Love and Marriage

(Taken from Ryan's site: http://ryanrickards.blogspot.com)

I’ve been debating for the past two days on whether or not to post this particular “blog” or just let it go, but I’ve finally decided to go ahead and do it, especially with the most recent news of extramarital affairs taking place by our elected officials.

Part of my struggle was not wanting to come off as too abrasive or judgmental. I’m prefacing this blog with the hopes that for any of you who read this, you understand this is in no way, shape or form any stone throwing, judgment casting, person bashing blog – this is me being real, expressing my own personal stance and feelings.

I can count on one hand the number of times I have watched the whole “Jon and Kate Plus 8” reality show. Some may say that's even too much! But I did watch this past Monday’s show. Part of me honestly had a feeling that all the critics, tabloids and speculators were going to be wrong and that they were either going to announce they were seeking counseling, they were going to halt the show for a while, or that they were expecting another child. I was really, really looking for the silver lining in what has become a very negative circus act for them as of late. Granted, I will admit I am one of the people that say, “they knew what they signed up for” regarding the paparazzi, etc. but still, they are people.

One of the key points that drove me and Lori to becoming members of the church we attend now, was our pastor’s stance on putting marriage above the children. I know that some of you are going to read the above statement and be turned off immediately and I’m ok with that. For those of you who are still hanging with me, thank you.

I firmly and unashamedly believe that for any marriage to work, there has to be a complete buy-in to the “better or worse, in sickness and health, to death do us part” vows. It really and truly saddens me at how lightly these vows are taken nowadays. (Now before you begin thinking, “Oh boy, here we go. He has no idea what he’s talking about. If he only knew what it was like. It’s not that easy,” etc. let me go ahead and say, “You’re right.”)

My parents have been married for 32 years. My grandparents, more than 50. I didn’t grow up in what is now considered a “modern family” with 4 parents. But my wife lived it. I have plenty of friends who have gone through it. And I can honestly say, if both parties were fully committed to the vows they said and the commitments they made, it could have been avoided.

I don’t believe in divorce. I don’t like it all. Do I look at someone who has been divorced any differently than anyone else? Absolutely not. One of my very dear friends has gone through this situation twice. In fact, two people very close to me have gone through it more than once. And they both did all within their power to make things work.

Before I get too far off track, I am writing this blog for a few reasons. One, it’s just been on my heart lately and two, I feel that by putting this down “on paper” it helps reiterate how passionate I am about this topic.

When Lori and I first met, or first started dating I should say, we pretty much aired all our dirty laundry. And at the top of the list was our “no excuse” approach on divorce. We began our relationship knowing that neither of us would go far into a relationship without one, seeing ourselves spending the rest of our lives with that person and two, that the other person had the same stance.

At any event, I don’t want to break down and analyze the Gosselin family. I don’t know what went on behind the scenes nor do I want to. But what I could see, was a family who focused on the children far more than their own relationship. How can you expect your children to grow up and know what it’s like to have a healthy relationship with their significant other when you don’t display one yourself? When you live separate lives but come together “for the sake of the kids”, that’s just not healthy. I just don’t see it. Nor do I believe in the “falling out of love” statement. Hear me out. I feel bad for these guys. And maybe I’m just old-fashioned. I’m just saying what I feel.

I mean, marriage isn’t easy by any stretch of the imagination....not even when things are going well. But when you say your vows, you're making a life-long commitment. I just don't buy in to the "everyone makes mistakes and sometimes this happens....." I know “stuff” happens, but again, if BOTH parties are FULLY committed to the vows they made in front of friends, God, Allah, etc. then they mean it and they make it work.

I make no apologies when it comes to marriage - for me, it is a lifelong commitment and I will always put my wife above my children or myself...always. I feel it's not only biblical, but I feel it is just plain the right thing to do. Am I going to screw up? ABSOLUTELY. Is my wife going to screw up? Of course not. Haha! But yeah, she will. But are we both 100% committed to remaining truthful, faithful and loyal to each other. ABSOLUTELY.

