John 3:16

The year was 2009 and Amanda and I were at the tail end of the winter living in our first home. It was March, but Mother Nature was still showing her power…or would this be God? Do Christians believe in “Mother Nature?” Anyway, Fargo was suffering major flooding. Schools were canceled, businesses were closed and the FM area was in full force fighting the rising Red River. *Well, almost full force. Amanda and I decided to head out to the cabin with Aaron and Julie and Bob and Lois to relieve stress.

It had been a long winter with a lot of snow. Along with Fargo being pounded with 100 plus inches of the cute white fluffy stuff, my body took a pounding due to all the snow shoveling. We had a small single driveway, but the dynamics of our driveway made it extremely difficult to shovel snow. The driveway had our house directly to the north and our neighbor’s house directly to the south. For 40 feet, I had nowhere to put the snow. Thus, I had to load the snow into my pickup and then unload on the boulevard. In addition, large drifts formed on top of the house. Four times I had to shovel the snow off of the roof, into the pickup, and then to the boulevard. I had enough. It was time for a snow blower. I didn’t wait until March “to have enough.” I knew by early December I needed a snow blower. I didn’t want just any snow blower though. I wanted a snow intimidator. This machine should remove snow by me just starting it up. In order to afford such machine, I had to get through the winter shoveling and then hopefully find a good deal in the spring.

While we were at the cabin in March, another snow storm was about to hit the area. Due to our families having no kids and an abundant amount of time, we decided to venture to Detroit Lakes and waste some time. Our first stop took us to Menards. When I first walked into the store, I saw a light from the ceiling shining down on one particular portion of the store, but didn’t give it any thought. We walked around for a while and the light didn’t dissipate. My curiosity couldn’t resist. We made our way to the light and turned the corner...I fell to my knees. The light was meant for me. There it stood…Murray 1150. I could feel a force pulling me closer and closer to the snow blower…it was love at first sight. Due to the time of year, Murray 1150 was on sale and in my price range. Although in my price range, Murray 1150 was not in Amanda’s price range annnnnnnnnnd enter Aaron Schauer.  Aaron has an ability to convince Amanda (Julie’s sister) to do just about anything. If I need Amanda to do something for me, I stick Aaron on her. Aaron thought we should change Murray 1150 to “John 3:16.” Let’s turn John 3:16 into a machine of God. Not only will Tyler clear his driveway, but he will clear the neighbor’s driveway. He will clear the neighbor’s neighbor driveway. He will clear the road in front of the house. He will hop on I-94 and remove snow. I was motivated...works for me and the card was swiped.

Although Amanda was still frustrated, I had my snow blower. The cabin was hit with six inches of snow and John 3:16 came through. For 3 years, we had a neighbor that didn’t have access to a snow blower and John 3:16 came through. We had two neighbors across the street that were elderly and needed help…John 3:16 came through. Whenever I needed to pull the car out of a snow bank…I tied John 3:16 to the bumper and he came through…not really, but it makes for a great visual.  John 3:16 and I bond each time it snows. When it snows, the first song that comes to my head is “Cuts Like a Knife” by Bryan Adams. John 3:16 and I will continue to dominate the snow and help those in need.

Thank you Amanda for being patient and believing in the “vision.” Thank you Aaron for convincing my wife it was okay to spend the money on a piece of metal only a man would understand its value.

I am not trying to connect myself to the verse John 3:16 by any means. Please don’t interpet the above story as an arrogant way to say that only through my snow blower will I have eternal life. Naming the snow blower “John 3:16” was just a clever way to connect service to others as way to honor God. Although it was humor in naming the snow blower John 3:16, I truly do use it as motivation to serve others and God.

Moral of the story. Name a big purchase after a verse.

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

God Bless and thanks reading.

*In my defense, I had spent many hours filing sandbags at the Fargo Dome and area residences during the flood. By this time, we just wanted to get away, because we thought the Red was going to flood our home.

