Married In Minnesota

Katie is a "Chicken Rex."

2009-04-09T12:51:00.001-05:00

Bawk.

One Eyebrow Raised...

2009-04-08T19:42:00.004-05:00

I am looking at life with one eyebrow raised lately.

Discontent.

But if you are not content with being discontent... this is a good thing.
Right? What I need is a change of perspective.

Question: Why does a new perspective become old so quickly?

Wrestling with my thoughts.

Bridging as hard as I can.

Bookworm BURP!

2009-04-02T11:03:00.003-05:00

I just downloaded this game to my iPod Touch. I had this on my computer for the longest time and this game is great. There is just something really amiable about a burping bookworm. My highest rank is "Publisher." The Game costs about $4.99 but worth every penny. If you have an iphone or touch, spurge a little. If you are up for the challenge (KATIE), my high score is: 190,860... and this is only after the first night of having it. Look out... because I am the BOOKWORM CHAMPION OF THE WORLD!

... and I burp too!

Scratch that... My rank is now "Publisher Emeritus" ... High Score: 233420.

Hold the applause... Thanks... Nope... that's okay... don't stand...

SERIOUSLY... put the lighters away.

A glimpse of the real me... but it is not who I am.

2009-04-01T10:02:00.005-05:00

So y'all have heard that it is flooding in the Fargo Moorhead Area. Right now, Amy and the kids are up with her folks. They have been up there since Thursday of last week because we figured that it would be easier to get them out of here in a car rather than a boat. I have been walking though paths of furniture this last week because we yanked everything up from the basement. I am going to put the furniture back down in the basement tonight... (although we might be at the same level in regard to the crest in a couple of weeks.) But there is no way we are going to stay apart for another 2 weeks and we can't bring the kids home without getting the furniture back down in the basement. So it has been a life in chaos for the last few days.

It has been lonely... and if I am going to be real, I must admit that when I am by myself, that is when Satan works on me the most in regard to the temptation of pornography. I hate that word and I hate to admit that it has been and continues to be a struggle for me... but it is, and it has been for a long time. What's that saying...? First step is admitting that you have a problem... Well I do. Is it an addiction or a choice? It's a choice at first, but then it quickly becomes an addiction. For me, it's this war that rages inside of me and sometimes I win and sometimes I don't. It doesn't help that sex is everywhere... so trying to keep your eyes pure is hard. I have taken steps to keep me accountable. For one, Amy knows about it and the transparency helps. I don't want to disappoint her... She is an amazing women and loves me in spite of my issues and vices. We all have them, just not willing to admit them. But it is hard to fathom a God willing to give me a wife that will stick along side of me and be a friend to help me win the battles. He knew what I needed and designed Amy to be that perfect help mate... and while I truly don't feel I deserve her, she is a reminder of God's Grace every day. I had a friend call me last night who also struggles with this same issue... unexpected call and I am glad that he called. Let me know that he was praying for me and that I came to mind because he knew I was alone at home. You know, I really believe that this is issue is a big problem for many Christian men and that many of us don't deal with it because we don't want anyone to know that we have a problem. Pride gets in the way and eventually, it will lead to death if we don't deal with it. I think the biggest reason I want to deal with it is because eventually I have to stand before the Lord and give an account for my actions here on earth. My fear/reverence for the Lord causes me to be so afraid of standing in front of him because I have failed him so many times in so many ways. I wish I could say that I have lived a life with no regrets, but I can't. Can anyone? I am sure there are a few... unfortunately, I am not one of them. I forget that he loves me like a son and that there is Love in His eyes. Still scared. ... just being real. But I am not going to let my fear keep me from taking steps in His direction. I just wish I didn't have to deal with this. If I am in the Word, then I don't struggle as much, so I need to be in the Word daily. I do have a computer program that holds me accountable, and I downloaded a program for my iPod Touch as well. So I am continuing to take the appropriate steps.

