Christmas 2007

Another year has come and gone. I can’t believe it’s almost 2008. Where did this year go? Oh, I remember…
Work, grad school, kids activities (hockey, baseball, basketball, soccer, dance, skiing/snowboarding, school activities, cross country, scouts, etc.), family vacations, Merilee’s multiple trips to AZ (why does she need to go 4 or 5 times a year???) and our everyday life just seems to get busier and busier.
This is a time of reflection, especially as I am turning 35 tomorrow. As I sit in my office today I can’t believe where life has taken me over the last 14 years or so.

Below are a few life changing moments...
- It started when I moved to Phoenix in 1994.
I met Merilee, Elise and Marcy in the fall at a Single's Ward FHE (that is so weird).
- Merilee and I were married in August of 1995. We were so young and we didn't know what we were doing. I think it's a miracle we are still married sometimes.
- Boston was born June 16, 1996. We had a brand new baby boy, how are you supposed to raise a child? At this point we really had no idea. (I am not sure if we are better off now though)
- In December 2006 started at Gould Electronics. Even though this was a crapper job I somehow am part of their retirement plan and I get $500/month when I turn 63 or 65.
- In May 1998 Mason was born. He has added so much personality to our family. Go Mas!
- In March 2000 Sidney was born. She completed our little family. How sweet it is to have our little Sid. I love it when she comes and gives me a big hug!
- August, 2000 I start school at University of Advancing Technology. Merilee becomes a single parent for the next 3 years. I think I averaged 14 credits plus a full time job. Nothing like working from 5 am to 5 pm and then going to school from 5:30 - 11:30 at night. Good times...
- December 2001 I was laid off at Gould Electronics.
- July 2002 Ruben got me a job at Lex Solutio - and the eDiscovery adventure begins.
- April 2003 I graduate from UAT.
- May 2003 I start at Solutions @ Law.
- September 2003 Fios, Inc offers me a job in Portland, OR.
- September 2003 our family moves to Beaverton, OR.
- January 2007 I start graduate school at Willamette University. Working on my MBA, I have really enjoyed this one. It has been a great experience, but again, Merilee is a single parent.

There are so many things that have happened since we have lived in Oregon, but I can't really list them all. I am so grateful that we are here. I believe living here has made my marriage stronger. I am so dependent on Merilee that I don't know what I would do without her. I believe our family has a stronger bond now than we ever have. I love having Joyce and her family so close. Sharon is such a wonderful Aunt, it's great. Chris B. is close so Merilee can have her family over too. (Although, we don't see him much)

Merry Christmas to all and Happy Holidays!

We made it!

It took me a while but I finally made it up to the mountain. It was pretty good. We actually went twice this week. I took the kids up Wednesday night after school. We left at 4:00 from my office. The traffic was so bad, we didn’t make it to Meadows (www.skihood.com) until 6:15. Since Merilee didn’t go I had to get the kids ready all by myself, which takes about 25 minutes. We then had to go inside to get our pictures taken for our season passes (we got passes for Christmas!). By the time we actually hit the slopes it was almost 7:00! But, we did get some good riding in. We stayed mainly on the little slope. I did leave the kids once and went to the top to get at least one good run in. By the time I made it down my legs were burning! All in all a good warm up to the season.

Thursday I worked and the kids went to school – we were all exhausted! I came home from work and crashed hard for a few hours – sorry Merilee.

Friday, I took the day off and kept the kids out of school and we went up to the mountain again. We met sister Joyce and my nephew Zach. It was really a great day.



Sid was doing really well. She made it down some blue runs ok, but was really doing well on the green runs. She no longer snow plows on the easier runs. The boys were happy to hit the parks to try some jumps and the half pipe. Meadows has a mini-pipe that Mason was killing!



Sidney was even cruising down the pipe. Boston went to the other side of the mountain with Joyce and Zach to cruise some of the natural half pipes that are available. The kids are pumped and ready to go again! Now if we can just get Merilee up to the mountain that would be a lot of fun.

1 month off!

The title is a little misleading. I do get 1 month off, but not from work. I am back in school working on my MBA and last night I had my last final of the term. I am half way through, by this time next year I will be done! It was a good semester but I am glad it’s over. I am excited to be able to come home after work every night. I won’t have to worry about homework, study groups, reading, etc. I am worried that Merilee will be ready to ship me off to school again after spending so much time with me.

However, I sometimes still feel like this...

The Mountain

Have I mentioned that I just can't wait until I make it up to the mountain this year? Why did it warm up? It is like 50 degrees right now! Doesn't the weather Gods know that it is December and we should have 8 feet of snow at the mountain - not just a lowly 4! Come on and snow already!

Two Minutes

Last night I was hit by things I need to do better at. I could make a list that would last longer than two minutes but here are a few...

• Work - excel at work, don't just get by.
• School - since I am spending so much on grad school I should work at this to get as much out of it as possible.
• Family - take the time to enjoy the time we have with each other.
• Life - Focus on the details.