Yeah, I'm That Dad

Everyday we are challenged with life's curve balls. Some are little and some are big. The big ones seem to get us thinking more deeply about who we are, what we represent or why we did what we just did. The big curve balls can hurt. God means business. The little curve balls aren't so bad. Usually we bounce back quickly. God is just giving you a hint that a big curve is on the way if you continue to ignore the little ones. The other day a big curve ball was thrown my direction and it compelled me to think. This curve ball challenged my manhood and my ability as a dad.

Just recently I took Emmett and Katelynn to the store to mail a package. Emmett is now 4 and Katelynn will turn 2 in about a month. Amanda was working a day shift and it was daddy day care. I love my daddy day cares. In the moment they can be stressful, but they are a blast. We were at the store (customer service desk) and the line was long. I only had one package to mail and it had to be sent as soon as possible. Katelynn in one arm and a large show case of Oreos occupying Emmett, I would be okay. Traditionally Katelynn follows her brother everywhere, so I was surprised we made it this long. Fast forward 33 seconds and Katelynn was ready to go. With 2 people still ahead of me, I had no choice. Katelynn had to go down. Being the responsible parent that I am, I asked Emmett to watch Katelynn. The great thing about Emmett's big brother watchful eye is that when Katelynn leaves my sight line Emmett lets out a scream identical to the first Wednesday of the month fire whistle sound. I felt okay with my decision. With two kiddos playing tag around the Oreo case, I was able to mail my package. Just as I turned around, the Wednesday noon siren went off and little K was MIA. Well only briefly, but out of sight line none the less. With a quick run down the produce department, I had Katelynn in one arm and boots pounding big bro following diligently. A successful trip. So I thought. As we were leaving, a woman approached me and said the following:

"You know one day she won't be there and you will regret setting her down like that. You need to be more watchful of your children."

I was in shock. My usual cynical sarcastic demeanor was speechless. I could only respond by asking her if she had kids, which she does, and then said "Merry Christmas" and walked out. She might have had a point. I am not sure. I have only been a parent for 4 years and each day is a lesson in raising children. Her comments forced me to think about my parenting style. Should I have gotten a cart and strapped Katelynn in?...good luck with that. Found a sitter? I don't know. What I do know, are my kids. I know what they can handle and what they cannot. I then started to think, you know what, I am that dad.

I am that dad that sets his kids down and tells them to stick around. I am that dad that tells his son Dora went on vacation so we can watch Diego. I am that dad that shoots a squirrel right in front of his son and tells him that the squirrel had to go because the dog broke his paw because of the squirrel. I am that dad that tucks his daughter's pants into her socks on a cold day. I am that dad that puts a onesy over his daughter's jeans because it just looks funny. I am that dad that shows his kids YouTube videos of really bad women drivers because they are so funny and the kids laugh. I am that dad that sets up a tent in the basement and pretends a large grizzly bear is attacking the tent. Yeah, I am that dad that also finds grizzly bear noises on YouTube and plays them during the tent scene. I am that dad that takes a picture of his 3 month old daughter drinking water out of the dog dish.

I couldn't think of this list when it counted the most. I would love to go back to the woman and tell her this list. And if I did, I would then follow up my little rant.

But you know what...I am also that dad that will rock his daughter the entire night. I am that dad that will sleep on his sons floor to make sure he falls asleep in his crib. I am that dad that has read the same book five times in a row because my daughter just loves Twinkle Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. I am that dad that wakes up with mom six times during the night while both kids are throwing up every 30 minutes. I am that dad that shows love and compassion to their mother to show them how much mommy means to him. I am that dad that will work tirelessly to have a roof over their head and food in their mouths. I AM THAT DAD.

God Bless and thanks for reading.

Heaven Bank

Not a day goes by that I don't wonder about something. I believe we are naturally curious people and often times we don't get an answer. Wouldn't it be nice to have a "Heaven Bank?" Just recently, I was watching all of the JFK specials. This year marks the 50th anniversary of his assignation and the conspiracy theories run wild across many networks. I doubt I will know what happen during my lifetime...it was the Secret Service. They accidentally shot him...follow the facts, but I do believe I will have a bank full of all the "deposits" I made over the years. For example, what happen during D-Day? Can I watch that over again? How did Hitler die? How close was I to being attack by grizzly bear during all of my hikes? What do mechanics do to my car while I am not there? These and more questions have been asked and I won't know the answers until the good Lord takes me home.

