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!