Barefooted Friends

We had a successful trip to Chicago. The conference we attended was inspiring and challenging. We heard from two amazing psychologists Dr. Larry Crabb and Dr. Dan Alender, both men at the top of their game challenged the socks off of all of us. We learned so much about the power of community. Living our lives together in a way that honors God... in a real, genuine, and authentic way. It doesn't come without work though. I found myself dreaming of authentic friendships that go beyond the surface of everyday life and delve into the core of what makes us us. Building friendships that are fun, exciting, genuine and challenging. I found myself hungering for soul friends, those that fight on your behalf when you can't, those that have faith when faith doesn't seem real anymore, friends that want to hang out just to hang out, friends that are for you and not neutral. Needless to say I came to appreciate the idea of community in a new way.

Grandma's Here!

Grandma made it here today, she flew in on the Mickey Mouse plane as Brock calls it, Alaska Airlines new Disney paint job. Boy, it sure is nice to have Grandma here. The kids were bouncing off the walls in love with Grandma. Grandma and Charlie made Crab Bri Dip, a Ketchikan special. Charlie is tasting it for good measure. Now we can't wait for Grandpa get here.

With Ice Please

Top ten cold pops on a hot day:

#10 Mountain Dew
#9 Diet Pepsi (for Dom)
#8 Mellow Yellow
#7 Classic Coke
#6 Ginger Ale
#5 Mug Rootbeer
#4 Dr. Pepper
#3 7-Up
#2 Cherry 7-Up
#1 Sprite

In Rememberance 9-11

I remember waking up to my phone ringing four years ago today. When I picked up the other line my friends voice said "Cade, turn on your tv." I flipped on my tv to Matt Lauer of the Today Show standing on top of the NBC building watching the second plane hit the towers. I stood infront of my tv set watching for at least an hour without sitting down. When things are really intense on tv I find myself standing for some reason; I even do this watching sports. I stood shaking my head saying over and over "no way, no way...". Last night I watched National Geographic's 9-11 Special, I began shaking my head again... saying "no way..." again.

I write all of this to allow myself to remember that my freedom comes at a cost. And to remember that life is precious and short. I will be remembering 9-11 by holding my kids tight and living like there is no tomorrow. I know tomorrow will come, but I owe it to those brave firefighters and policemen in NYC and those military personnel at the Pentagon, and those brave and heroic passengers, and those family members who lost loved ones on 9-11 ... I owe it to them to live life to its fullest and to remember.

First things first

Ok, so some days are just awesome. Today was one of those days. I don't mean to brag, but after a day like today it is hard not to smile till it hurts. We, myself and son Brock, started by going to a men's breakfast which was pretty cool; even though Brock is only four years old I loved sitting around the table with other men taking about what God is up to around the world and having him listen in. I hope to do this with all my boys as they get older, where God becomes a normal part of conversation. We then proceeded to go fishing where Brock caught his first Silver Salmon. While Brock was reeling in the big one my other son Noah scored his first goal playing soccer. Both boys had firsts at the same time at different places, doing different things. I just love watching my kids succeed at things they have never done before. Here is Brock's big catch along with the rest of the silvers our crew caught.

Alaskan Style

Since Fall is closing in fast I couldn't help but put one of my favorite pictures of the summer on the site. Only in Alaska can you go get a basket full of shimp/prawns like these. This is my buddy from South Carolina who came to visit us and help with our windows. We are getting ready to "pop heads"! For all of you in the lower 48 that means to de-head the shirmp. These shrimp are so large they are considered prawns... Alaskan Prawns! We are sitting on a dock in Dora Bay. The only way to get to Dora Bay is either by air or sea. We just got done swimming our way there; next time I won't wear my boots. Hope your summer was as fun.

Onion Flavored Legos

I am now officially old because...

1. I ordered red onions on my Subway sandwich three days ago. For some reason aquiring the taste of onions makes me feel old. All my life I have never liked onions, now... for some bizarre reason... onions are my friends. Friends I like to eat.

2. My oldest son lost his first tooth yesterday. He was trying to dislodge two legos that were stuck together... remember doing that when you were little? I do. In fact I still do it today, but don't tell my kids. When did my oldest son even get teeth, where was I when that happened?

3. I was seriously considering eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and 10:30 pm before I went to bed instead of eating a bowl of ice cream. I have memories of my dad doing that, at the time he did it I thought "peanut butter and jelly before bed? Yuck!" Now I think "Yum".

So, there you have it, I am not sure what it means when all my getting old stories are about me eating or chewing something. Go figure.

Inspiration 200ft up

I was able to take our staff on a pretty cool retreat two weeks ago. Instead of the old sit around the table and talk about vision and mission we decided to fly through the Tongass National Rainforest on zip lines to get inspired. These pictures now prove the age old proclamation of "...when monkeys fly!". A big thanks to my good friend Kris who was able to set this trip up for us, thanks fearless one. Needless to say I was the one freaking out the most. You know about me and heights. Anyway, it was a beautiful day to be so inspired. Good job troops for flying high together!

Pic #1 is of me halfway across the longest zip line.

Pic #2 is of Dom just leaving one platform headed to the next.

Katrina's Lessons

Amazing images on our tv screens. Half the reports make me mad the other half make my heart break. What is the lesson in all this? Here are some we talked about around our dinner table.

1. History truely does repeat itself.
2. Take mother nature serious.
3. Family and loved one's are #1.
4. America is the most generous nation in the world.
5. Crisis brings out the best...and worst.
6. You can't take it with you so don't try.
7. The greatest commandment, love your neighbor.
8. No matter how much you prepare, sometimes it's not enough.
9. Build above sea level.
10. The government can't do it all.
11. Anything else?

I am not sure what the order of these should be, but good lessons to learn none the less.

We Salute You

A big congratulations to my oldest brother for a job well done, he just got promoted to Lt. Colonel in the United States Army. We are proud of you and thankful for your dedication and hard work to keep us all safe and free. Your willingness to stand in the gap, sacrifice in the theater, and defend democracy is honorable and inspiring. Thanks for being someone we all look up to. Lead on...and we salute you.