Well-Paired Team

I saw this poem this morning, by Orson Scott Card (author of the Ender's Game series - one of my favorites), about marriage. Given recent discussions we've had in a marriage and family class I'm in at church, this seems very appropriate. And reminds me how grateful I am for my K.


Well Paired Team
By Orson Scott Card

You don't arrive at marriage, lonely hearts.
The wedding's where the lifelong journey starts,
Forced to travel with a clumsy fool
Or trot along behind a receding dream
(You had to stop and help me when I tripped,
While you would never stick to my passionate script),
Using one another like an ill-made tool,
Like ox and antelope yoked in a single team.
And yet ... somehow, together, we managed to pull
An empty cart straight uphill;
And look -- the creaking, rickety thing is full
Of crockery, old rags, a child or two.

At the start, knowing nothing, we said "I will,"
And now look at all the things I made with you,
All our baggage, all our breakage, art
By unskilled artisans, yet beautiful,
Yours and mine, no matter how peculiar;
New and strange, no matter how familiar.
Some passages were merely dutiful.
Who could know, on our ignorant starting day
That, pulling such a long and weary way,
The man, the woman, strangers side by side,
Would end the trek inside each other's heart,
Trading forgiveness and repentances,
Finishing each other's sentences,
Only to be stranded,
The team -- for now at least -- disbanded.
Now we see how all the road maps lied:
Our destination was the yoke we shared,
Badly at first, but by the end well paired.
And only when you died did I leave my home
And pointlessly, empty-carted, roam.
You don't arrive at marriage, lonely hearts.
The wedding's where the lifelong journey starts.

Slurping Watermelon

The activity committee for the family reunion worked hard to make sure everyone had plenty to keep them busy and having a good time. Uncle Andrew (the one with the wet face) won this time. Here are a few of my favorite shots from the contest... Lest you wonder, I toned down most of the colors in the pictures, except for the watermelon (and Mel's hair and Andrew's eyes)...

Melanie...

O slurping...

Sweet victory...

Peaceful Grandpa

Kirsten's brother Jon took this photo of Grandpa Sorensen at the cabin a couple of days before he passed. I edited it a bit... Thanks for the pic, Jon.

Goodbye Grandpa Sorensen...

It's been a tough couple of months... First we lost Steve (Kirsten's dad), then Steve's father and Kirsten's grandpa, Bert Sorensen. I'll always remember him for the constant smile on his face and his example of endless service to others. We got to spend some quality time with him just before he died at the family reunion in Idaho, where he told stories about the family's beginnings and about Steve when he was young. We'll miss him a lot.

-------------------------------

Bert Sorensen
Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Bert Ray Sorensen, 81, a longtime Winslow resident, died on Aug. 12, 2009, while traveling in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was born in Heber City, Utah, on July 31, 1928, to loving parents Ingbert "Bert" and Mary Ellen Ash Sorensen.

Growing up in Blackfoot, Idaho, Mr. Sorensen loved camping, fishing and scouting, earning the rank of Eagle Scout. He was married to Raeola Johnson, the love of his life, in 1947, and the young couple moved to Arizona. He managed a dairy on the PZ Ranch near Winkleman and later worked in Phoenix on a wholesale milk route. In 1961, Mr. Sorensen purchased a small wholesale and retail distributorship and moved his family to Winslow.

The relentless hard work and struggles did not diminish the satisfaction he found in owning and running his own business and providing for his family. Though spare time was precious, Mr. Sorensen managed to carry out many church responsibilities, and was well-known in the community for his generosity and service to others.

After retiring, he and Mrs. Sorensen fulfilled a lifelong dream by serving two missions to the Philippine Islands for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In his retirement, he continued to provide volunteer service to AARP, the Winslow Senior Center, Meals on Wheels, the Winslow Historical Society and Old Trails Museum.

He was loved as a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.

Mr. Sorensen is survived by his wife of 62 years, Raeola; children Susan and Doran Bryson of Austin, Texas, Mareen Sorensen of Provo, Utah, Andrea and Darwin Rhoton of Eager, Douglas and Dawn Sorensen of Glendale, Gwen and George Higginson of Berrnuda, and Jean and Kimm Zufelt of Winslow; 31 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; sisters Joyce Willyerd, Kathryn Ethington, Anne Reber and Renae Chase; and brothers James Sorensen and Sanford Sorensen.

