Remote "downloading"

this new technology called "wireless Internet" is truly amazing. they have these new thingys called 'computers' and their like electronic typewriters...wait, you probably already know about computers and the Internet....
Wife and I are behind on the latest technology crazes by about 5 years so us getting wireless is freakin awesome.
In fact, I can now 'download' on my throne while downloading on the Internet. I'm sure you wanted to know that but sometimes it's the small stuff that is truly exciting!!!

Ya know, the 'throne' forces you to make the perfect 'lap' posture for your laptop...:)

what a blessing

It's hard to find the words about the community we are apart of at St. Mark Catholic Church in Denton. The friends we have made there and the families that welcome us are amazing. We have been going there for about 10 years (some through college) and we have formed some great relationships. This morning at the Men's Faith Sharing group I attend, we did something special for Fr. Tim. We asked him to come to the meeting and participate which he did. The purpose of this particular meeting was also to let him know how blessed we are to have our priests and to thank him for his service to us. It was a nice meeting and great fellowship.

In November I was laid off from my previous job. The response and support from the families at St. Mark has been a true testament to Christianity. So many people have come up to us and offered prayers, support and some even looking for employment for me. Today was particularly wonderful as we received a great blessing.

After the meeting, one of the men came up to me and handed me an envelope with our name on it. Inside was a letter that was typed (so we couldn't tell the handwriting) and $500 in cash. I could not believe it and all I could do was cry. What a generous gift!!! The letter did not say who it was from but only the instructions to return the gift to another family when we are able to. I promise that I will.

Just a few days ago, we received another anonymous gift card in the mail for Target. I am so humbled by the community we are apart of. I certainly don't deserve any of it but I am sincerely thankful. I pray that the Lord will bless these giving families in special ways this year. I look forward to the day when I'll be able to repay these gifts to other families. Praise God!!!

wife and I are hopeless nerds

We are almost caught up in the 21st century...we finally have wireless networking in our house and we are sitting in our living room on laptops surfing. We are hopeless dorks. I just picked up a new laptop for a new mortgage venture and my mother gave us her old one so now we have 2. I don't plan on surfing all night on the couch every night but it is fun on this first night.

The Saturday Night Offering

It's hard being a UNT football fan these days. We are definitely re-building this season so our growing pains are tremendous. Regardless of the outcomes, we still manage to have a great time tailgating with our friends and family. Enjoy the pics...





Who farted?



The Rhino and the T-Bone


Little T-Bone and Little Rhino

Soccer Pics

Yesterday was picture day for our kids' soccer teams. I was blown away by how expensive the picture packages were. Here's to having your own camera and standing behind the expensive camera man...

C-Boy's Birthday!!

It's awesome how kids don't have the worries of adults in terms of responsibility, anxiety, or pressures at work. A few days ago we celebrated the 5th birthday of my oldest son. He was so pumped that we went to McDonalds and he got to play on the playground. We gave him his very own Buzz Lightyear toy and some gum and suckers. He was thrilled. It's very humbling to see the pure joy from a child and a great reminder for me to be evermore thankful for what we already have.

Guys weekend out

Last weekend my brother and I took my dad to College Station for his 60th birthday to watch the Aggie/Army game. We left on Friday morning and headed down the road. After checking in the hotel, we visited the campus and naturally, many things have changed from when my dad graduated there in 1970. He was in the Corp so it was really nice to see that part of the campus and experience it with him. The game was really great but extremely hot. We had nose-bleed seats in the end zone but it didn't matter as the atmosphere was incredible. I bravely and proudly wore my Mean Green T-shirt with my Aggie visor. We all had a very special time and really enjoyed each other's company. Enjoy the pics...






Here is dad and brother looking at the Vietnam memorial of the Corp members. Dad knew many of them.



That's me supporting the Mean Green as well as the Aggies.


The fightin' Aggie Band




The final score: Aggies 21 Army 17


This was our spot in the garage. We claimed it at 6:28 in the morning...yes, I said 6:28 AM...

