Quick.

So I was at Paula and Elten's house awhile ago (aunt and uncle who built next to me), and before we ate dinner, we sang the Doxology. Man, it had been a really long time since I had last done that. It takes me back to my youth and Emmanuel Lutheran Church. Who does that anymore? I only know of one other - Guy Penrod from the Gaither Vocal Band. His family does.

BTW, I went back and paid for my 'dine and dash' meal 2 days later.

The Doxology:
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him all creatures here below,
Praise Him above ye Heavenly host,
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
Amen.

And there's the Lemiere/Nordstrom dinner version too - and it varies a little from the actual hymn:
Be present at our table Lord,
Be here and everywhere adored,
These mercies bless and grant that we,
May strengthen for thy service be.
Amen.

I was introduced to Christian Artist Misty Edwards last spring and her album Relentless is becoming one of my all-time favorites. In fact, if I were stranded on an island and could only take 3 CD's with me, it'd probably be one of them.

Potpurri

I don't know when, but I'll get some pictures up on here as soon as I can.

Today I walked out of a Sherry's Resturant without paying for my meal. And I did it on purpose. I forgot my wallet in my truck (I didn't drive there), so I nonchalantly walked out. I'd never done that before and I was a little nervous. A few hours later I went back and took care of it though.

I watched a concert of Robert Plant recently and he looks like he could be a long lost brother of my great uncle Don. They aren't dead on for each other, but there's definitely an eerily slight resemblance.

I finally did get a bottle opener... just in case. I don't want to repaint my kitchen ceiling 2-3 times a year when I happen to have wine.

At what point does it be come socially ackward for Dash to run around naked? It's funny and cute still, but I don't know how much longer he's got.

Today is my official 1st day back to work (kids next week). I have a Steve Largent jersey hanging in my room and I'm pretty sure none of my students will know who he is - nor will they recognize who is on my Dr. J poster.

Kaed starts 2nd grade this year and turns 8 in 2 weeks! Geez. How'd he get so old so fast?

When Dash doesn't want to something, he'll often fake an injury. It's hilarious. {Me} "Dash, go get your shoes." {Dash, dropping to the ground} "Knee urth (hurts) daddy, you do it." If it has to do with food, it'll be his tummy that 'urth'. If something goes wrong, be likes to blame some body part. I forsee him being a great professional soccer player. Or an Argentinian basketball player (I can't stand Manu!).

Family Trip

This week the Lemiere's went to Eagle Crest for a family trip. We haven't taken one with everybody in a long time - a really long time. We golfed, rode bikes (Kaed has been impressive in his newfound bike riding abilities), swam, tennis, spray park, played card/board games, took naps and ate a lot of good food.

Dash has been busting us up all week. He swims now - with the help of an inflated donut - all by himself. He smeared some pink washable ink on his face one night and looked like he put on some eye shadow. He golfed for the first time on an 18 hole putt-putt course and knows the difference between taking a full swing and tapping it in - or as he says "tappy in". Dad gave him some deoderant too and loves to make everyone smell his pits. Very cute, but kinda gross. Oh, and Kaed announced, with all seriousness, that he can't wait to get armpit hair. Why? Who knows.

Amber and Dash seemed to have bonded a bit too this week. In the past, he's been kind of stand-off-ish toward her, but he seems to be content to hang out with her now. Which is good. Maybe it's because he felt bad for her because she walked full steam into a screen door and exfoliated her face. I don't know?

Kaed's had a good week here. Along with riding his bike very well, he's been an excellent swimmer. He's also tried new foods without much complaint - which is good because he can be picky at times. And most importantly, he's been a great big brother this week! He and Dash and Amber went running through the sprinkler's last night on the golf course and they were screaming and giggling the whole time.

Man hood and blunders

This has been a big week for Kaed's progress in his manhood, and mine in fatherhood. This week, Kaed learned to ride a bike, sans training wheels. One day he absolutely couldn't do it, the next day he was riding all over the place. I'm very proud of him. Just in time too because we're going to be doing some serious bike riding down at Eagle Crest next week. Somewhere in the deep recesses of my mind is the slight insecurity about not being able teach him to swim, but fortunately Jon (his dad) is much more pool-savy than I.

I tried to open a bottle of red wine the other day with a screwdriver. Why a screwdriver? Because I don't have a bottle opener. I'm not much of a wine guy so I had to MacGyver the cork out. Turns out, a screwdriver is a bad idea. What happened was that I pushed the cork so hard that it actually went all the way into the bottle creating quite a bit of pressure inside. As soon as the cork was submerged, a geyser of red wine shot out Old-Faithful style over everything! All over me, my friend, my kitchen, and even my ceiling (but I didn't catch that until the next day when it had already stained it...). Learn from this: phillips screwdrivers are bad when trying to fanagle a cork out of it's bottle.

So I had a Pampered Chef party at my house last night . . . (of all the things I thought I'd never say...) and it was pretty fun. 34 people. Good food and good times.

I heard this line the other day given to me by one of my friends, "Scattegories (the board game) is like 2nd base for Christian chicks." Totally cracked me up though I'm not sure what he meant nor am I exactly sure what "2nd base" is. Made me laugh though.