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You may have seen this before, but even if you have,

it's worth watching again.
(I believe the oldest girl is 8 and the youngest is 5)

Random

Phrase of the day: "Sounds good"

Song of the day: "Heartless" by Kanye West

Thought of the day: "If I eat a happy meal, will it really make me happy?"

Funny of the day: "Calling 1-800-295-0051 to the Nestle Hotline / wait for the operator to ask English or Spanish / do nothing / the number options will begin...press 4 and listen."

Best part of the day: "Going home to see my family!"

Advice for the day: "Don't do the breath check where people can see you. Seriously everyone knows what you're doing.

"Tying my shoes"

Have you ever been so frustrated that you just wanted to give up?

Cole, my 5 year old, is just learning how to tie his shoes. Talk about a frustrated little 5 year old. He starts out pretty good as he’s putting the shoe on, then after about a minute of making the loop and wrapping the other shoe lace around it…things begin to fall apart. At times it can be kind of funny. I try not to laugh, but I don’t always do well at that.

Here’s how the process goes:

* He happily goes and gets his shoes
* Sits down, unties the laces and puts the first shoe on
* He then begins making the loop or loops to move forward
* Starts making the loop or loops over...again
* (Hhhhhhh)...(mad growl)…then starts again
* With a shaky, whiny voice says, “I can’t get it!”
* He starts back over…again…(I try not to let him see me smiling)
* Slams his foot on the ground and fusses
* Gets back to it and FINALLY get’s it tied!!!!
* Only to find out it’s on the wrong foot. (Now he sees me smiling)

Do you ever get that way? You try something over and over again and still can’t seem to win, till you finally just want to give up? Then other times you push through the frustration to get the job done, only to find out you didn’t do it the “right” way.

Why is that? Why do we have those days? It’s almost as if going back to bed is the best solution to that type of day. Regardless of what the “right” answer is, these days happen to all of us at some point or another. It may not be with tying our shoes, but it’s on a level that’s real to us in that very moment. I guess when these days find us, consider this…

Maybe it’s not that you’re doing it wrong after all. Maybe that’s just your way of doing it. Because when the shoe is finally tied and someone looks down and says, “They’re on the wrong feet,” remember this…“If they were on the wrong feet, then they wouldn’t be on your feet.”

That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it!

A good man has moved on

7 days ago would have been my Papaw’s 78^th birthday, but back in April he stopped celebrating his birthday’s here on earth after moving on to bigger and better things! And although I know he’s moved on to a better life, I tend to still miss him from time to time. So I’m going to dedicate this blog to a man who has helped inspire me and others to live life a little fuller because of his example.

Here are some things that, when I remember him, make me proud to be his grandson:

• He left school at a very early age so he could work in the mines of KY to help support his family
• Became a Corporal Medic in the US Army
• Married his sweetheart Patsy! My mom later asked him, “Why did you marry Mother?” His response (no joke) was, “I don’t know. We started going together and just kept it up.” (For 54 years I might add) Too funny!
• His contagious laugh (The man seemed to always laugh)
• His jokes (After telling a joke he would just laugh, even if it really wasn’t all that funny) – Makes me laugh now though. Go figure.
• His love for the Lord and his family!
• One thing I remember him telling me right before he moved on was this: “We shouldn’t just love some people! We need to love ALL people!” In that same conversation over the phone, I mentioned that I wished I could be there with him. His answer to me, “Don’t chew you worry, we’ll be together again!” That was my last conversation with him…at least for now…

Who do you miss that has impacted your life?

