We Will Never Forget

Cowboys 45 - Giants 35

Here are a few of my thoughts from last nights Cowboys win. First, a win is a win and this was a division game so it was even bigger.

Romo looked good despite his bone head interception.
The defense didn't look like the one we thought had all the promise especially after higher a "defensive minded" head coach. We didn't get much pressure on the quarterback, the secondary looked as bad as it did last year and we couldn't tackle.

The young kicker Folk didn't make any mistakes and I think Matt McBriar, the punter, might be the most under appreciated player.

Hopefully we will get Newman back soon and he can provide a little help to the secondary because we won't win many games giving up 35 points.

Dallas Cowboys Stadium Update

I went out to the stadium today and it was the first time in about 6 weeks and it has changed a lot.

This thing is going to be huge..

Another Post about my recent trip

While I was at the airport I had to go to the bathroom. As I sat in the stall I couldn't help but think about recent stories in the news.

I was sure not to put anything on the floor and I kept my feet well inside the stall.
But, those that have travelled with me know that given the opportunity, I have often gone into the stall and changed into either jeans or sweats prior to a flight. I wonder how many times I have given "signals."

I don't know if I will do that again..

Musings of a business traveller

Yesterday I had to travel on business and thankfully I don't have to do that very much. I'm glad I don't have to travel much and because of that I haven't become desensitized to the craziness of all of it.

As I sat there on the plane watching everyone board, I realized we are all just playing dress up. Everyone was dressed in their slacks, shirts, ties, skirts and suits and were trying to look like they were important. Why do we feel that the only way to be credible is to dress up? I know if I polled everyone on that plane they all would have been wearing jeans, shorts and even sweats.

Then there are the toys. Everyone was tapping on their laptop, texting with their Blackberry and talking on a cell phone. The guy sitting next to me was working on a spreadsheet titled "Market Segments - Monthly Forecast." What does that mean and how boring does it sound?

I think we all take what we do way to seriously and everyone needs to lighten up and spend a little less time trying to make themeselves look important.

A Trip to the Zoo

Sometimes all the stars and planets line up and a trip out with your kids turns into a perfect experience.

We got up early and got to the zoo this morning just as it was opening. Actually we got their early so we took a little detour and went and walked around the campus of my alma mater. It has changed so much in places, I didn't recognize it but that is a topic for another post.

But, we were the 2nd ones to actual enter the zoo, the temperature was a nice 80 degrees and it was overcast with a slight breeze. Everything was perfect. In places we had the entire zoo to ourselves so we got to take our time and really get to look at the animals.

We were able to see everything we wanted in about an hour and half and as we were leaving, the crowds were showing up. We got out just in time and had a wonderful time.

Texas Castle Doctrine Becomes Law

Today is the day that the Texas Castle Doctrine becomes law.

Here is what the law does:

The law states that a person has no duty to retreat if the person is attacked in a place where he or she has a right to be present, if he or she has not provoked the attacker, and if the person using force is not engaged in criminal activity at the time the force is used. In addition, the jury is instructed to presume that the victim's actions were reasonable if the victim brings forth evidence that he or she is entitled to the presumption, unless the state can prove otherwise beyond a reasonable doubt.
This law also provides civil immunity for the individual who uses justified force or deadly force. This individual is immune from civil liability for personal injury or death that results from the defendant's use of force or deadly force, as applicable.

Awanas

Seth has started in a program called Awana. This is from their website:

Awana blends Bible teaching, Scripture memorization and tons of fun. Your church’s Awana ministry will impact kids ages 2 to 18 along with their families and entire communities while helping your church instruct parents, train volunteers and make your children's ministry and youth ministry all that God intends them to be.

Seth is in the Cubbies program and he really seems to enjoy it. Part of Awana is scripture memorization and in the first week Seth had to memorize the Cubbie Moto and the Cubbie Verse. The Cubbie Moto is "Jesus Loves Me" and the Cubbie Verse is "God loved us, and sent his son. 1 John 4:10".

