Big Night

It was a big night in our house. Chase rolled over from his back to his stomach and I was there for this one. Seth is back to trying using the potty. While he didn't actually potty he sat on the potty for a long time. The potty training boycott might be over, at least for a little while at least.

Samuel Alito

Based on everything I have read and heard about President's Bush latest nomination to the Supreme Court I am very pleased. It does make me wonder why he wasn't the initial choice but if he is confirmed I will quickly forget about the process.

Also, based on Hugh Hewitt's Blog Poll things are looking good for Alito.

Watching Cartoons

If you have checked out Shelley's blog then you know our entire household has been sick the last few days. So, the last two nights have been spent with all four of us sitting in our bed watching a Scooby Doo marathon on boomerang. Granted, it isn't probably the most constructive way to spend our time but I have really enjoyed the time. Plus, it has been very relaxing.

I Missed a First

I missed a first today with Chase. He rolled over from front to back and I didn't get to see it. I was in the room but I was up on a ladder when the big event occured. Naturally, now that he has proven he can do it, he has no interest in doing it again.

Peer Pressure

Shelley wrote a post on peer pressure and one of our son's first experience with it. When I read the story it made my heart ache because I would love it if my sons could grow up and be so comfortable with who they are that they wouldn't experience "peer pressure". I know that isn't realistic but I do hope that God can give Shelley and me the skills to raise them so they experience as little "peer pressure" as possible.

When I was growing up I was always compared to other kids and I would often hear, "why can't you be more like ___?" It has taken me 30+ years to get to the point where I am mature enough and comfortable enough in my own skin that I know I am who I am and I really don't have a need to meet other people's expectations. It really is freeing and I wish I had this level of comfort and maturity when I was younger. It would have prevented me from making some poor decisions and bad choices.

Todd Dewald and Brian Miller, I don't know where you are and I hope you are having a nice life, but I'm glad I wasn't "more like you."

Harriet Miers Withdraws Nomination

Word just out that Harriet Miers has withdrawn her nomination. I am sure there are many conservatives that are happy to see this but I'm not. While I was not comfortable with her as a nominee, I still wanted her to go through the process. Now, we will never know...

Psalm 23 for Work

A friend sent this to us and I have seen it before but I think it deserves a post.

The Lord is my real boss, and I shall not want.
He gives me peace, when chaos is all around me.
He gently reminds me to pray and do all things without
murmuring and complaining.

He reminds me that he is my source and not my job.
He restores my sanity everyday and guides my decisions
that I might honor him in all that I do.

Even though I face absurd amounts of e-mails, system
crashes, unrealistic deadlines, budget cutbacks, gossiping
co-workers, discriminating supervisors and an aging body
that doesn't cooperate every morning, I still will not stop---
for He is with me! His presence, His peace, and His power
will see me through.

He raises me up, even when they fail to promote me.
He claims me as His own, even when the company threatens
to let me go. His Faithfulness and love is better than any bonus
check.

His retirement plan beats every 401k there is!
When it's all said and done, I'll be working for Him a whole lot
longer and for that, I BLESS HIS NAME!!

Expect It When You Least Expect It

Last night I started to video tape a brief clip of Chase. He was laying on a blanket and with the clothes he was wearing he appeared to just blend into the blanket and I thought it looked pretty cool.

I had just started taping when Seth came and laid down by Chase and starting talking to him. He then went and got his orange juice and was trying to share it with Chase. Seth then began getting blankets and covering up Chase's feet because he thought he was cold and then he went and got a pillow for his head. I guess it looked comfortable to him so Seth then decided to just lay down with his head on the pillow and continued to talk to Chase.

My 30 second video clip extended to 5 minutes as I captured this unscripted moment between big brother and little brother.

You can't create quality time, quality time comes out of quantity time.

A Present For Mommy

Yesterday Seth placed in a box his prized Blue's Clues notebook and some of his pencils and then presented it to Shelley as a present. He looked so proud and excited as he watched her open his "present". When she displayed her natural joy and excitement with this gift from her little boy, he looked so happy.

He really seemed so grown up at that time.

Armed Citizen #6

A Wal-Mart customer with a concealed-carry permit came to a female employee's rescue when violence erupted in a crowded store. Police say an employee was working in the deli when her ex-husband leapt across the counter and began stabbing her. That's when 72 year-old Due Moore intervened, shooting and killing the ex-husband.

Little Mickey Mantle

Seth loves to play baseball and by that I mean he has a plastic bat, ball and Tee that he hits off of in the backyard. He's really good at it and he has a lot of power for a two year old. The interesting thing is he hits left handed so he could be the next great left handed power hitter. I'm trying to hold off on calling Cooperstown and having them start making his bronze bust but I think it is inevitable. No pressure though...

Joys of Fatherhood #15

Watching a 4 month old baby laugh and grin. Chase's eyes just sparkle when he laughs and he thinks almost anything I say is funny. I could watch him for hours.

Pan Handler versus Person in Need

I would like to think I am a charitable person. But, I don't believe in charity for charity sake. I want to give to people so that they can begin helping themselves.

