No TV

We have had a problem recently with the boys hitting each other. When you have a 5 year old and a 3 year old, some fighting is expected but it seemed to reach a new level recently. So, we put in place a new rule. If you hit your brother you will not get to watch TV for a week. Now, a week is a long time but it has proven to be a deterrent. We have had to bring in the no TV rule twice, once for Chase and once for Seth but we have only had to do it for a day to see results.

Last night was Seth's first offense under the new rule and he knew he had made a mistake before he had even finished the act and he was was truly sorry.

In a show of solidarity none of us watch TV last night and we had a really good time. We have made a commitment that at least once a week we will have a no tv night.

Cowbyoys 24, Redskins 26

A very disappointing loss. Anytime you lose a home division game, it is disappointing. These are the games they have to win.

The defense looked ordinary, the offense looked ordinary and special teams looked poor. Not a good recipe for a team that is supposed to win the Super Bowl.

I don't think they prepared to well and came in flat. I hope this is a wake up call not to take anything for granted.

I'm staying

In this post I told about how I quit my job. The date of that post was July 14th but I had actually quit a month before but it hadn't been made public.

Well, weeks continued to go and my boss refused to let me go. Now, he wasn't holding me hostage and I could have just walked out but I felt I owed him to give him as much help as he needed in the transition. Well, the weeks turned into months, three to be exact.

This all turned out to be a huge blessing provided by God because circumstances changed so that it would be prudent for me to postpone my entrepenurial ventures and still having a job was very beneficial.

So, for now I am still working for the man.

The Good Ole Days

There is a lot of problems with our economy right now but I don't think we understand how well we have it.

For example, in 1935 the average worker had to work 6 hours to buy 10 gallons of gas, today it is only 2 hours. In 1950, a basket of groceries that took 4 hours of work to purchase only takes 1.7 hours today. Our average life expectancy is up from 67 in 1950 to 78 now.

Read this interesting article.

I stink

Last night Chase looked at me and said "You stink!"

That is a real ego booster..

Cowboys 27, Packers 16

The Cowboys finally broke their losing streak at Lambeau field so now we won't have to hear about that anymore.

It was a good game for the Cowboys. Now, it didn't feel like they were dominating but after the 1st quarter, it wasn't really close. The defense played well and the running game was solid.

The other aspect was that they cut down on some of the penalties and that was good to see.

We now have another division game so it doesn't get any easier next week.

Church

I didn't grow up going to church. In fact, I don't remember ever going to church with my family.

Now, fast forward 30 years. On any given week my boys are stepping in at least 3 churches and possibly 4.

We are members and attend almost every week a very influential "megachurch." We are involved as well and are often up there on other days as well. Our youngest attends a pre-school run by a small Church of Christ church, both boys go to a large Southern Baptist church each week and participate in their Awanas program, and on the weekends either we or the boys are visiting Shelley's mom, we will attend a small Southern Baptist church in Oklahoma. In each of these churches there are people we care very much for but more importantly their are many people that love and care for our boys.

No matter which church we are in and they are all quite different, our boys are always running, playing and laughing. They love it there. My heart is always warmed by watching them and I just think back and wonder "what if?"

Our House Stinks

Yes, our house stinks. It really smells bad. We thought originally that it was the garbage disposal but now that it has taken over the house we have come to the conclusion that something has died inside one of our walls.

We are open to any and all suggestions.

Cowboys 41, Eagles 37

What a way to send Texas Stadium out on Monday night! It was an incredible game and the Cowboys never gave up. There are a lot of positives like Felix Jones, T.O., Witten and Nick Folk.

But, the penalties and the turnovers continue to haunt us. They can't continue to have 10+ penalties a game and losing the turnover battle.

It doesn't get any easier from here because they now have to travel to Green Bay for a Sunday night game.

Dear Mr. Obama

September 11, 2001

Never Forget!

God Bless America.

Lunesta

I have always had an unusual sleep pattern. I usually only get 5 to 6 hours of sleep every night and am usually up by 5:30 am (Sleeping to 6 am in sleeping in for me). But, also during the 5 to 6 hours I am sleeping, I usually wake up every hour or so. This is the way it has always been and my body has adjusted.

But, since I get so little sleep on a good day, any disruption can leave me feeling exhausted. Over the past month, I have not slept well and have been physically, mentally and emotionally drained.

There is another person I know who probably has an even crazier sleep pattern and that is my wife. Several months ago when she was having some physical problems the doctor prescribed some Lunesta because he felt some of the issues were because of a lack of sleep.

So, last night I tried one of her Lunestas and all I can say is WOW! It is actually a little scary because remember very little after I took it and I don't think I even moved during the night. Someone could have come in, stuffed me in a bag and thrown me into the Hudson river and I would have never known it.

Short Timer Part 2

Still at work and here is what I have been up to.

Cowboys 28, Browns 10

It was a good first game and it is always good to get a win.

But, they had way to many mistakes. There were too many penalties and 1 turnover. Also, it didn't seem like we were able to get much pressure on the quarterback.

The offense looked good and except for the interception Romo looked good. Also, Barber looked like his old self and Felix Jones looks like an adequate back up.

Next up is the Eagles and that will be an important game.

1 Peter 1:7

These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold - though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

More Curve Balls

Over three years ago one of my first blog posts was a post called "Life's Curve Balls."  Right now, life has thrown me several curve balls that I never saw coming and some of them have been right at my head.  The most disappointing thing is that the person standing on the pitcher's mound is someone I care deeply about.

The other day I read a quote from Brian Houston of Hillsong Church where he said, "Leadership is proven in the valleys, not at the mountaintop!"

Well, I also believe character is proven in the valleys as well and I have learned a lot about people's character.  

John McCain wasn't my first choice for the Republican nominee but I have gained a lot of respect for him as I have heard his story.  He never quit, never backed down and he kept fighting and in the end he was victorious.  Well, I'm not backing down from this fight either and I will come out the other side a better person.

Joshua 1:9

I command you - be strong and courageous!  Do not be afraid or discouraged.  For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.