Relaxing with the Fam....

I don't typically blog, but I think that this is going to be a good way for me to start reflecting on the day and it's experiences, adventures, etc., and what I am learning about life, myself, and others along the way....so here it goes.

Well, this weekend has been a great, refreshing weekend (plus it was a bit longer than normal, thanks Dr. King). It started off Friday night rock climbing some buds, getting over the stressful week that we each had. Then when I got home, my wife knew that I was a bit frazzled this week, and she did everything she could to make it relaxing for me. She made dinner (yea tacos!) and a bath (I know it sounds sissy-lala--ish, but it was so good...like Chandler in Friends). It was great.

Saturday we woke up and went for a hike in Chip Ross Park up to Dimple Hill (about 7 miles). It was a bit chilly for Dayvanee as she rode in the backpack, but it was a beautiful sunny day. My wife and I did some great talking and laughing during the hike, spending some good, quality time together. Afterwards, we got some pizza and relaxed at home.

Sunday, we went to Grace City church, and just continued to get excited about who God is and what He wants to do in our lives. He has really been shaping lately my ideology/beliefs/attitude towards the church, and I think that it is a good thing. We hung out for the rest of the day, played some Boggle, watched a movie.

Monday, I jumped on my mt. bike and rode where we hiked on Saturday, as well as the whole McDonald-Dunn Forest. It was awesome...cold, actually freezing in some areas, but awesome. Climbed up to McColluch Peak, which overlooks Corvallis and the Willamette Valley. There is a bench up there, perfect for reflecting and enjoying. Then I headed down some logging roads that passed through some old growth forest. At one point, I looked down at my speedometer and it read "41 mph". You don't do that to often on a mtb but it was a blast. My first ride of the year and since September.

Tuesday (today), we had the opportunity to watch the inaugeration for President Obama. It was great to see, and reminded me how much the world was different in years past. During Taft's inaugeration (100 years prior), he said that "negroes are Americans," and now we have a black president. That is awesome! Not for that reason, but for the many reasons associated with it (more on that later). I think that the best quote was from John Adams (if I am wrong, blame the newscaster), who said "two men walk through the door today. One to return, one to leave for good. Which one is happier?"

Well, that is a lot, but all I wanted to say about this weekend is that how important it is to relax, spend time with family, and enjoy what God has made. Our nature calls us to be productive, but that doesn't always mean we are efficient. I am currently reading Floyd Landis' (2006 Tour de Frace WINNER) book, Positively False, and in it he talks about his training and comes up with a relevation: "You can never train too much. You can, however, not rest enough." I think this is important, especially for me. There is so much I want to do, see, say, know, etc., which is good. But it is also good to be content and rest...maybe I will be more efficient.

So this is my start at a blog...why is it called "muddy shoes?" I intend to use this blog for thoughts, ideas, lessons, stories, etc about life, marriage, adventure (yes, the three may be synomonous). And I don't know about you, but I do some of my best "thinking" when I am outside, getting my feet dirty.