Hey, we got the kiddos today through next Wednesday. It is awesome to have this blessed chaos again in our house. Man, these rooms get so eerily calm and too normal too fast when our bunch isn't here.
Like right now. What can I hear? Hm. The girls playing American Idol karaoke on Xbox360, a blender for some reason, and E being a dramatic little thing about something.
The girls - including A, who's apparently doing awesome - have been playing Idol for at least three hours straight. Maybe four. Lil' A is apparently "platinum" status. She beat out M and J-Girl a few times. Simon even said she was "head and shoulders" above the competition. So...there.
The boys and I did the usual wrestlemania thing upstairs for a bit, then we moved to the ice patch we used to call a backyard. First we slid around like goons for a bit until E got tired of that and said he was going inside. Then Lil' B, G, J-Boy and I played some soccer, some football, some...no wait, that was it. Frozen digits ahead! I went back inside. What is it out there? 5? How does Santa do it?
Thus begins our Super Weekend - Extended Version. Not a huge fan of watching football, but I love to play it. But the Super Bowl beckons to be watched. Kinda like I never liked practice, but loved playing the game. I guess I look at the regular season of anything as practice, but the championship...now that's watchable.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Yahoo! Contributor Network
Forgot to mention that I'm now a Yahoo!/Associated Content contributor. My first piece is a rehash - but a great read-worthy rehash! - of my proposal to A.
Check it out @ http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/7707271/wait_you_said_yes_right.html?cat=41
And, uh, oh yea, the only way I get paid is if people go read it, so...
You know we have seven kids right? Just checking...
Check it out @ http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/7707271/wait_you_said_yes_right.html?cat=41
And, uh, oh yea, the only way I get paid is if people go read it, so...
You know we have seven kids right? Just checking...
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Chicken Nuggets of Wisdom served on a digital plate!
Okay, so in the next 24 to 48 hours, I may be a published author. It's pretty cool. And not hard at all. Literally anyone can do it. Um, wait up. "Literally anyone" may be stretching it. Not sure a baby can do it. But, I don't know, don't they have baby computers now? And then I can train the younglings to use the writing Force. Hm. Food - scratch that - nuggets for thought...
Anyhoo, my ebook from PubIt! and Barnes & Noble is titled Chicken Nuggets of Wisdom - a book I dub "a plateful of advice nuggets" pulled from this very blog. That's right! It's pretty much Adventures in Role Modeling LITE. An on-the-go version of this here adventureland.
It will be available for online upload for the low, low price of $4.99 from BN.com very soon!
I'd love for each and every one of you to snatch up a digital copy for your iPhones, iPads, nooks and computers. Tell your friends to tell their friends to tell their friends to tell...
Anyhoo, my ebook from PubIt! and Barnes & Noble is titled Chicken Nuggets of Wisdom - a book I dub "a plateful of advice nuggets" pulled from this very blog. That's right! It's pretty much Adventures in Role Modeling LITE. An on-the-go version of this here adventureland.
It will be available for online upload for the low, low price of $4.99 from BN.com very soon!
I'd love for each and every one of you to snatch up a digital copy for your iPhones, iPads, nooks and computers. Tell your friends to tell their friends to tell their friends to tell...
Monday, January 31, 2011
"today you" tomorrow
It occurred to me that even though you are the same person, literally, day in and day out, you are not necessarily the same, you know?
The person we were yesterday could very well be different as night and day from who we find ourselves being today. For me, I sometimes call it "yesterday Brennan" when gauging things from yesterday that spill over into today. For example...
"Yesterday Brennan" really put me in a bind today by not going to the store and getting me some groceries - specifically Diet Coke - for today. He certainly could have. He had the time. Had the transportation. But today, A is training for a new job and she has the keys to the SUV with her. Not her fault. I blame "yesterday Brennan."
Another mental illustration is...
When A and I were househunting months back, a common theme kept reoccurring: credit. My credit wasn't great, or good for that matter. We couldn't get a house. I joked that "20-something Brennan" really messed up "30-something Brennan." Because he did.
I eventually got my credit higher and within loan range, but then other random home purchasing headaches occurred - namely my profession at the time in the TV biz - that mortgage underwriters simply didn't jive with. Oh well, worked out for the best. Although this house is lovely, it isn't for us anyway so renting proved to be the way out of the maze.
And while I am not advocating blaming someone else - even the "you" of 24 hours, 48 hours, 5 years ago - for problems that you actually brought on yourself...wait, does that make sense? Probably not. However, it is something to talk about.
Just remember that "today you" is tomorrow's "yesterday you." Make sure all parties like each other.
The person we were yesterday could very well be different as night and day from who we find ourselves being today. For me, I sometimes call it "yesterday Brennan" when gauging things from yesterday that spill over into today. For example...
"Yesterday Brennan" really put me in a bind today by not going to the store and getting me some groceries - specifically Diet Coke - for today. He certainly could have. He had the time. Had the transportation. But today, A is training for a new job and she has the keys to the SUV with her. Not her fault. I blame "yesterday Brennan."
