Archive for the ‘life’ Category
07/26/2010
There are a few new things going on for me. Life has been moving at high-speed so I’ll just list off a few cool things that have been going on.
- I’ve lost over 60 lbs. My weight has been a struggle ever since middle school. Earlier this year I was all the way up to 244lbs. That is just incredible. So I decided to do something about it. I went hog wild, and over the last 3 1/2 months I’ve lost just over 60 lbs. I am now about 180 and I feel really good and healthy (not to mention DEAD SEXY).
- We went to Canada. We had an amazing trip up to Canada a few weeks ago to visit my side of the fam. It was great to see all of the kids playing together. Cohen and her niece Colleen were pretty much attached at the hip. So glad to see them bonding. We went to the Calgary Stampede and had a bunch of fun while we were there. I wish we lived closer.
- I started guitar lessons. I have been in a bit of a musical funk for the past few years. I haven’t played much and have gotten pretty rusty. I started lessons last week with a fella up in Portland who pretty much rocks the show. I learned more in 1 lesson from him that I have in the last year. Awesome! I can’t wait to see how I grow as a musician as I continue to develop that skill.
- My new job is in full swing. I have been at my new job for over a month now. My boss told me that they want me to go on full time at the end of my 60-day run. So we’ll be starting negotiations soon. Pray for that transition.
Life is crazy. Life is good. God is wonderful.
Tags: Canada, music, struggle, travel, weight, work
Posted in life | 3 Comments »
11/17/2009
So since my last post about wanting some more adventure, I have decided to take a trip to Denver, CO in May for a church planting conference. I am really excited about it. I am going with at least 1 friend, and hopefully we can convince a third to join us.
I am really craving this trip and I look forward to some real man time on the 44 hours we will be driving.
My sister also called me and wants to go skydiving with me. That will be a blast if it ever happens. I am scared spitless of heights, so this would really stretch me. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do.
Tags: adventure, bootcamp, church, church plant, roadtrip, travel
Posted in church, life, travel | 13 Comments »
11/12/2009
I kind of think of myself a as an adventurous guy, but I feel like there hasn’t been much adventure in my life lately. I read blogs a lot about people who live some great adventures. I want more of that in my life.
I don’t necessarily need to go on an African Safari or anything, but here are a few ideas of ways I could spice up my life without too much inconvenience:
- Go Skydiving or Bungee Jumping
- Leave one weekend for a spontaneous Road-Trip with the Family
- Get VIP tickets for a high profile concert
- Rent a motorcycle and cruise the coast
- Photograph something risky
These are just a few ideas. I just need to get with the program and start DOING some of these things.
What other adventures could I schedule for myself?
Tags: adventure, fun, struggle
Posted in fun, life | 5 Comments »
10/28/2009
We have been moving to our new house this last week (hence the lack of blog posts). We sold our first home. It belongs to another family now. It is kind of crazy to think that that chapter in our lives is over. Both of our girls came home to 1052 Waikiki. But this will most likely be the home they grow up in.
I love our new home. It is much more “homey”. We’ve already had friends over, our neighbors are great, we live a stone’s throw from the park, and this weekend we are having a bunch of family over. That is something that was hard to do with our old house.
We’re so thankful for this place. Everything was orchestrated perfectly for us to get this home. We sold our house the first day on the market for full price. And we bought our new home for well below asking price (and appraisal price). Our Realtors were awesome. If you need a Realtor, check out Brian and Nina White.
Looking forward to tons of great things in this home…
Tags: change, family, home, house, moving
Posted in home, life | No Comments »
10/02/2009
The other day Kesha and I were driving down Lancaster drive in Salem. It is typical to see people with signs on the street promoting a mattress sale or car liquidation – but what we saw the other day was a little more shocking. We were driving by the “Zen Den Exotic Lounge” in the middle of the day when we saw a young lady on the side of the street with a sign that read “Friendliest Entertainers in Town”. Needless to say, she wasn’t wearing the most modest outfit I have ever seen.
Since then I have been thinking about her often. It makes me sad to know that she has such a low view of herself that she is willing to stand on a busy street corner soliciting herself. It makes me sad to know that she is being made a spectacle for some greasy dude who is willing to do anything for a buck. It makes me sad to know that she is someone’s daughter. It makes me sad that she is probably seeing people she went to elementary school with in the cars driving by.
Poor girl.
