....15

15 years and still going. We returned to Pigeon Forge, TN where we went on our honeymoon. We had a much better cabin then when we first was there. This was the first trip that both of us at same time, have been away from the kids for more then one night. It was a great time to get away in the middle of the busy schedules with football and soccer, and just connect. I love spending time with my wife. These 15 years we have went through a lot and I would hope that there is still a lot more to go through.

When I DJ weddings every time I do the anniversary dance. I think about how long we would still be remaining out on the dance floor as I call the years out. One day I hope to be the couple that is the last one left dancing.

....summer frenzy

Wow what a summer it was. It's hard to remember everything if I don't jot it down, but I will try to sum up our summer with a whirlwind of pics.

  

Cars 2!!!! The boys waited so long for it and we took them to watch it at the Drive-in theater, it was a great summer night out. Next summer we will have a Cars marathon (Cars & Cars 2) in the outside amphitheater at the new house.

  

@University of Cincinnati - Hunter was selected from Lynchburg School to be in the Cincinnati children's choir summer program. It was a long week of getting him to and from UC, really neat to see him on the big stage.

What?! You wanna race dad? This was one of the many things we did while vacationing in Sandusky, Ohio.

SPORTS!! This was the min MoNsTeRs Layne had a blast and met some new friends that I can see him growing up with. I really enjoyed coaching these little ones with their monster ROAR!

Didn't realize how long football season is! But we loved watching Hunter in his first year as a Rocket! He played wide receiver, and safety.

Many firsts! First day of preschool. First day of 5th grade. First day of kindergarten.

And last but not least First day at a new job! Yes, that's right first day at TQL. And this is my new space.

I know there was a lot more things that happened that didn't get up on here, but this summer rocked!

....14

 Alright so things been flying by, I didn't get a chance to log on and mention that Sept 12th was mine and Tiffany's 14th anniversary. This year we are celebrating by the building a house, and that is keeping us pretty busy.  Tiff, this year for our anniversary reserved a nice little B&B up in Lebanon, OH. We also went to the Renaissance Festival, which was pretty neat. I got to try the crazy huge turkey leg that I have saw pictures of, not bad but not something I would eat again. It was nice to get a short trip away. The B&B had a lot of antiques that was cool to see.

 

Tiff got me tickets to the Bengals vs. 49ers game, I am a 49ers fan that's why she chose that game. The seats were awesome. Not a whole lot of action during this game as it was a defensive battle but the Niners ended up coming out the victor.

 

Bengals have a rookie quarterback that has brought back the #14 of Sam Wyche, and Kenny Anderson. On the year of our 14 year anniversary.

thanks and love ya Tiff.

...break free

After reading the book Enemy of the Heart, by Andy Stanley, I was amazed. I just first have to say this is a great book for self reflection. You don't realize sometimes your actions, and words sometimes are reflected in the enemies of our heart. Andy describes the four issues we as human beings with emotions face. Those issues include guilt, anger, greed and jealousy. The authors examples to each of these issues, make you identify them in your own life. However the truly amazing part is not only to do recognize these issues in your own life, but how to truly be freed of these hurdles. He also shows us how to look at these issues in a biblical aspect, with direct scripture references. Great easy read, and a great tool to break free of those thing weighing us down.

I received this book for free from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group, in exchange for writing an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. You can click the image below to rank the review.

....Remember the times

Wow, we just moved out of what we have known to be our house for the past 12 years. The only place my boys have ever lived in. So we are getting ready to start building a new one, on our property. In the meantime until it is finished, we are going to be staying with Grandma Laura. The first night there was a little rough. Being in a different atmosphere were the boys are used to living on a quiet country road, and 62 has good bit of traffic. Still trying to figure out the situation with our dogs so they don't get hurt, but also don't tear stuff up.

It was hard leaving the house for the last time, not because I love the place so much. Just because of all the memories we have built there. I can just think back to all the steps of fixing it up, bringing our boys home for their first time, camping in the backyard, Dive in Movie nights. All the great times we had there at that house, but it is just a location. The great memories are about the people that made them great. The house just served as a holding point for bringing them together. I still have my family and we are still going to have more great memories, just at a different place. The possibilities at our new place are what we can make of them, and I am sure when my boys go to move out of it they will feel that connection that they had with the previous place. So here is to the past 1199 S. Gath Rd Sardinia, OH thanks for giving us a place to make such cherished memories for many years.

Onto the future 841 Oak Leaf Rd Mt Orab, OH.
July 18th, 2011

..say a little prayer

Since this was a children's book, who better to review it then a child? Below is a review of the book This Little Prayer of Mine by Anthony DeStefano, written from my sons P.O.V.

This little prayer of mine is an inspirational book about kids making a small prayer. It is a good book, or at least I think so. You also should read this book with a child. It could teach them to say a little prayer to God almost every day to ask for forgiveness and helping them grow the correct way.

Well said from a 9 year old.

I received this book for free from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group, in exchange for writing an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. You can click the image below to rank the review.

....Find your Soul Print

I had heard about this book and it sounded interesting to me. I picked it up and it was a very easy read.

Mark uses the experience of David from the Old Testament to explain how to discover your Soul Print. Here is an example from the book.

"Arming a warrior for battle was a major ritual in David's day. Armor was an extension of the warrior's character. David could have gone into battle dressed like a king. But David said, " I cannot go in these, because I am not used to them." So he took them off. David came to a crossroad he could have gone into battle as Saul - wearing Saul's armor, sword, and shield. Or he could go into battle as himself - a shepherd with a slingshot."

Looking at this, it is true that we often fail because we go into battle pretending to be someone we are not. Instead of embracing what God has molded us to be. Mark also adds this

"At the end of the day, God isn't going to ask, " Why weren't you more like David?" God is going to ask, "Why weren't you more like you?""

I encourage you to pick up this book, there are so many thought provoking subjects. Each can be broken down to help you do a self evaluation, and give a different perspective on life.

I received this book for free from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group, in exchange for writing an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review.