Mothers Day Weekend was a busy one!  It started out Friday evening when my son and wife came home not feeling well.  We originally planned to head down to San Diego right after school but we decided to exercise prudence and go to urgent care while we still in town.

By the time we got out of urgent care and picked up the meds we were all too tired to make the two hour drive.  While my family rested, I found myself restless.  I decided it was a good time to try out a cookie recipe that Jennah shared with me.  I figured cookies would make a nice present for my Mom this weekend.  They were delicious!

We finally hit the road for San Diego the next morning.  Thankfully, traffic was not an issue. We made one pit stop at about the halfway point in Carlsbad.

The reason for our visit to San Diego was two-fold: Mothers Day and my Mom’s birthday.  The festivities for my Mom weren’t going to be happening until later in the afternoon so my wife and I went out on quick date to get some gelato.

On the way back from our date, my car started to show signs of trouble!  Gah!  Perfect timing, right?!!!

It was too late in the evening to take it to a shop and I wasn’t going to try to drive my car back home tonight with all of those indicator lights on!  Thankfully, my dad was going to be out of town on business and he suggested we borrow his car for the week and that he’d take it into a shop for me when he got back home later in the week.  Wow… I’m lucky to have such accommodating parents.

With the problem solved, it was back to celebrating my Mom.  Here’s a picture of her with her grandkids… She doesn’t look a 60-year-old grandma, does she?

I take more after my Dad, so it isn’t likely that I’ll look so young when I’m 60.  Doh!

After all of the festivities wound down, we headed back home.  We had to be at church the next day and I wanted to make sure my wife got to enjoy her Mothers Day.

The kids and I woke up early Sunday morning to make breakfast.  The 9-year-old was in charge of the waffles and fruit.  The 12-year-old was in charge of eggs.

Mommy had breakfast in bed and was showered with love. Sorry, no picture available…

While they got to cuddle a little more in bed, I headed back down to the kitchen to prepare  my contribution to the Mothers Day potluck brunch at our adult fellowship at church.  The husbands were in charge of feeding the masses.  I decided to keep it simple and healthy by bringing fruit.  I bought a watermelon, two cantaloupes, and two honeydew melons.  I had visions of an amazing watermelon sculpture but it wasn’t gonna happen.  I had neither the time nor the talent… oh well.  Here is a photo of the final product:

We made it to our class at church.  There was plenty of food and fellowship.

This was my plate.

After church, we gave my wife some time to relax (nap).  After a little while, we went out for lunch (since the kids didn’t attend the brunch).  We went to one of our favorite Mexican buffets in Fullerton.  This was one of my plates.  I admit, I over-did it…

All-in-all, it was a good weekend.  How did you spend Mothers Day Weekend?

Last week I wrote about going beyond the first step and I can honestly say that I’m making progress.  I’ve been more consistent with my workouts:

I’ve also spent more time in my walk with God.  I still need to get into the habit of reading His Word more but I am praying more.  Getting closer to God has helped my relationship with my wife get stronger, too.  We even made the time to go out on a couple of dates together!

I know that maintaining my footing in this journey isn’t going to be easy… but I do know that if I keep taking these steps I will be rewarded.

How are your personal goals going?

“All great masters are chiefly distinguished by the power of adding a second, a third, and perhaps a fourth step in a continuous line. Many a man has taken the first step. With every additional step you enhance the value of your first.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

This quote was used to open the presentation in my adult fellowship class this past Sunday.  It convicted me…

I’ve taken pride in taking “that first step” — many times.  I’ve become a master at that first step but never following it with enough steps to create remarkable journey.  I haven’t walked the walk far enough… whether it be in my fitness journey, my professional journey, or my spiritual journey.

I decided to take another first step in my fitness journey this week.  I’ve owned P90X for a couple of years now.  I’ve started it several times but I’ve never completed the entire 90 days.  I have a new resolve now.  I will see the 90 days through.

Last night, I started with Day 1.

More importantly, I will also take more steps in my walk with God.  I will read His word daily.  I will pray at least daily– individually, with my kids, and with my wife. I know with God’s grace, this spiritual journey will have positive effects on the other areas of my life.

In the past, I failed continue to follow each step with another step because I tried to walk the journey(s) alone.  I’m so blessed to be part of a wonderful community of fitness friends and believers.  Can I ask a favor of you?  Can you help keep me accountable?

Now that May is here, I’ve been feeling a sense of renewal.  Last month, I was caught in the doldrums of life.  Spring Break was great but I fell into depression the latter half of April.  I don’t know what it was… it likely wasn’t just one thing.  Fortunately, I still managed to function, albeit minimally.

But it’s May now! I’ve a caught a second wind. I’ve been playing my guitar, ukulele, and piano more often!

Spring cleaning around the house is in full effect. I can fit both cars in the garage again!

I’m working out again and I’m getting my wife involved, too!

The arrival of my has certainly brought about a new sense of energy, optimism, and hope. I’m looking forward to what God has in store for me during the rest of this month!

What are you looking forward to this month?