Can't Beleive It, Just When You Thought You Know A Man

I want to start out with a "I Can't Believe It" statement. Here I am a guy that is tyring to get in shape, so I get a couple of guys and start walking. Some guys came and left, some came and stayed, and others came had surgery but will return, and then there is this one. He came with hopes of joining the best group of guys, which he did, and starts exercising with us. Then we figure out he has a key to a bball gym. So we start playing bball. Things are going great and BAM you get smacked right in the face (no not with a ball) with a no show, one partner shows up (which ALWAYS does), BUT THE MAN WITH THE KEY DOES NOT. Yep that is right, the man with the key does not show up, though he does call 45 min. later than the normal show up time saying he is sorry he "OVER SLEPT, FORGET TO SET HIS ALARM". Yeah, yeah we have heard it all, and I don't think saying sorry is enough. Now I won't mention your name JOHN but the guy was close to the top of my list and now has fell several feet down the line. I mean this guy is a guy I look up to kinda like a Sunday School teacher. I thought he would make a great one but now I don't know. So in saying all this I just want everyone to know JOHN is a great man and I guess I can forgive him Once, Twice, maybe Three times it does not matter he is a great man and i will fight anyone who tries to prove me wrong.
In other news Santa came and brought a basset hound for Mason, which named him Chewy after the famous Star Wars character. He is a good puppy, him and Miley (the poodle) get along great. I am glad times are wonderfully awesome at my home. I could not ask for better kids and my beautiful wife did an amazing job this Christmas. Thanks honey for all you do even though most of the time it goes on without anyone thanking you the way you should be thanked. I love you with all my heart, forever and always.
Got to go. Hope all is well with everyone and Happy New Year.
Love ya John sorry I had to take a punch.

Merry CHRISTmas

I would like to start by wishing all a very Merry CHRISTmas. Notice that CHRIST is all caps. Why? Because he is the reason for the time of year and to many people has forgotten that. Anyway I hope all has a wonderful one.
As I was looking through the mail today I came across a CHIRSTmas card from a dear and close family member of mine. He is my cousin Shawn Barnard, which pastors Inglewood Baptist Church in Dallas. I suggest you take a look at it when you have time. I found out that he also has a blog the address is www.shawnbarnard.com. I tend to follow his writing and I suggest that you do the same. Knowing him he should have some great teachings in his words from scripture to life lessons. So drop by and read some of his stuff. The only thing you have to lose is knowledge and believe me you could learn a lot from him. So I want to pour him an extra large cup of coffee and welcome him to my site as i will put his like on here for all to enjoy.
I would also like to shout out to his wonderful family Jen, Kristen, Kev, and Kam. Love you guys and hope to see you all soon.
Merry CHRISTmas everyone. May God fill not only today but the rest of your life with joy and happiness.
And remember seek Him and you will find Him, be still and listen and you will hear Him, ask Him in prayer and He will deliver, and dive it His word and you will KNOW Him besides that is the least he asks of us isn't it!!!!!!!

(Christmas) Does it have to be a rush?

Today Mason and I went to Fort Smith and bought Shelli's Christmas. Boy howdy WHAT A TRIP. There were at least 3 wrecks, jammed stop lights, packed parking lots, and a BUNCH of people out. Now I am the first to say I do like to get presents for Christmas, but wow what an elbow to elbow, wall to wall crowd. He and I went to Central Mall to get what we needed and I thought I was a needle and the mall was a hay stack. I did not think I would ever get out of there with Mason and I alive.
Shelli is worth fighting any crowd at anytime, anywhere, any place to get something for her she wants or I think she would want I will see Christmas Day. And I am not complaining about going to the mall all I am saying Mason and I were not in a rush today by no means. The crowd on the other hand seemed they were. I heard some talk from others I would not aspect to here this close to the holiday.
I guess where I am going with this is that I want to thank all the moms out there for fighting the crowds and getting the gifts while most of us husbands are at home, work, deer woods, and/or keeping the kids. I would like to pour you an extra large cup of coffee for the things you do we have no clue about until we go to buy the one gift for you and fight the demons you fight getting all the gifts you get.
THANKS honey for the times YOU went to Ft Smith without me. You are the best. For that I will not only pour you an extra large cup of coffee I will buy the coffee shop.
So men tell your wives THANKS for what they do and enjoy the deer woods as often as you can. I plan to.
Oh the question: "Does it have to be a rush?"
The Awns er: "YES" because I figured out if you don't rush in and out someone will get hurt. At least that is what I felt today.

Wow where did time go?