I say all of that so I can ask the question, how can you tell the difference between a pan handler and a true person in need. The other day as I exited a local Quik Trip, I was hit up by someone who claimed he was from New Orleans, his car was broken down and he needed money to fix it so he could get to a shelter.

What do you do? I just explained that I couldn't help him but as I drove off I wondered what if that was me. Would someone help me or would everyone just dismiss me as a pan handler. How do you know?

What a Week

This past week has been one of the roughest weeks I have had in recent memory. I had to travel, we did an upgrade on a major system at work and then there were a variety of assorted other problems at work.

Tonight as I sat in church and listened to Tianne speak about identifying and hearing the voice of God, I realized I hadn't cracked open my Bible once this week and had not spent my usual quiet time in prayer each morning. I know God was talking to me through Tianne tonight. I hear you and lesson learned...

How Much is Your Blog Worth?

My blog is worth $4,516.32.
How much is your blog worth?

Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act

Congress passed the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act 283-144. This Act will protect legal gun manufactures and retailers from large crime-victim lawsuits. These lawsuits were being initiated by the gun control lobby. Read more here.

His Needs

In an earlier post I talked about "Her Needs" from the book titled "His Needs, Her Needs". I listed out the five things a woman needs. Now, here are the 5 things a man needs based on the book by Willard Harley:

1. Sex
2. An attractive spouse
3. Recreational companionship (a playmate)
4. Domestic Support - A solid home
5. Admiration - tell me how great I am.

As a man, I can say this is a very accurate list. But, I'm sure most women's reaction to this list is that it is shallow and superficial. This is why most men won't admit to these being their most important needs because they don't want to be seen as shallow and superficial.

There is a stigma associated with being shallow and superficial but I don't think men need to be ashamed of being men. This is how God created us; visual, physical beings.

Then why the stigma? I blame Oprah. Actually, I blame the whole Oprah, self-help industry. They have made thousands of tv shows and written thousands of books based on the woman's need for romance, communication, sensitivity, etc. and they have placed these as more valuable needs versus those needs of men. You can't blame them because that is their target market. Men aren't watching those shows or buying the books, the woman are.

But, I do believe when society minimize the man's needs because they are "shallow" or "superficial", they are doing men a disservice. We are being how God created us and to try and make us something we aren't isn't fair to anyone.

Nana has Gone Home

My mother was here for the last few days and we all really enjoyed it, especially Seth. She left today while he was taking his nap and when he woke up he asked, "Where's Nana?"

I replied, "Nana has gone home."

"On the Plane?" he asked.

"Yes."

And then the tears started to flow. Seth's, that is, but it made me want to cry as well.

Nana, we are ready for you to move here. But, no pressure....

Burger King

Am I the only one creeped out by the new Burger King ads? Just asking..

Why Do Women Cry

I stole this from here and here but it is too good not to pass on.

A little boy asked his mother, "Why are you crying?"

"Because I am a woman," she told him.

"I don't understand," he said. His Mom just hugged him and said, "And you never will."

Later the boy asked his father, "Why does mother seemto cry for no reason?"

"All women cry for no reason," was all his dad could say.

The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why women cry.

Finally he put in a call to God. When God got on the phone, he asked, "God, why dp women cry so easily?"

God said, "When I made the woman, she had to be special. I made her shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world, yet gentle enough to give comfort. I gave her inner strength to endure childbirth, and the rejection that many times comes from her children. I gave her a hardness that allows her to keep going when everyone else gives up, and take care of her family through sickness and fatigue without complaining. I gave her the sensitivity to love her children under any and all circumstances, even when her child has hurt her very badly. I gave her strength to carry her husband through his faults and fashioned her from his rib to protect his heart. I gave her wisdon to know that a good husband never hurts his wife, but sometimes tests her strengths and her resolve to stand beside him unfalteringly. And finally, I gave her a tear to shed. This is hers exclusively to use wheneverit is needed."

"You see my son," said God, "the beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way that she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart - the place where love resides."

Always remember to let your wife, and mothers know how much they mean to you. They are God's gift, and should always be remembered. We are all blessed...............

Shield Law

Are Bloggers Journalist?

Well, if the new Federal Shield Law is passed, then no they aren't. The new law is designed to protect the rights of journalist and to do this then a "journalist" needs to be defined. According to the law, a journalist is:

"any entity that disseminates information by print, broadcast, cable, satellite, mechanical, photographic, electronic, or other means and that publishes a newspaper, book, magazine, or other periodical in print or electronic form; operates a radio or television station (or network of such stations), cable system, or satellite carrier, or channel or programming service for any such station, network, system, or carrier; or operates a news agency or wire service."

The co-author of the bill, U.S. Senator Richard Luger (R-Ind), says a bloggers would "progably not" be considered a journalist under the new legislation.

I have a few issues. First, why do we need to define a journalist, doesn't the First Amendment already serve the function to protect the journalist, and finally why would a tabloid rate higher in the journalism food chain over a blogger?

