mid life?

I've been 35 years old for just under a week now. I don't think I mind. At 35 years old, here are a few things I've learned...

- when I stay up most of the night working...I'm actually really tired the next day.
- it's ok to walk instead of jog...both are exercise and there is merit in being able to have a coherent thought beyond "Dear God, help me live..."
- pacing yourself for the long haul is pretty smart. Flaming out tomorrow isn't.
- there are always two sides to every story. More and more, I try to learn the sides before choosing one.
- I try to not to choose sides...but bring about healthy conversations.
- eating a huge bowl of ice cream really matters...the scale doesn't lie.
- i'm not the youngest guy on staff any more...but i'm still not the oldest;-)

I still eat too much sometimes. I still stay up too late. I still run too hard. But I'm learning more and more to trust in the provision and leadership of God.

Yup...35...it's the new mid-30s...

M@

37 years and 1 day...

37 years and 1 day ago, the world received a gift. We received:

- a brilliant mind
- a gentle touch
- a healing hand
- a humble spirit
- an amazing mother for 3 beautiful children
- a heart that beats passionately for God
- a compassionate ear to hear broken hearts
- a discerning spirit to see behind the facade
- a beautiful voice to express a worshipful soul
- wisdom
- an authentic friend
- a woman who loves her husband beyond what he deserves
- an infectious laugh
- an illuminous smile
- a playful glanse
- empathic tears

And all of these things came packed in a wonderful baby who would grow into my incredible wife, Heidi.

Happy Birthday, my Love!!

M@

quiet dinner

I used to observe couples out for dinner and wonder why they didn't speak to each other much at all. Tonight, Heidi and I enjoyed a nice meal out together to celebrate her birthday (tomorrow). Tonight's dinner came on the heals of a full Family Day. After having a mind-numbing number of conversations with toddlers, I now understand...it was a very nice, peaceful, and quiet dinner for two...shhhh....

Tomorrow is Heidi's birthday!!! Words can barely express how thankful I am for this woman and how deeply I love her.

More tomorrow...

M@