At church the other day some people were talking about the Extreme Home Makeover show that apparently did something to a house around here. Let me start by saying, yes, I have heard of the show but I have not watched it. I know very little about the current shows because I am living a life of apparent indentured servitude to my wife and kids. I watch the news and HGTV to learn more about fixing my house!

So there I was at church, “semi-hip” I suppose, in that at least I knew it was a show. But then they started talking about some sort of exhibit, and wrapping, and the way they were talking got me totally lost. But after being enlightened, apparently this exhibit is actually a celebrity……a celebrity that cannot spell because he doesn’t use the “e” or an “h,” but adds an “x” and a “z.” That’s right, it is xzibit. And there is no wrapping involved at all….it is rap, which is defined as a genre, by whom I do not know. He is one of those guys who talks and yells, and shakes his hands at the camera wearing all that “bling” (see I got one right) and people go nuts. As you might be able to tell, I am no fan of rap…..but exhibit is a apparently a pretty good guy because I know the show is about helping people. I have heard he is pretty awesome with cars!

But it disturbed me at how out of touch I have become with the modern world, so I thought I would do my best to catch up. I came home and turned on the TV, and I read about the most recent stuff. The picture (see above) is actually part of my plan. After reading about Avatar, which I believe is a remake of the Smurfs, I decided I am giving all the kid’s lectures now in 3-D. I am not certain it will work, but it is all part of my plan to be cool once again. Pray for me, I clearly am going to need all the help I can get.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless.

Tommy+

What a spectacular weekend! Father Michael Henry, a long time priest in another part of the Communion, was finally licensed and able to celebrate today at Christ the King. It was a marvelous thing too. Michael has been a part of our ministry for over a year and it was a blessing for all of us.

In fact, all our churches reported great blessings today, and it made the entire day quite enjoyable. Too often on a day when things go this well the phrase “it’s just all too good to be true” comes into mind, and then the bottom falls out! Today was no such day. We were solid from beginning to end, and nothing was held together with duct tape!

And of course I did not have my camera all day! I am surprised I didn’t see Elvis or Bigfoot. But in the end, I can take it to heart that I not only witnessed it, but was a part of it. It may not seem like a huge thing, but for as expansive as our ministry is, a day like to day is a real encouraging blessing!

Our future is looking bright, as is any future that walks in the light! If you are not already, I hope you consider being a part. In terms of the ministry of Christ, there is always plenty to do……..and it would be a great blessing to have you join us in doing it!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Finally Ben has returned to his normal self…..well at least as normal as he is. The top picture will show this history of Ben’s boots. There are 1) cowboy boots, 2) Spiderman cowboy boots, and 3) Woody cowboy boots. It is far deeper than that though……anyone who happens to wear any footwear higher than the ankle is wearing ______ cowboy boots. Thus when we go skating we wear ice skate cowboy boots.

Of course as his dad I am happy to see anything manly coming from my boys! The chapstick thing really does bother me, and as funny as it is to see him trying to wear Amanda’s shoes, my hope and expectation is that it does not become a habit!

He is now home irritating his mom with a bulldozer. She doesn’t need to worry though. Soon enough he will be in some cute pajamas carrying around his blankie. He’s still just a little guy, and we are all thankful for that!

Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Oh sure, I remember the chap-stick incident of 2010, and I also remember my promised retraction pictures. But even at his young age, Ben is clearly smarter than me. He not only weasels his way into what was once my spot, the prime spot in my wife’s field of vision, but he now sleeps in our bed like it is his. He gets his back scratched, all her attention, and he is even working on the dog. And if all that were not enough, his obsessive need to wear cowboy boots so I can print a picture of him looking manly, has all but disappeared…..not because of anything other than he knows I want it! He is way too smart. I am confident he probably sneaks out at night to work for the government or something.

Anyway, I intend to wait him out. I am older, more patient, and highly motivated. And, since he is just two, if waiting does not work I will dive into his college fund and buy a copy of Photoshop and make my own.

Of course even if I could, he would still have the last laugh. After all, he has my number, and I know he will be telling me so……in a few short minutes probably when we both try to sleep in that same bed.

Pray for me, he’s tricky! (but I’ll keep him!)

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Winter, though I love it, does mean that Puddy and I cannot get out on the porch each night for our glass of wine (okay, the wine is normally mine) and the writing of these entries. And what makes matters worse for her is that Viper is now in the house full-time taking up what she clearly feels is her space.

Cats are really some of the strangest of all of God’s creatures. We have to check and see if the dog is even breathing half the time because of his lack of movement, but a cat has to claim ALL the space. If you go to sleep she is there where you are at. At dinner, there too. And if you try to watch TV she is on the arm of the couch. Cats seem rather efficient, particularly since they sleep approximately 23 hours of a 24 hour day.

But our longing for the porch we do have in common……and it is just a couple of months away. The snow is but a temporary inconvenience, and our space we will reclaim.

