"Look! He Walks Again...!"

Sarala says...

"Look! He walks again...!"

Now...I guess I should provide a little back-story.

We were in the parking lot of an Old Navy.

As it were...I was rockin' my standard flip-flips, which are always a necessity to those of you that know me.

I had just gotten Sarala out of the car...took one step...

and...

the stupid flip-flop broke...

and...

the total weight of me went into my big toe, which then went straight into the asphalt.

Now, I would've included a photo but the graphic content may be a little much.

As a result,

a layer of the front of my toe was essentially scraped back, or actually to the side...

and the impending weight resulted, in...I hope...a jammed toe.

It looks pretty rough though.


To come back to Sarala's comment...Crystal and Sarala went inside to purchase me some new flip-flops while I tended to my toe with the first-aid kit..

As I slip on the new flip-flops and take a step...

Sarala, dramatically says...

"Look! He walks again...!"

I love the intensity...the concern...but ultimately...

her outlook on things.

It helped return me to Earth...reality...

that my toe is just a toe...

and yes...

I can still walk.

Something I found in the hallway...

Pilfer.

If you're ever worried about pilfering...

there's something for that.

Enjoying a "Smooth"

My days since the last post to the blog have been filled with this sort of stuff. Hanging out with my girls...enjoying the time together.

Here...Sarala and I are enjoying a strawberry + banana smooth.

Yes...

Sarala refers to smoothies as smooths.

She loves smooths.

I love smooths.

Together...we love us some smooths.


This is pretty much how life in the Buckman house goes...hanging out....

I was able to experience my first full weekend home these past two days...

without any guitar...

without any basketball....


Not saying anything about guitar and basketball being bad...it's pretty much all I do outside of school....

It was quite awesome to hang at home for a weekend.

It is amazing to watch your daughter play with a toy dollhouse and giggle...

talk...

sing....

The simplicity of joy.

She was immersed in the moment.


We can all learn so much from this small child.

Enjoying every bit of the moment.

Each of us have moments all throughout our days.

Why can't we get lost in moments?


So...this is the plan...the challenge:

To acknowledge and enjoy at least one moment during my day.

It can be at work, home...wherever.

The goal is to acknowledge and just enjoy the joy from those moments.

For example...

enjoying a nice warm sandwich for dinner and enjoying the moment eating some awesomeness (St. Louis Bread Co) with my significant other (Something I experienced this evening)

watching some AFV with the small child and belly-laughing because of the awesomeness displayed (some of that stuff is just universally funny)

listening to some fantastic singer/songwriter tunes (Andrew Osenga has been in heavy rotation lately)

sitting around with some friends...dreaming big things

playing Settlers of Cataan, which, by the way, is an addicting board game

and...of course

enjoying a smooth.

Try it...

see what happens!

If nothing else...blend up a smooth.

"How About Whole Foods?" I Asked....

We were in Chicago two summers ago when Sarala was almost 2.

Sarala slept in the far backseat of the vehicle as we drove around...trying to figure out where we would eat.

The question, as a joke...as we drove past a Whole Foods was:

"What about Whole Foods?"

Sarala was sleeping in the very backseat of the vehicle at the time.

Hadn't made a sound.

At the sound of me saying Whole Foods...she says

"Booooooo!"

Hilarious...

and then I made the comment that we're definitely not hitting up Whole Foods with Sarala.


Fast-forward to this past weekend....

We find ourselves at Whole Foods with Sarala.


As we were inside Sarala proceeds to say

"I don't like this place."

Sarala...apparently has this inherent dislike of Whole Foods.


Her partiality may lie with Trader Joe's...as does mine.

Who doesn't love a place with small-child carts...like TJ's?

"I Have To...!"

This was Sarala's first experience with Spumoni.

If you're not familiar with Spumoni...

think of it as a really fancy, Italian ice cream.

It has the neopolitan look but has layers.

Awesomeness is what I say.


Anyway...Sarala was bringing herself to the brink of a brainfreeze while eating Spumoni this past weekend.

I told her that she didn't have to finish and her reply was...

"I HAVE TO...!"

She was all about it.


Is there anything you attack with the voraciousness of Sarala eating Spumoni?

