Today, the church has given us the day off, very nice of them, but the weekend still happens, and, I am speaking to the church at large this weekend.  I am excited to do it, but I really get PMS (pre message syndrom) when I have to speak to the whole church.  I am praying that God would just take over!  That my words would be His and I would step out of the way, so people could understand, and clearly know what God wants them to do.  It’s a tuff topic, but has the potential to really connect!  Pray for me, and us!

That being said, here are my goals for today:

• Finish the body of my talk.  Wrestling with what and how to say what God has laid on my heart.
• Hang out with My family.  We will either hit the pool or take the dart to Dallas with some friends who are in town.
• Be totally present with my family!  Have fun, and relax!

Well, tonight, all the boys got haircuts.  Its so nice that I can do this without having to take them and pay to get them done.  I have been cutting my own hair since I was in High School.  I have gotten better since then.  Here are the boys sporting their new hair cuts.

No Nicholas this decision was not based on our discussion today during the service planning meeting. . . so don’t feel bad, or get a big head!!

Tonight, as I was putting Jackson down to sleep, I left the TV on Jurassic Park and told Josiah it was about Dinosaurs!  Probably 10 minutes later he came in the room and said, “Dad this is boring, it’s just people running from a big Dinosaur!  Can I watch Sponge Bob?”

On our very first date Stephanie and I took a picture together in my Toyota pickup as we headed off to Andy’s frozen Custard and a movie.  I still remember it like it was yesterday.  Last night we started the night off the same way.  We got in the Cherokee and took a picture as we headed off to dinner and a movie!

We ended up eating at the Down Under Pub. I was really hoping to have some alligator tail, but they didn’t have it. So here is what we ordered.
I got the Combo Basket. Tender whitefish fillets, jumbo shrimp and chicken fingers batter fried. Served with Aussie fries and coleslaw. Very good Shrimp and fries!!!

Stephanie got the Angel Hair with Fresh Tomatoes and Basil. Fresh tomatoes, basil and garlic lightly sautéed finished with white wine and topped with fresh Parmesan cheese. It was nice!

After Dinner we went to see “Get Smart”!
Great movie made us laugh the whole time. A movie worth going to see!  I believe it is rated PG-13.  I didn’t notice a lot of bad language in it.  The movie was fast paced for the mos part and held you attention throughout.

After the Movie, we went to Starbucks for some Mint Mocha Chip Frappuccino® blended coffee with Chocolate Whipped Cream. We had a lot of fun together, without the kids.  We will definitely do it again soon!!!

I am so excited, my wife and I get to go on a date night tonight!  One of our students has volunteered to watch our two boys.  This will be the first time that we will be able to go out and not worry to much about Jackson.  Now we have to decide what we are going to do!  Maybe Dinner and a Movie!  Kinda old school, but its good to go back to the basics every once in a while!

While I was away at Camp, (awesome week with God and Students at Wild Week), Stephanie and the boys, as well as Nana and Papa, her mom and dad, had pictures taken.  In my office I have a new picture of Stephanie and the boys given as a Fathers Day present!  I love my family!

It’s official, Jackson is trying to walk.  I had a feeling he would take his first couple of steps while I was at Camp last week but he waited until I got home.  Last night, he took 2 steps before he fell down and then today, Stephanie said he took 4 steps.  It won’t be long before he is running after Josiah!

My dad came and hung out with us tonight.  Josiah was so excited!!  Every 10 minutes at the pool today he was asking, is PaPa Dan here yet?  My dad finally got here at 6:00pm and neither onw of the boys let him out of their sight.  They wrestled, played soccer, watched a movie, and ate cookies.  It was so good to see them connect with my dad.  The coolest part for me was watching Jackson and PaPa Dan eat cookies together and then Josiah showing PaPa Dan his yearbook from school.

Tonight, as we are laying down as a family, Jackson is watching a Baby Einstein movie and the three of us Stephanie, Joe, and myself are in the bed. Josiah decides to ask, “Why are people Black?” It is amazing how little minds think. I simply answered that God made some people white and some people black. Even you and mommy have different skin color. He thought for a moment, and said, some people are yellow. I said thats right Josiah because God made them that way. Kind of like the song: Jesus Loves The Little Children

Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the world
Black and yellow, red and white
They’re all precious in His sight
Jesus loves the little children of the world

Whether you’re rich or whether you’re poor
It matters not to Him
He remembers where you’re going
Not where you’ve been

Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the world
Black and yellow, red and white
They’re all precious in His sight
Jesus loves the little children of the world

If your heart is troubled
Don’t worry, don’t you fret
He knows that you have heard His call
And he won’t forget

Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the world
Black and yellow, red and white
They’re all precious in His sight
Jesus loves the little children of the world

All around the world tonight
His children rest assured
That He will watch and He will keep us
Safe and secure

Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the world
Black and yellow, red and white
They’re all precious in His sight
Jesus loves the little children of the world

I had the joy of taking Jackson to get one of his shots today. Stephaine usually does it but now that she works in the afternoon looks like it is going to be a daddy and son bonding moment. We had some time to kill, so I took the boys to McDonalds, and so did every other Mom in town. It was crazy, but the boys had fun!