Successful Hunt

This past Saturday morning, we (my hunting buds) woke up at 5am and got ready for opening day of the modern rifle deer season. Dang, that's early, but it's almost like the night before Christmas as a kid...you can't sleep, it consumes your thoughts, you can't wait until the morning, know what I mean?

I got into my stand about 6:25am, it was dark and very still. I love watching the woods come to life when I go hunting, it's really a spectacular thing. I'd been in the stand for maybe an hour or so and I turned to my left, and I saw this buck heading my way. I've been hunting for almost 10 years now and in all those years I have shot 2 deer. My first deer was a spike buck...little guy, but a buck. Two years ago I got a small nine pointer...a pretty small rack, but hey it's a nine pointer. As I looked through my scope on Saturday I saw that the buck coming my way was a pretty decent size. As this buck was headed my way, I found my heart was pounding something fierce...it was like my heart was in my throat! I pulled the safety off, waited until the deer was in a clearing...and BAM!! The deer was harvested.

**The official term for killing a deer is to "harvest" a deer...I find that funny. Some other alternative terms...to 'bag' a buck, to 'cap' a deer, to 'lay a deer down', to 'smoke' a deer...I think any of those terms are better than 'harvest.'

So it was officially an eight point buck...I'm having him mounted at a local taxidermist (talk about a creepy looking place!)...I ought to have it sometime in January.

We had a great time...I'd call our camping experience "semi-roughing it". As you can see in some of the pics, the old bus we stay in is kinda cozy! We didn't see many more deer after Saturday...deer are smart and know when they are being hunted. So it's kinda like a waiting game...got to be consistent in the hunt! I came home on Tuesday morning, the rest of the guys continued to hunt and my father-in-law called last night and said one of the other guys 'harvested' an eight pointer as well. Until next year!!

to the hunt!

I'm preparing to hit the road this morning and head towards the western part of the state. My first stop will be at Hillvue Heights in Bowling Green. There I'll be hanging out with a dear ole friend Jamie Ward...just spending some time picking his brain a bit. Jamie is on staff there at Hillvue...their church is doing some really innovated ideas to reach people for Christ. I've been looking forward to getting up with him and again, just picking his brain.

Tonight I'll be watching the UL / West Virginia game...ought to be a doozy! It's in Morgantown, so that alone will be tough. The Cards are coming off a bye week, so hopefully they'll be fresh and pumped. After the Cards beat WVA last year, I'm sure they'll be out for some blood.

Friday morning officially begins some off time...more important it's about some serious deer hunting. I'll be with my father-n-law and a handful of other fellas. It's nothing but hunting, eating, playing cards...in that order for about 5-6 days. I hope I can bag a monstrous BUCK. That's always the plan...if I don't see any bucks by Tuesday...look out Bambi!

No blogging will occur until I return...I'll try to take some pics so you can capture the moment with me while sitting in a tree stand.

UnChristian

I'm about middle way through Dan Kinnaman's book unchristian. Dan is the president of The Barna Group, they are the George Gallup in the Church arena. I blogged several weeks ago when this book first hit the shelves...I picked up a copy at the Catalyst Conference in Atlanta. One of the sessions that I attended was Dan and several others who contributed to this book lead a panel discussion about the premise of UnChristian.

The ideal behind the book and research is what a this generation really thinks about Christianity...and let me tell you from what I've read, we better listen up, because we, the church, need to address this in some form or fashion.

Kinnaman has researched and looked at several key words and phrases that people use to describe present-day Christianity. One of those words is HYPOCRITICAL (saying one thing, doing another) Here's a quote that really struck me hard in the "hypocritical" chapter...of the pool of unchristian people polled:

"84% say they personally know at least one committed Christian. Yet just 15% thought the lifestyles of those Christ followers were significantly different from the norm. This gap speaks volumes."

Dang, that hurts!

"I am not trying to hammer born-again believers; it deeply troubles me that our witness - including my own - waters down the image of Jesus."

That perception smacks me upside my head! It challenges me...Jesus sums it all up when it comes to this idea of hypocrisy.

"Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness. You are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are filthy - full of greed and self-indulgence." Matthew 23

I'd encourage anyone who is a follower of Christ to pick this book up and read it...then react.

Good weekend...good friends

This past weekend some very dear friends to my family came up from Chattanooga...Geron, Lydia and Cora. We've known the Browns for about 8 years now...we were all members at FBC together, Lydia played piano...Geron was on staff with us at FBC as an intern (the Intern of all Interns!) Just good ole friends!

