Intermission

Posted on June 30, 2025 by brent

Well, it is June 30 and that means today is the halfway point of the year. Tomorrow will mark the second half of 2025.

I am usually frank about whether I feel a year (or the first half of it) has seemed to go by fast or slow. When it comes to 2025, it has gone fast for me. I remember Dec. 31, 2024, very vividly and it seems like it was just yesterday.

Don’t worry, I am not going to delve into the past six months in detail, but I can’t complain too much about the first 50% of 2025. It has been characterized by Sidney’s new job, two incredible vacations, some nice professional moments, and a deep dive into the Bible.

The first half of 2025 packed a lot of fun, including our family’s first-ever cruise.

But this post isn’t to reflect on myself. Rather, I just want to give that friendly reminder that we are at the midpoint of the year. There isn’t a better time to reflect on how things are going and how you want to set yourself up for success over the course of the next six months. If you are a sports fan, you might take a couple moments to read the extreme halftime analogy I penned two years ago about the significance of today.

If sports isn’t your thing, think of today as intermission of a play that you are acting in. If you joined the play with high aspirations that you would deliver a riveting performance but things kind of fell apart in that first act, don’t fret! Remember, the audience will only remember you based on your final act performance. Use intermission to compose yourself, review your lines (aka your New Year resolutions), and think positively about the second half of the play.

If you hit it out of the park in the first act, keep up the high caliber performance—but don’t get cocky. Still review your lines to make sure you are heading in the right direction and don’t let up on that accelerator once the second act starts. Continue to shine!

You got this, friends! Take time to reflect but then also take time to look forward. Good things are in store. Don’t Blink.

Censored Thursday Rundown

Posted on June 26, 2025 by brent

Good evening! I love this part of summer. Nothing beats the mix of wedding season, Hoopfest weekend, and the lead up to Fourth of July. Throw in hot temperatures with some cold beer and what a time it is to be alive! And what a time it is to write a Thursday Rundown. I present to you tonight’s five topics…

Michael Jackson – The popular question was always “What were you doing when JFK died?” Although that event was barely before my time (😉), I have other high profile deaths that are etched in my memory. One of those was when Michael Jackson passed away unexpectedly on June 25, 2009. I had just graduated college and was starting off my professional career within the University of Montana athletic department. While all my older colleagues kept up with the news on television, I used a relatively new platform called Twitter to stay ahead of the news. That night I hit the streets of Missoula with friends and was amazed that even in my obscure corner of Montana that Michael Jackson impersonators were out in full force and all the bars were playing the greatest hits from the King of Pop. To learn about other iconic deaths I remember like yesterday, tap here.

My friend Dan and I with a Michael Jackson impersonator in 2012.

Hoopfest Memory – As I mentioned in the intro, Hoopfest weekend is almost here and my social channels are filled with past Hoopfest memories. One particular flashback that came up today was from three years ago. On June 25, 2022, the Reser Puffs made their Hoopfest debut in the family bracket. Despite the best of intentions and a spirited practice, we didn’t win a game. However, playing with my sister, brother, and sister-in-law was a ton of fun. I wrote about that unique experience here.

Although we failed to win a game we sure had fun.

Israel vs. Iran Conflict – Not everyone subscribes to my blog so a way I distribute Don’t Blink content to others is through social media. Earlier this week, I gave my thoughts on America’s involvement in the Israel vs. Iran conflict. It was a totally low key and non-controversial take from the perspective of a father with young kids. However, Meta didn’t like it and removed the posts. If you visit my blog via social media and didn’t see the entry, tap here for my thoughts (and you should probably just subscribe). All I can say right now is that I hope this ceasefire continues to hold.

The Israel vs. Iran conflict and America’s involvement has made me nervous.

