Minna's assignment

Here is my take on Minna's assignment.

I took this for work. It is a bunch of empty aircraft galley bins. I'm not sure it's the kind of "pattern" you may have been thinking of but there is repetition. Kind of a random repetition. Anyway I found it slightly interesting, just enough to post it.

Why I check on the girls at night

It seems like just before to bed I always check on the girls. It's not really because they might be in some sort of danger, or that they might have thrown the covers off and are cold, which is common. These scenarios are taken into consideration, but it's really the only time they aren't moving, whining, eating, running etc., and they look so peaceful. It just makes me happy to look at them. It brings me joy. My cup runneth over. I know that's pretty cheesy and stuff but it's so true.

But that that isn't the only reason. I'm not really sure what it is. Perhaps it's because they are so cute, or that they look comfortable, even though sometimes they don't. I guess when they are sleeping it's just that it's one more way to adore them.

I don't really use the word adore because it doesn't really seem like a very manly word...

But that really is the most appropriate word. I check on the girls before I go to bed because I adore them.

Minna also wrote a bit about this.

I'm doing Minna's photo assignment this week

This is my entry for Minna's photo assignment. Ok the truth is that the photo of Hannah on the swing is Minna's idea, but she didn't attempt the dangerous feat of climbing up on the swing-set.



But while I was up there horizontally hanging, I looked down the rest of the swing-set. My perspective at that moment was upside down. I don't claim this as artistic, it is more frustrating to look at because it is upside down.



You can see my right knee and my left foot in the photo.

I went to Salt Lake this week

I went to Salt Lake for work. Then when I was off to Provo to hang out with my siblings. It's so fun to hang out with them. I arrived Tuesday night and left Wednesday night.

Tuesday night we played some baseball, football and had dinner at Sharalee's. Then I went to Shane's and rode his new (to him) motorcycle.



The next day after work we all met at a place for BBQ, where we talked about our childhoods, and I left for the airport. It was a quick trip. I was only there for 35 hours. It would have been 31 hours but the plane was delayed.

I love my siblings. They are so cool. Too bad Jeromy couldn't be there.

What Easter means to me.

We lived with our Father in Heaven before we came to Earth. Earth was a place to gain a body, and learn through our experiences.

I believe that Jesus Christ died, for my sins, and was resurrected.

I believe this.

And because of His resurrection we'll all be resurrected at some point.

This allows us to return to live with our Heavenly Father. This is what I want. This is why I make the choices I make. This is everything.

This is what Easter means to me. Easter is a celebration of this opportunity.

Happy Easter!

Easter was very fun. The girls were good at church and I wasn't too tired from lack of sleep and the messages were good.

For Easter dinner we went over to the Harts. They have the smallest kitchen ever.


And we had the most amazing pork loin. mmm mmm


The most fun thing we did was hide eggs for the kids to find.


It took a lot of concentration, but it paid off in some great hiding spots.










Jane fell, but didn't drop the eggs. Sacrificing the body for the good of the eggs.


The other most fun thing we did was eat dirt. We brought out a flower that was drooping and asked the kids why they thought it was dying.


Ellie, went to get water right away. We didn't water them but we sang to the flowers, but maybe they were dropping because the soil didn't taste good. All the kids agreed that soil doesn't taste good. But just in case, I decided that I should taste it.


It turned out to be very delicious dirt. This fabulous dirt was made with crushed Oreos and a cream cheese and Cool Whip mix and pudding.

Happy Easter!

Cool things I get paid to do

I had an interesting day at work today taking photos.

I went to the airport.


And took a tour of the new JetBlue terminal. It is supposed to open later this year.


It's right behind the old TWA building.


It's very roomy.


Then I met with some folks from Aer Lingus to take photos that will help train JetBlue folks, since we're all friendly and stuff now.

Micah Indy

Just incase you don't read our family blog. Jeromy and Carrie named the little boy Micah Indy.

Photo by my mom

I have a question

What is your worst talent?

Or it could be phrased as: what are you really bad at? But I phrased it as 'your worst talent' because sometimes you might be good at something that might not be something good to be good at.

I'm really bad at dialing phone numbers on a regular phone. Cell phones aren't so difficult but I think I'm button number challenged. I'm also pretty good at riding my bike with no hands.



Yes, the photo is me, with a beard, wearing my favorite hat that I lost. I should mention that this photo was taken in Greenland.

He's here! But he doesn't have a name yet.

I just got off the phone with Jeromy. Holy Cow he's huge! 9lbs 2oz. 20.5 inches. Minna was there for the whole thing got emotional when he was born. I can just see her with tears, sniffing and wiping her eyes then taking more photos.

Carrie did it natural, and it was reported that this baby was the most difficult.

Minna said she felt so intrusive as Carrie watched endured screaming pain. In my head I imagine sounds of the birthing center (she did it in the tub again) with nurses coaching as Carrie screams. Then, in a small moment of quiet, the sound of Minna's shutter. It seems so out of place. Minna felt out of place. But, Carrie was glad she was there and I can't wait to see the photos.

Minna flies home tonight with the girls.

Baby news!

I have received word that Carrie is at the hospital and in early stages of labor. Minna is photographing it all.

I'm back in NYC

We had a great time in Sacramento. Well, Minna is still having fun there with the girls. They are all patiently waiting for a baby to come.

