"Are you just home for lunch?"
"You are going back to work, right?"
"Are you home for the day?"
"You will be leaving soon, aren't you?"
Ever since Asia has started watching Adam for the Summer he no longer requires us to be around anymore. While I must admit to being a little jealous, he's apparently been acting like an angel all week so I can't help but be impressed. Since it was partly my idea to hire her I am also partly impressed by my awesome decision making abilities.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
The Million Mile March
There are days when I jump out of bed. I dash into the new day like a world class marathon runner on mile 1. I blink once & I'm at the office. Blink twice and it's lunch time with my favorite girl. Blink three times and I'm wrapping up the day at the park with my boys.
Then there are days like today that start with Alex waking me up by pulling
my eye lids over my forehead. I fall asleep in the shower and need two cups of coffee to make it to lunch. Every step forward feels like I'm a million miles from home. I pray for mercy and all I want is the one thing I can't have i.e to be back under the covers in bed.
Then there are days like today that start with Alex waking me up by pulling
my eye lids over my forehead. I fall asleep in the shower and need two cups of coffee to make it to lunch. Every step forward feels like I'm a million miles from home. I pray for mercy and all I want is the one thing I can't have i.e to be back under the covers in bed.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
A Splash Of Misery
It seemed innocent enough, we surprised the kids with a trip to the splash pad. We went through the usual check list: sun screen, towels, backpack, flip-flops. Like everything else it was 30 minute process. During that 30 minutes the excitement built to an almost fever pitch. The kids started dancing, singing songs about how great we are....in their eyes we can do no wrong! All that changed in seconds.
We pull up and start the unloading process: sun screen, towels, backpack, flip-flops etc. all of this only to take three steps into the park and realize that there is a private invite only party going on. Gone are the songs about how great we are, the smiles have all turned upside down, tears began to flow. It wasn't our fault, but knowing that and not feeling that way are two different things.
We pull up and start the unloading process: sun screen, towels, backpack, flip-flops etc. all of this only to take three steps into the park and realize that there is a private invite only party going on. Gone are the songs about how great we are, the smiles have all turned upside down, tears began to flow. It wasn't our fault, but knowing that and not feeling that way are two different things.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Badminton Bandit!!!
We spent a hour inflating a pool that deflated in 20 minutes. We took an hour to fill 100 water balloons only to have them disappear in 5 minutes. We made homemade pineapple ice-cream. We did all of this & more before finding out this afternoon that Adam is a badminton bandit!!!
He runs to the right. Dashes to the left. Leaps as high as a building. Dives to the net. All of this in hopes of making that next shot. He is everywhere at once and nowhere more than a split second. He is the badminton bandit!!
He runs to the right. Dashes to the left. Leaps as high as a building. Dives to the net. All of this in hopes of making that next shot. He is everywhere at once and nowhere more than a split second. He is the badminton bandit!!
In Mememorial
Today is Memorial Day. With all the swirling chaos that constantly surrounds us, it's easy to understand why we might forget what this day means. All too often we take for granted the freedoms so many died to protect.
I am not a soldier, yet I have known some great men who were. I've seen the faces of their families as they describe what their loved ones are going through overseas. I've heard the cries of those who have gotten the news nobody should ever have to hear.
It's with all of this in mind that Mandy & I set aside part of the day to talk with Adam about the true meaning of Memorial Day. To teach him that we are only free because of the men that fought for that freedom. Soon after with flags in hand, Adam & Alex spent an hour marching to patriotic songs all through the house.
God Bless America
I am not a soldier, yet I have known some great men who were. I've seen the faces of their families as they describe what their loved ones are going through overseas. I've heard the cries of those who have gotten the news nobody should ever have to hear.
It's with all of this in mind that Mandy & I set aside part of the day to talk with Adam about the true meaning of Memorial Day. To teach him that we are only free because of the men that fought for that freedom. Soon after with flags in hand, Adam & Alex spent an hour marching to patriotic songs all through the house.