I am sorry it has been 11 days since I wrote anything. Wow where did time go? I mean I was doing good with my writing and then stopped for a few days and here it is 11 days later.
What I can not believe is how fast our kids are growing and as parents our time is so rushed we miss the good stuff. So hug your kids every time you can and go to the park when the weather is good and enjoy the little ones now before they are gone.
I want to pour a couple cups of coffee to Jackie and John for defeating the Hill Addition this morning at 5am in 27 degree weather. In fact here is a refill for you two as well. Job well done.
I also want to thank my Life Group (Sunday School Class) for checking up on Mason while he was sick with pneumonia. With his problems he has it is tuffer for him to shake sickness like the rest of us. Thanks all for the calls and prayers for Mason.
Well Saturday Shelli and I will try to enjoy a cheer competition that Savannah has. the reason I say TRY we have to be there at 6:30am for her to perform at 7:50. I mean what in the world 7:50AM for 5 year olds that is insane. But I guess we will go, cheer, concur, and come home for some fun at our Life Group party Saturday night. Jessee and Michelle is generous enough to open their home to the class for these parties. Thanks guys here is you a large cup of coffee I just poured for the two of you.
I will go for now remember kiss your kids all you can, tell the spouse you love them, and try to like your job as much as possible.

Christmas is here

Well I first want to pour a large cup of coffee and say good morning to the BIG John Ciesla for weathering the cold walk at 5am (32 degrees) this morning w/ Jackie and I. See Jackie, Ronnie, and I have been walking for at least a year and a half at 5am Mon-Thurs rain, snow, sleet, or shine; cold, hot, warm it does not matter we walk. The good man John is he came out this morning and walked with us Angel was so proud as so Jackie and I were to.

Tonight was the big Greenwood CHRISTmas parade. Boy was it a good one this year. There were people of all ages lined up for several city blocks. It makes me proud to live in a community that supports the community events. There were so many police, fire, and other emergency services cars and trucks, the HS band, HS Air Force ROTC, 4 H club, cub scouts, and many other neat floats and rides. I would like to pour a large cup of coffee for all those involve. JOB WELL DONE.

Now I can not leave out the Ciesla's. They made chili and soup and feed a load of folks. THEN they made a bigger load of hot chocolate and handed it out to the cold folks around the area where they live on the main drag of the parade. Awesome job guys. That is why they are the bomb.

Thanks for giving

Sorry I have been out for a while. Today is Thanksgiving and I want to mention a few few things I am Thankful for.
1. God - Thank you Lord for the life you have givin me to live. The surroundings of family and friends, a church I can call home, and the security in my job. Also the knowledge of your word to hide in my heart and that I may share with others.

2. Family - My beautiful family is God sent and I am more than Thankful for them. There are no words to describe how thankful I am of them. My wife is the best, although not always perfect as neither am I but but she is truly the BEST. Thank you Honey for who you are and how you put up with me I will never understand! My wonderful kids - Mason your are the best son any dad could have to raise. He is my anchor to the scripture, if it was not for him I would not be as spiritual as I am today. Thank you for the man I pray you will grow up to be because right now you are on the right path. Savannah your are the light of my life. Thank you for tuffing out the could football games with me on Friday nights. Wanting to go with me even though you have no clue where I am going. Thanks you being the baby girl I dreamed of raising you are truly MT LITTLE GIRL. I can not forget the rest of my family. The in laws - Thanks for trusting me with you daughter and also putting up with me all the years. I look forward for MANY MORE years. My parents - Thanks for raising me to what I am today. Last but not least my sisters - I know I do not see you often as I wish I could but Thanks for loving me through the years.

3. Friends - I want to thank my close friends for helping me see life in different was. Thanks for the sharping stones you guys are to me and believing in me when I don't in myself. I would not trade the friendships for any thing in the world. I have the best Life Group (Sunday School Class) anyone can ask for. The teacher is wonderful Thanks John for the guidance. I have a great accountability group, thanks guys for the leadership advice and holding me responsible for my actions within my own life.

If you are thankful for things I suggest you set down and write them on a piece of paper. You will for sure have a feeling about yourself that no matter how tuff things are or how harsh life is to you just look at what you have and be thankful for the blessing the Lord has put in your life.

For all those I forgot Thanks for what you do for me.

Friendship is a gift from God

I was reading my buddy Jackie's blog a bit ago and it made me think of friendship. That is something that is truly God sent. Think about it, you meet someone you never knew, you talk a bit and go your own way, then you talk again, then again. The next thing you know you guys are meeting for lunch, hunting or fishing together, and a life long friendship is there. Now that is a gift from God. God knows what, when, and where you need a certain someone to come along to help you through the bad times and they are there to enjoy the good times as well. Now if you say you don't believe in God you have a major issue inside your life you need help with. I would like to invite you to church.

