Merry Christmas

It’s been a while since I have blogged. In the meantime I have appeased the guilt and nagging about not blogging by convincing myself, if not others, that the delay was an overt attempt to leave the tribute to Tina up a little longer. Tina didn’t buy it, so I guess I’ll give in and blog.
I thought I’d share some seasonal thoughts and memories. There is good news and bad news to this. The bad news is I think a lot, so there is likely to be a scattering of random thoughts throughout the blog. The good news is I can’t remember what my thoughts were five minutes ago, so that should at least limit the volume, if not the randomness.

I took Tate shopping last night for a few last minute items. Every year he has trouble getting his shopping done, as he has neither money nor transportation. At least that’s true for shopping for mom. He can’t really surprise her much if she drives him and accompanies him throughout the store. So each year I take him shopping, sometimes the other kids go with us. Oh, and I’m usually behind on my shopping as well, so it’s not just for Tate. Hey give me a break, it’s not like I have money or wheels either. Well, money anyway. Even though I usually don’t look forward to this, I always enjoy it more than I thought, and this year was no exception. I enjoy seeing everyone busy about their shopping, and spending time with Tate. Tina accompanied us this year, but we dropped her at another store and met up later, so I think the surprise is intact, though my surprises are not always good ones, for instance her birthday, but that’s another story and memory that I’d rather not bring up. Anyway, the only part I didn’t like was the madness of driving, especially in the parking lot. As we were leaving some guy nearly ran over people trying to cut in front of us for a parking space. Made me chuckle a little since we were leaving, and since he didn’t kill anyone. Chill dude.

One of my favorite Christmas memories is the years when I played Jesus as an adult in our church’s Christmas play. Two things about this: 1) This always was very humbling for me (which I need) and made me closer to God, and 2) If you are looking for a good diet plan, I recommend committing to being on a stage in front of a thousand or more of your friends, relatives, coworkers, and strangers wearing what our music minister referred to as a diaper. If you would like pictures of this for blackmail or a good chuckle, I’m sure they are bringing a premium price somewhere on the internet.

This year around our house Christmas has included a few activities. Tad was in the church’s Christmas program. None of us were able to see it live, as we had commitments elsewhere, but I’m sure it was great. He also sang in the choir during our church’s two candlelight services. I attended one of these and it’s always a wonderful event. Teisha is home, and that adds a stronger sense of family to the season. We sure miss her when she’s away. This year her fiancé will be visiting us after Christmas and we are looking forward to that. Also, Tina’s parents will be joining us for a few days around New Year’s Day. Tina was busy toward the last few days of school baking and doing Christmas parties at Tate’s school. I think he really enjoyed having her be a part of that, and Teisha made it home in time to help as well. Teal managed to get caught up on all of her schoolwork before school let out, after missing a week due to illness. It was very hard on her, but she was a trooper and persevered and I think she worked hard enough that her grades didn’t suffer. She also received a driving permit recently, so I’m sure we’ll be taking a few trips while I am off of work to get her some experience.
We played a game of video clue the other night. That is a fun game, but it takes a while. Our kids are getting much better at fooling me. By the end of the game, I think they all had it figured out, and I was more confused than anyone. Also, they were laughing and making jokes through the entire game while I was trying to speed it along. Obviously they were planning on sleeping in the next day while I was getting up to go to work.
Speaking of work, today is Christmas Eve and I will be working. I received an email from our corporate office with a schedule of due dates in January. I replied to the lady who sent it with some housekeeping item. She replied and congratulated me on being the only person on her distribution list working today. Somehow that doesn’t make me feel like a winner. I went back and counted and there were 76 people on her distribution list, in multiple locations across the U.S. Yea me. Anyway, we close at 2 today, and I may slip out early in order to…um…not get locked in. Yeah that’s it, I wouldn’t want to get locked in on Christmas Eve now would I.

Well, I warned you it was going to be random and rambling, and I didn’t let you down. Oh, one last thing. I was reading a blog from “The Truth Project” and they had an interesting comment on the Christmas story. If you get a chance, read Galatians 4:4 and relate it to the Christmas story. I’ll summarize:

4) But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5)in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. 6)And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7)So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.

I like the entire passage, but particularly focus on the first comment this time of year. The birth of Christ was no accident. It was planned and it happened just as planned, when the right time had come. That’s a quick summary, but if you have time, slow down and spend some time thinking and praying about what all that means. It’s incredible, as God’s Word always is.

Merry Christmas to everyone!