We practiced this every night and Seth did a great job of learning his verses. But, Chase would not be left out so he also insisted on learning the verses. He nailed the motto and would get very close on the verse. He often would just recite the citation by saying "first John, four ten."

But, sometimes Chase would say "Uncle John" instead of the citation. Uncle John is one of Shelley's uncles in Oklahoma and the boys just love him. The other cute thing is when we ask Chase where Uncle John lives which is Wapanucka. Chase will reply with "up a nuck a".

I need 2 change

Do you?
Ineed2change.com

1st Day of School

Today was Seth's first day of school. I don't know if it actually counts or not since this is just pre-k but it will be the first time he is gone all day every day of the week to school so it was just as traumatic on us. When I say "us", I mean the parents. Seth really didn't seem to notice.

He was really excited to go and didn't bat an eye when we left him alone in his new room. Now, he will have some adjusting to do though. First, he isn't used to getting up as early as is required to get him to school. He was really tired when the day was over. Also, Seth likes to eat breakfast when he is ready and he wasn't "ready" this morning so he went to school without any breakfast. (are we horrible parents?) He will need to learn they won't make him a waffle whenever he is ready. Also, he will need to learn he needs to eat at lunch time. He didn't like what they were serving only because he had never seen it before, so he didn't eat again. Needless to say, he was hungry when Shelley picked him up.

All and all it was a successful first day. But, we have crossed over to a new time when he won't be home all day with his mother and little brother and that makes us all very sad.

Sleeping Issues

We are having sleeping issues in our house lately. Getting the boys to bed hasn't been the issue, keeping them them there has been though. Every night starting around midnight we start getting little visitors and we begin playing musical beds. Every night is different. We may go a week or so with it only being Seth and then another week where it might be Chase and then it is always fun when it is both of them.

For example, this morning I woke up on the couch, Shelley in Seth's bed and Seth and Chase in our bed.

Anyway, when I saw this video it said everything I have been feeling.

Thanks to Robin for the original post.

Cowboys 16 Texans 28

We are now 2 - 1 in fake football and the loss yesterday is concerning. The third game is the all important "dress rehersals" where the starters play the majority of the game. The did play almost 3 quarters and looked very sloppy doing it.

-- We had a high number of penalties
-- Special teams looked horrible
-- We couldn't run the ball
-- The kicking battle looks to be leaning towards the rookie.
-- We couldn't stop the run
-- We weren't able to get pressure on the QB either.

So, with next week going to be mostly backups playing we won't get the next good idea of what we have until the season starts. I'm still optimistic but they have to play better than they did Saturday.

41

Yesterday was my 41st birthday and that is something that is still hard for me to comprehend. I don't feel old enough to be 41.

But, we had a great day that ended in attending The Wiggles concernt at Nokia Theatre. If you had asked me twenty years ago what I would be doing on my 41st birthday, I think I could have listed a thousand things and going to see the Wiggles would never have come up.

Being 41 is off to an inauspicious start as well. I am on day 2 of being 41 and I have already had to go to the doctor. I hate doctors but I have a sinus infection that is killing me and I finally had to break down.

I'm 41 and I'm falling apart..

Another Post About Elvis

Here is another post about Elvis and I can't promise it won't be my last.

Back in 1997 when Shelley and I went to Memphis for the 20th anniversary of Elvis' death we got to do a lot of neat things. This was when The Ordeal occurred and I don't include it in that list of "neat" things.

But, the highlight of the week was attending the very first Elvis Presley in Concert event.
This is a live show that has toured the world and features all of Elvis' previous back up singers and band who all perform live while Elvis performs via video on big screens above the stage. It is a very impressive show and if they ever start touring again and appear in your city, I highly recommend it.

But, the highlight of the show was this duet between Elvis and Lisa Marie singing "Don't Cry Daddy." It was very moving then and it still chokes me up when I watch it today. This video isn't the best but it gives you an idea of what it was like.

If you can't see the video then click this link.

Elvis' Handgun Stolen From Graceland Museum

I swear this wasn't me.

