Here is the video of the ranch weekend.
Showing posts with label colorado. Show all posts
Showing posts with label colorado. Show all posts
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Ranch Experience
One of the greatest things about parenthood is letting your kids experience something that you know is a once and lifetime event. We got this recently when we visited a cattle ranch owned by my grandfather. We were visiting to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the foreman’s service running the ranch. They were branding the spring calves so my kids got to see a rare glimpse of the American West. I was surprised that all of them enjoyed the experience. My youngest daughter did say, “Those evil men kept hurting those cows,” but she still watched it with interest. I cannot say much more than that because I think the pictures from the weekend tell more of the story. So enjoy them, leave any comments, and subscribe.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Speeding Ticket- Playing the Game of Life
Tonight was family game night at my castle on Caley. We played the Game of Life. A classic game that I always remember because I was more interested in the plastic landscape than the game. As we played the game, I found the random distribution of careers and salaries very ironic. My oldest son was the lowest paid at $20,000.00. His career pick was Police Officer. My youngest son got to be a teacher with a $90,000.00 salary. I am not sure what school district he worked for but I am assured it was not any public school here in Colorado.
I don't know why we get dealt the hand we get. God knows why. He seems to think that what he deals us will make us stronger or grow us in some way. I really hope that he's right. I am thinking about two particular cards that God dealt me, my son's. I find the mixture of there personalities and physical attributes strange at times. Take my youngest boy. He has had a high pain tolerance since birth. He burnt his hand when he was very young on a night light. We didn't know he'd done it until the church infant worker pointed out he had a blister on his hand. The kid had burnt his hand not felt the pain then crawled around on the blister without one tear. My youngest boy is short, stocky and great at just about any sport he tries. All these physical attributes add up to a real boys boy. That's what I thought. My biggest difficulty with my youngest son is he emotional sensitivity. He breaks down crying and weeping at the smallest insult. His sisters seem to get a kick out of reducing him to tears everyday it seems
I have to stop myself from hardening him though. I could do it. Too many fathers have been in my place before. They saw softness in their son's and couldn't reconcile that with the physical prowess they also saw. So, they hardened the boy through brutalities or insults or the withholding tenderness. I am not blaming anyone. I hate weakness in myself. I'll admit that. But I get to make that decision. I get to suffer my choice. If I impose that viewpoint on my young son will I not be crushing him like flower beneath my boot?
My second card is oldest son. If you don't follow my blog he is autistic. That is one of the greatest blows I have ever taken. I will freely admit that I spent years denying the facts of his autism. I was not the best dad at those times. I could even say that I was an emotional abuser. I couldn't understand why more punishment was not straightening out my son. Let me try and explain how I felt.
I was talking to a father at my son's school one day a year ago. We had daughters in the same kindergarten. We were talking about this and that when the topic of the special ed class came up. My oldest son had just been admitted into that class that year. I didn't share that fact with the gentleman I was talking too. It didn't seem important. We were talking about volunteering in classrooms. My companion was telling me how he'd been asked to help out in the special ed room. He stated he didn't like it much and asked the school not to be assigned it again. He told me, "I don't know why those kids get such special treatment. I could have those kids all straightened out in a few minutes if they'd just let me alone with them for a few minutes."
I know that some of you are horrified by that statement, but it's the reality that so many of us have to overcome. I had to overcome it. My son is autistic and nothing will change that. I accept that he will take more time, more energy, and more love than anyone else can give him. I have all those things. That's what God thinks. Some days God is right, and some days I think that God was wrong. But in the end it's not about the middle of the game that counts it's the end. Family game night showed me why.
My oldest, the under paid cop, ended up winning the game with the most money. Not because he made money at his career, but because he collected the most "Life tiles." A tile is a way of marking personal achievements. Another way of saying it is he won because the way he lived "Life" not because he worked the hardest. I want to win the game of life by the way I live it not because I worked the hardest.
