That's a wrap

10 teenagers,
96 plastic spoons, and
48 rolls of toilet paper
descended upon our homestead sometime around midnight Saturday night.

Having a teenaged daughter in the house has its moments . . . ! And it's entertaining for the neighbors, too . . .

The approaching storm

Parents need to learn about 'networking' sites -- to protect their kids

I've been seeing various news items and blog entries about kids' networking sites, like MySpace.com, and the dangers therein. It's one of those things that you just have to be careful about -- it is mostly harmless, but can be potentially very dangerous and/or damaging. Here is an article that discusses some of the very real dangers inherent with those sites.

It also discusses how best to minimize the dangers. It boils down to being active parents who stay engaged and involved with their kids. With two daughters (one of whom is a teen), things like this really get my attention . . .

Hallelujah!

I'm an uncle (again)! He was born at 9:30 last night. 8 lbs. and something. By C-section. I'm sure his mommy and daddy are exhausted.

Welcome to Earth, little Nick! Bravo Zulu to his mom and dad!

We love you three . . .

Nephew report

No news yet. That lad is definitely not in a hurry to be born . . .

As of 2:30 this afternoon his momma was in labor, but we've had no word since then. Please say a prayer for my sis-in-law and the baby there in Georgia. You might also include a prayer for my brother -- he's probably beside himself . . .

Incoming new nephew

Just wanted to let you know that my brother and his wife are in the hospital right now preparing to have a baby boy.

My sister-in-law was induced this morning, but the baby refused to leave his nice warm womb, so his mom and dad get to have a break this evening with the festivities planned to resume early tomorrow morning.

Please pray for a safe delivery tomorrow. We certainly are!

Love you, bro'! And your lovely wife! And your soon-to-be-aborning son!

God speed!

Happy birthday, Jesus!

As I sit here on Christmas Eve, sipping hot tea, listening to Christmas music, and talking with my Lady and her parents, I find myself beginning -- finally -- to slow down enough to listen for the presence of God.

I know that probably sounds a little corny, but only because I have limited communication skills.

The truth is that when I became a Christian at age 18, Christmas took on an entirely different meaning and much greater significance to me. And as a parent, I have found that Christmas means so much more than it did before our girls were born. And not because of Santa -- but because I finally have begun to understand the sacrifice that God made when His Son was born as a human on Earth.

God gave us the most precious and holy Gift in the universe when he gave us His Son. And He did it because He loves us -- despite our many flaws.

It is a humbling concept.

Merry Christmas to all of you who read this. I pray that this day finds you safe and warm and amongst friends and family. May God's peace and love fill your spirit and brighten your thoughts. And, if you are away from home, I pray that God blesses you and holds you close -- and brings you home safely.

I wish you and yours a truly wonderful Christmas . . .

On virginity, spirituality, and self-respect

The Anchoress has a great post up about the sanctity of remaining a virgin until marriage. Here's an excerpt:

It won't mean anything to an atheist, of course, or to an adherent of a religion which does not worship the Triune God of Abraham and Moses as Creator of All. But to those of us who do, and who understand that both Old and New Covenants were sealed by the shedding of blood, it makes perfect sense that a Marriage Covenant - which is not only shared between two created creatures, but made before their Creator, with whom they now join in the mystery of Creation, itself - would also be sealed by the shedding of blood. And so . . . it has meaning. Real meaning. Divine meaning. Spiritual meaning. Mature, adult meaning.

I may be considered old-fashioned, but over the years I have come to the realization that what she is saying is absolutely correct. And we are robbing our daughters and sons of innocence, self-respect, and purity, if we teach them differently.

Go read her entire post -- it's well worth it . . .

Tropical Storm Rita

YAY! She's been downgraded to a tropical storm!

Prayers regarding Rita have truly been answered.

Thank you.

The Stoic One

Fifteen years ago today, my world was turned upside down.

In a good way.

It was at 6 PM, 21 Sep 1990, when my dearest friend, my lovely wife, gave birth to our first child -- a beautiful, wonderful girl, 'Al'.

We had been happily anticipating that moment by attending birthing classes, asking advice, and reading everything we could about pregnancy, birth, and raising children. 'Al' changed all that. Don't get me wrong -- the classes and books and advice from friends and family was all valuable information, but my lovely lady and I did not have the experience of being parents to fully understand the information that we had. As a friend of mine used to say: "I'm not sure I understand all I know about that!" We were like that as we began our parenthood odyssey with our first child. (As a parenthetical note, we were like that with our second child, too.)

The baby grew into an infant, then a toddler, then a pre-schooler. She began attending elementary school, then intermediate and middle school. She started high school this past August. And she turns fifteen today.

The baby who, in the delivery room, stopped crying when she heard me greet her. The little girl who, when I was away on a long business trip, refused to eat dinner or take a bath until I got home. The girl who would curl up into my lap and tell me she loved me. The adolescent who was virtually impossible to live with for about 18 months. The seventh grader who went on a mission trip to Mexico and helped build houses for families living in tar paper shacks.

Is now a loving, loyal, intelligent, industrious, fun-loving, Christian young woman. Who already has made, and will continue to make, a positive difference in this world.

God has truly blessed her mother and I.

Happy Birthday, Sweetheart! You are such a blessing!

