Tooth Fairy Visit

Caleb officially got a tooth fairy visit tonight. He's been working on a loose tooth for a while, but was scared to pull it out. Amy did the honors with a damp washcloth and her skillful hands. He cried a bit but then realized after a while that it didn't hurt. The tooth had to go anyhow because another can be seen growing in right where it was!

Oh... what did he get from the Tooth Fairy?!?! A dollar in quarters, a Spiderman toothbrush and strawberry flavor toothpaste. :+D

Sassy but funny...

I asked Caleb to scrape his supper into the garbage bag. Before he thought to open it he started scraping. I asked him to "hold on a second! You have to open the bag first!" Caleb replies, "Do I look like I have three hands?!'

I have no idea where he heard that! But I was laughing.

Spiderman

A few weeks ago we traveled to Letchworth State Park for a craft show. We never found the things Amy wanted, but Caleb got his face painted... Joel chickened out. So here's Spiderman!!!!
You might wonder what clown did this to my son. I honestly can't remember her name. :~)

Halloween Prize Kids!

Grammy (Amy's mom) makes the costumes and then gets the satisfaction of saying, "Yea, I'm that good." This year Caleb, the Rhinestone Cowboy, got a 1st at his school and at the Ransomville Firehall. Joel, the skunk with flowers, got a 2nd at the Firehall. We have enough candy now that I should be in a sugar comma any day now...

Enjoy the pictures!

Verbal Spontaneous Prayer

Caleb tonight started to follow my pattern of prayer.... which is that I just pray and thank God for things and ask for help along the way. Basically it's a verbal spontaneous prayer. I'm having an ongoing conversation where I include God. SO... tonight I'm sitting at the computer and I hear Caleb talking, "God help me to get through Mario level 8 please..." I asked him if he was praying and he said, "Yea Dad. I need God to help me win this." I responded that I wasn't sure if God was into answering prayers exactly like that, but I was pleased that he was praying. I trust the depth of Calebs prayers will grow as he places his faith in Jesus and walks humbly with Jesus through this life. I also realize that God even cares about the little things that we care about. Like trying to get through Mario level 8 or being the example that little people can follow. I know I'm being watched.

Misc. Stuff

As the saying goes much water has passed under the bridge... and in some locations that water has taken out a bride or two... just not where I live. But I digress...

I'm thankful for the opportunities that I've gotten to lead worship at my church through Sept. 7th. I know our Worship Leader was needing a bit of a break and it worked out well.

So we've been busy this summer with all of these wonderful opportunities and I have gratefully offered them up to the Lord as an offering. I believe God has been honored and is pleased to receive the worship due his Name.

This past week Caleb started Kindergarten. We did the usual photos and video of him getting on the bus. What we didn't anticipate was the response of Joel, our almost 3 year old. Joel was ready to run after the bus to either get Caleb back or go with him! There were tears as I held him and then he went back in the house with Amy (mommy). I drove to the school to drop off Caleb's supplies and meet him at the bus as he got off. He was so surprised but very pleased to see me. We got to his room and got him all settled in. I left to take the camera back to Amy to show the pictures and video that I'd taken before heading to work.
So far things have gone well. We're only 4 days in, but it's been a good ride so far. (knock on wood...)

We are anticipating taking care of some home projects that have become an issue as of this past week. Thankfully my dad will be flying in to help with them the first part of October. I always learn more every time I work with him. I look forward to that time even though it will be a bit busy.

Lastly I trust that God will open a door of opportunity for me soon. I have been completely overwhelmed by the responses I've gotten about the speaking and music. In fact, Linda from my church said to me, "I've come to the conclusion that you need your own church to pastor!" All I know is that all things are in God's timing. My prayer is reflected in the lyrics by Charlie Hall "let your sovereign providential hand lead me."

Didn't forget you...

I can't believe it was May20th on my last post! SORRY!
Well... we've been busy. Finally nailed the whole claim thing down on the prize which helped us to take a very needed vacation! My pictures are on Facebook if you are interested in seeing some.
We had a great time and to be honest I think I could move down there in a heart beat and be just fine. Of course Amy reminded me that we wouldn't have the $$ to live by the ocean... that popped my dream bubble... oh well...

