Best Friends and "death bed" stories

Time with my children is always special and at this time of my life, Luke and I spend a lot of time together. Whether it's Monday Night Pizza with the other dads or going to a Padres game together as we will on Thursday, I never quite know what to expect. Out of the blue, he asked me,"Who's your best friend?" I had to stop for a second because I spend a lot of time with friends and I am blessed with close friends. I finally answered that Tyler Fitzgerald is probably my best friend. After explaining who Tyler is and that if I asked him, he would fly out immediatley if I needed him, we went on to another subject. As God organizes this, Tyler called last night. I spoke to him this morning and we have certain stories that are to be told on each other's "death bed" to keep us going. This is one of Tyler's:



Tyler works alot. Maybe not a workaholic, but he puts in the hours. When his son Ross was six or seven, he would come up and sit on Tyler's lap and watch him. Ross asked why Tyler had to work every night. Tyler responded, "Because I can't get all of my work done during the day."



Ross said, "Maybe you should have your teacher put you in a slower group."



That story should keep me laughing on my "death bed."

Luke tries BMX racing - Looking for sponsors!

After a few weeks of bargaining, starting with Luke wanting a motorcycle, we reduced the request down to a BMX bike so he could race. The unusual thing is that Luke only wants him and I to do this (he bikes, I drive hime there). So on Sunday we gathered up his newly acquired equipment and headed to the track to practice. As you may notice, Luke wanted a black bike and all black equipment. Luke is concerned about these things. Practice is one hour before the races and an hour afterward. Luke didn't want to race until he got used to what he had to do. Well of course he loves it. He's getting more comfortable with each lap. Each race is one lap only. It is also very clear that there is a level of equipment that far outweighs what we have invested so far. Carbon fiber bikes, multiple front cranks that are changeable based on lap times and thin, smooth wheels. These setups start at $6-700. That's where we'll need sponsors! He's got to show real investment in time and passion before we go to the next level. The new deal for Luke is that every four times he reads to Darcy or me (10 minutes silently and twenty minutes aloud) he gets a trip to the BMX park that is about 30 miles from our house. I will keep everyone updated as we proceed down this "non-motorized" path.

Easter Bunny

OK, I should probably stop these but here's Hannah's note to the Easter Bunny. We usually are at Darcy's parents so Hannah directs the Easter Bunny there.

Luke at the Doctor - The night before the battle starts?

I'm writing this after Luke's doctor's appointment on April 10th. Luke had a headache last week and I picked him up from School. Since we had gone BMX racing the night before, I surmised that his neck hurt because of using a heavier helmet than he ever had before. Luke is the only one in the family that gets headaches. Well that was last Tuesday and he was a little sick when we went camping. on Saturday. Again on Sunday he got a headache and then he had to get sick, but he felt getter after that. Wednesday he had a headache at school that turned into a large one after school. "My head feels like it's going to explode daddy!" After Motrin and a short nap, he was better. I was on the edge of taking him directly to the hospital, but the doctor said if it gets better bring him in to see us. On Thursday, the 10th, I brought him in. Unfortunately our doctor, Dr. Balch, was out so we saw Dr. Metsch. Normal check up except after they took his blood pressure, they left and then had the assistant come back in and check his pressure again. I knew that was a little strange. Dr. Metsch came in and explained that Luke's blood pressure was in the 95th percentile. High, but not high enough to to cause the headaches. He then asked Luke to urinate in a cup. Luke was pretty excited to do this and proud that he didn't spill! They did a quick analysis there and then the doctor came back. He said Luke's protein level as high in his urine and that there was blood in it. There was a look in the doctor's eyes that showed his concern. I saw it. He said he'd call me Friday and wanted my cell phone number. We went to another laboratory to have blood drawn. Luke wanted to watch her take the blood and was brave. A little boy, Brock, went first and said it didn't hurt much and that he only said one "ouch".

I've always had a fear, maybe a foreboding, that Luke was to be in a major battle in his life. I pray that he won't be and this post will not be published. If not, and we are to be in battle with Luke, I have prayed that we would be faithful to the Lord's teachings and His plan. These battles are here for a reason. I sat at Mission Bay last night before my swim and cried. For no known reason yet. Is the Lord preparing me? Is this the night before the battle? Will we be brave?

But Luke is fine.  Is there a battle in Luke's future?  Yes.  Do I know where or when that is? No.

Will we be Brave?  I hope so.

Will we be obedient to the Lord?

Yes.

Darcy turns 40!

We had a semi-surprise birthday party for Darcy's 40th birthday. Darcy knew we were having a party, she didn't know that we were making it a 1968 theme. Most people dressed the part, with a few going well beyond and making it a great time. We decorated the outside of the house with palms, built a "temporary" bar in the street and had a "Darcy Trivia" contest, with the winner getting a gift certificate to Starbucks (the winner, Julie Hagen). Darcy's parents came down and so did her sister. It was a great time and the "temporary"bar is now a "mobile" bar that will be wheeled to anywhere in the neighborhood where a party is hosted. Everybody had a great time and when I turn 40 I want the same thing for me.

Monday Night Pizza

Luke and I continue with a tradition of " Monday Night Pizza. It has been 4-5 years for us and it is a gathering of a few dads and their children. No moms. I'd say that the group started 7-8 years ago with the Theule family. My mother shows up when she is in town as a "special exception." to the "No Moms" rule. I just happened on this picture of one of the past nights when our friends, the Michaels, still lived here. The highlight is when the 7:00 PM train goes by at high speed. We've been doing this for years, but it is still amazing to have a train speeding by, 6 feet away from you at 60 miles per hour. Jeff Steffen and his children are the longest ranking member of the group now since Chad Theule and his family moved up north. When I pulled up this picture, the best part is Jeff's son, Judah, on the bottom right, shuddering from the speed of the passing train. We eat Pizza at Pizza Port in Carlsbad. We head either to the "train" park, or in the summer, down near the beach. Then to Starbucks for some drinks and checkers for the kids. Nothing really special, but a time every week when dads get to spend time with their kids and the moms get some free time. If you're wondering, Hannah "opted" out a few years ago as she was the oldest and didn't want to go anymore. Now that Luke is the oldest, I'm wondering when he'll want to stop going, but he still looks forward to it every Monday. We have a special football that we only use on Mondays and we keep it in my car so we won't forget it. When he starts to get tired of it we have him bring a friend. The real question is, when he stops coming, where will I find another kid to bring with me so that I can still go?

Hannah in Pocahontas

Probably everyone would be surprised that Hannah continues to appear in school plays. This is her second one and she seems to enjoy the long hours of practice. Darcy helped out with props, as all parents of the cast must be on a "team" to help the production. In so many ways, she is so mature for her age and in so any other ways she is, and always will be our little girl. Luke actually pondered auditioning for "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown", but decided against it.