Anyway, although this is what I have struggled with and who I have been at times, it is not who I am. Sometimes I ask myself, "Who am I?" My answer is this:

I am a man with struggles and personal sins;

I am a husband of a loving wife;

I am father who does not want his sons (or daughters)to have to struggle/deal with the same issue;

I am an adopted son of the living God who loves me as His own... who wants to see me have victory over this in my life;

I am a man trying to do the right thing;

I am a man who has experienced both victory and failure;

I am a man with wars going on inside of me... I am tired and I have scars, but I am one who is not content with the status quo... one who realizes the importance of living a life that is pleasing to God.

So, who am I? I guess I am still figuring it out, but each day as I walk with the Lord, I am one day closer to figuring it out.

Time for Change.

2009-03-31T22:15:00.004-05:00

Well, I am changing the look ... And I am going to make a few other changes as well. One of which is using our real names. So from this point on we will be known as Greg be Amy rather then Ben and Sydney. I am not going to go and change all of my old posts... so it may be a little confusing, but oh well... you will just have to deal with it.... Not sure if I will have any of my old readers back or not... probably a few... but maybe there will be a change in audiences as well? Also, you will notice that all my pictures don't work any more because they were located on someone else's server and I no longer have access to it; I decided not to pay to host Married in Minnesota any longer. This was due largely to my lack of posting. Oh well... It is good to be back. Missed writing... It will be good to hammer out some thoughts.

Whhhhoooo!

2009-03-12T16:46:00.002-05:00

Just blowing off the dust on my blog... it is like an old book that I am pulling off the shelf to read and add to again... so I guess I am back for now... I need to write out my thoughts more.

So, pull up a chair and grab a cup of Joe.

Might be a few twists this time.

Test....

2009-03-12T15:11:00.000-05:00

Hello?

Old friends....

2008-07-07T20:16:00.004-05:00

It's nice to have old friends track you down... always fun to catch up.

Speaking of catching up...

Job is going well. My raise finally came through... all told, it was a $14,000 raise from my last position. Not too shabby. :) I was catching up with an old college friend and this will sum up our move over the last few months:

We purchased a house in February not having the finances in place as my raise didn't get finalized until 2 weeks ago... there were times where we were $900.00 short for our Mortgage payment and God provided every.single.time... not that I doubted. Mixed in there were car repairs and what not... however, we have were never short. A few months ago, we had a choice between paying $600.00 to church or paying our mortgage, and we chose to pay our tithe knowing that God is faithful... and he has been. It has been a wild ride but it has been fun depending on the Lord... in the past, I would have been really anxious; but there has been a peace in resting in the Lord that I have not felt before. The job has been full of challenges and exciting new opportunities. I am heading to China for 3 weeks in November, so that should be exciting as well.

Anyway, Sydney and I both feel we are where the Lord wants us for now. ;) AND... the raise came through, so we can now pay most of our mortgage... not quite there,but then, what fun would that be? lol.

It's a sad day...

2008-03-05T08:09:00.003-06:00

for a two reasons:

Brett Favre has retired. By far my favorite player of all time... Can't believe he won't be playing for the Pack anymore... It had to come some time, but my thoughts were: "Play as long as you want... we love to watch you."

Also, to add insult to injury... Little Eddie died this morning. After two years of swimming around next to Katie, he decided to leave us. Katie is still doing fine, but I would expect she will die of a broken heart soon.

Maybe Little Eddie heard that Brett Favre retired and couldn't take it anymore?

No matter what happened, Little Eddie is gone, Brett is retired... not a good week. :(

Don’t tell Sydney that she has got it easy or she will have to strike you.

2008-01-29T08:52:00.000-06:00

Moving is stressful and it seems like there is an endless amount of junk to pack. The task seems insurmountable and daunting. Fortunately for me, I have been up here working my new job. Unfortunately for Sydney, I have been up here working my new job... Not that I would have been much help anyway, I must say that I tend to be lazy. Sydney needs a cattle prod to get me moving sometimes… That said, I will say that after she cut the Direct TV a few weeks ago, I did get a little more accomplished on the weekends.

