A Father's Thoughts

Irony

2009-11-14T20:45:00.001-05:00

Just in case you can't read what it says: "Cross Country, the only sport where parents have to be in shape too"

"Can I get that in a 2X"

'nuff said.

Turning One

2009-11-10T08:08:00.000-05:00

It's my party and I'll cry if I want to, cry if I want to , cry if I want to.

4:30

2009-11-09T06:33:00.000-05:00

Did you know that 4:30 happens two times each day? I've known it for quite some time, but recently had let it slip my mind. You know, like the old adage "out of sight, out of mind".

Did you know the best wrestling matches happen in the wee hours of the morning? No, I'm not talking about WWF or UFC or anything silly like that. I mean those times when you are wrestling with GOD. There aren't as many distractions at 4:30 in the morning. You and God both can get in some really cool moves.

God occasionally does the "touch the hip socket" move (Gen 32:25)to get your attention and that can be painful, but if you counter with the "I love you Father" move it softens Him up for the "Yes Lord" and "Your will not mine" moves. You may have to change your name, but that can be pretty cool too. (Gen 32:38)

I continue on this journey, trying to walk in obedience and often failing, but always receiving God's grace and mercy. Occasionally stopping along the way to participate in a friendly wrestling match. Learning to have patience.

Someone once told me never to pray for patience because God in His infinite wisdom (and incredible sense of humor) will begin giving you many opportunities to practice patience until it is perfected in you. The same thing goes for humility and submission and a host of other attributes we pray for.

Laura and I have a standing joke. Sometimes she will say something like "Will you make me a glass of tea?" and I will reply with "Poof, you're a glass of tea". God doesn't work like that anymore than my saying "Poof" works (at least I've never turned Laura into a glass of tea yet). When you ask for something from God, although He is totally able to do it, most of the time He doesn't say "Poof, here you go"

It's been said that if you want to make God laugh tell Him your plans. I don't really think God laughs at our plans. I think sometimes our plans sadden Him when they don't align with His purpose. God is more of a laugh with you than laugh at you sort of person. He'll let you go along on your journey, knowing you're going to make mistakes, gently pushing you in the right direction at times, but allowing you to stumble along in the dark at other times. Then when you have those flashes of brilliance and realize that He has been there all along and that you've been struggling to carry the load by yourself when all you had to do was ask, He'll sit down and have a good laugh or a good cry with you (whatever it is you need at that moment)

God loves to laugh with you. He delights in your joy when your joy is motivated by His glory. So get up with Him in the wee hours of the morning some time, wrestle with Him if you must, have a cup of coffee with Him and experience His joy.

Of David. Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
(Psa 37:1-4 ESV)

Gabby's Tree

2009-10-26T08:51:00.007-04:00

I thought I had posted something last year with a picture of Gabby's Tree, but I can't find it. Here is the tree one year later. It has really grown, and so has Gabby.

Facebook - Arrrgggg

2009-10-25T20:22:00.001-04:00

I don't know what's going on with my facebook account. Half the time I can't log in, then when I get in I can't update a status or comment on anyone else. And the News Feed is completely ridiculous.

I guess I'll blog more. LOL

Waiting....

2009-10-24T22:30:00.003-04:00

I guess this father hasn't been thinking a lot lately, or at least I haven't been sharing my thoughts. The last entry on this blog was on September 12th from the Tea Party rally in Washington DC.

So what's been on my mind this past month and a half? ....

Well, mostly it's been focused on the whole employment situation. Searching for a job, applying for jobs, working on a new position as a SEO consultant (no money there yet, but looks promising), praying about jobs, waiting on God.

Waiting on God? It's taken a long time to learn and I sometimes still forget, when I run ahead of God, I usually run into a wall and end up having to turn around, go back and wait on God. There's been a lot of that this past year, and I've been stubborn and willful and proud. But I know now, at least for today, until I forget again, that I can't just say "God has a plan". I have to believe it with my entire being, have faith in it, and wait for it to be revealed in God's time.

That's hard to do. It's hard when you look at your family, your wife and daughter and granddaughter, and you don't know what tomorrow looks like. It's hard when it seems that the world is going crazy around you, and you see opportunity, but can't quite grasp it.

I had a feeling of peace recently. God has always been on time. He's always kept His promises. There are several things on the horizon that I can almost see. He says to me "Wait, it's going to be fantastic". Have you ever seen the sun set over the Great Smoky Mountains? It's like that. You know it's going to be beautiful, God says "wait, I'm making this just for you, and it's going to be wonderful". Then it starts and it just keeps getting more and more beautiful until you just can't take it all in it's so fantastic.

That's what I'm waiting for. Now I'm not just sitting on my hands with my eyes closed saying "God, let me know when it' ready". I've got my eyes wide open, my hands are busy doing the things He has given me to do each day. I get a little peek every once in a while and He encourages me to have faith and "Wait".

2009-09-12T10:39:00.001-04:00

Now at the west lawn. Found a line to the port-o-lets, so we are standing in it. People are stil streaming in, thousands and thousands.

2009-09-12T08:50:00.001-04:00

Standing on Freedom Plaza, 12th and Pennsylvania Ave. Thousands of people from every state in the union, standing together, in solidarity, to take our country back.

2009-09-12T08:45:00.001-04:00

On the Metro heading to downtown DC, Freedom Plaza. Going to march on the Capitol with the rest of the crazy conservatives.

46

2009-09-11T12:42:00.002-04:00

* The atomic number of palladium.
* The number of human chromosomes.
* The (decimal) value of the ASCII code for the period (full stop).
* The total of books in the Old Testament, Catholic version, if the Book of Lamentations is counted as a book separate from the Book of Jeremiah
* The number corresponding to the word "ADAM" where A=1, D=4, M=40
* In Psalm 46 in the King James Version of the Bible, the 46th word from the beginning is "shake" and the 46th word from the end is "spear"; at the time of publication of the King James Bible, playwright William Shakespeare was 46 years old.
Forty-six is also:

* The code for international direct dial phone calls to Sweden.
* The number of samurai, out of 47, who carried out the attack in the historical Ako vendetta; sometimes referred to as the 46 Ronins to discount the one samurai forced to turn back.
* In the title of the movie Code 46, starring Tim Robbins and Samantha Morton.
* Several routes numbered 46 exist throughout the world.
* Because 46 in Japanese can be pronounced as "yon roku", and "yoroshiku"（よろしく） means "my best regards" in Japanese, people sometimes use 46 for greeting.
* 46 is the number of the City Chevrolet and Superflo cars driven by Cole Trickle in the movie Days of Thunder.

At age 46:

* Ben Franklin conducted kite experiments, and discovered lightning is an electrical discharge.
* Scottish surgeon, James Baird, discovered hypnosis.
* Jack Nicklaus became oldest man ever to win golf's Masters.
* Alfred Eisenstaedt took his photo of a sailor sweeping up a girl in a kiss during the V-J day celebration in Times Square.
* Theodore Roosevelt was elected to a full term as President in 1904.
* John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963.

It's official, I have been married to my beautiful wife, Laura, half my life and in a few more weeks will be twice as old as my son Dusty.

I guess this is a pretty significant day. ;-)

Where Have I Been?

2009-08-08T10:05:00.002-04:00

Wow, how time gets away from you. I haven't really blogged in quite a while. It's something that I regret. I have great thoughts about blogs to do, then I don't write them down and I forget to blog. Life gets so busy. Family reunions, job search, selling advertising, watching Gabby grow, trying to figure out when and where the world went mad.

I posted on FB today that I have drawn a line in sand. Today is a new day. From now forward I have a plan and I plan to work that plan. There is no going backward. May all my efforts glorify God as I go...

Why Should I March? - Guest Blog

2009-08-05T17:34:00.003-04:00

The following was written by my beautiful and passionate wife, Laura. I am so very proud of her and praise God that He gave her to me. Most of you who read this blog have already gotten this by other means, but I figured for those who might just stumble upon this....

Why Should I March?

There will be a March on Washington DC on September 12th. Will it be just a whimper? Or, will it be a ROAR?? Will they laugh again and call us “tea-baggers”? Or, will they call us PATRIOTS?