Story

Cowboys 31 Denver 20

The Cowboys are now 2-0 in fake football. While you can't judge anything on pre-season, I do see a crispness in the way they are playing.

A few things I noted:

1. Romo continues to look good.
2. The running game looks solid and between Jones and Barber I think they are going to have a good mix.
3. They got some pressure on the quarterback.
4. They have a solid battle going on at kicker and it will be interesting to see who wins it.
5. I'm still not seeing much out of Bobby Carpenter.
6. I'm excited about Isiah Stanbeck. He looks like he could be an exciting player.

All Shook Up

With our trip to Memphis and this being the 30th Anniversary of Elvis' death, there has been a lot of "Elvis" in our house.

You have to love it when you hear your 2 year old sing "All Shook Up". This is what I heard last night from Chase.

I'm all shook up
uh uh, oh yea
I'm all shook up

It was very cute.

Here's the real thing. Link

My Celebrity Love Match

I'm sure Shelley will find this funny.


More Fun Quizzes at QuizPox.com

Why they do what they do

If you can't see the video then go to this link.

Day Five of our Vacation

Day five was really just a drive home and we didn't have many activities planned. But, we had decided to go to Mud Island on our way out of Memphis. None of us really knew what Mud Island was so we hadn't planned on seeing it but then we discovered it was a scale model of the Mississippi that the boys could play in. It also has a museum all about the Mississippi so we were actually pretty excited to go see it. But, our excitement turned to disappointment when we were told that it was closed on Mondays.

So, we headed out of Tennessee with our next stop being Texarkana to see some of my family. But, along the way we stopped at Washington, Arkansas. This is what their website says about Washington.

Established on George Washington's birthday in 1824, the town of Washington today is one of America's premier historic villages. Historic Washington State Park is a National Historical Landmark, a National Register of Historic Places site, and an Arkansas state park you'll want to visit.

Today over 30 carefully restored historic structures including classic examples of Southern Greek Revival and Federal architecture, Gothic Revival, Italianate, and those of hand-hewn timber framing or brace-frame cottage construction, stand as a legacy to life in Washington from 1824 to 1889. Tour the public buildings and homes; see the remarkable collections of antiques, guns and knifes; visit with the guides in period attire who will greet you at each stop; ride the surrey around town; and step back in Arkansas's time.

It was an interesting place but it was too hot to spend much time walking around it. Here are some pictures though.

Day Four of our Vacation

Day four of our vacation was what the trip was about and that was our visit to Graceland, the home of Elvis. This wasn't our first trip to Graceland and if you want to read about it, then read this previous post called The Ordeal. This visit was much more pleasant.

The boys were fascinated by Elvis prior to our trip, loved listening to his music and kept telling us "Elvis Died."

I really think they enjoyed their tour of Graceland. I don't think they had seen anything like it before.

Here are some pictures from our visit.

23 - 10

Football season has started and I'm thrilled. That is all I have to say right now because it was just a preseason game. No reason to be going out and buying my Super Bowl tickets just yet. But, according to the Super Bowl website, I might already be out of luck.

Entries for the random drawing are accepted between Feb. 1 and June 1 of the year preceding the game in question. All entries must include name, address, phone number and email address, and must be sent via certified or registered mail. You will be notified by mail in October or November if you are eligible to purchase Super Bowl XLI tickets. Requests for tickets to Super Bowl XLII, to be played Feb. 3, 2008 in Glendale, Ariz., will be accepted beginning Feb. 1, 2007.

Day Three of our Vacation

Day Three started with a trip to the Memphis Zoo. It was a really nice zoo and they even had Pandas.

The day then moved to the Pink Palace Museum. The museum was once the mansion of the founder of Piggly Wiggly until he lost it in bankruptcy. Again, it was a very nice museum with a replica of the first Piggly Wiggly which was the first self service grocery store.


We then went to the Memphis Children's Museum which was one of the nicest Children's Museums I've seen. It had an actual police car, fire engine and air plane that the kids got to play in. It also had a stage where kids could put on a show and our two couldn't resist. They were quite a hit.


