DAN GOULD

FROM THE INSIDE OUT

Category: Dan Gould

  • Jesus Loves ME this I know . . .

    Do you remember the song?  When Josiah was real little, this is the song that I would sing to him as I was putting him to sleep, or trying to calm him down.  Last night Jackson was having a terrible time trying to go to sleep.  I think he has some teeth coming in that is really causing him to be fussy.  So as I laid in bed holding him I started singing Jesus loves me. Within seconds, Josiah who was laying next to us, started singing also.  We must have sung the song several times and each time I was reminded of how deep and true those word are.  It made me think of the random text that a student sent me and others last night that said , Jesus love you!  Not only did I sing the song to Jackson to calm him down, I needed those words and the reminder yesterday also and it brought peace and comfort to me as well!

    Today is a new day, remember that Jesus love YOU!

  • Lessons for a 4 year old: Stealing is Wrong

    Today, we took Jackson to get some test run and while we were there Josiah played with the toys in the waiting room like always.   No big deal right!  Well when we got home I happened to notice that Josiah had a car from the doctors office.  When I saw the car I asked him how it got home with us?  He said, “I put it in my pocket because I wanted it.”  As I looked at him, I was saddened that he would do this, but knew it was a teaching moment.  We talked through why it was wrong for him to take the car and how we needed to take the car back after Christmas.  I know there will need to be some follow up conversations because after he figured out we weren’t taking the car back until after Christmas his next question was, “well can I play with it until we give it back?”

    Being a Dad is a big responsibility.  As our boys grow up it is going to cause us to really watch how we raise them by what we model, and teach with our actions and words.  I don’t believe Josiah thought anything was wrong with him taking the car, but the lesson is one that I would rather teach earlier than later.

  • Friday Frenzy

    After a rough start we ended up having a great day yesterday as a family.  We took Jackson to an allergist to rule out or find out if he was allergic to anything that could be causing him to have pneumonia so often.  If you have never taken your child to an allergist be thankful, after the pokes were finally done he did ok!  We found out the he has no allergies but the things that were high were dogs and cats.  We have both!  The doctor said we didn’t have to get rid of them though, that was was good news.

    The rest of the afternoon was filled with lunch, a little shopping (very little praise Jesus), a haircut for Stephanie (is that what women call it) and then off to see Santa.

    I have to say, the Village at Allen has the best place for  Santa, filled with, real reindeer, elves and a large fake Christmas tree!  There are several place to take other photos also.  Next year we will go here to take Christmas Card pics unless we use the tree at Grace.  Lucky for us it was in the 70’s yesterday so it was perfect to be outside and wait in line to have pictures taken with the Jolly old Man.  If we were to do it again, we would go a night so you don’t see the cars in the background through the fireplace.  You probably don’t notice it but that what happens when you have a perfectionist mentality!   We ended the day at Pete Pipers Pizza, which is like Chuck E Cheese and got home to open a package full of Christmas Gifts for the boys from my MOM, Grandma Sheila!

    We are getting ready for Christmas, family coming in, and Christmas less than a week away.  I have been asked to be Joseph for the Nativity this year so I have been growing out the facial hair, (I hate it).  I have my first rehearsal today at 1pm.  Hate the beard but excited to do it!

    Here are some pics from our adventures.

  • A Sad Celebration

    Today was Josiah’s Christmas Party at Grace.  This year has been a hard year for him given all the things that have been happening around him.  The party was filled with Cake, juice, presents and parents.  The kids had such a good time.  Afterward, Mrs. Janet passed out gifts, I expected a little gift but Josiah walked away with a little Bible, a transformer, and a snow globe Manger.  Mrs. Janet and Mrs. Erin really went out of their way to make this party special for each kid.  Thank you so much!!!!

    However, today marked the last day that Josiah will have Mrs. Janet as his teacher.  He has taken it really well so far, and even though she was dying on the inside she held her composure today.  It had to be hard for her because her love for these kids oozes out of her.  As a parent, I have seen Josiah learn so much just from Mrs. Janet’s way of teaching, especially the Bible Stories!  The next teacher has some big shoes to fill.  Mrs. Janet will be greatly missed!

    Thank you Mrs. Janet for your faithful service to Grace Community Church and the “Funky Frogs”!!!

  • Christmas DVD

    For the last couple of years we have made a DVD of pictures with music in the back ground to give to family members as Christmas Gifts.  This years dvd will be no different but it will include a section titled Hospital.  It was pretty hard to make when I realize how many times we have been there with Jackson.  I am excited about the DVD but this section was challenging!

