Well I don’t really have anything profound to write about but I was just thinking about a recurring theme this past weekend. One of the ideas in the sermon today was about where you are investing your time. As Thanksgiving and Christmas approach I wonder where the time went this year. Then I think that after Christmas, there are only two more months and then Spring starts to show up. Where did 2004 go? Was it well invested?

Last night Regina and I rented “Elf” and rearranged the furniture so the loveseat was right in front of the TV. We popped some popcorn and just took the time to enjoy a movie together (after the kids went to bed of course.) Why am I telling you this? Well I consider this some special time that was well spent. (If you watch a lot of movies, it might not be so special for you but it was for us.) Some might argue that a movie isn’t very productive in developing your marriage, but for us in this crazy time of life, we found it to be exactly what we needed.

I also write this for my friends that are new parents. The best way to invest in your kids is to invest in your spouse. A lot of people say the kids should come first in a marriage but how can a family stay strong when the parents are always on the edge of chaos? This is cliché but … your kids will eventually grow up and move out (hopefully) but your spouse will remain (hopefully). Make sure you are growing together as you raise your kids.

P.S. I think 2004 has been well invested. It has brought change (as I thought it would) and the course of our lives has forever been altered. We’ve traveled to places we never thought we’d go. We’ve met people we’ve never planned on meeting - and we are better for it. I’d say it’s been a challenging but rewarding year so far.