Natural Selection

I once heard an older, wiser man who was playing golf with me say, "If a golf ball has betrayed you once, don't go looking for it because it is bound to betray you again." He was referring to looking for a ball he hit into the woods. Instead of going on safari, he simply dropped a ball in the middle of the fairway and played his next shot.

That wisdom might have been beneficial to the man in this story, "Gator pulls Florida golfer into pond; man unhurt". I've never been one to spend a lot of time looking for lost balls in the water or woods. Those of you that play with me know however, that I will walk along the rough/water hazards and if I see a ball retrieve it with my 600 ft. ball retriever! BUT, when I was in Florida playing golf a year and a half ago, I stayed clear of the rough/water/cart paths...pretty much if my ball wasn't in the center cut, short grass, I let it go! Obviously this man was either, one brave, or two not thinking straight, because why would you, in Florida mind you, go sticking your hand/arm or any other body part near the water?

As my father in law says regarding those that make rescues of people lost in the wilderness, usually with helicopters, spending tons of taxpayer dollars, "The rescuers call those types of rescues 'INS' or Interfering with Natural Selection. Hopefully those playing golf will see the multiple signs on the course warning them of wildlife. Again, this guy didn't even see the sign posted on the same hole next to the same water hazard that the gator pulled him into! Amazing...

Catching up

Almost a month ago we went to OK for the Memorial Day weekend. We had a wonderful time and Tara's parents, Durne and Jackie were able to come as well. The new pics in the photo album show much of the trip. We spent 4 days there and were able to do many things. Caleb had a lot of firsts...riding on bike with dad, playing in the swimming pool with cousin Cole, seeing a tractor, cows and cats. It was a great time!

Caleb also saw rain for the first time. You can see a few pics of him in the orange shirt playing in the rain as it came off the house. Our last night there a good thunderstorm rolled through in the middle of the night and Caleb didn't like it at all. The thunder was loud and the lightening was bright enough to light up the room through the curtains. He wanted to be close to us so we had to bring him to bed. For nearly 30 minutes, he flinched each time the lightening flashed or the thunder rolled :(

The past two weeks we have been preparing for our move. We are not leaving Pepperdine, rather moving to a bigger place on campus. As part of Tara's new role we get to live in a 4 bedroom place, with sweeping ocean views. We have to be moved by July 9th, but with or Colorado trip going from June 27th through July 7th, we have to be packed before we leave! Thus we are in the process of finishing up packing as I type. We are so excited to be moving to the new place. So much more space, and great views, a yard and more grass outside the fence for Caleb equal very good times!

We are off to Colorado on Wednesday and I can't wait! It will be so much fun seeing family and a few friends. We all are looking for some nice time away in the beautiful Rockies. More will definitely come soon!

Been WAY too long!!!

Wow, time has really gotten away from me. The past few weeks have been a whirlwind for me and the fam. The end of May and early June were filled with work retreats, a trip to OK for Memorial Day, and a conference in Minnesota! During that three week stretch I was only in the office 4 days and home for 7! Now life has somewhat normalized, but we are leaving for CO on Wednesday the 27th for 10 days. I am super excited but that deadline is also when we have to be packed up because we are moving to another house on campus the day we return from the mountains.

All that to say, the blog has been sitting not in the backseat but the trunk (that is legal in Cali I think). My hope is to upload a buttload of pics this weekend so check back to see everything from OK pics, to Caleb walking, eating, getting into trouble, etc.

I will also hopefully be able to chronicle some of our adventures pre Colorado, then post, once we return. Until then, thanks for your patience!