The meek may inherit the earth, but not the swimming pool

So I've decided to take up swimming at the gym as my form of cardio. While the treadmill affords me the opportunity to watch ESPN on the TV mounted on the wall, watching talking heads discuss sports is only entertaining if you can also hear what they are saying. In this instance that requires headphones, an item I seem to continually misplace. Besides all of this is the practical evidence which suggests that swimming is a more pure, better cardio exercise than running. So off to the pool I go.

Lowering myself in the water I look off into the horizon at what I can only assume is the other side of the pool. Undeterred I push off with easy strokes wondering when the "exercise" begins to kick in. About 4 seconds later I come to the startling revelation why swimming is a better workout that running. Quite simply it comes down to one word: motivation. Swimming comes with its own form of dogged, persistent motivational tool. Survival, or more to the point, not drowning. If while on the treadmill I begin to taste what I can only assume is my spleen I can simply step off the machine; no harm, no foul. Swimming however does not afford that same luxury. If I wish to see the light of another day, I'd best make it to the other side.

That being said I began to fall into a swimmers stroke that can only be described as a half dog paddle half something else (as soon as it is identified I'll be sure to let you all know). I began to feel pretty good about my lap time until I was joined by a septuagenarian woman who weighed about 3 times her age. It wasn't 1/2 a lap before I watched her slice through the water passing me with the effortless strokes of someone who had obviously been doing this about a week longer than I had. Not to be out done I picked up the pace and finished my lap giving thanks to God in heaven that the time had come to remove myself from what was sure to become a watery grave should I stay in there any longer.

So when all is said and done, it is important to remember this one thing about swimming: in case of a water landing, your swimming trunks will NOT act as a flotation device.

Has anyone seen my little girl?

Every once in a while, I need to remind myself how fast time flies.

Fishin' Fun

So while I was having fun with friends at the ball game, Courtney's dad came down and stayed to have some fun with his grandkids. He took Taylor fishing off the Pier in Pismo, and even though they didn't catch anything, they had lots of fun. Taylor loves fishing with Pepere (French for Grandpa, pronounced "pep-eh")



It's so much fun even TJ got into the fishing spirit

Happy Birthday to Me ...

So for my birthday I got to go to Anaheim Friday and Saturday and watch the Mariners play the Angels. It was a 4 game series and the Mariners were kind enough to win BOTH Friday and Saturday's game. As you can see, despite a 1 hour rain delay on Saturday, it turned into a beautiful day to watch the Mariners win ... or the Angels loose. Whichever way you want to look at it.


On top of a beautiful day and a pair of Mariner's wins I got to consume this particular hot dog. And yes, it is at least as big as it looks. And it was as good as it looks. And it was Lunch AND dinner.

Soccer Cutie

So today is Taylor's first day of soccer. With the move a month ago we had to go Thursday and do a late registration. Her team jersey is maroon and her team name is the Firecrackers ... which I think fits my little firecracker pretty good =O)

-- Quick update ... My little soccer cutie scored 2 goals in her first game!!

Calling it like she smells it

Ah the unfiltered truth of children. Not too long ago we ventured a trip to the nearest Wal*Mart (if for no other reason than to remind ourselves why we don't shop there). As we perused the isles we passed one gentleman who carried with him a particular melodious odor. As the fumes wafted over us in his wake, my daughter, my beautiful, loving daughter turned and looked at me; an expression of shock and horror frozen on her face. Quickly bringing her hand to her nose to block any more noxious poison from entering her nasal cavity she exclaimed, "Dad, you stink!"

Never mind that I was BEHIND her AND Downwind. At the first smell of something that appeared to escape from the deep crevasse of a hellish underworld her thoughts turn to daddy.

Treasure Chest

So ... at the end of each week, all the kids that have been good all week get to pick a "treasure" out of the treasure box. Last week Taylor picked out a jump rope. This week she picked out these sunglasses.

A thought about Church

So, we went and visited a new church this (what is now yesterday as it is now almost 1 in the morning). Without a doubt this has been the most daunting task of relocating. Even up to Saturday night I was talking about trying to find that "Gateway experience" and since I have been properly chastised by God for that attitude. The rality is that Gateway exists when are where it does because that is what and where it is needed by God. Perhaps one of the most selfish things we as Christians can do is expect a new church to be the same, or even similar to, our old church. I came to the realization today that 1. Gateway is not perfect (sorry anyone who reads this and goes there =O) 2. No church is going to be exactly everything I am looking for. What I need to do is allow God to show me how to fall in love with a body of believers, warts and all.

We went and visited a church near our home, and it was a very good experience. It had pretty much everything we were lookin for in a place to call "home". Well sized, awesome worship, ethnically diverse, community minded, we were more welcomed at this church than any other churchs we visited combined, the sermon was good and almost at once, it felt like comfortable and homey. Both Courtney and I hope that this church ends up becoming our home church. We'll visit a few more times and get a larger picture of what this church is all about, whether they are a good fit for us, and whether we are a good fit for them.

It is hard going from where I was at Gateway, to where I am going to be starting at a new church. More than the new job, more than the house, more than the city, it is here, at the house of fellowship, were the stark reality of "starting over" has its most weighty impact. As Gateway grew, so I grew with it, like 2 childhood friends who have known each other since infancy. But this is much different. This is trying to mesh with a cog in full swing, this, well, this is completely different. I've not known this new friend since infancy. We haven't shared growing pains together. It's leadership has no knowledge of my heart, my gifts, nor has it any reason, yet, to trust me. This is a new relationship all together. Exciting, nervous, anxious, all the emotions that come with a new friendship.

Yes, this has been quite the eye opening weekend for me. I lay aside my desire to find Gateway of the Central Coast and I submit myself to finding what God has working here, and seeing how I can fit into the work already begun.

Taylor and Daddy being Silly giving each other "Bunny
Ears" at Dinner. This was at the Madonna Inn, right by
our new house in Slo.


TJ and Mommy posing for the camera. Talk about
a pair of CUTIES!!


TJ's first meal of cereal. He takes to it as all
McFarland men take to food ...


Taylor in her classroom during orientation. This
is where they start off in the morning and the
teacher reads them stories.


Bed time stories with 2 of my most favorite people
in the world. I am one lucky Daddy!