Friday's golf game w/ KJ, Brad and Crouch

What a day on Friday...skies were a bit overcast, a little breezy and cool…But what a day for some golf.I told you from my last post about this outing that I was having, so read that to get caught up.

When I arrived at the Lexington Country Club one of the workers came and got our bags for us and loaded them up on the carts. At that point I knew all of us were in a different "golf" world.

Before the game we had lunch at the LCC dining room along with Kerry Jones, Brad Burns, H.K. Kincaid and Bill Crouch. Sitting in the dining area along with lots of other gentlemen having their lunch before their tee time, I was thinking, "Dang, I wonder how much 'money' is in this room?"

After lunch Dr. Crouch encouraged us to go to the driving range to get warmed up...now I've been to lots of driving ranges over the years, but nothing like this. There were pyramids of golf balls for each golfer to whack at...we hit some balls, got loose, putted around one of the putting greens and then headed for the first tee.

At this point I could've left and said I had a good day! I mean the stinking driving range grass was nicer than most public course fairways. But we went on...all the grass was Kentucky bluegrass and it was finely manicured! If you missed the fairway on your drive, you paid for because the rough was just that...rough.

The first four holes I was hitting one over par! After that, the proverbial wheels sorta fell off. I had several pars throughout the day, but I also had my share of bogeys, a couple doubles and one nasty nine!

All in all a great day of golf! I was trying to soak everything in and still play a good game. When we were finished and we drove our carts back to the clubhouse...one of the workers comes out and says, "Can I clean your clubs sir?" After I looked around to see who he was talking to...I realized he was talking to me! I said, "Certainly you can...and add an extra $50 tip for your time...and oh by the way charge it to my friend Dr. Bill Crouch!"

A good day of golf with some good ole friends!

golf season is in full SWING (get it!)

I’m an avid golfer…been playing since 1993 when a friend gave me an old set of clubs. Thought I’d never play golf…matter of fact growing up I was always the one who made fun of golfers and people who played golf. Years later not only do I play, but I love to watch it on TV!

Every year I play in the KY Baptist Ministers Golf Tournament…it’s a two day event, usually played at Cherry Blossom G.C. in Georgetown, KY. At last year’s dinner I had won a way cool door prize…it was a round of golf with Dr. Bill Crouch (Georgetown College Prez) and two buddies of my choice at the Lexington Country Club.

So tomorrow afternoon me along with Kerry Jones and Brad Burns and of course Dr. Crouch will be hitting the links together…everything (the golf, lunch, shirts, etc.) all on Dr. Crouch of course. What a great prize! Sure beats the pewter key ring I won two years ago!

You can go here to check out the Lexington Country Club…looks like a real swanky place…reminds me of the movie Caddyshack for some reason. I’m bringing my camera along for the ride so I’ll take plenty of pics of our round.

time to re-vamp

I'm thinking about "re-vamping" my blog...but I lack some of the computer skillz in doing so. I want it to it look good and not plain-jane ordinary. SOOOOO...perhaps in the next couple of days I'll make some time to work on this. Maybe change a few things here and there...what do you think?

Oh yea, I've got some big news to share with you, but I'm going to wait a little longer before I can "let the cat out of the bag." It's pretty life changing stuff...if you are trying to guess...let me say what it is not:

1) we are not pregnant...well Holly's not...and neither am I
2) i'm not going to be on next season's Survivor (although I did try out years ago)
3) i did not hit the lottery jack-pot...because i don't play the lottery
4) i am definitely not going to be on Dancing with the Stars, cause i can't dance!

Again, I'll fill you in soon...

Toby Mac...Portable Sounds Tour

Okay so me and B take off on our 3 1/2 hour trek to Evansville, IN. We had a six pack...of Ale-8's, a few snacks and lots of jamming music. When we got into downtown Evansville I thought we would grab a quick bite of dinner and head off to the concert. DANG...there is nothing in Evansville or at least downtown on a Friday night. We found a Chick-Fila only to find out the business hours were 7am-3pm...huh?? Eventually we found some golden arches and then headed to the concert.

Our seats were as far back as you could get, but it was in a really cool theater called "The Centre." Did a little finagling with a lady usher and she let us sit in some very cool box seats with a great view.

