Are you a loser?

Apparantly I am...

Another list

Feel free to copy and paste for your own blog. This is one of the better lists for getting to know you that I have seen so I thought I would give it a post.

( ) Smoked a joint
(x) Crashed a car
( ) Stolen a car
(x) Been in love
( ) Had a threesome
(x) Been dumped
( ) Shoplifted
(x) Been fired
(x) Been in a fist fight
(x) Snuck out of the house (and in)
(x) Had feelings for someone who didn't have them back
( ) Been arrested
( ) Made out with a stranger
( ) Gone on a blind date
(x) Lied to a friend
( ) Had a crush on a teacher
( ) Been to Europe
(x) Skipped school
( ) Seen someone die
(x) Been to Canada
( ) Been to Mexico
(x) Been on a plane
(x) Seen the Rocky Horror Picture Show
( ) Thrown up in a bar
( ) Purposely set a part of yourself on fire
( ) Eaten Sushi
(x) Been snowboarding
( ) Met someone from the internet in person
( ) Been moshing at a concert
( ) Been in an abusive relationship
(x) Taken painkillers
(x) Love someone or miss someone right now
(x) Laid and watched cloud shapes go by
(x) Made a snow angel
( ) Had a tea party
(x) Flown a kite
(x) Built a sand castle
(x) Gone puddle jumping
( ) Played dress up
(x) Jumped into a pile of leaves
(x) Gone sledding
(x) Cheated while playing a game
(x) Been lonely
(x) Fallen asleep at work/school
( ) Used a fake ID
(x) Watched the sun set
( ) Felt an earthquake
(x) Touched a snake
(x) Slept beneath the stars
(x) Been tickled
( ) Been robbed
(x) Been misunderstood
(x) Pet a reindeer/goat
(x) Won a contest
(x) Run a red light
( ) Been suspended from school
(x) Been in a car accident
( ) Had braces
(x) Felt like an outcast (oh yeaa)
( ) Eaten a whole pint of ice cream in one night
(x) Had deja vu
(x) Danced in the moonlight
(x) Hated the way you look
(x) Witnessed a crime
( ) Pole danced
(x) Been obsessed with post-it notes
(x) Walked barefoot through the mud
(x) Been lost
( ) Been to the opposite side of the world
(x) Swam in the ocean
(x) Felt like dying.
(x) Cried yourself to sleep
(x) Played cops and robbers
(x) Recently colored with crayons/colored pencils/markers
( ) Sung karaoke
(x) Paid for a meal with only coins (a whole pizza before)
(x) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't (haven't we all)
(x) Made prank phone calls when you were younger (don't try now kids, caller id will get you.)
(x) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose
(x) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
( ) Danced naked in the rain
(x) Written a letter to Santa Claus
(x) Been kissed under the mistletoe
(x) Watched the sun rise with someone you care about
(x) Blown bubbles
(x) Had a bonfire on the beach
(x) Crashed a party
(x) Gone rollerbladdin'
(x) Had a wish come true
( ) Worn pearls (and a dress)
( ) Jumped off a bridge
( ) Screamed the word penis in public (who does that?? geez)
( ) Ate dog/cat food
( ) Told a complete stranger you loved them
( ) Kissed a mirror
(x) Sang in the shower
( ) Owned a little black dress (the guy I copied this from, had this one marked?)
( ) Had a dream that you married someone
(x) Glued your hand to something
(x) Got your tongue stuck to a flag pole (It was a tv atenna actually)
( ) Kissed a fish
(x) Worn the opposite sex's clothes (for a scavanger hunt)
( ) Been a cheerleader
(x) Sat on a roof top
(x) Screamed at the top of your lungs
( ) Done a one-handed cartwheel
(x) Talked on the phone for more than 6 hours
(x) Stayed up all night
( ) Didn't take a shower for a week
(x) Picked and ate an apple right off the tree
(x) Climbed a tree
( ) Had a tree house
( ) Are (NOT) scared to watch scary movies
( ) Believe in ghosts
( ) Have more than 30 pairs of shoes
( ) Worn a really ugly outfit to school just to see what others say
( ) Gone streaking
( ) Played ding-dong-ditch (what the heck is that?)
( ) Played chicken
(x) Been pushed into a pool/lake with all your clothes on
(x) Been told you're beautiful by a complete stranger(was whistled at by girls in a passing car?)
(x) Broken a bone
(x) Been easily amused ( I was born to be easily amused)
( ) Caught a fish then ate it
(x) Caught a butterfly
(x) Laughed so hard you cried
(x) Cried so hard you laughed
(x) Mooned/flashed someone
(x) Had someone moon/flash you
(x) Cheated on a test
(x) Forgotten someone's name.
(x) Slept naked
( ) French braided someone's hair
(x)Grown a beard (attmepted to)
( ) Belong to the KKK
( ) Rule at life

