If this is offensive I am sorry, but there is something funny about a little boy putting his hand in the front of his pants. In our house, both boys and me too can be seen with a hand part way into the front of our pants. It doesn't mean we are handling the "goods" but somehow this behavior is comforting!
While I don't know any woman who would put their hands in the front of their pants, they are not exempt! Men and women alike find it soothing to scratch their "backside"! In fact, just putting your hands back their on the bare skin is comforting. Perhaps we are checking to see if our bottom has fallen off? I don't know, but these types of VERY HUMAN behavior's make me laugh!
I don't think we should hide from them any longer, but laugh with me today about all the funny things that we do, even though we may not be aware and certainly would never do it public!!!
Monday, March 16, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Donkey and Bull Show
Last Wednesday I was driving on Interstate 10, Eastbound from Blythe, CA into Quartzite, AZ. As we passed were coming up on a Bright (and it was bright!!!) Yellow Chevy Astro Van, I noticed something very VERY hairy hanging out the driver rear window. As we pulled closer, we noticed it was a DONKEY! Some great American redneck has a donkey in the back of his van...Well it get's better!
As we were captivated by the Donkey in this yellow van (did I mention it was bright?), we noticed the lettering all over the side! "Donkey and Bull Show". Why, this good ole' boy even had a donkey and bull mounted to the hood of the van (miniatures, looked like plastic).
We were not quick enough to get a picture. Dang!!! We hoped he would get off at the same exit and head to Love's like us and get some gas. Sure enough he pulled off the interstate at our exit, but he did not come to Love's. However, as he turned we were able to see the passenger side of the van. Guess what? there was a bull sticking out that side!!!!
You know, it's moments like this (which happen a lot at the Quartzite Love's) that make me proud to be an American. We have such a rich culture and different ways to exist in it! I am proud that a man can make a living driving around the Southwest with 1,000 pounds of live animals in the back of his minivan. It's a great day here in America!!!
As we were captivated by the Donkey in this yellow van (did I mention it was bright?), we noticed the lettering all over the side! "Donkey and Bull Show". Why, this good ole' boy even had a donkey and bull mounted to the hood of the van (miniatures, looked like plastic).
We were not quick enough to get a picture. Dang!!! We hoped he would get off at the same exit and head to Love's like us and get some gas. Sure enough he pulled off the interstate at our exit, but he did not come to Love's. However, as he turned we were able to see the passenger side of the van. Guess what? there was a bull sticking out that side!!!!
You know, it's moments like this (which happen a lot at the Quartzite Love's) that make me proud to be an American. We have such a rich culture and different ways to exist in it! I am proud that a man can make a living driving around the Southwest with 1,000 pounds of live animals in the back of his minivan. It's a great day here in America!!!
Friday, March 13, 2009
Transition
Yesterday morning in a discussion with some friends, I stated that I felt like I was in a time of "transition". It's more of a feeling than actual movement, but there are so many moving parts in our lives that it can often feel like NOTHING is solid.
It could be turmoil in the lives of people you care about, it could be having a teenage daughter (Maddie is amazing), but a teenage daughter is still a teenage daughter and their lives are tough at times. It could be work concerns, debt or other financial matters that cause feelings like these!
Here is what I know. Life may be tough at times, and just because you follow Jesus Christ does not exempt you. However, the ANCHOR HOLDS in Jesus if you allow it too! So, transitions come and go, but as for me, my anchor is placed is Jesus and it might be a wild ride, but I will trust Him to see me through it!
It could be turmoil in the lives of people you care about, it could be having a teenage daughter (Maddie is amazing), but a teenage daughter is still a teenage daughter and their lives are tough at times. It could be work concerns, debt or other financial matters that cause feelings like these!
Here is what I know. Life may be tough at times, and just because you follow Jesus Christ does not exempt you. However, the ANCHOR HOLDS in Jesus if you allow it too! So, transitions come and go, but as for me, my anchor is placed is Jesus and it might be a wild ride, but I will trust Him to see me through it!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Always there...
I was thinking about my brother Chuck this morning. Back when I was in College my grandparents sold their home and moved to my hometown toward the end of their life. Grandpa was on 24 hour oxygen, and seemed to be making it work.
The big fear came during thunderstorms (good thing Oklahoma has so few). If the power went off during the night, my grandfather was frightened because he would loose his oxygen. Enter Chuck! He proved his character over and over by BEING THERE...ALWAYS BEING THERE!
So I write this blog entry to honor him and to remind myself and all around me that sometimes the best thing we can do is JUST BE THERE! Don't ever underestimate the power of your presence even if you don't have answers. Sitting is silence is sometimes the best thing you could ever do!
