Friday Fam Night

Last night was a "Friday Fam Night." Here's how it played out...

-I cooked a scrumptious chicken dinner on the grill, very healthy, very good!
-We hopped in the truck and headed for Lexington...Hamburg area.
-Over Christmas I scored a $100 Best Buy card at our staff Christmas party...I love Best Buy.
-Bought a Interface for my iPod...so I can play it without a transmitter in my truck. The only problem is, I don't have my techy, suave installer friend (G-ron)to help put it in...I'll try on my own I guess.
-Went to Petsmart to look at cats, dogs, hamsters and other rodents.
-Went to Target for a few things...
-Then we had about 50 minutes to kill before our movie began, so we went to McDonalds for a drink.
-Saw the movie "I am Legend." I like Will Smith...loved the trailers to this movie, but it was just 'okay'...not bad, but not an academy award winner.
-Came home...went to bed!

Friday & goals for 2008

I took Bryan to school this morning...I really love taking B to school. Sometimes we'll rock out to some tunes on the way, sometimes he'll try and catch a few more Z's, sometimes we'll make a Starbucks stop. However we arrive, I just enjoy starting my day with him...it strikes me every now and then that he is 11 going on 18! So, I want to really savor and soak in moments like these, I won't always have them.

Next topic:

Goals for 2008! I like to think of myself as a goal setter...having something to work towards helps my motivation, plus I want to try and stretch myself in my goals. So here are just a few that I'm working towards for 2008 (no particular order):

-learn to speak Spanish
-make more life memories with Holly and Bryan
-Live life more on the offense
-Read more books
-begin running again (I haven't been able to do as much since knee surgery)
-make more efforts to spend time with friends
-shoot a 79 in golf!
-Learn how to Ballroom dance (already started on this one! Go here and see!)
-That this time next year we'll have a little girl in our family (adopting!)
-Be more community minded in ministry
-Be more REAL and RELEVANT in my relationship with Jesus Christ...I want my life to be a life of worship to God...to bring Glory to His name.

There ya go...that's just a few. I think they are attainable, yet able to stretch me out just a bit. Feel free to hold me accountable!

Everything's Okay & Randomness

Went to a cardiologist in Lexington this afternoon...after an EKG, Stress test, etc. they concluded that I do have a heart and that nothing is wrong with it. Still don't know why I had the chest pains...but better to err on the side of safety. My dad died of a heart attack back in 2000, so anytime anything 'heart' related comes up...get it checked out!

Here's some randomness...

-We had some snow on Tuesday night, so Bryan has been taking advantage of it as much as he can. Here's a few shots of him in the backyard on his "make shift" snowboard (an old skateboard without wheels). I'm hoping we'll catch more snow this winter, it's been a LONG time since we've seen anything serious.



-Last week I drove out to Russellville (past Bowling Green) to pick up our newest addition to the Prosser household. They did a nice job I think...still kinda odd getting used to a dead animal on the wall.

Happy New Year

I know it's January 3rd, the new year has already taken off...but I've been just a wee bit busy and really not in the blogging mood (blogger's block??)

Today is the first day back to school for Bryan after the Christmas break...actually they were to start back yesterday, but some snow actually fell Tuesday night and shut things down on Wednesday. So it was nice to have one more day off with B.

We didn't have a real eventful new years...we went to some dear friends of ours, Mike and Sherri Eckler's...played some Cranium and cards...had a little toast at midnight, went home.

Tuesday night Holly, B and I were playing some cards around 9:30pm...and dang if I began to have some chest pains. Wasn't sure what to think about them at first...Holly could tell something was wrong. Nothing really huge, but it was definitely uncomfortable. So we took a trip over to the ER to get it checked out...all test came back negative. So this afternoon I'm going to go and see a cardiologist to find out what the deal is. I'd appreciate any and all prayers...I'll keep ya posted.

Happy New Year!

