About 4 months ago I decided it was time  for Isaac to ride his bike like a “big boy.”  Isaac didn’t agree and refused to ride his bike without the “two little wheels.”  On Tuesday Isaac told my lovely wife Christina that it was “time to ride his bike like a big boy.”  So, I got out my wrench and Isaac helped take off the training wheels, and Shazam he was a pro.

 

  

 

Zach, who gets no love on this blog, has not had a haircut for some time.  On Sunday I came to a striking realization, Zach looks like MacGruber, which is a SNL character based off my childhood hero MacGyver.  Isaac and I have been making up songs and putting whatever Zach is doing into the song, “MacGruber!  He is sucking on his thumb while taking a nap, MacGruber!”  Well mostly I am coming up with the lame songs, but it keeps me entertained. 

*Note- If you click on the images it enlarges with out leaving page.

Isaac had his second game this Saturday and team photo.   Isaac struggled on batting this week but we didn’t get a chance to practice this week so I need to do a better job getting him ready for this weekend.  All the same was a good time had by all and Grandpa even came out to see Isaac in action.  Best part was when the team photo was being taken the photographer said, “Is that a 50D, I was thinking of upgrading?”  Referring to my new most awesome camera that I recently purchased.  And with my Dads help (and his lens that he loaned) I’m finally learning how to use the camera.

After a lengthy contract negotiation, Isaac joined Team 26 for the 3rd game of the season.  Isaac had to shake off some rust in the out field, but is a pure hitter so had no trouble with that.  As far as the team, there was instant chemistry and fun was had by all.   During soccer it was fun to keep track of the score, but baseball everyone hits, and whoever has more kids on the team will naturally win.  I was pretty excited to see that Isaac wasn’t on the purple team this year, and even more excited when he was happy as well. 

Last September I pondered about which artist would hit the 1000 play first on my Zune account.  The Zune card that is on top of this blog is a list of recent plays, artists listened to, and badges given based on listening history.  To get a silver badge you need 1000 plays, and Moby eeked out Snow Patrol by about 200 plays. 

Moby is an artist I was introduced to by my brother.  We both shared an interest in Moby’s music but for different reasons.  Mike was ALL about the techno music, whereas I enjoy Moby for his simple soothing music.  Moby will always remind me of Mike, and Moby’s next album that comes out will be somewhat of a memorial for my love for Mike and our shared love for Moby’s music.  The album that comes out in June is described by Moby as ”a quieter and more melodic and more mournful and more personal record.”  I’ve never really looked forward to an albums release, but “wait for me” will be one I pick up on day 1.

Zune FTW

It is a hard thing to bury someone so close.  Until you have lost someone that is deeply close to you, you cannot imagine how it feels.  Reading newspapers headlines now has such a deeper meaning when the blurb simply states, “two died….”  Tragedy befalls many families every day, it impacts so many people. 

My comfort comes in that the one that we have lost is now in the presence of God.  And though this is a great comfort to me, it will never take away that I will sorely miss my big brother.  For as long as I can remember, there was Mike, leading me by setting an example of how to be a Godly man.  There are many who talk of Godly things, my brother Mike lived it.  I will miss him always, and yet I will remember him for the great man that he was.  Serving our country in Iraq and with the Montana Highway Patrol.  Mike always sacrificed himself for others, even until the end.  He freely accepted a job that he loved to protect others, that is how I will remember my brother. 

There are many memories that I have with Mike, and over time I will share them as I can.  Now, I will start at the end.  Mike’s Ceremony honoring his life, and his burial is the most special memory that I have.  How the men and women of the Montana Highway Patrol honored him that day will stay with me forever, and forever will I be grateful unto them.  The deep felt love and respect that I have for those who serve our country will never waiver, these are truly great men and women.

People traveled from across the country to pay their respects for Mike: Troopers came from Oregon, California, Texas, Canada, and probably others that I didn’t get a chance to meet.  Family also traveled cross country over snowy passes to honor, and to say one last farewell to one we all loved so dear.  People of Kalispell stood beside the roads waving flags, and showing support to a man they did not know, but respected for who he was and what he did.

For me, I wept over my brother who would no longer wake on this earth.  I said goodbye to my brother through tears, one last chance for me to tell any who would listen how great my brother Mike was.  And now I will remember him, I will think of Mike always.  Rest in Peace my brother.