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.

How do you choose...

Which bathroom stall to use? I have a small fear of public bathrooms. Well, not of the actual bathroom, but of the germs living and breeding in the bathroom.

Because of this fear I often have a hard time picking a stall in which to do my business. This leads me to my question:

How do you choose a bathroom stall?

Ahhh, the good ol' days....

So I was reminded during a conversation with Allison, yesterday of my Junior High days. By the way, according to Allison, I am the third coolest person in the church office.

I was not cool in junior high. First of all, I had a mullet. I loved it. I wanted to grow my hair long but my mom said no. So it was a mullet for me. Secondly, I wore Guns 'n Roses T-shirts almost every day.

The thing that really set me apart from the cool kids was Monica. I was infatuated with Monica. She was a bad girl. I remember seeing her smoking in the mall. Awesome. She had no idea I was alive. I was a poser bad kid, she was the real thing.

One day I decided to declare my love for her by writing, I love Monica on my hand. This is painful to write, it actually hurts me to write these things down.

After that, she noticed me...in the exact wrong way. I think she sort of pitied me, I don't know, because we never spoke.

Monica disappeared in the 8th grade. Wild rumors spread all over the school about her.

I think I'll have a reoccurring post dedicated to my stupidity with women. Sweet.

The Lights are shinning...

So the day after Thanksgiving, I got out the ladder and hung the Christmas lights.

My house looks like Clark Griswold's from Christmas vacation. Around the garage I have the large, multi-colored lights. Three strings of them. They rock.

Then there's the 6 foot light up tree. It has 8 functions that change the pattern of the lights. It is awesome.

Then, Maggie's favorite, the snowman. It lights up and is very happy looking. An instant classic.

Lining the walk way are 12 light up candy canes.

But the main event is the projector. Yep, falling snowflakes right over the front door. One word, classy.

I'm proud to say that ours was the first house on the block to be decorated. I think I'm even prouder that the second was my next door neighbor. The Christmas spirit spreads fast.

Hopefully we'll pick up the tree this weekend.

Pass the gravy...

Every year I get super excited about Thanksgiving dinner. I love the food and I love being with my family. This year we'll be at my parent's house which means I get to eat the food I grew up with. It's always weird going somewhere else for Thanksgiving. The turkey is cook differently, the stuffing isn't the same.

I'm trying to decide the right way to go about my Thanksgiving prep. Do I eat large meals today to get ready, or do I eat lightly. The goal tomorrow is to consume as many calories as possible. That is only possible if today is handled appropriately. So far I've only consumed a few donuts, but I'm thinking about increasing my calories as the day wears on.

We're eating at 3 tomorrow followed by seconds (or thirds) later in the afternoon. I've got some eating to do.

Turkey, pie, and 3 NFL games...sounds good to me. Thanks Pilgrims!

Now that's refreshing...

So, I'm sitting at my desk just minding my own business and enjoying a delicious protein shake. OK, maybe not delicious, but drinkable.

I go to pick it up, assuming that the lid is tightly screwed on and in place.

Not so much.

The whole 20 ounce mess spills all over me and now, I look like I've peed myself.

I had to go home to change out of my now messy, sticky clothes.

Nothing like 3 showers in one day to make you feel clean.

Attention PS3 seekers...

I heard a story on the news this morning. A man trying to turn a profit on a PS3 met the "buyers."

Instead of cash the guys brought pepper spray and ran off with the PS3.

Merry Christmas.

OK....

So you know when you get to Dashboard on blogger? Has anyone "switched to the new blogger?"

Is that the beta version? Do you like it?

Should I switch???

I'm so confused.

Accent...

I think I'll start talking in an accent whenever I don't want to talk to someone.

I mean, could you really take someone seriously if they spoke to you in a British accent?

What about German? That would throw me off.

I just think that talking in an accent would confuse the person talking to me and they would walk away.

By the way, I hear the tip off of whether an accent is real is the "th" sound. If it sounds like and F, then the accent is legit. Start practicing.

It's never a good sign...

When you call home, just to check in, and your wife has to call you back because your baby is screaming at the top of her lungs.

Call me crazy, but when that happens, run for the hills.

If you try to make things better, you'll regret it.

Checkmate...

I've decided I'd like to learn how to play Chess. I bought a book, The Idiots Guide to Chess, and a cheap chess set and I'm on my way.

I don't know why I want to play chess. I think it will be challenging and fun and I guess I think it will make me seem smarter than I am. I want to be like Gill Grissom on CSI...that guy is smart.

I bet Grissom plays chess.

Back when he used to post, Jake, had a brilliant discussion going about the best fast food breakfast.

Until today, I was sold out on the Egg McMuffin as being not only the best, but the perfect breakfast food. While the McMuffin is still great, there is a new sandwich in my heart.

The Ultimate Breakfast Sandwich from Jack in the Box.

It is a thing of beauty to behold. I don't want to know too much about it because I think the nutritional information alone would give me a heart attack. But it is awesome.

By the way, Jack in the Box has breakfast available all day now. That too, is awesome.