Carl Edwards gets upended at Taladega. Wow!

Jarron Gilbert a Bears draft pick jumps out of a pool. Amazing!

09 Florida Vacation

As you can tell by the date of my last post, I took a vacation from blogging. Now that we have been back from vacation for a week and a half and I'm getting all caught up, it is time to catch you up.

As many of you know, Angie, the kids and I took a 2 week vacation to Walt Disney World and Southeast Florida. It was the best vacation ever. I was so blessed by the way the three kids behaved and how God blessed us in so many ways in the short 2 week period of time. We will surely remember this vacation for a lifetime.

This vacation was extra special because there were many "firsts" for the kids. Let me explain...

1. This was the first time the kids have flown in an airplane. Prior to our flight, they had loads of questions. In fact, Grandma and Grandpa Johnson gave them all kinds of info about flying. Some true and some not so true. Thanks Dad! As we got on the plane, we met the pilot. Joel and Jared got to speak on the intercom and welcome everyone aboard. All three got to sit by the window at some point and loved looking outside. I think Jared said, "Look Dad, the cars and houses look like ants." Jenna was grinned ear to ear the entire time. Sitting next to her Mommy was extra special for her. And Joel, he loves anything fast. This was right up his alley. They were wide eyed and loved both flights.

2. It was the 3Js first time at Disney World. I could talk about this all day. There were so many special things, but I will just share one. We arrived at our resort, Port Orleans Riverside, late in the afternoon. We ate dinner at the resort and it was excellent. Following dinner, we headed for the Magic Kingdom. Angie, being the planner and tour director that she is, thought we should catch the parade and fireworks in front of the castle. Thankfully, we timed it perfect. We arrived at a very crowded Magic Kingdom and found a seat right in front of the castle. The kids were just beaming. I wish you could have seen them. The parade was awesome. The kids loved it. The fireworks followed. These had to be the best fireworks we have ever seen. I would even say they were better than Chicago's 3rd of July photos. Our time at all the parks was almost as wonderful. Ask me sometime and I will fill you in with all the details.

3. During our second week, we stayed at a condo on the beach in Surfside (Miami). This was the kids first time ever seeing the ocean. They loved playing in the surf. They jumped waves, searched for shells, played in the sand, and attempted to body surf. We all loved the beach/ocean and had the sun burns to prove it.

These are just a few firsts that I thought you might enjoy. There were several other highlights. Feel free to ask. We love talking about our great time.

I am so blessed to have the family that I do. We loved being together.

Unbelievable Football Video

I'm Proud Of Angie

I'm going to take this opportunity to brag about Angie, just a little... I hope you will allow me to boast on my wonderful wife and best friend. 

As you may or may not know, Angie has been directing choir with the Young Naperville singers for about 9 years. The last 2 years, she has been the Artistic Director, in charge of all the artistic staff. She is completely awesome at her job. That, however, is not what I'm going to brag about. 

Prior to having Jared and and joining the YNS staff, Angie taught for several years as a middle school choir director and general music teacher in Naperville and Yorkville. She had fantastic programs in both school districts. Well, this past Friday she was the guest speaker/clinician at a teacher's institute at her former school district (Indian Prairie School District 204). This was an all day institute where she taught all the district's music teachers. There were about 60 teachers there. 

To some this may not be a very big deal. However, to Angie, this was a huge deal. She said it would have been much easier to do an institute in a district that didn't know her so well. These were her peers, colleagues, and people she looks up to in the field of choral teaching. Consequently, the pressure seemed to be on. 

I am so proud of her. She raised to the occasion. Though stretching and stressful, she did a fantastic job. The feedback she has received has been amazing. I am so proud of her because the easy thing to do would have been to turn down the invitation. She had numerous valid excuses she could have used. But, she choose to do something out of her realm of comfort. Way to go Ang!!!

I am so fortunate to have a wonderful wife that is talented in so many ways. I thank God for her daily. She makes me a better person. Together, we make a good team. 

Quotes I Love

The following are quotes passed on from Tony Morgan and Catalyst One Day by a favorite of mine Andy Stanley:

"Continuous improvement requires systematic evaluation."
"If lack of momentum doesn't bother your current personnel, you have the wrong personnel."
"Momentum requires friction."
"Complexity kills momentum."
"If you're just trying to draw a crowd, it'll feel gimicky."
"New systems and structure will create internal momentum but not external momentum."
"You have to decide that it doesn't matter if they fire you."
"If personnel decisions are not emotional and difficult, then we have a heart issue."

Andy is the man!

Check out this video. Firefighting, Blago style.