Nerf Guns + Grown Men = A Lot of Fun

Yesterday my boss came in to work with a large wrapped present for each of the 5 guys in my office. We opened them to find a package with 2 Nerf guns in each. So for last 2 days, there has been a constant barrage of foam darts flying across our room. At random moments in the day, people would get hit in the head. Other staff visiting our area or trying to take our Almond Roca would get shot. A target was even placed on the wall for the impromptu shooting competitions. It has been so much fun.

This afternoon I think we might have taken it a little far. I realized this when I found myself crawling on the floor under the table firing at a coworker whose arm was outstretched from under his desk. I turned around to see my "teammate" crouched down behind his chair firing at a member of the opposing "forces". I guess you never grow too old for Nerf Wars. At least we held ourselves back from leaving our area and if asked, I will totally deny any rumors of a plot to raid the budget analysts office.

Visiting the Sick and Afflicted

For anyone not following my beautiful wife's blog, my family has spent the month of December celebrating Christmas traditions from around the world. We had a piñata a la Mexico and had a night at the "beach" and a barbecue in the tradition of Australia. It has been a fun and educational experience.

Tonight, we celebrated in the tradition of the Japanese which as I read is to visit the elderly or sick on Christmas day. We went to our local nursing home and took Christmas cards and caroled.

I have to be honest. As a young child this terrified me. There was a funny smell and the people just stared. Luckily, our church had the assignment to take the sacrament there so I got to go frequently, which helped me grow out of my childish ways.

Tonight was a beautiful experience. Oscar met a man named Oscar (who just so happened to mention he hated his name). I had a conversation with a sweet woman named Jody who was just hoping her daughter would start feeling better so they could spend Christmas day together. I met another woman who had no family close and her husband was already dead. She told me she had already died twice in the nursing home but just kept coming back. I told her there must be a reason for her to be there. She said she would rather just go. I could tell she just wanted to be with her husband again.

As I visited with these wonderful souls with my family, I felt burn within my heart the great love of our Savior. I felt His love for them and for us. I left so uplifted and with a great desire to return often. We talked as a family and a setting a goal to return once a month next year. What a beautiful experience it was for us. I am glad it was part of our traditions to celebrate.

I would invite you to visit a nursing home near you. It will brighten both those you visit's day as well as yours, but even more importantly, it will bring the warmth of the true reason for Christmas into your celebrations.

This Everyday Love

There is a Rascal Flatts song entitled "Everyday Day Love" that I like very much. The whole song talks about how the ordinary things that happen everyday in his family are so amazing and that he just cannot get enough of it. As I have watched my wife the last few days, I felt the same way. For instance -

- Two days ago, Tiff visited every store and then went and borrowed from a bakery bubblegum flavoring to add to Ali's birthday cake frosting just because Ali wanted it.

- Yesterday Tiff went out and bought an excessive amount of chocolate things so that Livy could have a chocolate fountain at her party to fulfill her wish for a "chocolate birthday".

- Today, even though she had all the other chocolate treats, Tiff made each of the girls their own cake so they felt special at their birthday party.

As I see Tiff go above and beyond for the kids, I cannot help myself from watching her in awe and amazement. She takes my breath away. I am the luckiest man in the world. My wife is absolutely beautiful in every way. I am grateful God allowed me to have his most special daughter as my wife.

The Christmas Card Pictures That Should Have Been

So I was asked this last week to take pictures of my parents for their Christmas card. I just wanted to share a few of the photos I thought they should have selected, but prudence ruled out. I love you, Dad!

Tender Moments at the Head House

A few minutes ago (approximately 2:30 am) my wife and I shared a tender moment as we hugged while standing together on the towel that was soaking up the red-jello throw up my two year old had spread broadly across our bedroom floor. These are the moments that remind me everything is just as it should be. I love you, Tiff.