Think about it. My kids are going to leave the house one day (Lord willing) and then it’s going to be me and the Mrs. If we do nothing but focus on the kids the entire time, where does that leave us? Living two individual lives and now having to start back over….that is, if we so chose to do so.

I want to live a life that when our kids are out on their own, my wife and I will have an even stronger relationship than we do now and that our kids will be able to take from us what it’s like to have a “Mommy” and “Daddy” who love each other more than anything else. (RPR)

Relay for Life

Recently members of Elekta attended the Gwinnett County Relay for Life. Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature activity. It offers everyone in a community an opportunity to participate in the fight against cancer.

Teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path...hence "relay."

A friend has posted their images on their blog, which you may view here Relay For Life Image Gallery.

I'm Moving On.....

Dear Faithful Followers -

I regret to inform you that I have decided to move on. While this is very painful for me to type, I want you to know how much I have appreciated the countless hours you have spent reading my posts. This has really been a hard decision for me, but one I feel will be for the best.....

Ok, ok enough of that - but in all seriousness, I (Ryan) have decided to move my thoughts and random posts to a separate blog so we could use this one solely for what's going on with the Rickards family.....

So, if you'd like to read what I have to say, check out http://ryanrickards.blogspot.com - also, I'd love to have you subscribe to my updates and/or "follow me".

Thanks again for all your time! :-)

Until the next site.... (RPR)

All Are Our Heroes

A few months back I stumbled across something on Facebook that made me take a step back and has changed the way I view "life". Something that started out very small, but has become very big. A project from a local businessman here in Gwinnett County. A song. A song entitled "All Are Our Heroes."

And who would have thought something as simple as a song could have the potential to change the world? I'll tell you who - David Greer. And I'm honored to call him my friend.

The song was written by a local businessman, Greer, here in Gwinnett County and was inspired by all the "heroes" who have fought, and who are fighting, cancer.

When asked what led to this project and what he hopes can come about from this, Greer stated, “The mission is to bring people around the world together to inspire participation and support for cancer advocacy, prevention and research. I'm a dreamer and if you're going to dream, dream big.”

As someone who has not yet personally experienced the pain or suffering this terrible disease causes, and Lord willing, hope to never go through - I honestly cannot put myself in the shoes of anyone who has gone through this nor can I can say "I know what you're dealing with." That just wouldn't be true. What I can do though, is admire the strength, passion and desire these individuals display every single day. These people are truly our heroes.

And that's what I meant by this changing my life. Often times when things are not going as expected....car troubles, children acting out, a headache, not being able to afford that new flat-screen tv, etc. we all have a tendency to think, "Why me? This is horrible. Oh woe is me...." But when you take just 2 seconds to think about what these individuals go through every single day of their lives, it really makes you think twice about the "troubles" in your own life. Or at least it did for me.

I've put a small snip-it from the All Are Our Heroes website (http://www.allareourheroes.com) below. If you haven't yet gone to the site, take a few minutes and check it out. Play the song. It will definitely speak to you. If you're on Facebook and haven't joined the group, do so. And if you feel led, make a small donation to help continue spreading the awareness. (RPR)

Excerpt below:

Inspired by Battles Unspoken, Triumphs Unknown

“All Are Our Heroes -- that's what I thought. I reflected on the faces of the people I see walking in the Survivor’s Walk at our local Relay for Life. Young, old, man, woman and child -- their battles unspoken, their triumphs unknown. Some people smile at life's darkest hour,” says Greer, whose thoughts quickly became lyrics.

Greer, along with his wife Kelly, is the founder and publisher of Gwinnett Magazine, and president of Tillman Allen Greer, a marketing and media firm based in Lawrenceville. For many years, they’ve been committed supporters of the American Cancer Society and Gwinnett’s Relay for Life. Gwinnett Magazine has featured cover stories and “profiles in courage” of cancer survivors to help educate, celebrate and support the vital work done in our community.

Rachel, just 14 and from Lawrenceville, is an up-and-coming country music artist, who folks in-the-know believe will one day be a household name. “I still cry when she sings it,” says Greer. “Hearing the words sung with such emotion and identifying with the lyrics just honors and memorializes all the people I thought about when I initially wrote it.”