Bad Daddy

This morning I went over to the bus stop to help our crew from church to give breakfast to all the Jr. Hi and Sr. Hi kids like they do every Friday. When I first woke up Anna was awake so I went to check on her. She asked me for a cuppy. I told okay, but to get into bed and I would bring it to her. Well I was still quite tired from being up late with Ella and went in to spend a few moments with Amber and Ella in bed before heading down to make Anna's cuppy and out the door to the bus stop.

Well I was a bad daddy and forgot about Anna's cuppy. She was quiet the 5-8 minutes from when I left her room until when I left. When I get back Amber is coming out of Anna's room from bringing her a cuppy. Amber told me that Anna told her that Daddy was suppose to get her a cuppy. Not in so many words, Amber said it was more like, "Daddy cuppy, Where Daddy?" Oh I felt so bad.

Sorry Anna, Daddy does love you!!! I guess I'll have to let her have a pony?

DEPRESSION

Not mine, my aunt's. My mom's sister is being treated for depression. They say depression is a chemical imbalance? So is happiness a chemical balance? To me it seems like depression is a life out of balance and happiness is a balanced life.

I am worried about my aunt, please be praying for her. I am also concerned for my mom who is very concerned for her sister and wishes there was more she could do. So I am going to help my mom and call about my fellow bloggers to be praying for my aunt. I appreciate it.

05/05/05

Well we had hoped Anna would come early and be born on 03/03/03 but came late instead. So when we had a chance again at 05/05/05 we never thought we would actually get that date. Well I went home for lunch on 05/04 and Amber was getting home from her doctor's appointment and she said the doctor told her she didn't think she would make it through the day before having it.

We thought, Yeah right, heard that story before. But then Amber's started contractions while I was home and they were 5 minutes apart for an hour. So I called work and said I don't think I will be back in today. Sure enough we went to the hospital. (Half packed, we had two more weeks why be packed?) They admitted us and we were on our way. Around 5pm or so Amber was ready for the epidural and was about 4 centimeters. Well unfortunately everything seemed to stop around 11pm. No more big contraction and no more dilation. And of course they are not going to call a doctor in after midnight just to get things going. So we had a long slow night of waiting for the doctor's morning rounds.

Finally the doctor came around at around 9:30 am and broke her water and prescribed Pertosin. At 11:03 we had our new baby on 05/05/05.

However, she did not receive her name until 05/07 2 hours before check out. But as you have probably already seen in the previous post we did name her Ella Kathryn. Kathryn is my mother's name. Ella was 6.2 and 21 inches and is a spitting image of her sister when she was first born.

Plus 1 = 4

Anna is a proud big sister

Her name is Ella Kathryn

She is here!!!

Thoughts from Eldridge

John Eldridge wrote a book for men called "Wild at Heart". It is a great book and here are some thoughts I have found on his website:

Life is a Story. This is true for every soul.

It is a love story, we assure you. But it is set in the midst of a life and death battle. That is why it seems so hard.

The story of your life is the story of the journey of your heart through a dangerous and beautiful world. It is the story of the long and sustained assault on your heart by the Enemy who knows who you could be and fears you. But it is also the story of the long and mysterious pursuit of your heart by the God who knows you truly and loves you deeply.