So if you think its not worth it to be curious, it is. Just wait and see.

God bless and thanks for reading.

You are Welcome

The pictures will explain it all. You are welcome.

God Bless and thanks for reading.

The Scale of all Scales

I have had a continuous battle to lose weight. There are many methods out there to assist weight loss and I have tried many. Each day I look for a way to "make it easier." One thing I am proud of is that I have gone a record 252 consecutive Monday's with the plan to diet, only to fail later that afternoon. Now that is what I call a streak.

My most recent "game plan" includes a little out of the box thinking. The trucking industry is the life blood of America. With out trucks, we would be without many conveniences. Due to the mass volume of miles that trucks put on each year, the interstates take a beating. A way to monitor this activity is done by the State organizations. They have large scales for the trucks. Occasionally they will open these stations to hold the truckers accountable. Hopefully you are following where I am going with this. Now comes the big question. Why can't we have a large scale in our kitchen? Not just a scale you step on, but a scale that is built into the floor. Yeah, now I have your attention. Imagine walking into your kitchen and instantly a TV in the upper corner tells you your weight. Or maybe the fridge locks!! Take that inner tubes around the waist!! Man boobs....gone!! The idea might be a little out there, but considering the condition of our country and yours truly...drastic steps for drastic measures.

God Bless and thanks for reading.

The Three Talents

I think we have all had times in our lives we wish we had a special talent. That time in life, you know you could be something big if only you could do "________________." I have these same thoughts day in and day out. So here it is. My three talents I wish I had...two of which are feasible, the last one...not even close.

1. Too many times in my life I have taken a vehicle into the shop and left feeling someone just took a lead pipe to both of my knee caps and a swift kick to the groin. This was when I got the quote. After the work was done, I signed up for the 10% off credit card offer, only to find out it only applies to work done under $100.00. I wish I knew all there was to know about cars. What a talent to have and save a lot of money
2. The same can be said when I take our computers in for repair. It just feels like computers are designed not to last 10 minutes after they are taken out of the box. They come loaded with so much extra junk. Junk that takes up space and slows the computer down. I wish I knew all there was to know about computers. Again, save a lot of money
3. My last talent wish would be musical. I would really like to play a few instruments and sing. I have not much else to say about this one. I just think it would be fun.  

So there you have it. Next I need a car that has a broken computer. Then I can sing while I fix it.

God Bless and thanks for reading. 

The Power of Accountability

Allow me to preface this blog with this statement: I am GUILTY!! What I am about to discuss is an area I really stink. I am the last one to preach about this topic. But I figure if I shed some light on the issue, maybe I can guilt myself into better habits. So here we go.

Think of the last time you were eating in public with a group of people. Ever notice how everyone is eating PERFECTLY!!! With the exception of family gatherings, I am the worse. This past weekend, I attended a work conference and the kind folks hosting the conference provided a sandwich/salad buffet. Everyone in the room had more green on their plate than a vegan during Thanksgiving. I began to look around the room and noticed a few "larger" folks, yours truly included, were eating a well balanced meal. On top of that, we didn't go back for seconds. Questions started to pop in my head. How huge is accountability? Or guilt? I wouldn't mind having a well toned individual by my side each day. Our environment shapes us.

Now comes the guilt trip. Imagine the impact accountability would have in all of our lives? Not only for health reasons, but spiritual as well. Often we forget Jesus is by our side day in and day out, yet we continue to disappoint Him as well as ourselves. There's accountability looking you right in the face. Time to take action.

God Bless and thanks for reading.

Side Note: No intentions to be on a high horse about this issue. We all need help.

Thoughts and Prayers

The other day I received an email from our church asking for prayers. I didn't give it much thought and clicked "delete." Then it hit me. You just blew off someone in need. Someone needed your prayer. What is wrong with you. It was more important to click delete than spend 10 seconds asking God to be with the unwell and the family. This occurrence reminded me of something. 