Within days, the song was introduced to enthusiastic officials from the Gwinnett unit of the American Cancer Society (ACS). Weeks later, state and regional ACS leadership gave a listen – and their wholehearted support.

Lost Links

Yeah...I went out and experimented with trying to do a new layout and stuff for our blog and with that, ended up deleting the links to our friend's blogs....I have gone through and added the ones where we either had an old email with the link or ones I found through other various blog sites.

If you don't see yours listed and would like us to add it back, please either send an email through the "contact us" link or leave a comment with your blog's address.

Until then, I'm going to try and find some of the others.....gotta use my detective skills!

Sorry folks! (RPR)

Pet Peeves

So I started thinking, what could I blog about that could relate to almost everyone and may could even spark some feedback.....? After going back through some of my old Facebook posts, I came up with the perfect idea. PET PEEVES!

Everyone has them. There's always something that gets right under the skin....it can be as big as someone smoking right next to the "No Smoking" sign as you're walking in to a nice restaurant or as small as someone leaving an empty bag of popcorn on the counter. (Guilty of the latter).

Whatever the case, I thought it would be interesting to see what people's pet peeves are.

So, if you're brave enough.....leave a comment with some of your pet peeves. I'll get it started....

Here we go....and they're in no particular order - oh, if I offend you, I'm sorry....no wait, I'm not really sorry. But I will still like you!

* Lack of using turn signals
* Talking on the cell phone when standing in line to conduct business (grocery store check-out, buying stamps, fast-food drive-thru ordering thing, etc.)
* Walking or driving down the wrong side of aisles or parking lots (you know, like in Wal-Mart when everyone is walking down one way and there's always someone....usually someone on their cell phone....walking right toward you not paying a bit of attention and going completely against "traffic")
* Blue-tooth headsets in public.....how many times have I turned around because someone behind me started talking and I thought they were addressing me only to turn around and see this blue glow coming from beside their head....? Not cool.
* Paper towels lying on the floor right next to a garbage can (ESPECIALLY in restrooms when people use a paper towel to open the door then let it drop to the floor b/c they're too lazy to hold the door with their foot and drop the paper towel in the trash)

Seems like I have theme going.....and it's along the lines of common courtesy. Oh well. I'm sure there are more but I wanted to keep this short. Hopefully you'll humor me with your pet peeves, even if yours is "people talking about pet peeves!"

Until next time..... (RPR)

Tuesday Blahs.....

Well the weekend has come and gone - way too fast as most anyone would say. It was a very nice weekend though. Friday night was spent hanging out with two of our friends from Spartanburg who were on their way through Atlanta to go to Six Flags. The only minor issue was the fact I had a headache from "you know where"....Preston didn't seem to mind the company - he was ready to go with them when they left!

Saturday we got to spend some time with the Hutto Family and "Baby Perrin" - it was good to see Preston taking interest in a little baby...we'll just have to see what happens when his baby sister is here the next morning when he gets up. :-)

Saturday afternoon we had a cookout with our Sunday School class and then Sunday was church and a cookout at Lori's grandparent's church....Monday, which was supposed to be a holiday turned into a day of housework....oh joy....

Then comes today....

Do you ever have one of those days where you should have just stayed in the bed? I'm not talking about Groundhog Day where the day feels just like the day before. I'm talking about a day where, no matter what you choose to do, you should have stopped and done the opposite. Well, today was one of those days for me.

I'm not complaining per se - just a bit frustrated. I'm sort of in a no-win situation....sort of a dead-end let's say....I think a lot stems with the age-old question of "what do you want to be when you grow up?" Do people ever really find the answer to that question?

I was talking to a friend of mine today and she has a very similar philosophy to mine....and that is, it's easier trying to figure out what you don't want to do than it is to try and figure out what you want to do. My problem seems to be....I'm finding a lot more things that I don't want to do than those that I do want to do.

