Sketches

A Cafe "people watcher" spots me out and sketches a face of what appears to be me. I am taken back as the sketch is pushed in front of me for my eyes to view. I am puzzled. Could this really be me? Where is she that carries a smile on her face? The shadowed face before me looking so sad to a "watcher" at the local Cafe. "This is not me" I proclaim from my voice within.

How each set of eyes view and judge the human soul.

A face of an angel or a glamorous smile can hide many flaws and be deceitful, while a distorted or somber face can be judged as pain and fearful to look upon- all along within the secret of true happiness and humility abides.

The only eyes that can view into our soul and sketch truth is "You."

Sketching a person with out a smile is no crime, I was flattered by the sketch. The young man was a poor collage student, I assumed he was trying to earn a meal by sketching some woman who looked like she might be kind enough to buy him breakfast.


As Melanie and I chatted with him about school and life I gathered information about this individual, he had few to no friends, he was working out some calculation of math showing us his talent and I noticed track marks on his veins, my heart bled for him wondering how hard this young mans life must be. So we offered to buy him breakfast. Melanie took it upon her kind heart and insisted she would buy his food. Melaine has the heart of a saint.


Together Mel and I have picked up a student walking in 4ft snow on his way to a job and late for. Or the time we sighted a man on the side of the road hiking up a hill with bags of groceries on the handle bars of his beaten bike and the biggest smile on his face, just happy to be here in America after leaving his third world country to make a better life. The time we stopped to give a ride to a woman with three children sitting at a bus stop. Saw a young pregnant girl walking to a bus stop from the hospital all alone. Driving her to my home and giving her used baby items trying to ease what worry I could see in her life for her unborn child as I drove her to a motel in the "bad" part of town. This list goes on and continues.

I have sketched a memory of all these people upon my mind and can't help but wonder how many more have I missed and the opportunity gone to offer a little help in their day. It is humbling and a heart warming experience to give something so small. My eyes become open to what is good in life and my own sorrows become trivial when I see a life of true hardship and people that have gone with out. Teaching my heart never to judge people and their circumstance.

Thanks to God above for all that I am blessed with.








“I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.”
-Laura Ingalls Wilder

Elementary School Survival Kit

This past Friday the kids and I went to help Chandler's new 3rd grade teacher with the finishing touches for the first day of school.

We had a lot of fun putting together book orders, cutting stickers, cleaning counters and desk, organizing materials for all the students.
Chandler didn't seem too nervous about his first day of school since he had already met Mrs. Wariner and had acquainted himself with his new class room.

Mrs Wariner placed Chandler in the front of the class and will be sitting by his very good friend Griffen(right). Alex(left)is his friend in the same class too.
















Mom's Elementary School Survival Kit for Chandler:

The silver dollar I gave you is a reminder that you are valuable

The star is to remind you to always try your best

The eraser is to remind you that it's okay to make mistakes

The cell phone in your pack is to let you know that you can always talk to me

The reggae song I play on the way to school "Every little thing gonna be all right" is for the days you worry you'll be late and not to sweat the small stuff

The band-aid is to let you know feelings may some times get hurt but you now have a second skin and you might just have to be tough

The hug I give you every day is to remind you that you are cared for unconditionally

Last of all, the "I love you" sign we leave with each other at the start of each day assures you are never to old to be loved by your Mom

Back In The Saddle Again

Some race footage, quality is not all that great but, the race is AWESOME!

Chandler has the ambition to take up BMX riding and racing. What can I say? It's in the blood. The first time we went to the track it was such a thrilling rush. I don't know if I was more excited or Chandler, we talked the whole way home about the sport and he displayed such spark. It was fun to have a strong, common interest between the two of us. I hope he will take biking as far as he wishes, I don't believe in pushing kids to do- only to encourage these young to aspire to live their dreams.

A small taste of success gives one such confidence and belief in self. Chandler called his cousin Savannah right away to see if she would want to come ride. Savannah has got to be the most pretty little eight year old "tom boy" her personality fits the description, but bless her heart she has the appearance of an angel. The two of them are now racing BMX together. Ride on!!! This week the 2008 Tour of Utah will take place. Two years ago this event resurrected after running years of a few local and regional cycling events. It was the Preston family dream to bring international cycling here to Utah. We successfully ran that event with very minimal staff, a shoe string budget and a whole lot of blood sweat and tears went invested toward the Tour of Utah. Though the 2006 Tour went down in history as a success. My brother, Jason was left with an overwhelming amount of debt on his shoulders. The Tour title sponsor was a interested buyer, so the event was sold off, minimizing the debt Jason was left with. We were quickly elbowed out of the game due to a lot of political adversity with the Utah Sports Commission. A long story and a story that left us all with a sick stomach and a broken heart. It was a great education in learning about what a dog eat dog world it can be. Just like any thing in life there comes a time when wounded feelings must be set aside and to straddle the saddle again and ride on! This year we will be watching the Tour through different eyes and from the VIP tent.