Where do babies come from? No. I'm not talking about THAT...
Sveta came over for a visit today. She was asked where she came from. She said,"Russ-ah", which is how she says Russia. She was then asked where she lives now. She proceeded to chant Olympics style... "USA! USA! USA!"
How cute! She's 100% an All-American kid now. She loves hamburgers, popsicles and ice cream. She's also playing soccer this year. That's proof enough.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Monday, July 30, 2012
I'm back!
Sorry I've been away so long, folks. My part time job has kept me busy most days. However, last week I had a day off and we took the opportunity to visit Sveta.
We picked her up and took her to lunch. Sveta chose a completely plain hamburger, apple wedges and chocolate milk. She promptly discarded the bun, ate the patty, had a wedge or two and downed two chocolate milks. Her mom never allows her to have a second chocolate milk, but Goppa and Grandma had no problem with it. Before leaving the restaurant we told her we were taking her to the park. She lit up and said, "I LOVE THE PARK!". It was a really hot day, so we didn't spend a tremendous amount of time playing. It was very clear that Sveta's favorite thing is the swing. Mercifully the swings were in the shade... perfect! She had a great time (and we did too). Before taking her back home we took her to the DQ for ice cream. The child loves ice cream. She fits in with our family just fine. She ordered "sock-a-lit" ice cream. (Translation= Chocolate). She ate all of her own ice cream and even managed to eat some of ours. I'm not exactly sure how she managed to score some of our ice cream, but she certainly did. We finished the visit by playing a matching game and reading her some books. It was a WONDERFUL day!
We picked her up and took her to lunch. Sveta chose a completely plain hamburger, apple wedges and chocolate milk. She promptly discarded the bun, ate the patty, had a wedge or two and downed two chocolate milks. Her mom never allows her to have a second chocolate milk, but Goppa and Grandma had no problem with it. Before leaving the restaurant we told her we were taking her to the park. She lit up and said, "I LOVE THE PARK!". It was a really hot day, so we didn't spend a tremendous amount of time playing. It was very clear that Sveta's favorite thing is the swing. Mercifully the swings were in the shade... perfect! She had a great time (and we did too). Before taking her back home we took her to the DQ for ice cream. The child loves ice cream. She fits in with our family just fine. She ordered "sock-a-lit" ice cream. (Translation= Chocolate). She ate all of her own ice cream and even managed to eat some of ours. I'm not exactly sure how she managed to score some of our ice cream, but she certainly did. We finished the visit by playing a matching game and reading her some books. It was a WONDERFUL day!
Saturday, July 28, 2012
More Posts Soon
Sorry I haven't posted in a while. It has been a very busy time and the blog has taken a backseat for a few days. Worry not loyal readers... more posts coming soon!
Monday, July 23, 2012
Proverbs 5:18
Proverbs 5:18 says, "Delight in the wife of your youth". It also says to, um... enjoy other things about her, but I'll let you read that for yourself.
Having just finished our anniversary weekend, I was most struck by how much Tami and I still enjoy being together. We are best friends and have an absolute blast when it's just the two of us. We don't do fancy, high falootin' things. That's not who we are. We're simple folk. We love going to a local restaurant (usually Buffalo Wild Wings) to eat appetizers and play the interactive trivia game. We enjoy competing against each other as well as other restaurant patrons. The trivia game doesn't cost anything and eating a few appetizers doesn't break the bank either. Our "romantic" anniversary dinner was at Red Robin. We love the place and if you've ever been there it's about as noisy as a restaurant can get. Not exactly linen tablecloths, candlelight and violin music :-) Gourmet burgers and fries is our choice. We just have so much fun together. I can't imagine spending my life with anyone else. God definitely knew what He was doing when He put us together.
Getting back to Proverbs 5:18. It basically says a man is to be satisfied with the wife of his youth and delight in HER. He shouldn't be out looking for "greener pastures". In this time of everybody doing what feels good and only staying married as long as your current spouse makes you happy, it becomes even more important to adhere to Proverbs 5:18. These days adultery is so sickeningly prevalent. Running around and carousing seems to be the rule rather than the exception. I have no statistics to support this, but I would guess the divorce rate in the U.S. is probably at an all-time high. How sad is that?
