STRETCH

Confession

I'm officially addicted to the following:

salt, monosodium glutamate, sugar, spices, paprika), seasoned coater(enriched bleached flour [bleached flour malted barley flour, niacin, iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid], sugar, salt, monosodium glutamate, nonfat milk, leavening [baking soda, sodium aluminum phosphate, monocalcium phosphate], spice, soybean oil, color [paprika]), milk wash (water, whole powdered egg and nonfat milk solids), peanut oil(fully refined peanut oil with TBHQ and citric acid added to preserve freshness and dimethylpolysiloxane an anti-foaming agent added), pickles(cucumbers, water, vinegar, salt, contains less than 1% of the following: calcium chloride, alum, sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate [preservatives], natural flavors, polysorbate 80, Yellow #5, blue 1), butter-flavored vegetable oil(soybean oil, palm kernel oil, soy lecithin, natural and artificial flavor, TBHQ and citric acid added as preservatives, and artificial color).

This conglomeration of fantastic/scary ingredients somehow heroically forms my favorite food.

Hungry?

Wherever sleep may find you..

I put 'Thing 2' in his bed and told 'Thing 1' to go to bed.  After about thirty minutes I went to check on T1 and this is what I found...

Yes, that's him asleep in a laundry basket...WHOW!!  What a cute kid. ;)

Sure do love you son...

Dad

Happy Birthday 'Thing 2'!!

Noble turned three today.  We did the usual.  Presents, cake, song and WATER PARK!  Here are some pics!

Noble had a great day, first thing he said when he saw his presents was "Thank you mom and dad!"  You are welcome little man.....enjoy those golf clubs, you have a scholarship to earn!

Dad

Who's Your Daddy?

So, guess what's coming up?  One of my favorite days of the year: Father's Day (which I'm petitioning a name change to 'Who's Your Daddy? Day').

This will be my fifth year as a dad and in my own unique, sometimes crazy mind, I will have won the 'Dad of the Year' award for the fifth consecutive year.  Obviously, Father's day is a time to be honored, but honestly, I consider this special day a reminder of the great responsibility and privilege I have to be called 'Dad'.

This week, to celebrate Dad's, I want to touch on a few priorities that I believe are critical to effective Fatherhood.  I strongly believe that 'priorities' must be given way to and men, unless we 'fight' to grow these in our own lives, we can easily be sidetracked, simply settling for compromised Fatherhood. 

Phillip Lancaster said.-  "What this country needs is a few good men - husbands and fathers who are willing to love and lead their households with manly resolve and godly vision."

Stretch Yourself

Jesse

Inspirational People (pt. 3)

Meet Sabrina:  Mom to two earth angels and one angel in heaven.

I am beginning a new Category called 'Inspirational People'.  These are ordinary people who have courageously battled life.  Their stories are meant to inspire and encourage us. 

"I became an internet junky after that searching for any clues as to how he died because I still had no answers from any doctors.  Three months of searching lead to all these websites of families who were also dealing with this pain. I wasn't alone even though I felt more alone than ever before. My family was great as they let me talk about it but sometimes I felt they were obligated to listen to me and it became uncomfortable to talk to certain people.

Not many people understand what it is like to suffer such a loss and not every loss is the same.   Everyone copes with it in different ways. I was addicted to graphic design learning it myself online.  I began making little graphics in memory of Nicholas sharing his story through loss groups or blogs for forums for pregnancy and infant loss. I was one of the few that did not take any medication to help with my loss. Before my son died, I barely used the internet.  The grieving process took about 2 years.  It's amazing how you go through certain stages in the grieving process.

When I look back, I can see those stages and remember how I felt when I went through them. Denial was one.  Then there was anger, which seemed the longest. I couldn't talk or look at a pregnant woman, or newborn babies, but eventually I started talking about it with others and saw the value in helping other families cope.  Doing this really helped me heal and in the end I started to believe the reason he died was partially because I was meant to help other people who are grieving.

One of my purposes was to help mothers and fathers cope with their losing their baby.  I want to take what I have experienced and help other parents who have lost a child. I joined a foundation that was dedicated in helping families cope. I delivered bears and cards strictly for parents who have lost a child, in my region/cities. I met some great nurses and hospital staff that were happy to have my gifts delivered for grieving families. To know that I was able to help someone was so important for me. As time went on, I actually suffered two more losses. One early miscarriage and one 12 week miscarriage.  Finally after two years, I became pregnant."