What will History have to say about 9/12/2009? Maybe they will say nothing at all. Or, maybe they will say: “This was the turning point, the day PATRIOTS stood with one voice and demanded to be heard; the day that 'GOVERNMENT' had to relinquish the POWER back to the PEOPLE from which they stole it!”
Why should I march? How can I not?

**My family's Great Ancestor fought in the American Revolution. I MARCH FOR HIM.

**Our Forefathers agonized over the Greatest Documents ever conceived by Man: the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, the Constitution of the United States of America. Then they gave their lives to preserve them. I MARCH FOR THEM.

**'The Greatest Generation' valiantly enlisted to fight on foreign soil for the liberty of occupied nations, and innocently imprisoned peoples. I MARCH FOR THEM.

**My Uncle was shot down in the Korean War while trying to rescue a fellow soldier. I MARCH FOR HIM.

**September 11th, 2001 our country was attacked by foreign terrorists and many gave their lives on that day. We PROMISED them we would NEVER FORGET!! I MARCH FOR THEM!

**My brother served in the Air Force, brothers-in-law in the Navy. My own Husband served in the Army, as did many of my neighbors. My son's best friend is currently serving in the U.S.Marine Corps. God Bless them ALL. I MARCH FOR THEM!

Why should I march? HOW CAN I NOT??!!

Do I allow these sacrifices on behalf of LIBERTY to be forgotten?
Can I continue to say nothing while our GOVERNMENT keeps getting bigger and bigger? In the meantime, our individual RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES are shrinking, to make room for the so-called “greater good.”

This is NOT the AMERICA our forefathers fought and died for!

We were NEVER meant to be a SOCIALIST society. When you take away every incentive for people to learn, achieve, invent, build, grow, gain, better themselves, then you lose all that made this the GREATEST NATION on Earth! Our government was NEVER supposed to supply our every need, fix our every problem, take every last dollar we earn, then dole it out as they see fit.

The United States Government is OF THE PEOPLE. BY THE PEOPLE. FOR THE PEOPLE.

NOW PEOPLE: Rise UP!! and be HEARD!!

I MARCH because they work for ME!! And for YOU!!
WE don't work for them!!

Don't let this moment pass. WE must draw a line in the sand NOW!!

I March for my children and for their children. I have many great examples of selfless sacrifice in my history, and in my present. Now I have to take a stand because I must answer to those who come after me.

I MARCH FOR THEM!!! PLEASE MEET ME THERE!!!

WASHINGTON DC SEPTEMBER 12TH 2009

Sincerely,

Laura A. Snyder
Vine Grove, KY

Please forward with my permission and encouragement. God Bless the USA!

Hi from Pennsylvania

2009-07-22T07:00:00.002-04:00

It doesn't matter where we are Gabby can bring a smile to your face. Here we are in Pennsylvania. Everyone immediately smiles when Gabby enters the room. She brings us all joy.

We have been blessed.

9 Seconds

2009-07-13T09:20:00.001-04:00

Happy Fourth

2009-07-04T08:42:00.002-04:00

It's July 4th, or is it the 4th of July? How about Independence Day? Happy Independence Day.

My Mom always regrets it a little that she and Dad raised 7 independent children. What I mean is that she's very proud of us all and how we've lived our lives thus far, but once we started our own lives, we remained independent and didn't seem to need them much any more.

That's not a bad thing. More adults would do well to stand on their own two feet and not look to mommy or daddy or Uncle Sam to bail them out every time they get into a little trouble. It's been pervasive in our society, probably ever since the introduction of the welfare system, that people become reliant on someone or something else to fix everything.

What happened to the spirit of independence? What happened to ingenuity? What happened to living on less and saving for the future? What happened to people working together for the good of all?

There's still a glimmer, an ember still glowing. It's still here. I see it every day. I see it in the eyes of the entrepreneur who knows if he can just hang on a little while, things will turn around. I hear it in the prayers of the people who know that God is in control and all of this is just temporary. I feel it in the air as people begin to wake up and want to take our country back.

Is it too late? Have we gone to far over the cliff? I don't think so. I'm ever the optimist. I've begun turning the TV off and turning my creativity on. I think others are doing the same. Adversity will either crush you or make you stronger. It's really a choice. No one wants to be crushed. So we choose to be stronger, more independent, less reliant on mommy and daddy big government.

So, Mom and Dad, be proud that you raised independent children. Especially today on Independence Day.

I'll be meeting some other independent people today on the steps of the State Capitol in Frankfort Kentucky. Their mom's and dad's can be proud of them too, as we try to fan that ember into a little flame that will hopefully start a fire that catches this Nation Under God and reminds us of who we are. Whose we are. Where we came from. What we are to be doing. God bless the USA on Independence Day and everyday!

Shhhh

2009-07-01T08:18:00.004-04:00

It's a little after 8AM. I've been up for over two hours. That's normal for me. It's this quiet time in the early morning that I feel God's presence the most. In the silence of the house I can sense His protection guarding this family.

The house isn't totally silent. I can occasionally hear Gabriella stir back the hall. The dogs are here, keeping watch over their domain. Birds outside singing. Life is happening all around. It's the life that God has chosen for us right now.

I've been watching the news less these days. It just seems that it was the same every day. God assures me that this too will come to pass. Mark Lowry had a great routine about that. His favorite piece of scripture is "It came to pass". I tend to agree with him. These troubled times we are living in have not come to stay, "It came to pass". Now admittedly, these times could pass into worse times. We can not sit and do nothing waiting for Jesus to return. God encourages us to jump right in to the middle of Life and be His Light to a troubled world. That means standing up and being recognized for what we believe in, not ignoring it and hoping it goes away or saying "what use is it, what difference can I make".

Yes, the world may look at us and think we are crazy. That's okay. Sometimes you are called to walk around in circles before something happens. Hebrews 11:30 ESV By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.

Jesus said John 16:33 ESV ...In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."

That is where my hope remains. These trials and tribulations we are all experiencing, personally and globally, are nothing compared to the glory that awaits us because our faith remains in Jesus Christ. One of the things that keeps me grounded and at peace is knowing that my children know Jesus. Their salvation is assured.

1 John 5:4 ESV For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith.

Big News

2009-06-27T17:04:00.003-04:00

Did you hear, Michael Jackson passed away this week?

I thought I should post something about it just in case those who read this blog have been living in a cave for the past few days. Granted, Michael Jackson was a pretty good entertainer and Thriller was a pretty awesome video.... ....in 1982.

I just don't get it. I guess it's just me. I mean, I'm sad for him and his family, but I've been sad for Michael for a long time. He seemed to have gone absolutely wacko over the past several years. Or maybe, he always was and it just got reported more in the recent past. But all this hoopla and ignoring the news going on in the rest of the world to report and report again and report again and conjecture and wonder and speculate, seems a little overboard to me.

Ed McMahon and Farrah Fawcett also died this past week. I'm sad for their families too. And as these celebrities pass on, it is like a little bit of my childhood passes away too. I grew up knowing these celebrities as part of my life.

So, let's take a few moments, just a few mind you, and mourn the passing of three entertainers. Then let's move on to what's happening in the real world.

Father's Day

2009-06-21T13:54:00.003-04:00

~SigCity~

Well, considering it is Father's Day, it would be a shame if "A Father's Thoughts" didn't have a blog post for today.

It's fitting that my thoughts shift from being a father to being a son and back again as I consider this day.

My father is an incredible man. A real man's man if you know what I mean. He's the strongest man I have ever known. I've never seen him quit anything. I only pray that I am half the father he was and still is in a lot of ways. He's getting older now, and I don't see him very often, but he is often on my mind. He taught me what it means to be a man of integrity which is ever more important to me as I travel through life. He taught me about loyalty. He taught me the importance of standing on your own two feet. He taught me about faith.

I hope the lessons my own children have learned from me will serve them as well as the lessons I got from my father. I pray that in 30 years my son will look back and see through the wisdom that comes only through experiencing life and appreciate the legacy he has through me from his grandfather. I pray my daughters will marry men who are strong and truthful and loyal and steadfast and full of faith.

The Doctor Is In

2009-06-20T21:37:00.000-04:00

Doctor Gabby will see you now. Come in, lay down on the couch and tell me about your childhood.

