Happy Father's Day

Andra and the boys gave me a wonderful father's day today. She made me a great breakfast before we made our way to Lassen Park with Mike and Pat. We had a nice hike around the lake, although it was a frigid day (probably in the 50s, but felt like the 20s), before having a picnic lunch (thanks grandma and Andra).

We made it home in time for naps, and we thought we might have a little bit of a relaxing afternoon. Funny. We stripped the kids down to check for tics and thought we would let them run around for a minute. Well, Zachary thought that would be an opportune time to poo all over the place, our bedroom, his bedroom, and the landing. This wasn't your garden variety poop either, this was the really nice runny, slippery poop. Needless to say, one trip to walmart, two bottles of carpet cleaner, and a ton of elbow grease later, we still have poopy carpets, the kids didn't get their naps, we are exhausted, Andra is so sick she has gone through an entire box of Kleenex this afternoon...but, alas, it is bedtime and we will have the chance to do it all again tomorrow.

In spite of all of this, we had an awesome Father's day. My boys are incredible, my wife even more so. I wouldn't trade this chaotic, poopy carpeted life for anything.
Here are a few pics of our day, sans poop:

Not so sure about this whole hiking thing.

We Survived

Well, me and the boys (with some help from uncle Jake and Grammy B) made it through almost an entire weekend without mom. We went to Portland for our friend Melody's wedding for which Andra was a bridesmaid. We saw her for about 30 minutes from Friday through Sunday. But, me and the boys had a great weekend of quality male bonding. We played soccer, went to the mall, and even went swimming (even though it was in the 60's and we only lasted about three minutes in the pool). I am still trying to recover from exhaustion, but it was well worth it, especially once we got out of the car.
Anyway, here are some pics from the weekend.

My wife is SMOKIN!

Little Stud Muffins.

Vin Daddy

Andra, the boys, and I were all at the mall the other day walking around, when we came up to the Sunglass Hut, which for reasons soon to be mentioned is now my favorite store. Anyway, we were walking by and Caleb noticed a large poster up on the wall. The poster was of a man who looked an awful lot like Vin Diesel with his shirt off wearing a pair of sunglasses. Caleb stops, looks at this chiseled guy, looks at me, back at the poster, back to me, points at the poster and says, "Dada, is that you?"
If only the rest of the world saw me the way my boys saw me.

The Fam

I am truly blessed....

One Year Later...

Five years ago I started my post collegiate career journey. I knew that I would be making six figures within a few years in a job that was rewarding and fulfilling and, for lack of a better term, perfect. Then reality hit. I moved to Redding, searched and searched and then searched some more; worked part time at a bank while I searched more; sold (or didn't sell, hence the firing) cars and then did some more searching for that perfect job.
Then I finally got into what I thought was the career for me...working at a financial advisory firm analyzing investment strategies and serving clients. Let's just say that was followed by three and a half years of some of the heaviest searching that I had ever done. But, God did an amazing thing for/to me in that most difficult of times (doesn't he always). God molded me and shaped me into more of the person that he wanted me to be while I was there. I prayed earnestly that God would release me from that job, and, thankfully, it took him more than three years to do so.
Two weeks after Zach was born I was laid off, with no gainful employment in sight. This was such a tremendous blessing in so many ways, finances aside. I applied for many jobs, but, being that we live in Redding, I was not having any luck. Then, God worked another one of his many miracles.
All of this time I had been praying for a career where I could use the talents (there are a few) he had given me. I wanted responsibility and the opportunity to lead people. Through a series of small miracles, I ran into one of the students from my MBA program. He asked how I was and I explained my situation to him. He said he would keep an eye out for me. Well, he called back a few days later, and, well, he is now my boss.
It has been one year today since I took the permanent position as the HR Manager at my company. I have absolutely no business being in the position I am. I have no HR experience, no management experience, but here God has put me where he wants me, in spite of what I don't have. I am leading people, making decisions, in a position that I really like. God knew what he was doing molding me how he did. Looking back at where I have come from, I am so thankful for the difficult, mind-boggling, exhausting journey he put me through. I wouldn't be where I am without his grace in my life. For this, and so many other things, I am truly thankful.

My Attempt at Something Bloggish

I am not quite sure what this blog will be yet. Perhaps just an outlet for my creative (or not so creative) side; maybe a little about being a dad, or husband; some random thoughts on life, spirituality, my walk; sports; work; Maybe it will simply be B being B in a way that might not otherwise happen.
There is a very distinct possibility that I will be the only one reading it, which is quite fortunate for everyone else (And yes, I have always subscribed to the self-deprecating humor in life. Some get it, some don't. Alas, I am what I am.).
I will end by saying that, if anyone stumbles across these ramblings, please be kind. I do not pretend to be perfect.
That being said...I now give you "The Master's Domain"