Anyway, when I was negotiating my contract up here, I negotiated moving expenses… up to $5,000 to be exact. So, we don’t have to do a lot of packing. The moving company will come in and pack us and then they will unload the truck and unpack us on this end. We feel like we are lower-upper class or… at least upper-middle class because we are having someone move us. All of our friends have made the comment to Sydney that, “it must be nice to have someone do all the moving.”

If you want to see a flash of fire in someone’s eyes… tell Sydney she has got it easy. What people don’t understand is that she has been preparing for this move without the help her husband, (not that he would have been a lot of help… because he is lazy… see above.) and she has had four kids to take care of in the mix. There have been things to sort and certain items to pack… and you still have to be organized even though someone else is doing the packing… She is tired and is about ready for a break.

So, internet… while the move is easier because someone is moving us… Sydney hasn’t had it easy.

Me on the other hand? Easy Street.

So if you would like to contact us in the future:

My new address is 930 Easy Street.
Sydney’s new address is 930 Not-So-Easy-Street.

(Boy, I sure hope that we still get to see each other... not living on the same street and all.)

What's the point of this post?

Simply that: Sydney is a Saint.

T - minus 6 days and counting

2008-01-23T18:34:00.000-06:00

So, on the 29th, Sydney and I sign on our house.... and our family is together after 5 MONTHS!
Yippee!

Here are some pictures:

We can't wait to move in... should be a nice house for our family. Overall, including the basement there is about 2500 Square Feet... so it should work well.

After 5 months, we are excited to be together as a family again... pray that everything goes smoothly on closing day.

Later all!

Hello?

2008-01-10T17:38:00.000-06:00

Hi all! Have you missed me? :)

It has been a freakin roller coster of ups and downs and twists and turns so I have not had the time to blog for EVER.

We were up here for the holidays. Visiting Sydney's folks and my folks... So that was good. Sydney and the kids are still down in Cottonwood... BUT we found a house so they will be moving up here shortly. We close on the 29th so I am thrilled about that. They will be moving up here the first week in February and this 35 year old is moving out his parents' house... fricken frackin... lol.

(Okay, it really hasn't been that bad and Mom has made lunches for me from time to time... so I can't complain too loudly.) HA! Can't wait to have Sydney and the Kids up here though... glad this commuting is drawing to a close... and while the lunches have been okay, I really can't wait to get out of my parents' house.

Anyway, my new job has been an adventure... that is for sure. I like it and I knew it was going to be a challenge... just didn't know how big of a challenge... I have been building bridges with all departments around the University because the person in the position before me had burned them all down. BUT we are getting there and many of the departments have made it loud and clear that they are happy I am here... it feels good to know that people appreciate what you are doing. Before I got here, there wasn't much communication between the Office of Admission and my office... now Gina and I are looking to explore some joint possibilities. She is great to work with. Ranks right up there with a former boss.

On another note, I have had to chair the search committee for the position I am hiring and we got down to the final candidate and she declined the offer... so that has been fun. So I am scrambling to extend the search and it is a continuous headache... I just need someone (someone good) in the position, so hopefully in the next 3-4 weeks we can have the position filled. (And I can start on the reclassification of my job.) Oh, and I haven't had a secretary since I arrived either... that's been fun too. I had to ask a few favors of Gina to get one of her Office Assistants to help process the 200+ applications that just sat there for 2 and a half months from the time Kim left and I arrived... (Funny, I didn't see that stack on desk out front when I interviewed.) Despite the chaos I walked into we still brought 56 students in for Spring Semester. While I was slightly disappointed... the President was excited because that is the most international students MSUM has brought in during a Spring Semester...and in the end... if the President's happy, then that's what really matters I guess. Anyway, I dropped off a plant and a card today for the Donna in admissions because with out her, I would be in a straight jacket somewhere... much of the credit of our 56 students goes to her. Hopefully in the next week or 2 we will have a new secretary in our office here as well.

