... even though I apparently don't have allergies (whatever).
... it's no fun to have a sick kid. (Although my daughter had a fever last night, she's fealing much better already.)
... staying up until 2AM to finish your masters project is not the greatest idea when you're 36 years old, just ran nearly 5 miles over the weekend, drove 4 hours each way to Wisconsin and back home, and are congested like crazy.
... zzzzz
... my nose loves to get congested in the spring ... even though I apparently don't have allergies (whatever).
... it's no fun to have a sick kid. (Although my daughter had a fever last night, she's fealing much better already.)
... staying up until 2AM to finish your masters project is not the greatest idea when you're 36 years old, just ran nearly 5 miles over the weekend, drove 4 hours each way to Wisconsin and back home, and are congested like crazy.
... zzzzz
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Rain is a good thing?
Love the song by Luke Bryan ... but I'm not too keen on the actual event of rain this morning. Especially when I'm suppose to run Crazylegs 8k. Oh well. At least I got to watch my alma mater win a good high school baseball game last night. My son LOVED being in the dugout with my dad. (I think the boys from the team liked having him, too.) Always good to be 'home' when I haven't been in a while, as well. Maybe a spring football game if the rain stops today? ... Maybe another baseball game - minor league style? Maybe some high school softball? ... We'll see what the day - and the weather - brings.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
What I think ...
I think that baseball is a GREAT game. I think that teachers are underpaid ... well, MOST of them ... (er, us?). I think that books can be windows to great adventures and sage wisdom. I think that walking barefoot all summer is ideal. I think that Minnesota drivers need to learn how to merge. I think that a smile given to someone else could possibly be the best gift ever given. I think that everyone thinks their kids are cute (but MINE really are!). I think that I couldn't go another weekend without my smartphone. I think that I should take better care of my back. And ... I think that I should thank God more often for my wonderful life.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Still a baseball coach ... always a baseball coach
Last June when I resigned from the head coaching position at the high school where I had previously taught, I honestly thought that I would have a more redirected spring this year - one that included watching my son play some ball, going to some Twins games, finishing the first year of my masters program, and generally enjoying being a stay-at-home dad. While most of that is true, I am also very happy to be ... surprise! surprise! ... coaching baseball.
This week, I took part in my first practice as an 'official' coach of my son's baseball team. After my masters chat session on Monday, we ventured to the park and helped about fifteen (15) eight-year-olds work on some very important mechanics. After the practice, I talked to my son about some things. I asked him what he wanted to accomplish this season, to which he replied, "I want to improve my left-handed swing."
This was interesting, because I was thinking more general - like 'have fun', 'win', and 'get better.' But, I encouraged his desire and we eventually talked about my 'general' ideas. It was surprising to hear him ask whether 'they' would allow us to think winning was important in this league (partially because there are no scoreboards at the fields where we practiced; partially because, besides the two games at the end of last year, the coaches wouldn't tell the players the score). I did affirm for him that winning is important - about on the same level as having fun, and getting better.
That was Monday. On Tuesday, I got to help out with B-squad practice with the local high school team (not my old school). It's been nice to be able to help out there for two days each week. I'm really glad the varsity head coach called me up and asked me to help out. It was definitely an interesting juxtaposition this week though - 8-yr-olds on Monday, 8th/9th/10th graders on Tuesday. So, I end up helping out with two teams this spring - my sons, and the local high school B-squad.
I thought I would just give it up and take a year off. Silly me. That doesn't happen when you ARE a coach.
My son summed it up pretty well after practice on Monday. I asked him why he doesn't always like practicing/playing baseball with his 'friends.' His response included the fact that they try to get him to goof around, and it's hard to tell them no and not goof around when it's his buddies. He said (and I am not kidding, this is his exact quote):
"For them, it's a game; it's just about playing and having fun. For me, baseball is life."
This week, I took part in my first practice as an 'official' coach of my son's baseball team. After my masters chat session on Monday, we ventured to the park and helped about fifteen (15) eight-year-olds work on some very important mechanics. After the practice, I talked to my son about some things. I asked him what he wanted to accomplish this season, to which he replied, "I want to improve my left-handed swing."
This was interesting, because I was thinking more general - like 'have fun', 'win', and 'get better.' But, I encouraged his desire and we eventually talked about my 'general' ideas. It was surprising to hear him ask whether 'they' would allow us to think winning was important in this league (partially because there are no scoreboards at the fields where we practiced; partially because, besides the two games at the end of last year, the coaches wouldn't tell the players the score). I did affirm for him that winning is important - about on the same level as having fun, and getting better.
That was Monday. On Tuesday, I got to help out with B-squad practice with the local high school team (not my old school). It's been nice to be able to help out there for two days each week. I'm really glad the varsity head coach called me up and asked me to help out. It was definitely an interesting juxtaposition this week though - 8-yr-olds on Monday, 8th/9th/10th graders on Tuesday. So, I end up helping out with two teams this spring - my sons, and the local high school B-squad.