Beezer & Christmas Gifts

The past couple of days Bryan had been BEGGING to open up his Christmas gifts...during lunch yesterday he said, "Could I open them up at 12:01am, 'cause technically that's Christmas Eve??" Okay...

So last night that's what we did...and he was pumped! He got some new clothes (and yes, he is into the clothes scene and he actually wanted them!)But his last gift was the crème-de-le crème...and we of course sent him on a bit of a scavenger hunt to find it.

It stated with an envelope…”go to the freezer”…another clue, “go to…” you get the idea?? One clue led him to go to his e-mail to find the next one! So after about 6-7 clues and still no “present” the last clue simply said, “Go to your room!”

So Bryan is sitting in his room…the next thing you hear is the Cingular jingle (cell phone!) It’s hidden in a box…he sees the phone and answers it…and I said “MERRY CHRISTMAS!” He didn’t realize that the phone was his! It was awesome! He was completely surprised and we caught part of it on the camera.

I love my son…I love watching his excitement. I’m grateful that this Christmas he is healthy and healed from all the junk that was going on with him last year!

Tonight we’ll go to our Christmas Eve service at church…it’s always a warm service filled with scripture reading and singing. Afterwards we’ll be making the trek back up to the ‘Ville to spend a few days with family.

I LOVE Christmas time! I love every part of it…the lights, sounds, and smells…I love simply being with my family and friends. I love the fact that God loved me so much that He sent His son Jesus so that I could live with Him forever. That story never gets old…it’s my life…it’s the reason why I live. Merry Christmas everybody!

New blogger on the map

If you didn't know, my lovely wife Hollybird has started blogging...you can go here to check it out.


She's pretty awesome! Merry Christmas!

Hollybird's B-day and Holiday Weekend

This past Sunday, December 16th was the day of birth of the LOVE of my life. Holly turned the ripe ole' age of 35. Yep, I "robbed" the cradle just a bit (I'm almost 40). Instead of just one day of celebration, we made it the entire weekend.

Friday night Bryan and I took Bird to Yamamoto (a great hibachi grill). We filled up on veggies, rice, shrimp, chicken, etc. Mmmmmmmmm....

Afterward we braved the Fayette Mall...and you know it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. We finished out our Christmas shopping and just enjoyed walking around.

A new tradition that we started several years ago was to go look at the lights at the Kentucky Horse Park. Not only do they have some cool lights, but a petting zoo, some very narley train displays.

One particular train set just mesmerized all of us...it was new to us. It was one of those displays that just made you feel good. We stood there for at least 30-minutes playing "I Spy." Pics are below!

UnChristian

Have you ever read a book that really challenges you...I mean one that shakes you up and causes the beginning of a paradigm shift in your life?? I've finally finished reading UnChristian by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons. I'm not a real fast reader like my wife Holly...it may take me months to get through a book (like this one!). But for some reason while reading this book I found myself doing a lot of cross referencing of scripture passages and reading other articles about certain chapters. I've found myself engaging in conversations with others about the main crux of this book...What a new generation thinks about Christianity.

The next couple of blogs, I'm going to jot down some quotes that really struck me upside my head:

-One obvious reason why Christians acquire a hypocritical image in America...our lives don't match our beliefs. Our lifestyles and perspectives are no different from those of anyone around us.

-Among outsiders (those looking at Christianity from the outside in), 84% say they personally know at least one committed Christian. Yet 15% thought the lifestyles of those Christ followers were significantly different from the norm. This gap speaks volumes.

-Living with integrity starts with being transparent.

-The perception of hypocrisy also emerges when we start fighting the "culture war" - meaning we attack people's behavioral patterns rather than love them as people.

-Young people are also more likely to believe one can live a meaningful life without accepting Jesus Christ.

-We often seem like spiritual headhunters!

Any thoughts?? Anyone else read this book??

Benedict Petrino?

This is the actual letter that Bobby Petrino left in the locker to let his team know that he was leaving. NO CLASS...what a way to leave.

Revenge!