This past weekend, Tami and I discussed how wonderful our marriage is. We agreed that it just keeps getting better and better. But there's a reason for that... we've worked at it. Marriage is very hard work, but it's also very rewarding. We both acknowledged there have been rough spots along the way. Some very, very rough spots. But neither of us ever considered giving up. We have always worked things out and after 21 years, those rough patches are very few and very far between. There's a reason we took those wedding vows... they work! To have and to hold, to love honor and cherish, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, for richer and poorer as long you both shall live? WE DO!
Having just finished our anniversary weekend, I was most struck by how much Tami and I still enjoy being together. We are best friends and have an absolute blast when it's just the two of us. We don't do fancy, high falootin' things. That's not who we are. We're simple folk. We love going to a local restaurant (usually Buffalo Wild Wings) to eat appetizers and play the interactive trivia game. We enjoy competing against each other as well as other restaurant patrons. The trivia game doesn't cost anything and eating a few appetizers doesn't break the bank either. Our "romantic" anniversary dinner was at Red Robin. We love the place and if you've ever been there it's about as noisy as a restaurant can get. Not exactly linen tablecloths, candlelight and violin music :-) Gourmet burgers and fries is our choice. We just have so much fun together. I can't imagine spending my life with anyone else. God definitely knew what He was doing when He put us together.
Getting back to Proverbs 5:18. It basically says a man is to be satisfied with the wife of his youth and delight in HER. He shouldn't be out looking for "greener pastures". In this time of everybody doing what feels good and only staying married as long as your current spouse makes you happy, it becomes even more important to adhere to Proverbs 5:18. These days adultery is so sickeningly prevalent. Running around and carousing seems to be the rule rather than the exception. I have no statistics to support this, but I would guess the divorce rate in the U.S. is probably at an all-time high. How sad is that?
This past weekend, Tami and I discussed how wonderful our marriage is. We agreed that it just keeps getting better and better. But there's a reason for that... we've worked at it. Marriage is very hard work, but it's also very rewarding. We both acknowledged there have been rough spots along the way. Some very, very rough spots. But neither of us ever considered giving up. We have always worked things out and after 21 years, those rough patches are very few and very far between. There's a reason we took those wedding vows... they work! To have and to hold, to love honor and cherish, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, for richer and poorer as long you both shall live? WE DO!
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Dog Days Early?
I usually consider August the dog days of summer. However, I think the dog days have arrived early this year. Temperatures have been over 90 the whole month of July (we even had some triple digit days mixed in). It hasn't rained in many weeks and the earth is parched here in the tri-state. My lawn is scorched beyond repair and the rest of the yard doesn't look much better. Since I've returned from vacation, I really don't feel motivated to do any yard work. There's no grass to mow and the whole yard is going to look cruddy no matter what I do to it. At this point I'm like a lazy ol' dog laying on the porch.
Friday, July 20, 2012
21 Years!
21 years of wedded bliss!
I am still amazed at the wife God has blessed me with.
Happy Anniversary, Honey!
I am still amazed at the wife God has blessed me with.
Happy Anniversary, Honey!
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Things keep getting better and better... 21!
Today is Thursday, July 19th. Tomorrow is our 21st wedding anniversary. I will not be blogging tomorrow, so I'm posting my anniversary blog post a day early.
I had my first date with Tami on February 24th, 1989. Approximately two and a half years later we were married. As with all marriages we've had our ups and downs. It goes without saying that the ups FAR outweigh the downs. I have been married to the most wonderful, beautiful, caring, amazing, and wise woman in the world for 21 years and things keep getting better with each passing year. I am so eager to see what the next 21 years (and beyond) have in store for us. There really is something magical about growing old together. Obviously I'd rather not grow old at all, but I don't have a choice in THAT matter.
