It's Been A While.....

So, I know I've been somewhat absent from the bloggerboard lately (ahem......since January). But, the family and I have had a ton of stuff going on. I've been cheating on my blogspot account with facebook......and it's been stealing most of my updates. The church stuff is going alright but ministry is going really well. We've been able to make some pretty great relationships that feel a little more like family. Ashley's job is getting easier to deal with - she finally got some help with her students. Eli's doing really well in school and loves it. In his class they have a few seniors from the high school that come in and assist Eli's teacher with stuff and both of the high school boys were in a musical over the weekend......High School Musical 2. One had the lead role and the other boy had a supporting role that pretty much overshadowed everyone else (that kid was so funny). Anyway, Eli was enamored by the theater and I think he's seriously considering it (which, honestly, is fine with me as long as he keeps singing). Addy's getting huge - and she's so stinkin' pretty (she looks just like her momma).
So, here are some recent pics of the kiddos. Enjoy!

Do The Right Thing!

My step-dad always says, "If you're gonna be dumb......you gotta be tough." Well, I think there's a ton of truth to that. My whole life I've always had a heart for trying to do the right thing. Of course there were times of rebellion where I did exactly the opposite of what I knew to be the right thing - but that lingering (and sometimes fleeing) spark of truth seemed to haunt me every time I screwed up, constantly reminding me of the fact that I knew the right thing to do - but refused to do it. You know what's funny? Most of the time, I was able to manipulate the situation and weasel out of any kind of serious trouble. Sure, there were times where I thought I was a little more sly than I actually was and wound up getting into a whole mess of crap I couldn't get out of - but that was rare - mostly, I could talk my way out of it.

It wasn't until I met my wife that things changed. I didn't understand it at first - I fought it, wrestled it, even refused to accept it as reality - but, somehow, against my will, I grew a conscience - and, truthfully, I'm glad I did. But, it seems funny how, now, I try to go out of my way to do the right thing and more often than not it blows up in my face. How does that work?

I'm not kidding. I used to know the right thing to do and did exactly the opposite. Now, I see the right thing to do and act upon it and it kicks me in the tail. The Lord must definitely have a sense of humor because I swear sometimes I can see Him - sitting on His throne, looking down at me and the junk I'm in, laughing Himself silly, telling the Holy Spirit beside Him, "Hey, dude, watch this.........Bah-ha-ha-ha!!!!"

Yes, I realize that's absurd - but it paints a pretty good picture of how my life has changed so drastically over the last 10-12 years. I guess my step-dad is right, though - regardless of how hard it seems, I will continue to do my best to try and do the right thing.