Life is good...

I want to start by thanking everyone who has kept me in their thoughts and prayers the past week and a half. The first several days after my injury I was bed ridden but after a week of making the trek to the chiropractors twice a day and a follow up visit to my family doctor I am feeling much better.

Even though my job can be quite demanding at times and I am always looking forward to time off to spend with my family I was actually looking forward to my doctor letting me return to the daily grind.
Due to the extent of my groin injuries I am on a 30lb lifting restriction for the next 2 weeks. Despite my restrictions I have managed to book my work schedule full for the next 2 weeks and will meet all of my monthly requirements despite missing over a week of work - Something my boss will be happy to see/hear, as will my wife when she gets my paycheck!

During my down time I was able to spend some time assisting with my children's education as we are joining the growing number of homeschooling families. I have really enjoyed watching the wheels turn inside my children's growing minds and the satisfaction they exude when they succeed at learning something new. Ariel has always enjoyed reading (and unlike me there doesn't have to be pictures) and devours any reading material you place in front of her, Alex on the other hand has a gift for anything mathematical. Alex is still attending Pioneer Valley Christian School twice a week for a 1-on-1 tutoring class. We decided to let both the kids enjoy the summer off and were pleasantly surprised when they asked if they could start school early. While we(Rebecca and I)were enjoying the carefree summer we were more than glad to get back into a daily routine. The first week was a big adjustment for the kids, Alex has enjoyed getting his work done and enjoying the extra amount of "free time" as he likes to call it. As I said before Ariel really likes to read which has been an easy way to get side tracked, she is taking a literature/creative writing course and tends to lose track of time while she reads ahead rather than working on her other subjects - resulting in long days of school work. We are now 3 weeks into the school year and both the kids are moving along with their curriculum.

I have also enjoyed catching up with several of my old school mates via "Facebook" who are now spread out across the country and beyond. It has been nice rekindling old friendships and spending time reflecting upon the past, present, and future. (well everyone knows that the future doesn't exist but you know what I mean). I have also enjoyed expanding the blogs I frequent as several of my facebook friends are also regular bloggers.

As I stated before the first several days were spent in bed and as I began to desire to escape from my bedroom the rain started falling. The ran fell and the grass grew - then during one of my daily trips to the chiropractors my amazing wife completed my weekly task of mowing the lawn! Not only did she mow the lawn she actually mowed it at a right angle(I am rather anal about mowing the lawn a different direction each week)! Unfortunately I was unable to capture this with my camera - something that Rebecca is not disappointed about.

Once I was up and about I enjoyed watching the kids ride their bikes in the race tracks they designed with chalk attached to the back of Alex's John Deere tractor. I even had enough energy to pitch baseballs to the kids - a task cut short when I almost got drilled in the groin by a line drive!

I was content the rest of the time sitting in the backyard. Time well spent watching my kids be just that, kids. No worries about work, politics, war, bills, etc... It's amazing how content one can be sitting on a lush green lawn with a cool breeze blowing though one's hair (yes I know what your thinking but facial hair is still Hair!) while chickens free roam around you looking for their next juicy bug with the sound of children playing in the background.

I have truly been blessed with an amazing family. All of my needs have been provided for - we have a beautiful house in God's amazing country! Despite the occasional set back (ie.. back/groin injuries) life is not only good - it's great. The silver lining in this cloud has been the time spent with family and the quiet time reflecting on and nurturing one's personal relationship with God. As a matter of fact the only thing that could be better is doing it while sitting in a tree stand - a task I hope to tackle soon considering Archery season opens next week in the North Woods!