Mount Rushmore

I had some work to do in South Dakota so I decided to drive an hour from the cabin resort we were staying at to take a look. Who knows when I would be back?

Like my great Iphone picture? I must say it was incredible to see. To get the full story behind Mt. Rushmore was really cool. More amazing was how out in the middle of nowhere South Dakota Mt. Rushmore is. They had to build hotels and make it a destination resort. Glad I went, don't know when I will be back. One of those things you have to see.

I stayed at a little great resort retreat lodge. One of my favorite things was to run in the mountains in the morning. Next time I think I will remember to bring warmer clothing.

Now what?

It was such a high to finish school and graduate. I had worked so long and hard and our family had sacrificed so much it was really all encompassing for such a long time. Now that it has been about 2 months since graduation I have that "What next?" feeling. What is my next big goal to conquer, where is our family headed? So Gale and I started talking and we decided to define and refine our life goals. We have always had them, but it is time to reevaluate our family and what we want to be like in ten years and what we want to accomplish.

WARNING!!!!! READ ON AND YOU ARE SUBJECT TO SELF EVALUATE!!!

So the past two weeks have been filled with rewriting personal mission statements, setting new goals or redefining old ones and sitting back to evaluate who we are and who we want to be. At times it was depressing...you would think almost being forty I would be further along in so many areas. And at times I was satisfied...I have such an incredible wife and great girls, could I really ask for more?

Needless to say I finished this week and rediscovered one of the greatest virtues--HOPE! Hope is such an incredible thing. I have such hope for the future and what it will bring Gale, myself and the girls. I am excited for what is ahead for us and what experiences we will have. It is amazing how fast I get caught up in the ordinary, mundane and should I say "meaningless" aspects of life. When I started to take a moment to ponder, reflect on what was important, who I wanted to be and what I should be accomplishing it reset my course. Much needed! So what are the new goals? Sorry private post--it usually takes me longer to accomplish goals than everyone else. But how do I do it? My new saying for the rest of the year is, "I am moving mountains, one shovel of dirt a day." I plan on accomplishing little things everyday that have meaning and purpose in my life and before I know it I will look up and I will have moved some pretty big mountains and accomplished things I didn't think I could--all by moving one shovel of dirt a day.

Elle and Ava

Elle and Ava got in a fight yesterday and Ava was so mad that she came running up to Gale and I to tell us that Elle was an evil villain. You know it is bad when those words come out of your child's mouth.

On the flipside, Ava tells Gale her dreams every morning. Everytime she talks about me I am a superhero. Dreams have such meaning in our lives, and like the good book says, "out of the mouth of babes!"

Pelican Bay or Poopy Bay??????

Today we went for a family fun day of swimming at Pelican Bay--Edmond's water park and swimming pool. No less than an hour after being there the Lifeguards blew their whistle and cleared the pool. Someone had pooped. Some kid having to much fun decided that it was easier to push one out in the water than to take 3 minutes to hit the restroom. My first thought was to take a DNA sample and then test everyone as they left to find the culprit and then go poop in his bed to teach him a lesson. It is gross to poop in the pool and also a health hazard. I think parents need to take a stronger stance in this area--they are becoming to lax.

Since this incident I have decided next time Ava comes running up to me at the pool and I'm comfortably sitting in my lounge chair reading a great book and she tells me "I need to use the poddy for #1" I won't respond with "Just go in the pool, that is what Chlorine is for."

I love this picture...notice the open mouth two feet from the log...brilliant!!!!

Life is Funny!

So after my last post life decided to throw me a bone and show me a funny face. Life actually pulled some serious funny punches this week. Let me share:

1. In the Dallas Love Airport I was running late to catch a connection but had to use the restroom desperately! Knowing I had about three minutes before they finished boarding I ran into the restroom only to realize it was the lady's restroom. Woops! Sorry ladies. I went straight to my flight and got on and just held it till we took off.

2. I walk every morning for about 1/2 hour to get ready for my day and have some nice quiet time. Part of the path I walk on passes the golf course in the neighborhood and a lot that usually has a few golf balls in it from golfers who went wrong (and are to embarrassed to walk into the subdivision and grab their bad shot.) This morning I spotted a golf ball near the curb at the same moment another golfer did. Whether it was his ball I will never know, but if your shot was that bad and it landed in the lot it is fair game. He looked at me and we both realized at the same time what we both wanted. He wanted the ball (I assume) because he is not a great golfer and was headed for a myriad of bad shots for his next six holes and was running low on golf balls and didn't want to buy anymore--the cheapskate. I on the other hand wanted to get the ball to give to my daughters to sell in their lemonade stand and earn money for church camp.

So he jumped from his cart and half sprinted to the ball while I maintained my same dignified walk pace, (but with all my mind wanting to sprint and grab it). He made it to the ball about 3 seconds before I did and standing no more than 3 feet away looked at it and yelled to his golfing buddies. "This is it!" I was shocked, The LIAR!!! You know where liars are thrust down to!!! Wash his mouth out with soap at the golf ball cleaning stand. That ball was mine---but being the friendly guy that I am and not drawn up in such childish, crazy things I smiled at him and then whispered under my breath. "nice shot." Did I say that out loud? Thinking back I don't think I did.

Wait--I just picked up my life!!

Ok---so on Monday I picked my life back up and it was supposed to be all fun from here on out! Laughing, playing with my kids, walks with my wife just the normal perfect fun life kind of stuff. That is till I started talking to people again. This week I have spoken with numerous friends who have lost their jobs and are moving, losing their homes, having emotional breakdowns or some/all of the above. Another good friend was diagnosed with a life long disease and to top it all off I took a look at our bank account and 401 K. I seem to have lost the fun vibe and feel a bit weighed down with all the struggles that seem to be going on with many close friends. For me it is worse when there is nothing I can do to solve the problem, but only offer to pray for them and then watch them endure and survive. UGH! It is a bit hard to be friviolous with life and shallow at times like this.

I need to think about what my family and I can do........

I'm Baaaaaacccckkk

After taking a six month hiatus to finish my dissertation and finally graduate I, Chris Bray, as of today June 15th have picked up my life again. The funny thing is only my family has really missed my blogging/journal writing. I really had nothing to write about the past six months except for "working and writing, writing and working, getting my writing shot down by my chairperson, rewriting and working and rewriting more and so on." Not the most interesting read. But as of today June 15th, 2009 I am interesting again! Or at least I am telling myself that.

So am I happy that I graduated? Yes! But looking back, which I am trying not to do right now because of PTDS (post traumatic stress dissertation syndrome) I realized it was a bit of a sad six months. The gloom of winter with its dark and cloudy days matched what I was experiencing. Missing bedtime with prayers and stories, and time with Gale did not help my already sad and cranky disposition.

But now that has changed and I can start living again! Now that I am ready to live and have fun Gale leaves for girls camp tomorrow. So it looks like Elle, Ava and myself will have to start the fun.

If you want to know how I feel about Gale enduring this whole thing you need to read my acknowledgment page to her at the beginning of my dissertation. It will make you cry. Good luck finding it!~