Peace like the Euphrates

One of my New Year's Resolutions was to begin the art of balancing my life and making 'down time' more of a priority. Its an area I emphatically stress to the kids I counsel to examine in their own lives and I'm not one to find hypocrisy as an attractive attribute. Between work, coaching, Young Life and life in general I often feel pulled in 50 directions. So, the past few weeks 'me' has become more of a priority. Go me. This first weekend in 2009 finds me catching up on sleep and catching my breath after a fairly intense week. Were there opportunities for distraction? Yes. Did I flinch? Nope. 

(1st pic: selecting the perfect marshmallow stick with Tristan  /  2nd pic: Charlie chilling on a hay bale) 

I struggle sometimes with seeing down time as problematic, but my mind and body are often in dire need of recharge and chill time. I managed a very successful New Year's Resolution for the 1st weekend of 2009. I'm going to maintain the mindset of an optimist and say this lasts another twelve months. Hoping positive self talk takes me the distance.

Let the good times roll

I am always baffled the fleeting nature of time. Twelve days with the family went like the bat of an eyelash and here I am now back home reflecting on some pretty sweet moments. Jess is expecting at the end of March and its hard to believe there will be another boy scampering around before spring arrives. Tristan is pretty excited kissing Jess's belly and watching his brother grow before his eyes.

On Saturday, the three of us worked the Richmond Farmer's Market on 17th Street. The sun was out and the skies were clear. A few other vendors were present with fresh breads, veggies, fruits, jams and of course we had a truck load of chicken, beef and pork to sell. Tristan always has a way of making the day more enjoyable with tons of laughing, running around and giggles.

Whenever I'm in the area, which isn't too often, I beg and plea for local veggies. My parents purchase their produce from a local amish family & it's almost worth the six hour drive. Well maybe not, but it's still fairly epic stuff.

Last night Tristan and I were outside until after sundown hanging out on the tire swing, roasting marshmallows and just simply having a blast. Man does that little kid light up my heart and make any worries or distractions just simply go to the wayside. 

So when he says, 'E, you're my best friend' my heart pretty much melts. He's got me wrapped around his little finger. I'm already looking forward to seeing the crew within the next month or so. Just sitting and reflecting I can only smile and thank God for a family I feel so profoundly blessed to have. 

Bleeding Blue

It has been about six years since I've watched a basketball game in the Dean Dome - home to the UNC Tarheels. My parents and I headed for a day trip to Chapel Hill to do a little shopping and have a little r&r from the farm. Walking around campus, the Old Well and Stadium Drive brought back a whole slew of memories. It seems a life time ago since receiving my diploma; since then I've travelled so many different paths, treked to some fairly random corners of the earth and assumed a career that back than I couldn't even have fathomed. Funny how time and life experiences have a way of taking you on many detours and routes you may have never intended to travel. But getting back to the rather epic weekend... 

We headed to Chapel Hillwith the intention of watching UNC play Rutgers from the Top of the  Hill (one of the main hang outs on the Hill) located on the main strip of Franklin Street. So when I informed my pops a few hours shy of tip off that we had to head over to the will call ticket window he was slightly taken off guard. My dad &  I had amazing tickets courtesy of a fellow Tar Heel Alum & Craigslist. Not only did the Heels claim another fantastic victory, 

but I was able to sit  next to one of my most favorite people in the world. 

Farm Fresh Familia

There's nothing to compare the richness of being with family and being separated from the obligations and responsibilities of every day life. Here, on the farm, it seems each day spent here places me further into 'the zone.' It's a good thing. As I grow older there is nothing else that lightens my spirit and brings a smile to my face more than when I am in the presence of the ones I love most. All other 'stuff' just sort of fades off and a weight lifts from my shoulders. 

This Christmas we enjoyed one of Faith Farm's own turkeys. It was a large bird that Tristan had a knife and fork out eagerly awaiting even before we had place settings on the table. He was one hungry dude and the reviews are in: two thumbs up and lots of sounds indicating Tristan was one content little farmer. 
There really is nothing like knowing where your food is coming from and this time it was literally from the backyard. I've come full circle in appreciation for supporting local farmers and really having a better grasp of where the food I eat is from and the manner in which its raised. Knowledge = Power 
This was one of Tristan's favorite Christmas gifts. A friend of the family's made Tristan his very first John Deere blanket. Being that his room is already decked out in all gold and green JD colors - it will fit right in. Thanks, Terri!  

Epic Christmas Tree

I hit the road around three this morning from Jersey and began the trek to Virginia. After combatting a little black ice, stand still traffic and an endless stream of Christmas music my ride came to an end. It felt alot longer than it actually was, but six hours wasn't so bad once I was greeted with a big hug from Tristan. 

The past week or so he and I have had a pact to hunt down the perfect Christmas tree and we had 95 acres in which to make our selection. It was Tristan & I on the atv jumping a few logs, sliding around some muddy slopes and having a blast. At one point he passed out on the four wheeler claiming he just needed a little rest. A little r&r in the fields : ) In one of the back pastures we found a tree that just seemed to be the perfect fit. Now, it stands in the living room with flickering lights and bows. A fairly epic Christmas Eve if I may say so myself. 

* Dad on the four wheeler with Tristan tagging behind on his jeep* 

Little bit of food bank, the city and some smiles : )

It's funny how crazy and hectic this time of year can get and how the 'big picture' can get lost if you let it. Last week we took about 20 kids to a local food bank in Pensauken and it is in moments like these that you just have to sit back and smile. Kids stacking shelves, unloading boxes and packing bags with a smile the whole time. We managed to stack and sort all the food they had on hand for the day & it was neat to see have the staff say, 'there's nothing else to be done right now.' We rocked it : ) I think it meant even more when expressing to these 20 teens that the food packaged, sorted and boxed up would be feeding families in our local communities. Pretty sweet. 

Throughout the course of the year there are about a dozen trips to the South Jersey Food Bank allowing our kids to grasp the concept and gain a vision that goes beyond ourselves. It was super cool to walk into the food bank with bear shelves and leave with every shelf filled to the brim. Talk about a natural high. 

It was a good feeling and sense of accomplishment. Earlier in the week we treked to NYC for a full day of culture and experience with about 60 kids. Here's a pic with a friend of mine in front of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. It was tons of fun getting to know the kids better, soaking in the flavors of the city and just enjoying life. 

We're always told how quickly time goes, but it seems as I get older this reality becomes even more real. It seems like just yesterday I was walking the streets of Jerusalem, chilling out on the beach with the surfboard in tow and walking the farm in the heat of the day. Now, December is nearly half over and 2009 is at the door step. Holy cow! (no pun intended) 

So, I did something a little out of the ordinary this weekend... chilled, took a few deep breathes and did nothing really exciting. Spent Saturday with a bunch of my Drug Squad kids at a local retirement community lending a hand and helping with tasks that were on 'the list.' It was a good feeling to see so many grateful spirits. I'm turning in early tonight after I spend some time strumming my guitar and just being still. Feeling fully geared up for another week of the unpredictable... bring it on : ) 

First pic: pond at the lower end of the farm in Va  / Above: a little r&r on the Drug Squad Retreat
Above: Tristan catching chickens. He's the Mr. Miyagi of chicken round-ups.