We didn't have a real set agenda, just hung out...some good late night conversations, dined at a couple good restaurants (You can't come to Richmond without eating at Casa Cafe'), and played some cards. And not just any card game...I'm talking some 'Hand n Foot' A great game they taught us some time ago...usually we play guys vs gals...they (the gals) KILLED us on Friday night, but we sought our revenge on Saturday night.

Geron and I spent some time tweaking the blog site. He's a computer savvy kind of a guy...so we took some pics...toasted them up on Photoshop, and made some changes. By the way the sunset pic was taken from the front of our house...we've got a great view out here!

We are blessed to have good buds like the Browns...always a good time when we get together...let's get together soon guys!

a new look

going for a new look...i'll share more later

Trunk or Treat

Last night our church hosted a "trunk-n-treat" for kiddos in our community. Bunches and bunches of kids came through...ministerially speaking at least 1200! Kids were racking up on the candy without having to walk fifty miles in the neighborhoods.

Bryan did some trick-or-treating on Tuesday night (that's when us richmond folk celebrate halloween...Oct. 30th...didn't get that decision from our city council) he brought home all kinds of good stuff. I reminisced back to my younger days of hitting the neighborhoods with friends...and then I found this picture...this was so me after a night of trick-or-treating! I was a bit of a neat freak/gotta have order about certain things in life...this was one of them.

Life Lesson from my parents...

Growing up I've had many "life lessons" from my parents...some were learned the easy way, others the hard way.

One lesson I distinctly remember was never to play with matches...this just came through the headlines in the news...I am bummin' for this kid.

Good game on Saturday & random stuff...

-Saturday's UofL game was a good one...they beat Pittsburgh 23-13. Holly and I scored two tickets to the game...drove up Friday night and spent the night with mom. She made some of her famous chili for dinner and then we played some rummy.

-PERFECT football weather on Saturday...kinda cold with a slight breeze every-now-and-then. I LOVE the atmosphere of a college football game...it's kinda hard to describe if you've never been. You just feel so part of the game! We're hoping to go to the Louiville / Rutgers game after Thanksgiving.

-Friday morning myself and four other buddies went to Old Silo to play some golf. What a great time we had...started off with some breakfast at good ole Cracker Barrel. Old Silo is a tough course, last time I played it...it ate my lunch. On Friday, it ate my lunch and dinner!

-However, the highlight of the day was playing with a good friend who just got back from Iraq. I cannot imagine being gone from my family for 15 months and then to come home and pick things up where you left. Believe me the golf was secondary...it was just good to have our friend Marty home...back in the US and safe. Thanks Marty for serving the way you did! Let's play some more golf soon...on second thought...how about Frisbee golf instead?

-The hunting season is just around the corner...and I am getting stoked! Six days of being in the woods...hunting all day, eating and playing cards at night. Not a bad way to spend a week! I've been getting myself pumped up by watching some of my hunting DVD's. These things crack me up, but they do get me stoked! I'll make sure and take some pics while in the tree stand, so you can feel excited.

Be prayer warriors for us...

Some exciting news within the Prosser household...for sometime now we have talked and prayed about adoption. We have talked and waited for the right timing...we knew that we wanted to wait until Bryan was 100% healthy...and now that he is, we are ready to TAKE THE LEAP OF FAITH!

Tonight Holly and I had a meeting with an adoption agency in Danville, we wanted to sit and talk out some questions...and hear some wisdom. So now we are taking the first steps into the world of adoption. We are excited and stoked about what lies ahead...so I wanted to ask that you pray along with us in that everything will begin to come to fruition.

Fair Catch!!

fair catch:
when a kick returner decides only to catch a punt or kickoff and not advance it, protecting himself from being hit by an opponent; he signals for a fair catch by raising one hand in the air and waving it.

If you watched the Louisville / UCONN game on Friday night, you saw TWO HORRIBLE blown calls by the referees. One of those calls was where UL was kicking off to UCONN...the receiver CLEARLY calls for a fair catch...the Louisville defense eases up because of the fair catch, but the receiver begins to run down the sideline all the way in for a touchdown.

For some reason the play could not be reviewed, because fair catches can't be reviewed...that's STUPID...anyhow, the Cards lost another tough game. That makes them 4-4 with a huge game against Pittsburgh next Saturday.

Ughhhhhh....I love college football, but I can't stand a blatant lousy call...oh well Go Cards...I'm still loyal!

random-ness

-Crazy weather here...it's mid-October and it's been like 80 degrees. I'm a 'summer time' guy, but this is ridiculous...I'm even ready for some cooler weather.