Day Four tomorrow..

Day Two of our Vacation

Day two started off with me realizing that despite how nice the Peabody is, I really like the free continental breakfast at places like Hampton Inns. We tried to find a place for breakfast but had no luck so had to settle on some things purchased from a small shop in the hotel. I don't know but I imagine it cost a small fortune.

The next stop on our journey was The Clinton Presidential Library. I imagine those that know me are shocked but we have a plan. Shelley and I committed to take the boys to all of the Presidential libraries and figured we would start with President Clinton's when they were young so they wouldn't remember it. :-)

It is a really nice facility with beautiful grounds. I also got to read about all the good work and great results President Clinton's gun laws had. (tongue firmly in my cheek).



After leaving the library our next stop was Memphis. We took a "Duck" tour of the city once we got there. If you are in a city like Boston, Baltimore, Memphis, Seattle or Philadelphia that offers one of these tours, I recommend it. It is a different way of seeing the city you are visiting.

After the tour we went to our friends, Diane and Tim, where we were staying and got to enjoy her fried okra. This may have been the highlight of the day.

Day Three tomorrow..

Back from Vacation

I have taken a few days off from blogging because we went on a little family vacation.

Day one of the vacation had us driving to Little Rock, Arkansas where we stayed in the Peabody Hotel.




Chase loved the view from the hotel.


If you didn't know The Peabody is famous for its ducks. They have a tradition that started in 1939 at the original Peabody in Memphis where at 11 am the ducks march down from their home on the roof and walk along a red carpet to a fountain in the lobby. Then at 5 pm they reverse it and march back up to their home on the roof where they stay until the next morning. Here is a picture of the march back up to the roof. The boys loved this.


A funny story about this happened 10 years ago when Shelley took me to Memphis for the first time. We went to the Peabody that morning to see the ducks and we were a little early so we decided to go and see them on the roof. After viewing them for a few moments we noticed it was almost 11 am and we needed to get back to the lobby to watch them march into the fountain. So, we went to the elevator, selected the lobby and when we arrived at the lobby, the doors opened and we were facing a red carpet and at least 50 people staring at us and expecting the ducks. We were embarrassed and they were disappointed.

I'll write about Day Two of the vacation tomorrow.

Congratulations Michael Irvin

Congratulations to Michael Irvin for his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. As a die hard Cowboy fan I love it anytime a Cowboy gets put into the Hall of Fame but the Cowboys of the Nineties are very special to me.

I grew up a Cowboys fan but never lived in Texas so to finally be living in Dallas when the Cowboys experienced arguably their biggest success was very special to me. And Michael Irvin was a key component of that success. He has been referred to as the heart of the team and that is easy to see if you look at how they were after he got hurt in 1999, they were never the same.

Now, I know Michael might not be a popular choice because of his off the field problems but no one can argue about what he did on the field. I won't defend his choices but I will say I believe he is not the same person any longer and deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.

Now we just need to get the other Dallas wide receiver who wore 88 into the Hall of Fame.

A Tour of Texas Stadium

One of the things I love about being a father is I get to be a kid again and I get to do things I've never done.

One of those things was touring Texas Stadium but we did that today. Below is a picture of the boys in the Stadium Club looking out onto the field.



We also got to go to a suite, tour the locker room and then go out onto the field. I was a little surprised that the locker room wasn't any bigger than it is and it is not very elaborate. Apparently it hasn't changed since the stadium was built.

The biggest kick was going on the field. I have to admit, I felt twelve again as I looked up at the hole in the roof. We had fun running on the field, taking pictures on the star and throwing the football around. Seth and Chase even ran a few pass patterns for me.

Stay tuned to find out what is next on the list...

Heard in the Car

This is a conversation that went on as we were trying to leave tonight.

