Not too long ago, Christa was looking through some old papers we both had filled out during our pre-marriage counseling sessions. It was the typical fare; spelling out our future goals and expectations, spiritual gifts, communication styles, pet peeves, and family background. At the time we both answered the same questions individually and then compared…

Tomorrow: In the morning, Sarah’s last soccer game, in the afternoon, brewing a batch of beer with some guys from church…and then, in the evening… Going with my wife to see one of my all-time favorite musical groups, Over the Rhine at The Triple Door in Seattle. This week has really made up for last…

Happy Birthday, Christa! (I’m delighted that I get to ‘shadow’ you for the next 35 years…and then some!)

Over nine years ago I asked Christa to marry me on Captiva Island.  In case you weren’t sure, she did say YES.  But not before I had burned the tips of my fingers to blisters trying to light seven candles on a very windy beach.  Oh, the best laid plans of mice, or can we…

Some days beg to be loved.  They cry out for our attention like daughters doing cartwheels on the living room carpet.  These days where clouds bow out, waving cape and giving way theatrically to cerulean blue sky.  Late October days, the beginning of sweater season, when Asian-friendly eyes get kite envy. There's this line of…

Here are the pictures from the ab-fab! week we had in Sunriver, Oregon.  I can't even begin to explain how restful, rejuvenating, and fun it was.  The weather was perfect.  The activities (hiking, biking, kayaking, reading, sight-seeing, etc.) made it like a second honeymoon.  Our hosts really helped us process through our first 3 years…

This beautiful young lady (left) is celebrating a birthday today… Wishing my wife all the best today and in her new year! (note: I couldn’t find a photo of Christa where she wasn’t hugging someone in the family.  That says something about her I think.)

I don’t know how many people get to share their life with their true love AND their best friend but I do.  It’s amazing!  As the story goes, about 8 1/2 years ago, our eyes met across an empty dining hall in a cabin in a remote area of the Rocky Mountains.  It was love…

OK, here are the answers to the Christa quiz I posted a few days ago… If you haven’t taken the quiz yet, and would like to, go to this post and download it before reviewing the answers below.  Everyone is on the honor system and must grade your own quiz.  No cheating!  So far (other…

Birthday festivities went pretty well I think (?), but you’ll have to ask Christa for the real scoop.  Christa came to the realization this year that we are now at that age where our children are more excited by our birthdays than we are.  (This will not always be the case, of course.)  We also…