Wow, I've been away a while...

Sorry I've been gone so long. The good news is, I'm back and refreshed. The bad news is, I feel sort of stuck with my blog.

I really want to do some of the cool things other people have done, but I really don't know how. It makes me feel very insecure that I can't figure this thing out.

If anyone can give me tips on how to improve the look and feel, please feel free to comment.

Thanks

How many times...

Can you see a kids movie without going crazy? I've either had to watch or listen to Cinderella or Cinderella 2, yes there's a Cinderella 2, so many times I have most of the lines committed to memory.

This scares me. Anyway, as I'm sitting through the latest viewing of this great film, I wonder just how much more I can take.

Do you know the way?...

So every year, the CR team goes up to Northern California for some meetings. We have a great time and get tons done.

Last year Jeni and Maggie stayed home. Chloe didn't come either, but then again she wasn't born yet. The whole week was tough. I really missed them. This year, we all piled into a rental car and made the drive to San Jose.

The rental is sweet. We got a Jeep Commander. It's like a tank. We put a DVD player in the back so Maggie would have something to do. Usually we don't do the movies in the car. But the drive is like 5 hours, it's hard to keep a kid quiet for that long.

We'll be up here for over a week, I'll try to post as often as possible.

Garage Cleaning...

This weekend Jeni and I got to work on cleaning out our garage. It sucked. To be honest, this is our second weekend in a row cleaning the thing out. Two weeks, two dumpsters. We have too much stuff.

We decided to do it Clean Sweep style, so we made three piles: Throw away, donate (or sell) and keep. In the past we have always kept things that "we'll need 'someday'" but this time we were ruthless.

We're thinking about selling some stuff on eBay. Here are some of the potential sell items:

• Xbox with two controllers. Note: this is not a 360, it's the old one.
• A PS2 w/ controller.
• Kids clothes.
• Various "Vegas" themed items, i.e. a small craps table, felt for a roulette board, poker chips, etc.
• A Love Sac.
  

I think some of these could make us some cash. I've never used eBay (to sell or to buy) so I'm not sure what to expect. Hopefully it will be enough to get an iPhone.

In case you were wondering...

McDonald's coffee is NOT good.

This morning I made the mistake of going for a coffee instead of a Diet Coke.

I'll try to go on.

American Idol...

OK, so, I'm so excited for tonight. American Idol is back! I can't wait. The first few shows are my favorites for two reasons.

1. Hearing the terrible auditions. Yes, I think some of them are fake. I don't care, I love it.

2. Hearing the great auditions. I always try to pick the winner during the audition shows. Last year, I picked Daughtry. I was close.

I apologize in advance for the obsessive American Idol blogs to follow. I love the show.

Yes, I'm slightly ashamed to admit it.

Seriously...

One of those days.

You know?

Do clothes make the man?....

I just had an intersting conversation with Josh and Allison about this. Does the way you dress at work have an impact on how others see you?

What does a t-shirt and shorts say about you?

What about a baseball hat?

What do people think if you get too dressed up?

If you dressed one way for a while and then changed it up, would anyone notice?

Does this matter more to those in charge than to the rest of us?

What is the perfect, "I'm a hard worker that should get a raise but I'm not kissing up" outfit?

Grease is the word...

Wow. Did anyone watch that Grease show on tv last night. You know the one where you get to cast a Broadway show? No. Well I did.

It's called, "The One that I Want." I know that because they repeat that line of the song at every commercial break. It is so obviously an American Idol rip off it isn't even funny. First, three judges. And, wait for it, one is British. Ok, so he is actually a producer and yes he's produced Grease in England but still.

They're doing the whole bad audition thing too, which is gratifying in a sick, twisted way. But so far, I'm disappointed.

Oh, yeah, when someone makes it to the next level of the "audition" Simon, err, the British dude, says, "You're the one that we want to go on..."

What was the name of the show again?

New Year's Resolutions...

Well, with so many people weighing in with theirs I thought I'd list a few of mine. I like to call them commitments, but they're essentially the same thing.

1. Get started on seminary.
2. Keep my car clean. It's a mess. Embarrassing.
3. Read more "good" books and less magazines. There's a "1000 Books you MUST read before you die" book out there. I have a lot of reading to do.
4. Return phone calls and emails as soon as I get them.
5. Find ways for Jeni and I to get involved in ministry together.

I know that's only 5, but I think that's a doable number. We'll see.

Christmas Recap...

It's been a while since I posted last, so here's a quick glance at my Christmas and New Year's:

1. Favorite gift--for sure these sweet Bose Headphones. They cancel out noise, they are awesome.
2. Favorite Christmas moment-- watching Maggie open her gifts. Priceless.
3. Favorite food--wow, that's a tough one. Where do I even start? There was no shortage of good food. I think it's the peanut butter balls we make each Christmas. I don't share them with anyone.
4. Least favorite moment--taking down all of the decorations. Christmas is over. It seemed really quick this year.
5. Where was I at midnight on New Year's Eve--In bed. Asleep. For two hours.

All in all, it was a great holiday season. Too fast for my taste, but still great.

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.