So, now that I've rambled for a while....and gone to get more tea, and let Rascal out, and apparently nodded off for a few minutes.....the Braves are on. 0-0 in the top of the 2nd inning - in case you're wondering. Of course, by the time anyone is reading this, the game will likely be over for some time.

Where was I going with all this? Oh yeah....the Tuesday Blahs.... all-in-all, I guess today was just my day to be in a funk. Everyone's entitled to those days, right? Right.

Tomorrow will be better. I just know it! (RPR)

Pictures of Sweden

Unfortunately I haven't been able to figure out how to put pictures in a table format (outside of putting them in Word or something and then pasting...) so I had to put the main pictures from my trip in this column-style format.

Enjoy! (RPR)

Heeeeeeeeere's Ryan

Ok, so the title's pretty lame. But what do you expect for the first post in over 3 months? We've been told by "some people" that we need to get better with our blogging. I think we touch on that in just about every blog we write - or at least in the ones I write. So I could make a false promise that I will do better and that I'll update this every day or every week but why kid myself? And why raise false hopes to all our faithful blog followers. All 2 of you. Haha!

So, what to write? Perhaps I could talk about "The Nanny" because that's what's on in the background. Or perhaps I could talk about how I just used two contractions consecutively and how that is most likely grammatically incorrect. I guess I could just ramble. Oh wait, that's what I'm doing.....

So, what's been going on in the life of the Rickards? Travel has picked up with my job. A few weeks in Sunnyvale, CA (outside San Jose / Silicon Valley) and a week in Stockholm, Sweden - hope to get some pictures loaded after I type a few more paragraphs tonight......

About the same with Lori - working, working, working then when she gets home she has to take care of the three boys....me, Preston and Rascal. So, like most nights, she's already crashed on the couch while I'm wide awake.

We're getting very excited about the arrival of Baby Pink, as Preston calls her. Or Cinderella as he told his teacher at daycare the other day.

I could probably write a novel on what all has been going on with Preston. He's taken a keen interest in music. I was given a ukulele when I about six or seven years old....Preston has claimed that now as his "guitar." So, he sits around in his Clemson chair singing songs like "I have a new dog, his name is Rascal. He is my buddy....." and "I have a new friend, her name is Allison...." and one of our most concerning, "I have a girlfriend, her name is Isabelle." Yeah, 2 years old and already singing about a girlfriend....oh boy!!! Of course, every time we get the camera out, he clams up and gets shy....so nothing has been recorded yet. Maybe soon. Then we can get that posted.

Well, there you have it - a new post. I hope you feel that your lives have been enriched and that you can rest easily knowing we are still alive! :-)

G'night!!! (RPR)

Seeing Pink

We've had a rough week in our house with all of us having a nasty virus and then moving on to sinus infections (and I was even so lucky as to get an ear infection). I have to admit I was nervous about going in for our 20-week ultrasound on Friday with all the sickness and medication (not to mention some very bizarre dreams about babies that I've had with this pregnancy).

All that being said, we found out Friday afternoon that our baby was fine and extremely active. The sonographer had to work hard to get all the necessary measurements. Below are some of the first pictures we were able to see on Friday.

This is the "skeleton view".



These are profile pics, with the last one being a view looking up at the baby's face from the chin area, so you can see the lips and nose.



After much anticipation, we got to the part of the visit when we could find out what the sex of the baby was. Here is what we discovered: Three lines means "it's a GIRL!"


So yes, Preston is going to have a baby sister. He seems okay with that, and we think he'll be a great big brother and helper to "mommydaddy". (LLR)

Beary Happy Valentine's Day

For Preston's Valentine's celebration at school this year, I decided it would be fun for us to make our own valentines instead of using those purchased from the store. I wanted something age-appropriate for 2-3 year olds, something that Preston could somewhat help me with, and something that wouldn't take too much time. After a little research, I found an idea and Preston and I worked very hard to create our special valentines for his friends. (And, we owe a special thank you to Ryan/Daddy for going to the store to get one more box of cookies!)

Below is a picture of the finished product:



Hope you have a Beary Happy Valentine's Day!!