That said, with all the bumps it has been a good move. I actually have a budget of about $60,000 to make sure that we are providing services for our international students... talk about rags to riches. I took new international students out to the China Garden Buffet the other night... (It was cheaper to do that then food service... no surprises there.) It has been fun to implement the programs that we need and not worry about not having the funding to do it.That said, in the end... Work is Work. It's not all bad and it's not all good... just work. :)

Glad I made the move from a professional standpoint with the opportunity to become director and the increased responsibility that comes with that... but I miss my last university as well... especially my friends in the Office of Admission. I guess you take the good with the bad. :)

Anyway, that's what has been going on...

So it begins...

2007-08-17T15:04:00.000-05:00

It's official. I took the job.

Mixed emotions. Excited and sad all at the same time. Too many close friends here to count... This has been home for the last 15 years (including school.) So that will be the hardest part about leaving. But family and opportunity are there so, I took the plunge.

I will be moving into the same position that I am doing here for the first 6 months. As soon as I get there, I will design a position underneath me and he or she will report to me... as soon as this occurs, my job will be re-classified to Director of International Affairs... which will come with about a $14,000 raise. (Above and beyond the increase they have already given me. ) But, in the mean time, because we were not paying a mortgage here, Sydney and the Kids will stay here for the next 4 - 6 months and I will travel back on the weekends.

Told the kids last night... Leah and Benji don't have a clue... but Jake and Mack started crying. That was tough. I moved when I was nine (same age as Jake) and it sucked. So I know exactly what he is going through.

And I am 35 and it doesn't make it any easier than when I was nine.

Anyway, that is the big news.

The adventure begins.

They....

2007-08-13T12:41:00.000-05:00

Offered me the job.

Hm. How about that. Feels good. I have options...

...

Now what.

I would appreciate any prayers you want to send up.

I need wisdom.

No News is Good News...

2007-08-08T14:05:00.000-05:00

Well... the interview went really well. Great actually. At least from my perspective. I would say that out of all the interviews I have had in my life... this one was the best. I was comfortable. Enjoyed my time, was myself... what they saw will be what they get. The nice thing is that I don't need a job, so I was interviewing them as much as they were interviewing me.

They have one more candidate coming in this Friday. I had a really good feeling when I left the interview. So if I go with my gut... I think I may get offered the job. If I do, I have absolutely no idea what I am going to do. I have been going back and forth between what is best for me professionally and what is best for my family.

Granted, they have to offer me the job and they need to offer me the right salary... so much needs to happen before I can seriously consider it. Also, what will my current school do? Will they counter and try and keep me? Needless to say things are up in the air.

Regardless of what happens, it has been a good experience...

Just wish I didn't have to move... if I take the job... if they even offer it to me.

No news is good news... because then I don't have to make a decision.

You know that interview I spoke about...

2007-08-01T15:48:00.001-05:00

The one at another State University... well, I made the final 3...

My interview is Friday. I guess we will see where it leads.

I'll keep you posted.

Marathon Pictures...

2007-07-19T11:12:00.000-05:00

This is the Start... there I am... can you see me?

Towards the end...

Couple of thumbs up!

Crossing the Finish Line.

Finshed.

I had a great time... I think I might run it again next year... Goal for next year is below a 3:20. This year, I was under 3:30. I may be addicted.

She not only likes me...

2007-07-12T09:06:00.000-05:00

She licks me too...

Crazy month.

2007-07-11T12:37:00.000-05:00

Well it has been a crazy month and busier than all get out...

It started with me being hired as the head cross country coach for a local high school... so now I am known as "Coach" to some... My back ground in high school was cross country and now that I am back into distance running, I figured I would apply for an open position... and what do you know? I got the job. So now I have to figure out how to coach again... but it is coming back to me.

My Marathon went well. My goal was 3:30 minutes and I ran it in 3:27. So that was exciting. Not too shabby for my first marathon. I competed on a team from the University and we won the College Cup as well. I just got a HUGE trophy as a result. If I was a drinking man, I would totally fill it with beer and drink out of it... but I am not... so it is a moot point. HUGE Trophy.