I had my first date with Tami on February 24th, 1989. Approximately two and a half years later we were married. As with all marriages we've had our ups and downs. It goes without saying that the ups FAR outweigh the downs. I have been married to the most wonderful, beautiful, caring, amazing, and wise woman in the world for 21 years and things keep getting better with each passing year. I am so eager to see what the next 21 years (and beyond) have in store for us. There really is something magical about growing old together. Obviously I'd rather not grow old at all, but I don't have a choice in THAT matter.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Back to the grind
It's never easy to come home from vacation... I know you all can relate.
I went back to my part-time job at the bottling plant and will work there until school begins. A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do!
The fun is over. Back to work!
I went back to my part-time job at the bottling plant and will work there until school begins. A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do!
The fun is over. Back to work!
Monday, July 16, 2012
Zucchini in the Bible?
Before I begin... Happy 28th birthday to Sveta's Mama and our eldest daughter, Jessi!
Speaking of Sveta, she told us the story of Zucchini in the Bible. Apparently Zucchini was a small man who wanted to see Jesus, so he climbed into a tree to see him over the crowd. Jesus told Zucchini to come down because he was going to his house for dinner that day.
Of course we figured out that Zucchini is really Zacchaeus. How cute is that?
Speaking of Sveta, she told us the story of Zucchini in the Bible. Apparently Zucchini was a small man who wanted to see Jesus, so he climbed into a tree to see him over the crowd. Jesus told Zucchini to come down because he was going to his house for dinner that day.
Of course we figured out that Zucchini is really Zacchaeus. How cute is that?
Let the harvest begin!
After two months of pampering the tomatoes are finally starting to ripen. For the next couple of months the fruit will mature and Tami will enjoy fresh garden tomatoes. I don't like them at all. These things are nothing but a labor of love. If I could grow buffalo wings I would. But since buffalo wings don't grow on the vine, I'll stick with tomatoes.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
We lived the Dream
Our cruise vacation is over. As with all vacations, it came and went too quickly. We had a great time with Tami's parents and with Michael and Abby's double cousins, Mary and Lauren (You see, my brother is married to Tami's sister and they traveled with us).
Each day was spent relaxing poolside, touring ports of call and then having incredibly fancy dinners in the evening. I won't bore everyone with vacation details. There's nothing worse than someone showing you all their vacation photos and recounting every last detail of the trip. Suffice it to say we had a wonderful time and didn't want to leave the tropical paradise of the Caribbean.
It was a bit sad knowing we probably won't be traveling as a family anymore. Michael is going off to college and I doubt there are any other family trips we'll take. We'll take some trips with Abby, but the days of traveling as an entire family are finished I'm afraid.
Everyone stayed happy and healthy for the whole trip. The Lord provided safe travels and good times with family.
It's good to home... kind of :-)
That's not a bra on my head, it's a dinner napkin. The wait staff liked to have fun.
By the way, it takes a photo like the one at the top to show the grisly results of overeating. I am appalled at my appearance. The diet starts today.
Home Sweet Home!
We are home safely.
We disembarked the Carnival Dream on Saturday morning. After meeting my sister and brother-in-law for lunch in Orlando, we headed north about 12:30. We decided to push things and drive all the way through. We arrived home shortly after 4:00 A.M. Sunday morning.
Details on the trip when I am fully awake.
We disembarked the Carnival Dream on Saturday morning. After meeting my sister and brother-in-law for lunch in Orlando, we headed north about 12:30. We decided to push things and drive all the way through. We arrived home shortly after 4:00 A.M. Sunday morning.
Details on the trip when I am fully awake.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Mr. Murphy and his law
I thought my previous post was going to be the last one before vacation, but Murphy's Law prompted this post. I don't believe in omens, but...
Wednesday afternoon I was taking suitcases into the garage to load into the car. I pulled the trunk release and nothing happened. Hmmm... very strange. It occurred to me the release must be electronic. I also noticed the car did not beep when I opened the door. I was beginning to get a sinking feeling about a dead battery. To confirm my suspicions, I attempted to start the car. I turned the key... nothing happened. Nothing so much as a click. UH-OH! The last thing you want is car trouble 12 hours before you leave for a long road trip. For reasons that are both complicated and not important to you (the reader), I was unable to attempt a jump start. And no, the reason was not that I don't have jumper cables. I do.