Another mental illustration is...
When A and I were househunting months back, a common theme kept reoccurring: credit. My credit wasn't great, or good for that matter. We couldn't get a house. I joked that "20-something Brennan" really messed up "30-something Brennan." Because he did.
I eventually got my credit higher and within loan range, but then other random home purchasing headaches occurred - namely my profession at the time in the TV biz - that mortgage underwriters simply didn't jive with. Oh well, worked out for the best. Although this house is lovely, it isn't for us anyway so renting proved to be the way out of the maze.
And while I am not advocating blaming someone else - even the "you" of 24 hours, 48 hours, 5 years ago - for problems that you actually brought on yourself...wait, does that make sense? Probably not. However, it is something to talk about.
Just remember that "today you" is tomorrow's "yesterday you." Make sure all parties like each other.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
don't ask for a Band-Aid when healing is what you really needed
This may be random, I am trying to remember the conversation from the car to the best of my limited memory's potential. Plus, I think that God spoke through me during some of it, because already parts have escaped me...
Do not ask God for a Band-Aid to cover up your worries, your problems, your fears, your scars. Ask Him to heal you of them. Alleviate you of them. Take them on. He can take the stress of your world and toss it in the trash can of your life's desktop. Erasing it all, leaving you less burdened and more free.
Life is such a gift. One most of us don't even see as a gift, but rather as a given. Something we deserve and have simply because. NO! It is a gift just like Legos are a gift to a child on his birthday. Just like flowers are a gift on Valentine's Day. Like something someone gives you because they think you are special and deserving of it. We are all special because we have life.
The problem is, that we are so consumed with the "what ifs" of losing, altering, changing, defaulting on this life, that we never begin to enjoy it. I likened this to A in the car to our boys receiving a new Star Wars guy, but for fear of never letting him get damaged, they keep it on the shelf to collect dust. What kid is gonna do that? None that I know. So why do we, as adults, accept this life we are given, but instead of ripping open the package and enjoying it, we guard it, for fear of what may never be.
Jesus said that heaven is filled with those who have the faith of a child, yet as adults, we illustrate none of that. No more do we pause at the genuine wonder of what life is. Just that. Not try to dissect it or discover some underlying meaning of it. Wait, you want an underlying meaning of why you are here?Okay. I got one. Because God gave you a gift.
And I don't know about y'all, but when I give a gift, I like to see people open it. I love to see their faces when they see what they got. How come some of us - almost all of us - haven't opened up that gift yet? Why is it still on the shelf? Why instead do we constantly question why we have it and worry about how we're gonna one day lose it?
If you only worry about the past and the future, you get no presents.
Worry breeds undue stress. Physically and emotionally damaging stress. A ton of it. Like "bring in the big yellow Tonka trucks" ton of it.
Constantly worrying about what may or may not happen is like worrying,"I may be hit by a bus today" everyday, all day long. Sure, that'd be horrible, but if you can't control it, why allow it to control you?
This blog has always been about honesty. Honesty about me, my fiancee A, our kiddos, our lives. And to keep in the spirit of that honesty, I try to relay the true happenings of our journey to you readers. I hope I don't come across too honest for some, but them's the breaks.
And while, sure, there are some things about our day-to-days that most of you will never know about, it is my hope that the stuff I do talk about is the most universal. Can do the most good. Can reach the most people. Remember, I'm no expert. I'm just a role model-in-training trying his best to live out this gift God gave me...
...that has the coolest customer service department idea of any gift I've ever heard of: The hotline to the manufacturer is open 24/7.
Do not ask God for a Band-Aid to cover up your worries, your problems, your fears, your scars. Ask Him to heal you of them. Alleviate you of them. Take them on. He can take the stress of your world and toss it in the trash can of your life's desktop. Erasing it all, leaving you less burdened and more free.
Life is such a gift. One most of us don't even see as a gift, but rather as a given. Something we deserve and have simply because. NO! It is a gift just like Legos are a gift to a child on his birthday. Just like flowers are a gift on Valentine's Day. Like something someone gives you because they think you are special and deserving of it. We are all special because we have life.
The problem is, that we are so consumed with the "what ifs" of losing, altering, changing, defaulting on this life, that we never begin to enjoy it. I likened this to A in the car to our boys receiving a new Star Wars guy, but for fear of never letting him get damaged, they keep it on the shelf to collect dust. What kid is gonna do that? None that I know. So why do we, as adults, accept this life we are given, but instead of ripping open the package and enjoying it, we guard it, for fear of what may never be.
Jesus said that heaven is filled with those who have the faith of a child, yet as adults, we illustrate none of that. No more do we pause at the genuine wonder of what life is. Just that. Not try to dissect it or discover some underlying meaning of it. Wait, you want an underlying meaning of why you are here?Okay. I got one. Because God gave you a gift.