Have you noticed lately how often the saying "Thoughts and Prayers" have been used? I fully understand this is a blog and it is impossible for me to hear you say "Yes, Tyler, I do," but it's happening a lot. Unfortunately it is happening because a tragic event has happen. I think the expression is great. We should hear it more often. We should hear it if something awesome happens. "Hey man, you got the job promotion! Thoughts and Prayers my brother!!" Those days are probably long down the road.

We do hear it a lot on the radio and TV and when it is said, are we doing what is asked? More importantly, are those who say it doing what is being asked? Think about it. "This just in, a plane has crashed into one of the World Trade Center buildings. Our thoughts and prayers for the victims and their families."

It's important we take "thoughts and prayers" seriously. It's important we spend time with God praying for those in need and their tragic situation. Don't click "delete!!!"

God Bless and thanks for Reading

Low to be High

Life is full of "highs" and "lows." When we are down, we find a way to make time to pray, read and focus on life more intently. When we are up, we have it all figured out. Each of us have had many highs and lows in life. Some have had more than others, but we each have our stories. Luckily for me, I have a healthy family, both intermediate and extended. Nothing tragic so far. Luckily for me, God has blessed me with an income to provide, a body to use and a mind to apply...still a full head of hair and no grey.

When the lows do hit in life, they stink. But how great would the highs be without the lows? I believe this is an area, in many of our lives, we forget to remember. When the lows hit, it's important to remember how great life really is. Life's little trivial issues become irrelevant when compared to those who are in greater disarray. Yes, lows will hit, but when they do, remember its only a stage. A stage God is using to prepare you to grow and become closer to him.

The other day I was talking with a colleague. He noticed I was having trouble standing still. Eventually he had to ask why and I explained I was going through a little back issue. As I began to explain my back problems, I noticed a man, in voice hearing range, with only one arm. Immediately I could hear God: "Tyler, pipe down, he has it worse." That moment hit me hard. I wrapped up the back explanation, thus this blog, and was reminded there are many lows in life. More than likely someone has hit worse than you. Life is good. God is great.  

God Bless and thanks for reading.

Sunday Morning Traffic

I've always wondered what it would be like if traffic on a Sunday morning were similar to traffic during the work week. Imagine church parking lots across the nation the size of Wal-Mart parking lots. Would there be Christian road rage? "I have a 9am Sunday school class...but you go first!" Driving to church on a Sunday morning is painless and effortless. I think it would please God greatly to see his children flocking to church in mass groves.


 Now imagine if God gave us a warning. What would happen if God said everyone must come to church this Sunday to hear an important message. There wouldn't be a soul at home or at work. I believe every non-believer would be in a church pew. Shouldn't we assume this will happen? Shouldn't we start to prepare?

Matthew 16:27   For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.

God Bless and thanks for reading.

Lessons Learned as a Parent

As noted in a previous blog, I like top 10 lists. SportCenter's "Not so Top 10" is one of my favorite. As I spend some of my days in the car, airport, plane or fishing with Aaron Schauer, ideas start to pop in my head. Lately I thought I could share my top lessons I have learned as a parent. Before parents out there with older children say the words, "Son you have no idea the lessons you are about to learn," it's okay...I know there is a long road ahead. Before we start, my children are four and a year and a half. I only know lessons learned up to this point:

