Papa

This handsome, serious-looking young man is my Papa--roughly sixty-two years ago. Papa turned 80 this past Wednesday and I can't help but think how amazing it is that he is still living in the house he built fifty-some years ago and how awesome it is that he'll be celebrating 60 years of marriage with my Grandmother later in December.

On my drive back from Houston and I had a great deal of time to reflect upon everything Papa has taught me, and our family. Papa is as introverted as they come, with a wicked sense of humor that no one would ever expect upon first meeting him. He and Grandma have raised three Lutheran educators, without either having a college degree themselves. However, Grandpa is also as bright as they come, and never ceases to continue learning himself.

He went into the army after graduating from high school, at age sixteen, as a cryptographic technician; after serving his time, he and my Grandma settled back in their hometown of Atkins, IA. Papa served as a construction superintendent for forty years. Along with being an introvert, Papa is a perfectionist and true craftsman. Both of which have served his family well as he built my father and aunts' childhood home, and then helped with numerous home-improvement projects in all of their houses later. Papa is a walking testament to the mantra, "If you're going to do something, do your best everytime."

He has set an example of stewardship and service for his children and grandchildren by serving as the church treasurer for years, only giving it up when he knew someone would take it over that would do the job well (his niece). I believe the church counts on him for various projects around the building and parsonage and he is only too happy to oblige. He also still works at the local phone company as their book-keeper.

In Papa's thoroughness and perfectionism is a quest for understanding. He waited till he retired to get a computer, but took a class on them first before purchasing what he thought would be his one and only computer. He's on number four or five now. :) This is just one example of how Papa doesn't do anything unless he's thought it through, which is something our society needs a reminder about--or at least I do. Since retiring he has also taught himself how to mat and frame artwork and to make lovely, lovely wooden boxes that he has given to each of his children and is working on getting them to each grandchild as they are confirmed--there is one left. I can't think of a better treasure than something lovingly made by my Papa.

There are so many things I could say, or would love to have my family weigh in on about Papa. I admire his quiet determination, a characteristic my sister inherited. I suppose I look for those characteristics in others I put in my life. Dad gave Jason a HUGE compliment after helping him install an new garage door opener for a neighbor. He told me Jason was very thorough and it was like working with Papa. I can't wait for them to meet.

Views

It was difficult for me to wake up bitter-free Monday morning. Most of the schools in our area are off all of this week, but we are not. However, this view brightened my day completely! The cement slab for our new building has been poured and the beams are quickly going up! But then, beyond the construction, there is the rich red of fall!

That and a pumpkin spice latte is all a girl needs some days.

Rock 'n' Roll

Five months of early Saturday morning training runs and weekly hour runs came to a head this past weekend with participation in the Inagural San Antonio Rock 'n' Roll Marathon and Half-marathon. Two of my high school best friends, Michelle and Sara, flew in to join Jason and I for brisk Sunday morning endurance event. It was a ton of fun to see nearly 25,000 people enjoy our city and run in the race. There was never a moment where we didn't have hundreds of people in front of us or behind us, which is a stark contrast to the two previous San Antonio races I have completed.

Jason and I ran together, while Sara and Michelle stuck together ahead of us. There were 30 corrals set up for us and a huge line for the shuttle buses. Needless to say, we got to the race five minutes after it was supposed to begin, but crossed the start line 30 minutes after it actually began. 2:41 minutes later Jason and I crossed the finish line hand-in-hand. Gaggy, I know. :) Jason and I ran at a strong pace almost the entire way. We slowed down a bit at around mile 10, but still kept it going steady till the very end, which was up a HILL!!! I'm not sure whose sick, perverse mind decided that was the best way to end the race, but we survived.

From a TNT standpoint, I raised nearly $2500 this season. I didn't really get a chance to be with my teammates, but I know as a whole, TNT raised $1.5 million for this event alone. It was a good season, I can't say it was my favorite, but that has more to do with my lack of time to really spend with the team this year. There's just only so many things I can cram into my schedule before I shut-down.

Enjoy the picks!

Wurstfest

The beginning of November brought Wurstfest--a Salute to Sausage. Why do we salute sausage? Because the strong Texas-German heritage requires that we enjoy a festival where everything is eaten from a stick and beer is enjoyed while listening to polka bands and watching people who know how to polka. Why does our Texas-German heritage require this? I have no idea, but I will certainly enjoy the sausage and potato pancakes while they are available. Our faculty, along with Shepherd of the Hills' and Concordia's faculty took a bus to New Braunfels and enjoyed a Friday evening. I had fun catching up with friends I rarely see and even my own fellow faculty members I rarely get to socialize with these days.

Fall Feelings

It is finally feeling like fall in San Antonio. Cool, crisp mornings. Mid-eighties by the afternoon, and then cool again in the evenings. I LOVE it! The other night, as I was driving home at about 6 o'clock I had this sudden rush of nostalgia. With the time change, the sun was almost down and the colors of the setting sun and incoming darkness gave me such a happy feeling of peace. It took me awhile to pinpoint what I was remembering exactly, but it finally came to me. It reminded me of coming home from basketball practice with dad because it was right around that time of day. Walking into the house and smelling cinnamon candles burning, mom's favorite fall scent, and then smelling that mingled with whatever meal mom had begun. It was that "family feeling" that I was experiencing. The day isn't over, but it has suddenly slowed down. It was warm and wonderful.

Pumpkin Envy

After viewing numerous pumpkin patch visits on others' blogs, I had a strong desire to visit one myself last weekend. Jason had his boys last weekend and I have discovered that some structured activities, along with their general play time, makes life better. The boys love each other, but they get tired of each other. And when they're tired of each other, they pick on each other. So, to keep them more positively engaged, I found a local pumpkin patch for us to play in for a time. Afterwards we came back to my house for carving...well, Jason carved. Although Ian did draw out his design, Jason still needed to do the carving. Donovan just wanted to paint his pumpkin...and was the most engaged I have seen him for the longest length of time ever. It was marvelous. It was a wonderful end to the weekend. Enjoy!