Stubborn Kids...Stubborn Dad

I have some stubborn kids. One in particular is really fighting us on finishing up some math work that she needs to complete. I was talking to her the other day and it reminded me that sometimes I am just as stubborn. I told her that she knows what is the right thing to do...she just needs to do it. How many times has God said the exact same thing to me? So many times I know what I need to do, I just don't do it. I think God gives us kids to teach us stuff. (that's not the only reason) What do you think??

New Flag

I put up a new American flag at the house today. I am fairly patriotic and I enjoyed putting it up. The kids were curious and the boys were excited about the flag. I try to stick to flag etiquette, so I have a spot light on it to shine at night. I had some fond memories go through my mind as I put the flag outside. I thought about my Uncle Marion. He passed away a while ago...I always respected him. He was a retired Colonel from the Air Force. He always put his flag out on National holidays and he never had it out during the rain. He often complained about how people abused the flag and I sort of promised myself I would always respect Old Glory.
I also thought about our country. Our nation has a lot of problems, but it is still a great nation. We are so blessed. I thought about the folks in the Armed Services...I have so much respect for them. I remember seeing a group of soldiers in uniform walking in the airport. It was a sight to behold. There was almost a silence that surrounded them as they walked. I silently prayed for them as they walked by.
I stepped away from the house when darkness came. There she was...Old Glory...shining in the night. It felt pretty cool to see the flag on the house. May God Bless America!

Laughing in his sleep...

A few nights ago my wife was up late. She normally stays up late. I'm worried...I think she's secretly pumping energy drinks through an I.V.! She heard something from across the hall where our 4 year old sleeps. She heard laughter. Our 4 year old was laughing. Not chuckling. Not giggling. Laughing. It was the kind of belly laugh that comes from an awesome tickle attack.
This may seem sweet, and it is. But the coolest thing about him laughing is that it wasn't always that way. He used to have nightmares. He would cry out in the night. When he first came to us it was almost every night. "Nooo!" "Stop!" He would yell and "whine" in his sleep. Not anymore...the cries have turned to laughter. I am so amazed at how good God can be.
Add to that a couple of nights ago. He had turned himself sideways and I went in and turned him around and before I could cover him up with his blanket, he said with his eyes closed, "I love you, Daddy." And he wasn't finished making my night. He then, eyes still closed, held wide open his arms for a hug.
I am truly the most blessed man on the planet.

Why is it when you need to sleep you can't??

It's late. I went to bed. One of my teen's cell phones rang and woke me up. Who the heck needs to talk at 11:58 PM anyways??!! Add to the confusion--the phone is off, so now there is a demon inside of my daughter's cell phone!! So now here I sit at the computer. I have to get up in 5 hours. Why is it when you need to sleep, you can't? This is very frustrating. I am sleepy. I am grumpy (at least no one is around for me to show my grumpiness!). Maybe I can get back to sleep. Just thought I would blog myself to sleep. Maybe blogging cures insomnia!!

One of my s got saved!!!

Tonight one of my s ( our 9 year old) talked with me. The last couple of days she has had some questions about God, accepting Jesus, and being baptized. Robin said it would be good to talk to me, so tonight, I talked with my little . Her questions were legit...she wanted to know at what age someone could become a Christian. I told her that there was no right age--it's different for kids of all sorts of ages. I asked her what becoming a Christian meant and she gave me to Sunday School answer of "you get saved". I wanted to make sure she really understood, so I asked her what that meant. She said, "You become a Christian when you accept Jesus into your life and you give Him control of your life." COOL! She got it. I asked her if she ever prayed to ask God about this and she did last night. She said, " I told God that I knew I was a sinner and that Jesus died for me and I asked Him to come into my heart and I gave Him control."
To know this child, this is HUGE! Control is a very scary thing for her because of what her birth family did to her and what they didn't do for her. It was really neat...you could see a difference on her face.
I am so happy! She told some of her brothers and sisters, me, Mom (Robin) and her Grandpa George. In her sweet little voice she said..."I became a Christian". This is so awesome!! I had to post this....thanks for letting me share!

Craving some Caribbean

Springtime is the busiest time of the year. It's totally nuts. School is drawing to a close. Work stuff is building with tons of paperwork and stuff to do. The kids are in hyper-drive and summer is knocking on the door. When life is this crazy I crave me some Caribbean.
Robin and I were introduced to the Caribbean by our "employers". We were sent on a week long sailing trip to the British Virgin Islands along with our co-workers. It was the most amazing trip I've been on. Since then, Robin and I have rented villas twice in St. John, one of the most beautiful places on earth! St. John is one of the U.S. Virgin Islands and most of the island is national park property, so it's not too "touristy". I am craving me some Caribbean!!
I have high pressure...is this against HIPPA regulations? Once the doctor wanted to do another reading, so I closed my eyes and went to St. John in my mind. My pressure went down!
One day I'll be there again. Maybe not this year...it's pricey to get there and stay there! I thought I would use this entry to "vent" a little. Thanks.

A movie review for my 14 year old...

My fourteen year old wanted me to give a movie review of a movie I saw recently. I saw Speed Racer. I have to admit that I was totally comparing the movie to what I remembered as a kid. I was a child of the 70's and a teen of the 80's, so I watched the Speed Racer cartoon when I was a kid. The Mach 5 is still the coolest car ever.
On to the review: It was OK. I'm not giving the movie two up, one definitely. The movie is really really stimulating...it's kinda like an assault on the eyeballs! My ADD was in overdrive! But I do have to admit...the cars were really cool. The cars built by the Speed family were awesome. The "classic" Mach 5 was on the big screen and I was like a kid again. The movie did a pretty good job of transferring what I remembered of the cartoon to the big screen. So...would I recommend the movie? If you liked Speed Racer as a kid...then absolutely!! If you care not of the ways of the Speed family...stay away and maybe rent it on DVD. All in all...a good movie. 3 1/2 stars out of 5.
Movies coming up.....Narnia Prince Caspian and Indiana Jones. If you like this review...let me know!