Riverfront Park SkyRide – This past Sunday, Riverfront Park held its Kids Day event. Children could ride the Loof Carousel and rent roller skates for free. Another major perk was free admission on the Numerica SkyRide. How could I pass that up for Sloan and Beau? Although we did have to wait in line for a bit, we did eventually get the chance to float over the Spokane Falls in a gondola car. I last rode the attraction nearly 10 years ago during the winter with Sidney so it was cool to see the magnificent Falls during a different season. There were some nerves at first but everyone settled down and enjoyed the ride.

Beau and Sloan relax on the Numerica SkyRide in Riverfront Park.

Oh Deer – Yesterday afternoon, EWU’s executive assistant to the president walked into my office and directed me to open my blinds. Not knowing exactly what I would see, I was relieved that it was just a cute deer eating a late lunch right outside my window. Although I did say “cute,” upon close inspection you could tell that the animal probably wasn’t the healthiest. Despite the fact that it looked a little rough, getting an up close glimpse at EWU wildlife was a nice way to highlight the day.

This deer visited me at the window of my Eastern Washington University office yesterday.

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That’s all I have. Please pray for continued peace in the Middle East and have a wonderful weekend. Don’t Blink.

A Radical Ride on the Wings of Prayer

Posted on June 25, 2025 by brent

Look up! If you see a plane flying gracefully in the sky with possibly some doves trailing it, Sloan and Beau may very well be on it. At the start of this week, they punched their tickets for a Radical Ride on the Wings of Prayer.

This summer, Sloan and Beau are taking off from the St. Mary Airport on the Radical Ride on the Wings of Prayer.

It is that time of the year—Catholic Summer Camp! For the fourth time since we moved to Spokane, our family is involved with St. Mary Catholic Church’s spectacular twist on vacation bible school. However, this year our involvement doesn’t extend to just one camper. Beau is making his camp debut as he joins Sloan for what has already been a memorable camp.

Sloan and Beau have loved putting on their camp shirts the past few days as they hop on the radical ride of prayer.

But if you have followed my past posts on Catholic Summer Camp (here, here, and here), you already know that this week-long adventure can’t be anything but memorable. When you have the world’s best vacation bible school director, you really can’t expect anything less. Marie Bricher makes sure the campers receive the complete VBS experience with music, skits, snacks, and games. She also takes themes to complete extremes (in a good way) and she has outdone herself once again by transforming the St. Mary gym into the St. Mary International Airport.

The St. Mary gym in the Spokane Valley has been transformed into the St. Mary International Airport.

However, there is something more important than the fun activities and clever theme—yes, I am talking about the content. This summer, it is all about prayer. Throughout this week, Sloan and Beau are learning more about prayer and how to put it into action (as Fr. Jeff Lewis says, “Just pray, baby!”). Each day, they are “flying” on the wings of prayer to a different country to learn about a specific type of prayer and a saint native to the nation they are visiting.

Upon entering the St. Mary International Airport, you naturally have to go through the metal detector.

Whether it be Lectio Divina, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, or just quiet contemplation in Eucharistic Adoration, these kids are learning a lot and growing spiritually. And this is absolutely crucial because let’s be honest: our society is anti-prayer. It has become popular to discredit and shun “thoughts and prayers” as worthless. People are so impatient and misinformed that they feel prayer is useless if if doesn’t end in an immediate miracle.

At the opening kickoff for Catholic Summer Camp on Sunday, a large contingent of saints “flew” into St. Mary International Airport to be part of the festivities. Camp volunteers stand on the gym steps with photos of these holy men and women.

Try telling that to the campers at St. Mary. I can tell you that they will be moving mountains in front of the blessed sacrament tomorrow.

Marie Bricher is making sure Sloan, Beau, and the rest of the campers know the power of prayer. Her love for a theme even extends to the pilot hat she is wearing.

But off my soap box and back to St. Mary International Airport. You seriously have to see inside the gym. Campers check in for their flight, walk through a metal detector, and find their airline. A large plane constructed by 8th grade teacher Kevin Schultz hangs from the ceiling. Aviation-themed photo backdrops are affixed to the walls. Sloan and Beau made their own carry-on bags and were issued passports. There is even a baggage claim where the kids can put their lunch boxes!

