Disney World Magic and Memories

Posted on May 6, 2025 by brent

Over the span of three full days, we jumped headfirst into all Disney World has to offer.

Hanging with these three at Disney World was a magical adventure! We jumped right in.

If that opening sentence seems a little abrupt or random to you, please read this past post that explains how we found ourselves at WDW in the first place.

Sloan poses for a photo with Sid’s parents and her cousin, Henry. It was awesome to see all of Sidney’s family again.

But for this post I want to jump right to the chase. As I am fond of doing, I wanted to highlight 10 themes/observations from our time at Disney World.

Beau, Sloan, and their cousin, Jack, wait at the entrance to Magic Kingdom.

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort – The four nights we spent at Disney World were under the roof of the Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. After most recently staying in a cruise ship cabin that the four of us could hardly move in, we enjoyed our more spacious quarters. I especially liked our balcony that overlooked the hotel grounds, the distinctive hotel scent that hit you the moment you walked in, and the adjoining door that connected us to Sid’s parents’ room.

Sloan hangs out on the balcony of our hotel room at the Disney Yacht Resort Club. We had a great stay!

Family – Speaking of my wife’s parents, this trip was special because we had the blessing of vacationing with my in-laws and Sid’s sisters (plus their families). Because they live in South Carolina, making the hour flight from Myrtle Beach to Orlando was manageable. It was awesome to catch up with everyone but perhaps nothing was better than watching all the cousins engage and play with each other.

Our Mathis group takes a couple moments to rest inside of Epcot. It was great to see everyone!

Packed Days – We tried to make the best use of our days with the limited time (three full days) that we had. Our crew hit up Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Epcot. Disney lines are long so you must prioritize what you want to ride. It was interesting to observe the distinct vibes and unique characteristics of the parks! I liked each one for different reasons.

I liked all the parks for different reasons but it is tough to beat Magic Kingdom.

Character Breakfast – One of my favorite moments from our time at Disney was the character breakfast at Animal Kingdom. However, this isn’t near the top of my list solely because we got to meet Mickey but rather because of the food! The breakfast buffet was delicious and by far the best park food I ate. The French toast was delightful (perhaps the ample whipped cream had something to do with it?) and I loved that they randomly offered chicken curry as well.

All the cousins pose for a photo with Mickey at the character breakfast at Animal Kingdom. Best food all trip!

Sloan’s Fearlessness – I felt proud as I observed Sloan’s bravery. She rode all the coasters and thrill rides without thinking twice. She definitely doesn’t get her fearlessness from her dad—I don’t usually ride roller coasters—so it was neat to see her exhibit more guts than me.

Sloan was up for anything in Disney World and was a lot of fun to be around.

Favorite Rides – Even though I wasn’t usually with the group hopping on the big coasters, I still rode some rides that were fun and very well-done. Ratatouille (Epcot) was cute and incorporated aroma effects, DINOSAUR (Animal Kingdom) was intense and mission-based, Mickey’s Runaway Railway (Hollywood Studios) was an adventure, and racking up the high score of our group on Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin (Magic Kingdom) provided me some bragging rights. However, I have a soft spot for the Magic Kingdom classics like Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, and the Winnie the Pooh ride.

Hanging out with Beau and Sloan on the Ratatouille ride at Epcot.

Bonding With Beau – While Sloan was out being brave with the other thrill-seekers in our group, I spent a lot of time with Beau. I had so much fun with him! We hit up the tea cups, carousel, Dumbo ride, and many more. While not on rides, we tried pulling a sword out of a stone, ate Mickey ice cream bars, and played in splash pads. I am always touched by what a sweet boy Beau is and I feel thankful for the memories we made together.

I had a blast with Beau at Disney. Such a sweet boy!

Fireworks – Each park offers nightly fireworks and we took full advantage. Sid and I received front row seats for the Epcot show on Friday compliments of Traveler’s Insurance and our whole family group watched the Magic Kingdom display on Thursday. But the most magical experience came the first evening we were at Disney. While in our hotel room late at night, we heard fireworks exploding outside the building. Sloan rushed to the balcony and got to watch that evening’s 11 p.m. Epcot show. The view we had from our balcony was superb and provided the perfect way to close out that first evening.

Sloan and Sidney stroll as the fireworks fill the sky at Magic Kingdom.

Character Encounters – Beyond the character breakfast I mentioned earlier, the kids had an awesome time engaging with Disney heroes at other moments during our trip. They met Elsa and Anna in the duo’s summer home, randomly encountered Asha from “Wish” at Epcot, ran into Chip and Dale in our hotel lobby, and crossed paths with Daisy. Each time, Sloan and Beau pulled out their autograph books for signatures. These Disney cast members who portray the characters are expertly trained and undoubtedly talented!