And I don't know about y'all, but when I give a gift, I like to see people open it. I love to see their faces when they see what they got. How come some of us - almost all of us - haven't opened up that gift yet? Why is it still on the shelf? Why instead do we constantly question why we have it and worry about how we're gonna one day lose it?
If you only worry about the past and the future, you get no presents.
Worry breeds undue stress. Physically and emotionally damaging stress. A ton of it. Like "bring in the big yellow Tonka trucks" ton of it.
Constantly worrying about what may or may not happen is like worrying,"I may be hit by a bus today" everyday, all day long. Sure, that'd be horrible, but if you can't control it, why allow it to control you?
This blog has always been about honesty. Honesty about me, my fiancee A, our kiddos, our lives. And to keep in the spirit of that honesty, I try to relay the true happenings of our journey to you readers. I hope I don't come across too honest for some, but them's the breaks.
And while, sure, there are some things about our day-to-days that most of you will never know about, it is my hope that the stuff I do talk about is the most universal. Can do the most good. Can reach the most people. Remember, I'm no expert. I'm just a role model-in-training trying his best to live out this gift God gave me...
...that has the coolest customer service department idea of any gift I've ever heard of: The hotline to the manufacturer is open 24/7.
 |
| painting by Akiane Kramarik |
Saturday, January 29, 2011
this little blog o' mine
Again, a lull in the system. I haven't posted for a few days because, quite frankly, nothing has really happened. And who wants to read about nothing? However, as nothing was happening, I was still talking about this here blog thing I got goin' on. I want to syndicate it. Like, in newspapers and magazines and stuff. I'm looking into possible landing spots for it next week. I hope I have a taker.
And in this syndication talk, I have realized something about this blog. If nothing else ever comes of it, I do believe it has served it's purpose quite well. It has allowed a number of people to get to know me who would of otherwise not gotten - or wanted - the chance to. It has allowed a window into our world with the kiddos and the Legos and the Ghost Whisperer marathons. So, whatever becomes of this blog...
My future mother-in-law, father-in-law, grandparents-in-law (is that a thing?) and pretty much all of A's family she holds dear...they now know me. For better or worse, they know me...and my affinity for cartoons and toys and Jack in the Box and these 7 kiddos I call my own.
Additionally, it's great that my mom and my fam members get to see some of the day-to-days of A, M, J-Girl, Lil' A, Lil' B, G, J-Boy, E, a Min-Pin named Kami and I.
Who would've guessed it?
And in this syndication talk, I have realized something about this blog. If nothing else ever comes of it, I do believe it has served it's purpose quite well. It has allowed a number of people to get to know me who would of otherwise not gotten - or wanted - the chance to. It has allowed a window into our world with the kiddos and the Legos and the Ghost Whisperer marathons. So, whatever becomes of this blog...
My future mother-in-law, father-in-law, grandparents-in-law (is that a thing?) and pretty much all of A's family she holds dear...they now know me. For better or worse, they know me...and my affinity for cartoons and toys and Jack in the Box and these 7 kiddos I call my own.
Additionally, it's great that my mom and my fam members get to see some of the day-to-days of A, M, J-Girl, Lil' A, Lil' B, G, J-Boy, E, a Min-Pin named Kami and I.
Who would've guessed it?
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
homeless kiddos
No, not ours. But, yesterday A and I went to an event called "The Face of Homelessness" at Collin College where we learned that there are literally hundreds and hundreds of homeless students in Collin County alone. Some are what they call "doubled up" meaning two or more families living in a single-family home where the conditions are substandard...and then there are some children that live in cars with their parents and siblings.
I had remarked to A not too long ago that as we walk the streets of Downtown Dallas, that it was weird - and fortunate - that we never see kids. I guess it never dawned on me that they, too, like every other kid, are in school. They just don't get to "come home" to a proper home.
There is hope though, for some. Several organizations are already in place helping the families with children keep them in school, as well as help the parents attain housing and jobs. But, obviously, it's not an overnight process. It takes months and months. And most of these organizations, like our a couple bucks & a Bible homeless outreach ministry, require constant donations and public funding to operate. And in a time of universal economic woe, things could definitely be better.
Now, more than ever, our hope is that people turn to Jesus for the support that only He can give.
We are.
I had remarked to A not too long ago that as we walk the streets of Downtown Dallas, that it was weird - and fortunate - that we never see kids. I guess it never dawned on me that they, too, like every other kid, are in school. They just don't get to "come home" to a proper home.
There is hope though, for some. Several organizations are already in place helping the families with children keep them in school, as well as help the parents attain housing and jobs. But, obviously, it's not an overnight process. It takes months and months. And most of these organizations, like our a couple bucks & a Bible homeless outreach ministry, require constant donations and public funding to operate. And in a time of universal economic woe, things could definitely be better.
Now, more than ever, our hope is that people turn to Jesus for the support that only He can give.
We are.
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