Hope in the Exersaucer

Tonight was Hope's first time in the exersaucer.  She seemed to do just fine!

Ms Darlene Came For Lunch Today

Today after church, one of Gideon's Sunday School teachers came over for lunch.  Ms Darlene has been at our church since 1966!  She serves as a deacon, and one of the world's greatest Sunday School teachers.  Gideon absolutely loves her and talks about her all the time.  It's also because of her (and Ms Jane Ann) and fellow (and a couple years older) classmate Liam Williams that Gideon keeps asking us about having Jesus in his heart.  

Gideon was waiting at the door with his train book when Ms Darlene came to the door.  We had a great meal, Ms Darlene talked with us a bit about how Gideon is in Sunday School, and shared with us some stories of her time at our church.  She is an absolute joy to be around and to know.  Ms Darlene is another reason our church is AWESOME!!!

Here "Ms Darlene" reads Gideon his train book.  So awesome!

Gideon Helps WIth Hope's Tummy Time

Gideon absolutely hated tummy time when we brought him home (which also may explain why Hope had more head control at 1 month of age than Gideon did at 6 months of age).  

We thought it pretty cute to watch Gideon "helping" mind baby sister Hope with tummy time.  

Here he speaks with her, whispering how tummy time is done!

YEAH BOY!!!

This story could be the most memorable to date.  Tonight our family joined forces with Rusty, our childrens pastor, to go to Flava Flav Chicken in Clinton, Iowa (about an hour from here).  Who is Flava Flav, you ask inquisitively?  Well, he was in the 1980s rap group Public Enemy.  As of late, he's been on numerous reality shows.  The story I've heard answering the question of "why Clinton, Iowa?" is that he knows a guy in Las Vegas whose brother lives in Clinton (or somewhere close to Clinton) and he operates dining establishments. 

And how did we end up driving that far for a nasty fast-food joint?  Continue reading.  Rusty and I were talking at work about Flava Flav's.  That night at supper I was telling Kathee about our discussion.  She said, "we should totally go there to eat."  So I told her to call Rusty (right there during supper).  So she did.  And those two set it up for our families (our family of 4 and Rusty's family of 5.  Both families have infant children) to join forces and take our show on the road.  And so we went.   

We knew we were getting close as I read somewhere that FFC (a former Long John Silver's) was in the same parking lot as a newer KFC/Long John Silver's.    

As we sat at the intersection, we saw the line wrapped out the front door and down the side of the building a ways.

So we pulled in to the KFC parking lot and decided it best to not take two infant children, two toddler-aged children, and a pre-schooler to a long long that actually came out the front door, across the front of the building, through the parking lot, and down the side of the building to beyond the back of the building.  We decided we just eat and KFC and come back in a month or so.  Personally, I want to come back before they close or before the health department closes them down.  And who knows when either of those could happen? 

Hope decided we made a great decision and packed her cheeks with KFC potatoes (on one side) and KFC cole slaw on the other (JUST KIDDING!).  

Our two families had a delightful time.  We love the Hernandez family and enjoy spending time with them.  So after supper, we loaded up, and headed back to the Quad Cities.  Quite the adventure, but fun from the get-go!  What a night...YEAH BOY!!!  

Oh yeah, "YEAH BOY" is Flava Flav's handle!

Huskers ROCK!!!

Hope has never taken a pacifier before, and she's still kinda getting used to it.  We are not (currently) real big on pacifiers, however, we'll see how it goes.  Below are the pictures I took today with her.  We tried a couple different kinds, and she (honestly) settled on the Huskers one.  I love her!

Kenpo, Part 1

I'm not sure if I've blogged this before or not, but a few weeks ago I started an extreme workout regime called P90X.  I'm loving it!  However, the last couple of days, when Gideon has gotten up from his nap, he's seen me working out.  So tonight at supper, he started doing Kenpo (kickboxing) exercises he saw me doing this afternoon.  So I asked if he'd be willing to re-enact some of his moves so you all could see them.  Let me tell you, the kid has NOTHING on how difficult Kenpo really is.  However, the kid is also taking in just about everything we do.  Pretty cute.  Enjoy.

Gideon's Kenpo Workout Part 2

Sorry Sharon!

Hope's Aunt Sharon made a stocking hat for her as a Christmas present.  It has her name (Hope Katharine) on it and everything.  As you can see, she wasn't real fond of me messing with her head putting the cap on.  Sorry Sharon, this is the best we could do!

The Smiling Daughter and Studying Father

Over the past year-plus, and going through May of this year, I have been leading a group of youth pastors in our area in doing ministry the way Jesus did.  We started meeting every other month, but then moved it to every month.  We meet for a day, and homework (a lot of it) is given to complete for the next meeting.  Tomorrow's meeting includes over 40 pages of homework, which came from studying hundreds of passages about the life of Christ.  This learning community has been fantastic!  So tonight, as I was preparing, and after Hope got done eating, I got a bit of time to play with her and study/prepare for tomorrow.  

I LOVE her smile.  And she is doing it more and more now.  One can learn so much about a person's soul by watching their facial expressions.  My desire is that my children would be joyful followers of Jesus Christ, with souls filled with the love of Jesus and the zest of life!  So I love seeing my daughter begin to smile.  LOVE IT!

