More Snow

I really am getting tired of winter weather. Today I woke up to 5 inches of snow, no school and the church office being closed. Ok, I'm not so tired of that one.

This storm system is moving pretty quickly and should be out of here by this afternoon. But the wind is blowing stuff around pretty good this morning.

Good thing Charlie flew in last night. He made it just in time.

Well, my kids are sitting here watching me type this right now. Guess its time to find some breakfast.

Try This

Well?

A Reunion?

I just received an email from my sister.

Could it really be true?

Is the world ready?

Car Update

Well it wasn't too bad. Come to find out my car needed a new thermostat. It was getting too hot and it started spewing coolant out some other opening and all over the engine stuff. (That is my mechanic talk)

So it only cost me 60 bucks to get it fixed.

Now if we could find a time to get that van in there.

Kingdom of Comfort

Greatness.

Car Trouble

Ever since the deer vs. our van incident things just haven't been right with the van. So today we decided to take the van into the shop to have another problem looked at. We didn't think it was that big of a deal but we wanted to get it handled before the week really got started.

So I called the shop and set up an appointment to drop the van off. Little did I know that wasn't the last time I'd drop a vehicle off there today.

I switched all the car seats over to my little Mazda and loaded the family into the car. After driving back across town I noticed some smoke coming out from under the hood. I have realized that this is never a good thing. So we stopped the car and I opened up the hood to see that the coolant had leaded all over the engine and was causing this white smoke to shoot up into the air. This can't be good.

So I get back on the phone and call the shop I had just come from. I let them know what's going on with the car and tell them that I'll be right back to switch cars with them. I guess it's not the van's turn after all.

So now the van will have to wait. I haven't heard from them yet tonight, don't know what that means.

Usually big bucks.

Parenting

I love my kids. I think being a parent is one of the greatest privileges God has given to me. I really don't remember how I lived my life before I had kids.

That being said, being a parent is one of the hardest things I've ever done in my life. I learn every day that I am unable to be a good parent on my own.

Just like in life being a good parent is impossible without the help of God. And I am praying every day that He helps me to be the best parent I can to my two kids. I admit I can't do it on my own.

And the great thing is, He does help me.

List of Books

Since my daughter is reading 10 books a month for her Book-It program I realized I needed to start reading a little more. Actually, I have a stack of books that are on my list for 2008. They're sitting on my bookshelf looking really nice. And I keep telling myself that I'm going to start, but I'm getting more and more behind.


(I'll get a better picture later...I left my phone at home and my laptop is plugged into a ton of stuff right now.)

And the truth is I've started most of them. So I have a stack of books that I'm actually in the middle of. I guess I don't usually start a book and read it straight through before I start a new one.

First up is this book:



Why is that one first you ask? Well, they offered a free book to anyone that would publish a review of the book on their blog. So I really need to finish the book! And don't worry, I'm already on Chapter 9!

So look for my incredible review sometime next week!

Bond 22 has a title

Ok, I think I'm posting about movies way too much. But this is stuff I find interesting. (No comments about me needing a life please.)

The new James Bond movie due this November has a title: Quantum of Solace

Seems that it picks up where Casino Royale left off.

Interesting.

Anticipation

What do you think?

Dinner Time

Some of the best times we have as a family is at dinner time. I really think it's important that we spend time eating together as a family. And sometimes it's fun to eat in front of the TV and watch a show but the real good times come when we're all sitting together around the table.

And one of the things we always do during dinner is ask each other what their favorite part of the day was.

My answer is always "Sitting right here eating with my family."

Priceless.

Random Thoughts

Here are some thoughts from the weekend and today:

*We had a great Sunday at Evangel. And to top it all off I'm excited about the direction we're going in 2008. It was great to see the reaction of the membership last night at the business meeting when my dad talked about the future. It's going to be great. We're reaching out, not just in. That's a good thing.

*Spent the holiday today with the kids. Even made it here and here.

*Crystal went and had her hair done and I must say it looks GOOD! I can't help it if my wife is gorgeous.

*Today we had some more ice come through town so we had to change our evening plans. Not to worry, we stopped at the store and picked up a frozen pizza and some cheese bread and had a great family meal eating and playing "I'm thinking of."

*After dinner we spent about an hour playing this. The kids had a great time watching it shoot cards out at anyone. I have to admit....I wasn't very good.

*And we wrapped up the night watching one of these episodes. I really do think they're pretty funny. Don't make fun, give it a try. And yes, my family will be at the big 3D movie when it comes through town.