Chase - I want my hat.
Shelley - Ok, Seth, do you want me to get yours?
Seth - No
Shelley goes and returns with Chase's hat.
Seth - I want my hat.
Shelley - I thought you said you didn't want your hat?
Seth - I changed my mind.
As Shelley is leaving
Me to Shelley - You should have known better
Seth - What did you say?
Me - Nothing, I was talking to Mommy.
Seth - About how cute I am?

Does this surprise anyone?

My Conservative Identity:

You are a Faith-Based Fighter, also known as a religious conservative. You believe in Judeo-Christian values, restoring God’s rightful place in the public square, and in showing all the unwashed and unsaved liberal sinners the path to salvation, or at least to the GOP.

Take the quiz at www.FightLiberals.com

New Patton Video

I thought this was really good!!
If you don't see the video then go to the link

Communication

I am 40 years old and it has taken me about 24 years and many hours of counseling to learn how important communication is woman. I might not be very good at it still but I do get it.

That is the good news for Shelley but the bad news is she still has two other males living under her roof.

Last night on our way home from church where Seth had just spent 3 fun filled hours participating in our church's version of vacation bible school, Shelley said, "Seth, when you get home you need to tell Grandmama all about what you did today."

Seth replied, "I don't feel like it."

I think this drained all of the energy out of Shelley.

One down but two to go...

Training Camp Starts Today

Today is a day I have been looking forward to since the Rangers got off to a 19 - 34 record. It is the start of Cowboys' training camp. I now have five months of the Cowboys being in the news. Below is their practice schedule for camp.



Tuesday, July 24 6:00-9:00PM (Kick-Off Event)
Wednesday, July 25 2:30-4:30PM
Thursday, July 26 9:00-11:00AM and 3:30-5:00PM
Friday, July 27 2:30-4:30PM
Saturday, July 28 9:00-11:00AM and 3:30-5:00PM
Sunday, July 29 2:30-4:30PM
Monday, July 30 9:00-11:00AM and 3:30-5:00PM
Tuesday, July 31 2:30-4:30PM
Wednesday, August 1 9:00-11:00AM and 3:30-5:00PM
Thursday, August 2 2:30-4:30PM
Friday, August 3 2:30-4:30PM
Saturday, August 4 9:00-11:00AM and 3:30-5:00PM
Sunday, August 5 2:30-4:30PM

Monday, August 6 9:00-11:00AM and 2:30-4:30PM
Tuesday, August 7 2:30-4:30PM
Wednesday, August 8 2:30-4:30PM (Break Camp

Giving Back

Tithing was one of the hardest decisions I ever made. Giving back 10% of my income seemed like an impossible thing to do but I took the leap of faith and I have been blessed thousands of times over. The concept of waiting on God to bless you and then giving versus giving and then receiving the blessing of God was a difficult one for me to understand.

Some of you know that I have a business I have started on the side with my brother called Live To Shoot. It is just in its infancy and we have been trying to grow it. Last week Shelley encouraged me to start giving more than we have knowing that God will bless us and hopefully bless Live To Shoot, so I started that this week.

We have also started another project at Live To Shoot for giving back. Go here to find out more about it.

Boys being Boys

I think at times Shelley is still getting use to raising boys. The other night was an example.

The boys started wrestling in the living room floor. They weren't fighting but they had discovered the fun of trying to wrestle the other one to the floor.

Shelley was on the edge of her seat as she watched her two precious angels throwing each other to the floor. She commented "there is just too much testerone in here."

They were just boys being boys...

Joys of Fatherhood

Just a few things I have enjoyed recently.

1. Coming home after the boys have returned from a week at Grandmama's and them running up to me and saying "We missed you."

2. Watching them sleep.

3. Being the "bad guy" when they play super heroes.

4. Being a pony that they can ride.

5. Watching them play in the park.

6. Hearing them recite the Fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22 - 23

7. Listening to them belt out Martina McBride's "Anyway" and Yanci McGregor's "I'll Fly Away."

You know you are a parent when...

Last Friday was Shelley's birthday and how did we celebrate it? We went to America's Incredible Pizza Company.



