Enchanted & Sentimental Stuff

Merry Christmas!!!

Its that time of year to lay out my holiday thoughts. First thing to note are some books by Mitch Abloom, "For One More Day" and "Tuesdays with Morrie." I think this guy writes books for people like me that put a lot of time and energy into their work and sometimes miss the sweet, simple things in life. They are at bit much to read in one sitting (though they are short enough), mostly because its heavy emotional content. Plus, I don't want to shed any tears while reading them on the airplane (I'm sure Julie and most women would think thats wonderful and sensitive - but I don't). Reading these books has helped me keep some perspective and cherish my time with Julie and the girls. No financial success is better than memories I have of our tickle wars, bike rides in suburbia, hikes in Red Rock Canyon or just snuggling while watching a movie. Yes, I recommend these two books to anyone.

Last Friday night, Julie and I went to see Enchanted, the Disney movie that spoofs fairy-tales. It starts out briefly as a cartoon, but becomes a live action film after about 15 minutes when the heroine/princess is pushed by the evil queen into a well that sends her to a place with "no happy endings." So of course she winds up in New York City and meets a divorce lawyer. Prince charming chases after her, but in the meantime, the lawyer uses his persuasive words and talks her out of her engagement. It ends in a typical hand-to-hand combat thing at the end and everyone lives happily ever after.

For any of you keeping track, James Marsden (Cyclops in X-men and Richard "the other guy" in Superman Returns) seems to keep up his streak of being the boyfriend who gets hosed for the other guy. Maybe he's like this in real life - or his agent has a cruel sense of humor. However, he was my favorite personality in the movie. Why? This movie was all about the cheese, and he was the cheesiest. Just fun to watch. Amy Adams also did a good job as a sugar-sweet Disney princess, and her song with all the NYC vermin was fabulous. As for the guy from Grey's Anatomy? ... he did his usual McDreamy thing (I guess). This is really a rental, but it was a good wholesome popcorn movie for adults and kids.

On to my last thought and them I'll slip into the madness/holiday bliss of the 2nd half of December. This is my favorite time of the year. Christmas was huge for my father and he always pulled out all the stops to make it special. He decorated like crazy and made sure Christmas morning was something for kids to loose sleep over, even when he was financially hurting. I didn't have many personal moments with him, but Christmas always showed me how much he cared. This will be my first Christmas at home, in my own house, with my family and others coming to visit us. Since I can't decorate for beans, I've put my efforts into the lights on the house. While its not amazing, it helped me connect with that feeling my father must have got when he made the holidays special for us kids. It fills me up inside to see my kids have that look of Christmas wonder in their eyes and all my other cares settle into proper perspective.

My Christmas wish for the three people that read this blog is that you will be able to make those wonderful, lasting memories with your loved ones this year. I've set a goal to read the Four Gospels in the New Testament this month and it has truly helped me to remember the real reason for the season. I hope all of you are able to do things this year that bring you closer to Christ and your family; as that is where I've found my greatest happiness. God bless all of you and Merry Christmas!!!