Backyard Soccer & Donkey Kong

The girls are getting ready to start soccer season this year. We took some time Sunday afternoon to practice in the backyard. It's nice to feel some Springtime weather.

I decided to check out some of the advanced features on the Wii. One of the things you can do is download games from older systems. I noticed that they had Donkey Kong from the original NES. Back in the day I loved playing Donkey Kong and wasted countless hours away climbing ladders and jumping barrels. I decided that for $5 we needed that game, so I downloaded it. I've had a blast reliving my youth. But it just seems wrong to have a "next generation" game console, and playing a "last generation" game.

Intervention

I think I might need an intervention. I have always been a fan of Pringles, but recently I've discovered some new flavors. Specifically, Salt & Vinegar and Screamin' dill pickle. Once I start, I can't stop. Those things must have crack in them or something. Anne caught me literally drinking the crumbs out of the bottom of the can. I gotta get off this train, I can feel myself spiraling...Put the can down....that's it, I'm never buying those again. I'm just too weak.

Make it Count

This afternoon I took advantage of the privilege that we have in this country to have a voice in government, and voted in the Texas primary. I know that all of America is watching this race closely, but mostly on the democratic side. Since I'm a registered republican, I didn't get to choose between Obama and Hillary, but I let my voice be heard anyway. Except in one race....when I got to the voting booth I realized that I had researched the wrong congressional district race. This is my first election in Texas, and I had looked at the candidates from district 3, but I guess I actually live in district 4. So...the list of candidates were completely unknown. I decided it was probably better not to just guess so I just left that one blank. I suppose you could say that I mostly made it count! :)

Texas Snow

The girls are enjoying their first taste of snow in Texas tonight! It's hard to believe that yesterday it was 73 degrees and we were wearing short sleeve shirts and shorts! Crazy! The girls were having fun making snowballs. Sami thought she would be cute and throw hers at me after I took this picture. Good thing she has bad aim! :) (She is with me writing this)

Sami: I think that my dad is wrong.

Dad: About what?

Sami: My bad aim

Dad: Don't get defensive--you have plenty of other great qualities. :)

Sami: Oh I'm getting defensive.

Dad: All right, All right. I'm sorry I said you had bad aim. Now, go to bed.

I knew it was a bad idea to let her start typing. :)

Sami: Hey I thought you said that I coud take a long warm bath p.s it really was a good idea to let me typ.

Dad: I'll be the judge of that. Take your bath and go to bed.

Sami: oh fine

Great seats!!

Over the weekend I had the opportunity to go to the Dallas Mavericks game versus the Sacramento Kings. A friend from church invited me, and of course I said YYYEEEEESSSSS!!! I love going to sports events. I even decided to buy a shirt to show my dedication to my new team. When we arrived and walked to our seats, I couldn't believe it. We were sitting on the floor!! Just underneath the basket. This picture was taken from my seat. I have to tell you, it's a whole different game from up close. I took it all in, and had a blast. I may never get that close again. :) Oh yeah, the Mavs won, but they had lost the night before to the Spurs and then lost yesterday to the Lakers. Why is it that teams start to lose when I jump on the bandwagon?

random stuff

The weather in Frisco is beautiful today. Clear, 66 degrees. I think it's actually warmer here than it is in Tampa.

Anne and I found a new Thai restaurant last night. It's called Zak8. The food was great! It may have just passed my former fave, Benjarong in Tampa. However, it was a little awkward when the fire alarm went off shortly after they brought us our food. Apparently the restaurant next door burned their bread.

I was driving to an appointment today, listening to my mp3 player, (the Dell DJ) when I realized that I've been using the same one for three years now. Three years is like 20 in mp3 years. :) It looks OLD SCHOOL! But, it's still cranking out the tunes.

Speaking of tunes, my picks for this year's American Idol are David A. and Alaina.

**UPDATE (9:50PM)-I was surprised that Alaina got voted out tonight. I'm pretty sure this is the earliest my pick has gone home. I know that she didn't do very well this week, but I thought there were enough others with bad performances that she would make it through. She has a great voice, and I think she would have gotten better with experience. I guess America didn't have the same vision...:)**

Speaking of American Idol, I deleted Fantasia from the DJ today. Just didn't make the cut for me.

I'm going to the Mavs game tomorrow!! I'm pumped!

Have a great weekend!

Pay Attention

Last week in our life group we were discussing a chapter in our book titled "Love Pays Attention." This quote really grabbed me:

"God's greatest commandment for building community is 'love one another.' A primary work of love is paying attention. It is such a valuable thing that we don't just give it-we pay it. It's like money."

I had never thought of it that way. When I talk to someone and give them my attention, I am giving them something valuable. I guess it makes sense, because I always feel more valued when someone gives me their attention. But the book goes on to say more:

"One of the great miracles of life is that God pays attention to us. This is partly why the writers of Scripture speak so often of God's face. The great priestly blessing that God himself taught the people of Israel says: 'The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.' (Num. 6:24-26)"

How humbling it is that the God of the universe, who probably has a lot on his mind, has the time to turn his face toward us and give us His attention.

I have really been convicted about this lately, and have started to make an effort to pay attention to those I care about the most. It really is difficult, when I have a lot of things swirling in my mind, to stop and look at one of my children as they tell me some tidbit that seems insignificant. The truth is, they probably don't even care that I know the information they are giving, but want to know that I care enough to pay attention. I don't always pass the test...

Last week, we watched the tv show "Supernanny." (I like to watch that show, because it makes me feel like I'm not the worst parent in the world). :) The nanny was at the home of Wendy Wilson, daughter of Beach Boy Brian Wilson. She made a comment that stung me. She said that her father was "not present. Whether he was at home or away, he wasn't available." She went on to say how that relationship had affected her parenting and every other relationship in her life. I want to be present for my kids...

This morning before work, I was sitting on the couch, drinking coffee and watching Good Morning America. Anne was asking me some questions when she finally said, "Mark, will you pause the show. I'm trying to have a conversation with you before you leave for the day. I've asked you seven questions and the only answer I have received is 'I don't know.'" She was right. I hadn't turned my face, or even thought about her question enough to give her an answer. The truth was, she really didn't need to know any of the information in the questions she was asking, she was just trying to get my attention. By not paying attention, I was sending the message that I didn't value her. Ouch. I guess I've got a long way to go...but I hear that acceptance is the first step. :)