Been a while, eh?

at 06/18/09 2:03PM
There was a vacation that saw us in DC for a hail storm and the Holocaust Museum shooting.

There was a VBS in which Biology Professor David Eakin gave informative lessons on how to respond to general evolutionists' arguments.

There was the return to taking the boys to their karate class.

And there was the return to preparing class material on the fall of Judah, while simultaneously preparing a Sunday night lesson.

So how's YOUR week been?
  • jifennerh
    Oh, really? How old is this "subject" and does this "subject" live in Huntsville? lol It was great being with ya'll too. Levi and Aaron were angels!
    by jifennerh at 09/27/09 9:26PM
  • gemma
    haha! I cracked up when I saw your comment on jen's blog! I kind of thought ya'll were just joking but it's alright by me! The questions my sister posed would be interesting to have answered. lol!
    by gemma at 09/27/09 9:28PM
  • gemma
    Great seeing all four of you too. Next time don't wait three years before visiting again. =P Also, I would like to say that both of you raise your boys very well and it was a pleasure to have them with us at Panera and get to know them better. =)
    by gemma at 09/27/09 9:30PM
  • jifennerh
    We may have to go visit, haha!
    by jifennerh at 09/28/09 7:36PM
  • jifennerh
    Have you had any experience talking to mormans? There's a morman guy at school that I'm meeting with on friday and I was wondering if you had any suggestions. I talked to him last friday too, and he enjoyed it and is willing to talk some more. I'd appreciate anything you might be able to tell me.
    by jifennerh at 09/30/09 5:22PM
  • jifennerh
    Sorry ya'll couldn't make it! We'll let you know!!
    by jifennerh at 10/12/09 5:44PM
  • gemma
    How are ya'll doing?
    by gemma at 12/15/09 8:12PM
  • gemma
    Hey! That's fine, I know how busy the holidays can get. =) We've been quite busy ourselves. So did you just move to a new congregation in the area or did you move to another city? I'm glad the boys are doing well. I know they are loving Bible class, but how are they liking their schoolwork? =P

    Everyone here is doing great. We had some family from MS come and spend last weekend and the beginning of this week with us. It was a lot of fun getting to go places and do things together. We stayed up really late pretty much every night which was insane. =P I made the mistake of saying the word "Frappuccino" to my cousin Christina (she's 11 and her nickname is Tiny for a reason. =p) and that was not a good idea. She's absolutely hilarious and a ball of energy without coffee and can talk 100 miles a minute sometimes. =P She drank one and a half Frappuccinos . =)

    We had a little Christmas party with them Monday night which was fun. We don't get to spend Christmas with them very much so even though the didn't get to stay for Christmas day we still got to give them presents. =)

    My brother Jeff and his girlfriend Sharria are coming today and they will be spending Christmas with us. So much company! I love it. =) Anyway, that's what is going on here. =)
    by gemma at 12/23/09 2:25PM

For the Record

at 12/30/08 11:45AM
I AM still on Pleo.

Happy New Year.
  • julied93
    HA! Happy New Year!
    by julied93 at 12/31/08 11:14AM
  • mjcb
    Wow, that was informative.
    by mjcb at 01/12/09 6:57AM
  • bryanharwell
    I hope you're having a good year.
    by bryanharwell at 02/09/09 9:49AM

Nice Trip, Eh?

at 09/11/08 1:12PM
The fam and I recently returned from a trip up to visit Tanya's brother, Mike, in Canada.

Some of you may remember Mike and Sherry (Burgess) Stephens from their time at FC in the mid 80s. Well, they're in Ontario now, with Mike preaching for the Wellandport Congregation, and living just a few minutes drive from Niagara Falls. Oh, and they've got three super-cool kids as well.


Anyway, thanks to our economic stimulus check, we were able to snag some plane tickets and get a quick visit in last week.

Did I mention they live near Niagara Falls?

