The Bunny #2

I posted a few days ago about a bunny that is living outside my office. Here it is. Have a great day!

Fore!

Watch out golfers! Riley Fisher has expressed interest in golf. He began talking about golf a few days ago and would not stop. He had many questions about the game and it's equipment. He has discussed playing and practicing with me. He has made it clear you have to be quiet when you go play golf at the course but not when you practice in the yard at home.

So on Saturday I loaded the boys in the car and we went to Target. We picked out a set of beginner clubs for Riley. It comes with a driver, 5/6 iron, 9/W iron and a putter. A blue bag was a part of the set as well. We bought some orange practice balls too.

Riley came home and put all his equipment in the bag. Golf tees, ball markers, golf balls and a towel were added to complete the experience. He will now go out to the yard each day a couple of times to practice.

He enjoys hitting with each club. He enjoys cleaning his clubs when he is done. We talk golf etiquette and responsibility.

Watch out golfers! He may be on the course soon.

How times have changed

As we were driving to my parent's house yesterday after church, I saw something that I never saw growing up. There was a boy, probably about 8 years old, riding his bike down the street. He was holding on to one handle bar and the other hand was next to his ear. He was talking on a cell phone.

I was an avid bike rider growing up. Riding all over the neighborhood, to the store and to other people's houses made for a full day. I remember trying to ride a bike with a Big Gulp in one hand. I remember trying to ride a bike with a Slurpee in one hand. There were many times I would go from one place to another holding something. Seeing a kid on a bike with his cell phone made me laugh. Maybe I am getting old, but life is just different now for kids than it was when I was growing up.

What is different now compared to when you grew up? What have you seen that is completely different from your childhood?

The Wheels on the Bus

I found this picture in my office. This was taken quite a few years back. We were in Topeka, Kansas and saw this Monster School Bus in the mall parking lot. We went and took a ride. Rode over curbs, up hills, all over.

This picture made me think about the fact that the beginning of school is coming.

Have a great day.

A Helping Hand

Yesterday as Owen and I were walking in to church together, I noticed something about the way Owen was walking in with me. He was wanting to be independent. Walking without holding my hand and swinging his arms back and forth is something Owen enjoys. He walks with a purpose. He knows where we are going and for the most part, he stays with me. As he neared a curb that he was going to have to step up on, he reached over and grabbed my hand. I realized that Owen did not look over and see if my hand was there. He just knew that it was. He received the help to step up and then let go. Again, as we reached another curb where we had to step down, he reached over grabbed my hand and received some help.

God's hand is always there for us. We do not have to look, it is there. Whenever we have to make a difficult step, His hand can guide us through. Sometimes I forget. Sometimes, unlike Owen, I will have to look and make sure it is there. Without fail, it always is there.

Thank you God for holding my hand when I need You.

Strep by Strep

I have not been feeling well this week. I thought I had an earache. Finally went to the doctor on Thursday and found out I have strep throat. We are praying that I have not given it to my boys. Strep throat is absolutely no fun. It hurts to breathe. I think the medicine is starting to kick-in a bit, although it has turned my tongue some very strange colors.

I thought summer was supposed to be a time to goof off and relax?

To Chris Doggett: If you did not like my bunny post, get over it. You need to go post about clouds and how you like to look at them, or how you look to the sun to sneeze or that your college roommates carried you through ACU.

I hope you have a great weekend.

A bunny

We have a bunny that is living in the bushes right outside my office. He has been there all summer. We see him every day. He will hop out of the bushes and wander around. I will sit back and watch him. We have fed him some and know he is growing more confident around us when we are outside. I have enjoyed watching him. He has found a home here. Watching him brings a bit of peace on crazy days.

Have a great day.

Which are you?

I can be a bit picky about certain items or brands. Which do you pick?

1. Heinz or Hunt's ketchup?

2. Jam or Jelly?

3. Skippy or Jif?

4. Mountain Dew or Mountain Blast?

5. Fruit Loops or Fruit Rings?

6. Margarine or Butter?

7. Minute Maid Lemonade or Country Time Lemonade?

8. Hytop Soup or Campbell's Soup?

9. Little Debbies or Hostess?

10. Heinz 57 or A1?

No-no

It seems like we say "no-no" a lot at our house. Do you ever feel that way as a parent? With Owen in a curious stage and tall enough to reach more things, it feels like we are constantly saying "no". It is what we have to do as parents. It is a must to help Owen learn, be safe and understand. Sometimes he listens and obeys as he will put down what he is not supposed to have. Sometimes we will take something away and it crushes his heart and he cries out his sadness. Sometimes he smiles at us after we say "no-no" to see if his cuteness will allow him to continue what he wants to do. Sometimes he has to be told again and again. What we hope is that over time he will learn why we say "no". We want him to understand that we love him and want to protect him.

I have a feeling that God feels the same way with us at times. He will tell us "no" for a reason that He sees fit. Sometimes we listen. Sometimes we will become very sad or even throw a fit to try to get our way. Sometimes we might try to make Him change his mind. Sometimes we have to be told the same thing over and over.

He is trying to do with us what we are doing with Owen. We know what is better for Owen right now. God knows what is best for us, always. Be ready to listen and accept his answer.It is a challenge for me. He loves us and wants to protect us.

Have a great weekend.

Isn't She Lovely

This is a picture I took with my phone when we were in Washington D.C. last month. I figured out how to get it from my phone to my blog. I am proud. I am more proud that I married to this woman. What a great picture.