I may not consider myself a journalist but I know there are many qualified bloggers that are.

Her Needs

At church we continued our series on Adultery and this week Ed had an interview with a local Christian counselor, Jonathan Cude. Dr. Cude made many interesting points but his analogy regarding the construction of a swimming pool really struck me. He explained how when a couple builds a swimming pool they work together in picking out the shape, the color of the tile, what the deck around it will look like, what type of diving board, how deep it will be, etc. But, after it is built and they both walk out on the diving board and one spouse falls in, its not just that spouse's fault. They both participated in the construction of that pool. Meaning, that if one spouse has an affair, the non-adulterous spouse is as much to blame because they were a part of building the relationship to the point where an affair became possible. God meant for marriage to be a oneness and it needs to be approached as that.

He also talked about the very good book, "His Needs, Her Needs" by Willard Harley.

I could talk about "His Needs" but for me the most important thing is "Her Needs." These needs kind of make up my "job description" as a husband.

Her 5 needs:

1. Affection - Romance or non-sexual touching (apparently that exists).
2. Conversation - Being a good listener.
3. Openness and honesty - Needs me to be vulnerable.
4. Financial Security - Needs me to take care of her.
5. Family Commitment - Needs to know that I will be there for her.

Armed Citizen #5

A "Good Samaritan" came to the rescue of a woman who was the apparent victim of a sexual assualt in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The man was surveying possible construction sites in the area when he saw two partially disrobed people struggling in an alleyway. When the woman screamed for help, the man ran to assist her. The suspect jumped into his vehicle and tried to hit his victim with the car. The Samaritan drew his .40-cal handgun, fired several shots and killed the attacker.

Another Milestone

Chase hit another milestone today. He had his first servings of cereal. He wasn't a fan but we told him it is an acquired taste.

Harriet Miers cont...

Many conservatives are wanting Harriet Miers to withdraw her name as a Supreme Court nominee. I hope she doesn't succumb to this pressure. Don't get me wrong, I'm still not sold on her as a nominee because I think there are better choices but I do want her to go through the hearings. I want to see what the President sees in her, maybe I will be pleasantly surprised.

Joy

Seth loves music and has been blessed with some natural ability. He actually has rhythm and this is something his Dad seriously lacks. We were in the car today listening to a CD when The Newsboys' song "Joy" came on and he really enjoyed it and I don't blame him, it's a good song. But, I guess I was enjoying it too much because I was kind of moving to the music and Seth suddenly yelled "Stop". I guess he believes it would be best if I left that to the professionals.

If you want to here a bit of the Seth's new favorite song then go here. link

Harriet Miers

I have really been struggling with developing an opinion about President Bush's latest Supreme Court nominee and so far all I can come up with is that I am disappointed. She may be a very fine Justice in the long run but I think the President had many better choices. I'm not sure if he is playing politics or just knows something we don't but I don't know if I want to take the chance with a life time appointment.

We have the numbers, we won the elections and we need to take advantage of this opportunity.

Marriage

Here is a really good post on marriage. Read it here.

W-A-L-K

One of our family activities is our family walks. Shelley and I have been doing them since our family only consisted of her, Dusty and myself. When we originally started them we had to spell the word "walk" anytime we talked about it because it was one of Dusty's favorite things to do and just hearing the word, "walk" would send her into crazy excitement. So, we might say something like "Do you feel like going on a W-A-L-K tonight?".

Well, we have continued with the walks but now our family makeup has changed. I remember the first time we went for a W-A-L-K after we lost Dusty and I spelled it out of habit. It made me sad but the tradition has continued because now Seth associates going on a W-A-L-K as going to the park. So, again we have a need to spell it but I know it won't be long before Seth can spell but maybe Chase will help us continue the tradition.

Joys of Fatherhood #14

I came home today from a very trying day at work to find Chase in his bouncy chair watching a Baby Einstein DVD. When I walked around him and sat in the floor in front of him, he gave me the biggest grin. I instantly forgot what had gone wrong today.

Google Ads

I've added Google Ads to my blog as an experiment.

Volunteering

Shelley and I volunteer each month in the pre-school area at our church. We watch a group of 3 year olds while their parent's attend the 6:30 service on Saturdays. This offers many challenges but also some awesome rewards. One of my favorites is when a parent drops off a child who obviously doesn't want to be there and we are able to calm the child and they end up having a wonderful time. The parent will then come to pick them up and they will always ask, "How'd she/he do?" and when you tell them "Great!", there is a noticeable show of relief on their faces.

Also, during this time we always teach a bible lesson. Last night we talked about how Moses led the people and God pushed back the water so they could cross the sea. We played follow the leader to demonstrate Moses leading the people and then did a pushing motion with our arms to demonstrate God pushing back the water. Truthfully, Shelley and I didn't think anyone was paying attention to us but we forged on.

Then today Seth picked up the coloring sheet we were using to tell the story and pointed to the man and said "Moses" and then he started doing the pushing motion with his hands.

He was paying attention! Maybe the others were to...