SeizingMyDay

Our Weekend in Tahoe with Micah and Jeremiah

What a blessing...and a challenge...to spend a weekend with our favorite grandchildren, Micah and Jeremiah, in favorite spot, Lake Tahoe! That describes it well. It was a blessing and a challenge.

First, Lorie and I are reminded of how all-consuming it is to have young children. There is the quantity of clothes and stuff you have to take with you just to get by--child seats, extra clothes, snow clothes, toys, movie players, DVD collections, medicine, "time-out" carpets...and earplugs! Yes, we drove from LA to Cooperopolis for a big surprise--Jeremiah and Micah were going to their first visit to Tahoe with Grandma Lorie and Papa Abba...alone! Yes, mom and dad were getting a two days off, and we were getting our first grandparent survival test!

We loved almost every minute of the experience. There was the three hour drive to Tahoe with high-decibel discourse coming from the back seats. There were kicks, blaming statements, intermittent tears and, of course, a series of warnings from the front seat--"Are we going to have to stop the car?" We didn't. Like all parents who point out the beautiful scenery; they didn't seem to care about what was going on outside the car. They wanted to know when we get there, and whether there would be plenty of snow.

There was quite a bit of snow for this time in the season and a threat of more to come that weekend. It did during the night before we had to drive out in that snow! But that is yet to come.

Within moments of arriving at our shared home in Stateline, the boys had their clothes and toys all over the house. We were trying to establish order; they were trying to create chaos. Lorie and I are still not sure which side won. We learned the importance of "getting kids tired" by hiking them, letting them play at playgrounds in the park and at McDonalds. Micah and Jeremiah, to their credit, play hard and get along well with other kids. They make friends and they race through every tunnel, every slide, and every swing set. We were proud of them. They enjoyed their hike to the lake through the reserve at Stateline. I took turns putting the boys on my shoulders...which will never be the same. We raced; we threw snowballs at each other; we laughed and we loved. They touched Lake Tahoe for the first time. We added that memory to our past joys associated with the hike. We used to take Runner and Sunshine to this area and watch them run. It was their favorite place. We hope the kids felt the same thing.

The first night was a challenge and a joy. There was the nightly reading to settle them down. Micah, who is now reading well, did most of the reading. He has made so much progress and loves to read and sing. It was a blessing. We then went to the rooms for stories. I told them stories, and they told me their own. They tried to stay in the same room, but that was not working. We split them up and put music in the hallway. They went to bed at 8:15, and we were in bed by 9:15. No TV, and barely time to get online to check e-mail. I can see why parents have a hard time keeping up with news or life! I was up twice during the night to put the kids back to bed and encourage them when they were afraid. I was suddenly glad that we went to bed early.

Saturday, we took a hike near the home by the creek. We went further than Sean and I had ever gone when he was a child. These kids are "true boys;" they love to take risks and take on the world. later we hiked at Emerald Bay to Eagle Lake with Micah leading the way. We then went back to McDonalds for food and more play time. Again the boys made a new set of friends. We went from there to the movies...to rest the grandparents...and take in the only "G" movie playing--"Meet the Robinsons." We loved the movie. It was a positive movie about adoption and the importance of "Keep Moving Forward" instead of getting stuck on past failures. We loved the movie...but like the scenery...we fear the message was lost on the kids. I guess that is what parenting is all about--thousands of such messages over and over again with the hope that some sticks. Lorie and I came to appreciate how great a job Sean and Nicole were doing to give the kids positive, faith-filled messages instead of just letting the kids watch anything. We tried to hold to those standards. It seems to be paying off for these two wonderful boys.

The final night brought more reading and more stories...and a great nights sleep with not a single interruption. Unfortunately, the great snow we wanted came when we were leaving. We had to drive through it instead of play in it. That was not as much fun, but thanks to four-wheel drive, we made it without chains back to Cooperopolis and...rest...for grandparents.

We not only survived the experience. I think they had fun and a new set of memories. We certainly have memories we will treasure. It was challenging but worth every minute it took to make it happen. After all, that's what grandparents are for--breaks for parents, memories for kids, and love...lots of it! What will I remember most, the moments I had with each boy to say how special they were and how proud we were to have them in our family.

A Perfect Weekend with our Grandkids and the Family of God

What a great weekend in Copperopolis and Murphys! I guess any weekend with your grandkids has to be that way. Papa Abba and Grandma Lorie are in town--tackle the old man and don't let him up! That seemed to be their opening game plan from the moment we entered the house. Participating in energy in overdrive is fun, even when you are the target of all the actions. Arms grabbing my head, the other boy leaping onto my back, and little boys seem to call this love.

