seeing things as they should be?

This evening before going out for a quick run Sarah made a short list of household items we needed from Target. The timing of her request was perfect. Tomorrow is our 2nd Anniversary and I had yet to pick up a card for her.

As I randomly searched hundreds of cards for just the right message Luke stood behind me calling out familiar items. First it was "Diego!" then "Mickey Mouse". Then it got a bit interesting, he said "Dad! It's Elmo". I turned to see him holding a card with two wiener dogs on the front. "Good Job, Luke" I told him.

About a minute passes... Luke hollers "Here's Mommy!" then again "Here's Mommy!"

I busted out laughing. I mean a really good belly laugh. So proud of little Luker.

turn the lights out, say goodnight

Sarah's endearing idiosyncrasies are countless. Honestly, it's what makes me enjoy being with her so much.

This evening one of my favorites was taken to entirely new level. Sarah loves to turn the lights on and leave them on. Initially, I'll admit, I found this to be just a tad bit irritating. I'd return home, Sarah would be out running errands and at least 4 lights would be on. Come On! Turn out the lights before you leave. She couldn't have cared less.

As time passed and this continued, I began to find the number of lights left on entertaining. Sometimes on her best days she'd even leave the TV on for me. Maybe this was her way of leaving her "trail of bread crumbs" in the house.

UPDATE: Sarah just interrupted this blog. "Look at this Lighting Storm! It's only happening every few minutes.... Does that mean it's close or far away?" I love being with her. So fun!

Tonight, I returned home to find the front entry light on (she had locked the front door). Inside, I could hear Sarah and Luke upstairs. As I made my way around the downstairs I found 6 lights on (tidying up, I'm sure). Additionally, the TV, both back yard lights and (here's the kicker)..... the oven light were all on.

The bar has certainly been raised. I can't wait to see what she will do next.

times are tough.... time to get better

Here are two great posts from this past week.

The Difference between Panic and Urgency: This one really got me motivated. Brad Feld's final paragraph would be a great pre-game pep talk.

Focusing the Organization: When I ask a friend of mine who's worked 20+ years with IBM what he's doing, his response is always the same. "Running a small business." I love that mindset. Bill Flagg's ideas in this post are easily applied to "my" organization. The requirements he list for goal setting are fantastic.

Remember good ideas are just that, until you take action.