Riley's Blessing

Here is the blessing we read to Riley last weekend. When we finished he said, "Aw, that was real nice".

Sweet Riley,

Daddy and I are writing this to you to tell you, at five years old, what a blessing you are to us. We hope that these words will encourage you as you reread them at different times in life.

First, I must say thank you to the Lord for you and for the way He is answering our prayers for and about you. We have prayed since your birth that, from an early age, you would be close friends with Him and you are. Your faith and the way you live it out encourage Daddy and I in our own walks with God each day. The praise songs you make up and sing straight from your heart to God are one of my favorite things about you. We know that you will always be praising Him for your many blessings because that is just how you look at life.

We are so proud of you and all the things you have learned at school. You can do so much already that I know I did not learn how to do until a much later age. Most of all I am thankful for the love you have of learning. This will serve you your whole life. I am so excited to see all God has in His great plans for you. I know right now you think about being a police man or a shop owner. You will excel at anything you choose because high standards are your nature.

Another prayer that Daddy and I have had for you is that you have good Christian friends. We know that your friends are important to you and you are important to them. We are thankful for Jake, Jackson, Jake, Dawson, Olivia, Rainey and the many others. We see your friends looking to you as a leader and are very comfortable with that because we know that you are looking to Jesus as your leader.

I want to talk to you as Mommy for a moment and tell you that I have noticed the special relationship you and Daddy have. I am so thankful for the love you two share and the fun you have together. I am thankful for the respect you show Daddy and for the way you look to him as an example. Daddy and I will always be here for you, loving you no matter what. We can do that because that is what Jesus does for Daddy and I. You can come to us with anything and we will be here to help you and support you no matter what for your whole life. You talk from time to time about when you grow up and have a family of your own. We want you to know that we have been praying about the girl you will have as your helper in life since before your birth. This will all take place in God’s timing and will be His blessing to you when it does.

Riley, you are growing into such a tall, handsome, strong boy. We love to look at you. The way you light up the room from the first good morning to the last kiss and tuck is unique only to you. We love your dimples, your hair, your laugh and the things you say. We are honored to be your parents.

Thank you for being a special little boy. We are so lucky to call you our child. I see you being such a good friend as you continue to grow up. I see you in the future being successful in your jobs because of how you love and care for people. You are very loyal to your friends. You make me smile. You are so smart. You always have questions because you want to figure things out. You love to read, color, get on the computer, play Go Fish, swing and swim. I love to watch you have fun. You love going to church to worship, go to class and to Powerkids. You are a special boy. I thank God for you.

Remember, the Lord looks at you and He is delighted! He made you because He wanted a relationship with Riley Craig Fisher. He is well pleased with you not because of anything you have done but just because you ARE. Daddy and I feel the same way and are so happy to be able to put our arms around you and hug you each and every day.

Our Blessing for Owen

This past weekend we had a Family Heritage weekend with Beth Ann's parents, her brother and his family, and our boys. We stayed at an awesome Inn in Granbury. We shared family blessings. The following is the blessing we read to Owen:

My Dearest Owen,

I love taking a few moments just to think about you and what a blessing you have been to our family. God knew what He was doing when He gave us you. We couldn't imagine our family without you. You have added joy and light and peace in your own special way. You have taught Daddy and I about being parents and about being husband and wife in a new way in your eighteen months and we love it. You have given Riley a joy that he had not known before by making him a big brother. You two love each other like no other and that is just the way God planned it to be.

You are such a vision of the joy of the Lord. You delight in your family just the way the Lord does. You delight in everyone you meet giving everyone a wave and a "Hi, there!" or a "Hello!". You love to sing the B-I-B-L-E and Jesus Loves Me with the "na-na's". You always know just where to put the "hey!". You love your Bible class and know what your Bible looks like. We are always amazed at how you are able to enjoy each moment of each day for simply what it is. You teach us a lot about life that way.

Right now your favorite thing by far is going outside. You love to play with balls and see flowers. You talk about everything you see and sing songs as you go along. Some more of your current favorites are "Wheels On the Bus" and "The Barney Song". You are also great at "Happy Birthday" much to the delight of whomever's birthday it happens to be. You learned it just in time for Riley's fifth. You love to go for walks. You love to climb! Just the other day I found you on the kitchen table! Your big brother is pretty good at keeping an eye on that for us. You are such a little daredevil. You love your daddy and you race to him when he comes home from work and blow kisses after him in the mornings when he leaves. I am so glad you two already have such a special relationship. I know that you will always chase after your heavenly father in the same way. I can tell you are close with him and your daddy's love is such a good example of what our heavenly father is like. We are so proud and delighted at all the things you can do but we most love WHO YOU ARE!

What a great smile you have. You are always so happy. You love to have fun and climb on us and everything. It is fun to watch you learn and grow. You are so smart and determined. I can not wait to see what God does in your life. You will be successful. We love you very much and we are lucky to call you our son. Thank you for loving your brother. He loves you very much too.

Owen, you are just who God made you to be. We love you so much and are so thankful to share your life as your parents. We know the Lord is with you in a special way. We can see it in the light in your eyes. Your life is covered in much prayer as Daddy, Riley and I have been lifting you up to our father since way before you were born. We are here, looking forward with you as you continue to grow into all the Lord has for you!

Tomorrow, I will share with you the blessing we read to Riley.
Have a great day.

A New Picture

Here is a new picture of the boys. My parents had their picture taken while we were in Washington D.C. Two pretty cute boys.

Have a great weekend.

Enjoy July 4th.