Just Lucky I Guess

2009-06-11T10:30:00.002-04:00

So, when I started this blog I titled it "A Father's Thoughts". Much of what is written here is about family and some is about myself and some is truly OT (off topic). I'd like to get back to the original purpose and talk about my 23+ years of being a father and now a grandfather .

How does a guy who never graduated from college raise two children who graduated #1 in their class in high school, one of which has also graduate suma cum laude from college? Good genes? God's grace?

I don't know. Probably a good dose of both. I remain amazed at how God has blessed our family. I' ve always encouraged (not demanded) my kids strive for excellence. I celebrate with them when they have success and share their disappointment when they don't. I let them suffer the consequences of poor decisions and praise them for making good decisions. I don't immediately run to their rescue, giving them opportunity to figure it out themselves, while at the same time letting them be assured that I'm here when they need me to be. I tell them at every opportunity that I love them, and mean it. I don't shower them with material possessions, I shower them with affection.

So how does a guy like me raise great kids like I've got? I don't know, just lucky I guess. :-)

I love my wife

2009-06-05T10:39:00.002-04:00

She reminds me of that quite often (not that I could ever forget, I truly do love her more than life itself), but it's really cute when I ask her about something she has done and she responds with "You love me".

Imagine this conversation, at about 11:30PM, the lights are out, I'm almost asleep.

Her: "What are you doing?"

Me: "Huh?"

Her: "WHAT are you doing?"

Me: "Um, going to sleep."

Her: "Why are you messing with the light?"

Me: "The lights are out."

Now imagine me asking her about it the next morning.

"You love me"

Yes I do babe, and I don't mind you reminding me.

Guest Video Blog

2009-05-24T08:39:00.004-04:00

Gabby is such a genious. She's really getting the hang of this guest blogging thing. Today she has created a video blog for your enjoyment.

Assimilated

2009-05-23T14:13:00.004-04:00

I have been assimilated. Resistance was futile. I succeeded for a long time, but was finally overcome.

I am now officially a member or user or whatever the proper term is of FACEBOOK or is that facebook.

When family and friends sent me a barrage of invites, I resisted. When acquaintances requested me to join them I waved them off. But when the president of Community Survey (my current and future source of income) sent me an invite, I thought I should probably accept the invitation. So, here's to you Bob Lind, you broke me down.

That's okay, I really don't have anything against facebook, it's just that I have other web pages and blogs and emails and such that probably take up more of my time than they should, and this is just one more thing to keep track of. But perhaps it is time to grab old of the wheel and see where this social networking thing will take me. Perhaps I can even figure out how to use it to drive clients to Community Survey.

Next thing you know I'll be tweating on Twitter, whatever that means.

Post #100 People watching

2009-05-19T17:05:00.002-04:00

When you are in the Same Day Surgery waiting room it's hard not to "people watch". Actually it's hard not to eavesdrop.

Family members having surgery bring together folks who obviously don't see each other very often. It also brings out folks who obviously don't get out much at all.

There was one lady who was convinced that the actor who played Cliff Huxtable's father on the Cosby Show was actually Bill Cosby's father. She also thought that Malcolm-Jamal Warner was Cosby's son-in-law (not sure where that came from).

Then there was the lady who got really confused and kept looking at the "pager" the desk gave her everytime my cell phone got a text message.

Then there was the pastor who thought he was a real comedian. "Just talked to a 90 year old man who has AIDS. Yep, had one in each ear. Har har har.

It was fun, and a good distraction while waiting for Laura to get out of surgery. It all went well. One down one to go.

Cacaphony

2009-05-14T19:09:00.002-04:00

What a perfect word to describe the noise the symphonic band makes as it warms up before a concert.

NHHS spring concert was last night at Stithton Baptist Church. All three concert bands, the percussion ensemble, the chamber orchestra (featuring JP) and the jazz band did a wonderful job.

Gabby enjoyed the whole experience, singing and directing and dancing the night away.

Rain sucks!

2009-05-06T11:53:00.002-04:00

Okay, so it is necessary to have rain, I get that. But it makes it very hard to go stop in at businesses to tell them about your wonderful services when you start looking like a drowned rat. Plus it's hard to be in a cheerful mood when you feel cold rain everytime you open the door. But... I must remember that in all things I should praise God and glorify Him. So, here goes... I thank you Jesus that I don't still work in a warehouse where I never got to see the light of day. May I glorify you in the way I do business and in how I treat others. Thank you for the sunshine yesterday so I could mow my yard. Thank you for loving me. And thank you for the rain. "No rain, no rainbow"

Guest Blog

2009-05-03T21:14:00.001-04:00

Well, here I am again, another month, another guest blog. Yesterday was my 6 month Birthiversary. Papa took this picture of me with the computer camera. I was having a really good time watching myself on the screen.

So now that I'm six months old there have been some new developments over the past month or so. I've started eating "real food". It's not really food so much as it's mush. I like to watch everyone else eat and would love to try what they are having, but Mommy says I have to eat this weird stuff out of these jars. She says it's food, but it's nearly indistinguishable (big word for a six month old, I know) from the stuff that shows up in my diaper. Much of the time it's even the same color.

I've got teeth now. Two of them. They feel really weird and when I chomp on Papa's finger he says Owww.

I've been playing this game lately with whoever (or is that whomever) is taking care of me. I cry anytime they leave the room just to see if they will turn around and come back. It's really quite fun. Papa sometimes doesn't like the game very much and lets me cry for a minute, but he always comes back and picks me up.

Between commenting on Aunt Emily's blog and guest blogging for Papa, I guess I'm all blogged out for today. Tune in soon for more of Gabby's World.

No Soliciting

2009-04-30T13:35:00.002-04:00

Do you know what's really irritating if you work in B2B sales and are attempting to contact businesses in person? That little sign many business owners place on their door that says "No Soliciting" It's like saying "I don't care if you can increase my sales, you are not welcome here."

Frustrating morning today in that while waiting for my car to be worked on I thought I would go drop some fliers at local business, but 4 out of 5 had that dreaded sign. Most of the rest were not the type of business that would benefit. I walked about two miles, in the rain, and don't feel like I accomplished much other than getting good excercise which is a silver lining.

Learning

2009-04-21T08:23:00.003-04:00

I'm back in school now. You probably couldn't tell by looking at me. I don't go to classes, I'm not enrolled in a university, I don't carry around a stack of books. But I am getting an education of sorts.

I've begun attempting to read everything I can on being a salesman. It seems from what I'm reading that the face of sales has changed from what it was years ago when I dabbled in it. Some schools of thought even say the Cold Calling does not work. What???? You mean spending hours on the phone calling people who are busy and would rather not talk to you or walking into their home or business while they are in the middle of trying to make a living doesn't work? So way back when, when I was doing cold calling and it didn't work for me it wasn't really my fault? Hmmmm... whoda thunk it.

I'm having fun. Things aren't progressing as fast as I (or Laura) would like. My health has been an issue as my recovery from surgery hasn't been as trouble free as I had hoped. This has caused me to have a bit of a stamina problem. But what is good is that I work independently and don't have a Sales Manager breathing down my neck hassling me to "make the numbers". I've got a little bit of space to get up and running, although time will go quickly and it will be a matter of making it work or finding something else that does.

One thing I've figured out (not from anything I read, just an attitude adjustment), is that I was thinking all wrong. I was thinking that I was just an independent sales rep for Community Survey. What I really am is an independent business owner who represents Community Survey. This is mine, to succeed or fail. I wasn't being an owner up to this point, I had an employee mentality (years of brainwashing in corporate America). They always encouraged us to "own" our jobs, but then never gave us the ability to do so.

So, even though I have no sales manager hassling me, I still have to set my own goals to "make the numbers". Only difference is that I hopefully will be wiser and work smarter. That is my prayer, God give me the wisdom to present myself in such a way that will benefit my clients. Help me to remain humble and serve their needs and rely on You for my blessings. Let me do the work and let the Light of Your presence shine through and speak through the words I say. Let me be a blessing to the businesses I speak to, and let me be a witness to those who are hurting and need your love.