To be continued -

A Day in the Life: (Old School journal style)

Sadly, my day in the life video has been lost in translation.  Not sure what happened, but the camera is not importing my footage to my computer.  So, in the meantime this is what was accomplished today.

 

6:00        Wake-up  (Shower, clean up, dress, check Twitter...the norm)
  7:00        Wake-up Thing 1 and Thing 2 (Promptly serve breakfast to avoid panicked frenzy)
  7:20        Dress Thing 1 and Thing 2 (Socks aren't matching but who cares?)
  7:45        Leave for Day (Pile in family truckster and head to baby squatter's house)
  8:00        Drop Off (Lovingly drop kids at nanny's house *wave, kiss, hug*)

 

Drive    Drive    Drive    Drive

 

8:45         Arrive at place of employment
  9:00         Promptly begin a writing project/upcoming deadline
  9:30         Begin Meeting 1: (Mtg should be over at 10:30)
11:04         Meeting ends (Angels are singing)
11:13         Leave for Fountain Hills, AZ (Upcoming retreat destination)
11:40         Arrive at lunch destination (hmmm...check out the view)

Yes, that is a GIANT fountain in a lake full of reclaimed water.  Not safe for swimming, but definitely safe for viewing.

12:50    Leave for retreat destination (take tour of facilities - it's beautiful) Enjoy it here.

*walk around the place, looking at rooms, pool, ect. View from balcony below:
1:00    Gather all the information for the retreat (including a Creme Soda Dum Dum)
1:12    Head back to Phoenix (Laughing the entire way with my team)
1:43    Starbucks run (Iced Coffee with milk and a shot of vanilla GRANDE *thanks for all the     
           recommendations from my Twitter pals)
2:20    Back in office (make a mass of phone calls, twitter check)
3:40    Quick meeting with the team (This is where we determined to postpone retreat.  LOL)
5:00    Quick meeting with a young leader (Challenging his attitude was a good thing and will pay
           dividends ONE day)
5:15    Leave to get Thing 1 and Thing 2 (drive, drive, drive, Twitter check)
6:00    Grab boys (Thank nanny, *hugs *kisses *back in the family truckster)
6:15    HOME!

Enjoyed the day - lots happening - I have a great life.

Jesse

"Mentor Me!"

I don't care how old you are, how successful you are or how smart you are, everyone needs a mentor. A mentor is critical in the life of every successful person.  You could be a stay at home mom (or dad), a teacher, church planter, or handy man. Make sure you have someone in your life to guide, challenge and instruct you.

Here is the thing about mentors: Most of the time, they won't come looking for you.  You will have to find them.  How about a few clues to help you find that very important ingredient in the recipe of success for your life?

1. GOOD HISTORY - Look for someone who has a good track record in the thing you want to do.  We live in an incredible age.  The age of access.  It's amazing to me how accessible people are today. Interested in marketing?  Why not email SethGodin and ask him to take you under your wing?  What would it hurt?

2. MUTUAL BENEFIT - All great relationships benefit each other.  It is never one-sided.  (That is important for people who are mentoring others.)  Please don't act like you run the show.  Discover things together. Show off your weaknesses, describe your mistakes and show people how you are overcoming those things. For those looking for the mentor, how can you bring benefit to them?

3. FIND A WAY - Don't force the fit. Let this relationship develop naturally.  Just find a way to be around your potential mentor and help them by serving, helping, and contributing any way you can.

4. ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS AT THE RIGHT TIME - Timing is everything! Learn to 'feel' when the time is right to ask certain questions.  Be sensitive to the right opportunities to learn.  Most of the time, you will learn more by observing.

Stretch yourself

Jesse

"It's your birthday....it's your birthday"

Today is my eldest son, Halon's (pronounced Hay-lon; often referred to as 'Thing 1') birthday.  The last few days he has given us the countdown in days. "My birthday is in two more days!"  This morning, the first thing he said was, "Happy Birthday to Halon!" and then he pulled his pants down to show me that he did not sleep in a pull-up and this confirmed his 'big-boy' status.  Thank you son.

Enjoy some pics!