My wife is calling me to her side so that's about all I have to say for now. Please subscribe and comment if you have something to tell me.
I don't know why we get dealt the hand we get. God knows why. He seems to think that what he deals us will make us stronger or grow us in some way. I really hope that he's right. I am thinking about two particular cards that God dealt me, my son's. I find the mixture of there personalities and physical attributes strange at times. Take my youngest boy. He has had a high pain tolerance since birth. He burnt his hand when he was very young on a night light. We didn't know he'd done it until the church infant worker pointed out he had a blister on his hand. The kid had burnt his hand not felt the pain then crawled around on the blister without one tear. My youngest boy is short, stocky and great at just about any sport he tries. All these physical attributes add up to a real boys boy. That's what I thought. My biggest difficulty with my youngest son is he emotional sensitivity. He breaks down crying and weeping at the smallest insult. His sisters seem to get a kick out of reducing him to tears everyday it seems
I have to stop myself from hardening him though. I could do it. Too many fathers have been in my place before. They saw softness in their son's and couldn't reconcile that with the physical prowess they also saw. So, they hardened the boy through brutalities or insults or the withholding tenderness. I am not blaming anyone. I hate weakness in myself. I'll admit that. But I get to make that decision. I get to suffer my choice. If I impose that viewpoint on my young son will I not be crushing him like flower beneath my boot?
My second card is oldest son. If you don't follow my blog he is autistic. That is one of the greatest blows I have ever taken. I will freely admit that I spent years denying the facts of his autism. I was not the best dad at those times. I could even say that I was an emotional abuser. I couldn't understand why more punishment was not straightening out my son. Let me try and explain how I felt.
I was talking to a father at my son's school one day a year ago. We had daughters in the same kindergarten. We were talking about this and that when the topic of the special ed class came up. My oldest son had just been admitted into that class that year. I didn't share that fact with the gentleman I was talking too. It didn't seem important. We were talking about volunteering in classrooms. My companion was telling me how he'd been asked to help out in the special ed room. He stated he didn't like it much and asked the school not to be assigned it again. He told me, "I don't know why those kids get such special treatment. I could have those kids all straightened out in a few minutes if they'd just let me alone with them for a few minutes."
I know that some of you are horrified by that statement, but it's the reality that so many of us have to overcome. I had to overcome it. My son is autistic and nothing will change that. I accept that he will take more time, more energy, and more love than anyone else can give him. I have all those things. That's what God thinks. Some days God is right, and some days I think that God was wrong. But in the end it's not about the middle of the game that counts it's the end. Family game night showed me why.
My oldest, the under paid cop, ended up winning the game with the most money. Not because he made money at his career, but because he collected the most "Life tiles." A tile is a way of marking personal achievements. Another way of saying it is he won because the way he lived "Life" not because he worked the hardest. I want to win the game of life by the way I live it not because I worked the hardest.
My wife is calling me to her side so that's about all I have to say for now. Please subscribe and comment if you have something to tell me.
Sunday, December 05, 2010
Manly Man?
What is it to be a man? That's not an easy question to answer; I know that millions of men before me have tried to answer that question. My friends and I are starting to read a book titled "Iron John: A book about Men" by Robert Bly. We are meeting as a group of Christ believers, men, fathers, singles, and husbands. I haven't even been able to start the book yet, but I have participated in the discussions. I was struck by the need in the group for many of men to come to terms with their jobs. I heard quite a few men agonize over some desk job that made them feel more a trapped than a fulfilled. I didn't saying anything during this discussion because of my profession. I am a cop. I am living the dream of thousands of boys and men. And yet, as a cop why do I feel less like a man so many times? What's happening?
It's not something that I can really accurately describe to everyone. I have learned how to shoot, drive, and fight over the past six years of my life. Still, there are times when I am cowardly and to scared to get out of my own car. Most of the time, I am oblivious to the danger that I face everyday. I get numb to it. There are other times in my career when I have just shut down with terror at the people I come into contact with. Why is it that I live the ultimate man's job everyday, but I don't always feel like a man sometimes?
