Back to normal routine

I would like to start out by saying "Yes Meghan I do spell check I just do not reread the blog and make corrections" "Thanks for the call out on my dumb writing abilities" this comes from a 3'-9" grade school teacher from NW Arkansas.

Now on with the show. The kids are back in swing with school. CHRISTmas new is wore off and I am wore out due to the Basset named Chewy we got. He howls all hours of the night wanting to go potty. I think I will patten a colostomy bag for dogs for overnight hours. (I am thinking change$$$). Mason is still enjoying school, his 3rd grade teacher is off for a while due to medical issues please pray for her. She was my 3rd teacher as well. It is neat that he and I had the same teacher in 3rd grade. She is definitely a God sent teacher to put up with us both but more me than him. Savannah is also enjoying school. Her 1st grade teacher was also Shellis 1st grade teacher, that is pretty cool as well.

The Upward basket ball program has started at church and is going great. I love this program, kids can play ball and parents can learn the word of God at the same time. Everyone wins and has fun doing it. There are approx 300 kids in the program K-6th grades. Wow how uplifting this program is to me and I guess that is way I am so involved. If you have an Upward program near you PLEASE drop in and watch a game or two you may learn something.

The year to come

Sorry everyone that I have not taken the time to write lately. it seems that I have had to much on my plate or that I am to lazy to write, you pick.
First I want to say hey to my cousin Meg for checking out my blog. She and are one in the same I think. Our lives seem to to the same paths in most areas. So hey girl and I love ya.
Now on to the Year to Come. I hope and PRAY this year goes well for all. I do not think we are starting out right by people wanting to take out "So Help Me GOD" when the new president swears in. I mean what in the world is this about. The next thing they will want is to take out "Holly" from the Holly Bible, or maybe take the word "GOD" out of the bible. I think they need so much help that "So HELP ME GOD" is what they need. maybe we can get the words changed to "SO HELP THEM GOD, PLEASE THEY NEED ALL THEY CAN GET, ONLY YOU CAN FIX STUPID." Now let's hear the president swear that in.
For me and my year I plan to spend more time with the family. Trying to be more of a dad to my kids instead of a discipliner. I want to raise my kids and not raise my voice. I want to love my wife in more ways then just saying it. Help more around the house, with the kids, listen to her when she has something to say, hug her when she needs it, and hold her hand without her asking me to. No I am not whopped and no I am not in trouble and trying to get out of it. All these things are from the heart and is what I really want to do.
I hope you have made so high goals for yourselves as well. Lord knows we need to hold ourselves responsible and not someone else.
Well I need to go and spend sometime witht the family.
Oh here is an extra large cup of coffee to Jackie, John, and Scott for the fun I am having playing basketball at 5am. Thanks for the entertainment.

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.