Family Force Five came out first...wow...it was LOUD and crazy. FFF was a favorite of Bryan's. Following them were Building 429...they were okay. Then Thousand Foot Krutch...very jamming, very talented.

After all of the "pre-bands" Toby Mac and crew came out and blew the joint up with their sound...great energy, clever lyrics, innovative sound...Toby at times reminded me of Bono in his stature and style. Just a great concert all around. My favorite Toby Mac song...had to be Jesus Freak (old dcTalk song). He did some new stuff that really jammed...Bryan all the while was head banging, jumping around, dancing...it was awesome to watch him and of course to dance along too. He didn't even laugh at me...I don't think.

Got home about 2:30am the next morning...when we both woke up, we still had some ringing in our ears. What a great "dad and lad" weekend...looking forward to more.

Dad & Lad Night

Back to a "normal" week after some time off last week with Spring Break. Sure isn't feeling much like SPRING!

If you have read much of this blog over the past year or so you know that I am crazy about my son Bryan. Since he was a little guy we have always had what we call "Dad and Lad" weekends, days, nights, etc. Time for us to hang out as father and son (Dad and Lad). Early on we started with going to Gatti Town for pizza and games...we've done movies, video game nights, Barnes & Nobles...sooooo tonight is yet another Dad and Lad night...

Bryan is a huge fan of music, yep he's a rocker! I'm picking Bryan up from school today around 2:40pm and then we are headed to Evansville, IN for the TOBY MAC PORTABLE SOUNDS TOUR. I've been a fan of Toby for sometime now, stemming from the days of DCTalk. Along with Toby we'll see Thousand Foot Krutch, Building 429 and Family Force Five. It's about a three hour drive there, which means we'll be getting back at dark-thirty in the morning. We plan on jamming to all these groups on the way up and back! I'll take some pic's and post them later...

Here's to another dad and lad adventure!

Spring Break

Much has taken place since the last blog…I sometimes go into a “don’t wanna blog” mode…I was looking back from last year about this time and had similar hiatus.

Bryan has been on Spring Break this past week…here’s what we’ve been up to!

MONDAY
-Took half of a day off and Bryan and I played some Frisbee golf at Shilito Park in Lex. It was like 85 degrees and not a cloud in the sky…a very good day

WEDNESDAY
-I took 18 of our yutes to play a friendly game of paintball. I love playing me some paintball! It was stinking cold, but loads of fun. I took several good hits throughout the day…it’s like they all gang up on me just because I’m the “youth minister”. Didn’t bother me…still loads of fun!

THURSDAY
-Took the whole day off…slept in a bit (8:30am!). Holly took off for Texas to visit our good friend Laura Coleman (she was having her second child)…so we took Holly to the airport, dropped her off…and then the “Dad and Lad” adventure started.

-Bryan and I went to the Fayette Mall…did a bit of window shopping…took in a movie and went to Logan’s for dinner. Nothing like a father and son eating steak together.

-Came home, stayed up late playing some video games…a great day!

FRIDAY
-Slept in a bit this morning (9:00am)…played some video games with Bryan, started catching up on all the Master’s action from Thursday (I love watching golf…especially The Master’s)
-Went back to Lexington…ate lunch at Hananoki (Japanese hibachi grill)…went to Barnes and Noble…took in another movie (Ghost Rider!!)…came home…played some more video games…

TODAY (Saturday)
-Had breakfast at Cracker Barrel...mmmmm…went and got haircuts…came home and hung out…actually Bryan napped and I watched the Master’s. Gotta say that golf never looked better on this 50 inch Plasma screen (still can’t believe that Holly won that!)

-The rest of the night we’ve literally done nothing! Bryan is playing some video games…I actually did some ironing of clothes for church tomorrow.

-Another great day!

**Can’t say how much I miss Hollybird…dang I can’t wait till she gets home! Kind of odd her being gone for several days...so this must be what she feels when I'm away for camps and retreats!

I'll be back

Just haven't been in the blogging mood lately...it's Bryan's Spring Break this week so it's a toss up whether or not I'll blog...peace!

Sand Art

This is kind of fun to do...sand art

Blue Man Group

This past Saturday night me and the fam along with my mom went to the Blue Man Group performance in Louisville. I've seen these guys on TV several times...Holly and I even tried to see their show while in New York years ago (with no luck). What a great show! Kinda hard to put into words what the show is about or what it looks like. Here are a few words to help describe the "Blue Man" experience:

lights, loud, music, very high tech, DJ's scratching, funny, odd, weird, dancing, things that made you go WOW!, little bit messy, creative, lots of colors, more lights, shadows, strobes, oh yea...blue men!

If you ever get a chance to go...go...it's worth it!

Going GEEK

For years now I've been an old school daytimer kind of a guy. As far as keeping up with dates, contacts, every day tasks, etc. again, old school using a good ole pencil and daytimer.


Yesterday I went GEEK...got me a Palm Treo! I've been researching these guys for awhile now, trying to get the most for my money and getting the most practical tool for everyday use...so I did just that. The Treo 680 is my new calendar (so long Daytimer!), all my contacts, e-mail, daily tasks and cell phone. Not to mention I can access the web and who know's what else. I heard you can download a death ray of some sorts on this thing! That's what I really want!

I'm a geek and proud of it.

MARCH MADNESS

It's like Christmas in March! Love me some college basketball...particularly the Louisville Cardinals (who by the way gave Stanford a well deserved BEHIND WHOOPING today). I was hoping to go to the game, being it was at Rupp Arena. But I had some meetings this morning and afternoon...but I did see part of the first half and all the second. Go Cards!

Of course every year our staff does a tournament pick-em' contest...I've got a few dark horses, but ultimately I've got my Cards going to the final game to face Florida. When I filled out my brackets, I originally picked Florida to win in the end. But tonight Bryan convinced me to put Louisville in the win column. He said, "Dad you can't be a true fan unless you have them going all the way!" Spoken like a true Cardinal fan! Made me proud...and I changed my bracket! Go Cards!

I hate being SICK!

Ugghhhh...Sunday night something got inside my body! Ughhhhh...not real sure what is was, but it laid me out all day Monday (literally!) and most of today. Some kind of stomach virus...whatever it was I think I'm on the other side of it.

I hate being sick...I mean I sometimes feel guilty for staying at home when I'm ill-ing, not real sure why...I'm not one that gets sick very often. I was trying to think back to when I had been this sick before. It had to be when we were coming home from Africa in 2005. From London to Chicago I was hurting something awful...and it's not like I was able to lie in the bed because we of course were on the plane. Luckily my seat was right behind the bathroom!

So...today I'm feeling much better. Even ate a little dinner tonight and kept it in! (Sorry for the details) Looking forward to going back to work tomorrow.

What made things worse today was the fact it was like 75 degrees outside! Tomorrow is a NEW day.

Weekend wedding!

There are a plethora of highlights being involved youth ministry...one of those highlights took place for me this past weekend. Before moving to Richmond, KY we lived in Stanford, KY (like a John Mellancamp small town!). While in Stanford I served as minister to youth at Stanford Baptist Church. Lots of great memories in Stanford, some really great youth that we had a chance to minister to.

One youth in particular was a guy named Kevin Deatherage...he and his family actually lived down the street from us. He was one of the very first youth that I met...he even helped us move into our house that day! I think he was in 7th grade at the time.
So I had Kevin in our youth ministry for 4 and half years...saw him grow up not only physically, but spiritually.

Well yesterday I had the opportunity to perform his wedding in Lexington. He got engaged last year and called and asked if I would do the ceremony. A great day! His new bride Brittany was stunning looking...most of Kevin's groomsman were former UK football players (Kevin himself played for a season or two) so they were giants...a beautiful wedding and a great day.

Day off...

Friday's are one of my "official" days off from the church...all of us on staff try to protect our days off (in other words not going in to work, even just to do a few things). I'm guilty of doing this a lot...BUT not today! I'm not even going by the church today...

So what should I do?? I took Bryan to school this morning...I'm now back at the house waiting for the plumbers to come and fix our tub. I've got boat loads that I could do around the house...I've been trying to get my utility garage all set up, making storage shelves, getting the basement cleaned out.