The kids met a lot of Disney characters. This photo shows some of them.

Mass At St. Mary, Queen of the Universe – On Sunday morning, we attended mass at Mary, Queen of the Universe Basilica. It was built to serve the large population of Catholics who visit Disney each year. Seating approximately 2,000 people, the church is beautiful and the services are reverent. What a blessing it was to spend the third Sunday of Easter there.

Beau and Sloan stand in front of Mary, Queen of the Universe Basilica in Orlando.

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I am grateful our children experienced Disney World at an age of reason. Although Beau’s memories might be a little fuzzy 10 years from now, I know Sloan will forever remember this trip. I have never declared myself a Disney freak but I can at least admit that a palpable sense of magic does float through the parks. I hope Sloan and Beau saved some of that pixie dust to pair with their beloved Stitch stuffy souvenirs they brought home.

It was such a joy to spend time at Disney with these two little monkeys.

Thanks again to Sidney for helping us get to Disney via her Traveler’s Insurance professional prowess. I also owe additional gratitude to my wife for the enthusiasm and planning she exhibited in preparation for this very special trip.

Thanks to Sidney for making our Disney World trip possible.

Hats off to the Mouse himself for a great time—we sure enjoyed ourselves, Mickey! Don’t Blink.

Why We Went to Disney World

Posted on May 5, 2025 by brent

Although we try our hardest to go on an annual vacation every 12 months, very rarely do we go on TWO vacations in a single calendar year. But, as you probably gleaned from my blog post last week, not only have we now embarked on a couple different vacations in 2025, we did them within a couple weeks of each other.

Let me quickly explain…

The cruise we recently returned from was more than a year in the making. My sister rallied the troops in early 2024 and organized a Reser family vacation on the Freedom of the Seas for April 2025.

The Disney World vacation we just returned from was a little more spontaneous and it was 100% because of my talented wife…

Our family in Magic Kingdom during our visit to Disney World.

Earlier this year, Sidney was named an In-Synch award winner for Travelers Insurance. Basically, out of 30,000 employees, she was one of the approximately 100 professionals honored for going above and beyond on an everyday basis. One of the perks she received for her inclusion in this prestigious .3% grouping of the Travelers workforce?

An all expenses paid trip for two to Disney World!

Thanks to Sidney’s work performance with Travelers Insurance, we were given an all-expenses paid visit to Disney World. This is us at the beach welcome party on Thursday, May 1.

Although I thought she would choose my sister to hop on that plane with her, my wife decided to choose me! And, it kind of goes without saying, but if “mom and dad” are going on a trip to Disney World, the two kids better be going as well.

And they did. 😊

What a gift it was to bring Sloan and Beau to Disney World!

But it wasn’t just the four of us who spent time in Orlando this past week. When Sidney called her parents to tell them about her honor and prize, they said they would meet us there! Then one of Sid’s sisters (and her family) also committed to the trip and shortly thereafter her other sister also booked tickets for her family.

Sid’s family hanging out during a day at the Disney parks.

After a family vacation with my parents and siblings, we were doing the same with Sid’s family!

This is how the Travelers vacation package worked: Sid’s company made all travel arrangements, set us up with lodging at the Disney Yacht Club Resort, provided three full days of park tickets, organized different recognition events, and much more.

There was a lot going on during the five days we spent in Florida…

– Sidney got to spend time at her most favorite place on earth.

– Our children had the thrill of experiencing Disney for the first time at an age they will remember.

– We had the pleasure of spending time with Sidney’s family who we don’t see enough.

– Sid received a truly memorable Travelers experience where she received tremendous recognition, enjoyed the red carpet treatment, and networked with other high performing colleagues plus top-level executive management.

We enjoyed a nice time at Disney with some beautiful weather.

During the day we spent time at the parks and at night we attended the Travelers events. I will follow this blog post with another one that chronicles our family experience in more detail, but I did want to use this post to very briefly touch on what made the time “under the Travelers umbrella” so eye-opening.

I could write a lot but for the sake of brevity, let me highlight three things that really stood out…

1. Meeting Sid’s colleagues – I had the honor of meeting many of the people Sidney works with. A few of them were from the Spokane office but many of them were from all over the country. It was really cool to see the respect they have for each other and how happy they were to spend time together.

Sidney with her Traveler’s Insurance colleagues at the beach welcome welcome.

