Category: Family (Page 8 of 13)

The Move: It’s sinking in.

11/26/2007 / Blake

I think now it’s sinking it. We’re going to be leaving in a matter of weeks. After a week to simmer in it and a holiday spent with various family members, it’s real. We will be living, working, learning, and playing with new people in new situations in a new town.

That is greeted with both excitement and sadness. We have come to really love Clinton. I don’t really know of any reason not to recommend Clinton as a place to live or raise a family. So we’ll be sad as we depart. But we’re quite excited about what’s in store…whatever that is.

We go with an idea of what I’ll be doing, but knowing that there will be tons of things that come up that I am unaware of at this point. Saturday we also spent a little time in Oxford checking out the local real estate. It can be pretty insane in some places…in fact, most places. But I’m thinking that we’ll be able to find something when the time comes. First we gotta sell the house we’re in. I talk to the realtor tomorrow.

But as God takes us by the hand and leads us on a new journey, I ask that anyone who is reading this offer up a prayer for us. Pray that our goodbyes go well, that friendships remain strong even after we leave, that our house sells quickly (and at a good price so we have some to put down on a house in the Oxford market!). Pray that our transition goes well and that we make many connections quickly in Oxford. Pray that God blesses the ministry of The Orchard in Oxford and that we, the leadership at the church, follow Jesus in all of our decisions. Pray that my little girls make the move well and that my pregnant wife stays as stress free as possible. And pray for all the other things I’m not thinking of at the moment.

And thanks so much for your prayers…

The Day After…

11/23/2007 / Blake

Well, today is the day after Thanksgiving. We hit the ground running or the road rolling or whatever yesterday. But we made it to a big lunch and a big supper. It worked out well to where supper was just a few big pots of soup. That way we didn’t have TWO traditional Thanksgiving dinners w/in 8 hours.

It was good to see a lot of family. Everyone was excited that we’ll be back closer in the coming months. I am thinking I look forward to being able to see them some more too. Being close to family wasn’t a determining factor with the decision to move and shift into a new job/place. But I’m sure it will be a definite added benefit.

We stayed at my mom’s new house last night. First time we’ve done that. It slept pretty well, but shortly we’re going to head up to my dad’s for some lunch and to watch the Egg Bowl. I’m a little nervous about the game. Mississippi State should win. All indicators point to that. But you never know with this game…

And we’re off…

11/22/2007 / Blake

The Tahoe is loaded.

Now we’re about to head out and do another blitz of family sites, only to return Saturday night with a lot of food eaten and a lot of folks able to see us and probably not much good sleep!

Oh the holidays!

To quote Bob Dylan, “Oh, the times….”

11/19/2007 / Blake

“Oh, the times…they are achangin”

Last night at the end of youth worship, I dropped the info: my family is feeling God call us to transition into a different ministry at a different church.

Yep. I’ll go into more detail soon, but at the first of the year we’ll be joining a new church plant in Oxford, MS. I’ve been good friends with the Plant Pastor, Pat Ward, for years, and he’s asked me to partner with him as the Small Groups/Community Life Pastor. So after 11-ish years in Student Ministry specifically, I’m shifting gears and looking at the overall church. Wow!

The Orchard in Tupelo (who my wife and I have a close relationship with) is planting The Orchard in Oxford. We’re super pumped about what God is doing there and how we can be a part of it. But it’s bittersweet because we have come to love Clinton and all the people here.

So I ask that you pray for me and my fam as we start this transition during a really busy time of year (there’s packing and selling/finding houses, saying goodbyes/hellos, on top of Tgiving and Christmas). Pray for The Orchard in Oxford and that God gives me a fast track as I jump in with both feet there and learn the community and local culture. And pray for FUMC of Clinton as they make some huge decisions on how things work in this transition too!

THREE YEARS OLD!

11/17/2007 / Blake

So yeah, today is birthday #3 for my youngest. She woke up today trying to convince her sister that tomorrow is her birthday. But now that she’s up and all, she’s all keen to the idea. No big plans yet. I think we’ll go out to eat tonight and let her get stuffed on some ice cream. I’m wondering if I should try to leverage my own restaurant choices in this endeavor or end up at Chick-Fil-A?

But those of you who know me already know some of Ella’s story of how she came into the world. It was drama for sure. It all involved the doctor wanting to induce, us wanting to wait, a little bit of fear, then two days past due date, and a mad-mad-mad rush to the hospital that has some very crazy timing. Suffice to say we have a story that we can tell for years to come.

I did some digging and decided to include the old story here for you to read…. Continue reading

And we’re back….

11/09/2007 / Blake

So…tonight is the last Junior High Dance. How fitting that the last time I posted it was about the dances. But tonight is the last one. Will I miss them, not really. Now don’t get me wrong, I will miss the gathering of the students and being able to hang around w/ them and all. But I won’t miss the constant bass thump with TI and Kanye and Fitty and all the rest filling the gym.

Tomorrow is a HUGE day for MSU football. Biggest game at Scott Field since 2000 when we hosted Alabama. I could have gone to that game but watched it home alone in my one bedroom apartment yelling at the tv and celebrating (not sure where The Wife was.) But Rick Cleveland puts it all in perspective. But to beat them would be huge. MSU hasn’t turned the corner, but they’re starting to turn the wheel. We’d be bowl eligible with two more games to go.

