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Creative Chaos - Something Out Of Nothing

In support of this week's Creative Chaos Post, I decided to show a few videos I made for the Canterbury Soccer Team's semi-state run. The great part of this is that I took news highlights from my DVR, copied it to my computer and then edited it down. Pretty easy and the kids loved it! Below are two different videos I did.

Why Men Are(Should Be) Happier - Another Blog Post Steal!

I came across the below blog post while "networking" amongst twitter friends and thought this was a GREAT post!

Consider this: Your last name stays put. The garage is all yours. Wedding plans take care of themselves. The world is your urinal. Same work, more pay. Wrinkles add character. Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100. One mood all the time.

Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat. You know stuff about tanks. You can open all your own jars. You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness. Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack. The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades.

Read more of Mike Foster's blog here.

Do You Twitter?

I recently came across this service thanks to Brook.  According to twitter.com, it is "a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?"  I use it as a microblogging service to supplement my blog with personal updates throughout my day.  It has been a cool way of connecting with various people all over the country.  The one person I had in mind when I signed up for this finally did, and this is what his first post was:

Can you feel the love?  Anyways, for those of you who want to follow my updates, you can do so at twitter.com/cjmills.  Even my smoking hot wife, who thinks I'm crazy for updating a thing called twitter, likes it....and why wouldn't she?  Now she can read my mind!

Phil Wickham - Amazing Cover

Listen to this from Phil's Blog - AMAZING.

Click here if the video doesn't play in your reader

Christians Who Love Beer?

I came across this site tonight. This blog, according to the author/founder, is dedicated to Christians who love beer. Now, I have no issues with beer (as long as you are legal and not abusing the drink), but I am slightly curious to see where this guy goes with this topic. Check out his Beer Tip Of The Week and the definition of Beerean below:

Beerean [bɪər-iən] - noun

a person who finds their whole passion, worth, and salvation in Jesus Christ and seeks to ever increase in their knowledge and enjoyment of beer.

Beer Tip of the Week - Episode 1 from Greg Qualls on Vimeo.

Date Night

Andrea and I are out celebrating a few minor victories this month. Mmmmm....Casa bread.....

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Why first-born children have higher IQs - Times Online

My good friend Andy sent me this article link.  I have to agree with it because I am the first-born child...my daughter would agree if she understood what it was saying, but my younger brother and sister may not agree with it.  What do you think?

Quote from the above article:

A number of studies have suggested that IQ scores decline with birth order. In the most recent study, at Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, researchers looked at men and women whose IQ had been tested at the ages of 5, 12, and 18.

The results, which show a trend for the oldest to score better than the youngest in each test, confirm the findings of a study at the University of Oslo, involving about 200,000 people. That showed that first-borns had a three-point IQ advantage over the second-born, who was a point ahead of the next in line.

The theory which enjoys the most support is that the extra time and patience that the earlier borns get from their parents, compared with those arriving later, gives them an advantage.

Top 10 Reasons

 In going along with the Creative Chaos Theme today, I thought I would share the video below that we made a few years ago to promote our CP Youth Ministry.  This video is a spoof of a spoof.

Burning The Stripes

When the weather heats up, so does my desire to be outside and work in the yard. I've developed a slight obsession with turf maintenance. Burning designs into my backyard makes the task of mowing a lot more fun. Last year was the first year of experimenting. Today marked the first step towards achieving the same result this year. Maybe I'll burn in a star for the 4th of July?


As a bonus, I thought I would share a photo of Jade playing in the color book application I have for my Treo. She has figured out how to change colors and get a new "page" already....crazy.

Stuff Christians Like - Blog Excerpt

This may be cheating in the world of creative blogging, but I couldn't resist. I know Marvin and Phil (worship guys at College Park Church) will appreciate this since its been a topic of discussion before. I absolutely love this blog, Stuff Christians Like, and wanted to share this particular post with you. I've been on both ends of the plate on this one - having lead worship and having experienced all 6 of the stages as part of the congregation.

#169. Clapping our hands (a step by step guide to the death of rhythm)

I've Got The Cutest Daughter In The World

I know I've been showing a lot of videos lately, but that is all Visual, right? Anyways, tonight during the sound check for CP Youth's worship set, Jadyn wanted her own microphone to check along with Mommy, so I hooked one up and caught this video on my Palm Treo (hence the low quality). Enjoy!

Tribute To Our Dead Fish

The below is a video of our beloved Oscar fish shot a while back.  He passed this week and as a tribute, I wish to show him in all his glory....


Click here if the above video doesn't play in your reader.