We had a Pre-K graduation and today was Father's Day. I was asked to play just yesterday for Church leading the second service. I'm pretty sure that I won't do that again! I felt so unprepared. None the less, it wasn't bad for what it was. The best part of the day was having my boys sit and sing during the first service. They actually stayed in the seats... this was a drastic improvement from three weeks earlier when I spoke... they were up at the altar with their hot wheels cars... Today we got "cute" as they sat and hugged each other and Joel gave Caleb his big brother kisses. They participated in the Children's moment by helping to sing the "12 Spies Song"... 12 spies went to spy on Canaan 10 were bad and 2 were good... of course their version was a bit different... but the boys were great... Joel kept doing the 'looking' sign through the last time through. After talking about having courage the kids were headed down stairs. I asked Joel if he was ready to go and got the normal yes head nod. Then he turns back and says, "Daddy I need you to go with me." So with his hand in mine we head down to Sunday School where he lets go and races for the rocking horse on the springs... the teacher says they are ready and he walks right in and I walk right up to listen to the message. I keep thinking to myself about how many times I've been told to cherish these moments... the times where Joel turns and says he needs me. Or the few times now that Caleb says, "that's a daddy project!" I'm sure that in the next 16 years I'll have plenty of "Daddy Projects" to help complete. And I'll cherish those times.

our latest news

We've been busy here. Still waiting to get the prize from the contest... all forms have been filed, so now it's a waiting game.

Caleb finally got to ride the bike he got for Christmas from "Santa". Amy took him around the block and said, "he's a natural!" I think I'd be too with training wheels. (see picture)


Joel is healing up after his climbing accident. A cut under his nose and above his top lip for his efforts. He still didn't learn the lesson about climbing... he cried out, "HELP DADDY I'M STUCK!" I found him attempting to get a movie down from my book shelf in the basement. Thankfully that shelf is firmly attached!

Also... If you in the Buffalo area Sunday I'm speaking! for directions and times check out: cornerstoneoncapen.com that's the website for Cornerstone Community church.

It did snow!

I ended my last post with "let it snow..." And it did! We had officially 22 inches from Friday about 9am to Sunday morning 7am. And that was with two breaks in the snow!
Since we had the snow we thought it might be nice to get out and do something with it... TODAY

Enjoy the pictures!

If you don't like the weather just wait a day...

Sunday we were sledding. Monday we were grilling with 63 degree weather and mostly sunny skies! Tuesday we watched as the clouds came back and brought sleet and freezing rain, enough for ice skating... As I write it's finally turned to all snow again. They are telling us that there is a "possibility" not "probability" of serious accumulating snows on Friday night into Saturday. So.. mom in Wisconsin, we may get that snow dumped on us yet! But thanks for the offer and the books for the boys. Amy sat down with Caleb tonight and had him sound out words. She said, "His face just lit up when he realized that he was reading!" We register him for school March 18-20th. He won't actually start till the end of August or beginning of September. I can't believe my baby is going to start Kindergarten in the Fall.

Oh well... let it snow...

Good news!

While we were all sitting at home trying to get over some nasty bug that has had us ALL down for over a week now... (ARGH!) watching the movie "The Gameplan" (I laughed, I cried, it moved me...) The doorbell rang and there was a pounding at the back door. Caleb sprung up and flew to the door, opening it. Normally that isn't a good thing, however, it was the FedEx guy. Caleb retrieved the package and handed it to me. It was from, "Meredith Corporation" (I think magazines... Better Homes and Gardens, Renovation Style, etc..) I knew exactly what it was!

We had entered an online contest that Meredith Corporation sponsors. Chrysler Jimmy (Neutron) Adventures. To enter we took a cutout of Jimmy Neutron standing next to a Chrysler Van and had Joel hold the picture out as we took a picture of he and Caleb. The picture had to be about a memorable time and we decided that we'd visit our good friends Tim and Amy Newman at the City of Tonawanda Fire Department Headquarters for a tour and picture adventure. The last picture we took of Caleb and Joel, they were wearing their "Fire Chief" hats and standing by a fire truck... Joel held out the Jimmy picture and Caleb held a fire hose. PERFECT!

We went online and submitted it along with our description of why it was memorable and... now we are one of 20 finalists (at least that's the number they were picking from all the entries). From the final 20 there are 6 grand prize winners. Each of the prizes is worth an estimated $6,500.00. They range from a trip to Orlando, FL to the Nick theme hotel (with spending money, car rental, etc) to a $5,000.00 Best Buy Card and a $1,000 Nick Store card.

