The Ski Lift

My family and I went on a ski trip to Seven Springs PA a couple weeks ago. It was the first attempt at skiing by three of my youngest children and Kelly's 18 year hiatus was coming to an end. Me being the patient person and excellent teacher I am I was a little shocked when Kelly suggested that we send the kids through a ski class. Reluctantly I agreed and they all passed(that is the first time three Oesterblad have passed a test the first time in ages) Eric took to skiing like I do to a table of food(fast and out of control) by the end of the first day Eric was going down the intermediates slopes at super sonic speeds. Rachel and Jake were content staying on the bunny slope neither one wanted to go up the ski lift they were both afraid of the chairs and getting off of them.

By definition FEAR means: "a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid".

After much coaxing (and not until the day we were leaving) Kelly and I were able to convince Jake go up the lift. In this picture is my 9 year son on top of the mountain after he looked his fear right in the eye and was able to overcome it, successfully exiting the ski lift without a broken limb and did not cause it to stop because he fell.

So I ask when was the last time you stared down your fear?

don

P.S do you like my rainbow scarf?

The Southern California Redneck

If someone would have said to me 7 years ago that I would be Goose hunting in Northern Virginia with my two older boys I would have never be lived them.

You see until January of 2002 I had lived my entire life in Southern California. I did California things that did include snow, guns or Geese. I am not the same person that moved to Virginia in 2002. My friends from S Cal call me a redneck, and you know what, I take that as a compliment. The life I have now is at a slower pace, we have four beautiful seasons, and my kids get a few snows days. I would not want to change it for job or money. Who knows what will happen in the next 7 years. So the next time you say "never" think of me ... and remember "Never" is a long time

don

Life paper

This is a picture that I took of my oldest son's room. He got these banners from our church and wanted to hang them up. I said sure anything would be an improvement over what it looks like now and plus it was a marketing banner for the church so that can not be bad at all. The trick is while this looks cool hanging up in his room it is serving a purpose for him. You see this covers up his closet were he piles everything and now it appears to look clean and organized.

So I ask, what are you covering up in your life? The good, The bad, or The Ugly

don

Lean & Fit

Every New Year I make the same resolutions. To loose weight and to become more fit. Well 2008 will be a little different while I will try to get into better shape I will not concentrate on how much weight I loose. I read a report over the holiday that spoke about the lack of exercise that American people do. I consider myself to be slightly above couch potato on the activity scale

I am pledging that I will run more (A very slow jog really), ride my bike more, swim a little, and eat less. I am committing myself to 6 events in 2008 several of which will be sprint Triathlons. It is my hope that at the end of 2008 I will be a thinner person but more important healthier.

What is your goal?

Warm and Safe

My son Eric took a large box that I had laying around and decided that he was going to make a house. I thought okay this will be a mess that I will have to clean up later. I took this picture one morning when I checked on the kids before I left for work. At first I just thought it was a cute picture and we would get a laugh about it later. Later it struck me as a perfect opportunity to share with him how fortunate we really are, thousands of Americans use boxes just like his for shelter every day.

Did you Know:

• At least 1.35 million children are homeless during a year’s time.
• One any given day 800,000 people are homeless in the United States, including 200,000 children in homeless families.
• Families with children are among the fastest growing segment of the homeless population.
• Most children living with homeless parents are very young (42% are under the age of 6 years).
• Family homelessness is increasing. Requests for emergency shelter by families have increased every year since 1985, with an average increase of 20% in 2002.

Share with your children how fortunate we are to be warm and safe and lend a helping hand if you ever get the opportunity

don

So you’re looking for a Hero?

My wife travels a few times a month while this can make things hectic with my job and the kids it can also be rewarding as well. I have a chance to spend quality time with the kids and get into a grove of our own. But there is one thing that i do not find rewarding and that is homework. I will joke with my wife and say that I think I missed my calling as a teacher while I am yelling at one of my kids to quit crying and finish their homework. So to the people that are teachers thanks.

Looking for a hero?

You really do not have to look that far. Despite all the problems in the school systems across America, school teachers still laugh often and much. They have the respect of intelligent people and the affection of students who care. Teachers strive to find the best in their students, even where some see little hope. No other American bestows a finer gift than teaching - reaching out to the brilliant and the retarded, the gifted and the average.

Teachers leave the world a little bit better than they found it, knowing if they have redeemed just one life, they have done God's work. They are America's unsung heroes.

again not my words, just remember who some of the real hero's are.


don

What comes around goes around

A Good Deed

His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish farmer. One day, while trying to make a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog. He dropped his tools and ran to the bog. There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death.
The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman's sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved. "I want to repay you," said the nobleman. "You saved my son's life." "No, I can't accept payment for what I did," the Scottish farmer replied, waving off the offer. At that moment, the farmer's own son came to the door of the family hovel. "Is that your son?" the nobleman asked. "Yes," the farmer replied proudly. "I'll make you a deal. Let me provide him with the level of education my son will enjoy. If the lad is anything like his father, he'll no doubt grow to be a man we both will be proud of."
And that he did.
Farmer Fleming's son attended the very best schools and in time, he graduated from St. Mary's Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of Penicillin. Years afterward, the same nobleman's son who was saved from the bog was stricken with pneumonia. What saved his life this time?
Penicillin.
The name of the nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill. His son's name? Sir Winston Churchill.

While this is not my story it helps us to remember to be kind to others and do good deeds

don