I’ve never done this before, but as it turns out it was easier than I expected…
I follow Donald Miller on with my Google Reader account, and a couple days ago this came across the screen. I heard Don talk about “Story” last fall and it was fantastic. His writing is very unique and I appreciate his honesty and candid words. You should check out his blog and get ready for his new book.
For my birthday Steve and Sue got me two tickets to the Brewers Game for July 12. It was the last game of the first half of the season, we were playing the Dodgers – the best team in baseball. But the real story of the game was the National Anthem. Steve and Sue got tickets through a friend from their church how have a son, Sam, who has a brain tumor. He’s had surgery once but they couldn’t get it all out.
Sam signed up for Make-a-Wish and was accepted! His wish: to sing the National Anthem at a Brewers game.
I was so excited to go to this game!! Stories like this mean so much to me – I get emotionally involved so easily. When I first saw Sam, it was at the tailgate party. He was the ‘man of the hour’ and was with Cory Hart, the honorary chair of Make-a-Wish for the day. They were getting in the back of a club car to go to the Brewers’ Club House. Camera crews were filming the whole thing – I heard it might be on Fox Sports.
Well the National Anthem came up pretty quickly. Those that know me well know that I take my patriotism very seriously. The Anthem is very important to me, and I’ve been at some events that have been very special. But when a six-year old boy with a brain tumor sings our National Anthem – missing a few words, slurring others, sometimes off pitch – it was the sweetest rendition I’ve ever heard. Most of it sounded great for a boy his age. That boy wanted to sing our National Anthem at a Brewers’ game in front of 42,241 people — and he did it.
Want to see Sam sing? I dare you to not shed a tear! The last 4 seconds are the best!!! Click here to see Sam singing on Sunday.
Last week Katie and I took Sorin up to the Northwoods for Family Camp at Fort Wilderness – it was one of the best weeks of our marriage. Now we’ve only been married since November 2005, but only our trip to Europe in 2007 it can compare. Maybe it’s just my adventurous nature starting to find release. Maybe it was the fantastic food. Maybe it was having tons to do or nothing to do. Maybe it was having two sets of grandparents there to take Sorin (even for a night). Maybe it was meeting so many great people from across the Midwest. Maybe it was sleeping in a tent for the first time in Too Long.
While I’m tempted to describe a play-by-play, I’m pretty sure that’s unnecessary. (My two main followers were also my two main babysitters up at CampJ)
What’s it like to be at Fort? Each morning you wake up for breakfast at 8:15. Can I just interject here? (Is it possible to interject your own blog post?) I couldn’t believe how late people woke up at camp. Admittedly I’m a morning person. I love seeing the sun come up, especially in the middle of God’s creation – in the woods, over the lake. But at Camp no one was moving before 7:30/7:45. I couldn’t believe it. I thought people would be up at the coffee shop our out on the docks having devotionals or a quiet time. I guess it’s vacation for most people, so that means a little more sleep.
After breakfast it’s off to a gathering for worship and listening to a speaker who is there for the week. This was from about 9:00-10:15 (at the latest). Our speaker for the week was Mike Moran from Kettlebrook Church. He went through 1 Peter and did a great job. The only other scheduled events for the day are lunch and dinner. So there’s plenty of time for play. And play we did.
Katie and I went out on the kayaks one afternoon. Another afternoon I went with my mom. Steve and I water skied a few afternoons. I went on a walk to the Pointe with my parents. We did a lot of sitting around watching Sorin play. He likes splashing in the water. We went on a lazy Tube Float down the Wisconsin River for 2.5 hours. We had a few campfires with wonderful s’mores. We heard a great message by the Wrangler, Jonathan, as he compared the disciplines of God to the disciplines of training a horse. It was one of the best 30 minutes of the week. Fort is just a great place to vacation.
In summary, it was a great week at Fort because the food was great, my family was there, we met great people, we played a lot, laughed a lot, and had great conversations with old and new friends. Once again my lack of writing skills is diminishing this blog post. Still, you should consider a Family Camp at Fort Wilderness for a week’s vacation.
