Keeley Words

Over the past several weeks Keeley's vocabulary has greatly increased. She's finally understanding the value of verbal communication. Although at this point most of her words are still "repeat words" meaning we tell her to say something and she repeats it. She does understand a lot of them. So here's a brief list of the most popular ones.

"Momma" is most popular, she loves her Momma

"football" is one of my favorites. When she sees the Tennessee Titans logo she will say "football". (although it's debatable at this point whether that's actual football with how bad they're playing)

"Bubba" is Bryce

"Ree" is Rece

"Kee Kee" is Keely, but also a nickname we call her sometimes, so that one is accurate.

"coke" yummmy

"kitty" "doggy" she loves animals

"broccoli" not quite clear yet, but Liesl loves the way she says it, it's really cute

"fishy" most of the time it's because she wants goldfish crackers

It seems she learns something new every day, especially with two crazy older brothers who teach her all kinds of boy stuff, yikes!

What a Gift

Since it's been raining so much the past few weeks, I haven't been able to mow my lawn. Well, I haven't wanted to either, so it was kind of a good excuse. But since it's been dry for a few days, I knew it was coming. Not only did I know that mowing was coming, but with all the rain, the grass was really long and thick. Since Sunday was wasted due to my Titans loss depression, I forced myself into a Monday night date with the mower. All day at work, I was dreading coming home to grass up to my knees (almost). Not that my job is physically demanding, but it takes something out of me that I just hate to have to come home and work some more. I wish I could look at mowing like the guy in this picture, but it just doesn't do it for me. We've got several trees, a hill on the side of our yard, and a stupid chain link fence that the mower always catches on. It usually takes me about an hour and a half when it's not super long.

So to my great surprise when I drive up the road on my way home from work, I see a freshly mowed lawn! Wow, what a gift. my awesome wife took her time when Keeley naps to mow the lawn to take the chore off of me. I know I didn't tell her or show her how much I appreciated her doing it for me, so I hope this blog post makes up for it a little. Thanks baby! I love you.

Yikes! It Has Teeth

After reading "North! Or Be Eaten" by Andrew Peterson, I was even more pleasantly surprised than after reading "On The Edge Of The Dark Sea Of Darkness", the first book in his Wingfeather Saga. If you read the first one, you'll know it is packed with adventure and mystery. Andrew bumps it up a notch this time in "NOBE" by adding even more suspense and emotionality. The story is every bit as good as the first one, but interconnects elements of deep personal stories of some of the characters. How several of the characters respond based upon what they've faced in the past and what that implies for their future is much more prominent this time around.

Some of the themes of facing fears and succeeding in the midst of complete chaos and apparent defeat really is what connected with my story and what really kept me attached to the book. Even though it seemed each chapter ended with yet another crisis, I could see the whole story was being written and woven together like there was a desperate need for redemption. While I don't ever think I'll be chased by lizard people or hounded by two-legged wolves, we all face sorrow and affliction. I believe this story is not only a reflection of my desires in my own life but a metaphorical picture of what our journey here on earth looks like.

I really loved this book. I am slightly hesitant to let my kids read it, (9 and 8) because of the creepiness factor. It really hit on some of my own fears, but I will probably let them decide for themselves. I can't wait for book 3!

"North! Or Be Eaten" review soon

I was given the opportunity to read Andrew Peterson's book and be part of the official "North Or Be Eaten" Blog tour. I am just about finished with the book and so I will be posting my review next week. Here's a little info on the book and author.

Summary:
Janner, Tink, and Leeli Igiby thought they were normal children with normal lives and a normal past. But now they know they’re really the Lost Jewels of Anniera, heirs to a legendary kingdom across the sea, and suddenly everyone wants to kill them.
Their escape brings readers to the very brink of Fingap Falls, over the Stony Mountains, and across the Ice Prairies, while villains galore try to stop the Igibys permanently. Fearsome toothy cows and horned hounds return, along with new dangers: a mad man running a fork factory, a den of rockroaches, and majestic talking sea dragons.
Andrew Peterson’s lovable characters create what FantasyBookCritic.com says made Book One “one of the best fantasy novels in a very long time,” and Book Two contains even more thrills, exploring “themes universal in nature, ranging from the classic good versus evil, to the importance of family, and burdens of responsibility.”