Radical MIL

2009-04-15T12:27:00.001-04:00

Photo by Jerry Sowden - Mary Hall of Cooperstown has her hands full late Tuesday afternoon while holding her protest signs and several small American flags during the American “TEA” (Taxed Enough Already) Party in the Rocky Grove firehall parking lot. About 200 people attended the rally sponsored by Ligththouse Ministries of Franklin and WAWN.

Text Blogging

2009-04-15T10:06:00.002-04:00

So this is really cool. I can now blog from anywhere simply by sending a text message to my blog. I can also blog via email, but that's not quite as cool because if I have access to email, I have access to blog.

Mascot

2009-04-11T14:20:00.001-04:00

Here’s Gabby doing her best impersonation of the WKU mascot Big Red.

She’s got it down pretty good.

5 Months

2009-04-02T08:37:00.002-04:00

Gabby is 5 months old today in case you haven't been keeping track.

Poor girl, on her 5 month birthiversary she has to go to the doctor because she has a cough and has been tugging on her ear (sure sign of a possible ear infection). Oh well, Grammie and Mommy will take good care of her.

Another Richard Marx

2009-03-30T09:40:00.002-04:00

Okay, so call me a sentimental old fool, I don't care. It's who I am.

This song I dedicate to my girls and to Gabriella. (Sorry Dusty, it's just more appropriate for them). I love you all.

Rediscovered

2009-03-30T09:13:00.002-04:00

A post on SCL mentioned Richard Marx and like some others I really didn't know who he was and just nodded my head and agreed so I wouldn't appear "out of touch". How silly of me. Richard Marx was born two weeks after me in 1963.

I'm not one of those people who is good at remembering artist's names. There are songs that I like that I could never tell you who sings them.

I am very sentimental however and this song just speaks volumes. Richard wrote it about his wife and I'm posting it here because it says a lot about how I feel about my beautiful wife Laura. So, babe, this one's for you.

Community Survey

2009-03-28T18:05:00.003-04:00

No, I'm not taking a survey. That's the name of the company I hope to have a long and profitable relationship with. That's right, the old techno geek is going old school and going into sales.

That being said, my technical expertise is not going to waste. I created a mailing list database and captured 150 businesses and individuals in the local community and did a large mailout today using OpenOffice applications to create the letters, fliers and business cards. Hopefully, this will create some hot leads that I can get my face in front of to get them to let me help them get new customers through the door.

So, here's the plan. My contact at Community Survey told me the other day, "go out and have fun" here in my own back yard (Etown, Radcliff, Vine Grove) which will give me experience and confidence while I'm still recovering from surgery. This will give me a jump start as I prepare to hit the big city (Louisville). I've got my first scheduled appointment with the Avon Lady on Tuesday.

Pray for me as I set out on this new adventure that I follow God's will and that my extrovert kicks my introvert in the butt so that I have boldness in cold calling businesses who need what I have to offer.

Testimony

2009-03-22T07:25:00.002-04:00

Today I will be giving my testimony in church. It's kind of scarey and exciting all at the same time. I will be sharing with the congregation my association with Setting Captives Free, and telling them how I have been set free.

I know this will also be uncomfortable for Laura and pray that God will grant her peace that passes all understanding. She prayed for me last night and also for the church and for herself, that this day be glorifying to God.

So the funny thing about today and the events planned for the church service is that the original title the pastor had for the sermon was "Sex Ed". I told him I was glad to see he managed to work my name into the sermon title since I would be speaking. Then when I saw it actually on the marquee outside the church I commented to him that I was dismayed that the "y" had fallen off of the sign.

It's Official

2009-03-18T09:43:00.003-04:00

Just one day after being released from the hospital after major abdominal surgery I had the distinct pleasure of driving the 37 miles one-way to my old job to turn in my laptop and various and sundry other corporate owned stuff.

My old supervisor met me at the door and escorted me to his office so we could go over the inventory. He then helped me gather up the last of my belongings, including my awesome plants I've been growing for the past 12 years or so.

So it's the end of an era. I've officially been uninstalled. I've joined the ranks of the unemployed. It's a really big group right now. Lots of opportunity to make new friends. I just applied for unemployment insurance benefits for only the second time in my 45 years. How things have changed. I can do it all on line now and not have to head down to the UI office and hang out with all my uninstalled buddies.

I'm not sure how I really feel right now. Just a little numb over the whole process. I just praise God for all my family and friends who have stood by me and continue to pray for and support me.

VS #1

2009-03-10T21:19:00.003-04:00

Confidence vs Cockiness

You know the kind. They think they know and want everyone to know that they know. Cockiness. "I can do it because of who I am!" They walk around with a bit of a strut as if to say "Hey look at me, I'm the best, just ask me."

Full of pride. But what they don't know is that we all know they are cocky. It's a false kind of confidence. Prideful. And what does pride come before? Getting your butt kicked off the pedestal you put yourself on by someone who is really the best. (okay, Pro 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall., same thing)

Confidence: 2Ti 1:7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. God gave us a definition of confidence through the words of Paul to Timothy. Cockiness is just the opposite. It actually displays a spirit of fear, fear that you may not be all that you think you are but you don't want anyone to know that. It does not express love or self-control

I've been both cocky and confident at different times in my life. Every time I get knocked down I have to look back and see if I was being cocky and I just received a correction. That's usually the case.

So working on having a quiet confidence having a spirit of power and love and self-control is what I need to be doing now.

Hangin' in the Hospital

2009-03-10T20:06:00.002-04:00

Hey! Wassup!

I'm just chillin here in my hospital room getting ready to watch American Idol and catching up on email, blogs, etc.

Pretty cool having a wireless connection here. It will help the time pass.

Oh, what am I doing in the hospital you ask (as if there are people who read my blog who don't already know). Well, you see, I have this little problem of a wound on my abdomen that just would not heal. We were hoping it was something simple like a an old suture or tack that got infected from one of my previous abdominal surgeries. But alas, we knew deep down, it was the mesh used to repair my hernia a couple of years ago that is infected.

Sooooo.... once again I have to have the mesh removed. What's really exciting is that there is a new material that was not available a couple of years ago that is a Biological Mesh that has a very very low occurance of infection because it is actually made with human cells and will be more easily incorporated into my own body.

I have a new surgeon, Dr Shorey. I really like him. He's young and bright and still seems to enjoy what he does. Very conscientious. Studied up on all my previous surgeries. Has a definite plan.

The staff here at Hardin Memorial Hospital is awesome. I don't think I've had better care anywhere that I've been. Very personable, caring, and professional. It's like being taken care of by family.

Well, I guess I'll be out of commission for a short time as God continues to prepare me for this next chapter of my life. Pray that I continue to listen to Him and that He grant me wisdom and discernment.

Guest Blogger

2009-03-02T08:43:00.004-05:00

(In honor of her 4 month birthday, I thought I'd let Gabby take a shot at telling you about her first 4 months)

Papa said I could take a shot at blogging today. I always watch him doing it and thought it would be fun.

Today I am officially four months old. It's been quite a journey so far.

First I was born. That was quite an experience and pretty hard work. Mom helped as much as she could and she did a pretty good job. I won't get into all the details about that, but it wasn't the most fun I've every had. But once that was over I got to meet lots of new people including Daddy and Grammie and Papa and Aunt Emily and Aunt Lindsay.

Lots more happened over the rest of my life.

Uncle Dusty and Aunt Emily moved in and I learned how to play Mario Kart on the Wii.

Mommy spent every minute with me for a while and then she went back to school and I got to stay with Grammie on some days and Papa on some days and Aunt Emily on some days and even a few times with Uncle Dusty.

Papa lost his job and it made him sad so I had to cheer him up. I don't know what a job is, but it must be pretty important. Papa says now he's looking for more than a job. He wants to follow God's calling on his life. Right now God's calling him to be my Papa, so that's pretty cool.

Uncle Dusty got a job as a Youth Pastor for a buck groove. I'm not sure what a buck groove is, but it sounds like fun. These job's aren't good things if you ask me. It made Uncle Dusty and Aunt Emily move out and take the Wii. I miss Uncle Dusty and Aunt Emily the most, but I miss the Wii too.

I've grown almost 4 lbs and over 3 inches. Dr Baula says I'm cute and tall and skinny. She's pretty smart but tends to state the obvious.

