An Interview with Eldor and Dorothy

Little or Big...

I have to post this before my wife does (a first in its self for some time).

Yesterday we took the girls to Chuck E. Cheese for lunch (for Erin's sanity and before I had to go to baseball practice).

On the way there the car was filled with boisterous singing, particularly from Maddie, with intermittent explosions of uncontrollable, gleeful laughter.

Erin and I looked at each other during one outburst in the middle of "B.I.N.G.O" (which is easily at the top of the charts in our house right now) and said out loud to 0ne another, "SOME one is a little excited." To which we heard the instant reply, "No I not. I big 'cited!"

Our apologies, Maddie. And for the record, the girls had a great time in a nearly empty Chuck E. Cheese.

To Every Season...

Basketball has ended. Kind of neat being able to finish the season at Racine Lutheran, where my mentor and hero Uncle Nate teaches.

Our final record was 6-13 (2-6). Here are a few highlights (or lights as it were...):
- We avenged losses to division foes Kenosha Christian Life and Racine Prairie School, beating both at their gym. Very satisfying.
- We lost to Lake Country Lutheran and Racine Lutheran by 28 and 18 points respectively (at our place no less) earlier in the season. We lost by 3 and 4 points respectively the second time around.
- I expressed my great concern against Brookfield Academy that one of my boys was going to be hurt if "this game was going to continue to be officiated this way" and offered to pull them off the floor if it didn't change. I was "politely" asked to leave the gym (2 technicals will do that), and received a standing ovation from our fans. Consequently, I don't promote that kind of action but both my mother and wife who were in attendance wondered why it took me so long to say something.
- While getting blown out in said Brookfield Academy game, I called a timeout with 5:47 left in the game and challenged my players to win the last 6 minutes of the game. They did, 13-5.
- I had the privilege of having my brother Ben assist me. The kid can flat out coach.
-I watched 14 young men improve their individual skills from November through February and improve their team chemistry from one game to the next.

I really enjoyed myself this season, and although my freshmen coaching record took a dip to 20-17, the experience of this group is going to stick with me for a while.

But now, its on to baseball. And I would be lying if I didn't say that I've got that good mix of excited and nervous to get things going. Now if only the snow would melt!

(Shout out to college roommate and current Racine Lutheran girls' varsity basketball coach Ben Walther on their regional championship, 54-52. C.O.T.Y. - Coach of the Year!)

Please Remain Calm...

My last post has cause quite the stir in our house. My wife is not pleased that I have inadvertently giving the impression that we have triplets on the way.

To clarify.

There is one "Piddle" and one "Piddle" only.

The ultrasound machine was mistakenly showing triplicate images of our ONE child.

I apologize greatly for the confusion. I guess it's one of those "you had to be there moments."

You can tell the Texas National Guard to stand down.

Triple Vision...

We went to get the ultrasound for "Piddle" (as Emma calls the baby).

Here's the report:

6 arms.

6 legs.

30 toes.

30 fingers.

3 heads.

And then the technician apologized because her machine had just gone on the fritz.

WHEW!

We feel very blessed to be anticipating #3, but 2 on 5 are just unfair odds.

The technician gave her professional opinion, considering the circumstances, but was careful to clarify that the evidence was extremely difficult to see. Thus it was more a guess than anything else.

So. The suspense continues...

This is Erin hacked into Chad's blog- we are NOT having triplets. The ultrasound machine was not functioning properly and was showing triplicate shadows of the baby, so we couldn't get any clear pictures of all the measurements needed or to find out what it is. We are going back next week for another ultrasound.

Opportunity Knocked...

Out.

After getting home from my game (a rousing come from behind 51-31 victory no less), grandma bathed the girls while I waited to pajama them (yes, I just used that as a verb). While waiting, I flipped around the channels (seeing as MSU had just dispatched of Ohio State for a national viewing audience) to find some thing to fill the time. God is good, because he saw fit to have my in-laws cable provider carry the newly started MLB Network (that's right. ALL baseball, ALL the time.) I settled in to see what this new blessing had to offer. To my great delight, Tuesdays from 8-9:30 (central time) they are airing Ken Burns' Baseball. Now, blame it on the fact that my Civil War nut father allowed me to watch that PBS documentary series with him as a child or the fact that I was dorky enough to actually be interested in it, but this offering of Mr. Burns clarified for me that I missed a GOLDEN opportunity.

My Christmas list was pretty extensive.

I apologize to my sister and my mother for apparently HIGHLIGHTING, UNDERLINING, AND GENERALLY DRAWING HEARTS AROUND black fleece pullover.

