Summer was a busy time for me and a stressful time for Steph.
My summer was marked by two big events. The first was my mission trip to Haiti in early July. I went with my senior high youth group from church. There were a total of 12 students and 6 adults. Despite our limited time (a week) I feel like we were really able to make a difference in the people we came across when we were down there. They are so appreciative of so little. We spent our time handing out food, praying for people, playing with the kids at the orphanage we stayed at, and putting on Vacation Bible School in the remote areas of southwestern Haiti. I could go on and on, but I won't. If you want to know more you can feel free to ask. There are also a number of pictures on my facebook page.
The other big event for me this summer was our church's junior high bible camp. Although it is a jr high camp, I am able to work with a number of the senior high students who go there to work. Our role is to basically make sure the whole week runs smoothly and the kids are having fun. After the campers go to sleep, we plan for the next day and have our own small group time. This kept us up til 4am some nights. It was totally worth it though and I was able to enter in to the lives and minds of those high school students. It was an amazing time, and in many ways much more powerful than my trip to Haiti. Incredible to think that God could affect me more in Wisconsin than he could in Haiti.
While I was preparing to go to Haiti , Steph was preparing to welcome a new family member to the house. And apparently being 7-9 months pregnant in the middle of summer with a marginally functional air-conditioner is not pleasant. None of that compared to challenge of having optic neuritis. Don't know what that is? Basically, she lost vision in her left eye. The doctors didn't know why and couldn't give a good clue of when it would come back, their best guess is that it would probably come back after the pregnancy. It started to come back when I was in Haiti and fully returned shortly thereafter. We had an appointment with a neurologist, which was didn't resolve anything. He said that he thought she might have Multiple Sclerosis. The optic neuritis would qualify as one scleroses, but he had no clear evidence that there was more than one. We have yet to go back for a follow up after the pregnancy, but since Steph has not had any other episodes, we se no reason to go back yet.
To recap: so far... outdoor Twins baseball, conference championship, new house, 1st anniversary, trip to Haiti, and temporary blindess- and Jordan hasn't even been born yet.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
Year in Review- Spring
Our year started off with the news that Steph and I would be parents. It was a moment that I had been waiting, and in some regards preparing, for most of my life. I think it was this, in large part, that kept me grounded through the whole process.
I fast forward to the Spring though, because that's when things really started to heat up...
I am now moving into the last trimester of my 3rd year as a special education paraprofessional at Spring Lake Park High School. I work in the EBD Dept. (Emotional Behavior Disorders- draw what conclusions you want). I am not in love with my job, but it gets me a good foothold at SLP. I am in the building everyday and get to see a lot of my tennis players. I also am able to connect with students who I work with as the staff advisor for the FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes).
At this point (foreshadowing), Steph is in her 12th year at Together Dating. She has a lot of positive relationships there, but the negatives are really starting to add up.
On April 15th, I attended my first game at Target Field. A friend and I went in together and bought a 20 game season ticket plan. (It sure does help when your wife is a Twins fan!) The first game that Steph and I made it to was April 18th. Spring is always a busy time for me because of coaching tennis, and this Spring the weather was very uncooperative for an outdoor sport.
May was a pretty crazy month. On the 17th, the boys tennis team that I coach beat Benilde-St. Margaret's to win their first Conference Championship in 11 years. It was a very proud moment for me, as it was something that I really worked for. I am more proud of the guys on my team. It was a special group of guys who were led by three outstanding captains. 6 days later, Steph and I moved into our new house in Brooklyn Park. It was a move that made sense for a lot of reasons, first and foremost was the addition to our family. It also made sense for us financially in the long run. 7 days after that, Steph and I celebrated our 1st anniversary (at the Twins game - we even got our names on the big screen- a benefit of being a season ticket holder).
It was a Spring of transition, and the metaphor fit our family perfectly.
Tomorrow: Summer.
I fast forward to the Spring though, because that's when things really started to heat up...
I am now moving into the last trimester of my 3rd year as a special education paraprofessional at Spring Lake Park High School. I work in the EBD Dept. (Emotional Behavior Disorders- draw what conclusions you want). I am not in love with my job, but it gets me a good foothold at SLP. I am in the building everyday and get to see a lot of my tennis players. I also am able to connect with students who I work with as the staff advisor for the FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes).
At this point (foreshadowing), Steph is in her 12th year at Together Dating. She has a lot of positive relationships there, but the negatives are really starting to add up.
On April 15th, I attended my first game at Target Field. A friend and I went in together and bought a 20 game season ticket plan. (It sure does help when your wife is a Twins fan!) The first game that Steph and I made it to was April 18th. Spring is always a busy time for me because of coaching tennis, and this Spring the weather was very uncooperative for an outdoor sport.
May was a pretty crazy month. On the 17th, the boys tennis team that I coach beat Benilde-St. Margaret's to win their first Conference Championship in 11 years. It was a very proud moment for me, as it was something that I really worked for. I am more proud of the guys on my team. It was a special group of guys who were led by three outstanding captains. 6 days later, Steph and I moved into our new house in Brooklyn Park. It was a move that made sense for a lot of reasons, first and foremost was the addition to our family. It also made sense for us financially in the long run. 7 days after that, Steph and I celebrated our 1st anniversary (at the Twins game - we even got our names on the big screen- a benefit of being a season ticket holder).