1. A touch lamp is the perfect bedside lamp to have. It's hard enough waking up at 3am to go grab a drink from the fridge. Add darkness and your thigh or toe will pay the price. Bedside lamps are easy to turn on and require zero coordination. 
2. The Jeep stroller with rubber wheels is a must. We take our children to various locations with different landscapes. Having a stroller with big rubber tires makes walking along sand, snow or rough terrain very easy. It's worth the extra money.
3. It's not your fault. When Emmett, our four year old, was born we were convinced he possessed all of our negative personality traits. Even worse, we thought our parenting created his "less attractive" personality traits...then came Katelynn. She was the complete opposite. Order was restored...we are not bad parents. Every child has their own unique personality. Although both kids have short tempers...that Amanda. 
4. Speaking of short tempers...that last statement was a joke. I have a short temper and I see it in my kids. It's amazing how much kids absorb. When I see my negative personality come through my children it is absolutely heart breaking. I think this is most difficult part of parenting. Trying to act as the responsible, noble, and professional parent is practically impossible, but it should be the one we focus on the most. 
5. Because kids can absorb information so quickly and efficiently, teach them!! We read a lot to our kids. To see what they take away from story time is fun to see. I can't stress how important books are to children. It starts the day they are born.
6. Manners: There are times I am rough on my kids. Some parents may think I need to relax, but growing up  my parents didn't tolerate disrespect. We were told repeatedly to use our manners when speaking to people as well as listening. Please and thank yous go a very long way. 
7. Exposure: Amanda and I are believers in exposure. We want our children to take family vacations at an early age. We took Emmett on a 10 hour ski trip at six months.Want to test your marriage? Take your high strung six month old on a 10 hour road trip...good luck.
8. Just relax...break the rules. One thing we had to do on our our road trip is unbuckle Emmett to calm him down. This is only an example of the many "rules" we as parents will have to break. Just because its a policy doesn't mean it's right. They say now we have to have our children rear facing in the car until they turn 2...yeah right. Good luck with that.. Don't let your child sleep in your bed...sure, I would rather sleep 6 hours rather than 2. One day I would like to pop in on those who made these rules and catch them breaking the "rule." Justice will be served.
9. Build tolerance. This one is probably controversial. Growing up, we were "groomed" to get through sickness...be tough. Today, my siblings and I rarely get sick. Is there a connection? Probably not, but we are definitely not complainers. 
10. Kids are survivors. We don't give our kids enough credit. They are resilient and will persevere. I am horrible at this, but let them work through an issue with another child or sibling. They will figure it out.

Bonus!!!

1. Stages: Life is all about stages. Some day the finances will fall into place. Someday the kids will no longer sleep in your bed. Some day you will sleep through the entire night. Some day you will be able to go back to the gym and lose the extra 30 pounds you put on because you have zero discipline and "have no time" to exercise because you have zero ability to wake up at 5am. LOL....some day your kids will be all grown up and you will wonder where has the time gone. You will wish they were little kids again. You will wish life was as easy as it was when the kids were little. You will want to do it all over again.

Life is too short. This is the day that the Lord has made. Rejoice and be glad in it.

God Bless and thanks for reading.

Let's Hold Back the Praise

When it comes to those in the spot light, I don't understand why are they raised to saint hood when they decide to speak a positive message? Society is expected to hold onto their every word. They are all of sudden considered the "go to" person with knowledge and insight. When they do good, we praise them for their heroism and sacrifice. Maybe well deserved, but I believe it's gone too far.

We are forgetting there are many individuals breaking their backs making a difference in this world. I know I will forget some people, but let's not forget the teachers, pastors, police, fire fighters, nurses, doctors, businessmen and many many more. Just because someone has not been in an article in the local paper, on Sports Center, in the latest blockbuster movie or reports the local news, doesn't mean they are the only ones making a difference or have a positive message. We all can make a difference.

30 Years From Now Top 10

Life is full of top 10 lists. From top 10 pet peeves to top 10 reasons why we choose not to exercise. Regardless, top 10 lists are never ending. Lately I have been thinking about a top 10 list I could do. Most of my life I question things. It doesn't take much for me to be cynical. Usually my cynicism is followed by sarcasm. As I was watching morning cartoons with my kids, I started to question a few things. So here it. The Top 10 Questions About TV I am wondering 30 years from now.

1. Did Doc McStuffins ever become a doctor?

2. Did Social Services finally crack down on Captain Hook? He has to be in his mid-forties and he is harassing little kids. That can't be right.

3. Was there a lawsuit from a passenger on one of the Chuggington trains? Have you seen how much those trains move around? If there was a person inside one of those trains, it would be horrific.

4. Did Jake, Izzy and the Coconuts kid ever find their parents?

5.  Did Goofy turn on Mickey for never letting the show be about someone else?

6. Was there a name change for Brother Bear and Sister Bear? I mean, they were the only ones called that. Everyone else had a name.