I don't think that I have all the answers for this problem. I know one thing that gives me courage. Several times during my job I have stopped and prayed for various things. A back bone, calm, and ideas have all been on my pray list. I know that each time I pray I get what I need in some form. So, one thing that makes me feel more like a man is not the guns or the cars but the faith that I wield. But that can be fleeting if I don't stay God centered. Another thing that I know gets me out of the car is my own stubbornness. I am my own worst drill sergeant. I talk myself into an idea or plan of action. Often, I am presented with easier ways out. I have to make the harder decisions because they are usually the right ones.
In the end, I don't think that any man can say that a career gives him the fulfillment he is looking for in life. I know God gives me the most life I could ever handle. Sometimes it's hard to live up to even courage that God gives. It can be scary not to fear. Other times you’re your only life coach. You have to give yourself that inner motivation. What makes you feel fulfilled in your life?
Have a good week and may the Lord keep you safe.
It's not something that I can really accurately describe to everyone. I have learned how to shoot, drive, and fight over the past six years of my life. Still, there are times when I am cowardly and to scared to get out of my own car. Most of the time, I am oblivious to the danger that I face everyday. I get numb to it. There are other times in my career when I have just shut down with terror at the people I come into contact with. Why is it that I live the ultimate man's job everyday, but I don't always feel like a man sometimes?
I don't think that I have all the answers for this problem. I know one thing that gives me courage. Several times during my job I have stopped and prayed for various things. A back bone, calm, and ideas have all been on my pray list. I know that each time I pray I get what I need in some form. So, one thing that makes me feel more like a man is not the guns or the cars but the faith that I wield. But that can be fleeting if I don't stay God centered. Another thing that I know gets me out of the car is my own stubbornness. I am my own worst drill sergeant. I talk myself into an idea or plan of action. Often, I am presented with easier ways out. I have to make the harder decisions because they are usually the right ones.
In the end, I don't think that any man can say that a career gives him the fulfillment he is looking for in life. I know God gives me the most life I could ever handle. Sometimes it's hard to live up to even courage that God gives. It can be scary not to fear. Other times you’re your only life coach. You have to give yourself that inner motivation. What makes you feel fulfilled in your life?
Have a good week and may the Lord keep you safe.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
This Blog was Brought to you By the Committee for the Other Guy
When my fireplace began to fill up with all the political fliers that had been mailed to my house I began to wish we never had elections. I even wish that we could elect our politicians to longer terms so that their political debates would not interrupt an episode of "The Good Guys" (my current favorite). I am not a political moron. I listen to the "Political Junkie" on "Talk of the Nation" whenever I can. I just don't want to hear another junk ad on why Bennett shouldn't be re-elected. I knew who was going to get my vote even before the year started. What I didn't know was how I was going to vote for County Coroner or for Colorado University Board of Regents.
I want to hear for those candidates. I want to see a debate from candidate A and B about why they would be the best city councilman for my district. Maybe in your city this kind of things happens. But I doubt most of us know who's running for county sheriff unless we work closely with that agency. These politicians have the most impact on me. My state congressman or senator could vote to take away my job or do away with the funding for my patrol cars. This year as I voted my Queen told me about the two candidates for county coroner. The incumbent is a medical doctor with years of experience doing the job of a medical examiner. His opponent is a politician without any medical credentials. That would have been nice to learn in a debate or simply a get to know the candidate.
I want to hear from the candidates that matter to me. The ones who might examine my corpse when I die or the one who makes decisions on how many cars I can park in front of my house. Let's hear from you guys and gals. Let you candidacy by heard so that next time I have to vote between you or the name below you I don't have to flip a coin.