God Bless America
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Pool Talk
The new house has a pool slash frog pond. It hasn't been used in years for reasons we thought involved repairs needing to be made. Friday we learned things are not what we thought.
As it turns out the previous owners had completed repairs, but before they could test out the work done on it they moved. Essentially what I'm saying is that we could very well have a fully functional pool outside our back door and not know it.
The thought of this is slowly driving Mandy & I bonkers as the temps outside slowly creep to 100. What if all that needs to be done is adding water?
As it turns out the previous owners had completed repairs, but before they could test out the work done on it they moved. Essentially what I'm saying is that we could very well have a fully functional pool outside our back door and not know it.
The thought of this is slowly driving Mandy & I bonkers as the temps outside slowly creep to 100. What if all that needs to be done is adding water?
A Rat's Tale
Growing up I had one. That really long strand of hair that went down the back of my neck. Some kids up'd the cool factor by having their entire head buzzed except for that one strand in the back thus giving them a true rat tail appearance.
Alex is now a little over two years old and has yet to get his first hair cut. It's coming soon, but we are just not ready yet. Yesterday we were hanging out around the pool when he turned around. The water had laid his hair flat across his back and the result was a very long lock of hair going straight down his back.
"Check it out! Alex has got a rat tail!!"
"Where Dad?! I don't see a rat!"
"On his head Adam. It's a rat tail"
"Alex has got a rat in his hand?"
"No his hair looks like a rat's tail"
"I don't see a rat on his head...."
I tried to explain it a dozen times, but Adam still kept looking for a rat.
Alex is now a little over two years old and has yet to get his first hair cut. It's coming soon, but we are just not ready yet. Yesterday we were hanging out around the pool when he turned around. The water had laid his hair flat across his back and the result was a very long lock of hair going straight down his back.
"Check it out! Alex has got a rat tail!!"
"Where Dad?! I don't see a rat!"
"On his head Adam. It's a rat tail"
"Alex has got a rat in his hand?"
"No his hair looks like a rat's tail"
"I don't see a rat on his head...."
I tried to explain it a dozen times, but Adam still kept looking for a rat.
Rock Me Hot Potato
One of the funniest things to me is to hear songs get mangled by people who think they are singing the right words. Up until this past Thursday my all time favorites were "Hold me closer Tony Danza!!" and "I'd die without shoe's". This past week Adam topped them all.
What was sang:
Amedeus, Amedeus, Amedeus
Amedeus, Amedeus, Amedeus
Amedeus, Amedeus, oh Amedeus!
What Adam heard:
Hot potato, hot potato, hot potato
Hot potato, hot potato, hot potato
Hot potato, hot potato, oh I want a hot potato
What was sang:
Amedeus, Amedeus, Amedeus
Amedeus, Amedeus, Amedeus
Amedeus, Amedeus, oh Amedeus!
What Adam heard:
Hot potato, hot potato, hot potato
Hot potato, hot potato, hot potato
Hot potato, hot potato, oh I want a hot potato
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
The Education Of Mandy Beck
I was trying to educate Mandy on the joys of The Rolling Stones (I was a butcher cuttin the meat! My hands are bloody, I'm dying on my feet!) when I was quickly reminded that Mandy had been educated enough today. You see after ten weeks of classes and two weeks of prepping for the big test.....Mandy is officially a liscensed real estate agent!!!
We are sooo very proud of her. Nothing ever worth having comes easy and she has literally put in her share of blood, sweat, and tears to make this achievement happen. We have of course been praying for this moment and for God to show us the path he desired for us to take. Finally those prayers have been answered. Thanks to everyone's support. Today was an awesome day!
We are sooo very proud of her. Nothing ever worth having comes easy and she has literally put in her share of blood, sweat, and tears to make this achievement happen. We have of course been praying for this moment and for God to show us the path he desired for us to take. Finally those prayers have been answered. Thanks to everyone's support. Today was an awesome day!