My birthday is next month and do you know how we are celebrating it? Yes, we are going to The Wiggles concert.



I can't think of two better ways to spend a pair of birthdays.

Don't be a guy

My latest Dadbloggers post is now available. It is called Don't be a guy.

Read it here

Boys are Back in Town

My boys are back in town.

Video

Dallas Cowboys' Stadium Update

Here are the latest Cowboys' Stadium pics.








These are from the Cowboys' website.

I miss my guys

My guys have been at their Grandmother's since Thursday and I really miss them. I know I often find myself wanting just 5 minutes to myself and I'm sure most parents understand this. Well, I think 5 minutes is all I need because I am really wishing they were here now.

Happy Anniversary Diet Coke

Today is the 25th Anniversary of the release of Diet Coke. Happy Anniversary Diet Coke!

Rain, Rain...

If you noticed I stopped short of saying "go away" because after living in Texas for 22 years, I have come to know that rain in July is a precious commodity but this is getting a little ridiculous.

Average yearly rainfall in Dallas is 34.73 inches. As of July 4th we have had 35 inches. The average total for the entire month of January is 2 inches and through the 4th we have had 3.15 inches and it is raining as I write this.

One nice thing is that I don't know if we have had the temperature reach 95 yet so our electric bill and water bills have been very low.

Another plus is God was good enough to push the pause button on the rain yesterday so we could have a nice 4th of July. Shelley tells you all about it here.

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July. I hope everyone enjoys the day but takes a moment to thank God for this wonderful country we are so blessed to live in.

Uverse Update

I thought I would post an update on how the U-verse service from AT&T is going. Overall it is fine. We really enjoy the ability to tape up to 4 shows at once and we have been getting a lot of use of the On Demand feature. I have had to call support a couple of times because of problems with the set top box but, the support staff is very friendly and have been able to resolve the problem.

My biggest issue is with the release of new features. From my original post I mentioned 2 features I was hoping to get soon.

The first was "whole home DVR." This is what my original post said
We will soon be able to access our recordings from any tv in the house.

The other feature was caller ID displayed on the TV. This is what I said in the post

Also, I find it ironic that we are purchasing this from the phone company and the one feature we lost was the ability to have caller id appear on the screen when a call comes in. But, this is something they will be adding soon.

As you can see I was told that both of these would be coming soon. But, below you can see the recently released schedule for new features and both of these are scheduled for late 2008. Yes, 2008, not 2007. I guess AT&T's definition of "soon" and my definition are a little different.

Cute things heard around the house

From Shelley's blog, here are a few cute things heard around the house.

Here and here..

Dell Laptops

As I wrote in this post I recently got a new laptop for work. Well, this laptop is a Dell and it is my first experience using a Dell. Now, Shelley's work laptop is also a Dell so it wasn't the first Dell in our house.

Prior to me getting my Dell, Shelley had all sorts of little issue with hers. For example, it was always losing connection with our home wireless network while my IBM Thinkpad never had this issue. She also complained that it would often just freeze for 10 to 15 seconds where you couldn't do anything. I knew these things were annoying but I didn't appreciate it until it started happening to me.

My new Dell has a lot of those same interesting features. It does do the "freezing" thing periodically and it is really frustrating. It also has this nice feature where when you are trying to click on something with the mouse, the pointer just starts jumping around randomly. But, the most annoying thing is that at least 20 times a day, as I try to point with the mouse it acts like I am holding the shift key and starts highlighting everything on the page and won't let you click on anything. It drives me freakin' crazy.

And finally this morning I had to uninstall and reinstall the audio drivers for the 3rd time because all of the sudden it will quit having any sound.

Needless to say, I hate this laptop and based on our combined experience between Shelley's and mine, I will never buy a Dell laptop again.

Bibleman

I've discovered a new favorite show for the kids and that is Bibleman. Now, I have heard of Bibleman in the past but really had no interest.

"Bibleman", really? That is just too corny and it is done by Buddy from Charles in Charge (Willie Aames)? Or, at least that is what I thought in the past.