St. Mary School 8th grade teacher Kevin Schultz created the centerpiece airplane that hangs in the gym.

With the week more than halfway over, the radical ride will start making its initial descent soon. The final physical destination will be a Friday afternoon picnic lunch for all campers and families on the St. Mary blacktop. The ultimate destination? Well, Heaven of course. And if there is one thing that Marie Bricher and her volunteer staff has taught the 120+ campers this week, it is that prayer does provide some powerful fuel for that journey. Don’t Blink.

Iran Thoughts From A Dad

Posted on June 24, 2025 by brent

Nuclear war horrifies me. Because of this grisly fear, shouldn’t I have been comforted or at least supportive of President Trump’s recent decision to strike Iranian nuclear sites?

Well, as per usual, this blogger isn’t going to tread anywhere near what could be considered political so I won’t engage in the “supportive” part of the question. But I will take a brief stab at the “comfort” part from the lens of a dad with two young children.

Leading up to the military operation, my mind screamed don’t attack Iran. My gut seemed to suggest targeting an extreme country with a deep hate for America and roughly 100M people wasn’t the best idea. But then there was the even more concerning thought about irking more powerful countries (cough, cough, Russia/China, cough, cough). Although the “this will start WWIII” warning is overused and cliché, I would be lying if it didn’t cross my mind.

The Israel vs. Iran conflict and America’s involvement has made me nervous.

On the other side, the decision is being rationalized by the principles of deterrence and national security. As Vice President J.D. Vance said on Sunday, “We aren’t at war with Iran, we’re at war with Iran’s nuclear program.”

I would still prefer not to have the words “Iran” and “war” in any sentence that deals with the United States of America.

That’s why I was cautiously optimistic (another cliché) when the conflict took another turn on Monday. Iran blasted off a round of “powerful” but very symbolic rockets at a U.S. airbase in Qatar before agreeing to a ceasefire with Israel. President Trump once again looked like he pulled out the improbable, leaving his critics dumbfounded. Although I will happily take peace even if it means a certain U.S. President receives even more bragging rights, I am not 100% convinced this is over…and this morning is evidence of that as both countries accuse each other of violating the ceasefire.

To be honest, this whole conflict has made me concerned for my children and their futures. Over the weekend, there was just a sense of dread and dark mystery that came from attacking a country that we have tried so hard to avoid for decades. But again, what would be the cost if the United States sat back and did nothing? What would it mean for Israel?

I feel now more than ever we need to pray for world peace and sound decision making. Regardless of where you stand on the political spectrum, let’s hope these strikes against Iran’s nuclear program and the resulting ceasefire pave the way for long lasting peace and a safer future. Don’t Blink.

A RAD-iculous Morning

Posted on June 23, 2025 by brent

It was a dozen years ago when I participated in a 5K fad that was sweeping the country. In May 2013, I joined friends to participate in Color Me Rad, one of the popular color run circuits that centered on covering runners in vibrantly-colored chalky powder. That morning in Missoula was a complete blast and I told myself that I would do another color run soon.

A photo of me with friends at the conclusion of the 2013 Color Me Run event in Missoula.

However, like all fads, color run popularity waned over the years. The opportunities to participate were few and far between. But another hallmark of fads is that often they have mini resurgences. Imagine my excitement when I learned that Color Me Rad was going to stage an event in the Spokane area! I immediately signed Sloan and me up.

The night before the Color Me Rad event, I put out our very white shirts.

This past Saturday, we ventured out to the MODE Campus in Liberty Lake to participate in the Color Me Rad event. Organizers offered two 5K races with a family-focused 1-mile run sandwiched between. I tested my own fitness by running the opening 5K race at 9 a.m. Not only did I get a nice 3-mile workout, but it warmed me up on what was a cold June morning.