It seems like in the past couple years I’ve found myself reflecting at birthday time. This year is no different. It’s May 28, 2009 in Madison, WI. I won’t attempt to update on all the things on my mind – who would read on?
To be brief, there’s a few thoughts at the top of my mind:
Life is extremely busy right now. We just got done training for full and half marathons. Another full marathon for me in the fall. The job search is a full time job. Tree work is exhausting and I feel like I could study and improve myself as a trainer endlessly. I love reading but there aren’t enough hours in the day.
So Katie and I are working on being more disciplined. A disciplined person gets more done b/c he can say ‘no’ to things that distract him from the main goal.
Not a cohesive post, but I felt the need to write and check in.
March Madness: it’s just a magical time of the year. My early memories are the fondest. In high school the brackets were passed around and mine was folded into my Sports Illustrated for the next three weeks. My sophomore year I went up to Madison with some upper classmen to watch the high school basketball tournament, but we still got our share of the NCAA games.
And the pools are still as fun as ever. Even as I seem to miss most of the Badgers’ basketball season, the tournament brings me right back up to speed.
The Badgers this year don’t even deserve to win their first round game, but #5 Florida State (fresh off a win over #1 UNC) couldn’t put the Badgers away. The game Friday night went to overtime before Trevon Hughes and Bohannon pulled it out for Bucky! What an exciting night.
I hate to root against the Big Ten, but at the same time Sienna was playing Ohio State. My interest here is a side bet I have at work:
I took the over, and when Wisconsin won and Sienna took OSU to 2 overtimes and pulled it out, I had my 9 wins for under-seeded teams. Another victory for Hans.
What a great weekend so far. One of my favorite shows to listen to is Dan Patrick. He has an assistant named Paulie who made a veteran move this weekend to ensure maximum basketball exposure: He bought his wife and her friend manicures for Saturday afternoon so he could go watch the game. As he said it, she smiled and said “have fun at the bar with the guys” and his Saturday was set. He was still working on viewing strategy for the Sunday games.
Leaders are readers. I can’t even begin to talk about how much I wish I had time to read. It really takes discipline. And like so many people I talk with, I’m into about six different books. But the best one I’m reading (my focus at the moment) is 7 Habits for Highly Effective People.
I was actually first introduced to the teen version of this when I was taking some high school health students through it. I was amazed at how practical and effective it was for this age group. And I’d always had a copy of the original, but never got around to reading it.
Currently I’m on the third habit:
It’s always good to return to the basics – personal leadership and discipline.
When I married into the Robertson family, I soon came to realize a very special holiday – Valentine’s Day. And it’s not regarding the person you’d expect.
Katie’s dad, Steve, has always made a big deal of the Hallmark holiday with cards and a gift – usually a shirt of some kind. This year he included Sorin in the gift giving. Here’s the video we captured.
Katie loves her vest, Sorin will look great in his new onesie, and my shirt (by Ben Sherman) is my new favorite – it’s got a great athletic cut to it. I’ve never had a shirt that fits like this.
I’m in the minority on the Brett Favre story – I think he is the best thing to happen to the NFL in 20 years. I think he still should be treated as such. I wish he would have kept his legacy in Green Bay, but what can a guy do when he’s not wanted anymore and dumbass front office people want to prepare for the future?
Was going to New York a mistake? Sure l0oks like it. I still can’t blame the guy. Living in his shoes for 17 years, I guess he felt like he couldn’t do wrong – so he goes for Year 18 as the gambling player that made him great. Boy, I still wish it was Green Bay for life for Brett. Once a Packer, always a Packer. Just too good to be true.
So this week he tells the Jets he’s done. And so begins (for the Brett faithful) the nails-against-the-chalkboard sounds. It’s a painful sound. It’s a feeling in your gut that something isn’t right. It’s Brett Favre announcing his departure from the NFL – and we all say, “I heard that last year.”
I realize Brett has brought this upon himself. Am I too forgiving? Am I too much a homer? The man became a starter in the NFL… and never sat down!! He NEVER sat down!!!!! He brought life to Green Bay and pride to the Packers that we won’t see again in my lifetime. He drove you up a wall with ridiculous interceptions! But his attitude towards the game of football is a throw-back to when the game was fun and serious at the same time – but it wasn’t about the individual. Do you see that anywhere else in the league? That attitude has left the NFL, maybe never to return.
