M&C Day Three at the Beach

We spent Saturday at the beach with M&C. What fun...

Madi's first ice cream since lent...

I'm so proud of my kids...
A few weeks ago I had breakfast with them on Ash Wednesday and talked with them about Ash Wednesday and the Lent Season. As CoC'ers, we have not traditionally discussed this. They were very curious, responsive, and interested. I told them I was going to give up alcohol, and without any prompting Madison offered to give up ice cream and Matt offered to give up dessert all together. Madison eats ice cream every day. It's the most reliable staple in her diet.

I wasn't sure if they would even remember our discussion when they came home from school. But over the next 40-days they continually amazed me with their level of commitment. Several times I forgot about their pledges and offered them ice cream or desserts and they reminded me, "Dad! I gave that up for Lent!". I was so impressed.

Well, Easter Sunday immediately after church we headed to Baskin Robbins where Madison gladly celebrated the resurrection over a "Love Potion #31" on a sugar cone. YUM!

M&C Day Two

Here are some photos of Day Two with Mark & Cheri

Mark & Cheri Arrive!

Mark and Cheri arrived today and we went camping on the beach. It was a bit too cold to set up a tent, so we left the kids and Mark and Cheri in the RV and Michelle and I came home. What a wonderful night full of memories. Here are some snapshots...

Yes, we can...

As you readers know, I've been a supporter of Obama since 2004. I am so encouraged by the hopeful, positive message he embodies.

Inspiration to hope...

I bet you've all heard Obama's recent speech, "A More Perfect Union". If not, you should download the MP3, put it on your Zune and listen to it while you drive to work or work out. It's an inspirational appeal to our better natures. While it is not quite as important as the "Mr Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" speech, it is one of the best political speeches of my lifetime.

Did you say, "$700 Billion???"

An interesting story on Marketplace yesterday interviewed an University of Chicago Economics professor about the current costs of the war in Iraq. Holy cow...how can we continue this?