Now as Jackie said we have been friends for a long time. Today we are as good of friends as we were in high school. Isn't it amazing that some guys carry friendships from buddies in HS to their married life, which he followed me to, then to your parenthood, which he followed me there to. I think I see a pattern here. Anyway there are a handful of guys I can call true friends and I would do anything in the world for if asked. They are in trouble you are there to pull them out. They need something you ask what can I give you. They want to hang out and you ask when and where. But the best part about it is you know someone has your back when you need it and that is what I call a gift from God.

So to the ones (male and female) I raise our kids, play golf, fish, walk, set in Life Group, eat lunch, paint on their walls, hang out at deer camp with "THANKS" for the best friendship a person can have. The reason I mentioned events instead of names I don't want to leave anyone out so the list above is for the ones I call true friends and they know who they by the list.

So remember the next time you see a stranger give them a smile and you just might notice that you got one back and it was FREE.

Thought I Knew

Just when you think you know a guy and he calls you Jill. I mean WHAT IS THAT. Here a guy is talking about a wife that should be submissive to her husband and I try to help the ladies out but then BAM I get hit like this. All my life I have been looking for a way to be a hero, found a chance, and then got shot down by someone I thought was a friend.

Here is my story:

I am 4'-6" tall, I weigh 350 lbs, I was a bench warmer in high school, I had not many friends, I was picked on all the time, I do not know how many trash cans I was put into, or how many times I get wedgies in the locker room. So here I am thinking this is my opportunity to be a hero but NOOOOO the star of the team had to give me another wedgie.

I mean you would think 18 years after high school some of us would grow up but I guess I am wrong. I followed Bob (Jackie) around all the time in HS caring his books, holding his umbrella when it rained, getting his lunches for him in fear he would beat me up if I didn't, did I mention I lived with him for 2-3 years before I married the love of my life. Yep I lived with him and cleaned house, laundry, mowed the grass, so you would think he would be somewhat kind to me now since we are older and he is not cool any more. Again I guess I was wrong.

So I guess I will go down to Wal-mart buy me a man card or ten (I will also get one for Bob because I have heard him sing the BARNEY SONG that's right the BARNEY SONG), keep my mouth shut just like HS, and continue to get my beatings as I always have. THANKS BOB YOU HIT ME AGAIN.

Now on to Mike and his comment on Jackie's blog. I noticed you wrote Nancy of the comment, did you mean to announce your middle name? Besides I would not want to take the only dressy dress you own. Andrea might get mad if you let me use it and it gets ripped.

And Philip sorry no meeting at the Town Square this time.

God Bless everyone including the bully's of the world.

Here is to Jackie, Mike, and Philip - Man thanks for the fun I love you guys like brothers.

Forever Mine

Forever mine. Would it not be awesome that when someone says Forever Mine that's what it is. Reason I am saying this is because if there is one thing I would say Forever Mine to it would be my beautiful wife Shelli. I know I have not said much about here since I began this blog. Now is the time. This Tuesday we will be married 13 years. Say it with me "13 Y-E-A-R-S". Not many this day and age can say a number that high and relate it to marriage. But I CAN. Now I am not saying that the last 13 yrs have been a walk in the park. Our marriage as others has hit highs and lows but our highs out number our lows and a few of our highs was a result of our lows. But one thing I can say is that when God created her He did it for me. Without her I would be nothing. I know the bible says "Without Him I am nothing", but without Him creating her I would be nothing.

I know as some of you know me that I am not always the easiest person to be around, well try living with me sometimes. I thank God everyday for her and what she has brought into this relationship. She has brought life, enjoyment, sometimes tears, sometimes anger, but she always has had and always will have the best thing for me "Her Love". Without her love for me to include patients she would have probably been gone years ago.

Shelli is a special person to me as well as to others. She is a Speech Pathologist and works with severely disabled children and has a heart for them. She is a great SLP, I enjoy hearing her talk about the one she got to say a word or found a way for the child to communicate with her. many kids go through life with people who really do not care if the child advances or not. Not her, she wants each child she does therapy with to advance and she gives all her heart to each child she has to make that happen. I know I could not do her job, but then again I don't think anyone can do her job as well as she does.

