Bring the Rain

The Father-Son outing for my ward was last weekend.  I got called out of town on a trip, so I couldn't go.  To make it up to my sons, I met a family friend up north with his ward.  Needless to say, it rained all the way on the drive up on Friday morning.  The rain stopped long enough for us to pitch our tent, then it rained almost non-stop until Saturday morning.  We packed our stuff and drove to Mormon Lake so my oldest son could fish.  Then we drove home, stopping in Camp Verde for lunch.

When I got home, I had to clean the tent because it was soaking wet and dirty.  The tent was given to me by a buddy at work.  The thing is as big as my garage.  It's huge-mongous.  Anyway, while I was setting it up to hose it down, one of the bungee straps to the rain-fly slipped from my hand and popped me right in the eye.  Yes, it hurt.  Bad.  I still have use of the eye, but it hurts 8 hours later.

Well, the Cardinals didn't win the Big Game. But, they sure didn't make it easy for the Steelers. What a great game. Exciting to watch. I've never cheered louder or harder than when Larry Fitzgerald made the touchdown to take the lead. Hats off to the Cardinals for going somewhere we never thought they'd be. It makes next year all the more exciting to watch.

Anticipation

I am anxious. Why? I'll tell you why. I will. Anyway, I'm anxious for two reasons. Number 1: THE CARDINALS ARE IN THE %$#@^*& SUPER BOWL!!! Unbelievable! I'm very excited about that. I wish the game were today. Number two: Friday morning I leave for Yuma. Yes, Yuma. It's not bad this time of year. Not hot yet. 50,000 snowbirds can't be wrong. I'm driving a bus to Yuma for the Glendale Community College baseball team. They have two games on Friday and two more on Saturday. I'll be back in Phoenix early Sunday morning. I'm looking forward to the trip because I love to drive buses and I like to stay in hotels. I do not, however, like to be away from my family. That's the hardest part. The main reason I do it is for the money, of course. Can't do much without money. Can't do much with the money I make; but, you know what I mean.

I'll be sleeping for work Sunday night while the Super Bowl is taking place. I told my wife I'll watch the replay on NFL Network Wednesday night. On Wednesdays, I sleep during the morning so I can be home with the kids while Erin fulfills her Young Womens' calling on Wednesday nights. So, while I'm up, I'll watch the game. Win or lose, but more likely if (when) the Cardinals win.

Love me.

Mi familia!

I have been married for 15 wonderful years. My wife, Erin, and I have five beautiful children. Our oldest son will be a freshman in high school this year. Yes, I feel old. Very old. My wife and I were married in the Mesa Arizona Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 11 months later, we had our first child. 13 months later, we had our second child. I love my children. I may not show it all the time, but I don't know what I'd do without them. If you ask my wife, I'd have to do a lot more because I use my kids like my own personal servants. They've taken to telling me to do it myself as they get older.

I love my wife more than anything I have ever loved. She is the most wonderful, caring, beautiful person I have ever met. She doesn't know it, but I love to just stare at her when I can get away with it. She is really nice to look at. She takes great care of herself (I don't). I love her.

That's all for now.

What do I do for a living?

Besides aggravate the crap out of my wife (and children, too), I am a Detention Officer for the Maricopa County (AZ) Sheriff's Office. That's the job that takes care of my health insurance and retirement. My other job is a motorcoach operator (bus driver) for American Explorer Motorcoach. I used to drive tour buses as a full-time profession, but realized that I couldn't support my family very well and would have to do it til I died to make any money. I saw some pretty wonderful things over the road (Canada, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, all of New Mexico). However, all those things lost meaning because I was all alone. I was in Canada the day of one of my anniversaries (sorry, honey, can't remember which one). While the place I stayed and the area we were in was absolutely the most beautiful place I had ever seen, it stunk because I couldn't share it with the love of my life. I once spent a week in Northern California in a Motel 6 by myself doing absolutely nothing while the Church group I brought to a camp, well, camped. Such is the life of a motorcoach operator.

As a Detention Officer, I also drive buses. The clientele don't tip as well, and their stories are a little less uplifting than most. I have been with the County four years in February. I got my application for the job while driving a tour for the Sun City RV Club to Tent City, followed by a private meeting with Sheriff Joe. It took about two months to go through the hiring process, and here I am. Living the dream.

Well, I leave it at that for now.

My Blog

This could be the start of something big! No, really. This could be the place where I'm discovered. For what, I don't know. But, a man can dream. Horrible, terrible dreams. But, still a dream.

I am excited for the possibilities that are open to me now from having my own blog. I'll add pictures and songs and life will be grand.

Well, don't want to short-circuit myself too soon with so much excitement for my new blog.

More to come...Lots, lots more!!!