More Books

I've just added to the number of books that I am reading. I think I'm going crazy. I have to stop. It's not unusual for me to be reading three or four at the same time but I've gone a bit overboard now.

Why are you reading so many books you might ask? Well, I'm trying to grab as much information to help in this new ministry to families.

But I do love buying new books.

I guess there's no hope for me.

Conversation

I had one of the best conversations today. And it just came out of the blue. We talked about this blog so hopefully that person reads this post. I don't think they wanted me to talk about the conversation here so I'm not going into details about the talk. Just want the world to know that it was fun.

If you do read this I just want you to know that I'm doing my homework....hopefully I'll come up with something.

Thanks again for listening to me. It was great talking. I'm even thinking about reading Time magazine again. (And I don't even mind being thrown out!)

...that last part was a joke.

Super Hero

I have to admit I'm a superhero fan. Maybe some people think I'm a nerd but I don't care. I have a ton of comics that I collected when I was a kid and a lot of superhero toys from back then (and some from the other day). If a superhero movie comes out more than likely I'm there.

I think I've even given this love to my children. My daughter was Captain America on her first halloween (with complete costume and shield!) and Mr. Incredible for her second.

My son has been Buzz Lightyear (sort of a superhero) and Superman.

Finally this past year my daughter decided to do something different and be Cinderella. (Where did that come from??!?)

So I like superheros. There I said it. Happy?

Movie Review

Ok, Crystal and myself sat through Pirates -- At Worlds End yesterday. So here is my really quick review. Now you have to understand that I didn't see the first movie until it came out on DVD and only after someone gave it to me as a gift. And I guess I should admit that the first time I watched the movie I fell asleep. And it took me months to finally finish the movie.

But before you stop reading this and disregard my opinion...I did see the second movie in the theatre and stayed awake the entire time! (Although the second movie was a bit confusing.)

So I convinced Crystal to head out to the movies with me to watch the exciting conclusion to the trilogy. And I have to say she wasn't too excited about seeing the movie.

So here we go, my thoughts on the movie.

After watching the second movie and thinking that things couldn't get any more confusing I realized how wrong I really was. The third movie takes the story to an entirely different level. We've got multiple Capt. Jack's eating peanuts, a giant sea-lady that turns into a bunch of crabs and a huge sword battle on the top of a ship's sail.

Ok, so enough of the story. Let's talk about the rest of the movie. I have to say that it was a bit too long for me. I think that's been a problem with other movies this summer as well. But on the plus side I really liked all of the special effects. Industrial Lights and Magic did a really good job with them.

I really liked the fact that this was the final movie in the trilogy only to see the movie and realize that there will probably be a 4th, 5th and 6th one.

So overall I thought the movie was enjoyable but in reality it could have waited until DVD.

And make sure you stay through the credits!

Huge Weekend Recap

Ok, it's been a little while since I've posted. Because I had a big weekend. Here's the recap:

I closed on my house Friday!

My kids had a great time up in St. Louis seeing their Grandparents. I'm not sure they missed us at all!

I spoke Sunday morning and taught on Genesis Sunday night. I think it all went pretty well.

Our washer/dryer was delivered Monday.

My daughter's new bed was delivered Monday.

My new KING size mattress was delivered Tuesday

The movers brought out stuff from storage Tuesday.

Now I have a lot of boxes.

Ok, so my weekend went a little long. But I'm glad it's over. Now I have to help my wife unpack. Fun.

Big Weekend

Well this weekend is shaping up to be a pretty big one. My kids are heading to Grandma's house in St. Louis so my wife will be away from them for the first time. We close on our house this Friday. And to wrap everything up I'm preaching Sunday morning and doing my dad's class Sunday night.

Fun stuff.

By the way, next week doesn't get any easier. We start moving!

Day Off

Well it's Monday and my day off. We spent the day out shopping and eating some great Mexican food.

Here's a funny story from today. We're stopping by the mall to check out the sales in Gap. So we finally find Gap in the mall and learn that the store is closing at the end of the month. I think that's pretty crazy and I start looking around for some deals. About the time I see something I want to check out my daughter tells me she has to go to the bathroom. And she's dancing around the store. Never mind she was fine walking to the store, now she has to go.

