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A foot on the head is worth 30 lunches to someone…..

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Today has been a miserable day in terms of getting my head together. Sometimes I just struggle, and today was a real struggle all day. It is now almost 11pm, I have no sermon yet for tomorrow, I am exhausted, and my first service is in a little more than 9 hours. Of course I am confident I will do fine, but the stress is always more of a bother when I am in it.

But there are a few highlights to the day. Steph is doing remarkable….she told me she intends to eat macaroni and cheese tomorrow and that she is sick of ice cream. And Scott came home from work and headed to the store with Amanda…..why???? He did it so that he and a few of his friends could head into Indianapolis tomorrow to hand out lunches and care packages they are making tonight to people who could use them there.
So as for me, I am calling it a night. In times like these sleep is what I need, but I have the feeling I will not be sleeping well. I am going to give it a try though.
I do hope and pray your day was a blessing to you. Ben has snuck into my bed as I am typing and has set his foot upon my head. I am not going to move him, because I needed that. It is a big distraction to a difficult day, and a foot on my head is something that I find a blessing to have to handle!
Goodnight my friends and God Bless!
Tommy+
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It’s okay, I’m with the band…..

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If you know the origin of that quote, then you too are probably a “Blues Brothers” fan. I have seen that movie probably as much as I have seen my three favorites….”It’s a Wonderful Life” (b&w, Jimmy Stewart), “The Princess Bride,” and “A Beautiful Mind.” It was always comforting to me somehow that the Lord could use two boy’s school rejects, which made me hopeful about my own future for sure.

But tonight the line from outside of Bob’s Country Bunker, in Kokomo, Indiana no less (where we have a CHURCH – no, not at Bob’s Country Bunker, but in Kokomo, Indiana) came to mind to me as Ben joined his brother downstairs for a jam session. His guitar was bigger than he was, but somehow it just didn’t matter. He drug it to the couch and began to play “with the band.”
His preferred genre is not quite what is normally played down there, yet neither were Jake and Elwood at Bob’s Country Bunker. Yet when music is playing, somehow things always seem to work out. Tonight was not exception. There was a lot of smiling and sining and then the concert ended due to what in the music business we call “bath time.” The conflict in the movie happened after the band left the bar without paying for their tremendous beer tab, and though Ben does not drink beer, there still was conflict. Ben slid Scotty’s kaypo under the strings and left the whole thing there on the couch. Musicians, I tell you……
Anyway, it has been a crazy night and I am sure Steph will not be sorry she has slept through it all. She had her wisdom teeth out this morning and has only been up a little. She seems no less wise for sleeping through the concert. Maybe those teeth are mis-named.
Anyway, it is off to make sure Estaban is getting clean.
Goodnight my friends and God Bless!
Tommy+
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The Prodigal…….

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Although he has been in his own bed the last four nights, Ben tonight has returned to our bed. As a matter of fact, I am trying to type this very moment with him jamming his little feet into my ribs. He seemed more than happy to sleep in his own bed tonight……as long as someone slept in there with him. Unfortunately for us all, there were no takers.

But really, I do not mind. Though I tend to always get his feet kicking me in one way or another, it is, in truth, a delightful adventure. Kids are only little once, and I really do enjoy listening to him concoct a story as to why he needs to not sleep in his room. And the stories are always better when there are no storms, bad dreams, or any of the usual sad excuses.
So once again he is here, and the streak of Ben-less bed nights ends currently at 4. I am sure it is a record that will be broken and soon. But I am in no hurry for him to grow up. Lord knows I still haven’t! It is a blast dealing with a little guy who constantly cracks me up. It is a blessing for sure!
Goodnight my friends and God Bless!
Tommy+
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The Small Stuff…

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I know the expression, “Don’t sweat the small stuff,” and I even think I own a book by that name, but often when we do not sweat the small stuff we lose sight of it.

I have been dedicating parts of the last few weeks to think about small things that I have set aside, but not quite yet forgotten, in the hopes that I might get a few things done.
Actually, there is often great value in doing the small stuff too. Sure, not getting it done is never earth-shattering, but I have really had some fun doing it…..particularly today.
You see, in our ministry we make just about everything because buying it is just too expensive. So today I decided to do a few projects. It’s good for me to do too, especially since ministry often has no tangible result. So today I made a sign.
Sure, you may not think that is that big a thing, but for about $30 I saved us at least $100. It doesn’t look marvelous, but you can see it from the road, and it is certainly as nice as many of them that it hangs with. I also began painting the mailbox at St. Patrick’s that I hope to have done tomorrow, and if all goes well I may just try to unify all of Christendom sometime tomorrow afternoon….but for now it’s just the small stuff.
It has been a great day but I am glad that it is over. Tomorrow is a busy one, but I am looking forward to it. I have a great life and it is filled with so many blessings!
Goodnight my friends and God Bless!
Tommy+
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The Papa….the PAPA!