Well, that's enough for today. It's back to work tomorrow.

Everything I have known has changed

Growing up I was one of the nerdy kids that collected comic books. In fact, just the other day I took my son to the local comic book store. He's really getting into superheroes so I thought it would be a fun trip. You should have seen his face while we were in there...it was like he was trying to take it all in.

So you can understand my surprise when I read this article the other day.

I guess marriage really isn't that big a deal anymore.

My next movie

I can't wait to see this.

My kids can't wait to see this.

The new 3D movies are incredible.

Have you seen any??

Sad Again

Well, it happened again. I don't know why I get my hopes up each year.

This is the Truth

Saw this video on another blog and thought it was pretty incredible. Just take a minute and check it out.



This is the truth.

New Rules for Comments

I've heard from several people that they don't like the fact that they have to create an account to put comments on this blog. (If you're reading this on Facebook you have to click "view original post" to leave a comment)

So I've changed the settings on my site. Now anyone can leave a comment even those that wish to remain anonymous. So feel free to leave a comment and post your thoughts and ideas about what I say.

Go crazy, but please be nice. If things get too out of hand then I may have to switch the comments back.

This is your opportunity to be heard America! Let me hear from you!

Unique Present

When we have Christmas at my parent's house one of the fun things is to open our presents from the stockings. You really never know what you're going to find in there. So this year sticking out of the top of my stocking (and my brother-in-law's) was this:



Now I have to admit that I was a bit puzzled at why I would receive a plush M&M's figure from good old Santa. Yes, I like to eat M&M's but that's beside the point.

But after looking at the tag found on this cute little guy I find out his real purpose:





So now it makes perfect sense. Who wouldn't want something like that?

Thanks Santa.

Power's Out

Today about 14,000 people lost power in the North West area of Wichita. So we were sitting here at the church in the dark.

Fun.

But the power is back now. I guess its time to go back to work.

Go Buckeyes

It's almost gametime for the national championship and while I am still a diehard Jayhawks fan I must admit that I will be cheering for the Buckeyes in the game tonight.

Why you ask? Well there are several reasons.

1. I was actually born in Cleveland, Ohio so I guess that the Buckeyes would be my "home" team.

2. My sister went to law school at Ohio State and still lives in Columbus.

3. My good friend Tom went to school at Ohio State as well.

4. I really can't stand Michigan, so it makes sense to cheer for Ohio State.

So here is what I've been wearing today:



Well, it's about time to turn the TV on, go Buckeyes!

Shopping

Today we spent some time looking for a new bed for my son. Since he's 4 now it's time to get him a bigger bed. So we went around to different stores to look for something he liked.

He wants something like this,

But that's not the reason for this post. We finally stopped at a local store that only sells children's furniture. As we walked in I was hit with a sign on the door that read "No unattended children. Please keep your kids with you at all times." I really didn't think much about it as we walked through the door.

As we started to look at individual beds (which my son hated), I noticed a sign on each of the beds. Here is what it said:



I thought this was pretty weird since we were in a children's furniture store. I mean, don't the parents and kids want to test the beds out to see if they fit their child? Maybe see if the kids like them? I could understand that on the top of a bunk bed. That could be dangerous. Anyway, we kept walking.

Then I noticed this sign on a crib:



Ok, another negative message in this place. Sure, it could be dangerous and they don't want anyone to get hurt but it just hit me wrong.

Then there was another sign in another area of the store that told me not to unwrap something. I was just blown away by all the negative signs. Maybe it is my Marketing background, but I just don't see the point of telling me all the things I cannot do in your store and then trying to tell me why I should buy something from you.

Needless to say, I won't be purchasing a bed from that store.

And this is what I saw when I left. I have to say it kind of scared me.

Is this wrong?

Ok, I've had really dry skin during the winter here. Where my hands and arms are getting really red and itchy. It's no fun.

So I looked around the church for some lotion to use on my hands and I found two options. The youth pastor at the church had something that looked a lot like this.

And the second option was this:



I took the second option. And what is "Sea Island Cotton" anyway? I can say that my hands do feel and smell a lot better.

Orange Bowl

YES!

New Year

Happy New Year to everyone out there! I hope you had a great weekend celebrating.

I must admit that it was weird for me to actually be home with Crystal this past weekend. And I have to say that somewhere deep down inside I did miss riding around in one of these. But, we had a great time spending time with friends and watching the ball drop together.

And it seemed that everywhere we went this past weekend we played this game.

I can't wait to see what 2008 has in store!