Do they make one for babys???

So, browsing the internet I found this interesting picture. I first thought wow, no more excuses we could take the bike on long trips and take the pooch also. But then I got looking at this picture a little closer, what 1%er would be seen caring a lil pooch like this one? It isn't quite the "tough bad biker dog", then I thought, umm put my wife's lil Maltese in this the image goes even down from there.

Everyone at work lately has been telling me I need to get ride of the bike now that there is a little one on the way. I tell them all the same thing...Oh I have it under control. I just purchased a backpack type carrier for the baby, should allow me to carry the baby while I ride. No i would never do that but it is fun to get the responses.

It is amazing how quickly the baby grows. On Friday Candace had another doctors appointment in which they did another sonogram. From this one you could clearly tell that it was a baby and not just a glob of left over mashed potatoes. You could see the baby sucking its toes and hands, moving around, and you could even hear the heartbeat. It is cool to think all this is going on and the baby is only 2 inches long. How can anyone look at that image and claim that it isn't a real baby yet is beyond me.

Well good news everyone is healthy and in two more months we get to see how much more the baby has grown.

There is a light ...i can see it...it's getting brighter

...Ah, this week is bliss. I just completed my Capstone class. The last 8 weeks were torture. I spend countless hours and late nights working on the biggest project of my life and now it is complete. 65 pages, done! That was the big daddy, the nightmarish class, the grand kahuna that I have heard horror stories of the last three years. I did it, completed it and I think I will see an A.

This week the light shines just a lil brighter!! only 8 weeks, a little bit of homework, and one more passing grade stands between me a scholastic freedom. Long run, it wasn't that bad, I am glad I will have it completed before the new addition comes.

What's this life about anyways?

Whether, then you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31)

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength (Mark 12:30)

But if we walk in the Light as He himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7)

But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ (Eph 4:15)

These verses are all verses that our church is collectively memorizing. Each of these verses tie into a purpose for our live.

1. To Please God - Worship
2. To Belong in God's Family - Fellowship
3. To Become like Christ - Growth

This is what living is really all about. It isn't about the things of this world but a chance to get to worship the father in heaven, fellowship with other believers and grow in Christ.

This series at church has been an interesting time of personal reflection. Changing attitudes and lifestyle to align myself closer with the God that I serve.

Having a baby really makes one think. It puts this "life" thing into perspective. What am I living for? What example do I want to be to my children? and What will my Children take from my life. It is time to get serious.

Fat Dad....not if I can help it.

so in an effort to avoid looking like the gentlement picutred left I have embarked on my yearly weight loss program. You see I am not much on the whole diet and exercise bit but I do want to look and feel healthy. I really do not want to look like a fat dad in May when we get pictures with our first baby.

Last time I was home my dad say "hey you've got the executive gut"...and with that I knew it was time. Anytime the scale approaches the 230 mark it's time to cut back and work to drive it back down.

I find it very hard to "eat" healthy in the work place. We are constantly going to business lunches..eating wonderful fattening lunches on the companys dime. This with the lack of excersise tends to increase ones waist.

The diet that I am embarking on has a good history with me. Last year I lost 20 some lbs in one month (acourse there was money on the line then). I eat four 400 calorie meals. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snack) and try to walk a couple miles in the evening.

So far the progress is going well. I am down 6 lbs in 5 days and I am not constantly starving like on other diets. Subway becomes a frequent friend (6 inch Chicken breast on wheat..hold the cheese)

McCain or Obama

John or Barack...

Here it is, we are in the thick of it

Election time is quickly approaching and last night the candidates finished up their last debate. This debate was probably better than some prior debates but still do we know anything more about either candidate? Well we know that Obama can side step issues like no other and McCain is prouder of his record than Twisted Sister is of Stay Hungry .

Personally I do not like either candidate, I think both miss the mark and some major issues. SO now it becomes a process of voting for the one that I dislike least....or which one scares me least.

• Abortion - This is a big issue for me. I cannot vote for a candidate that believes Abortion is a viable alternative. This goes again my moral code of ethics. This also puts me on the republican ticket the majority of the time. Last night Obama tried to reason his pro-choice votes but it comes down to the fact that he is pro-choice. Bottom line I have to go for McCain.

No I think and expect some criticism for this, which is fair that is part of the lovely country we live in. Each person can make their decision based upon their own belief system and what they feel is best. We do not have to agree, or like what the other person says ..and at the end of the day That's OK!!!. For me human life is more important than Money, economic issues, etc. That is why i vote Pro-Life. I think Roe v Wade was one of the greatest upsets in American history

• Economics - This is another issues (much smaller one than Abortion) I worry about both of the Senators plans. I do not think either of them have proven themselves to be an economic savior. Obama announced the other day that his plan would allow for people to take money out of the 401K's penalty free for a period of time. If this happens - look out. Economic chaos continues. McCain on the other hand does not have any brilliant ideas either (although I do like the limited government approach). American has spent itself into a problem. We pay Medicare- which we cannot afford, we borrow from any country that will give it. We need to scale back spending in a major way. Limit the "perks" of government. Pay people that deserve it (teachers, police, fireman,) decent salaries but cut back on Congress' salaries. Why is my state senator making $160K a year and my teachers $30,000K


• Health Care is another issue they touched on last night. I don't think anyone has a great plan. Obama thinks socialized health care is the answer...scary on many levels. McCain thinks that the government should stipend you for your health care - why? When has health care became a right of living in America? If we focused on creating jobs and benefited the company's for providing health care packages there need for health care would largely be met....