But, when we switched to Uverse we got a new channel called Smile of a child and it shows Bibleman. So, one morning with nothing else on, I turned on Bibleman. When it was over I was wanting more.

Now, it isn't the best acting or best special effects or even the best writing but the message is really good. But more importantly the boys like it.

Instead of running around and being Power Rangers, now the boys are pretending they are Bibleman. What else can you ask?

Blue Eggs

On Father's Day weekend Pace Hartfield, our worship pastor, gave a message entitled The Blue Egg. This message was about how to worship but not just worshiping at church but through your daily life.

The blue egg was derived from some special value that was placed on finding the blue egg this past Easter at his house. The essence of the message is that God strategically places blue eggs for us to find through our daily life. When we find the blue egg we need to take time to experience it and then we need to acknowledge it to God. The steps are that we need to be Aware that Blue Eggs exist and to seek them out. We then need to Experience the Blue Egg when we find it and finally we need to Praise God for the Blue Egg.

This has changed how I am experiencing life. This past weekend I had several Blue Egg moments.

One was as I was mowing the yard, I looked up to see Chase mowing the yard with his toy mower. It touched me that he wanted to be like me.

Another was listening to Chase and Seth sing along with Martina McBride's song "Anyway." If you haven't heard it, it is a very beautiful song and even sounds better when my boys sing it.

Cowboys Stadium Update

These pictures were taken when the Musers, the morning show of the Ticket, broadcast from what will be Jerry Jones' suite.

Seth knows what he wants to be when he grows up.

Today Seth told me that he wants to work at the "red drink store" (aka QT) when he gets older. For those of you that know me or read this post you aren't surprised.

While it isn't a professional athlete, or a doctor or lawyer, if I can get a discount then I am supportive.

Peeing issues

Yesterday it seemed like the boys' day revolved around peeing.

Chase actually told Shelley that he needed to go potty and actually did it standing up for the first time. When he was telling me about it he commented "it didn't go very far." Don't worry little man, you will be shooting it out there before you know it.

Then there was Seth and his need to pee every 30 minutes. Shelley took him to the doctor to see if he had a bladder infection but the doctor said he didn't have an infection.

On our way home from the grocery store, Seth announced he needed to go to the bathroom again. We asked him to wait because we were almost home and he asked "can't I just get out and pee in the grass?" I was so proud.

Phil and Ted's Most Excellent Stroller

About three years ago we purchased a Phil and Ted's Stroller. We had previously had the standard baby stroller but needed something that offered more flexibility and it fit the bill.

It had nice rubber wheels so it easily went over most terrain, it had the ability to add a second seat for a second child and it folded up to be pretty compact for transport.

Well, two days ago I came home to find that Shelley had given it away. Apparently I had failed to notice we weren't using it anymore. Even though it was a good cause, I felt she had given away part of our boys' childhood.

This stroller had made numerous trips to the park, taken us around the zoo and traversed places like Sea World. Wherever our boys had gone it was always there.

It wasn't the loss of the stroller that bothered me but the loss of no longer having toddlers. While in previous post I have written about the joys of watching them grow up, enjoying racing cars with them and going to t-ball games, there is still a part of me that doesn't want them to grow up and them no longer needed a stroller is just a reminder that I can't stop the process.

I am going to issue this warning right now, I will be a wreck at their graduations and weddings.

Age Appropriate Toys

This past Christmas the boys got this race set from a friend of ours. On the box it said for 8 and up so I was unsure how the 4 year old and 2 year old would do with this new toy.

In the last few months we have played with it a few times and they have had troubles regulating the speed and keeping the cars on the track. But, this weekend, they finally got it including Chase. In fact, Chase and I actually had a competitive 45 lap race that I won but it was close (I did let him win the next one though).

So, what do they know, 8 and up. My 2 year old made it look like child's play, no pun intended.

Clothes are a wonderful thing

We joined our local public pool and last week was the first time I went with the boys. When you go to a public pool you realize that clothes are a wonderful thing. Everyone, including myself, just need to keep as many clothes on at all times.