There's lots more stuff that's happened throughout my life, but Papa says I have to take a nap now. Maybe he'll let me guest blog again sometime and I can tell you about all my clothes and toys and stuff. Bye, bye for now.

VS

2009-03-01T12:50:00.002-05:00

I hope to start a blog series called VS (versus). I was taking notes this morning during the worship service of all the times Pastor Burton used a versus type example. Things like conditional vs unconditional love, confidence vs cockiness, stuff like that.

It should be fun and I'll try and keep up. For now I'm just getting my thoughts together vs just letting them wander about aimlessly.

Bad Blogger

2009-02-27T07:32:00.002-05:00

I've been told once again that I'm a bad blogger. My beautiful wife told me that last night. She checks back often to see what I may have written and I haven't written anything for a while.

So this post if for you baby! Thanks for keeping me on my toes.

Which Church Father Are You?

2009-02-18T15:52:00.000-05:00

You’re St. Melito of Sardis!

You have a great love of history and liturgy. You’re attached to the traditions of the ancients, yet you recognize that the old world — great as it was — is passing away. You are loyal to the customs of your family, though you do not hesitate to call family members to account for their sins.

Find out which Church Father you are at The Way of the Fathers!

Praying out loud

2009-02-18T15:02:00.004-05:00

What's the difference between praying silently and praying out loud? I mean really, it's all praying right?

Here's what I've discovered lately. I having PADD (Praying Attention Deficit Disorder). When I pray silently I am easily distracted, my mind wanders from a silent conversation with God to wondering what's for dinner. When asked to bow my head for a moment of silence I begin to wonder how long is a moment of silence supposed to last, would it be bad to look at my watch. If I bow my head to pray before eating a meal, I often can't help get off track and start salivating over the food. I probably don't even get to "Amen" before my fork is in my mouth sometimes.

Praying out loud on the other hand is focused. You get to feel a real connection with God and know that He's listening. And if you run out of words, you can hummm or sigh and rely on Romans 8:26: "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.(Rom 8:26 ESV)"

We can also allow others to be blessed by praying out loud. My pastor Christian Burton spoke briefly about this last Sunday. He appreciates when others share by praying out loud as it allows him to participate in worship by listening to their prayers. Laura and I talked about this also this week. She likes it when we pray together and I pray out loud as it allows her to feel connected to me and to God at the same time. We don't pray together enough. I don't pray out loud enough.

Another way of "praying out loud" for me is to type out my prayers on the computer. Often as I mentor men with Setting Captives Free I will say "I'm praying for you. I'm praying that God will...."; and then I type out a prayer. It causes me to be involved in the prayer, much like speaking out loud.

Everyone probably doesn't suffer from PADD as I do. It's just something I've noticed about myself. Maybe I should read my bible out loud too, as often I get distracted while doing that and don't even know what I've read. It may start getting really noisy around here, but that's okay.

Movie Review: "Taken"

2009-02-16T22:46:00.002-05:00

Okay, I don't go to the movies very often, but Laura and I went to see "Taken" on Sunday. What a great movie.

Liam Neeson does an awesome job playing Bryan Mills, father to Kim who is abducted in Paris by Albanians who are kidnapping girls for human trafficing.

What was great was seeing a father care so much for his daughter that nothing would stop him from rescuing her. There was a lot of action, some violence, a couple pretty cool car chase scenes and always the underlying theme of a father's love for his daughter.

So, right in the middle of the movie just down the row we were sitting in there was an older man, late sixties maybe, gets a call on his cell phone and starts talking. His wife is sitting there laughing at the ridiculousness of the whole situation. Then gets lost and misses a couple of important scenes and starts asking someone next to her what is going on.

I'm convinced that some folks are either too young or too old to have a cell phone. This guy was obviously the latter.

What do you do?

2009-02-09T11:05:00.002-05:00

Whenever you first meet someone that's probably one of the questions that is asked. "What do you do?" Our tendancy is to answer with what our job is or what business we are in.

What if we answered that question with what we really do? What if instead of saying "I'm an Applications Development Analyst for one of the top 5 largest banks in the country." I said: "Well, I get up every morning about 5:30, make a pot of coffee and spend the next couple of hours having a conversation with God as I mentor men taking the Way of Purity course with Setting Captives Free, then I take my daughter to school on my way to a job I really don't like very much and have been fired from, where I spend the next several hours looking busy while I wait for the time I can drive back home to spend time with my beautiful wife, daughter and grand daughter. What do you do?"?

At what point would you stop listening? Actually, I think a lot of people stop listening as soon as they ask the question. I was amazed when I let it be known that I had been notified my services would no longer be needed at that "large bank" how many people said, "So what is it that you do". These are people who have "known" me for years. Of course, I then have to turn that around on myself. How well do I really know people in my life?

We are called to have fellowship with one another. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)

I need to try and make that fellowship more meaningful and get to know others and let others get to know me. Pray for me that the answer to the question "What do you do?" becomes more than just a job, but a calling to what God would have me do. Where God calls he provides a way.

Proud

2009-02-04T08:07:00.003-05:00

Well it's been a week since the power and water service was temporarily interrupted due to the awesome ice storms. It was quite an experience. Cold, cold temps in and out of the house. No shower. No light. No contact with the outside world.

I titled this entry "Proud". What does that have to do with Ice Storm 2009? I'll tell you. I am very proud of my family. We weathered the storm amazingly. No one complained about being cold or the lack of water or in the dark. We all just buckled down and worked together to make it through. We didn't give up and go to a hotel or a shelter. We stuck it out and kept things together.

We found ways to amuse ourselves by playing games like Phase 10 and ImagineIf. We took turns keeping Gabriella amused and warm. We found ways to make the best of a bad situation. I'm proud of us.

Trying to Care

2009-01-22T19:27:00.002-05:00

Do you know how hard it is to care about a job you will no longer have in just a few weeks? I promised my boss and myself that I would continue to do my job, which I have. But it's getting harder each day to care about doing it.

The crazy thing is, there is so much to do and I am trying to transition it to someone who seems to care less than I do. So today I had to work on our final instalation which we were having issues with and ended up having a conference call with the vendor to resolve the problems. The new guy was "listening" on the call, but made no effort to ask questions or get involved in any way. At some point he must have dropped off the call, I'm not sure when.

I'm now reaching the point where I don't really even care if the transition is smooth. He can sink or swim when I'm gone. I'm through trying to spoon feed him.

Maybe that doesn't sound very Christian, but how much can they really expect from someone who has been fired.

I've Been Fired!

2009-01-13T13:51:00.002-05:00

At least that's what I would have said thirty years ago. I was officially given my notice of termination today. My last day of employment will be March 16th.

What's funny is, I'm not upset about it anymore. The first few days after I found out, or even the first couple of weeks, I was devastated. I was fearful of the future and how I was going to be able to support my family. I was angry at having given the best I had to give for 12 years and being tossed aside like so much bad rubbish.

I could hear that small voice inside me telling me "it's going to be alright, I've got something else I need you to do", but I wasn't listening. I needed some time to grieve.

Then one day I was talking with my old boss and made a decision. I decided to continue to do the job I had been doing for the company up to the very last day. I decided not to, in any way, swerve towards complancency.

I also started listening to that voice. I found peace in knowing that God is going to use me in a way yet to be revealed to me. I've rediscovered joy in spending time with Him on a daily basis in prayer, reading His word, and serving Him as a mentor and mentor coordinator.

I've actively begun seeking other opportunities. I'm not saying specifically I'm looking for a new job. I may not want a job with a company that can just drop me at a moments notice. There's no security in that. I also don't want to limit God on what He has planned for me.

Many people have come to me and told me they are praying for me and have offered support and advice on my job search. I can't tell you how great that makes me feel. I know that I am being covered in prayer and can truly feel it in my spirit.

I read recently in a book by Dan Miller the latest "politically correct" terms for being fired. In the 1990's it became "downsized". I was carrying some extra weight then so being 'downsized' was appealing to me. Now the terms have changed again.
"Rightsized" - I've been wanting to be the right size for a long time, but I'm not sure what that means since I hear that size doesn't matter.
"Restructured" - Now that one sounds painful and I'm not sure I'd want to go through that.
"Reorganized" - In order to be reorganized, wouldn't you need to be organized to begin with. So that one doesn't work for me either.
"Reengineered" - sounds like something you would do to a robot
Object of a "cost-containment excercise" - hmmmm... should we call the center for disease control

My favorite and the one that I will probably enjoy using the most is "uninstalled". Just go to the Control Center and click on "Add/Remove People", scroll down to Ed Snyder and click "Uninstall".