Best Of Blockhead: Return Of The Flash (August 30,2007)
I just don’t seem to be posting about my favorite person anymore. Fred has turned into the coolest thing I have ever been a part of in my entire life. He doesn’t cry. He’s not whiney. He plays. That’s what the little guy does and he’s the best at it. I’ve never been the type to catch the spotlight when I walk into a room, but boy does my son know how to light up a room!! Take last Friday night for example.
The Gigi works at a retirement home (I prefer old folks home, but they don’t seem to like being called old folks Lucy calls them Littles) and part of her job is to organize different activities to keep them alive (entertain them). So last Friday night the whole place plus a few fraternity/sorority members turn out for an old fashioned sock hop. Root beer floats, moon pies, a boom box blasting the oldie goldie tunes of the 50’s 60’s, and there in the center of the room lies a dance floor.
Of course Fred spent the night running up and down and sideways around the joint. Bopping from one poodle skirted granny to the next, completely unaware that just outside the walls a major storm was taking place. Lightning, rain, the whole bit. Except none of it could be heard over all the noise the party was creating. So just to set things up Lucy and I are way across the room watching Fred dance around a couple of grannies when
BOOM!!!!!
The thunder clapped so loud the lights blink and 15 old men fall to the floor grasping their chests (ok nobody fell out just adding to the story). Out of nowhere Fred throws back his arms, screams OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHH!!!, and kicks those little legs into light speed….going nowhere in particular. He’s just running like his life depends on it and his arms are too slow to keep up. He doesn’t care where we are at he just knows he’s not going to be where he was the next time whatever that was decides to blow up again. Suddenly he trips and falls flat on his face, but his legs are moving so fast they somehow scoop him up and carry him to the end of the room straight to his GiGi!! Nobody’s run that fast in that place since the whole all you can eat prune disaster of 1995!!
The Gigi works at a retirement home (I prefer old folks home, but they don’t seem to like being called old folks Lucy calls them Littles) and part of her job is to organize different activities to keep them alive (entertain them). So last Friday night the whole place plus a few fraternity/sorority members turn out for an old fashioned sock hop. Root beer floats, moon pies, a boom box blasting the oldie goldie tunes of the 50’s 60’s, and there in the center of the room lies a dance floor.
Of course Fred spent the night running up and down and sideways around the joint. Bopping from one poodle skirted granny to the next, completely unaware that just outside the walls a major storm was taking place. Lightning, rain, the whole bit. Except none of it could be heard over all the noise the party was creating. So just to set things up Lucy and I are way across the room watching Fred dance around a couple of grannies when
BOOM!!!!!
The thunder clapped so loud the lights blink and 15 old men fall to the floor grasping their chests (ok nobody fell out just adding to the story). Out of nowhere Fred throws back his arms, screams OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHH!!!, and kicks those little legs into light speed….going nowhere in particular. He’s just running like his life depends on it and his arms are too slow to keep up. He doesn’t care where we are at he just knows he’s not going to be where he was the next time whatever that was decides to blow up again. Suddenly he trips and falls flat on his face, but his legs are moving so fast they somehow scoop him up and carry him to the end of the room straight to his GiGi!! Nobody’s run that fast in that place since the whole all you can eat prune disaster of 1995!!
Jumping Freddy Flash Is Fast Fast Fast!!
I'm behind by two days in my posting and I'm not ready to let this New Year's resolution go by the way side so tonight you are getting three doses of Charlie!
If you know Adam then you know how much he loves to run. He has no concept of walking and every where he goes there's a sonic boom moments afterward. It's no wonder we used to call him Freddy The Flash. Now that baseball is officially over and the endless string of sports along with it (baseball, then football, then basketball, then baseball again all within weeks of each other), I've decided to test the waters of track & field. After all if, running is his talent what a better way for him to use it.