7. Did Pete, from Mickey House Clubhouse, ever become a famous comedian...by far the funniest character.

8. How did Percy last from Thomas and Friends? The way he talked had to bring him trouble...and he was a wimp.

9. Did the conductors from Thomas and Friends ever grow a backbone and take over the train they were conducting? They just stand back there while the trains get into trouble.

10. Did Lucy, from Push and Pop book, even pass the 5th grade...ever? Really, you don't know the difference between a farmer and a guy in a balloon?

Well there is my cynicism at its best. All in good fun.

God bless and thanks for reading.

It's not as bad as you think...

I've been motivated. Ever since my brother-in-law took a month off from blogging, I kind of followed suit. August/September is a really busy time for me and I apologize for the lag in blogs. Work, moving, fantasy football, travel, moving, church, moving, school, cabin and kids take a lot of time in September...oh yeah, we moved. But thanks Brian for the kick in the toosh.

I have a list of topics that I have been storing up, so hopefully the entertainment will increase. So here is the latest:

Ever been to a big city? How about renting a car or driving your own car through a large city? For those of you residing in any town within 1000 miles of Fargo cannot say you have...with the exception of the Twin Cities. Think back of the time you had to drive through a big city. Feel a little awkward? Feel like everyone on the road automatically assumes you were dropped in the middle of their interstate or downtown? Feel like they know you just came from Fargo, ND where people complain about commuting more than 10 minutes? Don't feel bad. It's not as bad as you think.

Over the past few years,  I have traveled through a few large cities...i.e. Las Vegas, San Diego and the Twin Cities. Every time I do this, I always feel like every car around knows I have no clue what I am doing. I am waiting for a large semi to rear end me and send me to the side of the road with every other tourists. But I don't think its that bad. Yes I know I am driving like a 4'7" elderly women traveling 35 mph in a 65mph....I don't want to miss my exit!! If I miss my exit, then the wife gets mad. I'll take a rear end from a semi any day than trying to work through being lost in downtown Las Vegas.

Next time you are in a big city and not quite sure where you are going. Don't feel bad. Get there safe. 

God bless and thanks for reading.

How to Survive Watching TV With Your Significant Other

Every once in a while Amanda and I get to watch a few TV shows at night. The kids are in bed and we get to treasure an hour or two together. Although we appreciate the time together, we struggle finding the common show we both can agree to watch. I, being a sports/history guy and Amanda enjoys a good Friends or Grey's Anatomy. Being the comprising husband that I am, I will try to enjoy Amanda's shows with her...I say this tongue in cheek. I am horrible at watching Amanda's shows with her.

Recently during one of our relaxing nights together I had an epiphany...I rarely use the word "epiphany" in my everyday language, but I just finished a graduate course of very educated authors writing in a very complicated way and feel the need to pass the pain onto you. So back to the epiphany. We were watching Friends and a commercial came up. My Atlanta Braves were riding a 12 game winning streak and I wanted to check to see if they pulled off number 13. I changed the channel to ESPN and the bottom ticker brought me great joy when I saw the Braves won....then it hit me. Why not have a sport ticker at the bottom of Friends!!!! You heard me men. This is the best of both worlds. How do I get this idea to the corporate heads? More importantly, can I profit from this idea?

This is probably as far as I will go. Feel free to take this the next step. Moral of the story...men and women can work together, we just need to get creative.

God bless and thanks for reading

Why Me??

Have you ever had the moment in life when you ask yourself "why me?" This occurs about every 2-3 weeks for me. I don't mind when it does. It makes for perfect blog material. As long as no body gets hurt, why not...right?

Today I had a "why me?" moment. We had just arrived home from an overnight trip to Grand Forks with Aaron and Julie.  When we got home, we unpacked, ate lunch and went upstairs to wind down for naps. While we were upstairs, Brody, family dog, began barking. Didn't make anything of it, since Brody has the intelligence level of your average baseball sized rock. Eventually I had to go downstairs and soon discovered why Brody was barking. In front of the house were two young girls. Girl A was standing on the boulevard and girl B was driving a car. Normally not a big deal, but girl B was practicing her parallel parking. Again, not a big deal, BUT she was practicing with our car as the stationary car. Initially I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I asked Amanda if I was dreaming. I couldn't believe they thought this was a good idea.