John Stossel on Gun Control

This is a very good piece on the ineffectiveness of gun control laws.

If you can't see the video go to this link.

Happy Birthday Chase

Happy Birthday Chase! Today is Chase's 2nd birthday. We are so blessed to have him as our son and I can't wait to see what the next year brings.

And if you are wondering what the flag picture is about, today is also Flag Day.

Happy Anniversary

We met in a bar, we danced to Elvis and then she went home and told her friend she had just met her future husband.

Twenty-eight months later her prediction came true. That was eight years ago today.

Shelley,
Happy Anniversary

If you want to read another post about our anniversary, my Dadblogger post today is also entitled Happy Anniversary. Read it here.

Violent Femmes - Blister in the Sun

When I was in college one of my jobs was as a photographer who took pictures at all the fraternity and soriority parties. I don't know how many parties I went to while I did this but it was a bunch. Sometimes I attended three or four in one night and maybe up to eight over a weekend.

Well, back in the mid to late eighties it seems that you couldn't be a garage band and not play Blister in the Sun. I heard that song thousands of times but over time I forgot who did it or what it was called. I have been trying to think of it for probably the last ten years and could never adequately describe it to anyone so they could help me.

Well, I finally figured it out this week and I am posting it on my blog so I won't ever forget.

If you can see the video then go to this link.

A Wiggly Party

We celebrated Chase's 2nd birthday today and it was a Wiggly Party. We had it at the Wiggly Play Center in Frisco. It is the only one currently in the United States.

It is full of all sorts of play equipment, bounce houses and all the Big Red Cars you can drive. Plus there is no shortage of Wiggles music being piped in as well.

Chase had a great time and enjoyed being the center of attention.

Watching Baseball

The Rangers don't have a very good baseball team and truthfully I haven't had much interest in watching them. That was until Chase decided he liked watching "Rangers."
Ever since we went to the game a few weekends ago he has wanted to watch baseball and that is fine by me.

He'll sit on my lap and ask "whose that" when a new player comes up to bat. I will then tell him the name and he will repeat it. My favorite is when he tries to say Mark Teixeira.

They are losing 10 - 0 right now and I am thankful that a 2 year old's attention span is just a few innings and I have a reprieve from watching this disaster.

I wish I had this book when I was a kid.

My brother bought this book for my boys and I wish I had it when I was a kid. It tells you how to make the perfect paper airplane, how to play poker, how to play marbles and how to build a go cart to name just a few.

Watch the video here.

Batting Practice

Today I took Seth out into the backyard and we started practicing hitting the baseball off of the tee. I then thought I would just try tossing him some underhanded and see if he could hit them.

Low and behold he could and he actually hit it better when I pitched it to him than hitting off of the tee.

Sharing

With a 4 year old and a 2 year old a major topic around our house is sharing. An hour probably doesn't go by that we don't say

"Seth, share." or "Chase, share."

Well, today they both tried to enforce this upon each other. They were in the backyard and a struggle over a baseball broke out and as both had a death grip on the ball, they looked each other in the eye and at the same time yelled...

"SHARE!"

Update: Right after I posted this the boys came home and Seth was proudly displaying some toy he got in a Wendy's Kids meal and Chase was yelling "Share!"

Seth looked him in the eye and said "I'm not going to share, you got one just like this."

Our "sharing" fun continues....

Paper plates and plastic forks

Our dishwasher has always given us problem. The biggest issue is that it would often leak. Well, now it isn't draining so we called a GE repairman. Upon inspection he notified us that our dishwasher was under a recall and posed a "serious" fire hazard.

Hmmm...

We were given a few options. One, he could repair the fire hazard for free but we would still have to pay to fix the drainage issue.

Or..

They could give us a significant rebate on a new one if we wanted to replace it, so we chose the rebate.

Shelley then went to Lowes and purchased a new dishwasher but it won't be delivered for another week so we are living off of paper plates and plastic forks.

The dishwasher is underrated appliance..