End of the day either candidate will not be able to do what they say. The presidential position is much more of a figure head than what we often think. Congress is votes and passes through the majority of what is decided on. And as a christian I am called to respect either candidate that gets elected.

Romans 13 1-2
1. Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God ; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.

So regardless of the who the candidate is, I will show respect whether in agreement or not. God has a plan for American, God is in ultimate control of you, me and this country and His Will will be done. I will head out to the polls and Vote for punch my card for McCain/Palin the rest is out of my control and into God's.

Class is kicking my butt

OK, so forgive me for using the overused Iconic American kick butt symbol...ode to Chuck. I have senor-itis of the graduate level... this capstone class is really starting to wear me thin. The good news is I see a distant glow of light at the end. My weekend was full of this homework garbage. I spent about 4 hours on Friday, a couple hours on Saturday, and 12 hours on Sunday doing homework yes I completely missed the Bears screw up a win. This is the sixth week in a row that I have spent upwards of 20 hours just on homework. The good news is that in two weeks this class will be over and onward I go to my next and final class. When it is all over they had me a little thin 8x11 piece of paper and tell me that my life will not be better. 3 years of waiting and my life will final be better.... I don't think so...you see education, social acceptance, salary, possessions to not mean anything in the grand scheme of things. Yes they may help me advance my career and may provide me better opportunities to take care of my family, but they really do not mean anything of importance.
Our earthly mission is short, just a glimpse of what eternity is. The important things on earth are those things which will carry forward in Heaven. So as I said above Education, Social Acceptance, Salary, possession are not important but rather Spiritual Education, Godly Acceptance, doing God's will, and spreading the good news about Jesus is.

...garage sale bargin or not....

So this weekend Candace and I decided that we would get a jump on things. It is still very nice down here so the garage sales were in full swing. We thought we would venture out and see if we could find any "bargains".

This trip was for the most part unsuccessful, we did pick up a baby bathtub thingy for $3.00. This item probably sells in stores for $25.00 netting us a $22.00 savings. But then you think about it we spent probably about 3 hours "garage saleing" and drove probably 20 miles.

Gas Cost: 1.33 Gallons x $3.25 = $4.32

now the savings drops from $22 down to $17.68

Divide that out by the 3 hours we spent and in essence Candace and I made a combined $5.89 an hour.

Hopefully the next trip out will be more rewarding. One thing that I noticed was how dirty things were at the sales. Why would people not clean items that they were putting up for sale. We were in nice communities, with nice homes, and presumably nice people - I would be embarrassed to have dirty items sitting out for the neighbors to come and buy.

Today was it, the doctor told me I was looking at my child. He even pointed out the hear beat which would've been way cool...if I knew what he was pointing at. It was cool though to see him point out the head and etc.

We also had an interesting experience when it came time to pay the bill which made me think just how vulnerable people are at certain times in their live. Example is having a baby. This is our first baby, neither Candace and I have been through anything like this before so we take everything at face value. The doctor says pay this much..we say sure because we think we are suppose to and we are to excited to argue. After talking to a few people with prior experience and my mom with medical billing experience we realized that the doctor is not "helping" us but looking out for his best interest.

This is a good lesson to learn early on, watch out for people, ask questions, and don't assume that people are doing things the correct way.

enough with the downer! Enjoy the video of Lil' Yak!

A Birth, A Wedding, A New Computer

What a weekend, Candace and I traveled up to Northern IL for a wedding. While we were there we were able to spend some time with family and have an early Thanksgiving with my family to eliminate the need for a return trip next month. Turkey and dressing in October just does not taste the same. The meal was good, the company was great but it was just weird having a Thanksgiving dinner prior to Halloween.

The wedding we attended was very nice, Congrats Matt & Tasha!! On Monday my cousins Matt and his wife Sarah had their first child..very cute Congrats Guys!!

Upon returning home we were forced to purchase a new computer. My 7 year old machine decided it was time to go to the computer afterlife, now for the joy of transferring all the data that I can pull out. It would not have been such an urgent purchase if I was done with school but unfortunately it is required for me to do my homework in Office 2007 and my work laptop is 2003... oh well this purchase will be very useful once the baby comes.

On the baby front Candace has her 1st doctor appointment in the morning. I don't know what to expect, I of course will go along for support however, I am not sure what I am getting myself into...i'll update you tomorrow.

Friday's...a beautiful thing

Today is my Friday, what a great feeling. It does not matter if your last day of work for the week is Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday it all has that joyful bliss of being your last day stuck in the rate race we call work. Why is it then that on the last day your motivation level creeps downward as the clock begins to tick at an ever slowing pace? You would think that you would be super productive since you know you are about to head out, but no I find my thoughts drifting, my energy fading, and my desire to stay all but gone.

This weekend is extra special. Candace and I get to head up to the frozen tundra (ok it probably isn't that cold yet) of Northern Illinois. Her cousin is getting married so we get to see her family and also will have a day to hang with my family. Unfortunately the trip will be quick and not time for friends or anything else but it will still be nice to see both sides of our family.

See all you children next week!