Coming of Age

Ben Stein, at American Spectator writes a letter to his son wishing him a happy 18th birthday. Here's an excerpt:

Third, try to think some day of the number of men and women who died and lost limbs and sanity so you could be a free man. From Saratoga to Iwo Jima to Cho-Sin and now in Mosul and Ar-Ramadi, think of all those who gave up their lives so you could be a free man, because now you are free, and you are a man. They died for you and me, and we have to think every single day what we did to be worth dying for. Did we comfort the lonely? Did we visit the sick? Did we lift up the downtrodden or did we just live for our own selfish luxury? There are so many things to do and I hope that some day soon you will start coming with me to the VA hospital to visit the patients.

It's worth reading the whole thing . . .

Happy Birthday, My Love

My wife is having a birthday today!

I have been blessed through her for over 30 years, now, and yet it seems as if it has only been a few. I am so grateful for her love and her companionship.

She is one of the most generous people I have ever known -- generous with her time, her love, her compassion, and her gifts. She loves her work as a public school teacher because she loves children and feels strongly that her mission field is to teach them how to read. She is very good at it, but strives constantly to become even more proficient in imparting the skill of reading to young boys and girls.

She is a selfless mother who loves her two daughters actively and joyfully.

She is a wonderful wife who always brings a smile to my lips. I can't begin to describe the depth of my feelings for her.

She is intelligent, witty, and fun. She is still beautiful in so many different ways -- physically, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually.

I could go on and on, but suffice it to say that I still absolutely adore her!

Happy birthday, my love! You are my heart light. I love you.

A more virtuous America

David Brooks at the New York Times has an op-ed about how our society is becoming more virtuous. He attributes that, in part, to the efforts of the many social workers, family crisis centers, police and prosecutors who have been more focused on family violence since the early nineties.

But all of these efforts are part of a larger story. The decline in family violence is part of a whole web of positive, mutually reinforcing social trends. To put it in old-fashioned terms, America is becoming more virtuous. Americans today hurt each other less than they did 13 years ago. They are more likely to resist selfish and shortsighted impulses. They are leading more responsible, more organized lives. A result is an improvement in social order across a range of behaviors.

He then goes on to cite statistics showing that things like the consumption of hard liquor, DWI arrests, teenage pregnancy, and abortions are all down. And there are indications that the divorce rate may be dropping, as well. And there's quite a bit more.

You have to register (free) on the site in order to read the article. I found it to be an encouraging column. Recommended.

[Hat tip to Betsy Newmark.]

27 years ago . . .

. . . today, I married the most wonderful woman in the world. We were pretty young then, so I did not fully realize how tremendously/miraculously/amazingly/awesomely God would bless me through my Lovely Lady. After all of these years, she is more beautiful than ever -- inside and out. She is a generous lady, good daughter, dedicated teacher, devoted mom, loving wife, and incredible friend.

And she still loves me (*amazement*)! As I do her.

In fact, I just adore her.

How beautiful you are, my darling!
Oh, how beautiful!
Your eyes are doves.
Song of Songs 1:15 (NIV)

Happy Anniversary, Sweetheart!

Petit convalescence

I find myself at home recovering from a back injury. The injury is muscular (not spinal) in nature, so the doctor has me on muscle-relaxants, hot pads, and stretching exercises. My back is feeling better today, and I am quite hopeful that I can return to work tomorrow.

Light blogging this week

I have not been able to spend much time blogging this week.

Both of our daughters are undergoing intense preparations for their dance recital on Sunday.

Plus, things are pretty busy on all other fronts.

I hope to be able to pick up the pace sometime next week.

Daughter Deja Vu

Christina, over at Feisty Repartee has a post about her two daughters that just floored me. It seemed as if she was describing my two daughters!

Sweet One favors me a great deal in appearance with dark hair and eyes, as well as mannerism; however, her disposition and outlook on life are far more like her father's. They share a laid-back and almost "accidental" approach to life. Very little truly gets to them and they cruise through life rather optimistically.

Wee One, on the other hand, is my fair haired and creamy complexioned miscreant who inherited my personality times ten or even a hundred. There is order and structure to her world even if she must impose it herself. . .

My Lovely Lady and I have two sweet and wonderful daughters. They are both creative, intelligent, loving, talented, and gorgeous. (No bias here -- it's very obvious to me.) The differences are that our oldest daughter, The Stoic (tm), favors me in appearance with dark blonde hair and olive complexion (though she's a lot prettier than I am!), while our youngest daughter, The Planner (tm) looks more like her mother with strawberry blonde hair and a light complexion.

Our Stoic is the "come-what-may" kind of person, while our Planner is, well . . . a planner. She's seven and I'm surprised that she doesn't have her college career worked out. She does not like surprises (unless she gives them). This week she continuously badgered my Lovely Lady about getting gas for the van for two whole days -- just because the fuel light came on (our fuel light comes on with about 5 gallons remaining). When we go shopping, our Planner wants to know which stores we are going to, in what sequence, and approximately how long we will be staying . . . She also has tried to determine which member of the family would be acquiring what merchandise at each store!

And, do you know what? I am completely overwhelmed by how lucky I am. I share a home with three of the most wonderful girls in the whole world -- one of which is my Lovely Lady!

I am so very blessed.