She is a Great Mom to our kids. She makes sure they are always dressed, feed, medicated when need to be, homework is done, and I could go on and on. She has love for our two that only a Great Mom can have. Besides her dealing with everyday life issues at work, then there is me, our kids NEVER seem to go without. I hope someday they will understand the sacrifices she gave for them and appreciate her as much as I do. Don't get me wrong the kids wear on her as any other kids do to their parents, but she is always on top of things especially when I do not have a clue what is going on.

I want to close by praising her for who she is, what she does, and I look forward to another 13+ years with her.

"Honey I want to thank you for who you are! You are loving, kind hearted, PATIENT, warm, tinder, I guess I could go on and on but I think you get the idea. Thanks for putting up with me all these years. Having the ability to see my full potential even when I don't. Thanks for believing in me. Thanks for helping me with issues I can not figure out. Thanks for helping me see easier ways of completing things I don't think I can complete. Most of all THANKS FOR LOVING ME DAY AFTER DAY THE WAY YOU DO! I am looking forward to many more years with you by my side. I love you with all my heart!!! You will always be Forever Mine."

I Wonder?

I often wonder (off) no just kidding. I often wonder as I did today driving to Fayetteville (Home of the Hogs) why does today's world WEAR YOU DONE? I think of how we as Christians try to live the life as Jesus did when HE was here. We try to follow the word, keep our feet on the path of righteousness, spread the Gospel, be kind and love others as we want to be loved, and then BAM some jerk tries to just tick you off.
Now in today's world it is so easy to just explode and unleash the wrath of your anger on the next guy. But think of how it was for Jesus. The Man had no car, cell phone, email, text, etc. and He was still able to get around and spread the word. But yet not ONE WORD in the Bible says Jesus got mad, angry, hateful, rude, or anything else at anyone who crossed His path. So here we are with the best technology invented today and we can not drive down the road without getting mad at some fool who cut you off due to his driving with a cell phone, text, email, makeup, etc.
Saying this I would like to ask that each of us try to treat the next person, regardless if they make you mad or just plan redneck, kind for one week and let's see what happens not only to the world but to our world. See if you don't begin to treat everyone the same and sooner or later you to may go through life mad less and less stressed.
I just think if we present ourselves as Jesus did Himself life would be easier to handle and maybe we won't need as many pills. The next time you are in the store turn to the person behind you and offer to pay for the soda they have. Or if you are in the drive thru pay for the order of car behind you. There is a Christian radio station in Fayetteville I listen to when I am there and they do this as a challenge to the community. When they do it they have people call in and give their testimony. Man what a charge it gave me to hear some of the stories told. So I am passing this challenge on to you.
Hug a neighbor, pet a dog, take your spouse to lunch, and remember pray hard we ALL need it.

The day after

This is the day after VETs day and yesterday was a hit. I went to a musical at Savannah's school. K-2 performed patriotic songs about 3 and they all did a great job. Thanks goes out to Ms. Pittman (The Music Teacher) she did an awesome job and has since I had her in school about 25 or so yrs ago. She was around doing music since the civil war I think.?!?.
Then I went and ate lunch with Mason at his school, then dashed back to Savannah's school and ate lunch with her and my niece Emma. After lunch we went to the play ground and player for a while. I wish I had more time to do those things. These precious times will go QUICK and we will look back and think WOW where did they go.
So saying that I request, no beg you to take 30 min out of your BUSY day once a month and take your kid lunch the look an their face when you are there waiting on them with lunch is a site you will ALWAYS remember.
I think I will try to answer my good ol buddy Mike's questions over there on Here's What I Got blog (Look left for the link). Mike here it goes you asked a couple of questions and here are the answers. YOU HAVE TOO MUCH TIME ON YOUR HANDS. GET A JOB THAT KEEEEEPS YOU BUSIER. IF YOU NEED SOMETHING TO DO PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PAINT MY HOUSE. And there are the answers you are looking for. DO I hear an Amen from Philip?
Remember to call a friend and just say Hey how are you and hear what they have to say.

Veterans Day

Well tomorrow is Veterans Day and I would like to give a shout out to all the VETS in this Great Country. Without them we would not have the joys of Church, Vacation, Deer Camps, etc. So if you see a VET tell them Thanks for what they do/did and for giving us what we have. The person may have only been a cook, security policeman, or even a boring safety officer but tell them thanks because their jobs are just as important as the ones on the front line. Maybe not as dangerous but still as important. From pencil pushers to lead slingers they all have a job and a part in the freedoms of this Great Nation that most nations do not have. So see a VET give a thanks, hand shake, or even a good ol fashion hug, believe me they deserve them all.

I have a praise to tell all. I heard my parents visited a church for the last two weeks. I think they are going to join and continue in church. See they have been out for a while and I've prayed hard for them to get back in church. Praise the Good Lord we have for answering prayers.