He was preceded in death by his son, Steven Sorensen.

Catching up, post-op

Sometimes I amaze myself. No seriously - I amaze myself with how unpredictable I can be with journal-keeping. Both the hard-copy kind (and actual journal) as well as the online kind (blogging). No doubt anyone who tracked my blog has pretty much written me off at this point. The good news is that anyone who uses RSS feeds will get my posts whether or not they actively track my blog. :)

In any case, I have quite a bit more time on my hands for the next few days, thanks to doctor's orders to stay off my feet and in this "continual passive movement" (CPM) machine for most of the day for the week after my surgery. So, let me take a step back... (Warning: If you have a weak stomach, you may not want to read about my surgery/recovery below.)

On Friday morning, I had my right knee (ACL specifically) reconstructed. I may post the two minutes of video sometime that my doc gave me after the surgery, for those of you who get a kick out of the blood and guts thing. Truth be told, there was no blood in sight in the video -- everything was white (kind of like chicken). Kind of strange... Anyway, thanks to a priesthood blessing on Wednesday evening (thank you, Derek and Luis), lots of prayers by me and others and a highly referred and skilled doctor (Dr. Bruce Rolfes, at the KneeFootAnkle Center in Kirkland, for those of you who may need his services someday), the surgery went very well. I was in the office by 6:15 a.m. and out by 10:45 a.m., loopy from the oxycodone (i.e., Percusset) and on my way home. Kirsten -- bless her heart -- waited for me the whole time in the surgery center waiting room, despite being bored out of her mind.

I was really nervous the 30 minutes before the surgery. The anesthesiologist had explained to me that he would be "blocking" my leg, which would essentially make it numb for about 18-20 hours. When he explained the process, I wasn't excited (to say the least). Put a big needle in, feel around for the right place, then inject and pull back out to make sure they didn't strike an artery or something. He told me I wouldn't remember anything, but frankly, I didn't want to be conscious of it in the moment either.

When they finally brought me back, it was different than when I had my first surgery 19 years ago. Before, they brought me into a dimly lit pre-op waiting area and put me under. This time, they brought me straight into the bright operating room and had me lay down on the table. They covered me in a sheet and a plastic bubble-wrap like blanket that had warm air flowing through it (makes a VERY efficient heat blanket!), and started chatting me up about how it happened, where I work, etc., while the anesthesiologist put the IV in. The last thing I remember, I was chatting away. Next thing I know, I'm waking up in the recovery room, stuck for a while in an almost-awake state and sounding really silly to the nurse, I'm sure. They helped me get dressed, get into a wheelchair and head out to the waiting room with Kirsten. They gave me my meds, put me in the car, and off we went. All done...

When I got home, Kirsten set me up on the couch downstairs with my ice machine and my CPM machine, a blanket, lots of pillows, my XBOX controller and TV remote, a book, my meds, water, something to eat, etc. And that pretty much describes the last two days since returning home. Two straight days of reading, games, movies and tv shows (Jericho and the latest episode of Heroes, to be exact) and dozing. To be honest, I'm starting to go a little stir-crazy. Kind of dull to think that I have five more days ahead of me like this. Ugh...

Good news is that I'm progressing very well. The doc last night was pleased that I had gotten myself to 90 degrees mobility already, and that I've tapered off the Oxycodone a bit (one every six hours instead of 1-2 every four hours). I took my dressing off and took a shower this morning, as all was well there. Not TOO swollen and everything was dry...

So there you go... I'm on my way back. I've been surprised that the pain has been less than I anticipated. I'm pretty sure it will get worse, though, as I start rehab. (I get to start riding the stationary bike today or tomorrow -- 30 minutes a day). But I'm determined to work hard to get back to good in as short a time as possible while doing right by the knee.

Before I close out this post, I have to give a shout out to my wonderful wife, who has so selflessly taken care of my every need these last two days (and will continue to do so for much of this week). I love and appreciate her more than I can say.

As for the blog... I'll try to post more this week than I have in the past couple of months, which should be easy. ;) I also have a ton of photos that I can post. Both the older boys started basketball, I went on a snow campout last weekend with the scouts, and lots of other events. Till later...

Moments Earlier...

In the Bat Cave... (This is how I first found him.)

Finger Pickin' Good!