What's Your Story?

Everyone has a story...what's yours?

That's a link up there, so click on it ;)

Christmas 2008 - The Choo-choo Train

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Well, it's been over a month since we last blogged, so I guess it's time again.... :-)

I plan on following-up with a 2008 recap but just don't have the energy right now. I don't know if it's because I was one of the 5 people who actually had to work today or if it's because I ate 50 pounds of pasta for dinner....either way, I'm drained...

So, just to get something up - and something entertaning at that - I wanted to post the video we took of Preston when he came home from Ci-Ci and Pop-Pop's house and saw his choo-choo train for the first time.

I know we're biased, but this video is great! He's such a sweet little boy...and to think about how much he talks and what he recognizes....and to not even be 2 years old yet....man....what great things to come. God has truly blessed us!!

So, sit back and enjoy. Hopefully I won't fall asleep while this video loads.....it may take a while to load, so if so...sorry..... (RPR)

2008 Post Election Thoughts and Birthday Surprises

Well, the election has come and gone....and as much as I am (personally) disappointed by the outcome, at the end of the day, it is what it is.

Today was my 30th birthday and it was a wonderful, wonderful day. My incredible bride left me a very special, sweet, nice note on my way to work, my employees decorated (thankfully not to too much of an extreme) my cube (see below), one brought peanut butter filled cupcakes in for me....yum, yum....another brought ice cream, and as a whole presented me with an O'Charley's gift card (they have DIET MT. DEW on tap...LOVE IT!)...along with a pretty funny birthday card...got some nice compliments from one of our Sr. VP's at work pertaining to some projects I've been working on and then when I picked up Preston from daycare found out he "peed in the potty" today for the first time!!!!

All in all, it has been one great day! Not to mention, there was a historic election that took place. While I still stand behind my "Why I Voted the Way I Did" post, I would feel the same way regardless of who was in office.

All this to say, we still live in a country where we are free to express ourselves and free to do many other things. I found the below "survey" on Facebook from one of my friends I met while in Wales a few years back (here's a link to his blogsite: http://amazedbygrace.wordpress.com/).

Anyway, I feel this really sums up and puts in perspective the "big picture."

I hope you enjoy! (RPR)

2008 Post Election Survey:

Take the test*, then ask yourself how you should respond to the election results:

1. True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, Jesus will still be King.
2. True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, our responsibilities as Christians will not have changed one iota.
3.True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, the greatest agent for social change in America will still be winning the hearts and minds of men and women through the gospel, not legislation.
4. True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, my primary citizenship will still be in this order - (1) the Kingdom of God, (2) America, not vice-versa.
5. True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, the tomb will still be empty.
6. True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, the cross, not the government, will still be our salvation.
7. True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, our children will still be more concerned with whether or not we spend time with them than with who is President.
8.True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, my neighbor will still be my neighbor, and loving him/her will still be the second greatest commandment. (Do you know the first?)
9. True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, the only way to see abortion ultimately overturned will still be winning men and women to a high view of life through the gospel of Christ.
10. True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, the only way to see gay marriage ultimately defeated will still be winning men and women to a biblical view of marriage through the gospel of Jesus Christ.
11. True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, my retirement will still not match my treasure in Heaven.
12. True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, "Jesus Is Lord" will still be the greatest truth in the Universe.
13. True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, we will still know that God is in control.

*Written by Dr. Wyman Richardson, pastor of FBC Dawson, GA.

Why I Voted the Way I Did....

This current election has definitely seemed to spark a lot of interest in many people, myself included. I find myself discussing politics more at work than I do about actual work sometimes.....and I'll be the first to admit I don't know or understand every angle of every stance of each candidate....

My wife was reading a note posted by someone from our church (or if she doesn't go to our church, she's connected to a lot of people from our church...) and it made me get off my tush and put my thoughts down as well - nice note Jan by the way....