Um yeah...me either.... ;)

Lost weight...now let's eat!

I have to share some awesomeness with you.

Due to the abundance of quality food in our household...

all due to Crystal...

I am 14 lbs lighter than I was when February started!

That's right...

14 lbs.


That's the equivalent of a small baby child...

3 chihuahua's...

or a very large...Garfield-like...cat.


Then...what does one do to celebrate such a feat!?

Go to The Cheesecake Factory...of course!


Seriously...

it was the first meal we had eaten out in a long time...and I actually got something fairly decent...

nothing fried.


Regardless...the food was amazing.

Then...we had to share a slice of Oreo Cheesecake...a splurge/reward for the discipline maintained over the past couple weeks.

I'm good now...it was amazing...but I thought I may not make it later that night.


Sarala is much better at naturally eating well.

It's like she's got this inherent knowledge of what's good for her...

and that's what she usually eats.


Take this plate for example.

She ordered some chicken strips...

took the dipping sauces off the plate because they're "Ewww!"

and then proceeded to strip the strips of their breading.


Also...she's not much of a fry-eater so...we made a face using the discarded sauces and a fry.

Here's to eating better...

on into March...and beyond!

Things I'm Likin' Right Now...

1) Dierbergs
One of the things I miss about living in the city. I know we're not far away...but there's something about having the selection that a place like Dierbergs provides within minutes.

The variety...

the quality...

the awesome.

And...if you don't know what I'm talking about...Dierbergs is an awesome grocery store.

2) Half-Pipe Snowboarding

What is more exciting than seeing massive air, big tricks, passion...with commentators saying things like McTwist, Sketchy, the eye of the tiger, Finnish Mafia, Double Cork....

3) The tv show Chopped on food network

How intense is this show? The smack talk...the ability to come up with something when you're given a fish, chocolate, endive, and graham crackers...seriously?

4) 30 Rock

I love that Al Gore has a sense of humor...and...this show is hilarious if you haven't seen it.



5) A favorite SNL Skit - Blizzard Man

"Replace me? T-Pain?"



What are some of your current favorites? Music...places...food...shows...whatever.

Happy Valentine's Day...

Now...that's one big kiss.

Celebrate...?

Do you have anything...

small...

huge...

to celebrate...

be excited about...

to claim as a victory?


I'll start...

1) I'm able to wear a jacket that I haven't been able to wear in two winters.
A victory....

2) My wife got me a new messenger bag to replace my current bag, which is looking pretty rough.
Something unexpected but awesome.

There...your turn.

Money in the Couch...

Money in the couch, money in the couch...lookin' like a fool with yo money in the couch....

Sarala was helping me look for some of her toys that had gotten sucked into the couch.

She ended up finding two bucks...

and I don't think we ever did retrieve the toys we were looking for,

which means they're probably still in there as I type....

Anyway...find anything in your couch lately?

"I want to be a llama...."

We watch a lot of movies around the Buckman household.

As of late though...the past 3 years to be more specific...

most of those movies involve Disney...

Pixar...

and are of animated origin.

One of those films that didn't get much attention is The Emperor's New Groove.

David Spade as the spoiled emperor/llama...John Goodman as your big, loveable protagonist...

good family fun.

It's actually quite clever...humorous...

especially when you have David Puddy playing Kronk...

awesomer.


Anyway...

tonight Sarala says:

Daddy...for Halloween...I want to be a llama!

I say...awesome!

Who wants to aim for your standard...

run-of-the-mill costume anyway?

Joy...

We have just experienced a respite...a departure from the crazy that life can create if left unchecked.

My life is reentering a rhythm where basketball no longer has a place.

Somehow I ended up remaining quite busy...

then

...snow.

Not just a little snow...9 inches fell and...all of the sudden we've got a four-day weekend.

What a perfect time for a couple extra days of rest...

relaxation...

joy.

The week preceding the snow consisted of a full four days of work.

For the first time since early November...no basketball practice...games...preparation.

I ended up filling that time with a bunch of other stuff that did exactly that...filled that time.

My responsibilities were being taken care of but the paperwork was becoming overwhelming.

These are the times where I spend too much time...energy...focus on things that really don't matter.

Enter Sarala.