-Bryan got his cast off this past Monday. His arm didn't look all that bad after being wrapped up for almost five weeks. The doc said he still needs to take it easy on any heavy activity for at least three more weeks.

-What is going on in the world of college football?? Everyone is getting beat! Anybody see South Florida get knocked off by Rutgers? This gives my Cards a chance at the Big East title...if they win out from here.

-This Sunday I'll be leading our college Bible study. In my new role, this ministry is one of my new responsibilities...and I'm really stoked about teaching again. We've taken a different approach to trying to meet our college students needs. We encourage them to sleep in on Sunday's...come to our 11am worship...following that we have lunch and a time of bible study with them. So not a bad deal!

-I'm still 'transitioning' into my new role at FBC...still working behind-the-scenes with our youth ministry. We've got a youth interim, whose doing an outstanding job, while our search team had been looking. Keep on praying for our search team...they've received about 100 resumes so far! But I'm really enjoying a wide variety of areas of ministry in this new role...I'm definitely being stretched spiritually.

-Been reading some really good books lately...I'll blog about one in particular sometime soon. It's pretty eye opening for anyone who is a follower of Christ. The book is called "UnChristian"...I just started it, so I'll share some thoughts about it soon.

-It's been a long, but good week. I'm really looking forward to the weekend. Tomorrow (my day off) will consist of the following:
*Coffee and newspaper at Starbucks (after dropping Bryan off at school)
*Driving range...gotta work on the short game a bit (if it doesn't rain)
*Work in the yard...planting some grass seed! (if it doesn't rain!)
*Play some guitar hero with B
*Watch the Cards vs UCONN at 8pm (espn!)

Top five list...

Last week as Bryan I were driving home from somewhere...he asked me, "Alright dad...what's your top five favorite songs of all time, in no particular order" (he actually said that too!) So after much thought we both shared our songs and who performed them. Here's my top five (in no particular order!)

1. "Don't You Forget About Me" by Simple Minds (This is song came out in 80's...it was featured in the movie "The Breakfast Club." The song just takes me back to highschool.)

2. "Where the Streets Have No Name" by U2 (I'm a huge fan...incredible experience to see them perform this live back in 1987 at Rupp...gives you goose bumps. And...I remember some great memories back in the college days, of my good buddy Alan Creech and I traveling on Old Richmond Road cranking this song up as loud as his stereo could handle...I think that was in the blue Honda Accord?? is that right Alan??)

3. "In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel (again, featured in the movie with John Cusack, Say Anything"...remember him holding up the 'jam box' over his head in front of the girls house??)

4. "Jesus Freak" by dcTalk (just a stinking rockin' song that spells it out)

5. "Sweet Home Alabama" by Skinny Lynrd, I mean Lynyrd Skynyrd (in my book one of the best 'crank it up loud while you are driving' songs EVER!)

Okay what are your top five favorite songs of ALL times? Share them with everyone...and remember, in no particular order (my son cracks me up!)

Wowed by Catalyst

Wow...I mean WOW! What a conference last week in Atlanta...it was the Catalyst Conference and by far one of the best that I've ever attended. I was moved, refueled, motivated, refreshed, excited, enthused, stirred, inspired…etc. You get the idea!

Many different speakers / teachers that came from all kinds of backgrounds led the different sessions. Of course each session began with some really incredible worship music…it was like being at a rock show, yet the focus was totally on God and praising His name. Talk about some great worship leaders…Steve Fee was pretty phenomenal!

My favorite session / speaker?? It would be a tie between Andy Stanley and Craig Groeschel, both pastors in very large churches, but I couldn’t write fast enough in taking notes…just good practical stuff! I’m going to try and persuade the rest of our staff here at FBC to go next year (Oct. 8-10)…a very moving conference.

Holly and Bryan drove down Thursday night and following the conference on Friday we spent the rest of the weekend seeing the sights and sounds of Atlanta. We did the Georgia Aquarium, the Coke Factory, CNN center, ate at some really good restaurants…just some great family time! We got home yesterday afternoon after a quick stop in Chattanooga to visit our buds the Brown family.

As always it was good to come home…after a week of Atlanta traffic…coming home to Richmond was like coming home to Mayberry!

Catalyst 2007

This Tuesday afternoon I'm hopping on a plane headed to Atlanta for the Catalyst Conference 2007. It's what they title, a "next generation" leadership conference and I've been really looking forward to this for some time.