The theme this is was Star Wars, so my young jedi had a blast with this custom made Anakin outfit. Light Saber included! I'm so proud.

Next we moved on to opening presents.  Can you see the excitement?

Before he opened the first one, I said, "Let's open your presents buddy, every one of them is NEW UNDERWEAR!!!  That went over like I lead balloon....here was his response:

After some counseling, cajoling and apologizing (gees dude, take a joke!) he opened all of his gifts and the morning was salvaged with his very own box of Trix!

Oh and Noble (affectionately referred to as Thing 2) did a great job on-looking!  Two thumbs up for the great attitude Noble!

Measuring Stick

I returned from Kansas City yesterday.  I was speaking at a funeral for a young man who days before his graduation tragically died.  Cameron was fishing with friends on his property when his hook got stuck. He decided that he would jump in to untangle it and dove head first.  He snapped his 5th vertebra and was killed instantly.

As I saw him resting in his casket, I asked God this question: "How could 18 years be enough?"

The night before Cameron passed away, he hit an RBI triple for his baseball team to win the game.  As I read the article from the newspaper all I could think was "How could 18 years be enough?"  There he was in his casket, dressed in his baseball uniform, resting peacefully.  I thought about many of my interactions with him.  He was a sweet kid with a big smile.

During his funeral, one pastor mentioned something I did not know.  He talked about how Cameron decided on his own to become an organ donor.  Cameron, not knowing how or when his life would end, was concerned about giving life to others in need.  Because of his incredibly mature and selfless decision, here is what happened:

• A woman in her 30's received a liver so her life could go on.
• A man in his 40's received fresh kidney's. 
• A man in his 50's received a strong heart beaming full of life.  

Several other donations were made to help those in need.  How powerful is this?  To give life? Amazing.

So, was 18 years enough?

Corrie Ten Boom said this, 

"The true measure of success in life is not duration, but rather donation." 

I'd say, Cameron's life although cut short rather abruptly, was very successful.  His family and friends should be proud to call him their own.

How do you measure success for your life?

Stretch yourself

Jesse

The Trip

I am in Kansas City, Mo today.  I spent seven years of my life here.  Many things happened in those seven years.  New jobs were taken, my kids were born (in the exact same hospital room), purchased my first home and built many great relationships.  I guess it could be mentioned that the beginning of my adult life found it's formation here.

I flew in late last night and met up with my good friend Nate Williams - @n8tronic.  We hit up Steak n Shake for a total gut bomb and after an hour or so of playing catch up, I asked him to take me by some important places.  It's been two years since I left.  It is all familiar yet all very different at the same time.  Signs of progress mark the city and it's great to see. 

After about four hours of sleep, I met an old friend for breakfast.  My contacts felt like FIRE in my eyes and my body screamed for 'more rest please!'  However, it was more important to connect with my friend.  *Don't ever let people become insignificant to you.  It is a very dangerous place to be and could be an indicator that you are disconnecting from TRUE reality.

We had a great breakfast and the time together was as if we had never been apart.  That is 'a' measure of a true friend.  The ability to come together no matter the length of time that has passed and pick right back up as if you had been meeting each week.  I've heard the excuse many times, 'Jesse, I don't have time to meet with people and build relationships.'  Well, I guess we make time for what is important to us.

The irony of the trip is that in the midst of these positive feelings, I am actually here for a funeral.  I will be speaking during the ceremony and as I collect some thoughts, I have come to realize that preparing to speak at a funeral could be the most difficult task assigned to anyone.  What do you really say?  How could anything you say have a positive effect on the people in attendance?

Cameron was 18 years old.  He should have graduated Sunday. Unfortunately, life took a different direction.  So, here I am in Kansas City - where so many positive, wonderful things of my past echo through my heart and I'm trying to separate those from the task at hand.  It's not easy.

I am becoming increasingly aware of how quickly the memories of the past quickly fade as life progresses.  There is always more to accomplish, work to be done, and plans to be made.  What if we stopped for just a minute to take inventory of those people in our life and the memories in our past that were most meaningful?  What if we took a moment and were truly thankful for those things?  Why not do that right now and just let those things settle into your mind and heart?

What a great opportunity to honor your past and create excitement for your future.

Stretch yourself

Jesse

*Oh, I will definitely be having some KC BBQ tonight, I will keep you posted!

Giving myself away