2. Understanding the Travelers Work Culture – I learned a lot about how highly Travelers Insurance values its employees and the company’s “WHY” for doing business. Travelers CEO Alan Schnitzer spoke at length during the award recognition dinner and I appreciated his leadership philosophies. I also really appreciated the special shout out he gave to Sidney during his remarks and it was an honor to meet him during the after party.

Sidney with Traveler’s CEO Alan Schnitzer.

3. So Much Fun! – From a welcome dinner on the beach to the awards banquet to the Epcot dessert/fireworks event, I felt lucky to enjoy the fruits of Sid’s success. The best perk though was the after hours access we received to go on the Ratatouille ride as many times as we wanted!

Sid and I pose for a photo before going on the Ratatouille ride.

I am adjusting back to West Coast time and still have a lot of positive thoughts and experiences to process from the whirlwind five day trip, but this is a good start. I know my wife is thankful that she took a big leap of faith 2.5 years ago by totally switching careers and accepting a position with Travelers. I am so proud to see how far she has come in such a short period of time. Don’t Blink.

Heading Back to Florida to Visit The Mouse

Posted on April 30, 2025 by brent

It has been a busy April for us. After traveling to Florida for a cruise earlier this month, we are heading back to the Sunshine State as I type.

But this time around, we aren’t going there to hop on a ship. Rather, we are going to visit the Mouse. Yep, we are off to Disney World.

We were back in the Spokane International Airport very early this morning for another itinerary that would take us to Florida.

You are probably wondering if we are crazy and gluttonous for going on two big vacations in the same month. Well, the cruise was planned more than a year ago and this Disney trip came together earlier this year for a special/proud reason—one I will address in a future blog post.

The last time we visited Disney World was in 2018. We evacuated to Jacksonville because Myrtle Beach was in the line of Hurricane Florence. Since we were within driving distance of Disney from our temporary post, we decided to make the day trip with Sloan. It was an extremely hot, but fun, day.

Our family (minus Beau) at Disney World in 2018

However, Beau has never visited Disney World and neither of our kids have explored any of the other Disney parks not named Magic Kingdom. We will be able to check off the likes of Hollywood Studios, Epcot, and Animal Kingdom over the next few days.

Besides the reason for us going to Disney World, there is also another factor that will be waiting for us when we arrive that will make this trip all the sweeter. Sorry for yet another cliff hanger, but I will address what I am alluding to in that future blog post I have mentioned.

Beau and Sid hanging out on the plane.

Any prayers for safe travels would be appreciated. Can’t wait to see the looks of wonderment and enthusiasm on the faces of my kids and wife over the next 96 hours. Don’t Blink.

Corn Dog Innovation

Posted on April 29, 2025 by brent

On Saturday, I was all over the place. Both kids had sporting events, I dropped Sloan off at a baby shower that Sid was hosting, I attended a work event, and more. At one point in the middle of the day, it was just Beau and me in the car. I was taking him to his t-ball game where before he played there was an entire hour allotted for team photos. With it being midday, I figured we both needed a little bit of nourishment before we spent a couple hours at the fields on an unseasonably warm April day.

I made the executive decision to order us a couple corn dogs from Zip’s. If you aren’t from the Inland Northwest and are unfamiliar with Zip’s, all I can say is this: I feel sorry for you.

But even if you have never had the pleasure of dining at Zip’s, I know everyone reading this blog post can appreciate the magic of eating a corn dog. About 6.5 years ago, I wrote an ode to corn dogs. I recognized the culinary delight for its taste, ingenuity, and convenience. However, I did briefly grumble about the only drawback I could pinpoint…

The stick.

When Beau and I ate our corn dogs this past weekend, the limitation hit me once again. In fact, I took a photo of my corn dog the moment the thought struck me.

After I took one bite I knew I was already close to the stick. I thought, “There has to be a better way.”

Sorry, but the stick on a corn dog is pretty annoying. For most corn dog consumers, you just get two bites—perhaps just one—before you have to start navigating the stick. Once it is poking out, you have to put the stick in your mouth to continue eating the corn dog and hope that it doesn’t poke the roof of your mouth.

Sloan eating a corn dog in 2018.

The thing is, the stick does serve a purpose. What partially (or perhaps mostly) makes a corn dog so good is its grease. If a corn dog was stick-less, your hands would be a greasy, oily mess…unless of course you violated the entire essence of what makes a corn dog special and ate it with a fork. And you call yourself a corn dog fan?