I took him to the local track yesterday and could not believe my eyes. He ran around the entire thing without stopping!!! He then rested for a moment, took a few deep breaths, and did it a second time!!! I'm seriously looking into local marathons for him to run in. The only thing stopping me is that I'm not sure if I will be able to keep up with him.
If you know Adam then you know how much he loves to run. He has no concept of walking and every where he goes there's a sonic boom moments afterward. It's no wonder we used to call him Freddy The Flash. Now that baseball is officially over and the endless string of sports along with it (baseball, then football, then basketball, then baseball again all within weeks of each other), I've decided to test the waters of track & field. After all if, running is his talent what a better way for him to use it.
I took him to the local track yesterday and could not believe my eyes. He ran around the entire thing without stopping!!! He then rested for a moment, took a few deep breaths, and did it a second time!!! I'm seriously looking into local marathons for him to run in. The only thing stopping me is that I'm not sure if I will be able to keep up with him.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Airplane Airplane I'm On My Way
I picked up an app yesterday that teaches you how to make 20 different types of paper airplanes. Adam is all into them especially since I told him how my dad was the master paper folder.
Growing up I can remember paper boats that could float for miles. Gliders that could sail over entire cities. Loopty loops that would do dozens of barrel rolls.
Adam is amazed by the stories and is begging me to pass on the tradition. So
as they say; practice makes perfect.
Growing up I can remember paper boats that could float for miles. Gliders that could sail over entire cities. Loopty loops that would do dozens of barrel rolls.
Adam is amazed by the stories and is begging me to pass on the tradition. So
as they say; practice makes perfect.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
My New Pet Peeve
My new pet peeve is this....people who ask my opinion about something then drive you crazy when you say the opposite of what you think. One minute you are minding your own business and the next you're suddenly on trial for treason. For example:
"I've decided to spray paint the car black. What do you think?"
"I think the color that the car is now is fine. Besides that's tacky!"
"Tacky! What do you mean by that?! I was trying to save money. I saw somebody do it on TV and it looked good. You must not know what I'm talking about. You don't even know what tacky is. I wasn't asking you anyway. I was telling you what I was going to do."
This has happened to me three times this week from various people.
"I've decided to spray paint the car black. What do you think?"
"I think the color that the car is now is fine. Besides that's tacky!"
"Tacky! What do you mean by that?! I was trying to save money. I saw somebody do it on TV and it looked good. You must not know what I'm talking about. You don't even know what tacky is. I wasn't asking you anyway. I was telling you what I was going to do."
This has happened to me three times this week from various people.
Message Mix Up
I'm not the fastest text messenger in the west, but I do okay. At times while waiting on someone to respond I have been known to carry on 3 discussions at one time. Today I apparently proved this may not always be the best idea.
To Mom: u coming over today?
To Mandy: How is Adams team party @ the park?
Mom: what time u going to be home?
Mandy: it's raining.
To Mom: after 3:00
To Mandy: I bet Adam loves that.
Mom: let me see something...
Mandy: he's running wild.
Mom: okay I can come
Mom: I'm going to kill your child!!!
To Mom: I don't want u coming over then!!!
Mom: why not?!
To Mom: oops sorry!!! I thought u were coming over to kill one of the boys. Mandy is going to do it instead
To Mom: u coming over today?
To Mandy: How is Adams team party @ the park?
Mom: what time u going to be home?
Mandy: it's raining.
To Mom: after 3:00
To Mandy: I bet Adam loves that.
Mom: let me see something...
Mandy: he's running wild.
Mom: okay I can come
Mom: I'm going to kill your child!!!
To Mom: I don't want u coming over then!!!
Mom: why not?!
To Mom: oops sorry!!! I thought u were coming over to kill one of the boys. Mandy is going to do it instead
It was.....
A great idea to walk to Gattman park for Adam's team party.
A great opportunity to get some exercise.
A good way to spend some family time.