There were three factors that put me in shock and also panic for the 1998 Honda Accord. First, why was the girl standing on the boulevard? It is a lot easier to teach someone how to parallel park when you are in the car with them. Second, they were girls and they were young. I feel confident saying this because my wife has admitted men have better spacial awareness. They can drive a car in reverse without turning their heads...women, not so much. Third, they were foreign. Okay, that sounds bad. Statistically foreign drivers struggle driving in America. I don't know how to explain this further, but a foreign driver can be scary. Add these elements up and the odds were not in my favor.

I decided to approach girl A and voice my concern. She was awesome and responded politely. She did state that they could to their parent's house and practice there...um YEAH!!!

God bless and thanks for reading.

True, Kind and Necessary

I have no clue where this came from, but I have it on my list of "future blogs" and I feel it's important to share. When it comes to talking about other people there are three questions we need to ask ourselves: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? I think this is important when talking about others when they are not present. Too often gossip floods our conversation and I for one am not exempt.

God bless and thanks for reading.

Firewood: Men are Obsessed...at least I am

I love firewood and I think a lot of men love firewood too. What is it about the collection of wood for a guy? Many women have asked this question, along with many others and we men don't know the answer. I have yet to have the honor of owning a house with a fireplace or wood burner. Our next home (we move in August 30th!!) has neither, but I plan build a nice outdoor fire pit just to collect wood and burn it and then collect again only to burn it.

If you come across a man that has firewood you will notice two particular traits. First, the stack of wood is perfectly organized. All logs will be neatly stacked. Good luck getting a guy to dust the inside of the house, but if you asked him to split wood for 4 hours and then stack the wood in a neat pile, then you have a laborer. Second, the stack of wood will be large enough to survive 47 North Dakota winters. The stack could possibly get down to 32 winters, but more than likely the man will find more wood.

Regardless of your sex, we all enjoy a nice fire. Whether it is along the shore of a lake, deep in the back-country or in the comforts of our homes, the snap, crack and smell of a fire can't be beat. So raise your drink of choice, and salute to fire!!

God Bless and thanks for reading.

I have kids to feed!!!

I thought about adding this story with my previous blog post (click here), but your time is valuable and if you are like me, you read blogs in the car. Oh come on, the ad campaign is "don't text and drive" not "don't read a blog and drive." The below story actually took place the same time I was at the West Acres Mall with Emmett and Katelynn earlier this week. I hope you enjoy:

After my run in with Deputy Dewy (if you don't know who Deputy Dewy is, then you need to click the above link) I took the kids to the large funnel coin spinning thing. Emmett loves to watch pennies, nickels and dimes make the long journey down daddy's dreadful mall attraction. Katelynn enjoys this feature as well. Her challenge is to hit the coins just as they come off the ramp and force them to instantly slide down...Emmett strongly disagrees with her enjoyment. Post funnel coin thing, we went to the pet store, tortured fishys in a large fish tank and continuously pulled Katelynn from trying to walk into Spencer's Gifts.

After we hit our attractions, it's time for free samples. I would like to consider myself a sampler expert. I have considered bringing multiple outfits, but with two kids, samples are easy and plentiful to come by. The key with the sampler is to convince them you have no idea they are providing samples. I like to stroll by pretending to struggle with my kids. The sampler sees dad in distress and has no choice but to assist with extra samples.

On Monday we had a different experience. This particular sample was a grab and go. There was not an employee handing out the sample and all mall customers were on the honor system. Except for Dorthy. I am not sure her name was Dorthy, but as I approached the sample spot, Dorthy arrived the same time. I was riding a wave of momentum. Deputy Dewy and I just went toe to toe and now I had another match. Dorthy arrived and started to go to town on the samples. She was ambidextrous!! She had a good technique and would squash a Super Bowl party. After she cleaned 1/4 of the plate I felt compelled to say something. "Sorry mam, but I have kids to feed. Are you almost done?" Dorthy abruptly turned and looked at me and gave me the look of a mother bear protecting her cub. She didn't speak but her actions told me she wanted one last dive and she would be done. Dorthy took her last dive and managed to drop her last piece into the marinara sauce. She took one last look at me, another look at the staff behind the counter and went for it. You guessed it!! She put her finger licked fingers in the sauce, pulled out the bite and savored the moment. At this point I was happy for Dorthy and I think Dorthy was happy too. She was on cloud nine.