A year ago this weekend, Holly and I awoke from a very refreshing night of sleep, ready to spend the day in celebration of her day of birth. It was a cold Saturday morning; Bryan was with my in-laws, so Holly and I had the entire day for just us.

As a walked into the kitchen I noticed something white whipping around our deck outside...as I looked closer, I saw that we had been TP'd. So then I'm thinking...if that's in the back, there's no telling what the front looks like! I open the front door and my eyes beheld an array of pranking on our new home. At least 20-25 rolls of toilet paper were used...about 150 forks were firmly planted in our yard. Our cars were wrapped tightly as well. Not only was it cold, but it had rained just enough to make everything extra messy! Urrgghhhhhh...I thought to myself.

Being a youth minister for 18 years, I've had my fair share of being pranked and believe me it's a strange way of your youth (or youth leaders!) letting you know how much you are loved. And this particular "trashing" of the house was done very well! My neighbor was dumbfounded as to why people would do such a thing...as I was trying explain everything to him...he did loan me his ladder because I had to get up on my ROOF to take down the TP.

This past Wednesday night I took revenge on one of the culprits...I'd been saving these packing peanuts for about 4 months. Ahhhh it was sweet! I think one of my better "get backs." Kudos to b-rose for being a good sport (you still owe me a pair of shoes...New Balance size 11 please)...thanks to "others" who had helped!

And by the way...Adam, you are next (when you arrive home from serving God overseas...I'm showing you grace for now!)

I'll have some fun with this!

Fellow Star Wars GEEKS...this one is for us! Ever wondered what R2D2 was saying?? Wanna hear your name or for that matter any phrase said by the little 'twerp droid'?

Go here and may the force be with you.

Stoked!

I'm stoked about this movie coming out next year! Anybody have any favorite "quotes" from the previous three??

-"Snakes, why did it have to be snakes."

Million Dollar Talent...Nickel Head!

As you know I'm a big fan of the Louisville Cardinals. I grew up in Louisville and have always been a fan. I try to be a faithful fan through thick and thin...believe me there's been plenty of 'tough' years!

Lots of talented players have come and gone...every now and then you get a player that has incredible God given talent, but totally waste it. Enter in Derrick Character! Rick Pitino has been quoted saying that this guy is one of the most talented players he's ever seen...problem...he's got a nickel head! All because he doesn't want to follow the rules...simple rules like a curfew! The story is here...it's sad and frustrating. Glad to hear that the entire team agrees with the punishment even though it could punish them as a team.

Come on Derrick...get with it!

PS...Michael Vick would get the 20 million dollar talent...nickel head award too!

Dad and Lad Night

Tonight Holly is going to Shelbyville to speak to a womens ministry...so that leaves us men to fin for ourselves tonight. So that means it's going to be a DAD and LAD night.

"Dad and Lad" night/days started back when Bryan was in Kindergarten. He went half days...so every Friday (which is my day off) I would pick him up from school, and we would go doing something together...thus the name 'dad and lad'.

This tradition still carries on today, even with him being eleven. The things we do have changed over the years, but believe me, it's all about the time together. Here are a few things that we've done over the years:
-Gatti Town & video games (LOTS of these!)
-Lowes to look at tools, weed eaters, and lawn mowers
-movies
-restaurants (Moe's, McDonalds, Chinese to name a few)
-Barnes and Noble bookstore (our haven!)
-concerts (last year went to Evansville to see Toby Mac)
-Video game nights at the house
-Dicks Sporting Goods
-Circuit City to look at the tv's and play the video games
-Malls

So tonight we are planning on dinner at Moe's...and then on to Barnes and Noble to look at books and listen to music. We'll probably get something at Starbucks while we are there!

I love Bryan...he brings us much joy in life, just because he's Bryan.

What is up with college football?

DANG!! What a crazy year in college football. It all started with Michigan getting beat by Appy State...throughout the year anyone who was #1 or in the the top ten were getting dinked! USC, Florida, Kentucky beating LS-who?, West Virginia coughing up the Big East title game to Pittsburgh last night. What is in the water on college campuses???