So we leave Gap and head to a bathroom. We find it and make sure that both kids use it. We walk back to Gap and start shopping again. It's not two minutes before my son looks up and says he has to go to the bathroom again. Wow.

So we head back out of the store and find another bathroom and in the end its just a false alarm for him. But my daughter decides she needs to go again.

Long story long we finally make it back to Gap and finally were able to look around.

I think I've learned not to let them drink anything anymore....

Family Ministry

There is a huge need for family centered ministry in the church today. In my new job I see it and as a parent I see it.

The cool thing is I'm looking at opportunities that I've never seen before. So many ideas running through my head!

Wednesday

It's a little weird in this new job. I'm not worried about a youth service all day, not prepping a sermon, not making sure the worship is ready. I don't even have to stay until 11 PM anymore. And I don't get to play Nintendo Wii or Mario Kart.

And I'm not complaining about any of it....well except for the Wii and Mario Kart stuff.

24

Just one more thing. There has been a lot of talk about how bad 24 has gotten this season. And maybe things aren't as good as last season BUT last night changed things for me. I thought the show was great and it made me want to see what happens next!

Better believe I'll be in front of the TV next Monday night!

I'm learning

I have to say that I'm learning a lot about ministry just hanging out with my dad. Today I went with him to visit several people in different nursing homes. Now if you ask me that isn't one of my favorite things to do. I've never really felt comfortable.

But watching how my dad handled all of the stuff today I realized what a great example I have right in front of me each day. He's a great pastor and he really cares about all of the people in his church.

It's great to learn and not have to be in a classroom.

Ahhh.....

Not a bad day off. I was able to eat here and hung out with the family here.

Day Off

Tomorrow is my day off. I'm actually looking forward to hanging out with Crystal and the kids. We're heading over to Exploration Place downtown. It's pretty cool. We're now members so we can go as much as we want for a year.

Anyway there is a special crocodile exhibit that we're going to check out tomorrow. There is also a giant three story castle that the kids love to play in.

Hope there are no more tornados tomorrow.

Crazy

Well I have to say that the weather here in Kansas sure is crazy. Yep, we're really in the middle of tornado season. Friday night Crystal and I were out with the music pastor and his wife walking downtown by the river pretty late. We had no idea that something so terrible was happening just about an hour west of us.

Yesterday and today I've seen the pictures of Greensburg. It's crazy. The entire town is just gone. My heart and prayers go out to those there.

And last night more tornadoes hit central Kansas. And more severe weather is expected today.

Crazy.

Well...Spiderman 3

Ok, so dinner wasn't that bad the other night. I'm still not a big fan of the frozen stuff.

But on to other things. How about a review of Spider-Man 3? Yesterday I was able to see the movie and let me tell you I thought it was greatness. Now you may think that I'm a little bias because I grew up collecting the comic books. And you may be right.

But the CGI stuff looked incredible in the movie. If you can watch a movie and not think that this is computer generated that's a good thing. The action scenes were spectacular and the story moved along pretty well.

The only thing I would say against the movie was that it probably was 30 minutes too long. There were some spots of the movie that seemed to drag a little bit.

I'm just glad I went to see it at 4 in the afternoon! When we were leaving the theatre there was a line out the door and down the side of the theatre to get in for the next show!

Overall: It was great and you should see it!

Dinner

I'm not sure about dinner tonight. It's something that came out of the freezer and made by Stouffers. I think its a variation of cordon bleu.

Anyway, I'm no good at cooking so it looks like this is it.

I'll let you know how it turns out.

I really like this

Let's try

Maybe this is the answer to my questions. I like having a facebook, myspace and xanga but I've been wondering which one to post to. I really enjoyed the blog I had on realontheweb.com but since I can't write there anymore I've been kind of "lost."

Anyway, I think I'll try this here. Hopefully I can get the word out to some of you so you can come and check it all out.

More soon.