I have an application in at another State Univeristy for a similar position. I am applying for it with the intent (if I get offered the position) to let my current school try and keep me here... but who knows... I may end up at a different school shortly. If I am offered the job... it will give me a lot to think about. That is for sure.

Just got back from a week of vacation... we didn't go to a lake cabin like we have the last couple of years, but my family got together at my folks' place for the week and we had a good time there. Much fun was had by all.

That's about it for now...

Blog-glect:

2007-06-08T13:18:00.000-05:00

tr.v. blog·glect·ed, blog·glect·ing, blog·glects
1. To pay little or no attention to your blog; fail to heed; disregard: blogglected their pleadings to post.
2. To fail to care for or attend to your blog properly: blogglects his readers.
3. To fail to do or post, as through carelessness or oversight: blogglected to enter a post.
n.
1. The act or an instance of ignoring your blog.
2. The state of being blog-glected.
3. Habitual lack of care of one's blog.

So... I have been blog-glecting my blog lately. Not sure why... lack of interest... lack of comments. I guess that life has been consuming my time...

Anyway, Life is good with Ben and Sydney... I am still as in love with my wife as I have ever been. More so than the day I married her, actually. Pizza is good. She is a hottie... why wouldn't it be?

I am 8 days from running my Marathon. I am ready... can't wait actually. My friend and I ran 22 miles 2 weeks ago at a 7 minute 45 second pace... our goal is to run it under 3 hours and 30 minutes... so we were right on track. If you think about it, pray for me next Saturday sometime between 7:30 am until about 11:00. I will be in the midst of my race. Praying for a cool day with the wind at my back. :)

Jake, Mick, Bug and Benji are all doing fine. Mick just turned seven 2 weeks ago... so one more year to getting married I guess... *sigh* Jake got a new bike... new used bike... but cool none-the-less.

So that's about it for now... I need to get into the habit of posting more... I will see what I can do about that.

Later all!

Sydney wants to block me...

2007-05-16T15:30:00.000-05:00

...from sending text messages. I sent her the following text message this morning:

"Hey sexy, hot, good looking, gorgeous woman! Just wanted to let you know that I think you are so very beautiful and that I love you more than I could ever describe. I thank God that he blessed me with you... I love you. (See how fun it is to get text messages? Definately worth the extra money.) Love you. ;)"

She read the first line and thought it was some pervert that she didn't know... about ten minutes after sending the message, I get a call from Sydney saying:

"How do you block people from sending you messages?!?! I just got three text messages from someone I don't know and it started out being somewhat sexual... Some pervert is sending me messages!"

I said, "Did you just get them about 10 minutes ago?"

She paused and said, "YES!"

I said, "Did you read them?"

She said, "No... I don't want to read that kind of stuff!"

I said, "That pervert would be me... Go read the messages."

She called me back and reassured me that "the pervert that sent the message could come home with her anytime."

Classic.

Needless to say, I am still trying to sell her on the idea of text messaging.

Put on my blue suede shoes... and I boarded a plane...

2007-04-27T12:24:00.000-05:00

Touch down in the land of the delta blue... in the middle of the poorin' rain...

I love this song. I have never walked in Memphis...

But it is funny how a song will bring back a flood of memories...

Everytime I hear this song, I am suddenly transported back to the summer after my senior year in high school.

18 years old...
Experiencing my first adventure...
Living with friends in a small central Minnesota tourist town...
Delivering pizza's in my boss's white geo or my friend's parents' red chrystler station wagon... Pizzas in the back warmer...
Heading to some unknown destination to deliver pizza...
Hoping for big tips...
Song comes on the radio....
It's a summer night...
Sun is setting...
Dating my first love...
Thinking that she could be "the one."

She wasn't.

Which is COMPLETELY fine...

Sydney is perfect for me.

Amazing what a song will do. I don't even really get the song... but I like it none-the-less.

Happy Anzac Day!

2007-04-25T13:23:00.000-05:00

What is ANZAC Day?

ANZAC Day - 25 April - is probably Australia's most important national occasion. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The soldiers in those forces quickly became known as ANZACs, and the pride they soon took in that name endures to this day.