A couple moments before I left for Liberty Lake, I snapped this photo with Sloan before we got rad.

Once I finished, I walked back to the parking lot and grabbed Sloan who was dropped off by Sidney. She saw the bright colors on my clothing/skin and couldn’t wait to get to the starting line. Sloan excitedly grabbed my hand and we walked to the giant inflatable arch with “START” written on it. We spent the 15 minutes prior to 10 a.m. listening to the live band and going through the warm up exercises led by event organizers.

A few minutes before 10 a.m., I snapped this photo of Sloan at the starting line.

At the command of the emcee who led us in one giant shout of “COLOR ME RAD,” we crossed the starting line and the race was on. Well, it is about the furthest thing from a race as you can get, but you get the picture. Sloan and I navigated the zig-zag course with joy, a rare occurrence considering running isn’t exactly my daughter’s favorite thing to do. But how can’t you be exuberant when color bombs are showering upon you?

Sloan at the beginning of the course at the first color staton.

The course was lined with different color stations where volunteers would throw the chalky powder on your personal canvas. Sloan embraced the color and by the time we neared the finish line, her dark hair was pretty much completely pink.

Toward the end of the run, Sloan’s hair was completely pink.

Once we crossed the finish line, the fun wasn’t over. Sloan and I were each given color pouches (and bottled water) to use as we wished. We had a blast using the fresh powder to make ourselves look even more RADiculous.

A selfie after we crossed the Color Me Rad selfie. Compare this to the first selfie we took in our pristine white shirts!

We then ventured over to the stage where the emcee was leading the crowd in “color throws.” Color packets were distributed and then everyone threw up their powder in unison. While this was occurring, the cloud of color was amplified by a Color Me Rad staffer who used a fire extinguisher to blow out thick bursts of color. Sloan absolutely loved it.

An obligatory finish line photo of Sloan.

Although we could have stayed longer as a big party was set to start after the conclusion of the second 5K heat, we had other stuff to do (like hang out at home and eat chicken nuggets). I draped large garbage bags over the backs of my car seats and placed beach towels on the cushions. We then headed home where Sid was waiting to collect our clothes and give Sloan a bath.

What an awesome time we had and they even gave Sloan a medal. Thanks to MODE Campus for hosting Color Me Rad.

I want to thank MODE Campus for reviving the Color Me Rad brand and organizing the event. I am trying to find fun ways to get Sloan active and this opportunity definitely fit the bill. It also brought back some nostalgia for me. Although a little more sun would have been nice, it was otherwise a perfect morning. Don’t Blink.

Rise And Shine Thursday Rundown

Posted on June 19, 2025 by brent

School is out and the official start of summer is just about 24 hours away. Hope everyone is encouraged and excited about the next couple of months. Likewise, I hope everyone is encouraged and excited about this latest Thursday Rundown. Let’s go…

Rise Espresso & Dough Company – I continued the tradition with my kids of treating them to donuts after the last day of school. Despite the shop we used to visit no longer being in business, we found a new joint. Called Rise Espresso & Dough Company, it is a shop with an impressive variety of donuts and extra large fritters. You already know what I ordered (and still brought half home to Sid) but my kids each got a chocolate bar topped with peanut butter icing and Reese’s Pieces.

Some photos from inside Rise Espresso and Dough Co.

Go Chants – It is insane what the Coastal Carolina University baseball team is doing right now! The Chants have won 26 straight games and cruised into the College World Series finals. After smashing three teams in Omaha already, CCU will face LSU in a three-game series for all the marbles. Coastal is just two wins away from a second national championship. I had the pleasure of working at CCU when the Chants won the College World Series the first time in 2016 and even though I didn’t go to Omaha, I told a local Myrtle Beach news station that I had the second best seat in the house. I ranked the title run as my top moment while working at Coastal Carolina. Would love to see my old friends at CCU enjoy the fruits of another baseball championship.

I took a photo with the national championship trophy that the Coastal Carolina University baseball team won in 2016. I hope they do it again!