It was a Spring of transition, and the metaphor fit our family perfectly.
Tomorrow: Summer.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Traditions
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a mager, because there was no guest room available for them.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all th people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
This tradition continued until I was confirmed. Then it continued as I taught 1st graders to memorize the same lines. And I led them up the same steps. And I handed them the same paper sacks that were handed to me 10 years before.
Traditions are amazing things. Sometimes they are deep with meaning and richness. Sometimes, they arise out of necessity. Sometimes they arise accidentally. Traditions are meaningful. But usually only to those who live them. Sometimes they lead to laughter. Sometimes they lead to tears. But always, they are embraced. They are not let go of easily. And when they are, they can leave a hole in your heart.
{When we got home, we would eat dinner- something mom usually put in the oven before we left for church. After dinner (or supper as it is called in my parents' house), we would open presents. After presents, we would walk over to grandma's house. (No matter how cold or snowy it was, we could always make that 100 foot walk.) Then it was an evening of more food, family, and more presents. And it was an evening of pulling the string that dangled from the Santa head "music box" that hung on the frame of the living room arch. When my sister and I were the youngest, we would always pass out the presents to everyone. When we grew up and great-grandchildren entered the festivities, my sister and I would watch as they took over that responsibility. And as my sister and I got older, toys turned to clothes, and then clothes turned to money.}
When grandma entered the nursing home, some of those traditions ended. We never had a contingency plan. There was never a concerted effort to keep them going. Some traditions fade over time. Not because we don't care, but because we just move forward. Now that I am married, I must share some traditions. Together, we have to decide who goes where and who does what. We have to balance time and distance. And we have to prioritize. Not by importance, but out of necessity.
I don't know if steak and crab legs rank high on the all-time list of Christmas traditions, but it has for Steph's family. And because of that, me too. I don't know if the barrage of sarcastic quips towards Grandma Vita ranks high on the list of yuletide cheer, but it does makes us laugh. I don't know if Don looks anything like Santa Claus, but the child-like joy of giving sure does resemble St. Nick.
When grandma entered the nursing home, the tradition of Christmas at Grandma's ended. But out of that, new traditions for all of the kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids started. Families change and families evolve. New traditions emerge. Steph and I will eventually settle in to our Christmas routine. (Wherever that may be.) We will establish new traditions for our family. And hopefully those traditions will mean something to all those involved. Hopefully they will be so significant that they will give birth to new traditions as well.
{Last night, Steph held Jordan and I told the Christmas story. Just like I did over 25 years ago. And Jordan smiled.}
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a mager, because there was no guest room available for them.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all th people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
{More than 25 years ago, I memorized those lines. Every Christmas Eve, I would walk up the stairs from the basement of Christ Chapel at Gustavus Adolphus College. I would enter the larger than life sanctuary- the equivalent to the Colusseum for a 6 year old. I would stand and wait by the fount that sat at the beginning of the aisle and restrain myself from splashing the water. As I walked down the aisle, I would gaze back towards the choir balcony to see the gigantic pipe organ. I never remembered much about the service, but I always looked forward to what awaited us afterward. We were always given a paper sack which contained a candy bar (usually a Snickers), orange, apple, and best of all: salted-in-shell peanuts.}
Traditions are amazing things. Sometimes they are deep with meaning and richness. Sometimes, they arise out of necessity. Sometimes they arise accidentally. Traditions are meaningful. But usually only to those who live them. Sometimes they lead to laughter. Sometimes they lead to tears. But always, they are embraced. They are not let go of easily. And when they are, they can leave a hole in your heart.
{When we got home, we would eat dinner- something mom usually put in the oven before we left for church. After dinner (or supper as it is called in my parents' house), we would open presents. After presents, we would walk over to grandma's house. (No matter how cold or snowy it was, we could always make that 100 foot walk.) Then it was an evening of more food, family, and more presents. And it was an evening of pulling the string that dangled from the Santa head "music box" that hung on the frame of the living room arch. When my sister and I were the youngest, we would always pass out the presents to everyone. When we grew up and great-grandchildren entered the festivities, my sister and I would watch as they took over that responsibility. And as my sister and I got older, toys turned to clothes, and then clothes turned to money.}
When grandma entered the nursing home, some of those traditions ended. We never had a contingency plan. There was never a concerted effort to keep them going. Some traditions fade over time. Not because we don't care, but because we just move forward. Now that I am married, I must share some traditions. Together, we have to decide who goes where and who does what. We have to balance time and distance. And we have to prioritize. Not by importance, but out of necessity.
I don't know if steak and crab legs rank high on the all-time list of Christmas traditions, but it has for Steph's family. And because of that, me too. I don't know if the barrage of sarcastic quips towards Grandma Vita ranks high on the list of yuletide cheer, but it does makes us laugh. I don't know if Don looks anything like Santa Claus, but the child-like joy of giving sure does resemble St. Nick.
