Poker Night

I completely forgot about poker night Friday at Tricky's. We had a great time. It had been a while since I had seen my Frisco friends. I can't think of a better way to enjoy an evening with the guys. It was highly entertaining. We saw a girls gone wild fight between Chad and Wells. I was right in middle of them, and the entire time I was thinking I hope one these big guys doesn't land on me and spill my beer. I don't blame them for getting into it, we're talking about a $7 pot after all.

We played a lot of Gut, which I guess is a poker game. I don't know where it originated, but it is a blast. I lost on a $46 pot (thank you JD for covering me). I eventually won it back and then a little more, but honestly some how everyone walks away with a little more than they came with. I still haven't figured out that math.

I am up for it anytime (if my wife lets me)! Seriously, I really do have a wonderful wife. She is really understanding when it comes to letting me have some free time. She probably lets me have too much. Thanks honey!

Goodbye Houston!

Houston smells!

Good-bye Houston, hello Maryland!

It is cold and rainy. That is it for weather.

When I started this thing, I asked myself if I would be able to talk about real issues that I am having. Well, it turns out that I don't have the guts. It is nothing terribly huge, but I am incredibly frustrated right now. My disappointment is beyond belief, and I can't figure out what to do about. I would like to talk to a certain person about it, but I just can't figure out what to say to them.

Wow, that was productive!

On a happier note, I will be home a day early this week. It is always nice to have an extra day at home. I don't think we have any big plans. That will be nice, it seems like we have been running non-stop the past few weekends. I need to get started on the house. We are planning on putting it on the market soon, I don't know if we will be able to sell it for what it is worth, but it won't hurt to try. I guess if we don't sell, we will have an updated uncluttered house for another year.

Where were you when Castro stepped down?

To be honest, I have already forgotten!

Challenger - Mrs. Foreman's class at Pease (pronounced peas) Elementary.

Desert Storm - On my way to nearby grocery store/gas station to pick up hamburgers for dinner.

Columbia - In bed, didn't even know it happened. Jennifer said she heard it, "it" could've been my snoring. I've been told it is powerful.

Memory Verse

At the men's advance we were asked to write down our favorite verse. I had one, but I couldn't remember the entire thing. What does that tell you?

I have heard several upsetting stories lately. I don't understand why things happen, probably never will. We were told at the retreat that some of those things are going to happen to us. That was a very uncomfortable feeling. I finally found my verse. It provides some comfort for me, hopefully it will for you as well.

11For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

-Jeremiah 29:11-12

Happy Late Valentine's Day

Looks like I am a few minutes late. Sorry about that. Let's see where were we.

I spent last Friday night and Saturday at the Men's Advance. I have very little time with my family, so if I am going to use that time for something else it better be well worth it. I believe this was. We talked about being a leader. It really goes along with what we talked about at small groups last Sunday night as well. We are challenging each other to step out of our comfort zones. I feel like I did that a little today.

I wish I would've invited a couple of my buddies to the retreat, but I didn't even think about it. Sorry about that! I think they could've taken something away from the weekend. If not from the discussions, they would've throughly enjoyed watching me land flat on my face during paintball. I'm sure the 30 or so that were standing near by had a good laugh, I know I did.

Paintball was certainly fun, but I can't see that ever being a hobby. There were some guys out there that take that a little too seriously. There were times when I was on the wrong end of some sort of machine gun. When you see twenty paintballs flying towards your face, you know you may be over your head. It was fun, and I will certainly do it again sometime. These pictures are courtesy of LT and the preacher man. Being away from puts me at a disadvantage adding pictures.

I am the one on the left. That helmet makes my head look small, and that is saying something!

House Cleaning

I promised these pictures for a while. I was finally able to get them this weekend. I attended a men's retreat this weekend. We talked about being manly men. What is more manly than holding a dead animal by the head? You can tell they are dead because they have "X's" over their eyes.





You can see that Dad is manly also.

I had a great weekend. I will write about it later. Right now I am tired, and I'm going to bed.

Super Bowl

I heard the Super Bowl was played this past Sunday. I didn't see very much of it. I wasn't all that interested, not even the commercials. I can probably watch those on the internet anyway. Thanks to the hosts of our small groups, and thanks for letting us stay a little late to watch the game. You guys did a great job, even though you tried to poison us with tainted cups.

I spent the first three quarters or so making paper airplanes for the kids (I'm available for birthday parties). Jackson brought a book that has 73 different airplane patterns. These aren't your father's paper airplanes. Gone are the days of the simple triangle. Kids today want the space shuttle (I'm not kidding). You almost need a welding torch to complete some of them. It was well worth the time, the kids seemed to enjoy them. The babies loved them even more. If the planes were left on the floor those guys would pounce on them and crush them like king kong.

Even though I didn't see much of the game, I saw the most exciting part. I really had a good time, and I think the rest of the family did too. There were a few complaints about bedtime, but the kids were to exhausted to really put up much of a fight.

New Blog

The wifey has a blog. You should check it out, there are already a lot of great topics on there.

http://jennij-livelaughlove.blogspot.com/

More later.

Texas Rangers, Driving

Today is another travel day, with a new twist. I am driving back and forth from Houston. I wanted to give air travel a break. That and I also think I shouldn't fly on any plane where my head can touch the ceiling. Anyways, I don't really mind the drive. The secret is sunflower seeds. I have found that I eat sunflower seeds I don't fall asleep. I guess I concentrate really hard on it. All I know I was about to pass out on the way down here early Monday morning, and sunflower seeds saved my life.



Baseball season is right around the corner. I know what you're thinking, who cares!!!!! I used to be a baseball fanatic, but I have sort of lost interest. I played fantasy baseball with my buddies for almost 15 years until this year. I decided to give it up. I am interested in the Texas Rangers, its always fun to pull for the underdog (I also love Texas Tech, Raider Power!!) Michael Young is my favorite Ranger, but there are two others that I think are exceptional people. I am proud to have them on my home team. I think these guys alone are reason enough to cheer for the Rangers. They are:



C. J. Wilson - (This is from the Newberg Report)
C.J. Wilson is hosting a Guitar Hero 3 Benefit Tournament this Friday, February 1, at the Landing Cafe at the Southwest Airlines Corporate Headquarters, 2702 Love Field Drive. The event will benefit Cook Children's Hematology and Oncology Outpatient Treatment Room, where Wilson has undertaken an effort to build a new video game lounge and entertainment room stocked with gaming systems, TV's, and DVD's for young patients and their families to enjoy. This guy has no reason (that I know of) to do anything like this, but this is at least the second time he has held a benefit like this. That is too cool.



Josh Hamilton - I really know very little about this guy, but he has gone through considerable hardships (that he brought on himself). You can read his story here: http://tinyurl.com/2l7lck

I am really pulling for this guy. I hope he makes it!