Why is this day so special to Australians?

When war broke out in 1914 Australia had been a federal commonwealth for only fourteen years. The new national government was eager to establish its reputation among the nations of the world. In 1915 Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula to open the way to the Black Sea for the allied navies. The plan was to capture Constantinople (now Istanbul), capital of the Ottoman Empire and an ally of Germany. They landed at Gallipoli on 25 April, meeting fierce resistance from the Turkish defenders. What had been planned as a bold stroke to knock Turkey out of the war quickly became a stalemate, and the campaign dragged on for eight months. At the end of 1915 the allied forces were evacuated after both sides had suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. Over 8,000 Australian soldiers were killed. News of the landing at Gallipoli made a profound impact on Australians at home and 25 April quickly became the day on which Australians remembered the sacrifice of those who had died in war.
Though the Gallipoli campaign failed in its military objectives of capturing Constantinople and knocking Turkey out of the war, the Australian and New Zealand troops' actions during the campaign bequeathed an intangible but powerful legacy. The creation of what became known as an "Anzac legend" became an important part of the national identity of both nations. This shaped the ways they viewed both their past and their future.

I am not Australian or New Zealand... but it was on my Dilbert Calendar... so...

Have a good Anzac Day.

Wheeeee....

2007-04-19T10:15:00.000-05:00

That's right, we purchased one and it is a lot of fun...

Wii's are hard to come by... When we were up at Sydney's brother's place for their kids' birthday party on Easter weekend, I was exposed to this brilliant machine. Jay purchased one and I had a Fantastic time playing his Nintendo Wii. I had told Sydney several weeks before that I had no interest in the Nintendo Wii and that it didn't even sound fun...

BUT!

...that was before I played the game.

Good times...

So after experiencing such bliss... I thought to myself, "I should by a Nintendo Wii!" The next week, I went to purchase one and guess what? Sold out. Everywhere. I was oblivious to this cultural phenomenon that was occuring whereby you couldn't go out an purchase something you wanted. The first store I stopped by... I looked around and couldn't find the Wii and so this guy came up and asked... "Can I help you?" I said, "Yes, I am looking to purchase a Nintendo Wii."

Sales guy: "Are you serious?"

Me: "Yes."

Sales guy: "You do know that you can't find one anywhere don't you?"

Me: "Um... no. "

Sales guy: "We get a shipment in every Tuesday... but get here early because they are gone as soon as we get them."

Me: "Thanks."

I then proceeded to check Kmart and Walmart and other electronic stores... Nothing. Nada. Zilch.

Something happens to the mind when you want something and you can't get it... kind of like dangling that unattainable carrot out in front of you... try as you might... your efforts are futile.

That is until I went to Cananada.

I walk up to a counter and there is a Wii for sale... and I say, "Cool. A Wii. I'll buy it."

Cashier: "Sorry. That one is reserved. We are all sold out."

"BUT!

...we have a store about 10 minutes away that just got 7 in and they have 5 left... do you want me to call them and reserve one for you?" (At that moment... I think I recall hearing music coming from the heavenly realms.)

*Trying to contain my giddiness* I nonchalantly responded: "Sure. If it's not too much trouble."

So, after much effort I got my Wii. Jake was pumped and MacKenzie is FINALLY good at a video game. AND... most importantly... Sydney likes playing it too.

End of my Wii story.

Commence Wii-ing.

Land of Canucks.

2007-04-17T15:44:00.000-05:00

That's where I was... and just so you know... canucks is not a derogatory name because the canadians have a hockey team called the Vancouver Canucks.

Glad I am back home though... I did purchase a Wii up in Cananada... So the trip wasn't fruitless. Although I will say that I am sick of hearing about Hockey and how great they are compared to the US... and how their women's junior national hockey team just kicked our butts. We have a women's junior national hockey team? And they played Cananada?

Okay.

And you say you beat us? Hm.

Good job I guess. *shrug*

Did I tell you that I am glad to be back?