So I would like to propose a solution tonight. What does the world feel about creating a corn dog with an edible stick? Just imagine: No longer would you have to navigate around a stick. Instead, you would have the freedom of eating the corn dog one chomp at a time in perfect symmetry as you begin at the top and enjoy all the way down.

I know this would take some thought and culinary technology but it can’t be that hard, could it? If ice cream has a cone and taco salad has a shell, something could be paired with a corn dog, right? The stick could be meat-based, perhaps made with the same durability/consistency of jerky. Or what about a hard, thin bread stick?

Okay, I am asking a lot of questions. Here is where I ask my readers for help. If you are supportive of an edible corn dog stick, how could it be pulled off?

An edible corn dog stick wouldn’t just make the eating experience more pleasant. It would also cut down on waste and eliminate the problem of children sword fighting with sharp sticks. Are you with me?! Don’t Blink.

Can’t Keep My Eyes Off ChiveTV

Posted on April 28, 2025 by brent

Here is my bold statement for tonight: ChiveTV is one of the best things to ever hit bars, restaurants, and gyms.

ChiveTV is pretty rad.

Why is this such a “bold” statement from your favorite blogger? It is because I have gone on record before writing about how much I deplore America’s Funniest Home Videos.

But not so fast, let me educate my readers on what ChiveTV is for those who don’t know (although I am pretty sure most everyone will be familiar with it after my explanation). ChiveTV is part of Atmosphere TV, a service that offers businesses “audio optional” content. Atmosphere TV is delivered via a device that bars and other establishments purchase and then set it to a channel for their customers to enjoy.

ChiveTV is by far the channel you see most Atmosphere devices set to. Heralded as offering “the best original, jaw-dropping viral videos from around the world” the content is pretty addicting and entertaining.

Basically, it is everything that AFV is not.

I was pretty specific about my dislike for AFV. I didn’t care for the slapstick and staged nature of the videos. I felt insulted by the laugh tracks. I couldn’t stand the hosts. To me, it was extremely painful to watch.

On the other hand, ChiveTV is fresh and hip. The content encompasses the best viral videos—not necessarily the funniest. Instead of watching someone slip or run into something, I get to see someone attempt a daring feat or test an innovative invention. Instead of watching a ladder fall on someone, I get to watch someone use a ladder in a creative way I never thought of. Instead of watching someone accidentally drop a cake, I get to watch someone bake a cake with no hands.

Even better, the content is silent so the viewer gets to make their own judgments and conclusions. No unbearable narrations or dopey sound effects.

The video quality is crisper, the antics are more relevant, and the variety more diverse.

But perhaps I am missing the mark by even comparing ChiveTV to AFV. The fact of the matter is that ChiveTV is a fantastic watch regardless of the past failings of AFV.

Perhaps the environment of where you can watch ChiveTV adds to the enjoyment. Bars? Watching people do cool things is even cooler with a beer in front of you. Gyms? It is easier to appreciate something when the endorphins are flowing. Pools? Viral videos are a trip when you watch them chest deep in refreshing waters with the glorious sun sending rays your way.

I love it that ChiveTV is always on in my gym.

Wait. ChiveTV is shown at pools?

You bet! When we were on our cruise, the Freedom of the Seas gigantic poolside video board was tuned to ChiveTV during the day. What fun we had splashing around while watching engaging video after engaging video. Everyone at the pool laughed and reacted together for hours on end.

ChiveTV is so much more than just the modern day AFV. It is a genius concept that provides endless entertainment, genuine camaraderie, and clever content. Where is your favorite place to watch it? Don’t Blink.

Double Decker Thursday Rundown

Posted on April 24, 2025 by brent

Did you know that a week from today it will already be May? Guess it goes without saying that this is the last Thursday Rundown of April so I better get to it…

Surgery Anniversary – This past Tuesday marked the eighth anniversary of Sloan’s pyloric stenosis surgery that saved her life. Although we didn’t say anything about it for that first year after the operation, Sid and I have opened up more about the rare condition over time. Basically, food was unable to pass through Sloan’s small intestine. Since the food was unable to pass through her digestive system, it naturally went the way it came and she just threw it up. You can learn more by watching this video I made or by reading one of the several blog posts I have written about it. But for today, I just want to thank lead surgeon Dr. Robert Cina for his masterful skill and God for his grace.

During Sloan’s bout with Pyloric Stenosis and for over a year afterwards, we kept it between immediate family. Sidney and I are so thankful for the support of our parents. This photo shows our moms and dads with Sloan at the children’s hospital where the surgery took place (MUSC).