About half the way there when it started pouring down rain.
A good thing I'd been working out for three weeks because I had to run 3 blocks back to get the van.
A blessing I have such a forgiving wife who patiently waited in some random strangers carport with Alex crying until I could make it back to them.
A great opportunity to get some exercise.
A good way to spend some family time.
About half the way there when it started pouring down rain.
A good thing I'd been working out for three weeks because I had to run 3 blocks back to get the van.
A blessing I have such a forgiving wife who patiently waited in some random strangers carport with Alex crying until I could make it back to them.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Worry Just Won't Seem To Leave My Mind Alone
Wednesday night seven o'clock church services are always a tricky thing to get to. The kids are both soaked in sweat after school. Dinner has to be ate. Clothes have to be changed. Plus it's not like Mandy or I leave at exactly five o'clock everyday. Somehow we manage and for good reason.
Tonight's lesson was all about worry and how the only thing we should be really concerned about (to a certain degree) is whether or not we are living our lives for God. Worry constantly plagues me and slows down my every decision. I've yet to find a way to shake this off, but tonight's lesson definitely helped. A little bit of luck would do wonders though....
Tonight also featured Alex's debut performance as a song leader. The moment the closing song started his arm went up and he started swaying it up and down/back and forth. The entire place was cracking up!
Tonight's lesson was all about worry and how the only thing we should be really concerned about (to a certain degree) is whether or not we are living our lives for God. Worry constantly plagues me and slows down my every decision. I've yet to find a way to shake this off, but tonight's lesson definitely helped. A little bit of luck would do wonders though....
Tonight also featured Alex's debut performance as a song leader. The moment the closing song started his arm went up and he started swaying it up and down/back and forth. The entire place was cracking up!
Back On The Wagon
Last week I wrote about the problems with my new involuntary diet and how I was off the wagon already. Today I'm happy to report that I am learning new ways to eat, even in a fast food environment. My first accomplishment has been to ignore french fries. Fries are my enemy...my archenemies....my kryptonite. Hardly my most favorite food ever, but they are always around. Next I've learned the joy of a grilled chicken sandwich with lettuce only and no sauce. Combined with a fruit smoothie and it makes for a healthy alternative to a double cheeseburger with bacon. So far I've managed to quit drinking soda, I'm drinking more water and Mandy even got me some sugar free cookies the other night to help my chocolate fix! Plus I'm exercising at least every other day. I know a week is a long way from a habit, but they say that it only takes a month to make a routine permanent.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Monday Night Blues
Not much going on tonight. Alex has an ear infection so I'm taking tomorrow off. Thank goodness for sick days. Adam is down to only a week and a half of school left. He's ready for summer to start mainly because his favorite babysitter of all time Asia Duren will be keeping him for the next three months. For me it all feels like it's going by too fast. If I could freeze a moment in time it might be this one. Alex as cute as a button wondering from room to room laughing at every little thing. Adam learning to read, singing church songs, always ready to play or wrestle with his dad. Life is changing too fast to keep up with.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Potato Chip Potato Chip
Saturday I took Adam to a youth rally at Maywood Christian Camp. He absolutely loved it and couldn't wait to spend the whole week. Here is his favorite song:
Potato Chip, Potato Chip
Munchie Crunchie
I love Jesus
A bunchie bunchie
Of course I couldn't remember the words when we got home so I made up my own version he liked better.
Potato Chip, Potato Chip,
Potato Chip, CRUNCH!
Who loves Jesus as much as US?
Sock it to the Devil UUUUUUGGGHHHH!
Potato Chip, Potato Chip
Munchie Crunchie
I love Jesus
A bunchie bunchie
Of course I couldn't remember the words when we got home so I made up my own version he liked better.
Potato Chip, Potato Chip,
Potato Chip, CRUNCH!
Who loves Jesus as much as US?
Sock it to the Devil UUUUUUGGGHHHH!
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