You know, when you uninstall a computer program, unless you have a really, really good registry editor, there are always bits and pieces of that program floating around in the computer. That's how I will be. Occasionally, at least for a while, something will come up that no one will remember how to fix and they'll think, "Gee, maybe we shouldn't have uninstalled Ed".

The Mom Song

2009-01-02T12:26:00.002-05:00

Reminds me of a lot of moms I know.

Baby Faces

2009-01-01T13:06:00.001-05:00

One of the best things about babies are the faces they make. Gabby is no exception.

Christmas Eve Service

2008-12-25T07:43:00.002-05:00

Last night was our annual Christmas Eve Service at Valley View Baptist Church.

Lindsay made it home in time to go with us which was awesome. I don't know why but the Christmas Eve Silent Lord's Supper is my very favorite service of the year. No speaking, no singing, no sermon. Just quiet contemplation of the wonder of God.

This year was Gabriella's first time to be there. As I contemplated God and how blessed I have been over this past year I couldn't help but consider the comparison of a young teenage girl and her baby as I heard Gabby cooing next to me in Aubri's arms.

It's Christmas Again

2008-12-25T07:27:00.002-05:00

It's Christmas again. Happens every year. It's changed much over the years though.

When the kids were little there was much anticipation and joy in preparing. Staying up half the night putting the finishing touches on wrapping presents and stockings full of goodies.

Now with everyone grown (and Gabriella too young to care) Christmas is bitter sweet. Tons of presents have given way to simply giving cash (and not much of that to give this year). The only decoration is our tree full of ornaments collected over the years, knowing that in a few years most of those will be gone to the kid's own homes.

This year is even a bit harder as we look into an uncertain future. While it's hard to have the Christmas spirit at this time, there is also a sense of wonder and hope as we are encouraged to place our trust in God. Isn't that really what Christmas is about? The sense of wonder and hope as we consider a babe in a manager who is wonderful and gives us hope for a future home in heaven.

A Day in the Life

2008-12-13T08:50:00.001-05:00

The cutest....

2008-12-11T22:51:00.003-05:00

Animal picture I think I've ever seen...

Holding On

2008-12-09T10:44:00.002-05:00

I lost something this past week. It's scary. I don't know what the future holds.

I'm holding on to Jesus, and He's holding on to me.

Jeep's the Word

2008-11-28T08:02:00.006-05:00

Well, it's here.

It's arrived earlier than expected.

Impressive.

Clean.

Full of awesomeness.

What is it?

1995 Jeep Cherokee Sport!

The very Tealness of it is more than words can describe.

And lookie there. They done put the steering wheel on the wrong side. I guess I'll have to give it to Lulu to deliver mail in.

1:00AM this morning the Jeep was delivered to our driveway. Haven't had a chance to check it all out yet, but so far it looks great.

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T07:36:00.002-05:00

There is not enough room on this blog to list all the things I am thankful for this year. Okay, there's enough room, but if I listed everything whoever is reading it would get tired and stop reading way before they could ever get to the end of the list.

So, what to do? I know my audience. You want something extremely witty, or excessively sentimental, or just plain silly.

Let me apologize in advance. If my blog was something you were thankful for this year, I'm sorry to disappoint you. I just want to say that I'm thankful for everything God has blessed me with this year, Family, friends, ministry opportunities, work, health, laughter, love, tears, prayers, and everything else I haven't listed,

Christmas is coming the goose is getting fat....

2008-11-19T11:00:00.003-05:00

... please to put a penny in the old man's hat
If you haven't got a penny
A ha'penny will do
if you haven't got a ha'penny
then God Bless you!

Those are the words to an old Christmas song we used to sing in high school choir.

I don't know why the words (and tune) have stuck in my head all of these years, but they have. As I think back over the years since then I realize there were many times that I didn't have a penny. Some times I didn't even have a ha'penny (half a penny). But in all those times of plenty or of want I have been blessed by God.

This time of year is always a bit strange for me. We have learned somewhat to be content throughout the year with what we are able to do and give to each other. Laura and I don't stress about going out and buying gifts for everyone. Christmas for us has become a time of focusing on what we have, on Christ, on Family and on each other.

I love Christmas. I love the food and the family get togethers and the food and the lights (although not before Thanksgiving) and the food and the old carols and the food and the church services (especially Christmas Eve Silent Lord's Supper) and the food.

There's still that sense of anticipation for Christmas and New Years, but it's more of an anticipation of what God has planned for us and our family, than to see what kind of 'stuff' we can give and receive.

Gladys - I love Jesus ....

2008-11-14T15:44:00.000-05:00

This is just too funny not to share.

The Sacketts

2008-11-14T09:39:00.002-05:00

My Dad loves to read. Not everything mind you, he likes to read the newspaper, a sports magazine now and then and a certain genre of novel called "Western". Stories of the old west by such authors as Zane Grey and Louis L'Amour.

Growing up with my Dad and having those Louis L'Amour books laying around and being an avid reader myself, I couldn't help but pick them up and read them. One of L'Amour's favorite subjects was a family called "The Sacketts". There were a bunch of them.

There was:

Orrin
Tyrell
Tell
Jubal
Barnabas
Kin Ring
Yance
Echo Sackett (Only female member of the Sackett clan to narrate a story. Aunt of Tell, Orrin and Tyrel)
Logan
Nolan
Lando (short for Orlando)
Falcon
Flagan
Galloway
Parmalee (a Flatland Sackett)
Colburn (father of Tell and Orrin and Tyrell)

I think I know why Dad liked the stories of the Sacketts so much, or at least I like to think I do. They had a bit of a family motto "When you step on the toes of one Sackett,they all come running." With six of us Snyder Boys in the family and lots of cousins and uncles and such, I always believed (and still do) that if one of us was in trouble and put out a call for help, we would all come running.

We help each other. That's what families do. Maybe Louis L'Amour romanticized it a bit in his novels, but I really love the concept.

I've seen it in my own little family here in Kentucky. When we all found out that Aubri was pregnant at 15, all of us came together in support of her, stood with her and advocated for her. Now that Gabriella is here, the support continues.

We may not be Sacketts, but we're Snyders and that is more than good enough.

22 years ago

2008-11-12T06:46:00.002-05:00

I came across this picture, which is one of my favorites of all time, while poking around on our family website. It struck me that as much as things have changed, many things stay the same.

This is part of the gift that God has given me as a father and now as a grandfather. Babies feel safe with me. There have been very few babies over the year who don't become calm and fall asleep in my arms. It's a gift.

Either that or I'm just so incredibly boring that they go to sleep like I used to in Mr. Nielson's biology class. I prefer to think it's a gift.

Weekaversary

2008-11-09T20:05:00.002-05:00

It's been a week since I became a Papa! Isn't she beautiful?

Technology

2008-11-07T07:41:00.003-05:00

Isn't technology wonderful? From digital cameras that make it possible to share photos of my beautiful granddaughter almost instantly, to laptops that make it possible to access the world from practically anywhere, to cell phones that make it possible to share important news with family and friends anytime, anywhere.

22 years ago when Dusty was born and Laura and I were 3000 miles away from family, all these things would have been great to have. Instead, family and friends who were far away just had to wait until we had time and ability to notify them by phone or even slower, "snail mail"

So, why am I talking about all this? Well.... last week while Aubri was in labor I sent numerous text messages to family and friends keeping everyone up to date, whether they were interested or not. There are a couple of things I discovered.

Adults (in my family) over the age of let's say 39 (just cause my younger brother is 39) who don't have teenagers, just don't get the whole "texting" thing. Some didn't even know their phone could do that or how to access it if they got one. One conversation went something like, "Hey, did you call me?", "No, I sent you a text message." "Oh, I don't know anything about that."