Double Decker Buses – Some of you might know that I ride the bus to work on a frequent basis. In fact, I have mentioned that my free bus pass (thanks, EWU!) is the best perk I have received from any college I have worked at. With all that said, you can imagine that I am pretty excited about what will soon be transporting me between Spokane and Cheney. On Tuesday, one of the new Spokane Transit Authority (STA) double decker buses was on campus for us to tour. I boarded the bus and went right to the top. These buses will ease overcrowding and provide quite a view! They will be in circulation come September 2025.

I am excited for the Spokane Transit Authority (STA) double decker buses to start servicing my route.

Passion/Easter Scenes – When I opened Sloan’s school folder this morning and saw her comic drawings of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, I was touched. The thought she put forth was so pure and it made me once again so thankful that they attend St. Mary. She sketched out multiple drawings but the one below stuck out to me.

Sloan recently drew this at school.

McDonald’s Secret Menu item – Nope, this “secret” menu item at McDonald’s is not for me. I don’t need my soft serve and Oreo cookies mixing with my potatoes. If someone gave me $20 to eat it, I would, but that is not something I would willingly order. Besides the disagreeable combination, I wouldn’t want anything to do with the sogginess that would result. One of the best parts about a McDonald’s hash brown is its crispiness. Let’s not ruin a good thing.

This doesn’t appeal to me in the slightest.

Easter Vigil – I gave a detailed rundown of our 2025 Easter Sunday but I didn’t mention the equally spectacular Easter Vigil. On Saturday night, Sloan and I attended the 8:30 p.m. Easter Vigil mass at St. Mary. The service ran for 2.5 hours as we welcomed a large group of people into the Catholic Church. It is such a rich and meaningful service! We started outside as the Paschal candle was lit from the Easter fire. We then all processed back into the church as our own personal candles were lit from the Paschal candle flame. It was beautiful! Congrats and welcome to all our new Catholics!

What a blessing to attend the St. Mary Easter Vigil.

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That will do it for tonight. Please continue to pray for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis, especially as his funeral is held on Saturday. Have a nice weekend, everyone. Don’t Blink.

Our First Cruise!

Posted on April 23, 2025 by brent

My family experienced something for the first time this month: We went on a cruise! And when I say “my family” I don’t just mean just the four of us—my parents and my sister’s family came along too. In fact, it was my sister who pitched the idea of a family cruise and who worked really hard to convince us to sail with her. 🙂

All 12 of us in the West Palm Beach Airport.

I am glad she was successful.

Sloan and I living our best lives on Freedom of the Seas.

Our contingent of 12 boarded the Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas for a six-night western Caribbean cruise. We made stops in the Bahamas (Nassau), Jamaica (Falmouth), and Haiti (Labadee). But interestingly enough, although all beautiful, it wasn’t really the countries we visited that made the trip so special but rather the time spent with family and the unique cruise culture that really defined our time at sea.

My parents hang with Sidney, Sloan, and Beau on the Freedom of the Seas. It was so nice to vacation with them.

There is so much to say about the seven days we spent cruising the western Caribbean but not enough space to do so. The best way I can provide an accurate snapshot of what made the trip so endearing and memorable is to breakdown the 10 themes/activities that best highlighted our vacation…

Pools – The sunshine and humidity greeted us each day of the cruise. If not for the refreshing pools, the transition from humidity-free and cool Spokane may have been a difficult one. It was so relaxing to hang poolside and watch the kids have a ball. Adding to the experience were competitions/entertainment, a giant video board, all the ice cream you could eat, live music, and full-service bars.

Beau holds up a score of 5/10 during a Freedom of the Seas belly flop competition at the pool.

Shows – As a first-time cruiser, I didn’t realize the quality of the nightly shows that are offered. From comedy to Broadway-themed performances to ice skating spectaculars, they had something fun and unique each night. My personal favorite was juggler/comedian Pete Matthews.

A photo I took of Pete Matthews performing on our ship.

Beaches – The top way we engaged with the countries we visited was to hang out on their beaches. We enjoyed the white sand and “Windex” blue waters of both Nassau and Labadee. Best part? The water was warm enough to actually hang out in!

Beau hanging out at the beach we visited in the Bahamas.

Dinners – Overall, the food was delicious, plentiful, and diverse. But what I enjoyed most about the culinary experience was nightly dinner. Each evening, we reported to the elegant dining room at the same time to be served by the same waiter. It proved to be the best bonding time for my family. We got to recap the day and look forward to the night. The menu changed nightly and I never had one bad meal. What a treat!

My family posing for a photo at the table we are dinner at every night we were on the cruise. I really valued these special meals.