Mega Pouch – I might have wrote about root beer on Tuesday, but today it is all about Capri Sun. Did you hear? The iconic drink released 15-inch pouches this week filled with 20 ounces of juice…that’s more than 3X the size of a regular pouch. It even came with an extra long yellow straw. Even though I didn’t come close to beating the rush by getting my hands on a pouch, I think I would have drank it using the same technique I demonstrated a few years ago.

A look at the 15-inch Capri Sun pouch that contained 20 ounces of product.

Father’s Day Gifts – Sid and the kids spoiled me (per usual) for Father’s Day. Out of all the gifts they gave me, the new phone case was probably my favorite. I am an OtterBox user and the case I had for over five years was falling apart. I now have a brand new OtterBox that is providing my iPhone with the best protection possible. I switched from a black case to a blue case and I am digging the change.

My wife and kids spoiled me once again.

The Keys – If I was to rewind time to exactly six years ago, I would find myself in the Florida Keys with my family. In June 2019, we traveled to the Keys for the wedding of Sid’s sister. Although my sister-in-law’s big day was definitely the highlight, we got to do a lot of other fun stuff, too. We played at the resort, explored the Gulf of Mexico in a boat, and ate a lot of rice and beans. I really enjoyed going to Key West and standing at the southernmost point in the continental United States. To be honest, although I usually say time flies, that trip seems longer than six years ago.

I will end with one of my favorite photos from our Florida Keys trip. This was from the longest day of the year…we ate at a restaurant called Island Fish Company and sat outside as the sun went down.

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That will do it for tonight. Make sure to get outside tomorrow evening and truly enjoy the longest day of the year. Don’t Blink.

Cheers To National Root Beer Day

Posted on June 17, 2025 by brent

I like root beer. Perhaps a reason for that is the nostalgia. For me, it brings back memories of childhood birthday parties at Chuck E. Cheese and late night sleepovers. Root beer is smooth and distinct to my palate—milder than the heavily-carbonated burn that a cola packs.

It is National Root Beer Day and we are celebrating at my house!

I just like the root beer flavor in general. Give me root beer-flavored Jelly Bellies, hard candy, or even cotton candy and I will gladly enjoy it. Just don’t give me a root beer milkshake—which happens to be my dad’s favorite shake flavor—because if I am drinking something that tastes like root beer, I want it to be the real thing.

There is another reason why I don’t like root beer milkshakes: root beer and ice cream don’t go together well. Yes, I realize what I am conveying…root beer floats are worthless! But if you have read this blog for any length of time, my opinion isn’t a revelation to you. I have written about it too many times to link all the instances I have expressed my dislike for root beer floats. Sorry, but root beer doesn’t bring out the best in ice cream and the ice cream negatively alters the taste of root beer.

Sloan really enjoyed her first ever root beer float in 2021. However, I strongly dislike them.

But wait, this is supposed to be a celebration of root beer, so let me get back on track. I am down for most any type of root beer. I enjoy the gold standard of A&W, the bougieness of Henry Weinhard’s, the bite that comes with Barq’s, and even the faint flatness of generic root beers. However, I have yet to pull off what my good friend has done on a couple occasions by conducting the ultimate root beer taste test. I hope to eventually follow his lead and do something like I did for lemon-lime sodas. If I do, you better believe that I will blog about it.

My wife hates root beer but she still let me buy some to store in the refrigerator for tonight. If you also happen to have a can or bottle at home, make sure to make a toast on this National Root Beer Day. Don’t Blink.

Where Have All The Pogs Gone?

Posted on June 16, 2025 by brent

Earlier this month, the neighborhood I grew up in hosted its community yard sale. This Camelot Yard Sale has occurred since before I even lived there and it draws hundreds and hundreds of people from around Spokane.

It was a beautiful day for a yard sale even if we didn’t have much to sell at my parents’ house.