On Friday I had a client at Harbor in the morning. I had my Blackberry in my training vest and left it there, so I was without it all day. Boy, is that a naked feeling. I don’t have email on there or anything, but I’m constantly setting alarms, tasks, and memos for myself. It was good to get it back Saturday morning. And in case you’re wondering – I didn’t miss any calls all day. So the Blackberry doesn’t have to be a Crackberry for me – no addiction here.
This weekend I got two runs in and would like to announce my plans for the 2009 Mad City Marathon on May 24th. I ran in 2007 and feel bad it’s taken this long to get back into a big race. The runs this weekend felt great. 
I really miss the workout for the lungs and legs on those longer runs. Katie and I got a new shuffle since mine got lost last summer. We got the red one which supports (RED) causes fighting AIDS.
11:20am
I’m so happy Super Bowl Sunday is here. It’s a little different today b/c Katie and I decided to stay home together with Sorin. And our decision is starting to really pan out b/c Katie and I are feeling a little under the weather today. Plus we’re going to make all kinds of good (and bad) food today – it’s the last day of football… it’s Super Bowl Sunday.
So I’ll be blogging all day. I’m really excited about the start of coverage. All morning I’ve been waiting for the TV coverage to start at noon so I could officially start eating. I was very hungry and relieved to see that “noon” was noon eastern, so 11:00 our time. So here we are ready to eat and watch the coverage.
Right now NBC is starting with a review of the NFL season with coverage from NFL Films – it doesn’t get any better than that.
Sorin and I are ready for his first Super Bowl Sunday!
11:49am
NBC is doing it right – NFL films is the best b/c they have all the sound and the best footage. They’re going through a lot of the teams, adn they just did the Ravens – my team for the playoffs b/c Jim Leonard (former Badger) plays safety for them. Jimmy was just featured in 4 straight big tackles for the team as they upset the Titans.
12:28pm
I just had to go to the car to get something and got to feel how warm it is today. We’ve had a very cold winter, and today it’s supposed to get to 37 degrees – and no one will be going outside to enjoy it. Actually, I bet most people will enjoy the weather this afternoon and skip all the Super Bowl coverage I’m watching.
2:29pm
I just woke up from a little nap. Like I said, Katie and I are feeling a little sick, so I guess the rest is good. Coverage is still going strong. Kurt Warner just got to the stadium and is being interviewed by an attractive woman – he’s standing so close he looks like he’s about to kiss her.
We ate these wonderful personal pizzas for a snack at lunch. We got the idea from our cousin Amanda.
NBC just reported selling 69 commercials for a few billion dollars (I missed the number). The average is $100,000 per second. Get ready for Miller High Life’s one-second commercial…
4:12pm
Katie and I just played the Great Game – Backgammon. She won 2 of 3. Barack Obama is on the NBC coverage in a live interview from the Map Room.
Food update: we’ve had cheese and sausage for a few hours now. We opened up the Dean’s french onion dip with the Cape Cod chips. GAME DAY!
4:45pm
Katie and Sorin just got back from a little walk. I got some work done and cleaned up for the main event.
5:34pm
GO STEELERS!!
I have a little wager with my brother.
6:56pm
That was the most unbelievable play I’ve seen in a long time. The Steelers just threw an interception and then allowed the Cardinals to drive and Warner is perfect in the red zone this season. But he throws a pick and the defensive player of the year Harrison returns it 100 yards for the longest play in Super Bowl history! And now my point spread is looking better against my brother.
7:09pm
Two words – “the Boss”
9:55pm
And that’s it. What a great second half. For a game that was supposed to not even be close, that was a great finish. Play after play. Pittsburgh was fantastic, and Warner and the Cardinals were very exciting. I had a great Super Bowl Sunday. I ate game food and didn’t get out of my sweats all day. Feeling a little under the weather, but I was with family all day so I can’t complain.
Another end to another football season. Katie’s happy about that. Until I tell her that summer camp starts in a few months.