There will be some great speakers and general sessions to attend...you can go here to check that part out. They offer a variety of workshops to attend as well...the one that I'm going to is being led my Mark Batterson...I read his book, "In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day" back in April...a really good read focusing on one verse taken from 1 Samuel.

Again, there's a host of other speakes that I'm really looking forward to hearing...I think I'm just looking forward to some spiritual renewal...I need that, more than often and sometimes just getting away and out of a routine helps with that "freshness"...and not having any responsibility other than just listening...oooh that sounds real nice!

CSI is back!

Whewww...after a long summer break from CSI's, it's back! Officially it was back on Monday with CSI:Miami.

You have to understand, I'm a CSI junkie...I don't have a lot of shows that I follow, I mean really follow...I am a fan of all three of them. I blogged about this sometime ago, but all three are so alike in some ways and then really diverse. They all have a “lead” man…Grissom, Mac and Horatio…of course they are investigating ‘crime’ (duh, that’s the idea!)

Monday night kicked off the new season with Miami…got to say, not my favorite…kinda thought it STUNK! Last night was New York…HOME RUN show…really done well and they even added a little something extra that could play out the entire season.

Tonight it the original CSI…Vegas. They left a huge cliffhanger for you to ponder on throughout the summer…and that will come to a close tonight. So we’ll see if they can top New York.

Of the three lead men…I’m a Mac Taylor fan. I’ve always been a fan of Gary Sinise…you know Lt. Dan from Forrest Gump??

Sign spinners

Have you seen these guys? Usually out on the corner somewhere of some busy thoroughfare...of course holding a "sign" advertising a business (fast-food, car dealerships, etc.)

We've got a spinner not to far down from the church who advertises for Little Caesars...and this guy is pretty good. He always has his ipod in his ears, a good pair of gloves (the look like winter ones) and of course his sign. He dances as he flips the sign and it's really a sight to see...and I think it definitely draws attention...and the guy looks like he's having fun!

I wonder if we need to have someone advertising like that in front of the church...it would definitely be innovative. Can you picture a group of deacons in shorts and tee shirts, with winter gloves on, with ipods in their ears out spinning a sign, promoting the church? I can see it!

Broken arm / Green Cast

Last week our son Bryan came home from a friends house all wrapped up in a sling. Apparently they had been skateboarding and Bryan fell...last Friday it was verified that B had broken his arm in two places. He's sporting a rather cool looking lime green cast (I'll post a pic later) and will be wearing it for just a few weeks.

Dang, he's a trooper...this is nothing compared to all that he's went through last year and I think that's helped in deal with this. By the way Bryan's last surgery was back in June...they took "the tube" out and he's been like a new kid since. We get very excited when he...poops! Sorta brings back memories when he was two!

Just so you know...

Great game on Saturday night...yes, I wish it was a better turnout. But just so you know...I'm not a bandwagon fan of the Cards, always have been and always will be. You cut me open...I'll bleed red! Some of the UK fans were in such an uproar whenever Coach Brooks made a play they didn't like or the outcome wasn't the best...no wonder Tubby left for Minnesota.

What stunk last night (other than Louisville's defense) were some of the UK fans...I would venture to say they borderlined STUPIDITY and just plain OBNOXIOUS...now notice I said "some" of the fans not all. The walk from the stadium to our car was like walking through a gauntlet of sorts. Little kids, big kids reminding me of who won the game as I was proudly wearing my Louisville jersey. As if I didn't know...I simply just said "what a game" to them and waited for a response back...they didn't know how to respond because I had defused the conversation. I think I was "flipped off" (you know the finger!) like a dozen times by, once again, obnoxious UK fans.

I know Cardinal fans aren't innocent of this kind of taunting...there are a few nutty fans there to. But I will say this...I was at the game last year when the Cards won at Pappa Johns stadium over the cats and from what I saw the Cardinal fans had some class about them...even with a victory!

Good game to all the cat fans...maybe this means we'll win the basketball game!

college football

Since the first weekend of the college football season...I've been loving it! I went to the EKU/UK game two weeks ago, and although the Colonels got thumped...the atmosphere was great.

Tomorrow night is the big UL/UK game and I am stoked. A buddy of mine has PREMO tickets (50 yard line, lower level)...the only problem is that we'll be in a sea of blue and we'll be decked out in red.

The Cards have them beat offensively...it's their defense that's suspect! Ought to be a good game...I'm hoping the Cards roll on top of the kitty cats...that would make my day!

