Monday, November 24, 2008

NO RUNNING IN THE HOUSE !!!!!!!!

How many times have we been told...

and have told our children...


NOT to run in the house?


Did we always listen?

Do they listen?

Not always.

Sometimes our seemingly futile efforts fail,

and 'boo-boo's' happen.

Here is a little guy who didn't listen,

and he got his own souvenir scars.
Perhaps he'll learn from his mistake. Maybe....



Doesn't look too bad.

But perhaps he should keep this next photo handy

to explain the way it happened!......

ow

ow

ow

ow

OOOHHHHH!!!



That's GOTTA hurt!!!!
(pic taken in the emergency room)

Maybe this picture should

be on your refrigerator for

your kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews

and DAYCARE KIDS to see.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

A 1 year Old

So Neena and I have a 1 year old toddler!! Not a new born or even an infant...but a full-blown toddler! I hope you're as blown away as we are because we scratching our heads wondering where our 3 month old went and why he's walking, talking, and getting into EVERYTHING!

I still can't believe that Neena was ever pregnant in the first place. I remember her walking around the corner of our bedroom with a look of shock on her face. We both screamed, jumped up and down and then cried. We were afraid of the journey we were about to take...even the bad days have been great.

They say time flies when you're having fun and I guess that's why this year has been a blur. We've accepted a job, quit a job, moved, said good-bye to friends, brothers and sisters; started a new job, bought a house...turned it into a home, lauged, argued, lauged some more, watched in amazement as this little blob turned into a real person, and prayed...Oh...my word have we prayed for this little guy. It's the best part of my day: putting Brodee down and asking God to watch over him, give him sweet dreams, to whisper in his ear what Brodee should be and to guard him from evil while we rest. We also pray for us to be the mother and father that God saw in us...to be just the parents that Brodee needs in this life.

He is such an incredible boy. I've re-thought and challenged everything since he's entered my life. I love watching him and following him around as he discovers this world. I love it that he points to things with a questioning look on his face...then I explain it to him. I love it that he gets so excited over football on TV, that he dances to any song, that he cries when mommy leaves and claps when we both come home. I don't know what's in store in the coming year and beyond, but as I look back I see God, so I'll trust as we go forward that God is still very much in control.

One thing I learned about God this year is the understanding of God being a jealous God. I always thought that was out of character, for an infinitely loving God to be jealous. There's nothing Brodee could EVER do to diminish my love for him and even though, daily, I let go just a little more I will always run after him...he's my son, a part of me...where he goes, so do I. Brodee is my heart walking around outside of my body. When he chooses things over our relationship or that could damage pieces of it, I'd be jealous...but still so unbelievably in love with him and that's why I'd be jealous. So I try to live in such a way that shows my son that...that our choices do affect relationships.

This past year has been a blast and was as fast as one, too. Below are some of my favorite pictures from this past year, including several from his birthday party.



































Thursday, October 2, 2008

Burping, Scratching, and the like...

Ran across this today and thought it was too funny not to share. Below is an explanation of the Male race. Remember this is for laughs...

We always hear "the rules" from the female side. Now here are the rules from the male side. if you have already read some of these before it wont hurt to read them again.

Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down. We need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us crying about you leaving it down.

Birthdays, Valentines, and Anniversaries are not quests to see if we can find the perfect present yet again!

Sometimes we are not thinking about you. Live with it.

Sunday = sports. It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides. Let it be.

Don't cut your hair. Ever. Long hair is always more attractive than short hair. One of the big reasons guys fear getting married is that married women always cut their hair, and by then you're stuck with her.

Shopping is NOT a sport. And no, we are never going to think of it that way.

Crying is blackmail.

Ask for what you want. Let us be clear on this one: Subtle hints do not work! Strong
hints do not work! Obvious hints do not work! Just say it!

We don't remember dates. Mark birthdays and anniversaries on a calendar. Remind us
frequently beforehand.

Most guys own three pairs of shoes - tops. What makes you think we'd be any good at
choosing which pair, out of thirty, would look good with your dress?

Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.

Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's what we do. Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.

A headache that last for 17 months is a problem. See a doctor.

Check your oil!

Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. In fact, all comments
become null and void after 7 days.

If you won't dress like the Victoria's Secret girls, don't expect us to act like soap opera guys.

If you think you're fat, you probably are. Don't ask us. We refuse to
answer.

If something we said can be interpreted two ways, and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one.

Let us ogle. We are going to look anyway; it's genetic.

You can either ask us to do something or tell us how you want it done. Not both. If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.

Whenever possible, please say whatever you have to say during commercials.

Christopher Columbus did not need directions, and neither do we.

The relationship is never going to be like it was the first two months we were going out. Get over it. And quit whining to your girlfriends.

ALL men see in only 16 colors. Peach, for example, is a fruit, not a colour. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is.

If it itches, it will be scratched. We do that.

We are not mind readers and we never will be. Our lack of mind-reading ability is not proof of how little we care about you.

If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," we will act like nothing's wrong. We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.

If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.

When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine. Really.

Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as navel lint, the shotgun formation, or monster trucks.

You have enough clothes and too many shoes.

Foreign films are best left to foreigners. (Unless it's Bruce Lee or some war flick where it doesn't really matter what they're saying anyway.)

It is neither in your best interest or ours to take the quiz together. No, it doesn't matter which quiz.

I'm in shape. ROUND is a shape.

Men like sleeping on the couch, it's like camping.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Whacha Think???

Cell Phones Key to Teens’ Social Lives, 47% Can Text with Eyes Closed

Nearly half (47%) of US teens say their social life would end or be worsened without their cell phone, and nearly six in 10 (57%) credit their mobile device with improving their life, according to a national survey from CTIA and Harris Interactive.

Four out of five teens (17 million) carry a wireless device (a 40% increase since 2004), finds the study titled “Teenagers: A Generation Unplugged,” which probes how the growing teen wireless segment is using wireless products and how they want to use them in the future.

Impact on Teen Life

A majority (57%) of teens view their cell phone as the key to their social life.
Second only to clothing, teens say, a person’s cell phone tells the most about their social status or popularity, outranking jewelry, watches and shoes.

In our High School Ministry we just banned cell phones. At the start of the school year we initiated a new policy that states, "At all Westover Youth Events cell phones are no longer allowed." The use of cell phones...mainly texting during classes, small groups, and worship was so bad that we decided just to remove the temptation. We had, for 10 months asked the teens to power off their cell phone and put it away, what they did was silence their phone and text in their pocket. So during worship everyone's pants were lighting up. Brings a whole new meaning to the saying "...or are you just happy to see me?"

Our policy was met, surprisingly, with very little resistance...just one family. What we ask is for teens to either leave their cell phone at home, or in their car. Prior to entering our youth center teens are greeted by adults and asked to drop off their phone, if they neglected option one or two, into their huddle basket...so phones are divided by age groups.

Don't know why I'm talking about this today, but cell phone useage, when it comes to teenagers is a necessity now more than a privilege and that just ticks me off!

So, what are your thoughts???

Monday, September 1, 2008

Oh My...

WARNING: if you're not interested in reading about my summer and are only here for picutres scroll down to the bottom and there will be plenty for you to enjoy. For you other freaks...read on!

My summer is officially over and all that I can muster to say is, "oh my..." Since my last post, which was at the end of May, I've been in 3 states, at an elevation of just under 14,ooo ft. ABOVE sea level to 8 ft. BELOW sea level. I did my best all summer long to groom 4 amazing young people for full-time ministry (no matter where they decide to work), we said good-bye to 26 unforgettable seniors, spent a week killing ourselves to get closer to God and each other while hiking CO's highest peaks, spent a week in NOLA where some places have been untouched since Katrina...over 3 yrs ago! Who knows the extent of the new damage now from Gustav. We also did 3 weeks...with NO break worth of camps, several service days, worship times, hanging out, struggling, wrestling, growing, discovering, and maturing.