Thankfully Auto Zone was open on the 4th of July. $117 and a new battery later, the car is now running again. I hope an old, weak battery that finally bit the dust was the culprit. I pray it's not the alternator. If it is a bad alternator, it won't recharge any battery... old, new or anywhere in between.
I was fairly worked up through the whole mess. Anybody who knows me, is quite aware that I don't like complications. Tami was able to ease my nerves by telling me that these things happen for a reason and that God is in control... and she was right. Thankfully this happened at home where I had access to another car and tools to install a new battery. If this had happened on the road, it would have been much, much worse! I have a friend at church who says, "There's no such thing as a stray bullet". Meaning, God is control of everything (including my dead battery).
Time will tell if the new battery was the REAL problem. I pray this was the needed fix and our trip to Florida doesn't have any more surprises for me.
Hopefully this will be my last post before vacation. If you see another post after this one, you can consider it very bad news.
Let's try this one more time... Bon Voyage'!
Wednesday afternoon I was taking suitcases into the garage to load into the car. I pulled the trunk release and nothing happened. Hmmm... very strange. It occurred to me the release must be electronic. I also noticed the car did not beep when I opened the door. I was beginning to get a sinking feeling about a dead battery. To confirm my suspicions, I attempted to start the car. I turned the key... nothing happened. Nothing so much as a click. UH-OH! The last thing you want is car trouble 12 hours before you leave for a long road trip. For reasons that are both complicated and not important to you (the reader), I was unable to attempt a jump start. And no, the reason was not that I don't have jumper cables. I do.
Thankfully Auto Zone was open on the 4th of July. $117 and a new battery later, the car is now running again. I hope an old, weak battery that finally bit the dust was the culprit. I pray it's not the alternator. If it is a bad alternator, it won't recharge any battery... old, new or anywhere in between.
I was fairly worked up through the whole mess. Anybody who knows me, is quite aware that I don't like complications. Tami was able to ease my nerves by telling me that these things happen for a reason and that God is in control... and she was right. Thankfully this happened at home where I had access to another car and tools to install a new battery. If this had happened on the road, it would have been much, much worse! I have a friend at church who says, "There's no such thing as a stray bullet". Meaning, God is control of everything (including my dead battery).
Time will tell if the new battery was the REAL problem. I pray this was the needed fix and our trip to Florida doesn't have any more surprises for me.
Hopefully this will be my last post before vacation. If you see another post after this one, you can consider it very bad news.
Let's try this one more time... Bon Voyage'!
Bon Voyage' !
From "It's a Wonderful Life":
George: "Do you know the three most beautiful sounds in the world?"
Uncle Billy: "Yes. Breakfast is served, lunch is served and dinner is served."
George: "No. Plane motors, anchor chains and train whistles."
In two short days, we'll be hearing the anchor chains of the Carnival Dream and our cruise will be under way! Our packing is almost complete. The car will be loaded this evening and we will head to Florida in the morning. We cruise to the Western Caribbean from July 7th-14th. This blog will be on a vacation of sorts too. No blogging on the road or on the ship. Check back on July 16th for a vacation update and photos.
Bon Voyage'!
George: "Do you know the three most beautiful sounds in the world?"
Uncle Billy: "Yes. Breakfast is served, lunch is served and dinner is served."
George: "No. Plane motors, anchor chains and train whistles."
In two short days, we'll be hearing the anchor chains of the Carnival Dream and our cruise will be under way! Our packing is almost complete. The car will be loaded this evening and we will head to Florida in the morning. We cruise to the Western Caribbean from July 7th-14th. This blog will be on a vacation of sorts too. No blogging on the road or on the ship. Check back on July 16th for a vacation update and photos.
Bon Voyage'!
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Independence Day
I know it's only July 3rd, but I'd like to wish everyone a happy Independence Day. God has blessed this nation for over 200 years. This is the greatest country in the world and I am proud to be an American. Be careful, everyone. Enjoy the holiday!