As we live through the pages of this story many questions arise. Who am I…really? Where will I find life…really? And, What is it God wants from me? We know those questions well, for we have lived them ourselves.

Another thought from the page:

You might remember that the first Christians were called followers of The Way (Acts 9:2, 18:25-26). They had found the Way of Life, and had given themselves over to it. They lived together, ate together, fought together, celebrated together. They were intimate allies, a fellowship of the heart. How wonderful it would be if we could find the same. How dangerous it will be if we do not. This life we are living is not meant to be lived alone. This journey we are taking cannot be taken alone. We must have allies of the heart.


A great thanks to those who are my allies in this journey as we seek together to find the answers of our lives as we are seeking our Creator.

Picture of Anna and Daddy

Palmer

Mark Palmer is a friend of a friend of a friend. But most importantly he is a brother in Christ who is in need. The following is Palmer's story that you will find by clicking on the button:

Palmer's Story:
In August 2003, Mark lost his young wife Jennifer to a swiftly-moving case of stomach cancer. Mark and Jennifer, in their fortitude in the midst of this tragic illness, were bold witnesses of the hope of Christ Jesus to many people far and wide. On November 6, 2004, Palmer was married to Amy Smith. However, two months later, in January 2005, Palmer himself was diagnosed with rectal cancer and was set upon a course of treatment. The most recent turn in this story is that in April 2005, Palmer found that his cancer treatment would not be covered by his insurance and that he would have to bear the cost of this treatment.

If God so leads you to give so be it. If not, please at least be praying for a brother of Christ. The greatest part of Palmer's story is the way the people around him have risen to take care of him much like I believe the church of Acts would have done.

Interview from Faith in Florida

A fellow blogger has started a series of interviews for her readers. The following is mine:

1. If you could change any one decision that you made in your life, what would it be?

I use to wish I had done well in college my first time around instead of having to go back a second time. But if I had done that, I would not have married my wife and met some of the amazing people in my life now. So it seems trite but the one thing I would change is the day I was working out with a friend and I did a squat down to far and pulled my back. It bothers me now every time I bend over too much. Too scared of effecting too many other good things in my life to change anything major that happened.


2. God says to you, "I will reveal any one thing to you." What would you want Him to reveal?

Why my 2 year old screams so much! Just kidding! No, I would like to know why I have a hard time doing the things that I want to do for Him.

3. You can change one historical event. Which event, and how do you change it?

Wow that is tough. Once again, afraid of changing the present too greatly. I think I would change the Berlin wall coming down only in the fact that I would be there to watch it happen. That would have been cool.

4. Is there one defining moment in your life that is significant, that you think changed you?
Tell me about it.

Well there was the day at my sister's house when I was spending the summer with her in Iowa that I gave my life to Christ. But that is an easy answer and it was a natural step in the life I was already living. (Grew up in the church) But I would say the most significant event I have already told you about. (See Tim Stories)

It is funny b/c I was telling my friend about it and he asked me how I think it changed me not just then but still today. I think it has helped me to see the important things in life. Spending time with friends and family. Work is such a low priority in my life. If I can get away and spend a day out of the ordinary with a friend, that makes me really happy.

5. Where will you be in 20 years?

Where will I be next year!? In 20 years, I would like to be running my own retreat center for teen groups or leadership teams.

No Compromise

Make my life a prayer to you
I wanna do what you want me to
No empty words and no white lies
No token prayers no compromise

Keith Green was one of the most prophetic voices of our era. If you have not heard of him or listened to his music before I would highly recommend it. I just received my copy of his biography by his wife Melody Green called "No Compromise". I am looking forward to reading it and getting even more insight to the man who wrote some of the most inspiring and challenging music I have ever heard.

Seriously, if you haven't heard of him you really need to listen to at least 1 song & you will be hooked.

Opening Day

Well yesterday was the Indians home opener. My first home opener I have ever been to. Ron, Kevin, Charlie and I headed up and watched the Indians lose 2-1. It was a great day none the less. It was windy and chilly in Cleveland. We were lucky enough to be in a section that was blocked from the wind and had some sunshine hitting to keep us rather warm. It was a difference of about 20 degrees from our seats to the windy, shadowed walk ways below. Okay maybe not 20 but very noticeable.