But I have now seen the light.

I am actually, physically kicking myself.

I still desire Guitar Hero.

I still hope to own much of the baseball gear and paraphanalia I have been teased about asking for.

I still love all my gifts and more importantly those that gave them to me.

But, please...
In the name of all things Holy (Jesus and Sparky Anderson)...
If you are looking to get me a gift...

Please.

Please.

PLLLEEEEEEEAAAAAAZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZEEEEEE...

Consider purchasing Ken Burns' Baseball Documentary for me.

This item is now OFFICIALLY, PERMANENTLY on my gift list until further notice.

(After writing this post, I have come to the realization that I perhaps assume too much thinking that anyone would want to give me a gift or that I even deserve one. Here's to taking a shot in the dark. Oh. And don't forget the gift reciept...you know. In case I have multiple admirers.)

Apathy At Its Finest...

I have no excuses.

Kathy will be having a field day with this.

She already has.

So lets hit some of the major points, make it multi-media, and rest in the fact that my extremely attractive, extremely intelligent, extremely caring, and extemely organized wife is probably the better option when it comes to updating yourselves on the happenings in our house. Otherwise, enjoy...

+ I didn't make it very clear in any previous posts. We have transitioned. We now currently reside in the land of Cheese, Beer, and Brats. I am teaching Junior and Senior Theology at Martin Luther High School in Milwaukee. This is Erin's old stomping grounds, and I teach with many of her former teachers. While I couldn't find a pic of Erin in her old basketball uni, here is an idea of my main co-curricular responsibilities.



+ Since we've moved we were immersed in the excitement that was Brewer Playoff Fever. I would show you a pic from the NLDS game we attended (which they WON by the by), but alas, those photos were on our camera that somehow ran away on a trip to Michigan.

+ Speaking of which, we were able to spend a weekend with Ben and Sarah and the boys. It was great to be able to get together with the Heidens. We don't get to see them nearly as much as Ben and I would like. (Note: The ladies enjoy each other's company as well, but I am not naive enough to think they don't roll their eyes with considering the possibilities if us boys get together.)

+ Side note to Heiden trip: The highlight might have been Ben, Ben, and I picking up beverages at the corner store while Ben the Heiden boy wore his "mullet" wig. Oh, yes. It was as you are imagining.

+ The Michigan trip also provided an opportunity to share what I found out when Erin and I went to the Brewer game by ourselves in the previous post.

"Piddle" (as Emma has tabbed him/her) is arriving May 14.
(Above is not an actual "Piddle", merely an internet photo. We find out in early January.)

+ Some other highlights of the last few months:

- I had the honor of watching one of the boys from my first teaching position who is playing college football in Minnesota. I went to the Lions/Vikings game with Mike the next day. That didn't go as well. But it was good to see everyone none the less.
(I'm pretty sure this is the 90 yard touchdown that started as a harmless slant pass but ended up as six points in front of our seats and sealed our fate.)

- I got the chance to participate in the CALEB Project at Concordia Nebraska and Wisconsin. This is a workshop that the schools hold for their student teachers, where an administrator and a couple teachers share insight into the teaching ministry that maybe wasn't covered in Methods classes. It was very cool seeing and meeting some of the future colleagues and fellow workers in the mission field.

- My kid is in SCHOOL! Can you believe it?!?!?!

I had the pleasure of seeing her off on the first day. Unfortunately Daddy starts school before she does so I wasn't able to be with her.

She absolutely loves it. She has a great teacher. And Erin and I are just thrilled that she is at a school where her response to Grandpa J's question of "How do you like school," is "Ebbywhere I see Jesus."

I think this picture says it all.



- The girls have had to adjust to some different temperatures than they are used to, but they have managed. It also helps when you get to go to the indoor waterpark and enjoy the District Church Workers conference.


- Erin and I were able to join some of our friends up north in Door County for a weekend getaway. This is the danger of what can happen when Lutheran school teachers are able to let off some steam:

Nate and Katherine made it from Ft. Wayne. It was great to see them!
No get together is complete without learning the "Cupid Shuffle".

The whole gang

Everyone needed a nap on Saturday!

It was great to be able to get together with everyone, even if I came away with a touch of the flu. You realize how much you miss people when you get to spend a few hours in the back woods with them.

I think that that kinda catches things up. We had a snow day today (12 INCHES! We are NOT in Texas any more!) so this provided a good opportunity to get caught up. I will try to promise to keep more up to date (and entertaining).

As for my title, I think I'm going to keep it. Because you can take the boy out of Texas, but you can never take the Texas out of the boy.