It was a funny moment and one I will never forget. I wish I had a moral of the story moment, but this is just good old entertainment folks.

God Bless and thanks for reading.

Tyler Tracy vs. Mall Security

I just started reading an excellent book titled: The Me I want to Be: Becoming God's Best Version of You. Click the title for the Amazon link. The book is by John Ortberg. I am always looking for a good read and happen to come across this book accidentally. My family and I are staying at Amanda's parents house over the summer and Amanda's dad had this book laying out. I read the first chapter and I am hooked. Lately I have been struggling with personal identity. I think we all do. I found I was getting frustrated with my characteristics/personality/habits...again, I think we all do, but after reading the first chapter, this is the only chapter I have read so far, John Ortberg paints a very clear picture: You are who you are because God made you how He wants you to be. Those are in my own words. Mr. Ortberg managed to put it 24 different ways over 12 pages, but I got the point. So this leads me to my story and thus the title of the blog: Tyler Tracy vs. Mall Security.

I took Emmett and Katelynn to the West Acres Mall Monday morning. It was a great day to be outside, but sometimes it feels good to change the environment. The kids and I go the mall weekly and our routine rarely changes. First thing first, daddy has to grab a coffee from McDonald's. After McDs we travel over to the new and improved kid's play-land. Emmett and Katelynn love the new kid's zone. Compared to the last one, you don't hear a liquidy squishy noise as you walk on the carpet or check your child's diaper frequently because you believe she may have gone to the bathroom only to realize it's the smell of the room you are in. We enter the room and the kids go crazy. They run off to play. I find a spot for the stroller and then head out to find the kids. Unlike the other parents in the room, I am actually playing with my kids instead of spending time on my phone...sorry, slight jab at modern day parenting. Five minutes go by and Deputy Dewy enters the room. He instantly notices I have a coffee inside the precious new and improved kid's playland. Here's how the conversation went:

Dewy: "Sir, is this your stroller."
Me: "Yes it is."
Dewy: " Sir, we have a no beverages policy in this room. Only water bottles are allowed."
Me: "Oh, well we just got here and I was planning to play with my kids. I won't touch it until we leave the room."
Dewy: "No sir, you can't have the beverage in the room at all. Only water bottles."
Me: "I understand where you are coming from. I am asking you to make an exception considering I won't touch the drink until we leave. Currently the coffee is in a cup holder and won't go any where."
Dewy: "Sorry sir, no exceptions. Only water bottles."

At this point, I was thinking if he said water bottle one more time...

Me: "What happens if the water bottle spills on the floor? Isn't that bad too?"
Dewy: "Water bottles have a cap."
Me: "Not when you are drinking it."
Dewy: "Sir, are you going to remove the drink?"
Me: "I think I have a chance yet, so no."
Dewy: "Sir, if you don't remove the drink then I will have to ask you to leave."
Me: "Do you understand that this policy is not correct? I understand where you are coming from and realize you are doing your job, but don't you think there should be an exception?"
Dewy: "No sir."

At this point, Katelynn came crying over and we left. My brother in law (Brian Stroh) did a blog about policies and how they sometimes just don't make sense. Click here for more details.

I walked away with two thoughts:

1. Just because its a policy doesn't mean its correct. My drink was harmless and was not going to cause any trouble. Just walk away Dewy.

2. We are who we are. God has designed us to be specific human beings. I have tired relentlessly to counteract certain personality traits I carry and it's hard. It doesn't make it okay if they are used in a negative way and I probably should have backed off, but I couldn't resist. I wanted to debate with Dewy. I had to win.

God has bless me with a personality and characteristics only specific to me. I am very thankful for who I am. It is up to me to make sure I don't disappoint God with my actions.

God Bless and thanks for reading.