"one of those days"

So yesterday I didn’t blog. Here's why. Have you ever had "one of those days?” I mean, I think we all pretty much know what someone means when they say this. Well for me it really was “one of those days.” I honestly cannot say exactly what triggered it either. It was much more subtle than that. It was as if, over the course of the day, I began doubting the things that I’m capable of. Like thinking thoughts of, “I’m not good enough for this” or “I’m not good enough at that,” and I slowly began to agree and believe that. And it wasn't as if I could even trace it back to anything that would have caused it. For instance:

* Things good with the wife? (check)
* Boys doing good? (check)
* Watching the new season of 24 where Jack Bauer can get tazzed / get beat up/ foil an assassination attempt / and hook up with an old girlfriend from the past, all in one episode? (check)

Maybe that’s the key, change my name to Jack Bower and I’ll believe I can do anything. As you can probably tell, today is a much different day. I guess the main reason I wanted to be transparent about yesterday was so that if anyone reading this blog is having, “one of those days,” you can be encouraged. We all go through these up and down moments in life and it’s okay to go through them…but we can’t stay there. For me it takes getting away and talking with God. For you it might be something different. Whatever it is, my advice to you is to not let yourself stay there. It’s okay to have a bad day, but tomorrow it’s time to move on.

May not be real polished, but there's my 2 cents.

0 - 5 in the blink of an eye

I've always heard from folks who are a generation ahead of myself say, "Time goes by so fast with your kids!" So I have taken their advice, which has moved me to daily soak up my time with both of my boys! Well yesterday was Cole's 5th birthday, which is just crazy to me! As you can see from this first picture, things have changed quite a bit from how they started.

I remember when:

* He would sleep after every meal

* He would let me hold him until he fell asleep on me

* He would never talk back

* He always needed my help

* He threw up all the time (well I guess I don't miss that)

But as you can see, that has now become a thing of the past. See for some this can be a sad reflection of how time really does goes by too fast, but from my perspective I am glad to see his life move forward. Sure I enjoyed those earlier days and would never take ANYTHING for those amazing memories!!! However I am certainly enjoying these new seasons of watching a boy learn what it's like to be 5 for the very first time!

* To hear him count to 40

* To watch him take a scrape on the knee and consider it "cool"

* To hear him pray well beyond his years

* To wrestle with him (letting him win) then literally watch his confidence grow

* To hear him talk back (that will go away when he hits his teen right?)

All in all, I have enjoyed these 5 years with my son...no doubt! But I certainly don't want to keep looking back as to miss who he is now and who he is daily becoming!

Happy Birthday Cole
From Daddy

Eye love my wife!

Okay, so if you have a weak stomach or don’t do well when looking at graphic photos, then this blog probably isn’t for you. For those of you who say, “Bring it on,” well stick around and carry on.

2009 wasn’t the easiest year for my wife, so when the idea came up for her to renew contact lenses and get new glasses, I suggested Lasik eye surgery. I was hoping that this would be a positive step forward for her and I wasn’t going to let money hold us back. Plus it helps that I hit the Power Ball lottery in NC this past year. (True story! I actually won 4 dollars!)

Anyway I was given the option to watch the surgery today and I said, “Yes.” I took some photos and thought I would post them and let you see exactly what I saw. I’ve put them in order from “not so bad…to ewwwwhhh.”

(Pic 1) Close up of the eye while closed
(Pic 2) The outer layer of the eye has been peeled away and is getting ready for solution to be put in.
(Pic 3) Yeah…that’s the layer being pulled back. (Told you it was graphic!)

I might as well just stop here, because most likely everyone has already left.
“See” you later!

Haiti

Of anything that I could have posted today, it would have simply paled in comparison to what the people of Haiti are going through today.

Whether you pray or not, please remember these people!
For those of you that pray, please do that at this time!

50 today!!!

Today is sort of a mile marker for me. I’ve officially hit 50 blogs that I’ve written to date! (Wait for the applause…umm that’s your cue) I know that probably doesn’t mean anything to anyone else, but for me it’s been a small accomplishment. Basically the whole reason that I started writing these blogs was that I felt it would be one way for folks to see other sides of me besides a minister. Although I am a “Children’s minister” at Parkside Christian Church, there are many other titles that I would say define me as a person.

For instance I am a “husband” to a beautiful woman that I have had the privilege of calling, “my wife” for the past 9 years! A “daddy” to 2 special boys that I intentionally pour my love into, in the hopes that they will one day become great men! A “brother” to 3 great siblings! (One of which I used to beat up, but is now stronger than me.) A “son” to two incredible people who have loved me and whom have set many examples for me within the 33 years of my life! “Grandson” to my Mamaw whom I love very much! “Uncle” to seven little guys and gals who think I’m the coolest thing ever! (Okay I might have made up that last part, but seriously, it’s not like they’re going to read this) “Nephew,” “Cousin,” Neighbor,” “Friend”…etc.