Remember, hug a VET, kiss your spouse, and invite two friends to church.

What a weekend

I would like to give a shout out to all the Deer Hunters out there this weekend especially 12 special ones. Here's to Jackie, Mike (Conner), Jessee, Philip, Randy, Jason, Clarence, John C. (Conner(Hunter)), John F., and most of all Mason (See killer one the left). They call themselves "Lead Slingers" and if the Lead is Slinging aint Nothing Swinging (neither happened this weekend). These GREAT group of men seemed to have a great time Fri, Sat, and Sun. Mason and I showed up Sat afternoon for a hang out and I cooked dinner for the group and we came home Sat night due to church on Sun. I took Conner and Mason on a 4 wheeler ride after I cooked the baked potatoes and let me say it was a cooooooled ride. When we got back I cooked deer steaks and pork n beans with spices for all, ate, got full, went home to a warrrrrrmmmm bed instead of a tent like the rest.
Any way guys thanks for a great time I enjoyed the first annual camp and looking forward for many many more. Thanks all for the friendship couldn't make it without you.
One other good note Greenwood is in the play offs w/ 3 home field games due to a great win against Alma 40-36. This was one of those down to the wire, last second play to win, on the edge of your seats, ballgame is in any ones favor, but the heart won in the end and we are home for the next 3 weeks as long as we win. Good luck Bulldogs let's get 4 straight State Titles. You heard it we have 3 straight State Champ Titles.
Well good night all, pray hard, believe harder, pay attention to signs, look Upward, and last but not least (One thing you have NO one can take away, you can share it with others, and most of the time you will receive one back, know what it is? A SMILE.) So give one away you can always make more.

Remember When

Sorry I missed a day. I titled this blog "Remember When" for a reason. If any of you are near my age I know you can remember when times seemed so easy. My wife and I seem to go 90 mph 24-7. With two kids 6 and 8 it seems there is something everyday of the week. Between baseball, cheer leading, church, work, guard drill, chores at home, and anything else I did not think of. I can remember when life seemed so slow and simple. Remember when you looked at your parents and did not see stress in their eyes, hurry in there motions, and panic when something was needed to be done right then? Well I do or maybe I just did not see it. I came from a family of 3 I have 2 older sisters Shelba is 11 yrs older and Jerri is 9 yrs older. So basically I grew up by myself. I mean they were still around and in my life but not at home. I played ball, was in boy scouts, band, agri, and maybe a few other things but mom and dad never seemed rushed. How is that 20 yrs after high school time seemed to speed up 10 times but time remains the same? Today's world seems to be extremely FAST PACE with the computer technology, cell phones, text, email, etc. It seems no one can just hide and enjoy life peacefully.

Just a few things I remember:

1. Mom saying come home before the night lights come on.
2. Get up boy you are not hurt, just dust it off you will be OK.
3. Asking to go to a friends house on my bike and no worries.
4. Peanuts in coke.

I guess where I am going with this I think I am going to slow down some with my family and friends, enjoy the good times, save the memories, and try to live peaceful. I would like to ask that you join me in my new adventure.

Remember be kind to others, and as Jackie says invite a friend to church.

Day 2?

Well today is my 2ND attempt at this I hope I find more to discuss as time goes on. I'll start out saying how proud I am of my kids I have a son (8) and a girl (6). Mason brought home ALL A's today from school. And Savannah is doing just as well. I would like to say they got their smarts from their mom. (THANK GOD FOR THAT).
Speaking of God, HE is the MAN. I can not say enough about what HE has done in my life lately. Things are seeming to click, granted not all things are easy all the time and I will see my rain clouds again. BUT with HIS power behind me and HIS word before me I will be just fine.
The weather sure has changed today this morning I did my exercise and it was 34-39 degrees. I walk with Bro Ronnie (pastor) and a great friend Jackie. We walk 4 miles 4 days a week at 5:00am. I guess I can ran myself with some of the other crazy people in this town. Plus I mowed in 50 degrees as well.
Well I will close for now my kids are on their way to bed and I need to pray with them.
Remember, the TASK ahead of you is not GREATER than the POWER behind you. All you need to do is look up and SMILE.

Today is my first to start blogging I hope that I can continue this daily, biweekly, etc. Feel free to comment on things I write about and so on. Two reasons I am doing this is for one I would like to give my kids something to read in the future and second I have a few friends doing this so I can keep up the them and the times. I am looking forward to doing this and I am ready to start a great adventure with my family and friends. Lord knows they are what are important in times like today.