Addie’s last soccer game of the season is in the morning. So we’ll go play soccer then I’ll be on the couch for the next few hours. Should make for a great Saturday.

The weather has turned. And things are changing. Tonight Clinton plays to see who gets to travel to South Panola next week to be the Tiger’s next victim. They have won 70 game straight so far. Amazing. But football will soon be over. Then the holidays and school breaks.

It’s time to get back on the horse and write and write and write…

Read a book. Get a camera?

10/12/2007 / Blake

I have a problem with books. I like to get them and read the covers and buy them and then get another before finishing the first one. So I have scores of good books that I’ve read some or most of, but not all of.

The other day The Wife needed me to order her some books for her small group she leads. Of course if you use Amazon.com you get free shipping if your order is over $25.00. Her order was $24 and some change. So I, being the frugal husband that I am, wanted to save on shipping. So I bought myself (another) book to get free shipping.

When the lovely Amazon.com box came in, The Wife saw my book in there as well. “You need another book?” I promptly explained the issue of shipping costs, free books, and my frugality. With a furrowed brow she mumbled something like “Okay…”

That night, as we were reading in bed, I had my new book in hand. There are not many things like a crisp new book to look down upon. It’s so different from the ones that your kids have jumped on, broken the spine, spilled milk on, and gotten stuffed in backpacks and gotten all scuffed. The Wife looked at it and said, “Read only that one.” “Huh?” I said. She challenged me to read this one and this one alone until I finished it.

Always looking for a challenge, I said, “And what will I get?”

“What do you want?” she asked. Without needing a lot of time to think I answered, “The new camera I’ve been talking about!” “Okay,” she says. “If you finish the book in a reasonable amount of time, you can can get your camera.”

I wanted her to define a reasonable amount of time. She said two weeks. HA! I said I could have it finished before she woke up with that carrot hanging in front of me. I didn’t finish it by morning. But easily w/in the week. [btw, it’s a good book. I’ll describe it later.]

So I said to The Wife, “Wifey, I guess it’s time to cash in on my reward.” Then she tries to play the surprised look. “What do you mean?” So I go through the whole recap of our conversation. And she acted like she’d never heard that conversation before. Can you believe it?

So now I guess I have to read another book before I get to get my paws on a new camera. Right, honey? (I know she’s gonna read this…)

U-8 Soccer

10/06/2007 / Blake

I know it’s just a game. And I know it’s just first and second graders. But we had a close game today. We sat two of our best players first quarter (six girls on a team, four on the field at a time). At the end of the quarter we were losing 2-0. At the end of the 3rd quarter we are up 6-2. So two of our best were on the bench again for the 4th qtr. And the other team makes a rally.

They score once. Then again. Then again. So it’s 6-5, and tight. The other team is making free subs. I thought you could only do that at the end of a quarter. But the game ends 6-5. We hang on, even though I know we could have made a few substitutions and it been heavily in our favor.

The girls shake hands. All is well. Then someone asks the ref what the scored ended up being. She says, “5-5.” What! No way. Even the opposing coach is surprised (but pleased.) So…it’s just a game, right? Our girls actually still think they won (and so do I.)

Our team won the weekend tournament last weekend. Here’s a picture of them with their medals.

Just to rest in His arms.

09/25/2007 / Blake

Sometimes after I’m in bed, and maybe I’ve fallen asleep already or I’m up reading or listening to something, I hear my 2 year old crying.

So I go in there and she’s usually just sitting up in bed and giving a sleepy cry. Now it’s sometimes hard to reason with a 2 year old when they’re wide awake. But try to have a conversation with one at 1am after she’s been asleep for a while…and it’s near impossible.

So after asking if she needs to potty or if she’s hurting somewhere and getting “No’s” to each of those questions, I ask “Do you want me to pick you up?” She squeaks out a “yes….” So I pick her up and she nestles into my chest and shoulder. She calms down and her breathing begins to regulate.

I’ll hold her and sway around a bit. Maybe walk through the house a little. But she is soon ready to lay back down. I guess it’s something about resting in you Daddy’s arms that is comforting. Soothing. More than comfortable.

I think I feel that need sometimes. But I’m wanting to just be able to crawl up into the arms of my Heavenly Father, nuzzle in, feel His arms around me and just rest and feel His presence.

That’s a need we all have. And it’s something that God wants us to feel the freedom to do.

Not tired…

09/22/2007 / Blake

It’s nearly 1am and I’m not tired. But I should be. And I will be.

Tonight was another Jr High Dance up at the church. Seems the all the jr high kids want to “crank that soulja boy” over and over. They can do it with attitude too. But after a dance, with the take down and clean up, I come home and catch up on some football scores.

Tomorrow will start early. Addison’s got 2 soccer games, with the first one at 8am. Should be cool and wet at that time, huh? We may head up to Starkville after lunch to watch some Bulldog football. Should be an easy win for us, right? I mean, Gardner-Webb. But the Dogs should be 3-1 after tomorrow. When is the last time we could say that?

So if we go, that means not much sleep tonight. Not much tomorrow night. Then a full day w/ the church stuff. I’ll catch up on Monday!