Baby Handling Tips

These pictures totally cracked me up. Just had to pass them along. Click here for more safe baby handling tips and click here for the book where they came from. Too funny!


(bu to Hemmy)

Kindergarten Registration

I can't believe it. Sarah is enrolling for college! Well, OK, not really, but at some level it sure feels like it. I had class tonight so Kelly, Sarah and Parker headed for her new school next year, J.E. Prass Elementary, home of the Vikings (which was my elementary school's mascot...how weird is that?!) to register for kindergarten.

I came late, but we had time to see the building, meet some of the staff, and wonder how fast time really flies when raising kids. She is so excited and I am excited for her. New challenges, new responsibilities, and new friends all await her. My little girl is growing up so big, so fast.

It's scary how much I love her! I know she is going to really love all that a safe, caring, committed educational environment offers her. How fun will it be be to see her take on the challenge?! How sad to think of the first time kids make fun of her? How tough to think of the some of the bad choices she might make socially and academically? Wild, wild stuff!

Closing Another Week

It's been a long, but good week here. I've been struggling with a cold since last Saturday night. Yuck! It sucked a wee bit of the life out of me. Hence the reason for the lack of posts lately. No energy whatsoever. But that is life. Hope wherever you are in life...you are doing well: body, mind, and soul.

p.s. Happy Valentine's Day!

Insane Soccer Skills

I played soccer for a long time growing up. Then I left the sport. Since then I've found myself knowing people in one of two camps as it relates to it. Camp 1: Soccer rocks! It's an amazing sport with amazing athletes. Camp 2: Soccer sucks. It's a reason to riot.

With that being said and no matter what camp you land in...watch this video. Wow!



(bu to Hemmy)

Prayer Of The Weak

Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

I'm A Great Uncle

On January 2, 2008, I became a great uncle to one precious little girl: Riley Marie! My niece, Scout, had little Riley a couple of weeks early. It was a wild way to bring in the new year! We are so thankful that she and mom are doing well. We miss them dearly as they moved from Dayton to Alabama to live with Scout's mom for help and support during this crazy time of transition to being a parent.

Here are a few pics. Scout will kill me with the first one, but the first couple are the day of birth. The last three are taken a few days later when Scout brought Riley home from the hospital.

We miss you momma Scout and baby Riley!

Sign Of The Apocalypse

The end is near and it's sponsored by Panasonic!



(bu to Hemmy)

Education (Or Lack Thereof) In America

An interesting and telling imaging charting education in American. Look at the regions...how much has to do with population (sheer numbers of people), federal/state/local funding and priorities in spending, socioeconomics, and other demographics? The southeast and Appallacia are taking a beating. The Northeast and West (for the most part) are doing pretty well.

Reaction Time

Fun little game to test your reaction time. Click here to play. A wee bit addicting, but not bad. I just have Kelly dart me if I play too much! Here's my best overall time so far:

(bu to Matt via email)

Prayer Of The Weak

O God, who before the passion of your only­begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

25 Memorable Super Bowl Commercials

Just a little pre-Super Bowl hype as it relates to the much anticipated commercials. It's Gawker.com's take on the 25 most memorable Super Bowl ads. Click here to watch all 25. There are some amazing spots here. No surprises at number one. Some that I had totally forgotten about. But here is one that I think should be in the top 5, but only came in at number 20. Enjoy!

Lost Is Now Found!

Let the Sawyer name calling begin!

Student Perspective On Education In America

This is a very interesting video project three high school guys put together. It's a bit long, but you can kinda fast forward through the pop culture/historical figure section. You'll get the point real quick. The whole thing is thoughtful and well done. You can really hear the heart of a generation of kids who get a strong sense that the system is broken: politically, family, and educationally. Watch for yourself.

Lego's 50th Anniversary

Many men can celebrate a bit of their childhood by giving a shout out to Lego for making it 50 years. Many mother and vacuum cleaners probably will curse this day as well! But all in all a great great product that allowed boys (and girls) to explore their inner engineer and architect by building from the directions in the box or building from their imagination. What a cool product. I still have my first Lego set. Do you remember yours?

Here's a link to a little article on the company's milestone.

Here's a link to some really cool stuff made with Lego bricks.



(bu to BoingBoing)

Religious Population In The US

Very interesting map based on religious/denominations in the US. Click here for larger map and full article.

(bu to Marko)

Prayer Of The Weak

Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Hypocrisy Or Justice?

I hear the wacko church from Kansas that protests fallen soldiers' funerals is at it again, but this time with Heath Ledger. Sick. I'm not even going to give you (or them through publicity) a link to follow for the story.

But I have a question: Is this group picketing ESPN any better or worse? What have we so-called followers of Christ following these days? Shouldn't we be counter cultural when it comes to grace, mercy and forgiveness? What the ESPN employee did was wrong (or at least what the blogsphere thinks she did and some news reporting) and should be handled, but what would it have looked like those picketing would have said, "We, the Church, forgive her as Christ did. We think she should keep her job. We all blow it in big and small ways."

Watch and tell me what you think?

Seminary Drop Outs

Thought this little list of 5 seminary drop outs was interesting. I wonder if I would have dropped out where I might have landed? Things that make you go hhhhmmm.

(bu to Mental Floss Blog)

Parenting Straw Polls

In light of the season of caucuses, candidates, and polling...ever feel like you get this vibe from your kids? Makes me smile.

Jim Wallis On Jon Stewart

Thought this was a great little interview on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. He interviews Jim Wallis about the state of religious politics and it's significant shift in the American culture. I love it when thoughtful, intelligent, and respected Christians get on shows like this and communicate with passion and humility about Kingdom and moral issues of our day.



(bu to Revolution in Jesusland)