Monday, July 2, 2012
Vacation is becoming a reality
Today was my last day of work at the distillery before vacation. Now that I am finished, vacation seems so close. Tomorrow is Tuesday and we leave on Thursday.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Holy Living
We heard an excellent message at church today. It emphasized holy living every day of the week. On Sunday, it's a bit easier. You're wearing your Sunday best and you're on your best behavior because you're in church. But what about Monday through Saturday? How do we act when nobody else is around? Obviously we all sin. We do it all the time. But the idea is to strive toward living a holy life. A holy life is not a perfect life. There is only One who was ever perfect. Jesus Christ.
To live a holy life we should read the Word every day. I'd be lying if I said I never missed a day of reading my Bible. I certainly do. However, I have been doing much better than I did say, 5 or 10 years ago. Some people think the Bible is boring. I used to agree, but I've learned the more you read it, the more sense it makes. You make more connections and the big picture begins to take shape. Read Psalm 119:11
We also need to flee from sin. We all know the areas where we struggle. Stay away from those areas as much as you can. Obviously that's not always possible, but it helps if you keep yourself away from the snares. If a person struggles with alcohol, stay out of bars. If a person struggles with anger, stay away from situations that trigger your temper.
We should stay active in our church. Walking through the door on Sunday isn't enough. Join a small group. Attend a men's or women's meeting. Volunteer when opportunities arise (Tami is on the women's outreach board and is in charge of the church food pantry. I teach Sunday school and help mow the church lawn). Be on the right side of the 80/20 rule (80% of the work in church is done by 20% of the people).
Pray continually as it says in 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Obviously you can't spend 24 hours a day on your knees. You'd get fired from your job, the house would be a mess and the yard would look horrible. Talk to God as you go throughout your day. He's listening and he will answer. Be grateful always. God's grace is sufficient.
And here's the tough one... STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING! How many times have you seen a child doing something that may harm them? What do we say? Stop that! Don't do that! Get down from there! Quit that! Guess what? It pertains to adults too. If you are sinning and you know it... Stop it! Exercise the same self control you are trying to instill in your children. Just stop it! Read 1 Corinthians 16:13.
It's not my intent to be preachy, but this message had an impact on me. It especially got me thinking about our upcoming vacation. We're not taking a vacation from God and holy living. No matter what we do, I want to honor and glorify God through it. I want to be a light, a shining example for anyone I come into contact with. Perhaps someone will see Jesus through me.
To live a holy life we should read the Word every day. I'd be lying if I said I never missed a day of reading my Bible. I certainly do. However, I have been doing much better than I did say, 5 or 10 years ago. Some people think the Bible is boring. I used to agree, but I've learned the more you read it, the more sense it makes. You make more connections and the big picture begins to take shape. Read Psalm 119:11
We also need to flee from sin. We all know the areas where we struggle. Stay away from those areas as much as you can. Obviously that's not always possible, but it helps if you keep yourself away from the snares. If a person struggles with alcohol, stay out of bars. If a person struggles with anger, stay away from situations that trigger your temper.
We should stay active in our church. Walking through the door on Sunday isn't enough. Join a small group. Attend a men's or women's meeting. Volunteer when opportunities arise (Tami is on the women's outreach board and is in charge of the church food pantry. I teach Sunday school and help mow the church lawn). Be on the right side of the 80/20 rule (80% of the work in church is done by 20% of the people).
Pray continually as it says in 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Obviously you can't spend 24 hours a day on your knees. You'd get fired from your job, the house would be a mess and the yard would look horrible. Talk to God as you go throughout your day. He's listening and he will answer. Be grateful always. God's grace is sufficient.
And here's the tough one... STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING! How many times have you seen a child doing something that may harm them? What do we say? Stop that! Don't do that! Get down from there! Quit that! Guess what? It pertains to adults too. If you are sinning and you know it... Stop it! Exercise the same self control you are trying to instill in your children. Just stop it! Read 1 Corinthians 16:13.
It's not my intent to be preachy, but this message had an impact on me. It especially got me thinking about our upcoming vacation. We're not taking a vacation from God and holy living. No matter what we do, I want to honor and glorify God through it. I want to be a light, a shining example for anyone I come into contact with. Perhaps someone will see Jesus through me.
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