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It has been an unbelievably busy day for me, but the highlight of it all was being able to talk with my dad earlier this evening. He was in the car heading into London, and he sounded great. He must have still been drugged up though, since he shared he was stuck in traffic and had been for about 2 hours……it just wasn’t right, my dad was born and raised in Brooklyn.

But whoever it was that I talked to and told me he was my dad, and quite honestly he made my day. I do not need any inheritance. After all, I already have what I need from him…..six pack abs, chiseled features, amazing intelligence and a delusional self-perception. But seriously, when those you love are away and there is a crisis you worry. And, I was worried. And I know we all were. I know that Debby was very worried and I could hear it in her voice. It is such a blessing to know it is resolved. Tonight I actually told him about sharing it on my blog and on Facebook asking for prayers. He was VERY appreciative. Thank you all so very much.
So often as a priest I am called to be with families and people in these kind of situations and even as someone called into it, it weighs heavy upon you. I want you all to know how very thankful I am for all your prayers and support for my dad, because as you were praying for him, you were helping me and my family.
Of course I asked him if he was cutting the vacation short and coming home to which he answered………no. No surprises there and good for him. I am just glad he will be home sometime. And I want to thank you for all your prayers!
Goodnight my friends and God Bless!
Tommy+
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Planters Planters Everywhere!

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Dear Lord….it is either feast or famine. Of course as a priest of many years, I should have known better. All I needed to do was ask my congregations to start praying for Church Planters and for people to called to ministry and WHAM…..I am busier than ever! (or EV-A if you are under 18)

But in truth, I am amazed by it all. I am hearing from people interested in all parts of the state! It is such a blessing and an exciting time to see such enthusiasm and faithfulness! If I were just more faithful we might not have had to wait this long!
So tomorrow I will meet yet another, who I actually talked to for the first time today! A few weeks ago, another stayed at my house that I had never met! They both may become brothers in ministry (in Indiana)! At least I hope so (take note you two….IN INDIANA!)
On a side note, as predicted, I did hear from Uncle Al…..I got details on his walk, and was surprised to hear he learned about dad (his brother) from me. Dad is still in the hospital, and should be released in the morning. Hopefully that comes to fruition. I expect to hear from him personally tomorrow.
Anyway, it is off to bed for me. Tomorrow is another busy day, so pray for me. But more than that, pray for my dad. At 165 I am sure he worries that each breath will be his last. And I mock him (because he is just 74) in hopes that he will read this an commit himself to get out of the hospital and fly home to kick my butt. I love you dad, but we just need to get you home!
Goodnight my friends and God Bless!
Tommy+
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Da plan…….

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I am writing this at 8:30, hoping to get Ben to bed at 9pm so Amanda can get onto the treadmill. If all goes to plan and Ben goes to sleep, Viper and I should be able to end the day with a long walk as the sun sets.

Of course the words “if all goes to plan” are the operative ones. Three year olds can be unpredictable, and are often more defiant than the most independent teenager. But I will be giving it a shot. I really need to get into a routine, and what I have found is that the early mornings just don’t seem to work. So I am taking a lesson from my dear old Uncle Al….walk at night. Al, my dad’s oldest brother, would walk his dogs out on the golf course by his house late at night. I am not sure if he still does, but I expect him to tell me since he reads this, but regardless, I am hankering to continue the tradition.
The nice part is that it will be a relaxing way to end a day. Our treadmill is nice, and our health club has nice ones too (and is open 24 hours a day) but there is something about the clean fresh air and looking at the stars when you walk. I enjoy that very much. Please pray for our dog though….after all committing to walk makes him give up at least one of the 23 hours he sleeps in a day. Golden Retrievers have it rough.
So this entry is done, and it contains a gratuitous picture of Ben for his grandparents and other relatives……(I gotta get my points.) I hope and pray you have had a blessed day! I know I have!
Goodnight my friends and God Bless!
Tommy+
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Yeah Baby……..