View From The Couch

This is what a typical Saturday looks like in our household: Andrea grabs a book while I watch whatever sporting event is on and Jade snuggles up with Andrea and pretends to watch the game along with Daddy.

I love the view from my couch!

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Why Do We Want To Grow Up So Fast?

I came across this video online and, aside from being an incredibly funny video, I think it has a lot of good stuff to say. Why do we all want to grow up so fast?

Embedded Video

The Small Things In Life

Don't get me wrong, I love my job, but as is the case with any job, regardless of how much you love it, things don't always go your way. Today was one of those days where things just didn't seem to click and as a result, a LONG Wednesday it was.

However, that changed quickly.

While finishing up some things late at work, I noticed footsteps approach my office. I turned around, fully expecting my boss, but instead I found my little girl standing in the doorway, asking for candy. Andrea and Jade went out for a walk to town and Jade decided to walk into Daddy's office right off the street.

I was instantly in a better mood, just like that.

Then, when I got home, I hopped on my computer to catch up on some of the blogs I follow. As I click on Brad Ruggle's blog through my RSS reader, I noticed my mug on his blog! As it turns out, I was his 100th subscriber and, as a gift, he sent me a $10 iTunes gift card. How cool is that? The weird thing is I don't know Brad at all. I came across his blog through my old youth pastor's blog - Pat Rolwand. Brad is into media arts, so I've enjoyed following his blog. Check it out at http://www.bradruggles.com/

The best part about all of this is that these are, in the grand scheme of things, two very small parts of an otherwise very full day. Still, they were able to turn my "bad day" into a more enjoyable one. I love that about life.

I'm slowly learning it's the small things in life that make all the difference.

Another Nice Day

While Roanoke doesn't have all of life's cool and exciting activities to offer those that grace its streets, it does offer visitors a nice peaceful place to simply exist. Jade loves walking to town and is starting to act like she owns the place.

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Trip Down Memory Lane

I was watching some of the videos I have on my computer of Jadyn a few days ago when I stumbled upon the video below and decided to upload it to YouTube.  I made this with a bunch of my high school buddies during a production class we were all in.  We had no script; just made it up as we went and actually won a national award for our work!  It is around 9 minutes long, so only watch if you have some time.

Guest Blogger, Andy Borgmann - Guy Love? Crash Into Me? Loneliness in America

Andy Borgmann, Producer of The Allen Hunt Show, is one of my few very close friends - has been for a very long time - will be for an even longer time. I've been wanting to blog about how friendship has impacted my view on the world, but when he posted this blog below, I decided he said it best and that I would copy it directly in my blog. Besides, we all know that I was the one that got Andy blogging (and don't even pretend you don't remember, Borgmann - Hilton Head trip man - that's all you did that whole week was set up your blog!)

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Guy Love? Crash Into Me? Loneliness in America

On Friday night we had a "Tiffany turns 27" / "Andy bought a house in November" party. At one point there were about 35 people there. This surprised me because a.) I didn't think 35 people could fit it my tiny townhome, and b.) it took until 10:30 before somebody showed up that I didn't know.

It got me thinking though. It got me thinking about the movie trailer I saw in 2004 for Crash. I loved that movie. It was a movie about LA and racism. It was unique and brilliant. But it is a line from the trailer, which had relatively little to do with race, that had me hooked. The line was, "In LA, nobody touches you...I think we miss that touch so much that we crash into each other just that we can feel something." I lived in LA. I know this to be true. But it isn't just LA - it's everywhere.

In September I downloaded a song called Car Crash by Matt Nathanson out of the iTunes free single of the week section. I don't normally do this because the music usually sucks, but this one sparked my interest for some reason. It's lyrics are thoughtful. The chorus in particular:

I wanna feel the car crash
I wanna feel the capsize
I wanna feel the bomb drop, the earth stop
'Til I'm satisfied
I wanna feel the car crash
'Cause I'm dyin' on the inside
I wanna let go and know
That I'll be alright, alright

I think it is fitting given the recent Duke University study that says we have fewer friends and confidants than Americans did 20-30 years ago. We are wealthier than we have ever been. We are more in control of our lives than we have ever been. We know more than we have ever known. We are more connected then we have ever been. Yet we are lonely. We miss that touch. Why? Why are we lonely?