Crew Members – By mentioning our waiter in the previous theme, I realized it was the perfect segue to recognizing the incredible crew members aboard Freedom of the Seas. From our aforementioned waiter (Barton) to our housekeeper (Ronaldo) to our favorite lunch greeter (Siya aka Ms. “Washy Washy”) to the cruise director herself (Caroline), everyone was phenomenal. Service is emphasized and evident from the moment you step on the ship.

Everyone who worked aboard Freedom of the Seas were awesome. Sloan is shown with our waiter (Barton) and a Windjammer greeter (Siya). In the bottom right hand corner is a photo of Sloan and Beau with the Freedom of the Seas cruise director (Caroline).

Ducks – This might entail an entirely separate blog post, but I quickly found out that “duck hunting” is a thing on cruise ships. People hide toy ducks for others to find as it takes on a life of its own. Sloan became a little obsessive with the challenge and brought home 13 ducks. When our waiter heard about our daughter’s enthusiasm for the activity, he surprised her with two ducks waiting on her plate when we went to dinner the last night.

Sloan holding one of the ducks she found on Freedom of the Seas.

Casino – A two-level casino complete with table games and slots awaited my wife when we boarded the ship. On a few of the nights, we would check Sloan and Beau into “Kid’s Adventure” (the ship’s daycare program) and we would try our luck…well, Sid would try her luck at least. On this particular trip, her mojo was good! We stepped on land with more gambling money than we took on the ship.

Sidney winning some money on a Freedom of the Seas slot machine.

Karaoke – The ship offered so many activities such as crafts, dance lessons, trivia, putt putt, and much more. The one option that Sid and Sloan couldn’t get enough of was karaoke. The entertainment staff made the sessions so much fun whether you wanted to just sing along from your seat or belt out your favorite tune in front of everyone. At one particular Taylor Swift-themed event, Sloan sang some of “Anti-Hero” and then joined all the other Swifties in attendance for a rendition of “Shake It Off.” But my proud moment came the evening that Sid and Sloan performed a mother/daughter duet of “Can’t Stop the Feeling.” The lounge was filled to capacity as my girls did Justin Timberlake proud.

Sloan and her fellow Swifties aboard Freedom of the Seas belt out “Shake It Off.”

Parties – If you weren’t exhausted at the end of the day from sun, fun, and activities you could party the night away. The ship offered themed bashes that took place right in the middle of the interior common area. The 70s party and the 80s party were my favorites. It was a highlight for Sloan when we brought her to the party area one night and she got to join a conga line. That same night, the cameras caught Beau break dancing. You see, all the parties were streamed live to the ship’s closed circuit TV station and you could go back and re-watch. You better believe we watched Beau’s moves more than once.

Sidney enjoying herself at the Freedom of the Seas 70s party.

Gym – If you aren’t working out while on a cruise ship, you are just setting yourself up to gain 15 pounds by the time your vacation ends. Okay, I am being dramatic. But the immaculate gym on the Freedom of the Seas was too good to pass up. Every full day of the cruise I started my day by exercising the moment the facility opened at 6 a.m. With breathtaking views, I would watch the sun rise while getting my cardio in.

I got in five good workout at the Freedom of the Seas gym. Watching the sun rise while working out was pretty cool.

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It took me long enough to experience a cruise but I definitely now understand the appeal. The “cruise culture” I earlier mentioned is infectious and the ability to go as hard (sign up for every excursion possible) or easy (just enjoy life on the ship) makes the experience inclusive to all. You would be surprised at how affordable cruises are and when you factor in the all-inclusive nature of most, the value is superb. What other vacation offers the chance to see multiple countries, eat all you want, and enjoy first class entertainment each night?

It was cool to go on a vacation with my parents and sister’s family.

So from a bang-for-your-buck perspective, I think it made a lot of sense for us to set sail on the Freedom of the Seas. But again, the fact that we got to do it as a big family made our cruise totally worth it—discounted or not. Thanks again to my sister for spearheading this special trip and I hope to “cruise” again in the future.

Beau and Sloan hanging out with one of the Jamaican locals.

Keep an eye out for those ducks! Don’t Blink.

Pope Francis: A Humble Servant

Posted on April 22, 2025 by brent

I was shocked. When I awoke bright and early on Easter Monday morning to the news that Pope Francis had passed, it took a moment for it to sink in. Although he had been critically ill, I thought his discharge from the hospital last month was the start of a new golden era in his papacy. Furthermore, I had seen him just hours ago blessing the St. Peter Square Easter audience and cruising around on the Popemobile.