Based on the "facial expression" revealing the soul, I guess I'm not entirely sure what to say about this picture.  

See seems like such a little peanut!

The Two Headed Monster!

Many times (pretty much daily) I walk up behind Gideon, put my shirt over his face and carry him around.  Tonight I came up with a way better idea... see if we'd both fit in my undershirt!  We did! 

Here we are playing the two-headed, four-armed, and four-legged creature.   

One may be surprised how loud a person can clap when they have FOUR HANDS!!!

We'll have to wait until Hope has more motor control (and I get a bigger shirt) to complete the "hear no evil, say no evil," with "see no evil."  We are currently two-thirds there! 

Not sure what we were doing here!

Thomas Video

Gideon playing with his Thomas the train.

Gideon Does P90X

A few weeks ago I started doing the exercise/training program called P90X.  It's pretty much the toughest thing I've ever done.  The first week was HORRIBLE.  So this morning, while Gideon was playing, he decided to curl up in a ball (first picture below).  That is kind of one of the moves on the Ab Ripper DVD.  So I helped him do other P90X moves, and he demolished them.  He totally put me to shame.  Here are some of the poses.  And here's the hilarious thing, I heard NONE of the breathing that mine sounds like (you know, the "death rattle?") that come from me when I'm doing the moves.  And notice the smile on his face?  DISGUSTING!!!

Ab Ripper X

Leg Climb Sit-ups (the kid's form is impeccable)

A "Core" Stretch

Downward Dog

Cobra

The Train Lover

Mama set up the train with Gideon this morning, and Gideon has having a blast.  As you see, he even set up a train yard in the west side of the track.

All in all, he's a pretty good engineer (he still has a LOT to learn from Grandpa Smith, however!).

Chillin on a Saturday morning

At least one of us is not bored with the other.

Hope is beginning to smile!!!

We have noticed over the past couple of days that when we put Hope in her swing that she stares off into the wild blue and smiles.  

This morning she was smiling away at me.  

And after the third take, this is the one that took!

A Night At the Costas Residence

So this is a bit weird, and a bit awesome, at the same time.  When I started at FUPC, Jacob Costas was an eighth grader going in to ninth.  He, along with his twin brother Adam, elder brother Zachary, and younger sister Abby, were all in Catalyst (the name of my youth ministry) together.  Rachel, the youngest would join Catalyst a few years later (she just graduated from high school last year).  

In the time sense, Jacob has graduated high school, gotten married, served in Iraq (making the rank of sergeant), and now has two children.  Last night Jacob and his wife Olivia (along with their two children) invited us over for supper.  It was a great night to catch up with Jacob, talk about old times in Catalyst, talk about life in Iraq and the military, and talk about college with Jacob and Olivia (as they are currently in college).  

As their son (who is older than Gideon, thus the "weird" part) plays with Gideon at church, it was fun watching them play (hide-and-seek) together.  The pictures of them below are during their hide and seek game.       

Aiden takes time to help Gideon hide.  

Now Aiden has to find a spot in the last few seconds before Mrs. Olivia comes and finds them.  

A Note From President Jay Barnes

When Kathee and I were students at Bethel, Jay Barnes was the provost.  He's now the president, and appears to have brought a more personal touch to Bethel's top dog than the predecessor.  President Brushaber was a great president, just not really personal with the students.  So, unbeknownst to us, we received a gift and a note from President Barnes this week.  Here's the note, and the picture.

Dear Hope,
Welcome to the world!  Here at Bethel we have received the news of your arrival, and we are praising God for the miracle of your new life.

You certainly chose good parents, Hope.  We know that your mom and dad love you very much and want the very best for you.

In about 18 years, when it is time for you to attend college, we hope you will come to Bethel University.  We would love to have you join our family!  Such a big decision may seem a little too overwhelming now when you still have walking, talking, and the ABCs to conquer.  Just take your time as you learn and grow.  We wish you happiness and joy on your way to becoming the person God made you to be.

Hope, we're glad you are here!

Sincerely,
Jay Barnes
President

P.S. We have enclosed a little gift to keep Bethel near your heart.

The Kids

So I have a reason for the pictures, but I'm going to make that into another post.  And truthfully, I wasn't aware that I was wearing a Bethel U t-shirt today.  

Top O The Mornin' To Ya!

This morning Kathee woke up Gideon.  As I was finishing my morning routine, I heard a bit of a racket in Gideon's bedroom.  He and Mama were in playing in his room.  As I walked in, Gideon said with great pride, "Look Papa, we straight line."  He loves his mama, his dog "Somalynn" he received from his cousin Noah for Christmas, George, "Marching Band Guy," and "mine blanket" he received from his great-aunt Beth.  Going to bed for Gideon is certainly not a struggle!  With all that fun, how could he not?   

Papa, You are Losing AGAIN to Mama!

Okay, first off, in no way did I mean to cut my wife's head off in this picture.  LOW FORM, I know.  

In the 11+ years we've been married, I have beaten Kathee once or twice (if I want to make up fish stories) at Scrabble.  With Kathee's fantastic vocabulary, and my pea-sized brain, it's like shooting fish in a barrel.  So while Kathee and I worked in a date last week, I got the help of my daughter (I'll try anything to win now), which turned out for naught.