Blogging block

Just not in the mood to blog...

thou shalt not labor

I love labor day...I like these Monday holidays a lot. Today we are having some good friends over for a cookout...my mom from the Ville is coming as well.

My mom retired back in January of this year and she seems to be loving every minute of it. She's in the process of selling her house and moving into a new place along with my sister and her family.

I really love my family...when you break it all down, that is what really matters the most. I value my family and my time with my family...if you ask my opinion, one of the reasons our world is so out of WHACK today...the breakdown of the family.

Oh yea, I've entered into the Facebook arena of the world. It's been a great way to connect with people...I even had someone send me a message asking if we went to elementary school together! Crazy stuff...you can go here to check out my Facebook.

Very interesting

Hollybird came across this today and showed it to me. Really interesting...make sure and hit the "NOW" button. Some pretty sad numbers...

This is weird

Go here for some...ummmm...dog weirdness. Got this from Marko's blog.

Powerball players?

Okay, the other day I'm out with my buddy Jon hitting the links in 105 degree temperature. We got on the subject of the lottery and we asked each other...what would you do with the money? How would it change how you do life? Hmmmmm....

Before I tell you my thoughts...how about you? The powerball lottery is like 300 MILLION dollars. If you won the powerball...how would you spend it? Be honest! I'll tell you my thoughts in a few days. Let me hear from you!

Rainy Tuesday...

I love a good rainy day every now and then...I'm an outdoor kind of a guy, but I really love a day when all it does is rain. Not real sure why...just do! (However! I hope it will not rain on Friday...thinking about playing some golf that day!)

Random Thoughts from my brain...

I've figured it out...any time the title of my blog reads "random thoughts" that means that I've been lazy in the blogging world and it's just a cool way to to catch up! Just a thought.



Much has taken place in the Prosser household in the past week...
-Bryan started school on Wednesday. My boy is in the SEVENTH GRADE...dang, that ain't right. But I'm so proud of him. This year before school began he negotiated with us on a new bed time. We agreed only if he gets up each school morning without being a bear.

-Things at FBC have been a little crazy...good but crazy. Our pastor had more back surgery a few weeks ago, so I've been prechin' the past three weeks. I'll be wrapping up a series I've been doing this coming Sunday. On top of that we are still without a youth minister interim...so I'm playing that role as well as my new position. We've got a youth minister search team together and they have been meeting for several weeks now...we've received lots of résumés’ and we hope to have someone on board by the end of the year.

-Mom is selling her house! This past weekend Bryan and I drove up to the Ville to help spruce the home up a bit before her first open house yesterday. Mom and my sister (and her family) are building a house together...that will put mom a little closer to us and will allow her to downsize a little bit. It's a good move for her!

-FOOTBALL season is almost here! I'm not sure why, but it seems like the past several years I have thoroughly enjoyed the football season (especially college). I've always been a fan...but I'm really stoked about the season. I'm already going to the EKU / UK game and then to the UL / UK game. That means I'll be in Commonwealth stadium like twice in one month...yuck! But hey it's football.

-Today I’ve got a doctors appointment…seems the past month I’ve had a real bad stomach problem. Not real sure what’s up…guess I’ll find out today.

Love is in the air

Last Tuesday, August 7th marked are 14th year of marriage...what a great anniversary we had. It's hard to believe that it's been 14 years...the time has flown and all the while I've found myself more in love with Holly than day one. I love our marriage! I love Holly! It's an amazing thing to be in love...I mean she's my best friend and companion for life.

To celebrate (censored version)...last Thursday we went up to Florence to the Wildwood Inn for the night. Slept in on Friday, went to Starbucks for coffee...saw the Bourne Ultimatum (good movie)...and then for dinner we went to The Melting Pot in Cincy. Hmmmm good food!! Check out the web site here.

A great week of celebrating...here's to 14 more years Bird! Love ya!

sorry?

One of the "rules" in blogging that I've seen over and over is not to apologize for not blogging...well I'm breaking the rules.

It's been extremely busy since we've been home from vacation...

The BEST part of today is the fact that 14 years ago Holly and I said "I do" to one another. I am CRAZY in love with my wife...we are getting away Thursday night for a couple of days and I can't wait.

I'll blog more later...

A few pics from vacation

Dang, what a busy week...our children's ministry at our church had VBS this week and I was a recreation leader. It was like organized chaos! But a great week with a bunch of kids.

Two weeks ago we were in California for some vacation...what a week we had. Really loved being out in that neck of the woods, but would NOT want to live there...I guess I'm pretty much accustomed to the simpler life here in Richmond, KY.

