Another Sign of Age

Well, today another sign of middle age creeped into my life...my reading glasses arrived.  They were ordered over 5 weeks (military efficiency).  The doc wasn't kidding.  I really was seeing everything much smaller than it really is.  Not sure what the next step into middle-age is, but I'm sure I'll find out soon enough.  (I already complain about not understanding current music and fashion if you're wondering).

The last 2-3 days have been in the low 90s.  I know that doesn't sound bad to my friends and family in the southeastern US.  However, most of them haven't lived in a house and worked in an office without air conditioning in quite a while.  It was also a great weekend at home with Emily and the kids.  We did a little cleaning.  The kids played in the pool.  I tried to do a long run and discovered that I'm not acclimated to 90 F (thanks Belgium).

That's the overview of the last couple of weeks.  The picture you see is from a trip the kids & I took to the zoo.  It was kind of nice to send Em of to work for a change while I got to take the kids on an outing.  Sadly, I think I was more excited to watch the hippo walk on the bottom of the pond and then surface.

Em's Birthday

This week was Emily's birthday.  We went low key this year.  Isaac chose the cake from the bakery.  I insisted on putting the correct number of candles on the cake.  When Em got home from work, we had cake and put the kids to bed.  We then made paella from a recipe book that one of Emily's Spanish children from last year gave to her.  I seriously doubt she'll be thrilled about the picture that went online.

Today was an off day for me, so I took the kids to the zoo again.  They seem to have a new section opened each time we go.  Isaac loved they hippo.  I'll try to get some pictures online over the next few days. 

Olympic Observations

OK, I normally don't watch this much of the Olympics.  Basically, I normally watch track and field and a few swimming events.  If I can't tell who won, I generally don't watch.  However, I only have 6 channels right now, so I pretty much watch anything that looks like a sport.  I'm also currently in Europe so I actually know people from Great Britain, Germany, etc.  It makes the whole thing more interesting.  Here are a few observations from the first few days...

1.  Rowing crew - I definitely want to be the person sitting in the back not paddling.  I think I would be good at yelling, "Go Faster, we're getting beat by the Netherlands."  I'm just saying...I think I could pull that off.

2.  Equestrian Events - I'm completely confused by the scoring.  It doesn't seem to have anything to do with speed.  The commentary didn't explain anything.  Apparently they couldn't find broadcasters that understood it eaither.

3.  Women's Shooting - I watch a woman hit 99/100 clay pigeons.  There is absolutely no sarcastic comment I can make.  I'm a fan.

4.  I couldn't care less about Michael Phelps' "legacy."  If another friend of mine begins ranting about how he should have stopped while he was "untouchable" my head may physically explode.  I hope he wins (I do cheer for the US, obviously), but his "legacy" is his business.  I have no vested interest in how he goes down in Olympic history.  I just want to see someone from the US win.

5.  Not sure why a National Health Care System is included in the opening ceremony.  Some friends from Northern Ireland explained it (Thanks Broddles).  I still don't really understand it...sorry to any Brits that come across this.

6.  Water Polo requires a level of strength and fitness I cannot begin to fathom.  However, I have no idea what the official is constantly blowing his whistle about.  The best I can tell, the players all just keep going through 80% of the whistles.

Summer Arrives

For those of you living in the southeastern United States, summer probably arrived sometime in April.  You probably went swimming for the first time around Easter.  You may be hoping cooler weather will arrive in the next couple of weeks.  For us, we saw 80 degrees F for the first time this week.  Emily found the inflatible pool in the basement and went through the trouble of blowing it up for the first time in 2 years.  The kids have enjoyed the warm snap. 

I, however, have realized how much I like air conditioning when going to bed at night.  I have woken up around 0130 each morning this week covered in sweat.  Hopefully tonight will be better as the rain has returned and the temperatures have also begun sliding back to the 70s, which is closer to normal for Belgium this time of year.

Otherwise, there is little new in our lives.  My battalion got a new commander this week.  The new battalion commander has said all the right things about balancing family, faith, and mission.  The kids continue to grow (obviously).  Emily is getting ready for the start of school.

This week is VBS at the SHAPE International Chapel.  It's always a fun week b/c my only responsibility is to be there in case needed.  I'll spend every morning this week basically visiting with the leaders, kids, and parents.

80s Night

Tonight, my beautiful wife is at a "girls night" with an 80s theme.  Considering she was born in 1983, her memories of 1980s fashion are sketchy, at best.  However, I have to give her credit.  The outfit turned out remarkably well. 

This blog has not been updated recently because I'm having some difficulty with blogger.  It hasn't wanted to load pictures, which makes me a little lazy about blogging.  (Honestly, that's all most people are looking for anyway).

Anyway, the last few weeks have been busy.  We went to Paris for a long weekend.  This time, we hit the Louvre, Catacombs, climbed teh Eiffel Tower, and saw Versailles.  These were all of the things we had left on our "to do" list for Paris.  There's not much left that we want to see in Paris.  Emily & Katie went at night.  I still haven't gotten to see it at night.  Katie left to get back to the States today.  It's been great having her with us this summer.