  • Guys Night

    Last night Josiah and I camped out!!!  Yeah, we set a two man tent up in the living room and watched TV and slept in the tent.  He was so excited about it all day.  This is an easy way to create lasting memories. To see his excitement made it all worth it, even if I didn’t sleep good and my back hurts today!  Here are some pics of our Guys Night!

  • Thanksgiving Rewind!!!!

    We had a great Thanksgiving with our family.  As we drove from place to place it gave me some time to think about all the things I am thankful for.  So here is a short list of the things I am thankful for:

    1. Jesus – I am not trying to sound super spiritual here but I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for Jesus. At a young age giving my life to Christ was something I did because I wanted to go to Heaven.  At 18, when I learned more about what it truly meant to be a Christian changed my life forever.  Today, I am so thankful for His grace, mercy, and blessings.  Every time I look at the things in my life I am reminded of how good God is!
    2. My Family – I can’t imagine life without my family of 4.  It has been a challenging year with Jackson being in and out of the hospital with really non-related things, but to be honest, we are so blessed and it really could be much worse.  Seeing Stephanie smile and hearing her laugh still lights me up on the inside like it did the first day we met.  Josiah is growing so fast!  Watching him look and experience new things in life helps me remember what it was like to be a kid and experience things all over again!  Jackson has a way just to brighten any situation.  From his laugh to his babble, when I look at him i see the miracle of God and am reminded just how precious life is and how faithful God is!
    3. My Extended Family – Stephanie and I come from very different families.  Our families have played such a huge role in developing us, caring for us, and helping us succeed in life.  It’s always good to come home, and sad to leave because the time goes by so fast.  The boys have had a blast with the family over the past couple of days.  We are so blessed and the boys are so spoiled because of them.
    4. Our Church Family – We have been humbled and blessed by the generosity of our church family.  Words can’t even explain the feelings of gratitude we have.  To be loved on in such a big way spoke to the depths of our hearts.  All we can say is thank you!
    5. Our Friends – We have great friends around the nation.  Your prayers, time,  and words of encouragement have been a blessing to us.

    What about you, did you take time to think or talk about the things you are thankful for?  What would your list include?

  • Another Thanksgiving Meal, Family Portrait, & MU Football

    Today started early with a nice appointment to the Chiropractor.  While adjusting me the Chiropractor said “You really needed this didn’t you?”  I guess was a nice way to say, “Man, you are messed up!”  After about 10 minutes she was done and moved on to Stephanie.  Visiting the Chiropractor seems to be the family stop when we are in Salem.  I have no idea why, that’s just the way it goes.

    At noon all the family showed up for another Thanksgiving meal.  This time we had ham instead of turkey.  The food was so good.  I think I have gained 15 pounds just this week!  We took tons of pictures!  It seemed every time I turned around someone was snapping a picture.

    Sadly, Mizzou lost to Kansas today in Football.  It was an exciting game and KU played good.  Sad day for MU fans but a great way for KU to end the season and hopefully get a bowl game.  Yes I said it, that’s for you Mike and the Cunningham’s!

    Here are some of the pics from today.

  • Tractor Rides, The Farm, Christmas Gifts, B-Day Cake

    One of the things that has become a tradition for Josiah when we visit Nana and Papa’s house is to go on a tractor ride with Papa.  Today, he got to do that; and boy was he excited.  Also one of the things that has become a tradition for all of us now has been going to the farm and having Great Papa give us a ride behind his big tractor.

    Today we did things a little different!  Instead of being pulled behind a tractor, we just piled in the back of Great Papa’s pickup and went for a ride through the farm.  Both boys had so much fun and Stephanie’s Grandfather loves to do it.  We saw cows, drove through the creek, went past the old barn, and saw more cows. Doesn’t sound like much, but the fact that the family was all together and the boys loved it, made it so worth it!!!  To top it off, the weather wasn’t to bad either, it has been colder!!!

    Afterward, we all came back to the house for some good ole BBQ Pork Steak!!!!  It was so good!  The night was capped off with Christmas Gifts for the boys.  Nana and Papa said, since this is the only time we will all be together lets do it tonight.  However, Nana said something about coming to Texas over Christmas.  After the opening of gifts, we celebrated Rachel’s Birthday with an Ice Cream B-Day Cake.  It was sooooo good, and I don’t even like ice cream that much!

    Today was a lot of fun. Here are some pics of our adventure.

  • Nana and Papa’s

    We made it!!!  After eating a ton of food, playing with, better yet, being worked over by kids, and getting my rear kicked by my nephew in Madden 09 football, we packed up, left Nixa and headed for Salem MO.  We got in at about 8:15 last night.  Some exciting news . . . we bought gas last night for $1.57 and saw it for $1.41 on our way here!  We are excited to be here and will celebrate another Thanksgiving feast on Saturday.

    Here are some pics from yesterday: