Ok - I know.......

Ok - "30 blogs in 30 days" did not really work.... and neither has posting pictures of Crunchy's play etc.... but I have some good excuses!

1. I am not allowed to touch Sari's camera without permission (that is somewhat true) so she is going to have to post the pics.

2. We have been busy/away....
a. We went to MJ for Easter. Actually first we went to my mom's farm and played with the cows (ear tags and some other - more nasty - things)

b. Then we we went to MJ and hang out. I preached there on Sunday... we had a picnic in Crescent Park and then walked around Wakamow with most of the family - went and watched hockey at my brother's.

c. Then we came home - got the van fixed (no big deal) - and headed for Minot. We had a really nice time (After we got through the "Hotel reno"... that resulted in a new room and a discount of about 1/2 price - so that worked out). The girls went shopping on day one.... we had a "Tim Day" on day 2 (Went to motorcycle shops, went for a drive, walked around a park, played catch with a football, it was beautiful outside - like 22 degrees... I had to rescue a soccer ball from the river after SOMEONE kicked it in there - had to tightrope walk out on a fallen tree to retrieve it). Came home after a couple of nights and several hundred dollars spent.

So now we are enduring the worst snow storm of the year (believe it or not). Seven inches of really heavy and wet snow... not sure how we will get to church tomorrow... we will see I guess.

So there you go. A quick update. Hopefully pictures soon. Thanks for reading. I promise I will write more consistently - I hope. :)

Cars, concerts and Crunchy (27 of 30)

So I have not blogged lately b/c we have been a little busy. Here is a quick recap (in reverse chronological order).....

Today (Saturday) I went with Dennis Jocelyn to the Majestics Car Show in Regina. After that was over, we toured every motorcycle shop in the city, sat on and drooled over bikes for a while and came home. It was fun!

Last night (Friday) Sari and I went to the Grand Opening concert at our new hockey rink in town. The acts were Tom Cochrane and Kim Mitchell... neither of which are my favourite dudes in the world... but it was a live concert in our town and if you don't support what comes maybe nothing comes, right? It was ok... fun to be out with Sari, fun to run into people that we know, but it will not go down as the greatest concert in the history of the world (at least not in my books anyway). Good crowd though - and a really nice rink (I had not been in it before that)

The night before (Thursday night) was Megan's (One of her nicknames is Crunchy - just in case you were wondering what the title of this thing meant) yearly school play. It was fun to see her in that and nice again to see and visit with a bunch of people. Hopefully by tomorrow we will have some pictures up.

So there you go.... more updates to follow.

"Brothers from Different Mothers" (the dudes we saw last night)

A fun night out (26 of 30)

Sari, the kids and I had a fun night tonight.... we saw a couple of guys who call themselves "Brothers from Different Mothers". They juggle and do comedy.... they were here as part of the "Koncerts for Kids" series, but it was a good show for the adults too.

I would embed some video on here but the best video had its code removed... so if you want to see a bit of what they do click here.

They are touring through our area.... if you get the chance, go and see them. You will be glad you did.

PS. Thanks for the tickets Mariann! :)

You know you live in Saskatchewan when.... (25 of 30)

You go to the beach and then head home to shovel the rest of the snow off of your front yard. :(

That was our experience this afternoon.... Katie wanted to go for a drive (hence the beach.... but it was not swimming weather for sure)..... then a drive through the valley and back home to get the remnants of the snow fort spread around the yard so that it is not there until July.

Spring is coming right?

Well it was like a homecoming (24 of 30)

So we just got back from Regina and Sari's "something more than 6 year homecoming" (ok - 6 plus 14 or so - just in case anyone is trying to guess..... I was trying to be discreet there but you would have guessed anyway). She went over and made an appearance on Friday night and got to see most of the people who were coming (missed a few who did not show up until today).

The girls and I did not go to the school, we just hung out at the Mooney's place.... but when you think about it that is like "Homecoming" for us (we have spent so much time with them over the years that we have joked about buying a house together so....). It was fun to see them, play with the boys, stay up too late, go for a walk this afternoon..... it was the best homecoming ever! :)

And why didn't somebody tell me? (23 of 30)

How did I miss out on this?

The "Suspended" is killing me (22 of 30)

Get it? The "suspended".... Sari and I spent the day putting up a suspended ceiling in Katie's room. That is the first one we have ever done.

It looks nice. It was easy. And we did not fight at all (which is possibly a record for two "oldest children" who both think that their way is the right way).

Anyway - a good project on a snowy day.

Growing up (21 of 30)

We were with a group of old friends tonight (or maybe I should say "longtime friends") and it was interesting to watch the girls interact with them... we could barely get a word in edgewise - but it was fun none-the-less.

When your friends become your kids friends... that is pretty nice. Lots of laughs - lots of stories - a fun night! :)

Good memories (20 of 30)

One of my favorite stories from our dating days, comes from a time when Sari and I were not even dating at all.

Sari had been dating this guy, but they broke up. She had been planning to take said boyfriend of hers to see "The Nylons" at the Center of the Arts in Regina, but when they broke up she asked me if I wanted to go with her instead (We were buddies - why not right?).

In the meantime, before the concert date, Sari and her ex-boyfriend became "un-ex-boyfriend and girlfriend" again. When I heard that they were back together, I went to her and offered her ticket back... after all - she bought it planning to go with the "ex-non-ex-boyfriend" in the first place right? To my surprise, and I am sure to his surprise, she said, "No! I said I would take you and you and I are going".

The night of the concert, the car that we were going to take died. We needed a vehicle fast and could not think of anyone who would loan us one on such short notice. Then Sari said, "I know where I can get a car". She found her boyfriend and we had a ride.

So I went to a Nylons concert with another guy's girl, on his ticket AND I drove his car eight hours to get there and back! Nice, huh? :)

But that night was great! I had never been to the Center of the Arts. I had never been to a real concert. I had never gone to a concert with another guys girlfriend, in his car, on his ticket either.

As we drove home, we looked at the stars... we listened to the tapes we bought... we talked and talked... eventually Sari fell asleep against me.... and so the music of the Nylons has always been special to us.

This week, while sick at home, I found a whole bunch of old Nylons concert footage online. There used to be nothing but they have just re-released all their songs and videos under a new label.... so Sari and I spent part of tonight watching footage from the same tour we went to... we recognized their costumes... the sets... the choreography... it was really cool.

It was just like being the Center of the Arts in 1990 again... except that, at the end of the night this time, there was no other guy waiting for his keys.... and his girl. :)

Cash-a-polooza(19 of 30)

Shhh - Sari is doing our taxes (Seems to make sense that she looks after this part of our life... after all - most of our money goes through her.... ba dump bump!!!) :)

Actually - I am very proud of her. She has been working at the kitchen table for more than two hours and I have not heard one angry word spoken or one pen fly across the kitchen yet (Mind you... after what happened last night during tax preparation time - I have been hiding downstairs in the fetal position crying like a baby so.....)

Sari does a great job of not only holding down a full time job, but running our house, keeping track of the bills, being both the secretary and the accountant.... it is amazing actually.

I just hope that she does the taxes right and does not end up in the pokey. It is a long drive up there for me... and who would cook when she is gone? :)

To quote one of my kids... "I has a Freezer" (18 of 30)

How do I know when I am actually sick? I can stay in the same room basically all day and not care. I don't want to go outside. I don't want to move. I don't want to do anything.

I started running a fever last night and when I woke up this morning I said, "Ah - forget it".

I think this is about the 7th or 9th (or something like this) sick day I have taken in 21 years... so I am hoping I feel better soon... I am running out of motorcycle magazines. :)

When I grow up (17 of 30)

When I grow up I want to be Dave Hatch!

Who is Dave Hatch you ask? Well, he is sort of a dork (so I should fit in well) but he hosts what is maybe my favorite show on TV - a thing on TSN called "Motorcycle Experience".

In fact, there is really only one part of the show that I look forward to... the "Ultimate Ride" part. The rest of the show is ok - but this is the best part to me b/c every year Dave and a buddy of his take a week or two and go ride some really scenic and interesting road somewhere and film it. This year they are doing the "Blue Ridge Parkway" in North Carolina... it looks really nice, really pretty and really fun to ride.

So why I am I telling you this.... well a few reasons....

1. I am not feeling that great tonight and (in spite of having a really good day at church) did not really have anything interesting to write about.

2. Just as I was going to bed, "Motorcycle Experience" came on - so I thought I would mention that I am jealous of Dave Hatch (confession is good for the soul right?) Dude, has ridden across Canada more than a dozen times.... that would be fun, no?

3. Seeing guys on motorcycles makes me think - even just for a second - that Spring has to be on the way (It has to come sometime.... right?)

North Dakota still exists (16 of 30)

For (literally) 8 weeks, we have been trying to get to Minot and yet one thing or another (all much more important) stopped us. However, today we made it.

The girls bought lots of stuff (they have not forgotten how to shop - fortunately - whew!!!!.... where is the "sarcasm" smiley here????) and I went to a couple of motorcycle shops (just to look around... I found one that I really liked the look of... research is on-going).

Anyway - we had a good day.... nice visits (long car rides are the best place to talk - no distractions, no phones ringing etc).... and (nicely) when we got to the border on the way home the nice lady took our info and then said, "Have a nice night" (no duty for us!!! Woo hoo!!!)

So - there you go. It was fun and we finally proved that Minot still exists... we saw it with our own eyes. :)

Thankfulness (15 of 30)

This is not the deepest or even maybe the most interesting blog... but I am connecting a challenge to it - so please read to the end.

