A couple of weeks ago, Lee and I sat down and the Democratic National Convention. I thought that quite a bit of it was interesting, and was excited to hear about VP pick Joe Biden. I listened, Lee listened, and we both agreed that we liked what he had to say for the most part. He is definitely a well experienced politician, and I actually thought he sounded pretty good.

I know what you all are thinking that this, what is the point. You know me to be a huge critic of Democrat policies, and I have made it clear, I’m not a fan of Obama. But it’s not personal, its policy and point where I disagree. The distinction came clear at a fantastic point in Bidens speech.

He told a great story of being picked on as a kid. A few neighborhood bullies gathered together to pick on the skinny little studdering Joe. They ended up hurting him, and he went home to tell his mom. She lovingly picked him, dusted him off, and then told him to go bloody their noses. I loved it! What a lesson to us as Americans. When you get knocked down, get up, and get back after it! She didn’t go out with him, and tell on the boys to their mothers. She didn’t pump full of steroids, and then send him out. She didn’t do anything for him, except send him out to defend himself.

What I didn’t understand is how Biden turned this story to explain that the American Government should help pick up those who fall, and help them recover. It’s not what his mom did, and it isn’t what the Government should do. We have become a country of people afraid to fail. We have to risk everything if we are going to have anything worth anything. When a company fails, let them fail. Someone will pick up the pieces and move forward. You can’t force companies to lend money to people who can’t afford it and be surprised when they default on the loans. This is what the democrat plans and pressure of the private sector lending has created.

I agree that we need to help each other out. But that doesn’t need to be paid throught the federal government. It should be supplied by local charity, churches, and if voted through, local government. I know that I give a lot to charities and I pay my tithing. I feel blessed by these efforts. I haven’t ever felt good by the amount of money that is withheld from my paycheck so someone else can decided “how I should be charitable”. Taxes are for defense and stability, not charity. Time to take back our power of choice in charity.

No reason to worry

I have received a bunch of questions regarding the Butt Injury suffered, and I just wanted to offer an update. After a few days of discomfort, it has been concluded that the butt IS NOT BROKEN. Upon close inspection, we have have discovered a huge crack.

Dagnabit!

Well. once again I've been reminded that I am not 19 anymore. Last night after mutual, I hurt myself again. But hey, there is a funny little story, so it was worth it.

The scouts are preparing for a 25 mile bike ride this weekend, so they had their gear at mutual. One of the boys was having problems with his shifter, and I was trying to figure it out. Then another wanted to race around the building. So I did, just for fun, on the bike that won't shift gears, and they are stuck in the hamster wheel setting. well, I faired pretty well, but the junior rider from Fishers Indiana was able to pull out the win in the last 30 yards. Then his Dad offered to let me use his bike for the same race. This a new Trek "crossover" style bike. Frame of a basic hard tail mountain bike, with the slim slick tires of a roadbike.

Well, we cruised off around the church and I pretty much had to lay back to not ditch the kid too bad. And then, on the last 40 yards, it happened. Realize that I haven't been on road tires on a bike since I was about 11 years old, and apparently the asphalt at the church was recently resealed, so it was a little slick. These to things combined to create a little oops, that leaves me, writing this post.

Imagine what happenes to a Nascar race car with it gets a little loose around the turns. Basically, the tail looses traction, and tries to pass the front of the car. This is the best way to descibe what happened. I tried to turn on a heavy cut, and brake a little, and the rear tire went forward way to fast, and the bike went down leaving a tail skid mark about 20 feet long. And then it happened. The whole reason that I now realize I should be more careful of unfamiliar bikes. When the bike went sideways, and started going down, I slammed my butt right onto the asphalt.

I'm not sure how bad the damage is, because I don't have an X-ray maching in the home office. But at best, I think it's a bruise tail, but the worst case, it could be broke. I don't think so, but either way, it hurts to sit, stand, lay, stretch, shift weight, and it even hurts when I push a fart. So lesson to everyone else... don't ride road bikes, they suck!

Stake Conference Report

Things have changed over the years. When I was a kid, I remember being excited when the bishopric announced the date of coming stake conferences. I would look forward to it because it meant Sunday Vacation. I would be lying if I didn't say the same thing for General Conference weekend too. But now that I've grown taller, not necessarily grown up, I look forward to it for a new reason. It's one of those opportunities to go to meetings with the goal of being uplifted, and strengthened. It's fun, and exciting. I look forward to going to Stake Conference now, not just for it to come.

