I took a little mental health break today and managed to convince Scott that a bike ride would be in order. We left from our house at around 2 and rode all the way to Broadripple and back….a total of 37 miles. It was quite a feat, especially at my age, but considering that I am having a cardiac stress test on Thursday, I was glad to see I could I could make it. I figure if I didn’t keel over on this trip, I would have a chance of passing in a few days!

In truth I did fine, BUT what I want to confess is that I could see a BIG difference between a 48 year old man and a 16 year old boy. Scott, despite riding a bike that was 21 years old and heavy, far and away pulled away from me time and time again. Sure I acted cool like I was fine, but I was just in awe at how he seemed to effortlessly out pace me. It reminded me that men really are in their best shape between 16 and 18. I saw that I am just a little bit beyond that.

I was able to see a clear transition in our relationship that I remembered with my dad. When I was young, he was Superman. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t do, and not a thing I could do better than him. But at a point, I realized I could out do him. I suddenly could beat him at a few sports, and could do a few things better than him too. Today was that realization for me. My son is a younger and clearly has it going on more than I do! I spent most of our ride following (and clutching my chest and checking to see if I was still breathing). He just kept on moving ahead.

But all in all it was GREAT DAY for me. I got a lot of work done and then had a great time with Scott. There are many monumental days in a man’s life and today was one for me. My son is taking the lead, and I am proud of him. He gets his driver’s license in 11 days and is turning into a fine young man. I am no longer Superman to him, but to Ben……I still have him fooled!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless.

Tommy+

Some days just seem to fly right by and today was no exception. I seemed to just get up and then suddenly it was night…..and no, I didn’t sleep through the day either. I just got up and went to work, and work I did until I found myself in a daze wondering where it all went!

Hopefully Monday will be a day I can enjoy a bit more. I certainly do not have to work as much, and the things I have to do are not scheduled in such a way that I need to be doing them at certain times. I even will get to mow my lawn which is a type of work (not work work) that I actually enjoy!

So I will call it a day (I think) and try again tomorrow. This plane is landing and going into its hanger!!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless. If you saw me today, make sure you send me a note to tell me how I was doing!

Tommy+

I love birthdays, especially when they aren’t mine, and today is a big on! 233 years ago, our great country was born, as brave men stepped forward and said no more to oppression and tyranny.

Independence Day is often celebrated with family, friends, barbecues, fireworks, etc…….but I believe a lot of its importance is missed in being declared another holiday or day off work, or a chance to get together to eat and drink. It is so much deeper than that!

When our Founding Fathers stepped forward they were intent on righting wrongs, professing freedom, and giving all an opportunity to be who it was God was calling them to be. God’s Hand was strong upon their hearts, and He blessed them so that they not only established their freedom, but they gave birth to the greatest country this world has ever known, a beacon for freedom for all to see.

As you gather today to enjoy the holiday please keep this in mind. Great Americans have gone before us, and our call is to be the great Americans in our day. It wasn’t easy then and it is not easy now, but with God’s Help and His Blessing there will be many more celebrations and great days ahead.

God Bless you my friends on this most important day for our country, and God Bless the United States of America!

Tommy+

Tonight was one of those rare nights in our family where no one was working and we could all be home together. Ben went to bed however about an hour ago, so the rest of us are just hanging out and talking. As if gets a little darker we will be able to go up on our roof and watch the fireworks from Symphony on the Prairie at Conner Prairie. My guess is that Ben will be up by then. The fireworks are starting in our neighborhood.

I will do the normal legal fireworks thing with the kids over the weekend. I am certain that Stephanie and Scott would love the boom boom kind, but I am not too sure about Ben. Last year he was scared of the fountain! We will play it by ear.

But as for right now, I am going to spend some more time with my family. The explosions are just starting up, and Ben will be with us soon. I am just glad the five of us will all be together!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless.

Tommy+

My visit to the cardiologist today went well, and I am heading into a few more tests over these next few weeks. I told him my ultimate goal was to rid myself of doctors and medicine and tests. And though that may be a bit overly optimistic, at least in my mind it is a goal.

Last night the youngest of our adult dogs was placed in a home. Ginger, who is just three, (AngelCreek’s I am not Mary Ann) went to live just down the street with my fraternity brother and his family. They have four kids and have always wanted a dog. Ginger is so very sweet and loves the kids dearly. I saw her earlier this afternoon. She was loving all the attention!

We still have Cookie now to place (AngelCreek’s Best of the Batch). Cookie is a year older than Ginger and was the dog that had the emergency spay a couple of months ago. Neither of them can be shown anymore, but the puppy will be. We thought it would be a wonderful gift to them to forgo any more of living in the “herd” and live in one dog family homes. We were told that Ginger slept with one of the kids last night. I am sure she loved that more than sleeping with other Goldens!