Unfortunately, Nicole was not feeling well and had retired to their bedroom to try to get some rest...highly unlikely any sleep with the noise coming from all the action in the living room. Sean cooked the meal, and we gladly ate it. The boys are still a handful but you can see such progress. The need structure and respond to it. Just when you feel they could get out of control, there may be a brief time on their carpet square or a calming story. They do respond. Micah is talking much more clearly, and Jeremiah is just talking...period...all the time. His engaging smile makes him hard to resist; he's got a little spark in his eyes that lets you know fun is coming whether you like it or not. His mind is a steel trap. One of the words I often use as an exclamation is "Chiwawa." He remembers it--Papa Abba says "Chiwawa." We can look forward to some fun years ahead as they both grow into young men.

It was also a week of affirmation in the power of the family of God wherever you are. Whether it was dinner Friday night with Sean's mentor and his wife, Dave and Jill Kinney, a men's prayer breakfast in a ranch bunk house next to a roaring fire and pond, or worshiping for the first time with Sean's new Copper Canyon Baptist Church, God's Spirit was evident throughout the weekend. God is so good.

There is nothing more exciting than to feel God moving in a mighty way in this new church. Every Sunday, new people come to see the new pastor. It's contagious. Instead of being comfortable, people are challenged to make it their church and to keep it alive and growing. Even more exciting as a father is to watch your son being used by God, and to sense that he has found his calling. Whether it's the relationships you see him build or the sermons he delivers, you sense he is tapping God's Holy Spirit in a strong way. There is much I can learn from my son's journey. I look forward to a time we can spend more time with him and his family, our grandchildren and the family of God Sean is helping to shape in Copperopolis.

It's back to LA, but part of our heart remains in the Gold Country Sean now calls home.

For Want of a Swimsuit in France Innovation Saves the Day

Have you ever been locked into buying something only to realize that, with a little innovation, you already had what you needed for a lot less? Motivation plays a part in making innovation important.

I am on the Mediterranean in Nice, France to conduct a training program for high-potential executives for Texas Instruments. I came in early for an extra day of R&R.in a city Lorie and I had visited on one of our cruises. I wanted a bit more time, and I had it. Of course, being at the beach in France requires at least a visit to the beach. This is the best time to visit. The weather is still great and the kids are in school making tourists a bit rarer. I had planned my packing and had everything except my swim trunks that I left in a very safe place that I was sure I would see to add to my luggage. I did not.

This launched a futile and comical search for a swimsuit when all the store's had were their fall clothes. The swimsuits had left the stores the day before I arrived. I bought one for 15 Euro from a street vendor. Even at Extra Large, it was a bit small when I got back to my room. They have said that an American Large is larger than other countries; they are right. Maybe without breathing it would not break a seam, but not wise nor too functional.

I tried a large mall near our beach hotel. I finally found one swimsuit that looked great and fit in a very fashionable men's store. I went to pay for it, and the register read 153 Euro. That's right; that's more than $200 for two feet of fabric...not even pretty fabric! When I saw the price, I started to laugh. "No!" I said. "There are some women out there wearing no tops. Maybe these prices are why!" He laughed, and said, "No problem sir. I understand."

Now, I was motivated. I thought of shorts, but they too were not to be had. Then it dawned on me--I had a pair of blue microfiber pants that couldn't have cost $25 or about $17 euro. What a deal!!! I could cut them and have a great reasonable set of swim trunks...and less to fit in the luggage. So to the beach I will go...not stylish but certainly functional and appropriate for an American on a French beach.

This reminds me of Scott McKain who had left his French cuff shirts home on an important speaking engagement. He had the cuff links but no shirt. He went from shop to shop searching for shirts with cuff links. None had any. As a speaker who had to speak the next day, he was panicked. The final salesman then said with a cautious look, "You know we have a lot of shirts with buttons. Maybe for this talk you could forget the cuff links!" Scott was locked in and lost in one mind set.

Open up those minds and lets look for options instead of outrageous prices! What problems have you been locked into that might be solved with a little innovative problem solving? Can you share stories of your own while I'm swimming in France.

A Day of Skiing in a Winter Wonderland

It's another beautiful day in paradise. We woke up to a classic view of Lake Tahoe off our balcony. The white snow from the last two days and the clear blues sky made the scene glisten. I now know why we love it here so.

After two days of snow and shoveling the driveway, I know why I don't live here. Then again, who needs a gym when you have to shovel snow daily? Give me the sun of Southern California and let me visit Tahoe! Now, that makes sense!

But today, the break in the storms with new snow approaching on Thursday gives us a golden opportunity. It is time to ski! We haven't been since 2001. We used to ski often and make sure we were up the slopes early getting every run we could get. It is a wonder we didn't kill ourselves. Now, in our later years, we settle for half-day tickets and enjoying the views and very immediate level runs. There are no moguls or black diamonds on this boy's dance card!

How can we have a blog called SeizingMyDay and not seize the day for this wonderful packed-powder skiing opportunity? I guess, at 60, I've still got that desire to live the day that God's given you! I hope you do the same.