The Last Hoen Cabin Trip

We've been very fortunate to be given permission to use the Hoen (a related family to Jen's Husband) Cabin from time to time. We had Dad's 70th Birthday weekend up there and various other getaways. But it seems like every time we go there we either get sick on the way or on the way back. Today Ethan threw up in the van on the way up, then Claire threw up twice at the cabin. We decided to not stay and Claire threw up again on the way home. Then Jace tossed his dinner as soon as we get out of the car in our garage. Not a fun evening.

But puking patterns aside, the cabin is falling into a bit of disrepair. Tonight there was an ant infestation in 2 of the 4 upstairs bedrooms and the fridge wasn't working. It's a wonderful location and has such great potential as being a peaceful, and fun getaway spot. It just needs a good resealing, exterior touch up, reflooring, remodeling, refurnishing, pretty much re-everything and it's ready to go.

Being With the Team

In the context of all the stressing out I've been doing about my job lately, it was really nice to spend some fun time with the team today. We have a monthly goal setting and for the first time in three months we finally made it to our team goal so we had a BBQ up on the roof of our office building to celebrate. Additionally, we also had a music competition. There were about 8 acts that performed everything from joke songs to original compositions.

After it was all done, I noticed that I felt differently. The whole atmosphere in the office felt better. People were laughing, talking and planning a little more than they usually do. It's very difficult to justify little breathers like this in a business sense but experiences like these illustrate that there is something to the principles of team celebration, and getting to know each other better in a personal way - not just a business way.

In fact, I think that might be the key reason why this was good therapy today. I saw people a little bit more as people today. I saw some of their talents and was able to interact with them in a non-business way. That interaction provided better context to the business interaction that followed.

Jace's Birthday

Little Jace is turning 4 today. He's been looking forward to today for weeks and now he gets his Thomas party, a hot wheels toy, and a new Thomas train set and he's in his own brand of heaven.

For some reason, I remember Jace very well as a baby. My memory of the other kids' infancy is not so sharp. I remember his tons of brown hair combed down over his head, his temperamental tummy problems, and his big brown/green eyes. I contrast the Jace of today to that little infant and I am amazed at how much he's grown. Jace is such a cute kid. When he's not in a shouting volley with Claire, he's a very adorable, sweet and special boy.

Last year, Jason got used to referring to himself as Jason, a good boy. He insists to this day that his full name is Jason, a good boy. Even when registering for preschool, he introduced himself to the school staff as Jason, a good boy. And he really is.

Mistakes are Goldmines

There have been times in my life when I have made mistakes (usually selfish behavior that hurts others), felt some degree of remorse, tried to correct the mistake and then move on with greater determination and strength. That cycle is often very difficult but if I choose to learn and apply, they can make me a better person.

Faith in Jesus Christ is a great help in this. I have faith that he can heal the personal effects of mistakes - whether they be mine or someone else's. I've seen three ways so far that His teachings provide greater context and meaning to life. First, eternal progression. One of the main doctrines of Christianity is that death is not the end of this life. The LDS faith adds another layer to that in stating that the purpose of our existence - both body and soul - is to eternally learn and develop. All that we experience in life is meant to contribute to that overall purpose. This is reflected in a verse from the Book of Mormon: "...Thou knowest the greatness of God; and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain." (2 Nephi 2:2) This gives mistakes meaning and, if overcome, they become an investment in our eternal identity.

Which brings me to another point of Christianity which helps me - the doctrine that I am a spirit child of God. Because I was created in His image, I have seeds of His greatness in me. If all I had were my own experiences, thoughts, and desires then I wouldn't have much to stand on. But I'm better than that and I feel it. I feel that I have potential and talents that God has given me and that drives me forward.

Finally, His love. I know He lives and loves me because I have felt it. This love creates a sort of divine assistance that provides encouragement and strength in times of weakness and affliction. It motivates me to keep going and try harder to be a good man.

These three things, eternal progression, personal divine identity, and God's love unfetter my life from mistakes that would otherwise be laborious and decaying to happiness. Overcoming mistakes through these perspectives propels me higher, farther and better than I would have had I never made the mistake at all.

Firework Show

Once in high school and another time during college I put on a big firework show where I interacted with the fireworks and did crazy stuff like bonfires and gasoline. I remember both shows were quite a success and had quite the attendance. This year, in a very last minute decision, I put on another show for my family who came over this evening for a BBQ. I stacked our unused retaining blocks in a pyramid shape and created a firework show with arial shots, fountains, and gasoline burns. I set the whole thing to music and, as usual, got a few burns through the show as I went from fuze to fuze trying to keep the show going.

I've included a video below so that you too can laugh at me.

Maybe I Don't Like My Job

Here's another thought to add to the mix: I know that my stress is coming from work. I've really liked my job and having a team to take care of and autonomy to make decisions. But perhaps some of the hidden weight is simply that deep down, this job isn't a good fit for me. I've recently been exploring other employment opportunities at Disney and Pixar and I wonder if those types of jobs would work better for me.

Something's gotta give here soon. I need to figure out what's wrong.

Joe's Visit

In the midst of all this drama with my Dad's help, we have a welcome visitor staying with us in our home> Alicia's youngest brother Joe is visiting from Canada for a month. He arrived yesterday much to the elation of our visitor hungry children. The last time we had one of Alicia's brothers with us for an extended period, he got really bored and ended up leaving way early. This time, Joe has to deal with just the opposite - five little kids running around, very excited to spend any time possible with him. If anything, we won't be bored, he'll be overwhelmed while he's here.

But we're hoping that he'll enjoy this trip despite the adjustment of going from a home where you're the youngest of a quiet house with no other siblings, to a place where five little people are boisterously running around the house every day like Oompa Loompas. Hope he survives.

But tonight as a nice kick-off to his trip. We participated in a Canada Day parade through out neighborhood. We had out car decked out with baloons and maple leaf shapes and the whole family got into throwing candy to kids on the side of the road.