Tinley's Triathlon 2012

Tinley's Triathlon 2012, a set on Flickr.

So proud of the kiddos and our friend Eden Theule!

A few weeks ago, after nearly a year of talking about it, the kids jumped into their first triathlon. Eden, the resident dark horse, did not train in the slightest and only jumped in the day before completely unplanned and did excellent. Both Sean and Amber did very well too!

I was very grateful that the kids faced the fear of this thing called triathlon. Seany was pretty convinced he would not do it right up to the gun blast. He kind of said "he did not really have a choice since the others kind of forced him into the water..."

Amber was smiling and doing what she likes to do - compete!

I jumped in on the mountain bike version and revisited the former sport I loved many moons ago. It was a bit of a train wreck for me, but nonetheless very fun...

A few other notes: big kudos to Tyler O'Brien who smoked the field and got second place in my event. Sean Cheney and Mark Ernstrom also did very well on Saturdays race with Seany taking 7th overall in his first ever event.

Thankful for the time and fellowship with our Theule friends and their kids. I hope we continue with these life adventures!

North San Diego Run...

Great visit in northern San Diego county at Brendan's house.  It was a visit long overdue and did not disappoint.  Lots of surfing and we experienced a horse race at the Del Mar Race Track for the first time.  The animals are simply impressive...

Couple of photos and videos below:

The kids went for it surfing.  Here is a video of Seany boy doing his thing over and over...

At the paddock watching these animals strut their stuff... 

Great time and look forward to doing it again...

2012 L3S ADVENTURE

2012 L3S ADVENTURE, a set on Flickr.

This post shares Lukes 9th birthday and the fun all of us men and our sons had. We had the great fortune of having 4 cousins and their fathers camp together and Lopez Lake. Mike Easter and had a special experience for the boys in store and our pre-planning did not dissapoint.

We designed an adventure race course for the boys complete with compass navigation, map reading, mountain biking, trail running, swimming, special tests, weapon shooting (sling shot) and generally working as a cohesive team.  They had a surprise challenge at the end to "leave no injured men behind."  The course had 7 check points (CP's) and covered much ground that took these young men nearly 2-1/2 hours to complete the course.  They were rewarded honorably by Mike Easter in a ceremony and were each given a personal "dog tag" complete with their name, date of birth, and instead of blood type, their favorite scripture on the tag.  Mike gave them a knowledge of the history surrounding the dog tags.

We had a fine time as men that weekend.  It was sad to see it come to an end.  We ate together, told stories, laughed, shared life, and simply enjoyed being the men God designed us to be.  We truly hope we are giving our boys experience and skill to be adventurous with basic skills in working in community with other men, especially in the outdoors.  It reaches them much, and provides a desire for fitness and athleticism outside conventional sport formats.  We hope they got a glimpse and a building passion for the outdoors.

Big thanks to Mike Easter for bringing the idea together and giving the boys a very special weekend.  It had a profound affect on my son Sean who loved the time of adventure and spending time with the men and boys.

The Men and Their Sons (from left to right: James and Levi, Mike and Luke, Greg and Liam, Jeff and Sean)

Praise God for these men and boys.  By His grace, we will finish the job he gave us in raising these young men.

Crazy Eight!

Seany boy turned another number this morning.  Tradition was held this morning.  Prayed over him as a family as he slept at 0630, only to awaken him with a happy birthday greeting.  Only kids could love that treatment and tradition...

Finished the morning birthday tradition with cowboy style pancakes with a candled light!

He is about to take on the day - with a new basketball, a new surfboard bag, and leash.  The man is equipped!

I thank the Lord greatly for this gift in our lives.  Thank you God for the privilege.

Bless you son and Happy 8th Birthday!

From the mouth of babes!

I have been lazing this morning. Partly because I caught a cold, and because we are prepping for Christmas Eve. You cannot help to begin to inventory your life on days like this. Trust you know what I mean...

I was looking for something in my top dresser when I stumbled on a note that my daughter and a young girl were passing back and forth during an airline flight a number of years ago. I kept it for many reasons but let me tell you what happened first.


This is the first page of the note:

Amber: What to do anything else? The replies -IDK. I believe this means I don't know.

Amber: You're the first friend I found at the airport! The girl replies A=Me2. I am getting the impression she must have been taught to text at a young age...

Amber: Your very nice!! The girl replies - Thanks


The next page of the note continues:

Amber: Do you know Jesus? The girl replies - Yes, I go 2 Church every Sunday.

Amber: This is my favorite Bible verse. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him shall not die but have eternal life! John 3:16.

The girl replies - thats soo cool.

I love this episode in life. I love the fact that my children are not terrified nor cautious in telling the world of our savior... I love this note and will read it on occasion for encouragement in my parenting of these great kids.

Praise God for these little precious gifts.

Connecting

Learning more and more how to connect with my children. This past couple of weeks have been particularly enjoyable with Sean and we are exploring and learning things together. Trusting in the Lord for the tools to be effective in all this...

Face painted like a tiger, and ready to scramble left field...

Ready to throw casts with no care if something bites... OK, I understand he loves it. Future fish slayer! Either way, he loves to harrass the fish and who cares if you catch anything...!

Fitness - An Important Life Style

Amber received her second Presidential Fitness Award. Sean also received his first. Do you remember when most grade school children made this a priority? I do!

I am glad to be part of a family that believes in the fitness routine. Not in an idolistic way, but in a way that honors our creator and God. Congats Amber and Sean and looking forward to carrying on this important life tradition.