Elementary Talen Shows and My Boys

Last Friday was Grandparents Day at St. Joseph's Catholic School (where the boys go).  Basically it's a great reason to have lunch with Grandparents.  The last few years they have had a talent show in conjunction with lunch.

For the past couple years I've had to hear Corban come home and complain that we didn't "let" him participate in the talent show.  This has not been the case.  He just never had anything to share.

So for months the boys have been talking about hula hooping for the talent show.  It should be noted that they hula hoop a lot.  There's no way for this to not sound biased, but they're good at it.  So I encouraged them.

So the day arrived and the show began.  E and I went to see the boys have at it.

To sum up the talent show I will leave this thought that I emailed to Marjorie while the show was going on.  "The horror of elementary talent shows is that the world hasn't beaten these kids down enough for them to know that what they're doing isn't really talent......and it's also the joy of elementary talent shows."

What I mean is that, no one was HORRIBLE...but no all of them were amazingly talented.....and they were still so proud to be up there doing what they did.....and that's awesome.

OK back to the boys.  I know this will sound biased....there's no way around it....but I have to say that I'm being honest and sincere when I say....they were the best act of the day.  I'm serious.  The crowd freaked out while they were performing.  They didn't just stand there and hula hooping to a song.....well you'll see.  They got the biggest ovation, cheer and afterward congratulations poured in.







Ok I'm a little braggin on my boys.

The Liturgists/Holy Week

If I had finished my blog posts about the Simply Youth Convention I went to, I would've told you about the Liturgists.  They had an experience the Sunday night of the convention called Vapor.  It was amazing.  The Liturgists is made up of Gungor and some other musicians and artists.  Their goal is to create new liturgies.

I'm not the most contemplative person....and yet something within this resonates with my heart.

ANYWAY...The Liturgists created a new Liturgy for Holy Week called  Garden.  Again....I'd highly recommend you take time out and just sit and listen.  Just hit play on the first one and it'll play through all of them.  Make time for it.  You won't regret it.

If you absolutely don't have time for that.....just listen to the one entitled Saturday. 

Just go do it.

NHL Playoffs: Round 1

It's time. The time of year where every night I'm watching hockey from 7pm-really late. When you see me, you should buy me a coffee because I'll need it.  I LOVE this time of year.  This is the second season of hockey....where players step up...or are labeled chokers. 

Every year a group of friends and I make our picks round by round.  I usually give a lot of personal analysis....which in the past has been worthless because my picks have been horrible.

As with last year, our picks will be weighted with points.  So in this first round all pick wins will get one point.  In round 2 they will be worth 2 points....and so on.  Last year this worked nicely and gave those who picked poorly in round 1 a chance to make it up in the following rounds. 

I believe last years crew will be back making their picks again this year.  Matt is now in Ohio, Mike is in Virginia, Jeff is in Titusville PA, and Randy is in Toronto Canada.  If you would like to be part of this years picks, you need to get them up before Wednesday when the playoffs begin. 

I will preface my picks with this.....as always I've watched way more East Coast hockey than I have West.  HOWEVER....I've tried the past few weeks catching some west coast teams.
I also have certain teams that I just want to lose.  I struggle to pick them to win, even when it makes sense.  I'm going to try hard this year to be rational...not biased.  I'll try to note those things as they happen.

OK let's get to it.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Boston Bruins vs. Detroit Red Wings
I've gotta be honest here and say that I've been watching a lot of Bruins hockey.  I wish the Sabres were more like the Bruins.  They're tough, have good goaltending, and scoring from all 4 lines.  They were dominant all year long.  They never went more than two games this season with loses.  HOWEVER the RedWings are the RedWings.  They have had massive injuries this year and still made the playoffs with mostly AHL players.  They are one of the most fundamentally sound teams in the league.  They've been playing playoff hockey for weeks now....which could go either way for them.  They also one the regular season series with the Bruins 3-1.  That all being said, I'm taking BRUINS in 6

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
I have loved what Columbus has done this year.  They worked hard and ground it out game after game and made the playoffs for only the second time in franchise history.  They have one of the best goalies in the league.  If Bob is hot, look out.  HOWEVER...they have to face Pittsburgh in the first round.  Normally I'm talking Pittsburgh up...this year not as much.  I don't think they're tough enough to win the Cup this year.  But I think they have enough talent and leadership to make it past Columbus.  Pens in 5

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Montreal Canadiens
This is one of the more intriguing matchups of the first round.  I don't know how I feel about this one.  As of this moment we're not sure if Ben Bishop (Lightning goalie) will be able to play in the first round.  That's a big factor.  He's what got them this far.  They have a good backup....but he's a backup for a reason.  Montreal is small....but fast.  Tampa won the regular season series 3-0-1.  I'm still going to pick Montreal in 7.