Biggest Loser Update Week 2

Well for week 1 and 2 my weight is the same. I'm actually happy with this because I have had some unusual events happen recently. On Thursday of last week I found out I am getting laid off from my job. Yes this stinks badly but I'm praying that it will be the best blessing I've had professionally. Secondly, my brother and I took my dad to College Station to celebrate his 60th birthday and watch the Aggies beat Army. It was a great time...for another blog. Needless to say, I had a few beers so I'm happy with not gaining any weight.

My mother is also joining me on this adventure. I won't post her starting weight but currently in 2 weigh-ins she has lost 1.4 lbs. Way to go mom!

just a little patience, ya ya

From the words of Axl Rose...

I have to admit that it's a little hard to watch my kids playing sports. Part of me is so proud and excited to be watching my kids playing and part of me is impatient with their lack of experience or aggressiveness. Today C-Boy scored his first goal!!! He was running behind the rest of the boys (as usual) but a kick went off the goal post right to him and he fired a huge kick right into the goal. It was awesome. The girls did better as they are now the defenders. They stay back and wait for the ball to come to them and I think this helps them learn what to do and have a purpose on the field. They both kicked the ball in the wrong direction but also kicked it the right way. Wife and I (me way more than her) are working on only yelling supporting things and not trying to coach. I have to keep my mouth shut most of the time so I don't confuse our girls from what the coach is saying. I'm an assistant coach for C-boy so it's OK for me to yell all the time :).

My house is a wreck...poop.

Starting weight

242. The goal is to lose 20 lbs by the end of the season of The Biggest Loser.

My own Biggest Loser game

Well, last night was the premier of the new season of the Biggest Loser. This season they have families...half are parent and child and the other half are married couples. I can't quite figure out why I like this show so much. It's probably because I can relate to the struggle and/or the lack of discipline that people have that let themselves get out of control. I'm a pretty lazy mofo when it comes to self-improvement. I know that I'm not 'in' shape...I'm 'a' shape. I don't want to miss my kids later in life or being able to play with them now. I'm about to be 31 and in the worst shape of my life.


Well, I'm going to challenge myself with a goal of focused workouts and weight loss as the season of The Biggest Loser progresses. The show airs on Tuesdays so this will also be my weigh-in day. I'll post my results each week and my goal at the end of the season is to have dropped 20 pounds.

I've been going to the gym fairly regularly and done cardio work exclusively. Good friends of mine who go to the gym and have for years have been suggesting to me to also hit the weights to get a full body workout. I hate weights so much I can't describe it...but I've got nothing to lose by trying to incorporate a cardio workout and adding some machine weight rotations.

Tomorrow is Thursday and I'll get my starting weight...wish me luck!

futbol

The oldest 3 kids are in full swing of soccer this fall. This is the first season for all of them so my girls are a little behind. They mostly run around the field clueless of what's going on but with more practices and games, I think they will catch on. C-boy is starting in the youngest league but is also just running around. The good thing here is that all the rest of the boys are too.

Nephew's birthday party

This Sunday we celebrated my nephew's 1st birthday! My brother, his wife, and son just moved down here from Chicago last week and we got together to celebrate at my parent's house. It was a great time by all and the burgers and dogs were awesome. This is the first party of many more to come...











Disregard the kid passed out in the background...it was a good spot for a nap...

It's Game Day

Today we embark on one of the greatest times of the year...tailgating. Today is the first home home game for the Mean Green. It's also the first soccer games for our oldest kids T-Girl, M-Girl, and C-Boy. It's a busy day but here's the basic rundown.

7:00--woke up

7:01--put Mean Green yard sign in front yard

8:00--breakfast and misc crap

9:00--turn on College Game Day on ESPN

9:15--gave boys game day hair cuts

10:45--leave for debut game of Ladybugs soccer

1:00--Bulldogs debut soccer game

2:30--head home to pack up truck for tailgating

3:15--arrive at Fouts Field to unleash the tailgating celebration

3:17--argue with parking lot officials about where to park

3:30--set up 'camp', first drink, grill ribs, Muenster sausage, and hot dogs

5:45--stumble into stadium

9:00--leave stadium and listen to post game show

10:00--slam tons of Pepto and Advil

10:03--pass out

more pics