Saturday, June 30, 2007

I Miss the Car

I listen to many podcasts. I drive enough throughout the week that I can listen to 75% in the car. I am getting way behind on my listening because the car has been in the shop.

I listen to podcasts from Car Talk, TWiT, Buzz Out Loud, and bunch of gaming podcasts mostly from 1up.

Lawn Snakes

I mowed the lawn today and saw a snake. I came inside and told Allen that a snake must live on our hill because I have seen him in the same spot the last two times I mowed the lawn. He asked if I could show it to him and I explained that the snake slithered off when he saw me coming with the mower. I told Allen where the snake was and he looked truly interested.

We are also cultivating some monarch butterfly worms in our house in some jars. Every few days we have to get some milkweed plant leaves and place them in the containers for the worms to eat. Last year we had two monarch butterflies emerge from their cocoons and fly away. The kids loved it.

Living where we do, the kids are constantly in contact with nature. It makes me really happy to see them excited and interested in the life that is all around us. I hope that when they are older that they retain the interest and pass it on to their children.

Thursday, June 28, 2007

Growing Kids

Today we moved Allen into his own room and the girls into a room together. This is a big step for Abby as this is her first time out of the crib. Ashton can now have a completely girly room with her sister. Allen said he will miss Ashton and suggested that we install an intercom for them to talk. Often after being put to bed, Allen and Ashton would chat and play. I can tell that Abby and Ashton will probably form a great bond like Allen and Ashton share as they spend more time together.

Also, due to being a little out of sorts with sharing a car, I forgot my wallet when I left for work this morning. Ordinarily this wouldn't be a big deal except I needed gas. After I pumped a little more than $20 in the tank, I realized my mistake. The attendants were cool and said that I can come back later to pay (if I left something of value with them).

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Stormy Morning

This morning we had a thunder storm. I was watching the kids and the lightning and thunder was pretty close. Allen ran and got his 'snuggly blanket' because he, like his sisters was scared. Our power went out for a second very soon after he sat back down next to me. I said that I really hoped we didn't lose power and asked Allen if I should say a prayer. He agreed that it was a good idea and we prayed together. After the storm subsided, Allen declared the prayer had worked.

I remember being his size on a stormy day and gathering my stuffed animals and heading to my parents room; the room I considered the safest place in our house. Today's thunderstorm reminded me that being a kid means having a very different perspective.

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Good Day

Today I was home in the morning with the kids. Abby has learned how to open our entertainment center and she pulled out our DVDs. Allen and Ashton love riding bikes and it is super cute to see them giving each other tips to improve their bike skills. Allen likes to show Ashton how to brake and Ashton gives pointers on turning to Allen.

It is great to have such wonderful kids. I love them very much. It is interesting to consider what the kids are like based on what Amber and I contribute. Our personalities are evident from time to time in each of the children. Kids are little mirrors that remind us of who we are and how we look to others.

Monday, June 25, 2007

Older and More Grating

Fueled by an argument about bills, Amber and I had a disagreement. At the drive through of a mediocre Mexican food restaurant, I received terrible service and wanted to complain. Amber got mad at me for making a big deal about nothing.

Am I starting to get crotchety in my old age? Would the person given me a smaller beverage than ordered and the wrong food otherwise not made me mad? Was it just bad timing that I was already arguing with my dear wife? I just can't say.

What I can say is that Amber told me to blog about it in a sarcastic way. I am never one to shy away from a challenge. BLOGGED.

Also, I got the car into the shop. Tentative estimate is over $3000 and over a week of work. Ugh.

Sunday, June 24, 2007

I Made a new Title Banner

Hey look ^^^ I made that banner with my own two hands. It's neat. I used the open source graphics program called The GIMP. Try it out if you want. The program is like Photoshop in as much as it provides so many features. I love open source software!

Correction

Yikes. Now that I am publishing my ideas in this blog, I am now subject to comment and correction. I apologize for stating otherwise, but my wife has informed me that her role is different from what I had typed earlier.

I quote: "I am a "Sexual Assault Counselor/ Legal Advocate", which also contains the "Rape Prevention Specialist" job duties, which are the community education responsibilities. I won't actually be doing much counseling for domestic violence clients, that's what they have domestic violence counselor/legal advocates for.
Thank you, that is all."

I am sorry for any confusion this has caused.

Inconvenience (blech)

So my work is doing a physical inventory tonight. Due to the events yesterday, we are down to one car for a bit. I am thinking that I won't be able to stay until 1am as scheduled. Amber works third shifts until she takes her new position. Hopefully this won't be too painful...

Saturday, June 23, 2007

I Hate Deer

I hit a deer this morning. The kids were in the car and it was about 6am. It was a good one. The deer was a large doe and it blew out the passenger window and deployed the side-impact air bag. Thankfully, no one was hurt.

I have to wait until Monday to take it in because today is Saturday and no body shops are open. I expect that this will take a while to repair.

Friday, June 22, 2007

AMBER GOT A PROMOTION!!!!!

I am incredibly proud of my wife Amber. As of today, she has now been officially promoted to a Counselor handling several aspects of domestic abuse. She is making a difference in our community and I know she will do a fantastic job!

I don't know a more caring, sincere, and hard working person. She has worked very hard to get where she is at. She really deserved the new role.

New! And Still Fun.

Last FM is a cool idea. It watches what you listen to and tallies statistics. When compared to other users with similar interests, it will make recommendations, you can share with other people what you are listening to, and it's super easy to add to MySpace or blogs (obviously).

Also, Odin Sphere. That is all.

Exciting

I like the idea of a blog. This is not my first one but I hope to keep this one for a long time. Maybe I will use Jaiku or Twitter soon, too.

Thursday, June 21, 2007

My First!

This is the place I am going to link my last FM and such. Yay! It's official!