I wasn't disappointed this weekend. Indy North Stake Conference was this weekend and started with a GREAT Priesthood Leadership meeting on Saturday afternoon. Elder John C. Taggert of the Area Seventy came to help instruct us on our duties, and I really enjoyed it. The power of priesthood was described for us, in a way to empower the body of brethern to take advantage of the miracles that they have access to if they are worthy and willing. While those miracles are important and powerful, they rarely are directed to the priesthood holder himself. but as a priesthood holder makes himself available to the spirit and allows the priesthood to flow through him and direct him, Miracles can happen. It was a powerful lesson that really impressed me.

I think my favorite part of Stake Conference is the Saturday Night Adult Meeting. Maybe it is the lessons, the spirit, or the two hour combination sans-kids. It was a great meeting, and we had a lot of fun.

So that is the fun that we had this weekend. The real world is approaching, and I have a full week of work to enjoy. but at least I'm posting.

Back to School

Well it's the kiddos first day back to school today. And it was great. I just wanted to post a few of the pictures that I loved. it really quite nice having a super photographer as a wonderful wife. the problem is, she usually shows everything off before I get a chance.

but here are the latest picture of the kids, off to school.

Another NEAT Date!

Okay, I don't want to use this as just a brag blog. but it seems that the only times that I log onto this thing is tell about the random, wierd, but great things that we do. This is no exception, but I think that I'm going to try to mix it up a bit. Hopefully, I'll be able to use the home PC a little more often and get a chance to up date it. Tonight I had to send the wife away to fulfil an errand so I would have a few miutes uninterupted. If you know her, or read her fantastic words on her blog, you know that she NEVER misses an oportunity to write about what is going on. Maybe that explains why I don't... :)

Anyway.. about out great date... the BBQ with Larry Bird. yeah... that Big white dude, that used to play Basket ball for the Boston Celtics. we just happened to roll to Brown County Indiana to HIS ranch for a few Burgers and Corn Cobs. it was sweet! A friend works for the Pacers organization and invited us along as Prospective ticket buyers. And so it was pretty fun. So I thought that I would share.

These are the type of things that you just don't get to do living back home in Washington.

Lee and I chilling with Larry Bird.

Feeling short next to these guys.. Here is Jeff Foster with us.

Here we are with Mike Dunleavy.

And Finally, Ron Hibbert the Giant Rookie from G-Town.



And you can't go wrong with a picture with the Pace Mates. (This was Lee's Idea. Lee thinks it looks like I'm just way to excited.. but in reality, I was just laughing quite hard. to be honest it was kinda....scary and uncomfortable.. but funny.)



Check back for some more fun and adventures from Indiana.

our great date!

Okay it's been a long while since I posted last. I keep thinking about things to slam out here, but usually when I have something good... I don't have access to the computer to knock it out so I have to make it up. But Lee and I both decided to post about our GREAT DATE last night. We have decided to embrace everything thing we can while here in INDY. We're going to go see church sites and other states close by, we are applying for Passports so we can go to Toronto and I can show off the old mission field. And we plan on doing whatever we can, that we couldn't living back home.

Last night was a gerat example. my Beautiful wife treated us to night out at the Verizon Wireless Music Center, in Noblesville, IN. Noblesville is a city just northeast of INDY. John Mayer, Colbie Caillet, and Brent Denner were in concert there last night. It was an absolute blast. Lee decided pretty much last minute (thursday) to get us tickets. Apparently they just released a bunch up close, because our seats were dead center in the tenth row. We could see everything. We have a lot of fun, and thought thought I send out a few photos. :)

First, Lee and I chillin in the seats just prior to the show.

As you can see, there isn't much room between us and the stage. :)

Colbie Caillet did an awesome show, very chill and laid back.

John mayer was the top billing so he had the massive lights and great time. I have like his style of music for a long time, but I never realized what an awesome Guitar Player he was. And ever song he not only sang through, but he slashed away at the guitar for amazing and long solos. I can't believe he can still use his hands. Crazy Solo again! it was fun.
One of the added bonuses of the night was our parking spot. We thought it was take forever to get out, but we got just a little head start, and with Lee and I able to walk like giants over the small people, we got to the car quick, and we were right next to an exit and got out of the lot in 2 minutes, and hope in just few. It was GREAT!. So thanks Lee for a wonderful night!