Life at 50

This week has been really special. The outpouring of birthday wishes was overwhelming. Don and Janna put together a really nice surprise birthday party that was just right. About 50 friends and family showed up. I now have lots of wine to drink. Friends from as far away as Houston and Laredo showed up to help me celebrate. I was mostly thrilled to see my girls show up. They are both so big now and beautiful. They were the highlight of many conversations. I am so proud of both of them. Of course everyone always enjoys seeing Matt and Renee.

As I look forward to the 2nd half of my life, I think about being significant...doing things above and beyond the call of duty...I am ready to hand this construction company off to the new guys...the sooner the better...

I intend to spend a lot of time at the lakehouse this summer. I also look forward to our missionary trip in Mexico and then traveling to Cabo San Lucas with Mark to do some marling fishing. Life is Good!

Ready to Turn 50

As I reflect upon turning 50, I think about how it felt to turn 20, 30, then 40 and now 50. I remember my 30th...we lived at the lake, newlyweds, the show Coach was a favorite of mine. I got a new pair of Oakleys, a "Coach" polo shirt, and maybe a 12 pack of beer. My mom and dad came over, our dog's name was Blondie. Life was good. Work was hard and I had a hot wife.

Well, now at 50, I still wear Oakleys, my wife is still hot, and I have 3 great kids, a loving mother and stepfather. I do not work as hard as I used to. I am surrounded by a ton of great friends. My spiritual life is good. I love God, my life, my family, my friends. I still love the lake and water skiing, fishing at Bayflats, Crossfit, and missionary work.

I have a lot to be thankful for...by the way...I can smell a rat. I have repeatably told my wife that I do not want a big party, yet I can just feel something going on...I received a 6 pack of Hartwell Wine from my good friends Kent Guilbeau and Ron Culp. Life is good...

Rain Rain Go Away

Its raining, its pouring...and our life is boring...I still hate the cold and yuk weather. I prefer to be in shorts and flip flops and I wish I were on a sail boat in the carribean anchored off a small island. I wish I could be swimming and fishing...tonight I would cook some freshly caught fish and grill some fresh veggies that I just purchased over at the island. Renee and I would watch the sunset with a nice glass of red wine...tomorrow, we would get up and do it all over again.

We would check on our kiddos who are all doing fine...Madison is in Europe, writing for a vacation home magazine, Morgan would be working with kids in the Peace Corps and Matthew would have just graduated from Texas A&M and would be running a start up landscaping company with many good accounts. All of our kids would be fluent in Spanish and are all committed to their Catholic Faith...

Ahhh, to dream...

Its still raining, but as Jerry Samu says...this too will pass...

The First Day of the Rest of My Life

Today is my first blog. I have often wanted to document my thoughts in a lasting way that others can read if they want to. Here are the things that are important to me...

Faith
Family
Friends

This is the annual toast that is made at the stroke of midnight at Kiella's. He stands on a chair and makes the toast...always fun.

I am ready for summer...

Crossfit today was Max Lift Squat Cleans...then box jumps...125# was my max.