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Glorieta, NM and God's beautiful creation

This weekend, I had the opportunity to travel to Glorieta, NM to observe the Kick-off for the New Mexico Super Computer Challenge, high school program. While the event was informative the real thrill was returning to the spot where God first revealed to me the true extent of the beauty of His creation. Living in New Mexico, I have been inspired by my fair share of spectacular sunsets and have sat in wonder as the sun rose over many majestic mountains. In the Fall of 1993 however, God introduced me to the pinnacle of HIs creative beauty... my future bride. On that day and on ever day since, the beautiful rainbows, placid high mountain lakes and roaring waterfalls have paled in comparison to the lady that God had prepared in advance for me.

Back here in Carlsbad, under the weight of looming deadlines and urgent committee meetings, we sometimes forget to take the time to admire a sunset or pause to skip a stone across a glassy lake. I am thankful that God set such a perfect example of His creative work in front of me daily.

Only God can take a place as beautiful as Glorieta, beautiful in it's own right with it's towering yellow aspens and unending misty mountain ranges, and make it seem inconsequential compared to the beauty that He placed in the little lady who kisses me goodbye each morning.

He truly is a wonderful God, and He has given me a wonderful wife.

We're Teenagers

Today was our thirteenth anniversary, and we spent the evening out with our three wonderful kiddos. Even at ten, eight and six years of age, we found that our offspring have a few misconceptions about marriage and weddings.

As we watched our wedding video, Ruth seemed a bit confused about who the groomsmen were. She looked up at Kerri and asked, “Hey, at some weddings, do they just put out some boys and let you pick which one you want?” I sure am glad Kerri chose me.

With Kerri’s class schedule this semester, it has been one of the most hectic times in Our married life. We are both very thankful to the Lord for guiding us together over the last thirteen years. It seems like it has only been a moment since we exchanged our vows, and yet it is hard to remember living without Kerri at my side.

There are so many stories of infidelity and broken relationships around us that we are constantly reminded of how lucky we are to have had such great upbringings and marriage counseling as well as a great group of friends who have surrounded us over the last thirteen years.

While we have now become teenagers in terms of marriage, we have a lot of friends at Church who are in their 30's, 40's, 50's and even 60th year of marriage. And while we are not looking forward to the physical aches and pains that come with age, we are looking forward to being able to say that we are celebrating our 50th year together. Something, I fear will be a rare event by the time Kerri and I reach that mark.

I am definitely a blessed man. Far above all others.

Thank you Kerri, for marrying me.

Congratulations Carl

I would like to introduce Carl and Bronson Christensen. Last night in the garden adjacent to the Natural History Museum in Albuquerque, NM, my little brother married Bronson Elliot.

It was a beautiful ceremony in which Sarah and Ruthie performed flawlessly as flower girls.

Nathan handed out programs in a very professional and gentlemanly manner and I sat with my beautiful bride of thirteen years. Weddings have a way of reminding Kerri and I of just how lucky we are to have each other.

After the service, everyone sat down for a wonderful dinner with a live band and dancing. Of all of the people on the dance floor, one stood out above the rest. Here is a video of her dancing. She was on the dance floor most of the evening.

Bubbles, Bikes and Barriers

This morning we ventured up to Albuquerque and visited the Explora. The Explora is a hands on museum where kids (and adults) can explore how things like: light, sound and motion work. I have included some photos of the morning.

This evening we will trek back up to Albuquerque for my little brother's wedding. Sarah and Ruth are two of the three flower girls and Nathan has opted to be a program passer outer rather than a ring bearer (less embarrassing, I suppose). Carl is marrying his girlfriend of several years, Bronson Elliot, who we are very happy to welcome into the family.

Weddings are always a great excuse to get together with family and friends. It has been great to get reaquainted with folks who we haven't seen in as much as twenty years.

I will post some of the wedding photos tomorrow. For now here are a few of the events of the morning.

Kerri, Nathan and the girls milling around after the wedding rehearsal.

Nathan attempting to ride a bike across a tight rope twenty feet above the ground... without a net!

Uncle Mick attempting high-wire. It was great to see Uncle Mick and Aunt Sue after two decades. We will have to shorten the times between visits.

Mom and Aunt Sue hanging out in the elevator. The elevator at the Explora is the size of a small living room and is decorated with couches and chairs for the short one story assent.

Nathan posing for a shot. The kid is growing like a weed.

The giant bubble table. With practice, you can make a seven or eight foot long bubble.

Sarah and Ruth, building a dam. Kids use the the "dirt" to build waterways and dams and then let the water go and destroy it all. 

First Days and Birthdays

Things have ben a little hectic around here over the last few weeks. On the 14th of August, Ruthie began her first grade year. All three kids are now at the same school, which is great for mom. They now have an additional half hour to get hair combed, outfits selected (and reselected), backpacks checks and all of the sundry little things that go along with getting six little feet on their way to school. My first class at the college begins at 7:45 and so, Kerri is in charge of the mornings. So far, they have performed flawlessly. Sarah began life as a third grader and is thriving at it. Aside from a bout of the stomach bug, she enjoys her class. Nathan is king of the hill this year as a fifth grader. Unfortunately, being king doesn't mean that you can kick the little third graders off of the soccer field... and because they start recess first, there hasn't been a lot of soccer playing going on. He is enjoying the city league and is by far the best player on the team (no parental bias at all here).

Kerri began her "Blocks" a year earlier than expected. A last minute change in class schedules gave her the opportunity to get them out of the way. "Blocks" means that she has four graduate level classes that each meet one evening a week for an extended time. My evening class lets out at 4PM, so she drops the kids off at my class and I then become soccer dad and homework checker. Pray for Kerri, but more than that pray for the kids as they suffer through my cooking!

Below are three shots of the girls in their first day of school outfits. Nathan's pictures came out blurry, so we have included a video of his birthday party. His birthday is on the 8th, but we waited until the 16th so that he could gather friends from school. It was a great time of bowling and cake. It is hard to believe that I have been a dad for a decade! It seems like only yesterday that I was ten myself.

Ruthie posing just moments before heading out the door.

I think Sarah was the most excited of the five of us, to start school. Notice the similarity of the outfits

.

"So... it looks like we really going to go through with this. Goodbye summer vacation"

August 16th, singing happy birthday to the ten year old. He's tall isn't he?

Out for a spin on my XS1100.

Just a photo of me on my new bike. Unfortunately, Southeastern New Mexico is out of valve stems for my front tire and so until further notice, all uploaded scenery will be Photoshopped.