This summer was a busy one that was worth every minute. my only wish was that my family could have been with me more, but (not so little) Brodee couldn't have survived most of the business and it would have distracted some of the things that happened. The youth staff at my church has spent the last week wondering where April went and we're scratching our heads trying to figure how September got here so fast! Right now were excited as we prayerfully prepare for another year of ministry. We miss those who have graduated but are SO excited about our new crews that have moved up. God did so much last year & it seemed like all we could do is hang on and try to keep our eyes and ears opened. After taking some time to reflect, it looks like all God did was prepare the ground and foundation for some major construction this year and beyond. So I'm anxiously anticipating what's just around the corner...and like a child before Christmas I so desperately wish I could peek!

This year/summer was filled with ups and downs. Calls were made that hurt people in the short-term but helped so much in the long-run. I witnessed incredible acts of service, kindness, love, respect, and saw Jesus in the lives of our students several times; and then there were times where I felt ineffective, alone, and down-right hated. I also experienced personal successes and failures; and quite possibly accepted one of the biggest challenges in my life so far, from a great mentor...in the most unlikely place. I haven't made do on my challenge yet, It requires a lot of courage and I'm spending time gathering that courage. All I can say is God is big, and when He called me through Decceco this summer it was BIG. By the end it all fit, and the majority of our flock grew...including me, with the rest still sitting and contemplating the choice they have before them (let God groom you or don't).

A couple of new things:
Since leaving Arizona, having a baby, starting new job, buying a house, etc. etc. etc. my body responding in weird ways. So after meeting with my dr. and him telling me that I'm under a lot of expected stress with all that's going on, he suggested running. So that's what I do now and I love it! 4-5 times/week I run roughly 3 miles through the hills around our neighborhood. This exercise is great for my heart and has definitely calmed things down, but I do it more-so for my head and the stress now is all but "gone". So the busyness and stress of this "new" job is all expected and now better managed which has consequently helped my 'performance'.

New thing number two is, I am the father of an almost one-year old!! It's blowing my mind because there is no way this child can be more than 3 months old...not 12!! He's doing so very well and was actually the ring-bearer in my sister-in-laws' wedding last weekend. He almost stole the show until Kecia walked in with Philip...what an incredible moment!

Quick aside:
Kecia (sister-in-law) married Landon (new bro-in-law) Kecia is the Nichols' youngest daughter, so as Philip walked her down the isle, it was a last...the last time Philip and Jan would 'let go', they are officially empty-nesters. And as Philip choked his way through giving away the bride he did something amazing. He announced before a crowd of 300 that it was NOT just, "her mother and I" that gave her away, but God, her family, and everyone else that has worked and been responsible for raising Kecia. It was a tear-filled, joyous moment. And just before that, Kecia stopped the procession at Landon's father's side and she gave him a hug. Just a month or so ago Landon's family suddenly lost their matriarch...Landon's mother, and this day was especially bitter-sweet for Ronnie, Landon's father. He's was doing spectacular until he saw Kecia, then we all lost it as she paused (ON HER DAY) and embraced and comforted her father-in-law, who no doubt was having flashbacks to seeing his bride walk down the isle. It was truly the most beautiful moment of the wedding.

OK...teary stuff over!
Brodee Kade update: He's walking...kinda. As long as he thinks someone is holding his hand, little-bro can almost run, BuuuuuT if you let go, he's not so confident and begins to wobble. He's about 25lbs., half of Neena's height, says momma, dadda, whoa, and can even whistle! He also loves to dance, wave and throw toys. He's into everything, laughs at everything, loves everything. Becuase of Brodee's adventersome spirit he's also learning the word, "No." So far it's proving to be a painful experience for him. For one, he doesn't like to be told no, and when he disobeys the NO, it's followed with a swat on the hand or backside...hince the painful learning. He really is such and incredible little boy, we're so blessed by him and I for one am thankful every moment of the day because I sure do not deserve a family like I have. So I spend my time thanking God and doing my best to keep up with the greatness that is Neena and Brodee.

Now some pictures that cover the past several months. Some of trips, and some of family. Enjoy and I'll do my best to update...at least weekly!