Author bio.:
Andrew Peterson is the author of On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness, Book One in the Wingfeather Saga, and The Ballad of Matthew’s Begats. He’s also the critically-acclaimed singer-songwriter and recording artist of ten albums, including Resurrection Letters II. He and his wife, Jamie, live with their two sons and one daughter in a little house they call The Warren near Nashville, Tennessee. Visit his websites: http://www.andrew-peterson.com/ and http://www.rabbitroom.com/

Successful Trip

Bryce, Rece and I took a trip last weekend to Cincinnati for Rece's Birthday celebration. What a trip! It was about a four hour drive, so I'm glad the boys now each have their own Nintendo DSi. When we got to the hotel (actually in Covington, KY) we checked in quickly and started the 1.5 mile walk across the Ohio River and to Great American Ballpark. Our seats were in left field, right next to the foul (fair) pole. In the second row. Manny Ramirez was playing left field right in front of us. So at one point between innings we got up to grab a bite to eat and just as we did and I turned my back, Manny threw his warm-up ball into the crowd. I noticed a ball land at my feet and in my stupor, I just stared at it. Someone else picked it up before I could figure out what happened. Then as we were walking in the concourse, a Reds player wrapped a homer around our foul pole. Thankfully, upon watching the replay, some folks on the other side of the camera pit (right at the foul pole got the lucky bounce, so I don't think I would have been able to get that one. Anyway, we loved the game, even though the Reds lost. It was entertaining. We ended up taking a taxi back to the hotel, and getting more to eat, then we went swimming in the hotel pool. The boys were more than happy to just relax in the hot tub, but we got a little bit of "dad throwing the boys" in the big pool too. It was time to go to bed, so we all snuggled up together in the king-sized bed in our room. I set the alarm kind of early, knowing that we wanted to do some more swimming before we checked out and wanted to make sure we hit Skyline Chili before we left. So overall we had a really good time, I really cherished the time with my boys, I hope we can have more adventures like this one.

Recinnati

This year we gave Rece the option of a birthday party with friends or taking a trip to a Major League Baseball game with Bryce and Dadda. He chose the baseball game. This, of course, makes me very excited, not only because I love baseball, but it's fun to just hang out with my boys and have another grand adventure. I purchased tickets online a few weeks ago. Earlier this week, I tirelessly researched hotels in Cincinnati to go see the Reds play. Growing up my favorite baseball player was Pete Rose, yes, I know his character is questionable at best. But going to Cincinnati is kind of like going to Memphis, if you are an Elvis fan. Even though Pete is officially banned from baseball (perhaps I'll debate the merit of that in another blog post), there's still tons of reverence for the all-time hit king of baseball. (4,256). They've even named a street after him. Great American Ballpark is also a really nice place to watch a game. I've been there once before with some friends. It's really a beautiful park.

Rece also had a few other requests while going to Cincinnati. The city is famous for it's chili. They have a famous chili restaurant chain called Skyline Chili. The ballpark also has Skyline Chili Dog stands. Rece is a big fan of chili, so that's definitely on his list.

Since we are staying at a hotel, Rece also wanted to make sure we are going to be able to swim at the pool. I found a hotel that has an indoor pool, but has a retractable roof. That will, hopefully, guarantee us of swimming success.

I am excited to be able to spend a good portion of two days with my boys. Hopefully it will be a weekend we all remember for many years.

Dad from a distance

It's been hard, these past few weeks to be without my kids. I am trying to talk to them on the phone as much as possible and be dad for them, but it's just hard to not be physically with them. Bryce called me the other day. He sounded very down, said he was homesick. He wanted so much to be with his toys and bed and house, but most of all with his dad. He said that he got a new football with rocket fins on it and he couldn't wait to play catch with me. If there was any possible way I could find to play catch over the phone, I would do it in a second. Can't wait until they get home.