When grandma entered the nursing home, the tradition of Christmas at Grandma's ended. But out of that, new traditions for all of the kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids started. Families change and families evolve. New traditions emerge. Steph and I will eventually settle in to our Christmas routine. (Wherever that may be.) We will establish new traditions for our family. And hopefully those traditions will mean something to all those involved. Hopefully they will be so significant that they will give birth to new traditions as well.
{Last night, Steph held Jordan and I told the Christmas story. Just like I did over 25 years ago. And Jordan smiled.}
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Marriage...
I was once told that in order to be a good father, you need to be a good husband. While I often struggle to put the latter into practice, I very much believe that there is a lot of truth to that statement. Jordan will learn what love is, first and foremost, from Steph and I. So, the way that I treat Steph will show Jordan how he should treat others, most notably- women.
Today, we celebrated my parents' 40th wedding anniversary. And while I have not always agreed with my parents (because there have been occasions where I have), I know that their love for each other has served as a strong model for me. I know that how they have handled their relationship with each other has served as a strong model for me. Their example of marriage is one of the major reasons that they were, and are, good parents.
I believe that if I can model much of what they have done as parents, then I can be a better husband to Steph, and in turn, a better father to Jordan.
Thought of the moment: thanks!
Today, we celebrated my parents' 40th wedding anniversary. And while I have not always agreed with my parents (because there have been occasions where I have), I know that their love for each other has served as a strong model for me. I know that how they have handled their relationship with each other has served as a strong model for me. Their example of marriage is one of the major reasons that they were, and are, good parents.
I believe that if I can model much of what they have done as parents, then I can be a better husband to Steph, and in turn, a better father to Jordan.
Thought of the moment: thanks!
Friday, December 17, 2010
Year in Review
Stay tuned: Instead of sending out a Christmas letter, I have decided to share our year via my blog. After Christmas, I will be posting four separate blogs titled: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Snowpocalypse 2010
Well, we are alive. I spent about a total of 4 hours in the driveway on 3 separate occasions. My little snowblower (bought at a garage sale for $50 made it through it) I am having a serious case of man toy envy though as I watch all of the other guys in our neighborhood with their bigger, stronger snowblowers. It beats shoveling though. Steph said she felt bad for me. Asked if I felt bad that she has to do all of the inside work, I said "no." Early on in the relationship, I told her that she had all of the inside work and I had all of the outside work. That was a much easier proposition for me when we lived in the townhome, however. I don't mind though- it let's me play my "man card."
My friend Adam came over today and took family/baby pictures. Jordan was not his normal smily self though, but I think we got some good pictures. It's the first time that Steph, Jordan, and I are in the same picture. I would have thought that I would have taken more pictures than I have. It's on my long term wish list to get a better camera. After borrowing Adam's camera after Jordan was born, I got a little spoiled by its picture quality. I am also need to get new rechargeable batteries. Seems a little funny to me that you even need to replace rechargeable batteries. I thought that was the whole point of getting rechargeable batteries.
I took Jordan into the doctor last week. He had been just a bit fussy, but he had a stretch of diarrhea, and lost a little bit of his appetite. Steph saw him pulling on his ears and thought that he was starting to teethe. (While early, not out of the realm of possibility.) After noticing a very large amount of ear wax, especially in his ear canal it almost looked like he had a hearing aid in), I did a Google search. A lot of his symptoms also pointed to a possible ear infection. The nurse thought he was fine though. No ear infection. And no signs of teething. She did mention that Asians tend to have more ear wax and that it has a grainer consistency. Steph didn't believe me.
Every day is still an amazing discovery with Jordan. He is starting to respond to all sorts of new ways to get him to smile and laugh. Steph has hers that work and I have mine that work. Even when Jordan is in a funk or crabby or fussy, he will break out a quick smile or grin.
Thought of the moment: Chilly
My friend Adam came over today and took family/baby pictures. Jordan was not his normal smily self though, but I think we got some good pictures. It's the first time that Steph, Jordan, and I are in the same picture. I would have thought that I would have taken more pictures than I have. It's on my long term wish list to get a better camera. After borrowing Adam's camera after Jordan was born, I got a little spoiled by its picture quality. I am also need to get new rechargeable batteries. Seems a little funny to me that you even need to replace rechargeable batteries. I thought that was the whole point of getting rechargeable batteries.
I took Jordan into the doctor last week. He had been just a bit fussy, but he had a stretch of diarrhea, and lost a little bit of his appetite. Steph saw him pulling on his ears and thought that he was starting to teethe. (While early, not out of the realm of possibility.) After noticing a very large amount of ear wax, especially in his ear canal it almost looked like he had a hearing aid in), I did a Google search. A lot of his symptoms also pointed to a possible ear infection. The nurse thought he was fine though. No ear infection. And no signs of teething. She did mention that Asians tend to have more ear wax and that it has a grainer consistency. Steph didn't believe me.
Every day is still an amazing discovery with Jordan. He is starting to respond to all sorts of new ways to get him to smile and laugh. Steph has hers that work and I have mine that work. Even when Jordan is in a funk or crabby or fussy, he will break out a quick smile or grin.
Thought of the moment: Chilly
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