But tonight I just keep shooing her away from me as I type. I apparently am in her space, after all the dog is already in bed……go figure.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless.

Tommy+

At first it was just too cold out in the garage pen, but now we are seeing the incredible value. Viper, or as Ben calls him, “Diaper Dog,” is back in the house full time, and with that retakes the job of safeguarding us all.

Scott has been working with him using flashcards. He is slowly getting it too. Today I think he only slept 80% of the day. I am sure if there were indeed a crisis he would bound to the rescue. But for now I can see his brilliance….he is saving his energy lest he needs to attack.

For now however, he will just hang out, get his belly scratched and snore. God sure knew what He was doing when He created the Golden Retriever. He is certainly cheaper than ADT, and clearly a lot better looking. We love him and are looking forward to feeling super safe from this point and forevermore!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless. And no, I didn’t forget about the retraction…..I just was not able to get the evidence….I mean the picture!

Tommy+

I am pretty much a man’s man, and I always have a problem with the boys doing things too girly, but when you are the dad of a toddler, often you just need to turn your head. Ben thinks it is cool to wear anyone’s shoes, including Stephanie’s and Amanda’s. And if it were not for his incessant need to whip stuff across the room and tear apart things like a tornado, I would be worried.

I will post the manly retraction evidence of this tomorrow, but tonight he was given some Toy Story chap-stick, cherry-flavored, and being the tough guy he is, he refused to allow anyone to help him. The picture shows what a stellar job he did. And though he looks utterly ridiculous, the good news is that he put so much on that his lips will not chap until 2024.

In an effort to do my part, I think I am going to go and scrub him down. Thank God it was just chap-stick……kids this age do all sorts of strange stuff.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless.

Tommy+

Though my sister Stephanie died in 2001, I never fail to remember today, January 4th, her birthday. Steph was an amazing woman, and though we spent most of our lives in the typical brother/sister adversarial relationship, I have to confess I miss her terribly. My daughter was named for her and they enjoyed 10 great years together before Steph died. And though I wish she was still here, I thank God for her and for the time I had with her.

Though many people just knew her as a young woman who fought cancer for 15 years, she was so much more than that. Often they looked at her broken body, overlooking her as a person, and never understanding at one time she was a first class NCAA all-around gymnast. She could stand in one spot and flip from front to back or back to front landing within inches from where she launched. She could run through a series of flips and handsprings, finishing by flying five or six feet into the air in some sort of contorting move and landing cleanly. At 4’6″ and 75 pounds, she competed with often with taped ankles and wrists, but always a smile. She never complained, and it was a trait she carried from athletics into fighting for her life. She was the epitome of a fighter, never weak, and thankful for each and every day. And you know, if I end this life even half as brave and dedicated as she was, it would a spectacular life. The two pictures with the baby are actually Steph with her niece, my daughter Stephanie.

Steph would have been 47 today. I think about her and my sister Sarah everyday. I love them, and I miss them both.

Happy Birthday Steph.

Tommy+

Today is the second day of having our two male dogs, Viper and Bernard, in the house full time. Until we get Bernard placed in a loving home I am sure there are going to be plenty of times I am going to regret converting that dog room into craft-central. I really should have agreed to that post-placement. Viper, the dad (Charisma’s AngelCreek SnakenShake), is very easy going and loves to lay around and sleep. Bernard, the son, (AngelCreek’s I Ain’t No Saint) is a typical mischievous pup (he turned 1 today…happy birthday B). He looks so angelic in his picture, doesn’t he? But though he is still quite sweet and angelic-looking, he is really now “moose-size” and interested in playing all the time. The cat has also filed a complaint about his incessant need to chase her too.

Though chaotic, it is still a lot of fun. Ben thinks he lives in a petting zoo, and they enjoy being in the thick of things. So I suppose even they would have voted for the craft room had I asked……

Anyway, it has been a long long long day, and I am going to hit the hay. Fortunately the herd sleeps with Scott, so I will have a bit of peace. But tomorrow I know it starts again.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Life is often interesting living with a toddler, and it always seems to be with Ben. He is in that shut and open every door I see 10,000 times, and the same is true with turning off and on light. It is always so cute at the start, but after a while it grates!

So far, he has yet to shut his fingers in the door, but the odds are already WAY against him. What he has appeared to become an expert in is shutting doors into my face as I am walking toward him. Of course everyone else thinks it’s funny, but I have broken my nose before and it is about all I think about in that nanosecond before the door hits me. Sure he has the benefit of being cute and my son, so it is doubtful that revenge would be an option, but in truth, I really don’t want to see it get that far. At 16 and 18, Steph and Scott make messes and it is I that shut the door so as to have to look at it. There has to be an age where that transition takes place. I just pray if it is not tonight that it is tomorrow.

Keep praying for him, and if you see me later in the week I will most probably be the guy with that bandage across my nose!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!
Tommy+