I want to hear for those candidates. I want to see a debate from candidate A and B about why they would be the best city councilman for my district. Maybe in your city this kind of things happens. But I doubt most of us know who's running for county sheriff unless we work closely with that agency. These politicians have the most impact on me. My state congressman or senator could vote to take away my job or do away with the funding for my patrol cars. This year as I voted my Queen told me about the two candidates for county coroner. The incumbent is a medical doctor with years of experience doing the job of a medical examiner. His opponent is a politician without any medical credentials. That would have been nice to learn in a debate or simply a get to know the candidate.
I want to hear from the candidates that matter to me. The ones who might examine my corpse when I die or the one who makes decisions on how many cars I can park in front of my house. Let's hear from you guys and gals. Let you candidacy by heard so that next time I have to vote between you or the name below you I don't have to flip a coin.
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
Camping Trip 2010
I just got the pictures back from my camping trip with my boys and my dad. We were only gone for a night but it was pretty fun. The youngest boy got sick the next morning so we had to cut things short but he said he had a lot of fun. If you look at the slideshow to the right you'll see so photos I took.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Accepting Second Best
This week was a very long week for me. Many of you probably heard of the latest school shooting that happened in Colorado this week. It is really close to home because I am one those "security guards" the news referred to this week. Deer Creek was one of my schools last semester, and I personally know the "security guard" who was assigned there this school year. I am not going to blog on the shooting this week it is still to fresh to me. Instead, enjoy my take on the current health care debate.
My wife sent me this link this week. It is an article about the current health care debate and our role as modern Christians. The author states that as a follower of Christ maybe we should elect not to have the best tests or get that designer drug for our restless leg syndromes. Basically, if your healthy by keeping from using up medical services frivolously we leave that doctor's time and drugs for others who may truly need it. I know that you could take this debate to the extreme. If your old don't try and prolong your life by taking that expensive treatment or body part. Sure, there are a lot of people who think me a monster for suggesting that the sick and old not hold on to life. But isn't that what God calls us to do.
Matthew 16:24-26 Jesus said,"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?"
The real question I am asking is where is your soul invested. Is it invested in this life or is it invested in the life to come? What have I gained by extending my life another day or year if I haven't used those days to bring God into the lives of those around others. And I don't mean to say that I need to spend time converting as many people as I can possibly find to listen to me. I mean bring God into peoples lives even just one life by loving them and caring for them. Alter calls are great but teaching someone to love as God loves will benefit them their whole life. I am not the best example of this but I know one thing that is for sure I know where I am going when I die. I don't need to worry about the end of my days. I am free. Are you living free as well?
My wife sent me this link this week. It is an article about the current health care debate and our role as modern Christians. The author states that as a follower of Christ maybe we should elect not to have the best tests or get that designer drug for our restless leg syndromes. Basically, if your healthy by keeping from using up medical services frivolously we leave that doctor's time and drugs for others who may truly need it. I know that you could take this debate to the extreme. If your old don't try and prolong your life by taking that expensive treatment or body part. Sure, there are a lot of people who think me a monster for suggesting that the sick and old not hold on to life. But isn't that what God calls us to do.
Matthew 16:24-26 Jesus said,"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?"
The real question I am asking is where is your soul invested. Is it invested in this life or is it invested in the life to come? What have I gained by extending my life another day or year if I haven't used those days to bring God into the lives of those around others. And I don't mean to say that I need to spend time converting as many people as I can possibly find to listen to me. I mean bring God into peoples lives even just one life by loving them and caring for them. Alter calls are great but teaching someone to love as God loves will benefit them their whole life. I am not the best example of this but I know one thing that is for sure I know where I am going when I die. I don't need to worry about the end of my days. I am free. Are you living free as well?
Saturday, January 17, 2009
16 things
My wife did her own sixteen things that people would want to know about her. She encouraged me to do my own list. Since, I didn't do her other hundred things to do be for I die for purely morbid reasons. I think that I can do this list without any trouble. It is after all a new year, and I have been telling my wife that I want to live with more purpose this year.
