sunshine on my shoulders

I have to say that it has been a busy few weeks. I don't know why it is that I find myself with time to write here and there, but when I find time, it often is not something I really feel inspired to do. Anyhow, as you all know, once in a while I do write, and I hope that you at least find those times interesting.

So we spent our first Christmas season together as a family. I have to say that it was great. I really feel that our kids felt incredibly loved by family and friends as they were flooded with attention and gifts from all over. We had a great Christmas morning, eating with B, T, Jx3...our friends Tom and Erica ate with us, too. We had a lot of fun just hanging out and relaxing. After that we ended up going to Rich and Corina's for a delicious meal and a nice, peaceful afternoon spending time with them. The kids always have fun going to their house, playing with different toys, the dogs, and enjoying Rich and Corina's hospitality. After that (and a short nap for the boys) we made the seven hour flight out to Magna (actually a 25 minute drive, for those who don't live here) to spend time with our friends Fred and Leanne (the boys' Sunday School teacher) and Jill and Josiah. We had some delicious salmon in our wonderful dinner, and then relaxed for the rest of the evening. Josiah had gotten a drum set for Christmas, so the kids each took turns "jamming" on those for a little bit. I think they all have better rhythm than I do. I'm not kidding.

On Christmas Eve, the boys took part in their first Christmas Eve service, going up front and "singing" "Away in a Manger." It was hilarious to see Juan and Andres up there, not singing the song they had been practicing every night for three weeks. I'm sure they had wet diapers after that. They both looked like they were peeing in their pants as they stood up there in front of the 35 people who braved the snowy evening to enjoy a very nice service. Though neither Juan nor Andres really sang they both truly believe that they did sing while they were up there. It was very cute.

This past weekend (New Year's, etc.) was a little more mellow, although still pretty busy. Shirley has actually been the busiest of us all, going out on little day trips of fun with me, then with Rickie, and spending her usual 15 hours a day holding her cousins Jason and Jessica. Then we all went out to see the the zoo lights the other night, which was really quite fun. I had a blast watching the kids having so much fun looking at lights and the few animals that decided that night is a better time to be on the prowl. We got to see the snow leopard and the plain old regular leopard strutting their stuff. Kind of cool. I liked when one guy explained to his kid that the leopard was a cheetah...

I am not excited to go back to work. It has been a great couple of weeks of less work and much more time with the family. I am starting to really feel like a dad now, which is kind of weird. I guess I never really thought of it as perhaps not happening for this long, and I think that much of it is part of the reciprocated feelings from the kids, but it has been nice. I feel like I am not just the scary guy they call Papi who makes them do things they don't want to do (eat their food, go to sleep, put away their toys, etc.), but that now I am one they love and who loves them, who gives them comfort, one with whom they feel safe, who they love to rough house with, who makes good breakfasts for them and packs all three on shoulders to carry up stairs...I have become Daddy (even in name, as the three of them rarely call me Papi anymore), and I love it.

I forgot to mention that my niece Amanda was able to stop over for a night on her way back to Alaska. It was great to visit with her for an evening and I was especially happy that she got to meet the kids, albeit briefly. Juan was asking about her the next day (I took her to the airport very early), having enjoyed the time spent with her reading books to them. I live so far away from my family, so it is very nice when any one of them can meet the kids and spend time with them, getting to know them, and discovering for themselves some of the things that we we find so endearing that we share somewhat sporadically (because, believe me, there is no way we could ever share them all here) in our blogs.

I did get my banjo. Josiah and I went out about two weeks ago and picked up a good beginner banjo for me to make play. I was even able to break it out during worship this past Sunday, playing Joy to the World. I am really pleased with the instrument and have had quite a fun time learning little bits of how to play it. I am not really that good at all yet, but hopefully I will get there.

My buddy Josh is crazy. He had us playing hockey on back to back days yesterday and today. It was definitely good to get out and get some exercise in (especially with Cancun looming in the future), but my legs are dead. I have about 5 or 6 different places that are swollen from getting hit with sticks. Funny thing is that if we had a chance to play tomorrow...I would most likely be in. When I play I remember how much I just love playing, how much I enjoy getting hit and hitting back, running myself out of breath...I just don't think my legs enjoy it. We'll see what we play this weekend...

Anyhow, happy new year and all that. 2008. I am tired.
These are things I would like to do:

****three more tattoos
****find a 1982 Datsun B210
****live in a sixplex by the end of the year
****live in such a way to honor Christ and to be obedient to His call
****lose about 20 pounds
****record 20 more songs
****finish 50% of the books I start
****pare down my possessions
****love people like I should
****run in the SLC 5K at marathon time
****go to a Flyers game
****actually make some t-shirts
****film a short
****start a neighborhood breakfast
****stop eating crappy fast food (I'm not talking about you, chick-fil-a', calm down)
****get out with Janine at least once a month
****spend a day with Shirley (Daddy/Daughter Date) at least once a month
****write on here more...


I should go to sleep. I have to work tomorrow.

I should mention that I have the kids all singing John Denver's "Sunshine On My Shoulder" now. They mention Sonny Bono and Cher, sing John Denver songs, chant "power to the people", and love it when all our friends are together sharing meals...I think they are little hippies. They also love the Beatles and often sing "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle." They are hippies. And I think that's great.

Happy new year.