Ah... You gotta love when you catch Batman pickin' his nose! :)

Christmas Day

Christmas was good at the Carson home. We had told the boys that we wouldn't get up before 6 a.m., so you can imagine what happened at 6. First, D came in early, to no avail. Then, a couple minutes later, O came pouncing into the room with a look of excitement only a 3-year-old can display, yelling at full voice, "It's Christmas! Santa came! Get up!" What parent can resist that?? So, off we went to enjoy the Christmas morning revelries! See for yourself...

A white Christmas!!! I don't remember very many of these growing up around here...

"I told you Santa would bring me a Zune!!"

Digging into the stockings...

Peekaboo through the GeoTrax track that Santa set up...

Mayhem...

Santa always brings a Life Saver book for the stockings.

Every time O opened something, he said ecstatically, "Just what I wanted!!"

D got something he didn't ask for, but he loved it. A remote control helicopter. It turned out to be one of the biggest hits of the day.

O played with his new GeoTrax from Mommy most of the day. He liked the track Santa put together for him...

Comin' through!!

Lots of new games this year! We had fun playing them during our 5 "man days" while K went to visit her family in Utah.

The aftermath...

Will the snow ever stop???

Christmas Eve

Catching up from the holidays... We had a fantastic Christmas Eve, with a lot of our family at our house for a nice sit-down dinner. We broke out the Lips game for the XBOX and it turned out to be the hit of the party. We ended the night with every family sharing a favorite song or story. My mom read the first chapter of "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" and gave everyone a copy to finish with their kids at home. Several others played songs on the guitar and piano. While we listened and enjoyed the peace of the experience, we ate cheesecake and then called it a night so the kids could all get home in time for Santa to make his much-anticipated stops... :) Here are some pics of the evening:

Laughter

It's funny how you can be walking down the hallway and something profound can hit you in a split second... I just had one of those moments on my way -- of all times -- to the restroom after a client 1-on-1.

I was walking fast, focused on the million things I need to do during my one free (i.e., not in meetings) hour this afternoon. I passed in front of the elevators...

*** Totally useless interruption: I just saw a truck drive by outside with
a big, red "open sleigh" in the back... Tis the season! ***

...where a couple of women were laughing as one was holding the elevator door open and saying goodbye. It was obvious their laughter was genuine -- not just a polite laugh between professionals kind of thing.

My "moment" came when I looked up and smiled. Nothing intentional, not meaning to say hi or anything. Their laughter tore me out of my hurried and harried (or maybe overly focused) condition and just plain made me smile. And that smile must have made the endorphines flow or something, because I was suddenly happier than I was just a minute before. And it struck me -- laughter makes people smile. Sounds like a "duh" statement, huh? But it feels so profound! Laughter can shake others out of their minute-to-minute grind and shoot a ray of sunshine into their day, like the one tiny hole in the clouds outside my window right now provides a glimpse of blue sky on an otherwise totally gray day (ok, now it's gone, but the point remains).

The other impression I got that hit me in the same moment was that I don't laugh/smile enough, at least not in a deep and true way. I have let myself get too sucked up in the daily grind to remember very often how truly good life is, even amidst all the turmoil in the world right now. There is so much for me/us to be grateful for. Why be stressed? I love my work and there will be more of it tomorrow! ;)

Finally, I'm going to admit something I'm not very proud of. I know, I know -- too much disclosure going on here... But it's important to me. Too often, I get put off by my boys' laughter. It's loud and sometimes obnoxious. But what would I rather have? Sad and sullen sons? Of course not! I love that they're happy and enjoy playing with each other and being kids! I need to let myself be more infected by their laughter and energy! I need to laugh with them and play more often.

Hmmm... I think I just identified next year's focus (I don't like to call them resolutions or goals -- it's rather the thing I want to keep in the back of my mind all year, at all times)... This year it was peace -- and I still have a long way to go on that one. But next year, it's going to be "Be of good cheer!" Smile! Laugh!

And, of course, these are my favorite smilers/laughers in a couple of my favorite smiling photos:

The Robot

I had to post this one... This is O's best impression of a robot. :)

Welcome Holidays!

We welcomed in the holiday season after church by building a gingerbread house. It was good fun for all, and we have a beautiful centerpiece now for our dining room table. (We'll see how long it lasts there!)