Hmmmm...it's supposed to be a really nice day today...I think I will take advantage of a way cool gift that Holly and family got me as a graduation gift back in December. I've got a season pass to Gibson Bay golf course...I think it's time to start putting it to good use

Happy B-day to the "B"

This past weekend was a big birthday celebration for our son Bryan. The celebration started on Thursday and went until Saturday. Bryan birthday is on Leap Day, so he's actually only 2 3/4 years old (11 in people years).

On Friday night he got to choose the restaurant and bring a bud with him. We went to Miyako (hibachi grill...hmmmmm gooood!), then we went to the Fayette Mall so he could spend some of his cash that he got.

Saturday was the party here at the house. Family and friends all came over to continue the celebration...Bryan's scored even more with cash, gift cards and if you look real close in one of the pics...Bryan is holding a ticket to go see the Blue Man Group in a few weeks. Mom got not only him a ticket, but for me and Holly too...ought to be a fun night!

I love my son! Hard to believe that he's 11 now...he couldn't make a dad any more prouder. Love ya buddy! And could you possibly spot your dad a twenty spot?

mom's retirement party

A few Sunday’s ago my sneaky sister and I put together a surprise retirement party for my mom, who retired back in January. Mom had worked for Sysco foods for about 29 years...that's a long time. She was the payroll manager there so of course everyone loved her!

As Hannibal from The "A" Team used to say, "I love it when a plan comes together!"...well that's what happened...and what a plan we had. We cooped up about 50+ people in mom's house (of course we both still have keys!). Lisa gave her a story about needing her to come home from a friends house...she did and whala! SURPRISE!

It was great time! We had folks from her work, church and of course family. My mom is something else...she is one of the most humble and loving mom's I know. She is still to this day one of my hero's for life...she has taught me so much about life and still does to this day. I'm glad she's retired now...I hope to see her more often!

Check out some of these great pics of her...doesn't she look surprised!

Gearing up for a b-day celebration

Tomorrow is Bryan's unofficial birthday...he's birthday is on Leap Day which of course occurs once every four years. So in all actuality...he'll be 2 3/4 tomorrow! We've got a big weekend in store for him and dang if doesn't deserve it...Friday we are letting him invite one buddy to Miyako for his b-day dinner (great food and a great show!), then we are going to the Fayette Mall to let him shop around a bit. He's become quite fashionable in the past several months. On Saturday we have family and friends coming over for a party to celebrate the "B". I'll have some pictures up afterwards of all the action.

Here's a pic of him from the Believe conference this past weekend...I love my boy!

a weekend spent with 4,000

This past weekend I took 37 of our middle school yutes and leaders to the Believe Conference in Cincy, OH. This was like the 4th year that we've been...and what a weekend!! Dang...4,000 middle schoolers!! Craziness, but a real blast.

C.I.Y. (Christ In Youth)is the ministry that puts this on and let me tell you, they do an incredible job. Great worship...great speaker...great weekend.

A highlight for me...my son Bryan went; it was his first conference since with us. I told him before we left that I would do my best to be his youth minister this weekend and not a dad (unless I deemed it necessary). We jumped around together as we worship in the "mosh pit"...at one point during a slower set he came up and leaned against me and grabbed my arms from behind...what a moment that I tried to really savor. I love my son...and that moment was just one of those "I'll never forget this time" experiences.

When we got home last night I crashed and was out. What a way to spend a weekend...4,000 yutes!

More surgery...

My son Bryan had some out patient surgery today at UK Hospital. They had to replace the tube that he has in his side...seems there was a leak in the old one. Everything went very well, Bryan is such a brave little guy. He really amazes me at how he has undergone five surgeries since July 2006. Most of those surgeries had been because of infections that would develop due to the nature of the colon and all the bacteria. Once his colon has been retrained, they'll take this tube out (prayefully by summertime!) So please continue to pray for Bryan...

UPDATE on a much, much less important injury:
My butt still hurts from the sledding acident!

A GREAT week for Cardinal Basketball

Lots of folks have written off the Cards this year in basketball...some even saying that Ricky P. has lost some of his 'umphh.' BUT this week alone the Cards went to Pittburgh (ranked #2) and beat the them from start to finish. Then tonight they went to Marquette (ranked #13) and beat them with a last second three.

Go Cards...I'm smelling the NCAA tournament already!