I didn’t expect this to be Pope Francis’ last time he would be seen alive, but what a way to go out.

But after the fog settled, the Holy Father’s death was no longer a conundrum. In fact, it made perfect sense.

Our photo of Pope Francis on the Reser family bulletin board.

God used Pope Francis in a most profound way. The world watched the Pope grind and suffer through Lent. They watched as he was pushed around in a wheelchair, often unable to talk. When he made it through that desert, he emerged front and center on the balcony that overlooks the faithful to deliver a triumphant Easter Sunday blessing. His release from the hospital wasn’t the beginning of a new act on earth but rather a humble and glorious worldly exit to Heaven.

Pope Francis suffered through Lent and was rewarded with one final Easter Sunday.

When I reflect on Pope Francis, this is what comes to mind: a worthy example. There is no one on this planet—no matter your faith—who could observe Francis and think anything less than this man is truly holy. He shunned worldly comforts, human praise, and perks of the papacy for servant leadership and devotion to God. He was a testament to living out the beatitudes, eagerly and willingly placing himself into each marginalized group blessed by Jesus. His example was beyond admirable and nothing short of holy.

Personally, Pope Francis will always mean a lot to my family. He was pontiff when Sid and I entered into the sacrament of holy matrimony. He was the Bishop of Rome when Sid was welcomed into the Catholic Church. He was St. Peter’s successor when both our children were baptized. He was leading the Church when he made the great decision to elevate my college priest to a bishop. So many of the sacramental graces that have helped and defined us came during his papacy. You just don’t forget that.

Bishop Jeff Fleming greets Pope Francis in Rome. When I was in college, then-Fr. Jeff was the priest of the University of Montana Newman Center.

When I look back on Francis’ 12 years as pope, I fondly remember his 2015 visit to the United States. I watched hours of the television coverage from my apartment in Myrtle Beach and remember feeling exhausted for him! His itinerary was packed as he was pushed from one engagement to the next. However, for all the smiles during that trip, nothing has stayed with me more than when he visited the Ground Zero memorial. The look of contemplation and anguish on his face as he prayed at the site stays with me to this day.

God bless the soul of Pope Francis.

The funeral of Pope Francis will take place on Saturday and soon thereafter a Conclave will convene to elect a new pontiff. During these hectic days of mourning and tradition, let’s not allow the busyness to detract us from praying for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis. May he receive his heavenly reward. Don’t Blink.

Easter 2025

Posted on April 21, 2025 by brent

This Easter 2025 post is dedicated to Pope Francis. What a witness he was during this past Lent. He suffered greatly but was rewarded with one final Easter. Eternal rest grant unto Pope Francis, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace.

Easter was late this year so perhaps that made yesterday even a little sweeter. After a challenging but much-needed Lent, we used this past Sunday to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. As always, Easter Sunday is a very special day for my family so I make it a point to document it. Here is a look at how the Resers celebrated Easter 2025…

Easter Sunday started at our house with Sloan and Beau in hot pursuit of possible Easter treats. They arose at 6:30 a.m. and navigated their way downstairs where they found what they were looking for. There might have even been a smaller Easter treat arrangement for yours truly from the Sid Bunny.

Beau and Sloan hold their Easter baskets.

The most significant part of our day came at 9 a.m. when we attended Easter Sunday mass at St. Mary Catholic Church. The sanctuary was packed as Fr. Jeff Lewis presided and proclaimed that the empty tomb was the most welcome and triumphant site that Christians could have hoped for. After attending all the rich masses and services of Holy Week, including last night’s powerful Easter Vigil, the Easter Sunday mass was so fulfilling and encompassing.

Sloan and Beau pose for a photo inside the vestibule of St. Mary Catholic Church in Spokane Valley prior to Easter Sunday mass.

After mass we headed to the reception in the church gym. We sat with our good friends, the Andrades, and savored Jesus’ victory over death. Everything about the beautiful reception—including an elaborate photo backdrop—screamed the handiwork of Marie Bricher.

Our family posed for a photo in front of the backdrop in the St. Mary gym after mass.

We then came home to enjoy the late morning/early afternoon of Easter. While the kids hung out downstairs with their Easter candy and new games, Sid and I retreated upstairs to watch “The Chosen.” With the significance of Easter, the season 4 episodes we watched just seemed to hit even harder than usual.

Walking through the St. Mary parking lot on Easter morning.

Next, we headed over to my parents’ house for our Easter celebration. My siblings and their families also joined us as we rejoiced in the resurrection of our Lord. We shared a delicious ham meal and had some pretty entertaining dinner table conversation.