I am a huge Scrubs fan. I have 134 of the 145 episodes on my DVR. I am not going to go into why I love the show so much. I am just going to show you one scene (it's worth the 2 minutes):

When I first saw this in January, I sent the link to my friend CJ and told him:

I wish you watched Scrubs so you would get this and not think it is weird/gay/ridiculous, but since [my girlfriend at the time] calls you my gay lover and [your wife] calls our friendship "special," I dedicate this video to you

Let's be honest. I would be JD because I am nerdy, quirky, and can't seem to stabilize a relationship. And CJ would be Turk because he's as cool and smooth as a black guy, and married with a kid.

My & CJ's friendship reminds me of David and Jonathan's in the Bible. I would probably be David because I am the one most likely to do something immoral sexually and then murder someone to cover it up. But the Bible says that at the news of Jonathan's death David said, "Your love for me was wonderful, more wonderful than that of women."

Jonathan died before David had an affair with Bathsheba and then murdered Uriah to cover it up, only to be outed by Nathan. But I have a feeling that if Jonathan was alive, it wouldn't have changed anything. CJ knows I am not perfect. And not just in a generic, "we all sinners" kind of way. He knows I am not perfect. And inversely, I know he isn't perfect. But it doesn't change anything. If anything, it is why I love him more.

David and Jonathan weren't living in a "Crash" world. And as wealthy, and knowledgeable, and connected, and in-control my life gets, it is the guy love and connectedness I find with CJ (and others) that makes this life satisfying and full.

Spring Is Here

The calm before (and after) the storm...

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Where Do I Go For Creative Chaos?

Need I say more? My daughter is my best source of creativity. Trying to think like a child can bring out the best creative chaos.

Check out where others find their Creative Chaos here.

American Idol Is Christian?

Did anyone else see this?

Who knew.....

Am I Taking Coaching Too Far?

As you can see from my post yesterday, we did a lot of soccer outside. It was great to be back in a coaching role again. I was so excited about it that I totally forgot about CP's Council Meeting (sorry Pastor Gary!). Anyways, while I was outside, I grabbed some footage of my little soccer star grinding out the dribbling drills. I had to look like a total nerd with my mega camcorder in hand, chasing Jade all over. Anyways, it was well worth it as you can see below!

In case you wanted to hear more of the song:

Soccer and Spaghetti

I rushed home today so Jadyn and I could play outside. Today I was going to teach Jade the basics of soccer. I'll post some video later. After soccer practice, my beautiful wife made a pasta dinner for us all and we ate it outside on our new patio furniture. A nice end to a day tht already had me having lunch with the President of our parent company, Brown & Brown. I love warm weather!!!

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Our Future Rock Star

We bring Jadyn in during worship so she can listen to the worship. She loves watching mommy and daddy lead and sing. Today, after service, Jadyn hopped on stage, took a microphone and started singing (screaming) "Happy Day" by Tim Hughes.



We've been doing that song in church and it obviously stuck. It was a cool experience for me to see my passions become her passions....

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Jadyn's New Swing

How sweet would this be? The swing is made from plastic with fibre optic lighting inserted.  Jade would love it, AND we could have rave parties after house....oh the possibilities.

I stumbled across this while browsing this blog...

Busted....AGAIN?!?!

Looks like the cop got another one....sucker....good thing my house is in the speed trap as I'm already slowing down when entering.....

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Jade's first Video Conference

Today was a big day for Jade -- her first Video Conference.  Since I do a lot of work on my iMac, Jade thinks the only way to have fun with dad while he works is to jump on my lap and watch.  Most of the time she convinces me to open up PhotoBooth to watch herself on the screen.  Today, I caught my good friends Mark and Todd on iChat and invited them to share in the experience.  Don't you just love technology?!?

As a side note - now that both my computer and my wife's laptop have iSight cameras, I can now video chat with my girls when I'm traveling on business!

Here Comes The Sun...

...too bad it came as it was setting....

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expertvillage.com - Are You Kidding Me?

There is a whole website dedicated to "how to's" -- anything from breakdancing to identifying birds to being a strong manager to planning a dinner party. This is craziness!!!

Downtown On A Sunday

Check out all the traffic!!!

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Why Wouldn't I Be Watching Basketball Right Now?

That's why....Jade wants to watch herself in the mirror....

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I Am One Spoiled (But Lucky) Man!

My wife irons all my dress shirts (I wear a shirt and tie everyday to work) and pants, cooks my food, cleans my house and still lets me crash on the couch and do nothing but watch TV after work....I am the luckiest guy in the freaking world!!!

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BUSTED!!!!

I've been pulled over several times during my life, although not anywhere near the number of times my good friend Andy has. Anyways, you know that feeling you get when you see lights flash behind you, or when you see a cop car turn around after you fly past them? The rush is incredible, isn't it? Tonight, after I finished washing the cars, I noticed flashing lights as I was sitting in my office and looked out the window and this poor lady. Sucker.....

