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.

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!

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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Sent from my Treo smartphone

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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Sent from my Treo smartphone

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.

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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Sent from my Treo smartphone

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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Sent from my Treo smartphone

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...

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!

Why Wouldn't I Be Watching Basketball Right Now?

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

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Sent from my Treo smartphone

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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sent from my wireless handheld device

Easter Lunch

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

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sent from my wireless handheld device

A Concerned Little Girl

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

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sent from my wireless handheld device

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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sent from my wireless handheld device

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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sent from my wireless handheld device

My Daughter The Negotiator

Andrea went out to eat with a friend last night, so I was in charge of putting Jade to bed. Here is exactly how Jadyn tried to negotiate her way out of it.

Me - Time for bed Babe
Jade - I wanna watch Mickey
Me - Sorry babe, we need to go to bed
Jade - I wanna watch Little Einsteins
Me - Jade, I said we need to go to bed
Jade - Wanna watch FOOTBALL, Dad?

Aren't kids hilarious?!?

Fear For The First Time

Well, tonight was our first trip to the Emergency room. Jadyn was running around the house, like she always does, laughing the entire way. Only this time, she slipped and nailed her head on the corner of her toy box. My heart dropped when I heard it and as Andrea picked her up, we both gasped as the blood ran down her face and the tears started to form. Both of us knew this was worthy of an emergency room visit. We have had accidents before, but nothing like this.

I dropped Andrea and Jadyn off at the emergency room entrance and then went to park. As I walked in, Andrea tells me that there are 7 people ahead of us. I thought to myself, surely they'll bump us up the list - after all its late and we've got a 2 year old with a bloody forehead -- right? WRONG - 4 hours later we are finally meeting with the Dr. who tells us she needs stitches (uhh...yeah...we kinda knew that.....).

They rigged her up so she couldn't move, but Andrea and I had to hold her down. This was difficult for both Andrea and I - but especially me. After all, I'm her dad - I'm supposed to protect her. Try explainin to a 2 year old girl that even though she is wrapped up like a mummy, and needles are piercing her skin, that this is for the best - it will all be better. There was no way for Andrea and I to do that. They covered up her eyes, probably so she couldn't see that they were doing anything to her as she was numb, but she could still tell that something was going on and cried out for both Mommy and Daddy. In one particular moment, when the cover of her eyes slipped a little bit, we locked eyes and I could see the extreme and utter fear in her eyes. It was almost unbearable. Andrea and I continued to talk to her so she knew we were there she eventually calmed down. She is a VERY strong girl and made her Daddy proud with the way she handled it all.

I know most parents make at least ONE visit to the Emergency room with their kids, but I hope I never have to do that again. Fear is a powerful phenomenon for most adults - I can't imagine what was going on in her mind as she was experiencing true fear for the first time.

Powerful Words

I just put Jadyn down for bed tonight. I read a few books, tickled her a little bit just to hear her laugh, and then told her that "it's time for bed, babe." She then says "OK" in the sweetest voice you've ever heard and proceeds to snuggle up next to me. I noticed that she didn't have her socks on so I told her that I was going to grab some socks, to which she replied, in the same sweet voice, "OK." As I finished putting on her last sock, I told her that Daddy was going to leave so she could go to sleep - again another "OK." I leaned in to give her a kiss goodnight and tell her I love you but instead, she said it first and then leaned in to give ME a kiss. There is something so completely pure about a child stating those words. There is no societal blur of the word, no false promises or empty offers - just pure, love. Some pretty powerful words from a pretty powerful little girl.