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Though it truly seems as if it has taken too long, I am happy to post the evidence that Ben is now sleeping in his own bed for naps. I know we were wondering if he would ever take to it, but it was really far more simple than I thought. I put him in it and I told him to stay there. This has now worked two days in a row. Hopefully this strategy will also work tonight. When this issue is behind us we will then begin to push the potty training once again.
All this is a welcome relief on a stressful day. My dad and his wife Debby are in England and I received word this morning from Debby that dad had been hospitalized with abdominal pain. She said they anticipate him doing well and being released on Monday. I tried calling, which was an adventure in itself since I had never placed an international call before and Amanda, who has, was not home. But after finally figuring it out and getting as far as the nurse’s station, I was told his room phone did not accept international calls and that he was sleeping. I will try again tomorrow.
But for now all I can do is rejoice that Spiderman is now taking to his web, I mean Spiderman bed. He looks so small in a twin, but I remember that about Scott too. And of course Scott now looks small in a king. But Ben is making it all an adventure. He, like all the kids, are a real blessing to us. Scott is on a mission trip for a week and Steph is camping with her friends. Ben in his bed is going to have to do for my cool dad stories for the weekend.
Off to watch him in his pool!
Goodnight my friends and God Bless!
Tommy+
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Finding Emo, and other reflections…….

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There’s an old saying, “a watched pot never boils,” which really isn’t true, since it will if you watch it long enough.

Of course I expected Stephanie and Amanda to return hours ago from the registration trip at Lindenwood. It’s just shy of 7:30 pm now and they are just outside of Plainfield…..still about an hour away. I have to admit, I was clock watching, but you never know with those two. When they are having a good time they are “thicker than thieves” (which is an expression I do not think I will ever understand) but when they are a bit tense with each other time flies! They clearly do not miss me, and have taken their “dear sweet time” (yep, another one) getting home. Fortunately Ben is watching “Finding Emo,” which is distracting to him and he will probably have a little “mice cream” in a few minutes. He cannot however share any of it with “Diaper Dog” (Viper) since it is “chocolate” (a drug of some type for women).
As for me, I finally gave in to writing my blog here on the porch with a “vodka tonic” (it makes me less inspired, but better looking) so I will be done for the night when they arrive…..if they ever do.
So in just a short time, things will be back to normal. I will lose importance in the ranks of my youngest now that “mommy” (the object of his every affection) is returning, and I will go back to being “wrong” (what I always am at home) all the time! THANK GOD TOO! It’s the life that I understand, and that I love.
Goodnight and God Bless!

Tommy+
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Da rules…….

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This has been an UNBELIEVABLE DAY. The kids and I all met Amanda, along with our summer babysitter Anna (one of my lacrosse players, a good one too) down at the Indianapolis airport where Amanda flew in from a business trip from Philadelphia. She and Steph were heading from there to Lindenwood in Missouri for Steph to register for classes, and Scott, Ben, and Anna would head to the Indianapolis Children’s Museum, and Father Dan would pick me up from the airport for a meeting.

It ALL seemed to be going well too, until as Dan and I approached our meeting site when Scotty called to tell em that AFTER waiting 20 minutes in line that the Children’s Museum would not let him take his little brother or Anna in, despite having the funds, because he was only 17 and it was “against the rules.”
Of course I had the absolute dignity to “blow a gasket” because I actually LIVE IN A COUNTRY where we allow all sorts of people to cross our borders and in addition to that we SUE STATES that try to enforce LAW. But this is different……my SON, who wanted to take his 3 year old LITTLE BROTHER to the CHILDREN’S MUSEUM to do radical things like “ride the merry go-round,” and “pay for their admission,” is considered a risk. In fact, he was told that it was “against the rules,” and this denied. I do not know who this was who denied him, but I am CERTAIN I want him as HEAD OF BORDER SECURITY. This guy knows his stuff. After all, if we can keep out the loving 17 year old brothers, we can probably keep out the terrorists.
Sure, Scotty could have LIED…..but that is not what my kids do. He instead ended up taking Ben and Anna to a bowling/game place in Noblesville and blew the same amount of cash, but kept his dignity. I love him for that too. He didn’t compromise himself, and he still spent every penny I gave him! Good job Scotty.
So it’s off to bed for us tonight, and Amanda and Steph will be home tomorrow. We will have the house back in shape before they arrive too. After all, it’s not the law, but it’s the rule……and who wants to mess with that?
Goodnight my friends and God Bless!
Tommy+