OK... so we have signed and had our papers notarized and they are being sent back even now.
The next step of choosing the 6 Grand Prize winners comes March 18th to April 22nd. (unless they change something.) YOUR votes will help determine the winner of the contest! So when we know something more we will post it here.

We are sooooooo excited here about this. God is good!

Lonnie

Caleb's Santa Sighting

Live from our living room Christmas morning Caleb gave us the scoop on his Santa sighting. Enjoy the video!

Caleb turns 5!

It just seems like yesterday when I, a new dazed and confused dad, followed a little 9 lb 2 oz baby to the nursery. I remember the next morning when they brought him in and we saw him struggling to breathe that it seemed our joy would be dashed upon the rocks of tragedy. Later we learned his lung was punctured and he would need to be in an oxygen tent for a few days while it healed up, as well he would be put on antibiotics for 10 days... Amazingly enough after that speed bump he's been fairly healthy since (other than an occasional cold or flu).
In the picture Caleb's excited about his 3rd remote control car. (Yea it's #3... Joel likes this one because it has wheels that light up, so maybe Caleb can share.) In the other picture Caleb's standing in his new Larryboy PJ's (he likes them, but said "Spiderman is better." Sorry Veggie Tales...) next to the Thomas the Tank cake... not Buzz Lightyear (another favorite), but it did the job, this year... better not make that mistake next year or I may be disowned... Nah!!!! I'm still his favorite . I can't believe it's been 5 years now, but it has and I'm trying to enjoy these moments. Hopefully ya'll are enjoying them with me. God has been so good to us... we didn't even know if we would have any kids...
I pray every night with Caleb and for Caleb (Joel too...) I know that his future is shaped by the faith he sees lived out. I believe God has amazing things planned for this little boy, if you don't believe, as my mom says, "you just hide and watch!".

Birthday party at Rollie Pollies

Caleb and Joel were invited to Luke's 2nd birthday party at Rollie Pollies in East Amherst, NY. Luke is the son of Michelle, Amy's co-worker at ECMC.

Here's our boys having fun there! Enjoy!

"Most beautiful song I ever heard!" -Caleb

Wednesday night on TV we watch Kid Nation together. This past week I had to work late so I missed the show. Amy calls me up on Thursday to tell me about what happened and Caleb's response. On Kids Nation they had a talent show and when it was over they asked about hidden talents. A girl got up to sing. Amy said, "She didn't look like much, but, MAN could that girl sing!" What she sang had Caleb's complete attention, jaw open, staring at the TV... Amazing Grace. At the end of the song Caleb said, "Mom, that's the most beautiful song I ever heard!" Amy was having a hard time holding tears back. When she told me the story I was working and trying not to cry myself. To further clarify what Caleb meant she asked him later at bed time. He said, "The words. Those words were beautiful."

Maybe as you are reading this you are trying to remember the words or maybe even singing the tune... Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me, I once was lost but now I'm found, was blind but now I see.

Do you hear the sound of "I forgive you"? Do you realize you were missing? Are you now seeing?
The view for me is getting better.

"Power!"

We're at that fun stage of development with Joel. He loves to sing. Sunday I heard him singing one of our songs from Sunday service... "oh no you never let go, through the calm and through the storm..." As a dad I just have to smile. The latest song he keeps requesting (Caleb too!) is "Power! Daddy. Power!" Selah is a group that reworked the classic hymn, "There is Power in the Blood". We put that CD on in the Kia Sorento and both boys are yelling "POWER! POWER!". (they keep asking for it in the Ford Focus, but I don't have a CD player in it) I put the CD on our iPod that we won (another story in itself) and plugged the iPod into my speakers in the kitchen. Suddenly the kitchen was 'God's Groove Central'... both boys were running and dancing, and singing. For the record they also like "Esango", also on the CD 'Hiding Place'.
All of this reminded me of Psalm 8:2 (New Century Version) With praises from children and from tiny infants, you have built a fortress. It makes your enemies silent, and all who turn against you are left speechless.
The more familiar version of NIV says,"From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise..."

And right now I'm getting an ear and eye full... (grin!)