Another thing I learned was that the various networks sometimes don't work quite as fast as we think they do. How do I know that? At 5:28AM this morning (yes, 5:30 does occur more than once a day) I was awakened by the sound of my cell phone telling me I had a text message. It alerts me to this fact by playing the "Hamster Dance". This isn't all that unusual, as I frequently receive messages from work at this time of day. However, I rolled over to check the message and it was a text message from my eldest brother, congratulating me on becoming a grandfather. Only thing was, he had actually sent the message 5 days ago.

He could have mailed me a card and it would have gotten here before the text message.

Isn't technology wonderful?

Uncle Dusty

2008-11-05T06:25:00.001-05:00

The women folk around here seem surprised at how natural Dusty has taken to holding and spending time with his niece.

I'm not surprised at all. He is my son afterall. Not to mention the fact that he has studied developmental psychology, which from talking to him, seemed to be one of his favorite psychology courses (I could be wrong there).

So, not only is Gabriella the most beautiful niece in the whole universe, Dusty can also see first hand all of the things that he had only heretofore studied about.

Isnt' it funny how we can look at a newborn baby and realize all those things we learn about human development and anatomy and all that other stuff we try to understand are minute compared to the blessing that God gives us in the child? All those things are brushed aside as we marvel at God's creation.

The Tradition Continues

2008-11-04T08:33:00.001-05:00

Gabriella's First Steeler Game.

Steelers 23 Redskins 6

Homecoming

2008-11-03T14:02:00.002-05:00

Shhhh.... I escaped.

Do you like my disguise?

Hi, My Name Is Gabriella

2008-11-02T08:36:00.002-05:00

My first video. I'm going to be a movie star.

Hello World

2008-11-02T08:31:00.003-05:00

Well, she finally did it, she decided it was time.

Nov 2, 2008, 01:51 AM, 8lbs 4oz, 21 inches long.

Say hello to Gabrella Grace.

Rock Star

2008-11-01T15:00:00.000-04:00

This picture was taken just two days after Dusty had his tonsils removed last spring. I didn't even know we had the picture until I saw it on Laura's cell phone.

Rock On, Dustmeister.

It Might be Today

2008-11-01T08:20:00.002-04:00

Okay, for anyone who may be checking in for Aubri's status, today could be it.

As it stands right now, Aubri is having fairly strong contractions about 6 minutes apart and has been for a little while.

Of course, it's now, when it's just me and her here at home. Laura is at work, Lins is at school, and Emily hasn't got here for the weekend yet. I guess it's a good thing I'm not one of those guys. You know the ones. They panic.

Not me. I'm calmly sitting here blogging on one computer and working my normal Fri/Sat night shift on the other while Aubri takes a bath. I guess I could go ahead and take a shower and make a pot of coffee. It's shaping up to be a very long day.

Note to self.... Gotta have that discussion with JP. If he thinks he's scared of me now, just wait.

Guess What

2008-10-31T09:21:00.002-04:00

No baby yet today. Aubri is in school and is even talking about going to the Home Coming game tonight.

We need everyone to pray that she goes into labor this weekend as the doctors are talking about inducing her possibly next week and we would rather not have that happen. Induced labor is one of the major reasons woman end up having C-sections. Not good for mom, not great for baby.

We all took out a few minutes last night and prayed that God's will be done and that everything occur naturally without man's intervention. Laura and I sat with Aubri and put our hands on Gabriella and prayed.

Post #50

2008-10-30T15:22:00.002-04:00

When I noticed I had 49 posts I just had to make one more to hit the auspicious number of

50.

Cool.

And to celebrate Halloween, click here Carve A Pumpkin

and here: Halloween Hangman

While you wait

2008-10-30T14:20:00.002-04:00

Well as long as we are just sitting around waiting for Gabriella to decide to be born we might as well play a game of Tic Tac Toe.

Tic Tac Toe

There's some great music that starts part way in so be sure to turn up your speakers.

What's Missing From This Picture?

2008-10-30T08:31:00.002-04:00

Look closely, can you see what's missing.

You're right. There's no baby!

Just dropped Aubri off at school. She stayed home yesterday, but no baby, so as punishment, she was sent back to school today.

Gabriella still hasn't decided that it's time yet. I don't know what she's waiting for, but whatever it is, it's going to be spectacular.

No, not yet

2008-10-29T07:06:00.002-04:00

Don't know if anyone is checking in here for updates, but if you are....

No, Gabriella has not decided to be born yet. She's doing a little positioning and making her mommy think the time is near, but I can almost hear her chuckling to herself. "Ok mom, it's almost time.... psych, no it's not." "Okay, here I come... ...gotcha again." "This is fun, I wonder how long I can keep it up?"

Is today the day? Aubri is staying home from school today, Laura thinks it may be time.

Stay tuned.

Another Day

2008-10-28T07:11:00.002-04:00

Another night has passed and Gabriella has still not decided to be born.

Is she scared? I don't think so.

I think she just really has a wonderful sense of humor. She knows everyone is waiting and she's seeing how long she can hide. It's okay. I'm a very patient Papa. Now, Grammie on the other hand....

She wants that baby bounced out of there.

The Wait Continues

2008-10-27T06:20:00.003-04:00

No baby yet as of 6:21AM Oct 27, 2008.

I'm getting the feeling that Gabriella is going to be stubborn just like her mother. Of course, I'm not the one pushing for her to arrive before she's ready, it's her Grammie. I'm content to wait to meet her at the proper time.

Will today be the day?

Vegetarians????

2008-10-26T14:01:00.004-04:00

I ran across the following article on Foxnews.com:

"The U.S. Army is flagging the popular blogging service Twitter as a potential terrorist tool, the Agence France-Presse news agency reported Sunday.

A recently released report by the 304th Military Intelligence Battalion contains a chapter entitled “Potential for Terrorist Use of Twitter,” which expresses concern over the increasing use of Twitter by political and religious groups, the AFP reported.

“Twitter has also become a social activism tool for socialists, human rights groups, communists, vegetarians, anarchists, religious communities, atheists, political enthusiasts, hacktivists and others to communicate with each other and to send messages to broader audiences,” according to the report."

What ever will we do if the vegetarians use Twitter to take over the world?

Blogging via email

2008-10-25T01:44:00.002-04:00

This is really cool, I'm writing this blog from my email account and just sending it. It will then post directly to my blog. I guess if I had email on my cell phone, I could blog from my phone. Ahhh... maybe some day.
_____________________________________________________________________
Get your own family web site at www.MyFamily.com!

The time is almost here

2008-10-25T00:36:00.003-04:00

I originally started this blog to capture some of my thoughts and feelings as we experienced Aubri's pregnancy. I have done some of that, here and there, sometimes whimsically, sometimes serious. I've also done other things just for fun or posted some things that were on my mind.

Today I'm posting as the birth of Gabriella Grace is very near, it could even be tonight. It's become more and more real for me in the past few weeks and I feel more engaged. For the past several months it has all been just a little surreal for me and I've kind of hung back and let Laura deal with almost everything, lending a hand at times, but mostly just hanging back.

I think I'm ready now, not that it would matter if I wasn't, she's coming whether I'm ready or not.

I looked out the back door today and noticed the little maple tree growing just off the back deck. Originally Laura had planted a maple tree from a nursery that was to be our anniversary tree. The drought last year killed the tree. Okay, lack of water killed the tree, I guess I could take responsbility for not watering it. This past spring I cut down the little tree that Laura had planted. I noticed coming up where the dead tree had stood were a couple sprigs with maple leaves on them. I left them grow.

The originial tree had been planted and staked up and protected. This new little tree is growing on it's own, gaining strength from being blown to and fro in the wind. Seeking nourishment by sending it's roots deep into the soil.

A thought crossed my mind, as I looked out the door at this little tree. It began it's life, growing little by little, at about the same time as Gabriella. Then I wondered, as I looked at this little maple, what will this little tree look like in 15 or 20 years? Will it weather the storms, will it survive the droughts, will it grow straight and true and strong?

A tear rolled down my cheek as I considered that tree and thought about my grandaughter about to enter this world. It's a tough time to be born, and a tough situation to be born into. There will be storms for all of us, there will be droughts. But a picture filled my mind as I imagined that little tree in 16 years. A picture of a young woman, sitting in the shade of it's branches, smiling at her Papa and saying "Tell me about my tree again Papa"

My Flame's been Kindle'd

2008-10-24T18:01:00.003-04:00

Have you seen this? It's new from Amazon.com.