First Car Wash

Today was the first outdoor car wash at our house. Since I live so close to work, I don't really have time to unplug from work like most do. When the weather is nice, I'm able to unplug while working outside. The past few months have not granted me that pleasure. Thank God for warm weather!

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Dinner Out

We are on our way out to dinner with Andrea's grandma. It was once such a chore to go out with Jade, but she is doing much better these days. It is weird to think about how she is growing up right before my eyes...

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Easter Lunch

That's how we roll....McD's!

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Big Ten Championship Day

We got to Conseco a little early to relax and people watch (which is pretty easy with all the Fan Fest activities going on). I wonder if the place will sell out without any Indiana teams in the game?

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Shopping Women; How Do They Do It?

We've been to 1 MILLION different stores and my wife shows no sign of fatigue....how do women do it?!?!

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Picking Names

Picking a boy's name is hard after picking a perfect name for our little girl, Jadyn. Andrea found a book of a bazillion names to look through....that will be our nightly reading for a while.

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Weekend Away Day 2

Unless you live in a hole, I don't need to provide details on the crazy happenings in basketball yesterday. Purdue's loss in overtime, IU's loss on a last second desperation shot by Minnesota, or the crazy weather that blasted a hole in the Georgia Dome....which is causing havoc for the SEC and their ability to get their tourney in before Selection Sunday. WHAT A DAY!!!

I love college sports. Watching the games in the Fieldhouse was great because you get to see the various school colors clumped together throughout the venue. Fans driving from all over to dedicate four days of their life to college basketball. It is truly an amazing event.

Andrea and I are enjoying lunch at the Cheesecake Factory before we continue on our day without a child around. We just finished buying me some shoes and dress shirts...yes, I know, Metrosexual, but I love my clothes.

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OSU vs. MSU

Crowd is more into this one than boring Mich vs. Wisc....

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The Big Ten

My wife and I are spending the weekend in Indy at the Big Ten tournament. I'm trying to enjoy the game without worrying about spectator injury as I'm insuring the event.

Oh, funny story....one of the Michigan players was called for traveling and my wife goes, "Oh, did he fumble?" HAHA

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It's A Boy!!!

There was no screwing around with this little guy. Within the first 30 seconds of the ultrasound, he decided to declare his manhood to the world. What a proud moment for Daddy!

A Concerned Little Girl

Jade was worried about her mommy....she continually asked the lady if she was "fixing mommy"....

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I Own This Place

Jade seems to think she owns every place she walks into. As you can see, she sat herself down in front of the registration desk for all to see.

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Taking A Picture Of Mommy's Tummy

We are at the Dr.'s office today to find out if we are having a boy or a girl. As I was taking a shower, Jade walks in and yells, "we're taking a picture of Mommy's tummy!!!" It's weird going through all of this for a second time. When asking Jade if she want's a little brother or sister she quickly replied.......SISTER!!!

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My Office Meets The Office

Today I spent the entire morning in an awards ceremony. Because I'm a visual junkey, I was captivated by the graphics and production side of things. They really go all out. At one point, I was reminded of The Office episode where Dwight Schrute gives his acceptance speech and I nearly started laughing out loud during one of the speeches. Not a good career move...

The second photo is of the Programs Tangle B members for 2007. You'll see my name and a few others from my office on there. This is a special club for those with new production over a certain $$ amount.

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Annual Awards Meeting

I'm in Orlando for the annual B&B awards meetings. This year, after the awards night, we took a police escort to see Cirque Du Soleil's La Nouba (2nd photo shows one of the CDS people....they had some of the people "showing" us to the transport). Pretty cool show - but it makes for a long day!

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A Long Night And Old Friends

I was up until 3:00 this morning finishing the youth website and a video for church. Needless to say, I was dead tired going to church. I ran into a few old friends of mine who wanted to go out to eat with me, my wife and my daughter. Isn't it great to have friends who come in and save the day without even knowing it?

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Patio Furniture in March

We finally found what we were looking for.....Menards is where it's at!!!

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A Prego's Salad

Andrea and I are out shopping today and had to stop for a quick bite on our way. Have you ever seen a salad like this?!?

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The Great Porn Debate

I watched this on abcnews.com (click HERE to view the full debate).  Pretty interesting stuff.

Crazy bit of info...Craig Gross bought my first house in Huntington with David Dean to use as a rental for college students....

I Love Fights!!!

These guys danced around a bit before they went at it.

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