This year, my kids and I visited my parents during the Camelot Yard Sale to observe the action from the best driveway in the neighborhood (but perhaps I am biased) and to do our own browsing. Among all the clothes, golf clubs, and furniture I noticed I also saw A LOT of baseball cards. People were trying to unload all the cards they have held onto since they were kids.

Truth be told, I could have done the same thing. I probably have thousands of old baseball cards tucked away in my parents’ basement. But I didn’t, and there is a good reason for that. They are worth nothing. Back in 2019, I wrote a blog post about a documentary I watched that said old baseball cards are worthless because too many of them were printed. Even prized rookie cards of today’s most recent Hall of Famers aren’t worth the paper they were printed on because of overproduction.

Many of the houses we visited at the Camelot Yard Sale had baseball cards and other sports memorabilia for sale.

Oh well.

But what I didn’t see at the community sale was any evidence of another fad during my youth. I am not talking beanie babies, furbies, or fanny packs. Rather, I am talking about pogs.

Pokémon cards were also one of the former “fad” items up for sale. But I never saw pogs.

In the same blog post I wrote about baseball cards, I mentioned pogs. I touched on my obsession with the circle-shaped disks and the slammers that accompanied them. My friends and I would “play for keeps” in high stakes battles. My nerdiness for the fad went so deep that I entered a pog tournament at a local shopping mall. During the time they were big, any money I had (which wasn’t much) went straight to purchasing them.

However, at the yard sale event I didn’t see a single pog. It got me to thinking, did people just throw them out or are they hoarding them somewhere waiting for the trend to get hot again? Playing pogs was a lot of fun but I don’t think a comeback is likely given a climate that is focused almost exclusively on digital entertainment.

Sloan shopped the Camelot Yard Sale without any idea what was a pog was. No matter, I didn’t see any pogs at any moment during the sale.

Did you play pogs growing up? If so, I would love to hear any stories you have about the hobby AND whether you still have your pog collection somewhere. Don’t Blink.

Feeling Grateful For 2024-25

Posted on June 13, 2025 by brent

Today is Friday the 13th but it is not an unlucky day at St. Mary Catholic School. After all, it is the last day of school and how can it be anything less than a celebration? Okay, bad example—Sloan cried her heart out the last day of the 2023-24 school year. But I think this year she realizes that the end of school isn’t something to feel sad about but rather to feel proud of.

Unlike last year, Sloan (and Beau) was all smiles today.

What is there to be proud of, you ask? I think Sloan, Beau, and their classmates can be proud at making it through the 180-day grind, putting on their uniforms for 10 months straight, and tolerating Principal Hart’s dad jokes at the weekly “Monday Meeting” assembly. 😂

Sloan and Beau stand near the Mary statue on the St. Mary Catholic School (Spokane Valley) campus. I don’t think they will mind putting away the uniforms for the next couple months.

There is much to be proud of for the greater St. Mary Catholic School community as well. It was another year of academic excellence, striving for sainthood, and growing in faith. These pursuits all moved forward in a school environment where students attend mass, teachers go to adoration, and the principal embraces his role as a servant.

Another proud moment came when Beau graduated from preschool earlier this week.

Without question, the biggest draw for me at St. Mary—which is encapsulated in the points of pride I just mentioned above—is the mission to help students get to Heaven. And how can this mission be fully executed without the people inside the school who invest their energy and prayer into lifting our children up? The answer is easy: It can’t.

We love this school and love the people who work inside it.

I decided that I wanted to dedicate this 2024-25 St. Mary school year recap to a handful of people I feel especially appreciative of this year. These five individuals either helped my children grow directly, contributed to the positive culture at St. Mary, or made my own day brighter…

With Sidney and I both working, we feel bad that we have to send Beau and Sloan to St. Mary’s EduCare program both before and after school. Although extremely appreciative of the service, we wish we had more hours with the kids. With that said, I was always comforted by Mrs. Robin Gregory’s warmth and positivity when I dropped Sloan and Beau off in the gym each morning. I enjoyed our daily 30-second conversations and Mrs. Gregory’s ability to put a smile on Sloan’s face during those days when she woke up on the wrong side of the bed or sparred with her daddy on the way to school. 🙄

Beau poses with Mrs. Robin Gregory. It was always nice to chat with her in the morning.

