Minnesota Vikings Thoughts

Here's my take on the Vikes.

Their overall defense should improve from last year. If their run defense isn't quite as good, I do expect way more pressure on the QB. We'll get more turnovers and do much better on our pass defense.

Our O-line and run game should be better than last year.

Special teams - not so good. They need to get better fast (especially with our brand of field positions football).

Passing - it's going to be a growing process. I'm afraid we won't get enough good pass attempts because T-Jack fears the interception. We need to have some punch in the Red Zone.

There is potential to be pretty good - but... let's not go there.

My Adorable Daughter

Elise is 2 and a half, and she is full of passion - Wow!!! She is excited about everything - both in good ways and bad ways. She loves to talk and doesn't stop.

The other night I was giving her a bath - actually - she was doing it all herself - she loves to pour water on her head and shampoo her hair. I told her she was amazing (cause Benjamin hated water on his head at her age). She said - "Me not amazing. Untle Dan Amazing." ("Untle" is how she said uncle). It was very cute. I'm not sure what he did, but he remains on her mind as amazing.

I could tell so many stories (like how she refused to eat her food tonight - and sat at the table a looooooong time until bed time - and she never ate her food).

School Starts For My Son

My little baby boy (he's 5 now) starts Kindergarten tomorrow. He went to preschool last year (but only 3 days a week and only for 2.5 hours a day). Kindergarten is all day, 5 days a week, at a building that has 8th graders in it. It's hard for me to put my child there. I'm excited for him and I think he has a great teacher (we've been told that by friends). I won't see him at lunch time. I won't have as much influence on him as before (at least not in terms of time spent with him).

I don't doubt God's sovereignty. It's just a scary thing for this dad. I'm sure I'll shed a tear or two tomorrow when I send him into the lion's den.

I don't have a lot of deep thoughts. That's just what's on my heart now.

Update on Olson Life - August 07, 2007

The biggest news in my life (and the life of my family) is that we had a FANTASTIC week of VACATION up in Wisconsin (Cumberland - the Island City). We rented a big house on a lake and my brother and his wife, my sister, my parents, my grandpa, and a cousin (and my family) spent a week there. We did mostly nothing - eat, sleep, play with kids, do puzzles, swim, sports, read books. Lori used to dread the thought of such a thing, but she loved it too. The biggest challenge was having young kids - especially Jonathan at 13 months - he is a handful - heavy, pretty fast, and into everything (and can reach higher and farther than you think). I am so thankful for a family that knows and loves Jesus.

One simple high light was that on the way up to the Twin Cities (we stayed in Lori's sisters house for a couple days on the way to Wisconsin) we stopped in Mankato for the Minnesota Vikings Training Camp (first day on the field). It was fun to watch practice along with Steve and Amber (I did their wedding a couple months ago). At the end of practice, each player was introduced and through an autographed ball into the stands. The short story is this - two balls were personally handed to Benjamin (these are full sized, autograph balls - half is normal leather, half is a smooth white surface for autographs).

We are back and in the midst of more craziness. We are doing VBS this week (fortunately I am only in charge of music - which allows me and my pastor a chance to play the Eagle Grove Open - that is - the two of us sneak off for an hour and play tennis - if it's not raining). We are doing a garage sale this weekend - and Lori's parents come back from Romania on Thursday.

School starts soon - Benjamin will be going to all day kindergarten. That's exciting and scary. It's hard for me - to realize I won't see him for lunch any more. Lori and I plan to take turns eating lunch with him now and then.

God is faithful, good, mighty, and jealous. He does not treat us as our sins deserve!!!