  • mjcb
    Great pictures! It is nice to have family that lives in a vacation spot! My parents are in central Florida, so it's always a vacation when we go visit.
    by mjcb at 09/30/08 10:10PM
  • julied93
    Jeff Harwell?? I'm not sure if you remember me, Julie (Lambert) Davis. You were a couple of years ahead of me. Good to see you on here. Your boys... CUTE!!
    by julied93 at 11/13/08 10:34AM
  • julied93
    Niagra Falls is beautiful! We went to Canada in 2000 for a wedding my husband performed in Niagra-by-the-Lake. I was just in awe of the gardens, vineyards, etc. Just gorgeous!
    by julied93 at 11/13/08 10:36AM

1,000

at 08/14/08 1:09PM
Are you someone who keeps up with, or at least is entertained by, unusual anniversaries? If so, maybe you'll appreciate this. Tomorrow, August 15, 2008, will mark the 1,000th day since Tanya and I returned home from Russia with our sons, to a crowd of eager loved ones.


So why not post this tomorrow? I don't know. Now that I'm past 40, I find that it's much easier for me to forget things than it used to be. (I have actually been typing a web address in the computer and found that I couldn't remember what page I was wanting to go to.) Better to post while it's on my mind.


Anyway, I'd like to note that none of the thrill of being a father is gone, none of the wonder at the great blessings that God sent to us by way of Sterlitamak, Bashkortostan, and none of the fun. I STILL relish every day I have with my little family, and pray for many more.


And for those of you who may be having to wait longer for kids than you thought you would, or those who may yet find that you'll have to wait, do not despair. I have no doubt that, becoming a father at age 37 put me in a position to be far more stable around, patient with, and appreciative of my kids than I EVER would have been in my mid twenties.


There IS a time and purpose to all things.
  • jodie3
    I can't believe the boys are already so big! I loved getting to hear them sing Wednesday night at church. Hope your mom is doing better!
    by jodie3 at 08/15/08 1:06PM
  • mjcb
    Hey, Frogface. I loved reading this post! And the part about being over 40 and forgetful? SOOOOO true. I never had to keep a calendar to remind me of so many things until recently. Other than being a devoted husband and father, what else do you do?
    by mjcb at 09/03/08 6:21AM
  • turner120995
    Our children were born when I was 37/39/41/44. The way I see it is this. Raising kids wears you out! So, why not be at retirement age when you are done??? :)
    by turner120995 at 09/09/08 11:33AM
  • mjcb
    Is that what you put on your 'singles' website?
    by mjcb at 09/09/08 5:12PM

I Needed That

at 07/08/08 9:56AM
Headed up to the Smokies for a three-night camping trip with the fam and some friends last week. Didn't get to spend nearly as much time out in the woods as I would have liked but, then, I never do.


As it was, we did get to spend some time away from the normal routine and do some hiking, playing in the creek, as well as some bluegrass listenin.'


Of course, there was the annual Gatlinburg first-in-the nation Fourth of July Parade, which kicks off at midnight of the 3rd/4th, and the fireworks the night of the Fourth - which we watched from the bypass above town. That is definitely the way to watch fireworks in Gatlinburg.


Now, I'm back at home. But, you know? That's okay too. The fam and I went to the free concert in the park in Huntsville last night. Saw a good barbershop chorus and a GREAT wind ensemble. But even better than that, got to see some old friends who had decided to take in the concert as well.

No matter where you go, there's good folks to be around and good times to be had.
  • hotlantamom
    Sounds like a great time. I love bluegrass music. We have satellite radio and it has a bluegrass station. I sometimes force the kids to listen to it hoping they will develop an appreciation for it. I'm not sure if it's working!
    by hotlantamom at 07/08/08 10:08AM
  • jodie3
    i love pics!!!
    by jodie3 at 07/18/08 10:40AM
  • mjcb
    I do remember!! But the memories are a little dusty. Fill me in. Did you come to FC for a weekend to visit when I was there? Was it Rhonda Gray you came to see? My mind isn't what it used to be!!!!!!!!!!!
    by mjcb at 07/28/08 7:47PM