Mr. Hart had the audacity to ask Mrs. Anne Mileski—owner of a thriving musical education curriculum business and music faculty member at two local universities—to serve as our school’s music teacher. Guess what? She actually said YES! As you can imagine, she transformed the program. The beauty, reverence, and just general technique Anne imparted on the kids was a blessing. My mom was blown away by the sophistication and coordination of the Christmas and Spring concerts. Additionally, Sidney has grown tired at the numerous times I have told her throughout the year that Sloan’s singing voice has improved tremendously (not that it was that terrible before 🙉 🎵). It truly is amazing what beautiful music can do to improve the morale and self-respect of a community. Needless to say, St. Mary is better because of Anne.

Mrs. Anne Mileski directs Sloan’s class during the 2024 St. Mary Christmas program. Sid and I are honored to call Anne a friend.

Our MVP goes to Mrs. Jordan Hoard. She went into the 2024-25 school year just as a classroom aide but was elevated to Beau’s Pre-K4 lead teacher after a small staff shuffle took place the second week of school. Mrs. Hoard graciously stepped up and did a better job than Sid and I could have asked for. With constant communication, enthusiasm, and the utmost respect for each student, we were so impressed by how she led the Pre-K4 classroom. From conducting great parent/teacher conferences to her creativity (alphabet days, anyone?) to teaching God’s lessons at a level the kids could understand, Mrs. Hoard exceeded our expectations. You are an inspiration, Jordan! 🙌

Mrs. Jordan Hoard came to the rescue and led the St. Mary Pre-K4 class. She did an absolute superb job. This photo is of Beau and Jordan after the preschool graduation.

The other day, I told Mrs. Alisha Roberts that it doesn’t matter what position she holds at St. Mary, our community just needs her in the school somewhere. But I guess her move from an aide to the office manager made perfect sense because the gatekeeper of a school needs to have the kindness and passion that Mrs. Roberts exuberates. What a pleasure it was to engage with her throughout the year! Whether I had a question, needed to excuse Sloan/Beau, or make alternative pick up plans it was always so pleasant and efficient dealing with Mrs. Roberts. She is a true favorite of our family and we are grateful for all she does for St. Mary.

Beau and Sloan take a photo with Mrs. Alisha Roberts, a true favorite of our family.

Finally, I want to pass on my appreciation to our principal, Mr. Stephen Hart. His leadership is valued and his commitment to the St. Mary mission is admirable. Stephen runs a school that is unapologetically Catholic and the resulting “product” (as Stephen would call it) is an education that I am confident, proud, and blessed to provide for my children. Stephen doesn’t have an easy job and he works extremely hard. Like I said earlier, he truly is a servant of the community and in my mind that makes him the best leader we could ask for.

Stephen Hart, principal of St. Mary Catholic School, welcomes Sloan on the first day of the 2024-25 school year. He has provided the school with incredible leadership that is driven by his truly authentic Catholic faith.

What a year it has been! These St. Mary students experienced some big worldly changes. A Presidential election was held, Pope Francis passed away, and Pope Leo XIV was chosen to lead the Church. These events will forever provide context for the 2024-25 school year but I hope everything that transpired within the actual walls of St. Mary provides the best memories and the most meaningful mechanisms for growth.

Sloan and Beau pose on the St. Mary campus after school.

Before I sign off, I want to shout out my fellow parents. Many of you are my good friends and many of you devote so much of your time and talent to the school. As I struggle to adequately give back to St. Mary, your positive example is not lost on me. Thanks for all you do!