These are GREAT titles that define some amazing relationships, but I have to say, the one that I’m most proud of is…“child of God!” The first part of James 3:1 says, “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” As imperfect as I am and as many times as I mess up, I will always be proud that the Creator of the universe chooses to attach me with this title!!!

At the end of a day, what title are you most proud of?

The "man test!"

Let me just say, there are no apologies with this blog that you’re about to read. In fact this is about my friends and I living up to the idea of never getting too old to have a little fun. Like it or not, this is us.

Let me set it up for you. Every year for the past 7 years, during New Years Eve, we guys do a “man test.” Now if you’re already rolling your eyes, then it’s probably best if you just stop here. But you and I both know that this sort of stuff doesn’t happen in most people’s lives, so curiosity will keep you here. So…a “man test” in our definition is something difficult that you have to endure for a short period of time or accomplish within a short period of time. Well we debated several options, but since it had snowed several inches and the temperature was in the teens, we landed on this one.

1) Run from the front porch down to the pond. Continue around the pond and then back to the porch. (Totaling 1/4 mile)
2) Cannot wear shoes, socks or a shirt.
3) Cannot turn back!

As you’ll notice from the pictures:
(pic 1) realizing and talking about how dumb this idea was.
(pic 2) ignoring sound advice from our wives and going anyway.
(pic 3) returning with numb feet. (Notice I’m not in this picture.) I was ahead of the pack hoping…the faster I go, the faster it’s over!
(pic 4) Trying to hide the pain for the picture.

You know as silly as this was, it will always be a fun story that we will talk about when we remember and smile about New Years Eve 2009! Who knows where 2010 will go!

What did you do New Years Eve?

Love my family

I know that I already posted a Christmas picture of my family, but this one was taken at my parent’s house over our vacation last week. I thought it represented exactly who we are. Plus I ran out of time today with all that I had to do, so posting this picture was plan B.

Make sure you tell your family that you love them today!

Christmas and Long Johns

Alright…where was I? It’s been like what…a year since I’ve written something? Well after taking some vacation time, visiting family, getting sick and recovering, I am now back on track. I really don’t even know where to start because so much has happened. I mean I’ve got some fun stories and some not so fun stories from the adventures that I’ve been on these past couple of weeks. But since everyone likes a fun story, let’s go that route for today.

Christmas day was GREAT!!! I mean when you’ve got a 4 ½ and 2 ½ year old, Christmas is just a fun filled day of adventure! This year instead of buying the boys a particular gift, Holly and I decided to MAKE it for them! So the weeks prior to Christmas we would put the boys to bed and then make our way to the shed and construct this gift from scratch. Well after a few arguments, dodging hammers that were being thrown and a couple of 2x4 wars, it was completed. (Totally kidding! Actually this line really might get me in trouble.) Anyway Christmas day, the boys came downstairs, saw the table and began playing with it right away. We moved it to their room afterwards, and as you can see from the pictures, it was a hit! (A great start to the morning!)

(Still Christmas day) Next we all got packed up in the van and headed north to visit the grandparents. Well on the way we needed some gas, so we stopped at a place that was actually open. That’s when I saw him. I wasn’t sure at first what he had on, because from a distance it looked like “long johns.” You know…like that full body underwear that my grandpa used to wear when I was a kid. Yeah the adult pajama where it has 2 buttons holding a flap up in the back for…well…some purpose. Well sure enough, that’s exactly what he had on! “Oh man, I have got to go take his picture,” is what I told Holly. (It must be a guy thing because she just rolled her eyes at the idea) Anyway as you can see from the photo he didn’t mind me taking his picture. In fact it ended with both of us laughing, shaking hands and wishing each other a Merry Christmas.
Not sure if you call long johns "Christmas spirit," but it sure worked for 2 guys at a gas station who had never met.

If you get a chance, let me know how your Christmas went!