Waiting after the due date is the worst. I know because we waited nine days past Hannah's due date for her to be born.

My parents came Friday night and Saturday. I love when my girls get to see their grandparents. Jane even recognized them so it hasn't been that long since they've seen them.

My red-eye left at 12:15am Monday morning. I got there and was hoping there would be enough seats to actually lay down. No such luck. Apparently 26 people had missed the previous once-a-day flight because of the time change. They were all trying to get on my flight. Since I was flying stand-by, this is bad news for me. I did make it on, and actually slept ok.

I've almost got the flying-sleeping thing down pat. Here is what helps me.

1. I put something under my feet, the higher the better. I had my bag down there.
2. I put my belt around my knees because when they flop around when I start to doze. I was in the middle seat and my neighbors both looked at me a little funny when I did this.
3. On JetBlue they give out earplugs. They help tremendously, to drown out the PAs.
4. I'm still working out the head bobbing thing. Neck pillows don't work for me. Once when I was in the very last row I took my long sleeve t-shirt and tied my head to the seat. That kept my head from bobbing all over. I think people really got a kick out of it on the way to the bathroom.

Anyway, I got enough sleep to be functional at work, so that's the important thing.

Happy Anniversary!

Happy anniversary to Shane and Lauren. Holy Cow I can't believe it's been a year!

Today in Sacramento

We've had a great day. We ditched the kids and went on a double date with Jeromy and Carrie. Her baby is due today, but nothing to report.


We went to get sushi. It was delicious.

Then we got ice cream at Gunthers. So delicious.


Then we played in the field. I was leaping.


And Jane was sassy.


Minna was beautiful.

I've arrived in Sacramento

I'm in Sacramento. No baby yet. However there were contractions last night, but they stopped. So now we're planning on playing some racquetball and maybe getting some sushi. Jeromy doesn't have to work today.

The flight was uneventful. Nothing else to report.

Off to California

I'm working a full day tomorrow then off to Sacramento to hang with Jeromy and Carrie and hopefully their new baby boy. It will be the 3rd boy of 4 kids.

Little "Indy" is due on Friday. Indy's mother has three previous children all born within a day of their due date. Think this one will be just as close? Shall we take bets? Ok, you can bet whatever but I'm on the side of the mother's intuition. That means the baby will be born in the next 72 hours. Jeromy thinks it will be tomorrow night. I hope so since I'm only going to be there for three days. I hope Jeromy is right so I can meet this little boy.

New babies are amazing.

As far as the name "Indy" goes, I think Jeromy wants to name him Indy Micah and Carrie wants to name him Micah Alexander. I always like names with an 'x' in them. Signing Indy Dyer is cool cause it has two 'y's. And of course Micah is a wonderful name, just ask my cousin Micah.

We'll find out what the final answer will be soon enough.

I'm writing this from my phone.

I have a question

Everyone has a morning routine or at least one thing they do every morning besides wake up. To each of us we would consider everything we do each morning as normal, but somethings we do every morning are not normal. So with that...

What is the most unusual behavior in your morning routine?

When I asked this at work, my boss answered that she does her hair and makeup in bed. For me I don't think anything I do is absolutely unusual but I do wake up without an alarm clock every morning.

The shopping mall of business ideas

Living in my brain is like waking through a shopping mall of business ideas. The problem is that I'm too chicken to actually walk into any of the stores. I just look and smile, and keep walking. I've sheepishly started some ideas, like Duster Books, which lasted 5 years.

Recently I looked into an idea and ended up doing more research, and spent more time on it than any other project, paper or assignment in my life. The was a birthday party center for kids. I actually got pretty far. I was actually negotiating a space in a mall (the terms were quite favorable) and then didn't do it. It would probably take $300,000 and I would have to leave my current stable job. That's why I didn't do it.

I've heard that most businesses start with less than $15,000 in capital. That's much easier to swallow than 300K.

So the problem now is that there are lots of ideas. When I say them out loud they sound so silly. But I'll share them with you and you can tell me what you think. (in no particular order)

1 Corporate Blogging platform
I've been a big blogger advocate for a while. At work I'm facilitating the integration of a new corporate blogging platform. It is experimental in nature and I'm really excited to see where it goes. But the platform is horrible. I admit, I helped pick it out. But when we did pick it out last year, the options were so slim. Either use this, or build our own custom solution from open source code. The choice was obvious with our resources for this being project very limited. The platform was even ranked #2 as far as corporate blogging platforms go. Ok, the platform isn't that bad, but the user friendliness is non-existent. Using it is like trying to put your seatbelt on when it is already buckled (and you can't unbuckle it first). So, I think I could build a better platform with better user friendliness.

2 Sell anything online (pet supplies?) using the a 4hww principle of outsourcing.
The idea is that you outsource everything. Outsource the website, outsource the inventory, outsource absolutely everything. Apparently it's a lot cheaper than you think. I mention pet supplies because at one time I heard it was a 40 billion/million dollars a year business. I heard that in Manhattan alone there is 4 million pets. Sounds ridiculous I know, but I wouldn't have to sacrifice work/life balance, I still keep my job and the hope is that another income source would be gained. Just outsource it all.

Anyway, I'm interested in what people think. Remember, these are potential ideas waiting to be molded further. I'm not doing them yet, so you can discourage/encourage me all you want. Do you have your own ideas? I would be interested in hearing them.