My Birthday...

So it was my birthday this week. 31. Awesome. The best thing about turning 31 is that you've already turned 30. The wounds have healed.

We took the kids to Disneyland and had a great time. The highlight was that Maggie met her hero...Cinderella.

It was amazing. OK, so every morning, as soon as she wakes up, Maggie asks to put on her Cinderella dress. She watches the movies (yes there's a Cinderella 2 and yes it's horrible) and she wants to hear stories about Cinderella all day.

So we went to a show to see her and then got in line to get her autograph. Maggie was wearing her Cinderella dress (of course) so the usher came and got us so we'd be first in line.

The girl playing Cinderella was wonderful. She was so cool to Maggie and made her feel so special. Maggie got to sit on her lap and get pictures taken. When it was all over Maggie wanted to stick around so she could look at Cinderella. What happened next was amazing.

Cinderella saw Maggie looking at her and told us she'd walk with Maggie if we stayed put. So Maggie got to hold hands with her and walk through the Hollywood part of California Adventure. Cinderella danced with her and told her she was a beautiful princess. Maggie got to spend one on one time with Cinderella for like 15 minutes.

That was the best present I got for my birthday. Well, that and my new tattoo...it's awesome too.

Baby Jesus...

Maggie gets it. She's two and a half, and she totally gets it.

I asked her what Christmas is all about and she said, "Santa brings me toys."

"Isn't Christmas about something else, too?" I asked.

"Baby Jesus."

I made fun of my wife for two things she bought this year. First she bought a Fisher Price nativity scene. Maggie loves it.

The second thing was a read aloud bible. I just thought Maggie was too young to get anything from it. Luckilly, not only did I marry out of my league, but my wife is also way smarter than me.

We've been reading the Christmas story to Maggie at least once a day for the last two weeks. She brings the book to us and says, "Read Baby Jesus story?"

How do you say no to that?

One day Jeni was reading it to Maggie when Maggie said, "I want to go to heaven with Baby Jesus."

Jeni told me it almost knocked her down. We've really struggled over what to teach our kids about Christmas. On the one hand, believing in Santa is a part of childhood. On the other hand, we want to teach our girls about Christ.

After this I asked Maggie if she loves Jesus, she said yes. She also said that so does Daddy, Mommy, Papa and CC (my mom and dad) and Santa. She said Santa and Jesus are friends. I think that is a cool mix.

You know, right now Maggie only knows that Jesus loves her. Because she's a kid her response is to love him back. She gets it. She hasn't been bogged down with doubt or theology. She hasn't yet tried to figure it all out. She feels loved and she responds with love.

I find myself wishing that I did the same thing. I really want to take some time out in this busy time of year to remind myself that Jesus loves me. It's so simple, but I forget.

It can be humbling when a two and a half year old teaches you things.

And the winner is...

The Golden Globe nominations were announced this morning. You can see them all here.

Just like always, I haven't seen most of the nominated movies. I did see "The Departed" and it was awesome. Lots of "F" bombs, but still a great movie.

The TV nominations are great. I'm pulling for "The Office" for comedy and "Heroes" for drama.

Once again, "Dancing with the Stars" didn't get a nomination. Whatever.

There's nothing good on TV tonight...

Wednesday used to be awesome. America's Next Top Model. Dancing with the Stars. Now, there's only Top Chef...and that doesn't come on until 10.

What am I supposed to do, talk to my family?

Please.

White Elephant Gifts...

So tonight we have a little get together with our small group. Should be fun execpt...we are doing a white elephant gift exchange.

I don't like it. Not at all.

I like the funny gifts. I like the ugly, crazy regifts that pop up. What I don't like is two hours of sitting around exchanging them.

The rules are confusing. Sometimes you get to steal a gift, but that gift can only be stolen twice and then the gift is off the table. Or you can choose a gift from the pile or one from someone esle, and then they can choose a gift from the pile or from someone esle, and so on and so on.

Plus, I always get my feelings hurt if no one wants to steal the gifts I brought.

I think this could be fun if it lasted say, a half hour. But they're always like a game of Monopoly. They take forever and stop being fun about half way through.

By the way, I'm bringing a "Pooping reindeer." It's a candy dispenser but it looks like the deer is pooping. Very junior high. I love it.

It has arrived...

We finally have our Christmas tree!

It is 8 feet tall and is awesome. 300 lights adorn this fine specimen of a tree.

It is finally Christmas time.

Now, if it would just get below 80 degrees, we'd be in business.

Do you think...

God dislikes disciplining us as bad as I dislike disciplining my kids? Well, to be fair, kid. Chloe is only 8 months old...she hasn't done too much that requires discipline.

I hate disciplining Maggie. Let me make one thing clear, when I say discipline, I mean "time out." We don't spank...yet.

I give Maggie a two minute time out when she does something wrong. I hate it. She cries and looks at me like she doesn't get what's going on. She gets so sad. After the two minutes are up, I go to her and explain what she did that got her in trouble. Then I tell her I love her. Usually she's could have gotten hurt or hurt her little sister.

I was just wondering if God feels the same way when He disciplines me. Does He wish I would just do what He asks the first time? Does he count the seconds until my punishment is up so He can comfort me and tell me He loves me? How does it make Him feel when I keep doing something He's told me over and over agian not to do?

Just some questions. Any thoughts?

Christmas tree shopping...

We don't have a Christmas tree yet. This brings me more pain than I can possibly express. NO CHRISTMAS TREE!!

Jeni wants a real tree again this year. Look, I'm all for the real tree, smells good, looks good. But the problem is they die. Quickly.

And they aren't cheap. An 8 footer will put you back at least $150. $150 for a dying tree.

Meanwhile, a fake tree, will last you a lifetime. They come pre-lit, which, let's face it, is their biggest "pro." I hate stringing the lights on a tree. I never get it perfect.

Plus, you put in a box, throw it in the garage and then, next year, boom, you've got a tree.

I don't know how much longer I can go without a Christmas tree. It just isn't natural.

You know...

Some people are just idiots. They can't help it, they just are.

The sad thing is, they don't know they're idiots.

At least I hope they don't know it. I have found that the biggest problems with most idiots is that they don't listen.

Idiots.