New York Rangers vs. Philadelphia Flyers



Now this is the one everyone will be watching.  This series is going to be a slugfest.  I don't know if it'll be the best pure hockey, but it'll be a great series.  Both teams are gritty and ready for the playoffs.  As much as I hate the Flyers and thought that Craig Berube was a joke of a pick for coach, he's turned their season around and they're going to be hard to beat in the playoffs.  The Flyers biggest weakness as always is goaltending....but Mason has been playing pretty good down the stretch....though he did leave yesterdays game with an injury...not sure how serious that'll be.  This is where I say that I want desperately for the Flyers to lose....but I need to pick them.  Flyers in 7


WESTERN CONFERENCE

Anaheim Ducks vs. Dallas Stars
Anaheim on paper should win this matchup.  They've been good all year.  They have been at the top all year.  HOWEVER Dallas has been surprising teams left and right.  They seem to find ways to win.  I don't have strong feelings about either team.  I'd love to see Dallas coach Lindy Ruff win (ex-Sabres coach).  I'd also love to see Teemu Selane lift the Cup.   Ducks in 6

Colorado Avalanche vs. Minnesota Wild
I have an anti-Colorado bias here.  I haven't had one until this year....when Patrick Roy became their coach.  I've never like him.  I've always thought he was too cocky....I still hold to that.  However I can't argue with what he's done with the worst team in the league last year...making them a powerhouse.  He's gotten the best out of young players and a goalie that other teams sat on the bench (Washington).  I've always like Minnesota.  I don't think they have the goaltending to be a threat.  Avs in 5

St. Louis Blues vs. Chicago Blackhawks
The Blues have been at the top of the league for most of the year.....and then the last few weeks happened.  They saw the chance of a President's Trophy (best record in the league) go bye bye and they couldn't even win their division.  And that's AFTER adding better goaltending than they already had in Ryan Miller.  They also had some pretty big injuries in the final weeks.  This last month has been BAD for the Blues.  I want more than anything for the Blues to win for Miller's sake......but they're playing the defending champs, who last I looked still have some pretty big guns.  Hawks in 6

San Jose Sharks vs. Los Angeles Kings
This is the best matchup in the West.  This is what the Flyers/Rangers series is to the East.  This one will be a slobber-knocker.  These two teams know each other very well...and they're not super friendly.  The other thing about these two teams....they're really good.  Much like the Flyers/Rangers I could see this one going either way.  Historically it's like this.....the Sharks choke in the playoffs....and the last few years the Kings have been dominant in the playoffs.  Until that changes, I'm sticking with it.  Kings in 7

NHL Playoff Preview

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and not boys.  It's almost time for the NHL playoffs.  Who's excited?  This guy.

So each year here on my blog I post predictions of each round.  I have had a group of friends who also blog their predictions and we have a friendly competition to see who wins.  I have never won.  Could this be the year?  Maybe. 

Last year my friend Mike joined our group and blogged his predictions.  Would you like to join us this year?  We'd like to have you.  Please contact me soon so we can include you in the first round.  There is a weighted points system which I'd like to explain to you.  There's no prize.....but maybe I should consider getting one......




How have I never seen this one? So good.

Tim Horton's Donut History

Since I spend way too much time at Timmie's I thought I would share this link that my friend Katie found for me.  It's not the history of Tim Horton's....it's the history of their donuts.

ENJOY

4/7 Monday Update

the weekend that was:
-My parents came to our house Friday afternoon.  I love when my parents come to visit.  I don't have to entertain them.  They love up on our boys.  It's just so awesome to watch and be part of.
-Friday night was pretty chill.  Games and laughing.  Good chat with Mom and Dad after the boys were in bed.
-Saturday morning we celebrated Corban's birthday (even though it's not till Tuesday) with my parents.  My wife is amazing.  She made "Lego" brownies for C.  E had a hard time understanding that the gifts weren't for him.
-Mom and dad left mid-day.  We were all tired and promptly napped it out.
-Saturday night Mari and I had small group.  One of my teens babysat the boys.  She said, "it's weird that you pay me for getting hugged by your boys."  I love that.
-Small group was good.  Everyone was chatty to begin with.  Our video and discussion were really good.  We covered a lot of ground.
-Sunday morning was good too.  It seemed like Pastor Mike had bugs planted in our small group discussion from the previous night.
-Sunday night was fun.  I've been doing the object lessons for the little kids for a few months now.  It's a little more than I used to do, but I love it.  Last night I made chocolate milk to talk about the Holy Spirit.
-Weekend over

where i am at the moment: Tim Horton's.  E has "school" on Monday mornings.  And I'm using this time to work....which this blog post is not, but I've already accomplished a lot and had a few minute free.

on my to-do list this week:  I sat down yesterday and created a GIANT "to-do" list.  With Easter just around the bend, I have lots to do....and most of it needs done this week. 

procrastinating about: DENTIST.  I just need to "bite" the bullet and call.....but I'm chicken.

book I'm in the midst of: None.  I like the way my brain works when I'm reading something, but I'm not.  I've been a slacker.  I have books to read, but just haven't been doing it.

media that seemed to catch my attention this past week: My friend Steve just posted this video....it's pretty cool.    (see bottom)

grand revelations this past week:  I love a good nap.

how i’m feeling about this week: Since I've been sitting here working hard, I'm feeling positive that I can get most of the stuff on my to-do list done this week.  I like it!


Final Four Viewing Party Clip 4 from UK CSF on Vimeo.

SAHD Post Its

You might remember this post I had about a Stay At Home Dad (SAHD) who left post it notes around the house for his wife to find.  He now has a tumblr.....and I find it hilarious.  Good chance I'll be posting pics from time to time.