We got to spend a couple extra days with her.

This beautiful face can realign my thoughts...purpose...perspective in times of busy.

God is present...something that I tend to forget...trudging along in my daily life.

Sarala is an amazing reminder of His faithfulness...mercy...love.

How often do you laugh during your day?

I'm guilty of letting life...busy...routine direct my thoughts...attention.

Where is the joy?

Joy...truly losing myself in the laughter of amazingly ordinary things.

This never seems to be an issue with Sarala.

She's got this inherent ability to keep herself from getting too serious...which also helps us to maintain perspective.

My hope for her...that she'll retain as much of this ability as possible.

To look for the joy...laughter...good in things...

everyday

things.

So...when was the last time you laughed...

good...

deep...

big?

Hugs...!

I love this picture.

Crystal is actually the artist...Sarala added the hugs.

The hugs you say?

Yes...the hugs.

I have been gone a lot due to basketball.

I do get home by 7 at the latest...Sarala is usually heading to bed by 8.

She misses me.

I miss her.

I am actually home right now...blogging...she's sleeping in the other room...I miss her even though we're in the same house.

I am nearing the close of the season though...a couple more days.

Sarala and I usually spend time playing Play-Doh, drawing, coloring, and lately...using watercolor.

She wanted Crystal to draw Sarala and Daddy the other night, then Sarala added "hugs."

I love the hugs.

The hugs carry me.

What are those things that carry you through...keep you going?

Small Child Wisdom...

Life can be busy...crazy...non-stop.

It call also be routine...monotonous.

This is usually when it seems like I'm wearing blinders. I'm only looking ahead at what's next.

The schedule.

Then...I hear some amazing little words from my baby girl.

Regardless of my schedule, routine, responsibilities...the end of my school day culminates in my being able to go and pick up the small child from preschool.

The photo above is a welcome sign that hangs just inside the doorway.

Sarala saw it and said "Look...Sarala and Daddy!"

I smiled, laughed...melted...and was reminded about the things that are truly important.

My guess is that it's the hair.

It has to be!

It's insane how much I let the routine...monotony of my day...affect my outlook on things.

I don't stop to look around here...take in the things around me.

This is where my daughter teaches me quite often...to stop...look around...and laugh, enjoy, smile...and ultimately...BE.

I'm so busy THINKING or DOING that I miss out on what's right in front of me...BEING.

So...what has reminded you lately to slow down, take a breath, and BE?

Trust...

Proverbs 3:5

Can God speak through ESPN?

I'm not saying anything either way...but....

I saw this tattooed on the arm of a basketball player for Oklahoma State University tonight.

For some reason it stuck out.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding.

At least...that's what I think I saw...pretty sure it's what I saw.

I don't know the context...don't know if that is even what was actually on the arm, but it sure looked like Proverbs 3:5.

After doing a Google search of the player's name...looking at images...I couldn't come to any sort of conclusion as to whether or not that is what the tattoo is.

It sure stuck out though....

I am currently trying to figure out how to go about doing something that I feel like I need to do.

I know that the above statement isn't the best sentence nor does it make a whole lot of sense...but as I head into these next couple days...talk to some people...hopefully I can let you in on what I'm thinking.

So...until then...I guess I'll do what Proverbs 3:5 says.

How about that for some confirmation...especially during a basketball game...where I wasn't fully engaged because I was thinking about the possibilities.

No more worry.

Act B...act!

Lala's Hat....

Crystal's dad saw this from the kitchen table. This is a hat that Sarala made at the STL Art Fair this past summer. Awesome hat.

Do you see anything unusual on the hat?

I actually had a better picture of this, but...accidentally deleted it off the camera before I downloaded the pics to my computer...so....

Acknowledge...Part 2

I find it amusing...and sad at the same time...that my last post was about procrastination...and lo...no post since then.

So...here we go.

Procrastination hasn't stifled my efforts concerning my usual responsibilities...school things, grading papers...which it usually does...but it has affected the posting to my blog.

It is all of 7 degrees outside...we've been out of school the past two days...all the reason I need to continue procrastinating. Right?

I figure...it's time to get back to a routine of contributing to the blog.

Since my last post...something awesome has occurred.