You name it...we did it. Disneyland, Disney California, Hunnington Beach (surf city!), Venice Beach (WEIRD!), Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Sea World (San Diego), and Universal Studios in Hollywood. One night we went to the Medieval Times which was really a lot of fun. It was eating food with your hands while you cheered on different horses and their riders while they dueled, jousted, etc. Funny stuff!

We all had our favorite parts of the trip...it was so much different than going to the beach and being a lazy slug the whole week. I just really enjoyed being with my family. My favorite place we went to was Universal Studios in Hollywood. They just had a really cool set up throughout the whole park.

When we returned home Holly and I both went through the "home from vacation funk." The thought of getting back into "normal" life was tough to transition to. Glad to be home...

Coming Soon!

Got some great pics and stories about our Cali vacation...promise to get a few post out, but this week at our church we are involved in VBS (masses of kids!!!) So maybe over the weekend I'll work on this!

California Bound

Won't be blogging much until we return...we are up in da Ville tonight at my sister's house. Tomorrow we'll be California bound! See ya when we get back!

Officially on VACATION

Today marks the first day of a two week vacation...I've never taken this many days off at one time, but I am totally stoked and think I'll be able to manage it.

What's on the agenda today?
-Teeing off at 9:52am...got a new swing as of last Thursday, we'll see how it pans out
-Home Run Derby tonight at 8pm...got a buddy coming over to watch.
-Hanging out with my family, maybe some guitar hero with Bryan

Tomorrow?
-Getting packed up for California
-Driving up to da Ville to stay with my mom, who is going with us!

Wednesday?
-Fly out at 12:15pm-ish...I love hanging out in airports, always have, always will

The 4th of July

Having a "holiday" mid-week has really thrown my sense of time off just a bit. Wednesday felt like a Friday...then yesterday really felt like a Saturday and today (Saturday) feels like a...Saturday?? Anyhow...it's been nice to have some days off, even mid week.

Me and the fam went up to Cincy to watch the Red legs play the San Fran Giants...I was really hoping to get a chance to watch Barry Bonds yank one out of the park. He didn't even play that day...said he had sore legs.

It was a good game...we had decent seats as you can see. The new ballpark really doesn't have a bad seat in the place. It was a combo of sunny/overcast throughout the day. Hollybird got ROASTED by the sun...

About the 8th inning you could see some rain clouds rolling in...Then all of a sudden, WHOOSH!!! I hadn't seen it rain that hard in a long time and to come on so quickly. We stuck around during the rain delay, but ended up leaving before play started back...the Reds lost...again! According to the scoreboard the "highlight" of the game was the Reds grounds crew trying to get the rain tarp on the field before it got really flooded...it was a hoot to watch. Pretty sad for your team when that was the highlight of the game!

I've been a Reds fan all my life and will continue to be one...good times and the bad. He at least they've won a recent World Series (1990) unlike the Chicago Cubs (1908!) That's for you Geron!

I crumbled and gave in

A few post ago; I was telling you of a goal that I had set out for myself. For years now I've been a diet-coke-aholic...I can easily admit it. So my goal was to go three weeks with no pop...first week came and went (not without its challenges and serious cravings for pop, also some HUGE headaches as well!) The second week was good until Friday night.

We decided to go to The Pub in Lexington for some grub...they have a great fish & chips there. I succumbed to the temptation and had 2 glasses of Diet Coke with a lime...and dang, if it wasn't the best Diet Coke with lime that I'd ever had.

So the goal wasn't quite met...since Friday I've had a few other diet cokes (just during dinner)...I'm even drinking some Kool-aid right now. At least this time I went longer than four hours!

Walmart & Waffle House

Thursday night Bryan and I had an impromptu “Dad and Lad” night. Since Bryan’s surgery and recovery he has had LOTS of cards sent his way…in one of them he scored a Wal-Mart gift card that was already burning a hole in his pocket even before he put it there.

So we went to Wal-Mart Thursday night around 8pm…as always it seemed like EVERYBODY was at Wal-Mart that night…I bet we saw 15 people from the church, so we spent some time talking and chatting with folks.

Bryan shopped for a new CD and got an MXPX disc, which is really good! After that we went over to Hastings to browse around…I found a DVD that I’d been looking for. It’s U2’s Vertigo Tour live from Chicago…good stuff…I think they played like four really old songs from back in the day (for U2 fans I’m talking from Boy and October!).