The big fear came during thunderstorms (good thing Oklahoma has so few). If the power went off during the night, my grandfather was frightened because he would loose his oxygen. Enter Chuck! He proved his character over and over by BEING THERE...ALWAYS BEING THERE!
So I write this blog entry to honor him and to remind myself and all around me that sometimes the best thing we can do is JUST BE THERE! Don't ever underestimate the power of your presence even if you don't have answers. Sitting is silence is sometimes the best thing you could ever do!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
big KID day
Every have one of those day where you can't seem to get going? Of course you have, you are normal. Well, today is one of those days for me. Long day yesterday and up early, sort of...today!
It's times like this that I feel like a BIG BOY. You know, and adult! That's right, I said the "A" word. It's good to be normal, I just hate this feeling of dragging along.
It does provide great teaching material for my kids because much of life can be like this feeling. You don't want to go to work but you have responsibilities, etc. Well, today is a BIG KID DAY for me, and while I am not a huge fan, it's part of being human. I pray that your human experience today is kinder than mine!
It's times like this that I feel like a BIG BOY. You know, and adult! That's right, I said the "A" word. It's good to be normal, I just hate this feeling of dragging along.
It does provide great teaching material for my kids because much of life can be like this feeling. You don't want to go to work but you have responsibilities, etc. Well, today is a BIG KID DAY for me, and while I am not a huge fan, it's part of being human. I pray that your human experience today is kinder than mine!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
My kids education
So far our kids have been excelling in school. It has not been easy because both Washington Elementary and Mile High Middle School have high standards for homework, parental involvement and academics.
For example, Austin (4th grade) has homework everyday except Friday. Math, Science and English are normal, plus a 20 minute reading log every day. Because of this emphasis, he is reading at 8th grade levels and it's normal.
Likewise, Maddie's school is divided into two different types of teaching. One is a normal approach and she is involved in the "expeditionary learning" approach. Projects, teamwork and presentations are normal parts of this type of learning.
Either way, Lori and I are highly involved in the process. We protect their time to do homework, help answer questions and they are responding very well. Just like life, we are all in this together.
For example, Austin (4th grade) has homework everyday except Friday. Math, Science and English are normal, plus a 20 minute reading log every day. Because of this emphasis, he is reading at 8th grade levels and it's normal.
Likewise, Maddie's school is divided into two different types of teaching. One is a normal approach and she is involved in the "expeditionary learning" approach. Projects, teamwork and presentations are normal parts of this type of learning.
Either way, Lori and I are highly involved in the process. We protect their time to do homework, help answer questions and they are responding very well. Just like life, we are all in this together.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Parenting and Politics
I have been struggling trying to combine different world views that I see in America today. Some of my friends who support President Obama, act the opposite of His policies in their personal life. Let me explain what I observe.
From a parenting perspective, my friends DON'T raise their children to be dependant upon the family, to never try or teach them to settle for less. NO! Parents inspire their children to do something with their life that makes a difference. They are brought up to be successful in our world. Children are taught to move out, make a difference, contribute to others.
This mentality seems opposite of what is being promoted at a core level in our political leaders. We like Obama, so we elect him, but his worldview is the opposite of what we teach. How can this be?
From a family finance perspective, my friends don't practice what government is promoting. It is insane for a family to say, "well, we don't make enough money to survive, so let's borrow more than we could ever repay and spend like crazy".
Whether you agree with me or not, you understand that we all have a responsibility to help protect the country we love and those in our direct care. I just want to point out the crazy dichotomy of supporting those whose agenda really is the opposite of what we practice, and we alone have to make choices to promote what we as Americans believe!
From a parenting perspective, my friends DON'T raise their children to be dependant upon the family, to never try or teach them to settle for less. NO! Parents inspire their children to do something with their life that makes a difference. They are brought up to be successful in our world. Children are taught to move out, make a difference, contribute to others.
This mentality seems opposite of what is being promoted at a core level in our political leaders. We like Obama, so we elect him, but his worldview is the opposite of what we teach. How can this be?
From a family finance perspective, my friends don't practice what government is promoting. It is insane for a family to say, "well, we don't make enough money to survive, so let's borrow more than we could ever repay and spend like crazy".
Whether you agree with me or not, you understand that we all have a responsibility to help protect the country we love and those in our direct care. I just want to point out the crazy dichotomy of supporting those whose agenda really is the opposite of what we practice, and we alone have to make choices to promote what we as Americans believe!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)