So tonight the yet to be named puppy, the cat, and I are out on the porch typing. The puppy is into everything and the cat is giving him the evil cat eye. But soon his obnoxious little self will be not into anything other than pleasing the judges. From the looks of it tonight he has a LONG ROAD ahead. In time however, he will do just fine…..that is as long as there are no cats judging. But he, like all of our dogs, ……okay no prophetic praising words will be written tonight, he just about knocked over Amanda’s plant (to eat of course, it was no accident).

Anyway, off to supervise I go. And the best supervision I can think of that I will be successful at is to put him back in with his mom!!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless.

Tommy+

July 1, who would have thought it could come so quickly? I didn’t celebrate it though. I spent most of the day going to and from Ohio State to pick up the lacrosse team from camp. They had a great time, and I was hoping they were tired, but they managed to sing about every song they knew for half of the trip home. Of course that makes me tired, but I suppose that is worth it to get them all home safe and sound.

I can now look forward to concentrating on work and home. I have a cardiologist appointment tomorrow to decide what to do about the hole they found in my heart last year during “stroke week.” It unnerves me a bit to just know it is there, but as I tell Amanda, at least we can be thankful they found a heart! Gosh, I am still funny despite spending the day with teenage girls who think I am ancient and out of touch!

Anyway it is bed for me and the hope of a great day tomorrow. Keep me in your prayers. I am hoping to escape unscathed!!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Today my youngest turned 2. It seems as if he just arrived and now he is officially a toddler! He is a real delight to all of us and we are so blessed to have him.

Happy Birthday Ben. The big 2! Way to go! We are so proud of you!

I hope and pray your day was just as blessed!

Tom+

I am not certain whether this is post 400 or if tomorrow will be, but I am in the ballpark regardless. I am out on the porch, my wife’s family has all returned home, and Amanda and Ben and I are the only ones who are home. Ben turns 2 tomorrow, and he is spending his last night of baby-hood wailing in protest of being put to bed too soon. The poor boy. He just wants to stay up and have fun.

As for me, I am just trying to get a handle on my week. I will work tomorrow, be in Ohio Wednesday, and then back to work the rest of the week. It makes planning things a bit difficult, but plan I must. I will say that I am just glad to get most of the summer celebrations behind me. It has been a cake-fest for sure, but even I can have too much! (I even had left-over cake tonight…it feels like too much NOW)

Anyway, I am off to relax. I need some down-time, and I will get a little tonight. Amanda and Ben are now in bed…..together. He is a brilliant man! I will catch them in about an hour. I am going to just enjoy the porch while I can!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless.

Tommy+

This was one of the rare days that I was not in church for services. I instead drove about half of our lacrosse team to Ohio State for a four day camp. It was a LONG 400 miles, but it was well worth it. The girls were great and very appreciative. It was a pleasure to take them there.

Sadly I missed seeing off my sister in law and niece. They were flying out about the time I was arriving back home. My mother in law stays until tomorrow afternoon, and I will take the day off to spend with everyone here. It should be a nice day.

But of course now I am achy and tired. My legs hurt more than I can describe and it doesn’t matter whether I am standing or sitting or in bed. Ouch ouch ouch! But I suppose tomorrow morning things will be different….at least I hope so,

I missed being with everyone in church, but I have a lifetime left to make it up…..I intend to too. I am just happy that the girls arrived at OSU safe and sound. Keep me in your prayers…..just a few more days until I do it again!

Goodnight and God Bless….

Tom+

I woke up into a busy day. I went to meet my favorite Family Life Missionary Mike Constantine (okay, he is the only one I really know, but even if I did know more he would be my favorite). Mike came up from Little Rock, Arkansas to be at the celebration of my ordination anniversary last night. It was so great to see him. We had breakfast, and said our good-byes. He will be back in October when we hope to have him speaking at our churches about Family Life’s ever so important ministry.

We also celebrated Ben’s family birthday party today, though he won’t be 2 until Tuesday. He didn’t seem to mind, unlike his mom who holds out on the younger age until the very last second, and then some. We had a good time and of course more cake. I now weigh about 450, but I have had a wonderful time getting there. There are no more birthdays for quite some time though, so I should have a cake-free diet back to my optimal weight.

But tonight is the last night we are all here, so I am off to watch Transformers (1) with my kids and sister-in-law. They swear it is good, so I will give it a go.

I did however want to post this first. Family and friends are important, and God made them all. I am happy to enjoy them, and blessed by their presence in my life!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless.

Tommy+