We then started to head home when Bryan suggested some Waffle House. I’m thinking “Waffle House??? Hmmmmm…yea why not, lets make a waffle house memory.” So we pulled in, gobble up some breakfast grub, laughed and made some memories. Even took a few pics of the night.

I love spending time with Bryan…

Randomness

*Bryan is getting better each and every day. He's still pretty sore and needs a little assistance getting up and laying down. He's tough as can be! I'm so proud of my son...its been a pretty painful past few days for him when we have to change the "dressing" on his wound (two times a day!). He just sucks it up and goes with it. I can't wait until he's fully recovered from all of this.

*Went and saw Evan Almighty last night with the fam. Although critics really hammered it...I thought it was good. LOTS of great teachable clips that could be used!!

*On Monday I purchased a new game for the Xbox-360. Of course I got it for Bryan...hmmm, sure I did...anyhoo, we got Guitar Hero Two. Crazy game...all of us were playing it together last night trying to out do each other. Bryan seems to be a bit of a natural. The coolest song we have so far is "Sweet Child of Mine." I'll have to get some pics of us playing...Holly-bird can rock the house!

*Vacation is drawing near. I don't think I've ever looked forward to getting away on vacation as much as this one. It's been a really different/difficult year for us as a family...lots of challenges to say the least. I'll have to post about the past year sometime soon to give you some perspective. Soooo...we are taking off to sunny California here in a few weeks to go see the sights. Disneyland, Universal Studios, Hollywood, Sea World, maybe a baseball game...it's just going to be us three and my mom this year. I'm really enjoying looking forward to getting away...does that make sense?

Trying to kick a HUGE habit

For years I've been a diet-pop-oholic. I love the taste of an ice cold diet pop, I prefer diet Pepsi or diet Mt. Dew. But when I say I'm a diet-pop-oholic...I'm talking some days downing like TWO 2-liters a day.

So as of last Sunday I decided to try and kick the habit...at least try and really cut back. I tried this once with a former yute, Jessie Russell. I think she was a senior in high school and we had a bet to see who could go the longest with no soft drinks. Well, I lasted like four hours because my head was pounding from caffeine withdrawal. Oww! Jessie went like a year with no pop...my hero.

As of today, Monday, June 25th I have gone seven days with no diet-pop or for that matter any kind of carbonated drink. Yep, the caffeine headaches have tried to creep up on me, so I've been downing a cup of coffee to help ease the pain.

I'm not saying I'll never drink a diet pop again...my goal is to go at least two more weeks before we go on vacation. I've been drinking lots of water and lots of juices in the mean time...and they taste great.

Hold me accountable these next few weeks...even the thought of a nice icy cold diet Mt. Dew sounds refreshing.

God Tube

Came across this today while surfing around...it's the alternative to YouTube.com. It’s called GodTube. You can go here to check it out. Pretty interesting stuff…I watched a handful of videos. Check it out, let me know what you think.

we're home!

Thanks to those who prayed for our son Bryan...his surgery went very well. We ended up spending two nights at UK (dang they have a incredible staff of docs and nurses). We got home this morning and Bryan is resting comfortably as a type.

We pray this is the last of the surgeries...docs seem to think it will be. He'll be out of action for a little while. These next few weeks he'll spend recouping...just in time for some family vacating! Thanks again for your prayers...our God is an awesome God.

A prayer request

Tomorrow our son Bryan will be having surgery. Almost a year ago he had tube placed in his side to help out things involving the colon. If you have followed my blog you will know that over the past year, it's been a real adventure to say the least...he's had several surgeries all related to this tube.

But tomorrow the tube is coming out...along with his appendix. So we would really covet your prayers for our son tomorrow and the days to come. Bryan is an INCREDIBLE, TOUGH AS NAILS, RESILIENT boy. He’s gone through all of this with an extraordinary spirit…something that I would have really struggled with! BP rocks the house!

Ichthus Recap...

Great weekend at Ichthus. Nice and warm, but hey there was no rain or snow or hurricanes or tornados!

Heard some great bands throughout the weekend...Here are some of my favorites: Skillet, Chris Tomlin, Reliant K, Newsboys, Toby Mac, Phil Keaggy (yup, I said Phil Keaggy...one of the old school guys who can still out play any guitar player there!).

I even went over to the deep end stage...this is where they would have your harder sounding bands...I mean really hard. Now some of them I must say were EXTREMLEY talented with the instruments, but the singing part...I just didn't get. I can't even call it singing...it was the monstrous, barking like a dog / throaty, thrashing sound that just made me go hmmmmm... I don't get it. I know I sound old in saying that, but I just don't get it.