I consider myself a Conservative moreso than a Repulican or a Democrat. After all, I voted for Clinton in '96 when I was able to vote for the first time and then for Bush, Jr in '00 and '04....
To keep this short and simple, there are two main reasons why I chose to cast my vote for the McCain/Palin party instead of the Obama/Biden party. 1 - the strong stance the current Democratic party has on "pro-choice" and 2 - the support of redefining marriage to include same sex couples.

As we heard in church this past weekend, and something that has been on my mind A LOT lately, it is becoming so, so clear that as a society we are becoming waaaaaaay too accepting. We are a country founded on the core Christian values of "In God we trust." Call me Southern Baptist, call me narrow-minded, whatever you want....but the fact of the matter is, BIBLICALLY speaking, abortion is murder (God speaking to Jeremiah: "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you..." - Jer1:5) and marriage as defined by the Word of God is between male and female ("For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh" - Gen 2:24). For any Christian to say that a baby is not really a life until a certain period of time is clearly not basing that on the Word. Sorry if this is harsh....but as Richard says every week, "take that up with Him (God)...."

It honestly disheartens me when I hear Christians saying things like "well, even though I don't necessarily agree with that (the pro-life or same-sex marriage), I think people should be able to have their right to...(fill in the blank) and we need a change..."

My good friend Chris posted something on his blog the other day that I thought nailed it...."we have the "right" to go rob a bank or do drugs but we'd go to jail for doing so..."

It really is very, very sad to see how "accepting" we as Christians are becoming. Now hear me out...I have homosexual friends....I have friends who are borderline alcoholics....I have my own issues as well...and a sin really is a sin....but at the end of the day, I strive everyday to live according to the Word of God...to "...hate what is evil; (and) cling to what is good" - Rom. 12:9

Anyway, all this to say - the Republican party stands for Pro-life and for keeping marriage as a union between male and female. The Democratic party (currently) is about "choices"....sorry folks, but for those of you who are Christians, I challenge you to Biblically back how supporting such evil would be seen as pleasing in the eyes of God.

I won't even get in to the "Basic principle of fairness..." as Obama claims...I mean quite honestly, I have busted my tail and owe many a pretty penny to the Student Loan Department to better myself so I can be in a decent paying job....I don't really see how having the government dictate "redistributing" money from what they deem as wealthy to give to the lower-paid is fair - after all, most of the people I know who are in a lower income bracket give more than those in higher income brackets...so talk about destoying work ethic....we are already a lazy society....what do you think this would solve?

Referencing an email from eariler this month....would you consider it fair if you were a waiter and your customer stiffed you for the tip you earned in order to give that money to the bum out on the street b/c, in the customer's mind, they felt it was only fair to give money to those they felt were actually more in need...?

Don't get me wrong - "redistributing the wealth" is actually a Biblical pricincple but it shouldn't be mandated by our government - it should be something we do out of our own convictions - i.e. "But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret...." - Matt. 6:3-4

The government is the last place I would want making these decisions for me - the same government that thinks a full-term abortion should be the choice of the mother if she so chooses or decides she no longer wants the child....at any event, I know this note will likely offend some people or flat out make them mad, and for that, it is what it is...I felt I needed to express what was on my heart and if we truly want a "change" we need to get back to the core principles this nation was founded on, and that was Christianity, and stop thinking/believing that our government should be the ones making all the decisions for us.....

Well, so much for short and sweet and not getting in to the other issue.... but I felt like this needed to be said. If nothing else, to get it off my chest. I encourage each of you, if you haven't already voted, please do so. I would hope you would truly vote for what convicts you - it is our privilege, not right, to vote, so no matter where you stand - please do so.

I'm Ryan Rickards and I approve this message....