Okay...little trivia...what was the BIGGEST upset this year in college football?? Sorry to say it's not Appalachian State beating Michigan!! SO what is it??

wisdom...

I read several blogs throughout the week...I've got my favorites that I read everyday. There are some that are really inspiring and helpful for me. Here's a recent post from Craig Groeschel, who is the pastor of LifeChurch.tv...pretty profoud I thought:

Let’s review yesterday’s thought:

You are not what you did, what you do, or what you are going to do. You are who Christ says you are.

When you are doing ministry, try to remember:

* What you do is a result of who you are in Christ.
* What you do doesn’t define who you are.
* Don’t confuse the “who” with the “do.”

You are not successful because:

* Your kids’ ministry grew 10% this year.
* Three people got saved last week.
* Your budget increased by 5%.
* The parents of your student ministry like you.
* Your church is bigger this year than this time last year.

You are successful because of who you are in Christ. You please God by obeying him, not performing up to your personal expectations.

Are you doing ministry to get worth, feel successful or to find your identity? Or are you doing ministry to please, to resemble, to delight in Christ and bring people to Him?

I need to be reminded so many times about who I am in Christ. It's sad, but sometimes in the "church" world, you can lose focus on why you serve. I really struggle with some of the present day church success indicators...and with people who really believe in them. They really fire me up!

Savor the Holidays

Had a great Thanksgiving holiday with my family. As always I stuffed myself and swore I wouldn't eat for a week, only to have dinner three hours later. We spent some time that night playing rummy. Now you have to understand that we take our rummy very serious...we even have a trophy that the winner keeps until we get together for another "sanctioned" game. My lovely wife Holly has recently started blogging, you can go here to check out some specifics of our rummy.

So now it's officially the Christmas season...and I love it! Every year I try to really savor every moment of the holiday and not wish it away. I'm not a huge fan of shopping in a crowded mall, but I sure do enjoy it around during Christmas time...even if I am just window shopping. I want to savor all the people that we'll be with...savor all the different celebrations...savor all the times of worship that we'll experience here at our church...and I especially want to savor time with Holly and Bryan.

Make sure you do the same! Savor the Holidays...it's all about Jesus.

T-day is coming

Tomorrow morning we'll pack up the truck and head to the Ville for some Thanksgiving time with my family. It's a long time tradition to have T-Day celebration at my mom's house, we've been doing it for years. Sadly, this is the last one that we will share in her present home. Mom along with my sis and her family have been building a new home and should be moving in sometime soon. So this will be the last T-day at 3816 Baymeadow Dr. (that's kinda sad to think about!)

Here's the low down of the day tomorrow:
-Eat breakfast with Holly's parents in Lexington (Cracker Barrel)
-Go to Louisville
-Catch up with all my uncles, aunts, cousins, etc.
-Eat gobs of food
-Watch some football
-Eat more food
-Play some guitar with uncles and cousins (bluegrass??)
-Eat more food
-Play our annual rummy game (we're playing for the mouse!)
-Eat food while we are playing!
-Go to bed...

Tough day I know...but I'll do my best to survive!

Saturday, Christmas Trees and Ollies

I love Saturdays like today. Holly and I had a breakfast date together at Cracker Barrel, we then traveled over to Winchester to drop off 'da deer' to get him all processed so we could start snacking on him. We got home and decided to put the Christmas tree up and we got an early start. I love Thanksgiving and Christmas...the whole back-to-back holiday celebration is something I have always loved...just some really great family time, reflecting on the past year, etc.

Here in about 30 minutes we are going to watch the Cards play some football...South Florida, at South Florida...it could be really ugly!

By the way our son Bryan has been shredding up the skateboard stuff...notice I'm using some of the hip skateboarding lingo! (I still got it in me!) After he got his cast off several weeks ago, he's been non-stop on his board. Here are a few pics that we took tonight...I love my son...he's pretty awesome.

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!!