Delicious food and great conversation at the Reser Easter dinner table.

With our bellies full, we tried to burn some of those calories by staging the annual Aunt Carrie and Uncle Glen Easter Egg Hunt (watch video here). It was once again a competitive affair that saw a new participant this year—11-month-old cousin Olivia.

The Aunt Carrie and Uncle Glen Easter Egg Hunt participants after all the eggs were found.

Any calories that were burned from the hunt were promptly added back on with dessert. We gathered in the living room and kitchen to eat a brownie whipped pie and lemon blueberry cake. Conversation and bonding continued to take place during dessert and well beyond it.

Conversations in my parents’ living room lasted long beyond the dessert was consumed.

At a little before 8 p.m., we started the 34-minute drive home. Once we arrived at the house, we started to prepare for the week ahead while still feeling extremely thankful for the greatest gift ever given.

Rejoice! He is risen.

————–

On the Sunday before Ash Wednesday, Fr. Mike Kwiatkowski challenged us to look in the spiritual mirror. If we didn’t like what we saw, he questioned, could we improve that reflection by Easter? Much in the same way that you can take measures to improve your physical reflection, the same idea holds true for the spiritual reflection. Taking the Lenten season to pray, fast, and give alms results in spiritual reflection growth. Do I see any positive changes in my own spiritual reflection after Lent 2025? Sure, some. Is it enough? Hardly! Thanks be to God that the Easter season lasts for 50 days and provides plenty more time to improve that reflection. Rejoice my friends, He is risen! Don’t Blink.

Easter 2024
Easter 2023
Easter 2022
Easter 2021
Easter 2020
Easter 2019
Easter 2018

Good Friday Eve Thursday Rundown

Posted on April 17, 2025 by brent

Greetings on this blessed Holy Thursday. I hope your preparations for Easter are going well and that you have a few moments for five random topics…

Plates – Growing up in my parents’ house, I definitely didn’t eat off a silver platter. Rather, I ate off plastic plates decorated with sloppy drawings and scribbles. On this date 11 years ago, I published one of my all-time favorite blog posts. I wrote about our annual childhood family tradition of adoring our dinner plates with our art. Every year, my mom would give us a circular piece of paper. We would draw whatever we wanted on it and then she would send the papers to a factory. A couple months later, our drawings would come back in plate-form. We ate off those plates every night growing up. And guess what? My own family now eats off them every night, too. When I got married and had kids, my mom gave me the plates I created as a child and we have put them to good use.

We would draw designs on a circular piece of paper and then my mom would send them off and they would come back in plate-form.

Fruity Pebbles Clearance – I live for deals like these. I spotted this bargain on “Berry Pebbles” this past weekend at Grocery Outlet. Just 17 cents? Does that even cover the cost of the box? Sure, the “sell by” date might be at the end of this month but it is cereal—it will be good for another year. Of course you can just eat these with milk and a spoon like most normal people, but what a neat opportunity to make colorful and unique rice krispie treats. As you probably guessed, I did buy a couple boxes.

A box of “Fruity Pebbles” costs less than a gum ball.

Spring Sports – Our family calendar just filled up. On Monday, spring sports started for both our kids. Sloan attended her first soccer practice and Beau reported to his first t-ball practice. There will be something going on pretty much every week night for the next 6-7 weeks so we are settling into the grind. Although things will be hectic, thanks be to God that our children have the opportunity to play sports and have fun with other kids.

Beau is ready for some t-ball. He had his first practice on Monday.

Easter Commercialism – Do you plan to take your children to an Easter egg hunt this weekend? If so, do some research on how the hunt will be conducted. Three years ago, I called out certain events that don’t reward children like they should. Hopefully the candy will be superb at whatever hunt you do attend. More than seven years ago, I counted down my top 5 favorite Easter candies. Finally, watch out for sketchy-looking Easter Bunnies. I still maintain my position from 10 years ago that Easter Bunnies are just plain weird.

I love an Easter basket filled with delicious candy.

The Chosen – As we journey deeper into Holy Week and with Easter right on the horizon, you might be looking for something to watch that pairs well with this sacred time. Trust me, you can’t go wrong with “The Chosen.” You can read my blog post from three years ago that delves into what makes this Jesus series so outstanding but for the sake of the limited space I have in this Thursday Rundown, I will say this: give it a try. Jonathan Roumie’s portrayal of Jesus is superb and many of the scenes are beyond profound. I am navigating season four right now and it is the same great stuff.

I recommend that you watch “The Chosen.”