She Is....And So Much More

Happy
adoring, affectionate, alluring, amusing, attractive, bright, caring
charitable, charming, cheerful, clever, comical, considerate,
content, cool, delightful, dependable, devoted, devout, divine
ecstatic, elegant, enchanting, enjoyable, entertaining, exquisite
exultant, faithful, fascinating, fine-looking, fun, funny, generous
glamorous, good-looking, gorgeous, graceful, hilarious, humorous
intelligent, jovial, joyful, lovely, loving, loyal, magnificent, neat
on cloud nine, pleasing, pleasurable, quick, reliable, saintly
sensational, sexy, smart, spiritual, steadfast, steady, stunning
stylish, superb, supportive, thoughtful, thrilling, trendy, trustworthy
trusty, witty, wonderful, beautiful
Birthday
Tina

Weekend Warrior

Weekends at our house in the fall usually involve some kind of football. This past weekend we were treated to NCAA college football, NFL football and PS2 football. Tate and I are the big football fans, the others only have a peripheral interest. The main teams we pull for at the NCAA level are The University of Texas Longhorns, Purdue, Clemson, and for some reason Tate loves to pull for the Oregon Ducks. In the NFL it’s the Cowboys and the Colts, and to a lesser degree the Panthers. I’ve been a Cowboy fan literally longer than I can remember. We became Colts fan during our 3-year stay in Indiana, and since Tate was born there, he’s really adopted them as his team. No illegal rooting going on here (with the exception of the Ducks). I’m not sure Tina knew what she was getting into when she married a Cowboy/football fan, but she’s a good sport and keeps interested and roots for them as well. She does have to bug out during the close games and turn on Desperate Housewife’s or something. She can’t stand the tension.

Oh, and in case you haven’t heard, do you know what Purdue fans do after their team wins the National Championship?
They turn off the PS2 and go outside.

Anyway, mixed in with the Longhorn and Clemson win, and the Purdue loss this weekend, was some quality dining room painting time. Well, I use the word quality loosely. Hopefully I’ll post some pictures so you can check it out. I hate painting, and this was no exception. However, I put on a good attitude, carefully taped off the crown molding, chair rail, columns, windows and doors and began to paint. The trim part I especially hated. However, after 2 coats, and several football games, it was finished. The next morning we removed the tape. AAAGGGHH! It was awful. Some of the paint had seeped behind the tape and ran onto the molding. Some of the paint on the wall peeled off with the tape. So now there’s tons of touchup and cleanup to be done, and I am all out of good painting attitude. I suppose either Tina or I will muster up some “want to” and get it done in the next weeks, but no promises.
The only thing to really perk me up was the Cowboys beating the Redskins Sunday night. The Colts and the Panthers also came away with wins, but the Cowboy win was just what the doctor ordered. I especially like the finish where they were up 4 and got the ball back with 6:23 left. They gave the ball to Marion Barber 9 times straight and said to the Redskins, “this is what we got, what are you going to do about it”? No answer from the skins, Cowboys run out the clock and win.

My Kids Are All Sick

One is sick and tired of homework
One is sick smart in calculus
One is lovesick
And one has pneumonia.

Riverside Park Soldiers and Sailors Memorial

Memorial, originally uploaded by SCTim.

In Memory and Honor of all of our Veterans.

A Life Lesson: A Lesson From A Life

I took a trip down memory lane yesterday. The trip was initiated by an email from Tina about one of our friends and their special needs child. This took me back 15 or 20 years to another special needs child that was in our life. Her name was Kathryn, and she must have been somewhere around 5 years old. I can’t say I knew her well, but we worked with her about once a month during children’s chapel. She required a little extra attention. For instance, if you wanted her to sit down, you had to lead her to her seat. She always insisted on holding on to your hand when moving from one place to another. She was not verbal at all. She could make sounds, and interpreting these sounds into what she wanted became easier the more you got to know her. Kathryn always had a smile and a hug for anyone who was willing to be loved.

Kathryn’s life on earth ended somewhere around that time. She may have been as old as seven years old, I don’t remember exactly. Her earthly body was just not created to last that many years. What I do remember is her funeral. Our pastor, Brother Ken, officiated at her services. For those of you who don’t know Brother Ken, let me give you a brief biography. At the time of this funeral, he had been pastor of this church for somewhere around 35 years (It’s been over 50 now). He is an incredible man. He had served as chaplain of the police department and fire department in this metropolitan area. He had also served as chaplain for the Texas Highway patrol. All this as well as being pastor of this church with somewhere around 500 attending at the time. I mention this to point out that Brother Ken had seen a lot of tragedy. He had stood beside families who had lost loved ones way too early in life, sometimes multiple family members. I’ll let you think through what all kinds of things this man may have experienced in these roles for 35 years.

But I watched him at Kathryn’s funeral. I remember the tears streaming down the cheeks of this man who had always shown strength while showing compassion at the same time. Yet now emotion overtook him. Through the tears, while choking back the nearly uncontrollable sobs, he spoke of how he had learned so much from Kathryn. Kathryn had taught him about love. Specifically, he had learned from her what unconditional love meant, the same love that our God has for us. I am still learning this lesson, as I remember this young girl. I’m not sure what Kathryn’s new heavenly body is like. I’m sure it’s perfect, and I wonder what it might be like. I have seen perfect love, through Jesus, and an example of that through a young girl who touched so many lives simply by having, showing, and giving unconditional love.

Halloween at Our House

 

Pumpkin Carving

 

Tate's Costume

 

Atlanta Braves hat - $14.00
Old Navy Jacket - $35.99
Gap Jeans - $29.99

 

Getting free candy from a complete stranger - Priceless

 

Too much sugar!