First Week Of School

Wow - Katie is getting to be such a big girl and this week is one of those life marking milestone weeks, she started her first year of school. She was so excited on her first day and continues to look forward to going to school everyday (yes, I know it has only been four days). Our hope now is the excitement of learning and being in school stays with her but we know too well that, like all things new, the excitement tends to fade overtime.

Today, Mom picked Katie up from school and she was bubbling over and could not wait to go to school tomorrow (Friday). Why? Her teacher (Mrs. Dziaks, pronounce Jucks, like trucks but with a J) said that she would have homework to do over the weekend! This will be Katie's first official homework assignment and Jenny was wishing she could have recorded the conversation to play back a few years down the road when Katie realizes that having homework over a holiday weekend might not seem 'fun'.

Camping - A Dad's Perspective

Camping and the great outdoors, I do not know what the draw is but kids sure seem to love camping. Maybe its a chance to just goof off all day long, go hiking, cooking out, smores, or the many other things that camping offers.

From a Dad's perspective (and I am always trying to change this) when I think camping my thoughts turn to packing, loading the car, setting up the camp, erecting a tent, and the list goes on. I must admit there were several times (like when we did not have metal ground stakes for the tent) that I became very, what's the word? frustrated. I thank God for such a patient and understanding wife, who kindly reminded me in a moment of frustration, "Look at the girls and how much fun they are having." That little reminder was all I needed to put things into perspective and to realize that: 1) do not sweat the small things, and everything is small; 2) We are camping in the city, WalMart is only 10 minutes away (my wife went and got the extra things we needed); 3) Having several days of pure family time is well worth the extra effort!

We had a great spot, right on the lake, and everyone had a fabulous time.

As you can see by the pictures Katie was proud of her snail shell she found by the lake shore and of course my youngest is the 'ham' in the family, as noted by the unprompted poses in each of these photos.

Elevator Phsycology

It is amazing, yet predictable, how influenced we are buy those around us, which makes for a very good reason to be sure you know the company you are keeping! We seem to take on the habits and characteristics of those we are most close too and that is why we must carefully and purposefully choose the people we are friends with. There is strength in numbers and the bonds formed in close friendships will keep us united during the storms of life.

Of course we all know the old saying, "You cannot pick your family, you can pick your friends, just do not pick your friends nose!"

1 Corinthians 15:33 (NKJV) says, "Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits."

The below video, from the classic show Candid Camera, truly emphasizes the undo influence felt by even a stranger.

The Tooth Fairy is coming to the Gillespie's

Katie's First Lost Tooth

We knew they day would be coming soon and today was the day! Katie has had a loose tooth for the past couple of days and today it came out, she is so proud of herself. Now the ongoing discussion is, "How much money does the tooth fairy bring for that first lost tooth?" We want it to be a bit special but at the same time we do not want to set a precedent that would be expected on subsequent teeth.

We asked Katie how much she thought it should be and her response, "How about 30 bucks!" Wow, I know today's dollar is not worth what it used to be, inflation is on the rise, and we are in a recession but 30 bucks?

Kassie's (my three year old) response to her sister's lost tooth, "Holy Cow!" Very appropriate.

My wife posed this question to her Mommy friends and got all sorts of answers back, ranging from conservative to way out there.

We are going to have to talk this one over with the tooth fairy and see if we can come to some fair terms but I am thinking a nice crisp five dollar bill should work.

Hilarious Signage

I know, we have all seen a gazillion pictures with whacked out signs and these signs are not really any different but these are just as whacky and even make you wonder, "Do people who create these signs have any common sense?"

Still, I get a chuckle out of reading these signs and I'm sure a few of these are 'photo chopped' but you still have to give kudos for creativity.

Enjoy.....http://tinyurl.com/6qbw4b

Craig Groeschel: Lifechurch and IT!

If you haven't heard about IT than you just have to check out the notes that MaxiMeyer put up on his blog.

Craig Groeschel: From Life Church TV presented at the Leadership Summit. Our Church, Journey Community Church, was a host site and Jenny attended the two day conference. Craig presented concepts from his new book IT. The basis behind this is How leaders can get IT and keep IT.

What is IT? Craig doesn't know but he explains how you can walk into certain Churches, or places of worship, and something seems just a little bit different...the seem to have "IT" - you just know that God is present.

So Check out Mark Meyer's blog to get some good notes about IT - well worth the read and who know's, maybe IT is right around the corner for you.

The Idiot Test

Okay - this is one of those tests that just make you want to persevere through. I mean, really, who wants to be considered an idiot? We know that we are all the smartest, most intelligent people on the face of this planet and this web site is just the test you need to prove it.

Be warned, one mistake and you will have to start all over again. I only need the help of my very intelligent wife to make it all the way through, after it became obvious (I think the laughing and under-my-breath griping may have been a hint) that I needed help to make it through!

Click on the link to play: THE IDIOT TEST

Have You Ever Googled Yourself?

Okay - yes I have Googled myself just to see what comes up and since breaking into the blog sphere (which is hosted by Google), Facebook, and now Twitter I have seen the number of hits directly related to me increase a lot.

Obviously (being a guy) I like technology and finding out about the latest gadgets and gizmos. Speaking of the latest, if you haven't heard about Slydial, check it out.

My wife was shopping with a friend yesterday and was at the outlet stores when they wandered into the Big Dog store and she saw this t-shirt and she just had to get it for me.

So, if you haven't Googled yourself try it once, you may like it!