The surprise band for me and the one that I thought had the best stage presence was Hawk Nelson. These fellas were rocking the house...great punky sound, heavy guitars; fun lyrics...even went and bought their disc.

Another surprise for me was the fact that my lovely wife Holly went with us on Saturday. Just know this...Holly is NOT a big concert go-er, let alone a music festival go-er. But she came along and we had a blast together. We both enjoyed dancing around to Toby Mac and crew. So that was plus having my bride with me!

Another plus, was hanging out with my good old buddy Robert (Robo) Coffey and his daughter Taylor. Robo and I go waaayyyy back to the college days. Since then we've been in each others weddings, been there for one another when our children were born...just a great bud.

So another Ichthus down...would love to go back next year, maybe even take Holly for two days!

ICHTHUS 2007

This Friday and Saturday my son Bryan and I are going to tackle huge crowds of sweaty, stinky bodies and rock out to many bands at ICHTHUS. I've been going to Ichthus for many years now...I must admit I really don't enjoy it like I used to. The crowds are just too big for me...I have no desire to squirm my way up to the front (like I used to!) to get the "good view". I guess I'm just getting old...I don't know...

Anyhoo...we are going to hang out together...I'm looking forward to hearing some of my favorite bands like Newsboys, Toby Mac, Skillet, Thousand Foot Krutch, etc. Bryan is really into some of the "harder" bands...not me...I find myself souding like my dad when I was a teenager listening to Billy Idol and Prince. It kinda comes back doesn't it!

I'll enjoy the fact that we'll spend some time together as a dad and lad!

The last two weeks

I REALLY am trying to be a more consistent blogger, but sometimes things just get too busy. Summertime is here and things have been extremely busy...so here's what's happened the past couple of weeks.

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION / ROAD TRIP
Two weeks ago I turned 39 (dang...I'm knocking on 40's door). We decided to celebrate by going to visit some best friends in the whole wide stinking world...the Brown family in Chattanooga. Went down on a Thursday night and it was our first official "family" trip in our new van. Had a great drive down...cranking out some tunes on the iPod, etc.

Geron and Lydia Brown have been dear friends of ours for many years...they moved to Chattanooga about three years ago (i think). Chattanooga is a great town...we basically just hung out together, playing cards, catching up on everything. One of the highlights of the trip was to see their little girl Cora...man she's a sweetheart! We had to come back Saturday night...it's never long enough, but we had a great time together.

Oh yea...birthday gifts that were received! Holly and my mom chipped in on golf lessons with a local pro here in Richmond. If you read some previous post you'll see I'm trying to get a little more consistent in my game. So a great gift! (I'll let you know how that pans out). I received some $$$ from my in laws...thanks guys...I'll probably use that for something golf related. My good buddy Geron bought me lunch at Chi Burger, Chi Burger while we were in Chattanooga...mmmmmm good! And I received several cards from friends. So overall...a great b-day! And "no" I don't feel 39.



MIDDLE SCHOOL CAMP
Last week I took our middle school group to a week long camp at Crossings at Cedarmore. We got back yesterday afternoon...what a great week! My son Bryan is now part of our youth ministry so this was his first camp with his pop being his youth minister.

The plan has been that I won't begin my transition to my new position as Associate Pastor until we have an interim in place. So last week was probably my last camp experience as a youth minister being that we should have an interim in place sometime in the next two weeks.

Again, a great week with a great group of youth. But man, the schedule was BUSY...and it started EARLY. Most camps begin with breakfast around 8am or so...last week we were all up at 6am to make a 7am breakfast time. But I gotta say our middle school guys were all over it...after about making 3 to 4 wake up calls each morning.

It was cool to be there with my son Bryan...I told him that I would make sure and play the role as youth minister to him and not dad. Unless of course he needed money for something! Love ya big guy!

TODAY
Today I slept in...I mean really slept in. My body was so tired from the week that I slept until 11am! I haven't done that in a L-O-N-G time!

We went to see Oceans 13 up at Hamburg. GREAT movie! A definite thumbs UP! I am a big fan of the Ocean movies...the first one was excellent, the second one was so-so, but 13 is really good. Almost as good as the first. Same cast as in the past along with Al Pacino, who plays a great character. We ran into some good buddies from FBC and enjoyed the movie together.

Came home...did a little weed eating...washed and waxed my truck...had a pretty decent water fight with Bryan...now I'm blogging and getting ready to munch down on some pizza. I'll see ya soon...