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?