Posted in life | 1 Comment »
09/05/2009
We listed our house for sale last week. Within 24 hours we had several interested buyers, and one even made an offer without even walking through. Today, we finally agreed on a price. The amazing thing is that they agreed to pay full price for our house, with us paying just half the closing costs.
We will miss this house, and we have a million memories here. But we are also excited to start looking for a bigger place for our family to grow up in.
I am just so thankful that everything went so smooth. It is clear to us that God had his hand in this mix.
Tags: house, moving
Posted in life | No Comments »
08/06/2009
Something happened to me the other day that has caused me to do a little thinking. As I left church (of all places) I got pulled over and got a speeding ticket. It sucks, but I am the only one to blame. Anyway, it got me to thinking about ways I can purposefully slow down. I admit I can have a heavy foot at times.
In thinking about this, I have also realized that I need to slow down in other areas of life. I don’t want to become a workaholic, absent, and preoccupied husband and dad. I don’t feel like I am at this point yet, but I could see myself getting there.
Here are a few steps I am going to take to slow down:
1. Anti-Social Sundays
I am going to start taking weekly breaks from Social Media. That means no Twitter, Facebook, Email, or text messaging. I think this will be a good way to cleanse my system of all the distractions.
2. More Slumber Parties
We have started a great little tradition in our house. Every weekend for the last few weeks the Thomas Family has participated in movie-night slumber parties. We bring all the pillows and blankets in the living room and eat popcorn, candy, and watch a kids movie. We all have tons of fun. This is another great way for us to relax.
3. Say No To…Well Just About Everything
One thing I have started to do is say “no” to certain things. I get asked all the time to do things that I don’t really want to do. Heck, sometimes it is something that I want to do, but it just isn’t high enough on the totem pole. I have been learning to say “no” to certain things. It’s hard, and sometimes I feel like a jerk. But I can’t please everyone. My main priority is my relationship with God, my family, and my business. Little things add up fast, so I need to cut back on what I commit to.
Posted in life | 1 Comment »
06/08/2009
I want to try something. I have always liked wine – personally I am more of a beer guy, but wine has always been a good option. When I was up in Canada last weekend for my friend Tom’s wedding, I had an AMAZING wine. It was a Merlot. It was so tasty and went perfect with my steak and fish. This little experience has put a little burning in my bosom to learn more about wine. I live in the Willamette Valley for goodness sakes — you’d think I would know a little something about wine.
Here are a couple sites I found to help me on my quest:
Wine Libarary TV – Great place to learn about wine
Woot Wine – Great place to buy wine!
Do you have a favorite? Leave a comment and let me know…
Tags: wine
Posted in life | 8 Comments »
03/10/2009
Wow! I was thinking back today about just a few short years ago. I was a single dude just about to move to Salem to go to school. And now look at me! I can’t believe how amazing the last 5 years have been. They have been tough in ways (especially this last year), but overall they have been incredible. I can look back and see all the marvelous growth in my life. Not only do I now have an incredible wife, 2 kids (1 still in the belly), and a house — but I can really see how I have grown up as a man. I have matured as a Christian, and have begun to see some wonderful growth in my understanding.
The title of this post is “The Long Haul” because I know that this journey is far from being over. And I know that I will continually be molded as I live and learn. But I am excited to see that I am growing up. I may only be 27, but for some reason retirement doesn’t seem so far off nowadays. Crazy!
Tags: family, growth, life
Posted in life | No Comments »
02/12/2009
Let’s face the facts — this economy STINKS! We have recently felt a deep conviction to make more responsible choices with our money. Money can really mess you up if you don’t approach it right. This last month we have really lived on a strict budget…more than we ever have before. And although it has been a little tough, we have felt a freedom knowing that we are paying down our debts and making the best choices we can for our family.
I can’t believe that I am at this point in life. A wife, 2 kids, a dog, a cat, a house, 2 cars. I am a full blown adult?! It feels like I just graduated high school. Now when I look at Cohen, I think of her going to school in just a few years. How bizarre is that?
We find out Friday what our youngest child will be. The baby is growing so fast. It seems like this baby is progressing a lot faster. I guess it because there have been so many huge changes in our lives in the past few months.
Life is crazy. I am just glad I can rest in God’s hands knowing that He has a good perfect plan for us.
Tags: economy, family, kids, life, money
Posted in life | No Comments »
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