Flag Football Frenzy

I've been blessed this year to coach a flag football team of exceptionally talented young boys.

It's truly one of the highlights of my week to coach our team of 7-8 year olds. Alex and Kaden play together. It's really fun to coach them both - they're both incredible players all the way around.

I also get to coach with one of my favorite people - Jeff Boesinger. Jeff and his wife, Lisa, their son Jake and daughter Kaylee are such great people and have truly become our best "flag football" friends. Jeff is a defensive specialist - he's only had one TD scored against him in 5 games.

On top of that, I get to coach 6 other great kids: Ryan, Eli, Ben, Joseph, Thomas and Spencer.

This truly is a special team and a special season. Not only are we 5-0 and have dominated about every game, but these boys also show great respect to their teammates and opposing team, they play great together and they are very talented.

This past weekend we played our rival team - the Falcons. The team is coached by one of my favorite people out on the fields - Brian Sullivan. He always prepares his team. I was very nervous going into the match-up. On top of that, Graham is also on his team. He and his parents are some of my favorite people also. I coached with Steve, Graham's dad, last season (Giants) and we had lots of fun. The game was tight after the first half. In the end, our team beat them 18-0, but it was a tough fight. Afterward, we all gathered together and Brian led a prayer for us all. That's one of the reasons why Brian is such a special coach. Even in defeat, he led us all in giving credit where credit is due.

Here's our team cheer:

Have FUN

Show RESPECT

Play TOGETHER

We Are TEXANS

We Are TEXANS

We Are TEXANS

ROAR!!!!

Coach Eric

Texas Two-step

Krissy, the boys and I have spent the last few days in Texas visiting with my parents.  First, we spent two days in Houston.  While there, we visited Space Center Houston.  It was fun, but they haven't changed much since we last were there in 2002.  We took a tram tour, landed the Space Shuttle on the simulator and watched a few movies about space and the future of NASA (Operation Constellation). 

Kaden and Alex rode a golf cart for the first time on the golf course and my dad paid for the boys to have golf lessons at Bay Oaks. 

Yesterday, we drove to San Antonio.  We spent a few hours visiting The Alamo.  Afterwards, the boys and I watched a IMAX movie about The Alamo called The Price of Freedom, while Krissy and my parents went shopping at The RiverCenter Mall.  I learned a lot about the history of Texas and the importance of the fall at The Alamo.  My favorite line in the movie was where Davy Crockett says "You may go to hell, I'm going to Texas".

Later, that evening we walked the RiverWalk downtown and had Italian dinner at Michellano's (I think that's what it was called).  We would have had Mexican, but we were all a little sick from the Taco Bell we ate earlier that day for lunch. 

Today, the grand finale - Sea World.  Kaden and Alex have been looking forward to going for weeks.  Kaden wants to touch the Dolphins. 

Maybe I'll write a post about it later!

Boys Backyard Space Adventures

Boys will be boys. We've made so many wonderful memories in our backyard.

One thing the boys do from time to time is build a space ship out of our patio furniture. This is one of my favorite creations from our boys yet.

They built a space ship with two cockpits for each of them. They must have spent 3 hours playing in that thing one afternoon.

Crazy Hair Day

Here are some pics of Alex and Kaden as they participated in this year's annual "Crazy Hair" day at school. Kaden did his usual "all spike". Alex, did his more conservative black streaks. The hair fits their personalities! I love 'em!

God and Anybody Else

"God and anybody else is an overwhelmingly powerful team." - Louie Giglio

Succeeding Through Self-Discipline

One of the joys I have had since I started working for myself is working with a wonderful Englishman named Bill Williams (Sir William Williams as I like to call him). He's always been a source of wisdom, reason and laughter since I started my business. Mr. Bill, as the boys call him, has been a true friend. He's taught me a great deal about loyalty and honor in business and personal life. Not only is he my business partner in Europe, but he's also a good friend.

Mr. Bill has started a blog. I encourage you to check it out once in a while. It's chock full of info on books and music and the Christian walk. One blog he's recently written is an inspirational one titled "Succeeding Through Self-Discipline". It talks about Rick Warren's book called God's Power To Change Your Life and 6 keys to living successfully in God's eyes through self-discipline. The six things are:

Successful people master their moods

Successful people watch their words

Successful people restrain their reactions

Successful people stick to their schedule

Successful people manage their money

Successful people manage their health

For the rest of the blog, check out, my dear friend, Bill Williams', iconnectdirect blog. If you're in England, Bill runs a fine online Christian shop called IconnectDirect.co.uk.

Autumn Is Here - Get R Done!

I just received my weekly Familyman Weekly email. This one stirred me and woke me up to the fact that my time with boys and together as a family is so precious. I'm going to take the next few weekends and make the most of the family time we have together! Dad's, read and enjoy and pass it on...

It’s a chilly morning here in Northern, IN. Just the way Hoosiers like it. The tractors are in the field, the leaves are just beginning to change, sweatshirts are out of storage, and the apple cider is flowing. Ahhh---there’s nothing better than autumn in Indiana.

There’s just something about fall that feels ‘familyish.’ Fathers pile up leaves and kids jump in them, marshmallows are roasted over campfires, and tractors pull giggling children on hayrides.

Maybe it’s the change in temperature or the fact that it gets darker earlier that drives families inside to light candles and snuggle under blankets. Whatever it is, autumn is one of God’s greatest gifts to dads and their families.

BUT it goes fast.

A couple of weekends and it’s gone.

So, Dad, if you’re planning to have a campfire, get it done. If you’re planning to pick pumpkins at a pumpkin patch, get it done. If you see your children raking leaves into a pile, show them how a pro does it. If your wife wants to go to a fall festival, go. If you’re thinking it would be fun to take a hike in a park, do it.

Autumn is here, but it won’t last long.

Get ‘R done!