It's been awhile...to say the least

Should you happen to refer to my blog as proof of my existence you would have made the logical conclusion that I had died...or at least I had been in the hospital dealing with post-triathlon trauma.  Though I am still ridiculously out of shape, that cannot be my excuse.  What to offer up as a reason?  Blog-boredom (is that a real category?)?  Mental exhaustion?  Perhaps.  Busyness?  Yeah could be that as well.  However, none of these really suffice.  Maybe I just suck as a blogger.  Most likely answer.  But I am now done with the self-depracating bit and want to move on...so here goes...

Exhausted but feeling good.  Heather, Sydnie and I had the great privilege of traveling up to the Chicago-area this weekend to be with some dearly missed friends...Nate and Kara Conrad.  It was the first time we had our "expanded" families together.  I've posted pics off to the left (courtesy of Kara).  It was a fantastic time.  I went and spoke at a retreat for Nate's high school students.  Amazing group.  Really, really good kids (I mean kids in the best possible way).  Whilst the retreating was going on, Heather and Sydnie stayed with Kara and their girls back in the Chicago-area.  It was so good to be with them.  So fun to hang out as parents together.  Surreal, but fun nonetheless.  The time with Nate and Kara was capped off in a most enjoyable manner...sitting by a fire on a cool summer night, drinking Caribou Coffee and then smoking a nice cigar with Nate (just for clarification purposes we each had our own cigar).  Fun times.

Now it is time for slumber.  Been up since 4:30 am.  We almost missed our flight.  Chicago traffic rules.  Sat in class all afternoon.  Downloaded the first chapter of "Through Painted Deserts" by Donald Miller.  Read a little.  Got envious of his writing skills.  Got my thoughts stirred.  Got motivated to actually blog.  Here we are.  Here is where it ends.  Peace.  Good night.