Temple Trip

We had the most amazing trip to the temple yesterday! My parents had taken the boys on Friday night and kept them through Saturday, so we could get a break and think through some critical family issues. As part of this process, we attended the temple. We ended up getting to bed a little later Friday than planned and decided to sleep in a little and attend a later session. As we walked into the chapel to wait for our session, we ran into John and Sandy Nielsen (Becca's parents) and said hello. It's always a wonderful surprise to see them, but an extra special treat to see them in the temple. Given what Sandy's been through over the last couple of years, I was pleased to see her looking so great. We had a good chat and separated, as they were invited out of the chapel.

We no sooner sat down (near the back, mind you) when we were asked to be the witness couple. We led the way up into the endowment room and, again to my surprise, found John and Sandy waiting in the same room! And to my even greater surprise, they were there with Jill and Craig and their oldest son, who was receiving his endownment for the first time in preparation for his mission! What an awesome experience to be there in our position for such a momentous occasion for a family I love so much!

After the session, as I met up with the family in the celestial room, I spoke for a moment to Jill, who said how great it was to have us there - "It was almost like having Greg and Becca here! We miss them so much!" That made me feel great. I also shared with her that, when I saw her and her son together in the session, I envisioned my lovely wife there with our sons as well. The thought brought tears to both of our eyes, and she told me to cherish the time now, because we'll be in their position before we know it. I don't doubt it for a second, although it still feels like a long time until then.

And, lest you think that was the end of the pleasant surprises... My family's long-time home teacher when I was growing up -- Bro. Gubler -- sat next to me in the same session. Sitting next to him was his son, who was also getting his endowment in prep for his mission. Too cool...

As He does so often, I'm sure the Lord had His hand in guiding us to the session we attended. It was exactly what I/we needed...

Scary Monsters

So, K went upstairs tonight to respond to our little O, who was yelling about being scared at bedtime. The interaction was precious enough that I had to post. Here's how it went:

O: I'm scared.

Mom: Why are you scared?

O: 'Cause of monsters.

Mom: When's the last time you saw a monster in our house?

O: I had a dream about a goat … on a roller coaster … with no seat … and it made a face like this… But that wasn't a monster… [cute smile]

And here's a recent picture that captures the face he made to K depicting the goat on the roller coaster with no seats. ;)

Down by the River

Today, the weather cleared for a while and we took the opportunity to drive down to the Cedar River to see how high it is after all the rain we've received lately. Pretty high, but not as high as I've seen it. Still an impressive sight.

While we were there, we snapped a few shots around the little park off of Issaquah Hobart Road.
Unfortunately not as clear as I'd like, but I had to post it just because I love it so much.

Looks kind of eery with D in the background...

Courtesy of K...

K pointed out the one flower in the visible area, so I had to shoot it. I love that the bug was sitting there...

It's been 13 years...

...since K agreed to marry me, which means we've now been married for 12 1/2 years! Actually, it was 13 years yesterday (shame on me for not saying anything -- we got caught up in election night and watching a couple episodes of The Office together).

I know she'll hate that I posted this, but sometimes I just can't avoid it. The last 13 years have been the best of my life for so many reasons, most of them having to do with this incredibly smart and beautiful woman who agreed to make the wonderful and challenging journey through life by my side. I'm looking forward to spending the next... oh... eternity with her...

I love you, K. :)

Halloween

Every year, it seems we get to the last day before Halloween and still haven't though of costumes for the boys (let alone for us -- I don't know that we've ever dressed up). I don't know -- dressing up just isn't our thing... But the boys love it. They were stressing out about not having thought of a costume, so we broke out the makeup and did a job on their faces, making them into "zombie soccer players." They turned out pretty good, actually.

Oli is the exception this year, of course, as he's been wearing the Spider Man costume we picked up at Goodwill for $2 or so for the last month. Every day he woke up and asked if he could wear his Spider Man costume, and every day he asked whether it was Halloween that night. Well -- he finally got to wear it last night, and they all got tons of candy, then came home and watched Haunted Mansion. A fun evening in all... :)

Here are the little monsters:

Painting Project - In Progress

I'm done with the painting project for now (THANK HEAVENS!), but I wanted to post some of the in-progress pictures anyway, then I'll show you the final product.

The obligatory picture of me holding the paint roller.

The entryway...

Living room...

Photo Shoot

We took the boys out on Sunday to try and take some family photos at a couple of locations in Redmond near my work. I've got a long way to go, but some of these turned out alright, so I figured I'd share...