Happy Halloween 2008

Nothing really eventful to post about for halloween here, but that's fine by me. Little man hasn't been feeling well all week, so we tried to keep it low key. We let him have a lollipop and help us hand out candy. We had about 4 groups of trick-or-treaters stop by, we had pizza for dinner, and I just got in from taking another picture of our poor pumpkin. As you can see, when we carved it Sunday evening, it looked great:

However, as you can also see, outdoor living is rough on the skin:

What Life Would Be Like

I have been driving myself (and Ryan) crazy over the past two weeks trying to find the lyrics to a song I heard on the radio on the way home from work one day. I pretty much listen to two radio stations every day, yet I've only heard the song that one time and could not for the life of me remember the lyrics enough to do a search. This past Friday on my way to Spartanburg, I heard the song coming on the radio again and was THRILLED because I was going to use my handy-dandy "Shazam" application on my phone that will identify songs for you. Just as I the song came on, I got a phone call from work I had to take and by the time the call was over, the song was off the radio. Needless to say, I was ever so frustrated. Anyhow, I was better able to remember the few words I heard this time, and FINALLY was able to figure out what the song was. Since I've been on such a quest, I wanted to share my success with you all.

Like I said, I first heard this song on the way home from work one afternoon and it really spoke to me. Below are the lyrics from Big Daddy Weave's new album, What Life Would Be Like:


I wish I was more of a man
Have you ever felt that way
And if I had to tell you the truth
I'm afraid I'd have to say
That after all I've done and failed to do
I feel like less than I was meant to be
What if I could fix myself
Maybe then I could get free

I could try to be somebody else
Who's much better off than me
But I need to remember this
That it's when I'm at my weakestI can clearly see

He made the lame walk and the dumb talk
He opened blinded eyes to see
That the sun rises on His time
Yet He knows our deepest desperate need
And the world waits while His heart aches
To realize the dream
I wonder what life would be like if we let Jesus live thru you and me

What if you could see yourself thru another pair of eyes
What if you could hear the truth
Instead of old familiar lies
What if you could feel inside
The power of the hand that made the universe You'd realize
All our hearts they burn within us
All our lives we've longed for more
So let us lay our lives before the one who gave His life for us

VERY Random

I'm really tired right now and should be sleeping; however, I couldn't resist sharing with you what's going through my mind right now. (Please don't think this is about to get deep - 'cause it'll be far from it.) I was just looking online for a vertical mount paper towel holder because I cannot stand the vertical ones that go on the counter (what we have now) and I don't have room by the kitchen sink to mount one under the cabinet. I want it to be pretty, yet simple since it will be very visible, so I'm being pretty picky. After searching for a while I found one that I really liked. It was classic, simple and fairly inconspicuous. Perfect I thought...let me get out the credit card so I can get this ordered and have it by the end of the week. Then I thought, I should probably see how much this is going to cost me...

$218.00 - the price tag on this thing is $218.00!!! Yes, that's right - $218.00 for a PAPER TOWEL HOLDER. Are you kidding me? There are some things in life that are worth a little extra money because you know they are made well, hand-crafted, etc., etc., but a paper towel holder that cost $218? That's just plain ludicrous. So now, after spending an hour on the computer searching and finding "the one," I am filled with disappointment. BTW, if anyone reading has a extra $218 dollars to "spare", I'm taking donations. (You know I'm kidding...even if I had it, I cannot fathom spending that kind of money on something to hold paper towels.) (LLR)

Silly, Silly Boy

Bumps & Bruises

Preston and I spent the afternoon at urgent care because he got a "boo-boo" at daycare today. Nothing too major, but we had to get it checked out just in case. He was walking outside to go play and tripped over his feet at the threshold and hit his head right where the door frame comes to a point. He has a bad cut and a nasty bruise, but we didn't have to get stitches. They did have to put Preston in some device that looks like a straight jacket to keep him still long enough to be able to thoroughly clean the cut and make sure it wasn't going to require stitches. (I am so thankful we didn't have to go the stitches route because it was hard enough to watch them squirt water on the cut while he was restrained.) Our nurse was very kind and worked well with me and my "active" child.

We met two very nice young girls in the waiting room who were there with their baby sister and were kind enough to allow Preston to "drive" the car toy that he so anxiously wanted to play with. Preston also received a popsicle upon our discharge which made him very happy (so much so that when Daddy arrived, he didn't greet him until after the popsicle was finished).

The picture below was taken after we got home and Preson and his daddy were being silly. Preston looks pretty pitiful here, but he seems to be doing just fine and is sleeping soundly now. (LLR)