Sarala is now Sarala...according to her insurance card. She still went by her birth name whenever we visited any sort of doctor or pharmacy...even though the adoption has been final since April 2007. The speed of the paperwork has been incredibly slow. Everything concerning Sarala now says Sarala...which is pretty awesome. Another God-thing.

So...I leave you with this.

Has God blown your mind lately...and if so...how?

Acknowledge...

My day is filled with choices. Should I do this now...later? How should I go about this?

I believe there may be a word for this.

Procrastination.

I admit it...I am a full-fledged Procrastinator.

I guess it all started when I was in elementary. I distinctly remember waiting 'till the last minute to work on this research binder thing I had to do in sixth grade. I got it in.

Then it continued...spiraled into middle school and high school. I remember spending one whole Sunday...the day before it was due...working on a research paper. We had to have resources and everything. It ended up being multiple pages. I got it done.

Then...came college. I guess that is when I first acknowledged that yes...I am a procrastinator.

Then...I did something crazy. I embraced it. That's right...embraced...accepted...worked it into how I roll.

I decided that worrying about it was doing me nothing but harm...anxiety. I just figured that I would get it done. For some reason it's hard for me to focus on something if it's a long way off.

My rule now is...Don't work on anything until after dark...until after Sarala has gone to bed.

This way I'm focused...it may take me up to midnight or so...but it gets done and I'm happy with what's produced.

Is this the best way to do things? I would say...no. Probably not. It works for me though.

I am trying to break the habit though. I have short chunks of my day that are free to do whatever it is I need to do to get ready for my day. I have been getting much better about using that time to be productive.

So...I bid you farewell for now...to go and tackle paper-grading. To be productive.

Are you a procrastinator? How do you work?

Just some thoughts on a brisk December Tuesday.

Rhythm...

How often do you find yourself...watching something off the DVR like The Office...chewing on some ice from Sonic...blogging...at 12:37 in the AM?

Crystal is now brewing up some hot tea...getting settled in to finishing catching up on The Office.

I know you may be thinking...how awesome is this...how can I achieve this lifestyle...what do I need to do in order to find myself doing these things?

Well...it's pretty easy.

Just do it.

It doesn't have to include these things...you could find yourself doing projects that involve the aesthetics of the home...playing Wii...watching a movie...discussing the latest SNL short (have to give my props to the ground)...whatever.

As this posts...I will more than likely be sleeping, or should be anyway...in preparation for the new week of school.

We had a short respite...something that rocked the rhythm of everyday...humdrum...the routine.

Though it was due to illness, it was quite amazing...the timing...the rest acquired during these last few days.

Essentially we did these things, not in any particular order:

Movies.

Games.

Late nights.

Meals with friends.

Cleaning.

Reading.

Sleeping.

Trick-or-Treating.

Not leaving the house unless it was absolutely necessary.

Now...these are only a handful of the things accomplished during our impromptu break.

Also...you could find yourself doing any number of these things at any given time (except for Trick-or-Treating...it'd probably be best to leave that one for around Halloween...but, I'll leave that up to you).

What I'm trying to say with all this is that we settled into a easy, flowin' rhythm. Time doesn't necessarily have to dictate...rule us.

Life goes by way too fast to be preoccupied with time.

I'm not condoning the irresponsible wasting of time...a practice I've also been known to have some skillz in...but...to use our time wisely so that there is time in our day for our families...friends...things we like.

I need to remind myself of this since I'm just about to enter a new season of life...as a girls MS basketball coach.

It's amazing what one year absent from the coaching world will do...it's been awesome...what I needed, but now I find myself in the stages of mental preparation.

I leave you with this:

Enjoy...be.

OMG...

We, the little babe and I, were watching The Neverending Story today (I know...awesome right?) and I skipped the part where Atreyu's horse got lost in the quicksand...you know you cried when that happened.

I turned it back to see Atreyu struggling in the mud...looking for the big turtle (I can't remember what the name or purpose was...especially since we didn't finish watching it due to Sarala's Halloween Party) and Sarala asked me what happened.

I told her that Atreyu had lost his horse in the mud.

Sarala then says:

He lost his horse!? Oh...my...gosh!

Love it!