Dedicated to a friend who is enjoying his last day with his 1 year old today
The two's, the two's, the terrible two's
Start singing the blues, cause daddy will lose
You can turn the screws, and try new shampoos,
But the two will excuse, then accuse, and refuse,
Take the bad news, and the occasional bruise,
Child abuse?, a good parent eschews,
Just pay your dues, and enjoy the cruise,
Perhaps you can use, my fatherly ruse,
When trouble brews…pretend to snooze,
And let mommy take care of the trouble!
Friday, January 9, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Year Two of PHC begins
Well, year two begins today as it was a year ago today I started this blog. How appropriate it falls on Thursday, the day I focus on manhood as it was very much a part of the manhood plan I created a year ago as part of our Men's Fraternity first year class to achieve an authentic Christian manhood to focus this blog on being a better man, husband, father, and brother-in-Christ. I've obviously still a long way to go, every day presents new challenges on the journey and I hope again to share some of the ups and downs of that journey here each day.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
First Year - Final Post
Wow...
I started this blog on January 8th, 2008 and admit, it was not the first time I started a blog (more like the 3rd or 4th time). However, this was the first time I've stuck with it. First Day's post There's been a few readers along the way and I appreciate the sporadic few comments I've received, but I look forward to another year throwing more on the heap.
I started this blog on January 8th, 2008 and admit, it was not the first time I started a blog (more like the 3rd or 4th time). However, this was the first time I've stuck with it. First Day's post There's been a few readers along the way and I appreciate the sporadic few comments I've received, but I look forward to another year throwing more on the heap.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
wii mania II
My oldest son had a ball playing a Cars racing and driving game on his aunt & uncle's wii over Christmas. They had the steering wheel holder for the wand so he could sit and really drive his car around town (thankfully damage didn't effect play as he smashed into everything!) It was fun to see him sit on the floor and throw his whole body into trying to make a sharp turn. His birthday is in April...so maybe my sister--my bride won't have to wait too long for a wii! Though she may not get a chance to play it until after the boys go to bed at night.
Monday, January 5, 2009
wii mania
My sister--my bride got her first taste of wii entertainment during our visit to my parents over Christmas. My little sister and her husband got one and were sharing it with the rest of us and both my older son and my wife were quite smitten with the non-sedentary video game. She wants one bad now (mainly wants to bowl) and when our friends in town got one for Christmas as well...it added to her passion for her very own. I predict we will not depart 2009 without one...though her birthday is not until November! Patience is a virtue my sweet.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Snapping In
During my six years serving on active duty as a Marine back in the 1980s, one of the annual requirements was to re-qualify with our rifles. This was actually a two week process with the qualification day coming on the Friday of the second week. In fact, we would not fire a single round on the range until Monday of the second week; the whole first week was spent snapping-in (and making our targets, etc.) Snap-in week basic involved several hours in the various firing positions around a white barrel with target silhouettes painted on it. We worked mostly on tightening our sitting position and on breathing while squeezing the trigger. To call it boring would be an understatement. But, by the time you got to the range on the second week, and then especially after the 4 days of firing leading up to Qual Day on Friday, we were all ready. Our joints and muscles stretched and attuned, our breathing controlled, and very few of us failed to qualify…Marine Corps marksmanship.
1 Peter 1:13-22 (NIV) ~ Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart
As Christians, we need to snap in as well. We need to prepare our hearts and minds. It may seem boring or unnecessary. But it is our duty
Ephesians 4: 21-32 ~ Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
We've got a long way to go on this journey of faith...time to snap in and get ready!
I always qualified as a sharpshooter, which was a step below expert, the highest level of marksmanship. I think it was because I liked wearing a cross over my heart.
1 Peter 1:13-22 (NIV) ~ Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart
As Christians, we need to snap in as well. We need to prepare our hearts and minds. It may seem boring or unnecessary. But it is our duty
Ephesians 4: 21-32 ~ Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
We've got a long way to go on this journey of faith...time to snap in and get ready!
I always qualified as a sharpshooter, which was a step below expert, the highest level of marksmanship. I think it was because I liked wearing a cross over my heart.
Friday, January 2, 2009
23 Years Ago
Tomorrow morning it will have been twenty-three years,
That I stood in formation surrounded by peers,
Fourty-two of us in all, and all volunteers,
When we were dismissed to uproarious cheers,
And though we were tough, we shed many tears,
As we had all made it, overcoming our fears,
As many looked forward to toasting with beers,
Earning the title MARINE, and starting our careers.
Ooo-Rah my brothers of Platoon 2106 who all earned the title MARINE on Jan 3, 1986 after twelve weeks of boot camp at MCRD-San Diego. And a big thank you to our DIs, SSgt Garcia & Sgts Guy, Martin, and Harris.
That I stood in formation surrounded by peers,
Fourty-two of us in all, and all volunteers,
When we were dismissed to uproarious cheers,
And though we were tough, we shed many tears,
As we had all made it, overcoming our fears,
As many looked forward to toasting with beers,
Earning the title MARINE, and starting our careers.
Ooo-Rah my brothers of Platoon 2106 who all earned the title MARINE on Jan 3, 1986 after twelve weeks of boot camp at MCRD-San Diego. And a big thank you to our DIs, SSgt Garcia & Sgts Guy, Martin, and Harris.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
The Past Calls from the Future
OK, so we are sitting around relaxing last night, when around 7pm our time, the phone rings. It's my old friend calling to catch up...I hadn't talked to him since this past spring. In essence it was my past calling, but it was calling from the future, as my buddy lives in South Korea and where he was, it was already Jan 1st, 2009. The past calling from the future!
My buddy DaeJin and I, back in the summer of 1991, on a beach on the East Sea of Korea and climbing a mountain near his hometown of YungJu.
We met when we served together in a multi-national unit in Korea back in 1990. My final leave in the Marine Corps was spent visiting his hometown and a camping trip to the East Sea (which lasted all of 1 day due to a major typhoon that struck on day 2). He has since visited me in the US several times and we've kept in touch. He has two sons approximately the same age as mine (in fact we spent New Year's Eve 2003 together with our wives up in Wisconsin when both of our wives were pregnant with our first sons.) Friendship and bonds between Christian brothers last forever, even if you are worlds apart.
My buddy DaeJin and I, back in the summer of 1991, on a beach on the East Sea of Korea and climbing a mountain near his hometown of YungJu.
We met when we served together in a multi-national unit in Korea back in 1990. My final leave in the Marine Corps was spent visiting his hometown and a camping trip to the East Sea (which lasted all of 1 day due to a major typhoon that struck on day 2). He has since visited me in the US several times and we've kept in touch. He has two sons approximately the same age as mine (in fact we spent New Year's Eve 2003 together with our wives up in Wisconsin when both of our wives were pregnant with our first sons.) Friendship and bonds between Christian brothers last forever, even if you are worlds apart.
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