Yesterday I mentioned that the "Western Christian College Chorus" was in town and so we had to billet them into people's homes for the night. That meant that this morning a bunch of us were at the church building dropping these kids off so that they could get back on the bus and carry on.

When the last kid jumped on the bus, Bill said to me, "Well - what are you doing now? Do you want to go for coffee?"

So we asked around - some of the guys had already left - others could not go - but Bill, Dennis, Daryl, Darren and I went to "A and W" and sat there telling stories for the next hour and a half or so (We even included a guy from town who most of us have known for years - he was sitting at another table so he came and joined us).

The point: Thinking back on it.... I like the guys from our church and I am glad to be here. I like that I have buddies of various ages and that they can all get together and laugh about the same stuff. I am glad that I get included in spontaneous things like that all the time. It was just a very little thing, but it made me happy - it was just nice.

So - here is the challenge: Before you leave this page, think of one little nice thing that has happened to you in the last 24 hours - something that you could easily overlook or take for granted, but that you would miss if it was taken away - and be thankful for it. Then - if you are so inclined - hit the comment section below this post and tell me about it (I think it would be interesting reading).

Whether you leave the comment or not, the process of slowing down and thinking about what you have is a good habit to get into, right?

Blast from the past (14 of 30)

So the "Western Christian College Chorus" was here tonight to perform. It was really nice. They did really good job and we had a good "crowd" out to hear them.

It made me think about the fun of chorus tour. Those were good times. Oliver (the bus driver that went with us all the time) was here tonight too. It was nice to see him.

I thought about the fact too that it was on chorus tour in the spring of 1990 that we came to Estevan, I met Welland Drader for the first time, gave him my resume and asked about a summer job with the church in Estevan. I have been here ever since.

Also, after the drama portion, one of the girls introduced herself and I thought, "What? That can't be her!" Her parents used to live her when she was really young. It was cool to see her here now and to bug her a bit. That's what it is about though, right? Passing things on from one generation to the next.

All in all, a really good night of memories, reminders and "new beginnings". Glad they came.

The best we can do (13 of 30)

We held an impromptu prayer meeting at the church building tonight for a little three year old girl. She and her family is not from our congregation, but several of us either know her parents, or her parents parents, or family or.... Estevan really is a small town.

Anyway, Olivia is quite sick and no one seems to know why. Nothing has worked or turned up any concrete results yet, so some "less that nice" procedures seem to be on the way.

I can't imagine what her parents are going through... it must be terrible... so we did what we could do tonight... we invited people to come to the building and pray.

It turned out to be a really special evening. Some of the family came, some friends showed up, some of our church members were there (some who do not even know the family but just feel for them).... several different churches were represented... several people that Sari and I know from other places in town were there.... it just was a really nice.

I believe that God hears and answers prayer and I believe that we did something good by just getting together and sharing that time. It just felt good and right.

So thanks, Crystal, for arranging things... we need to do more of that.

And - if you are in the habit of prayer - please add Mark, Andrea and Olivia Moroz to your list.

"The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective" - James 5:16

No pain... no Paul (12 of 30) :)

So I would write a really long and funny blog tonight (and believe me... it would have been a doozy!!! A real humdinger... probably the best blog I have ever written), but I can't. In fact I can barely type. What happened?

Paul Quilliams flipped out on me!!!!

We were playing squash when all of a sudden Paul yells something like, "Die you little Moose Jaw Punk!" (or something like that) and then he just started hitting me with his racquet. The lady at the front desk saw this (fortunately we were in "Court A" - the closest one to her), so she SCREAMED, "Nooooooo not Tim!!!!!" and went running in a hysterical fit to get help.

Soon three huge guys from the weight room came running, broke right through the glass wall (because there was no time to go through the door) and jumped Paul from behind. He fought with Hulk-like strength, but they finally subdued him.

Anyhoo... it didn't really hurt.... it just looked bad! :)

Ok - the real story may be something closer to Paul wound up to take a backhand shot and I likely did not just him enough room.... he swung hard, followed through and hit my left arm about as hard as I have ever been hit with a racquet (and I used to play against Ian Muirhead!).

So now I have two really red, raised up lines on my arm (they look like those "Branded tattoos" that guys get)... one up by my elbow and one down on my wrist (on from each side of the head of his racquet).

I came home and showed my war wounds to Sari and she made me put ice on them for an hour or more... now I can hardly move my arm or my wrist (that is a true part of this story). I don't think anything is broken in my wrist, but it is really swollen now. I guess we will see how it feels in the morning.

So - it is a good story anyway.... I just don't know who is going to have to pay for the glass wall that the weight lifters ran through. :)

Ok - try this (11 of 30)

Ok - since no one commented on the video below, try this one. This is the video that I ended my sermon with today.... a sermon on busyness. Have a look.

Practical Advice (10 of 30)

Tim Hawkins has just made it onto my "mandatory videos to watch" list for anyone who wants me to perform a wedding ceremony for them.

Watch - think - discuss below. :)