1. I am quiet and thoughtful. I may not say a lot to the people around me, but don't take that as a sign that I don't care.
2. I am friendly to just about everyone, but there are very few people I consider true friends. I know that I am not the best person at letting my true friends know that I think their special to me, band for that I am sorry.
3. I love my job as a law enforcement officer, but I know that I cannot save the world. I can only hope to touch a few lives along the way.
4. I love my children each in the own special way. It is hard as a father of four to find time for each of them but I love them all even when they are not listening.
5. I take politics seriously, but I don't think that anyone change the world through government. Government is a reaction not a cure. It takes people acting with good in their heads, and God in their heart to change the world.
6. I worry about money but have no idea what I would do with it if had all money I needed. I cannot imagine life without sacrifice. God calls us to depend on him, and that cannot be done if we have all we need through money.
7. I have no pretense that I will die a good man, but not a famous man. I would rather that I have the love, respect, and devotion of my wife, children, and friends than fame.
8. I love to play. I know that I don't get out a lot to play my favorite sport paintball a lot. I wish there was more time in my schedule to do so. I also wish that there were a way to include my family so that it was not either or but we could all share in the enjoyment of my play.
This is the end of the list for now. I don't want it the be about everything that is on my mind right now in this second. I will come back on finish off on another day.
1. I am quiet and thoughtful. I may not say a lot to the people around me, but don't take that as a sign that I don't care.
2. I am friendly to just about everyone, but there are very few people I consider true friends. I know that I am not the best person at letting my true friends know that I think their special to me, band for that I am sorry.
3. I love my job as a law enforcement officer, but I know that I cannot save the world. I can only hope to touch a few lives along the way.
4. I love my children each in the own special way. It is hard as a father of four to find time for each of them but I love them all even when they are not listening.
5. I take politics seriously, but I don't think that anyone change the world through government. Government is a reaction not a cure. It takes people acting with good in their heads, and God in their heart to change the world.
6. I worry about money but have no idea what I would do with it if had all money I needed. I cannot imagine life without sacrifice. God calls us to depend on him, and that cannot be done if we have all we need through money.
7. I have no pretense that I will die a good man, but not a famous man. I would rather that I have the love, respect, and devotion of my wife, children, and friends than fame.
8. I love to play. I know that I don't get out a lot to play my favorite sport paintball a lot. I wish there was more time in my schedule to do so. I also wish that there were a way to include my family so that it was not either or but we could all share in the enjoyment of my play.
This is the end of the list for now. I don't want it the be about everything that is on my mind right now in this second. I will come back on finish off on another day.
Monday, July 14, 2008
The Ice Cream shop
My wife prevailed over me again and I found myself driving to the local ice cream shop to get her favorite. As I pulled up to the parking lot, it was packed which was startling. The shop parking has never been more than a third packed in my experience. When I walked up to the door it became apparent why the shop was so inundated. A group of women of varying age were standing just inside the doorway. They wore denim blue tee shirts with words Trading Bases printed in black on the front and a number on the back. The line that they formed wound all the way to the entrance. I merely had to open the door and I was in line. To
The women were all talking in enthusiastic victorious chatter. Clearly they had won the game and were here to celebrate the victory. Scurrying about the legs of everyone in the ice cream shop were a myriad of children. The children were chased by the corresponding myriad of fathers, grandfathers, and grandmothers. Exasperation was on the face of a few of the fathers. The fathers were trying to catch the eyes of their wives trying in vain to pass off the kids back to the women. But the mothers in blue ignored or were oblivious to the attempted hand offs of children. The ecstasy was pulsating of the Trading Bases players. Life can best be summed up in this one moment in the ice cream shop. Even when life seems to want to drag you back down into it you have a choice to resist it. We join a team or start a group in order to get out of life's grip. We need to feel as though we still got something to give us more purpose than raising kids and working. Sometimes we get to feel that purpose pulsating through your body. Hold on to it try not to let go.
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