A great part of St. Mary is not just the bonds that are created between the students but also the bonds between the parents. This photo is of Sloan and her classmates after their Christmas concert.

Alright, summer is here! As Fr. Mike Kwiatkowski told the children at today’s end-of-school mass, we can’t take a vacation from God during the summer because he doesn’t take one from us. What a great way to navigate the next 2.5 months. We are a PROUD St. Mary family and although we are going to savor summer, we can’t wait for next school year. Don’t Blink. 🙏

No Cavity Club Thursday Rundown

Posted on June 12, 2025 by brent

Happy Thursday to everyone! It is commencement week at Eastern Washington University so I would like to congratulate all of the Eagles who will be graduating this weekend. Soar!!…

No Cavity Club – Sloan and Beau visited the dentist this week…but it wasn’t to get their teeth cleaned! Rather, they walked through the doors of Children’s Choice Dental to pick up their prize for being the No Cavity Club winners for June. They received t-shirts, free ice cream, and Target gift cards. When I was a kid, the only thing our family dentist gifted to the winner of the “No Cavity Club” monthly equivalent was a stuffed animal.

Beau and Sloan were the big winners of The Children’s Dental “No Cavity Club” promotion for June.

Beau is a Preschool Graduate – On Wednesday morning, Beau walked across the front of the sanctuary at St. Mary Catholic Church and officially graduated from preschool. Although I didn’t attend the ceremony, my wife and mom sent several photos/videos and said it was very touching. It has been a tremendous school year for Beau and I hope to elaborate on it in the near future. But until then, we now have a kindergartener in our house!

Beau walks across the sanctuary and shakes Mrs. Jordan Hoard’s hand as he graduates the St. Mary Catholic School preschool program.

Ninth Anniversary Dinner – For our anniversary dinner last night, we wanted to go somewhere the kids would never allow us to eat at if they were with us. We settled upon Vieux Carre and what a choice it was! Marketed as a “Nola kitchen,” Vieux Carre specializes in Cajun food and DANG was it good. Sid ordered shrimp and grits while I opted for jambalaya. We also ordered hush puppies as an appetizer. But for as good as the food was, the atmosphere may have been better. Nestled in a beautiful 1903 building, it is infused with New Orleans-style décor. We sat at the bar and enjoyed watching the employees sling fancy cocktail after fancy cocktail. We highly recommend.

Vieux Carré in downtown Spokane was delicious as well as an overall nice experience. Sid and I recommend!

Chalk Project – As I mentioned above, it is commencement week at EWU. For the first time in several years, the ceremonies have moved back to campus after being held in Spokane. One thing our marketing team has highlighted leading up to this weekend is the special bond that exists between EWU and the Cheney community. My team was able to implement numerous strategies to reflect this, but my favorite might have been the chalk art activity we did yesterday. Multiple downtown Cheney businesses granted my request to allow EWU-themed commencement chalk art to be drawn on the sidewalks in front of their shops. All morning on Thursday, design student and intern Alyssa Almond drew her beautiful chalk art drawings on the streets of Cheney. For me, it was a pleasure to chat with Cheney business owners, spread Eagle pride, and watch Alyssa work. Communication specialist Melodie Little wrote this story that covered some of our efforts.

Our intern, Alyssa Almond, works on her chalk art masterpiece in front of the Mason Jar. My marketing team did a lot to showcase the close bond that exists between EWU and Cheney.

Ananda Lewis – Growing up, my family did have cable but my parents did something very intentional: they blocked MTV from the channel lineup. They felt strongly that it wasn’t appropriate for children so they told the cable company to make it unavailable in our household. However, that didn’t mean I didn’t watch MTV over at my friends’ houses. During those early days, I remember watching Ananda Lewis vividly. She was young, hip, and fun—the perfect combination for an MTV VJ. Sadly, I learned last night that she passed away from cancer. Speaking of “young”, she was only 52. Please pray for the repose of Ananda’s soul.

I was saddened to hear of Ananda Lewis’ death.