A little Encouragement

Life has been a bit hectic lately and thus the lack of posting the past 2 weeks. On Thursday, we had a Small Group Dessert Social. It was a way for people in our church to find out who's in life groups and a chance to get plugged in. There was way to much dessert and not much room to move. Overall I thought it went over very well. I was able to connect with a new family in our church with young children. This mom was sharing that they were having a tough time finding a church primarily because it was difficult to find a place where the kids wanted to come. Well things have changed for them now. Now on Saturday nights, this young boy gets excited about going to church on Sundays. It's stories like this, that really give me that extra boost when I am feeling down. God knows our needs and gives hope in dark times. I will put my trust in Him.

A Valentine's day Tale

Long before I met my valentine, I had another special girl in my life. It turns out she was more special to me than I was to he. I didn't have many girlfriends and the ones that I had never seem to last very long. This one I thought was quite special. I had grandiose ideas of romance and I was hoping to get my first kiss. My parents were going out that night and I had the house almost to myself. I was going to pick her up at seven and bring her back to my parents house for dinner and a movie. I started dinner around 4 - Lemon Chicken, scalloped potatoes and broccoli and something sweet for dessert. I bought a dozen roses and a chic flic - My Best Friends Wedding. I was busy making dinner and the phone rang. It was her, but there was a bit of a twinge and maybe a tear in her voice. She asked if she could just drive herself over. That didn't seem to gentlemanly to me, but I wasn't going to argue. So I knew something was up, I just didn't know what. Seven o'clock rolled around and the stage was set. Dinner was on the table, candles burning, flowers smelling beautiful and me waiting anxiously. Around 7:15 the doorbell rang and I saw her car. I went to the door only to see her full of tears. She came and sat on the couch with me and just said "I just can't do this". I assumed it meant the relationship. I didn't understand why I just hurt. So I joined in the crying and just sat their on the couch with my heart crushed. I blew out the candles and neither of us had an appetite. The food sat on the table just getting cold. We eventually turned on the movie and later decided to be just "friends" and if by the time we would turn 30 and neither of us were married we would find each other and tie the knot. Stupid chic flicks. To this day, I still don't know why she dumped me.

Daddy Time

Tuesdays and Wednesdays are special days for me. I am fortunate to be able to have a work schedule that allows me to spend extra time with Carver. We hang out all day Tuesday and until about 1:00 on Wednesday. Carver wanted a little extra attention today while I was shaving. He is growing so quickly I have to log and treasure moments like these.

Biggest Pet Peeve

Alright, there is a certain holiday that was created or at least made famous by card makers coming very soon. Along with any holiday where gifts are given come a barrage of commercials telling Americans - primarily American Men what they should buy if they really care. I don't know if there is anything that bugs me more than some guy named Jared or Robbins or Kay that tells me what I need to buy to prove my love for my wife. It is just absolutely ridiculous. I always switch the station, most of the time onto another station playing another jewelry commercial. It is just stupid. I think that I should start sending strongly written letters to the radio stations. There is no reason why we should have to endure the torture of listening to these marketing beasts. By the way, I pick up Laura's new ring from the mall on Friday.

Go Steelers!

A few years ago, the Seahawks were actually good and made it to the Superbowl. Unfortunately, that is not the case this year. On that particular Sunday I decided to teach the kids about Loving People who are different. It went over well and I did end up rooting on my home team. This year I am rooting for the Steelers for real!

Thankfully not ours!

So last week it was my car getting towed. This car looks exactly like Laura's. A good friend saw this in a ravine by his house. Thankfully it wasn't ours and we were not in it. However, it looks like the passenger compartment looks fairly intact considering it went over the sidewalk, through a fence, through a utility pole and down a ravine. I feel a bit safer when thinking about an accident now. After all - it is the mom car.

25 things about me

25 Things about me stolen from Facebook

1. I have been married for 7 plus years to a beautiful wife Laura and we now have an adorable son Carver Lee who is 8 months old. We also have her Purse Dog Beast who is a Bichon/Pom and I have the best dog Phoenix who is a sometimes smelly Golden Retriever.
2. I work at 3 different places yet still have time to spend 2 -3 full days to hang out with my son.
3. Hockey is my favorite sport, yet I have not played it in almost 15 years. Now I play softball.
4. I get a little OCD when it comes to trying to find something online - like a vehicle on Craigslist. I do this repeatedly during a day even when I know I can't afford it or won't be able to for a few years.
5. My dream is to become a full time Children's Pastor.
6. I recently went to Mac and I never want to go back.
7. As I get older, I listen to a lot more Talk Radio and lot less music.
8. I somewhat shamefully like to listen to country music - more 90's country than todays country.
9. I still consider my best friend Gabe Marshall - even though I haven't seen him in more than 8 years and have only talked to him a few times since then.
10. Once, Blair and I dropped off his mom's Cat at a girls house as a prank. I still don't understand why. Mrs D is mad at me to this day for that one.
11. A few weeks later I dropped off a dead squirrel at the same girls house. This might make me a serial killer. I'm still not sure why I did that. However, she was my girlfriend a few weeks later. However, it didn't last very long. Kind of like all of my relationships before Laura.
12. I got married at 21 and felt like I waited a long time because my parents were married at 19 and 20 and my sisters both got married when they were 18.
13. I had the opportunity to perform at the White House in 2003.
14. I have been to 40 states. These are the ones I am missing: Vermont, Rhode Island, South Dakota, North Dakota, New Hampshire, Montana, Maine, Delaware , Connecticut and Alaska. I think I have passed through Delaware and Connecticut I just can't say for sure. One day I hope to see them all - especially Alaska.
15. I have spent about 6 weeks working in England and love it. I could totally live there.
16. I used to live in a house that used to be owned by Hank Williams Jr's sister.
17. After being married for 6 years, my wife found out I can play the trumpet.
18. I really really like the idea of reading, however when it comes to the act I mostly fall asleep. I never finished a book I was supposed to read in High School. Cliff notes are amazing. Do they even make them anymore or is all online?
19. When Carver learns to ride a bike or tricycle, I want to learn the unicycle.
20. I am hoping to get a VW Trike for my 29th or 30th Birthday.
21. My most prized possession as a 7 year old was my nunchucks. I used to attack the Gordon Girls with them and my sisters. One day they disappeared and I was very sad. 10 years later, Beth Gordon Eichelberger found them in a tree in her back yard while doing yard work. I treasure them still.
22. I love Baseball. I collected cards as a kid and kind of lost my passion until I got married. My wife was a fan, so I started following. Now, I am way to much of a baseball geek for her taste.
23. Laura and I used to sit and dream about opening some type of Teen Center one day.
24. My favorite TV show is Lost. I admit I have a problem and listen to Lost Podcasts. I also enjoy Fringe, Terminator, Sons of Anarchy and Dexter and NCIS.
25. I used to be a professional Yo-Yo man.