I thought I would just give it up and take a year off. Silly me. That doesn't happen when you ARE a coach.
My son summed it up pretty well after practice on Monday. I asked him why he doesn't always like practicing/playing baseball with his 'friends.' His response included the fact that they try to get him to goof around, and it's hard to tell them no and not goof around when it's his buddies. He said (and I am not kidding, this is his exact quote):
"For them, it's a game; it's just about playing and having fun. For me, baseball is life."
Monday, April 23, 2012
Friday, April 20, 2012
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Running man ...
So, I ran four (4) miles on the treadmill today ... in less than 39 minutes ... part of it uphill (6.5 percent grade) ... and I didn't dehydrate ... nor did I pass out ... which is good ... since I'll be running almost five (5) miles a week from Saturday ... well, 8k, to be exact.
Crazy for Crazylegs! On, Wisconsin!
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
"How then shall I teach?"
My discussion board question this week for my masters class. I thought that I'd submit a visual response:
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Productivity goes up when Blackberry goes down ...
This was a good week ... and a bad week ... and a good one.
The weather us up and down, but I enjoyed spending time with the kids this week. I joined my daughter for a field trip to a local dam. Unfortunately, the paper for directions that came home with her was not to be found on the morning of the trip. We were all supposed to meet at the dam. No problem. We were there plenty early. Too bad we were on the wrong side of the dam. We did meet up with her class and enjoyed the entire nature hike/talk, some snacks, and some free play time in the (correct) visitors center afterward. (See, the other side had a visitors center, too.)
I got to work with the local high school B-squad baseball team twice this week, as well. Not sure if I blogged before, but the head coach gave me a ring on the phone a week or two before the season started, and I agreed to spend a couple days a week helping out. So, I guess I was wrong in assuming this would be my first spring away from high school baseball in close to twenty years. The down part of working only two days a week might be how sore your can get when you do help out. (Ok, so part of this is my fault for agreeing to fill-in as the catcher on infield drills while the catchers worked with another coach on a seperate field.)
Speaking of getting a ring on the phone ... I won't be doing that again until at least Tuesday or Wednesday. See, apparently dropping your phone on a tile floor isn't such a good thing. My screen went nuts (even though the glass didn't break), and I had to shut it down on Friday morning. My daughter and I took it back into the store - and thank goodness, it was under warranty, so at least I get a new phone free of charge.
This weekend, it ended up being useful not to have the distraction of the phone, too. My wife and I spent all of Saturday cleaning and rearranging the garage. Not only are there no longer leaves all over, but there's indoor/outdoor carpeting on the set of stairs leading into the house (and to the fridge). And a couple of Rubbermade plastic cabinets add a tidiness factor that also allows for some work space for my tools and my wife's gardening.
Up and down, yes. Mostly up, though, in this life ... at least from my positive perspective ;)
The weather us up and down, but I enjoyed spending time with the kids this week. I joined my daughter for a field trip to a local dam. Unfortunately, the paper for directions that came home with her was not to be found on the morning of the trip. We were all supposed to meet at the dam. No problem. We were there plenty early. Too bad we were on the wrong side of the dam. We did meet up with her class and enjoyed the entire nature hike/talk, some snacks, and some free play time in the (correct) visitors center afterward. (See, the other side had a visitors center, too.)
I got to work with the local high school B-squad baseball team twice this week, as well. Not sure if I blogged before, but the head coach gave me a ring on the phone a week or two before the season started, and I agreed to spend a couple days a week helping out. So, I guess I was wrong in assuming this would be my first spring away from high school baseball in close to twenty years. The down part of working only two days a week might be how sore your can get when you do help out. (Ok, so part of this is my fault for agreeing to fill-in as the catcher on infield drills while the catchers worked with another coach on a seperate field.)
Speaking of getting a ring on the phone ... I won't be doing that again until at least Tuesday or Wednesday. See, apparently dropping your phone on a tile floor isn't such a good thing. My screen went nuts (even though the glass didn't break), and I had to shut it down on Friday morning. My daughter and I took it back into the store - and thank goodness, it was under warranty, so at least I get a new phone free of charge.
This weekend, it ended up being useful not to have the distraction of the phone, too. My wife and I spent all of Saturday cleaning and rearranging the garage. Not only are there no longer leaves all over, but there's indoor/outdoor carpeting on the set of stairs leading into the house (and to the fridge). And a couple of Rubbermade plastic cabinets add a tidiness factor that also allows for some work space for my tools and my wife's gardening.
Up and down, yes. Mostly up, though, in this life ... at least from my positive perspective ;)
Monday, April 9, 2012
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