It's a book reader, but sooooo much more. I know, I know, it's kinda pricey at $359, but it is soooooo cool.

There are over 185,000 book titles available, plus magazines and newspapers and blogs. And you can download music that you can listen to while you read... it can hold 200 books plus if you add an SD card it can hold even more.

And think of the trees you would be saving by not using the printed copies of these books, magazines, newspapers, etc.

It is attached to Amazon via Sprint's wireless network (you don't have to have a sprint account to use it). You can purchase and download a book in about a minute.

It's way cool. Maybe someday....

Taking Bets

2008-10-22T19:42:00.002-04:00

Laura wants to take bets as to Day, Time, weight for Gabriella's entrance into the world. I'm not participating. God will bring this baby into the world when He and she are ready.

Everyone is having dreams about the arrival of this baby, so other than the fact that Aubri is almost 40 weeks, the arrival is imminent. So, any guesses. Day, Time, weight, hair color?

Burn Baby Burn

2008-10-22T19:21:00.002-04:00

What better way to celebrate Aubri's Sweet Sixteen than to burn the big pile of brush in the back yard?

It was a really huge fire for about 15 minutes and then burned down to a nice hot dog, marshmallow, smore oven. Aubri had a couple of friends over to help her celebrate. What is it with kids today who have never been to a bon fire or camping? They barely knew how to put a hot dog on a sharpened stick. And roasting marshmallow.... no, just set them on fire, that gets it done quicker.

What am I reading?

2008-10-22T19:12:00.002-04:00

Reading this on Laura's recommendation and I must say I'm really enjoying it. This book has everything agnostics, atheists, Jews, Catholics, Baptists, cults. Learned a new term "Teleatheist" which would be the opposite of a Televangelist.

The Shack

2008-10-12T17:55:00.003-04:00

I just finished "The Shack". I must say it was a great book and a truly interesting look at God's love. I would highly recommend it to anyone.

Visit theshackbook.com

22

2008-10-11T02:05:00.002-04:00

Dusty turns 22 today. Wow, how did that happen and what does it mean?

This is the last year I can say that he's less than half my age. From now on he starts catching up. Next year he will be half my age and the year after he'll be more than half my age. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not.

Where did the years go? I can still remember clearly (believe it or not) the day he was born. The drive to the hospital, the time in labor and delivery (labor pains come, wake up, labor pain over go back to sleep).

I can still remember our first soccer practice. Neither of us knew a thing about it, but we got right in there, him playing, me coaching.

I can still remember his first real bike, after taking the training wheels off.

I remember sitting in the living room with Mike Rogers and Ron Burgess after Dusty went forward and accepted Jesus into his heart.

There have been a lot people and events that have shaped Dusty into the person he is today, and I was there for a good portion of them. God has truly blessed me with a son who I can be proud of and I thank Him for that as often as I can.

Dusty, if you read this, know that I am truly proud of you and honored to call you my son. I love you!

Behind the mask

2008-10-10T17:24:00.001-04:00

Be very careful if you decide you don't want your picture taken and you decide to put a paper plate in front of your face. It provides a perfect canvas for someone to have fun at your expense.

This is Laura's sister Chris at D and E's wedding.

Have a Ball

2008-10-10T09:32:00.003-04:00

You've all seen them, those big plastic / rubber balls women exercise with (most men wouldn't). Bouncing on them, stretching, doing all kinds of stuff. Sometimes called simply exercise balls, sometimes pilates balls.

Well if your not up on the latest in birthing technology and terms, it is also called a birthing ball. Here Aubri is sitting on one demonstrating. Apparently, when in labor if you sit on this 'birthing ball' it helps to open up the pelvis and helps make labor go smoother. You can even bounce up and down a little (with a spotter of course to make sure you don't bounce off) and it's supposed to feel good.

I don't know if Aubri will use it or not, but we have one just in case. (Okay, we already had one, it was originally an exercise ball before it was reclassified as a birthing ball, maybe someday it will once again be reclassified to a pilates ball)

Bad Blogger

2008-10-10T09:15:00.003-04:00

Not unlike my daughter-in-law, I've had some complaints recently that I am a "bad blogger". Apparently I don't blog enough to keep the 2 or 3 people who read this blog interested. They check back every day or two just to see what I may have written (I think they are secretly looking to see if they get mentioned, some hoping "yes", some hoping "no")

It's just been a kind of crazy season in my life lately with work, pregnant teenage daughter, soccer season, settingcaptivesfree mentor, blah, blah, blah.

Okay, okay, I know. Y'all are busy too and if you can take the time to check in to see if I've written anything, I should take the time not to disappoint you. I'll try and do better, but I'm making no promises.

Heirloom???

2008-10-01T07:32:00.000-04:00

Four newell posts from Peddler's Mall - $48

Wood and various hardware from Home Depot - $97

Left over pickets from our picket fence - $0

Building a daybed for our grandaughter's room - Priceless!

It's official

2008-09-19T19:02:00.002-04:00

I'm getting old.

There have been signs. Pain in my knees (but I blame that on my days in the Army); a few grey hairs (premature I reasoned); hair in odd places (I take vitamins, yeah, that's it); watching the news (gotta know what's going on, right?); knowing how many years before I'll be old enough to retire (planning ahead?).

I should have seen it coming. I noticed last week in church that my arms were getting shorter. Or at least it seemed that way as I tried to make out the music and words while singing hymns. I'd noticed it other times, like when reading a book. I recently complained when the new Sunday School materials came that they shouldn't reduce the font size every time they print stuff.

I went to the eye doctor today. I don't actually need bifocals yet. But he did suggest I get some 1.5 power reading glasses, just for when I need them. So I went to WalMart and bought a pair. You know the kind with about a half of a lens, that you often see more mature people wear on the tip of their nose.

It's official, I'm getting old.

Support

2008-09-17T07:22:00.002-04:00

Aubri has gotten such wonderful support from her friends. Sunday the Cross Country/Track Team girls threw her a baby shower at Gondolier's and gave her some wonderful gifts.

Not only were the girls present but also the Cross Country coach (John Russell) and the principal (Bill Dennison). The team picked up the cost of the meal for all those present.

We have been very blessed.

What Am I Reading

2008-09-16T13:12:00.005-04:00

At the recommendation of my beautiful wife I have just begun reading

I will let you know what I think. I just started Chapter 1 last night.

And as part of a study to become a Mentor Coordinator with Setting Captives Free I have been reading

Despite the fact that my brilliant son Dusty will graduate with a BS in Psychology in December, I am really enjoying this book. It has given me some insights into how pervasive psychological terms have become in our everyday language that we accept unproven (and sometimes unprovable) concepts as fact.

Jolly and Green

2008-09-16T06:49:00.000-04:00

Just because she said to Laura as she took the picture "Dad's gonna put this on his blog", how can I resist.

Hurricane Ick

2008-09-15T06:40:00.002-04:00

I know, I know it was Ike, but geez louise, even here in Kentucky it has made things kind of crazy.

Power is out all around, (not here or I wouldn't be typing this), roads are closed with debri all over the place.

It's okay though, there is a blessing in all of this. I'm going to work from home today for the fifth work day in a row. The authorities in Louisville are asking people to stay off of the roads and I don't see any reason not to heed their request.

Breakfast of Champions

2008-09-11T11:03:00.002-04:00

What does a 45 year old man eat for breakfast on his birthday? I could have eaten birthday cake that was given to me by D and Em on Tuesday when they came up to celebrate my birthday a couple of days early.

But noooooo......

I resisted the urge.

Laura would tell you I don't really need to eat the fiber, but... oh well.

Spiritual Warfare

2008-09-11T07:30:00.002-04:00

My sister-in-law Lisa who is a "baby christian" sent this to me. Watch the video to the end, it is awesome.

Building for Baby

2008-09-08T07:32:00.001-04:00

Laura bought a bookcase to use in the Gabby's room to hold diapers and what-not.

Aubri got to show off the skills she learned in wood shop last year.

Driving Screws (I would have put that a different way, but it didn't seem right)

Hammering

Measuring

Now Laura and I are building a Day Bed for in the room. I'll post more on that as the project goes forward.