On the down side today, Anna was up all last night sick. Amber stayed home with her today. Be praying for both of them as Amber has been very uncomfortable since the baby has dropped.
Also Amber was called back for a second interview and was one of only two chosen for a second interview and was not chosen. Most likely b/c they think she does too good a job in her current special needs class which she needs a break from. So be praying she finds just the right job for her. Thanks!!

Pope John Paul II

Although I am not Catholic, I have great respect for the man that was Pope John Paul II. He was a great moral leader for this world who stood strong on his convictions. Please be in prayer for the Church as they chose a new papal. Some highlights about the life of PJP II :

When he was elected to the papacy in 1978, Pope John Paul II was the first non-Italian pontiff in 455 years. He came from Poland -- a country, at the time, with a Marxist and atheist government.

John Paul II was the most widely traveled pontiff ever, having visited 118 countries in all the continents except Antarctica. By the time he made his historic visit to Cuba in early 1998, he had logged more than 600,000 miles of travel.

In 1986, Pope John Paul II became the first pope to visit a Jewish synagogue. There he spoke of how he deplored the "hatred and persecution" of the Jews throughout the centuries. In 1993, the pope presided over the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Vatican and Israel.

Eight months after he was elected Pope, the pontiff went to Poland, where the Communists were still in control. His visit encouraged the rise of the labor movement known as Solidarity and chipped away at the wall of communism in that predominantly Catholic country.

While standing firm on religious doctrine as old as the Bible, the Pope was the first Pontiff to also embrace 20th Century technology as a way to evangelize. In addition to weekly radio broadcasts, regularly televised services, a recording of his most popular masses and a 900 number, he was the first pontiff to have a website.

Pope John Paul II is the first pope to become an international best-selling author. His 1994 release of "Crossing the Threshold of Hope" was received with mixed critical reviews, but it garnered a six million dollar publishing deal, with the money going to the church.

The pope's ability to reach people was aided in large part by his ability to speak several languages. Born into a Polish-speaking home, the pope began learning German at age ten; Latin at age 13; and Greek at age 14. By the time he became pontiff, the pope had mastered eight languages.

PANIC !!!

That is what Amber about felt this morning. She went to get Anna out of bed this morning and she was no where to be seen. Her room is on the second floor so we put a gate in front of her door so she won't roam the house. She falls out of bed on occasion. (It is a toddler bed that is less than a foot off the ground. It is suppose to have rail but the crib mattress we used is as thick as the rails, makes no sense.) So Amber looked all over the floor and under one of the extra blankets on the ground and still no Anna. Finally, under the bed all the way back against the wall and sound asleep she finds her. Whew. And of course 7 months pregnant she had to come get me to get her. And was nice enough to warn me where she was and what was going on. That crazy child of mine.

Car troubles

Well last week Amber's van had the ABS light came on. Well it was due for an oil change anyway so we took to our local guy for an oil change and to check why the light is on. It turns out it was a cracked axle, 300 + dollars. Well it turns out my car is making weird noises as I make turns. It too was due for an oil change so back to the shop again today; Cracked power steering rack, 600 + dollars. Okay now I just need the third part of the Mastercard story that says "Priceless!"

Black and White photos

Ok so not that we take a long time to go through our B & W film but the first picture on the film was Amber pregnant with Julianna and the last one was a school house I took a picture of on the way to my niece's wedding this summer. But my one favorite photo out of them is this one.

More of the same

Well I know it is not a nice way to put it. (More of the same) But if I titled it "It's a girl." It would be too much of a giveaway for you to read on anymore. They are VERY sure it is a girl. Amber was sure because of all the differences in how she is carrying it and how she has felt that it was a boy. Oh well. Now we are kind of scared to try for a third and end up with three girls. We will have to wait and see how this one goes. Still no names picked out yet. Will probably do the same as we did with Julianna and have a couple of names and name her when we look at her and see which one feels like the best fit.