Hello, did you miss me?

Hello world,

Sorry about the lapse in blogging, kidda forgot about it and didn't have the time.

I'm Back!!!

Short changed...

Great idea lets walk all over Jesus...

What the...

Life is good now...

Thank You ???

Thankful Tuesday

Once again, I want to give thanks to someone in my life, and that would be my wife. I love Staci to death and I don't know what I would do without her in my life. And, this love goes far beyond just the things of our daily life, we share alot of history together. We were high school sweet hearts and fell in love with each other over our sophomore and senior summer break. We got married on September 17, 1994 at a Catholic church in Carrollton, TX, and took a little honeymoon down to Galveston Island.

We have lead a pretty simple life, and had a couple kids along the way. After our second child was born, life took a little twist, and I left Staci and the kids for, I guess, a life change moment. We split up for about three years of our life, a time where we both did alot of growing up. Those three years passed and our relationship had changed from hate-ship to friendship. We began to do a couple things together with the kids, and then seemed to get reconnected with each other.

Now, we have two more kiddos, one is four and the other is two, and both are a great addition to family and our life. We realize that reconnecting with each other could have never happened if we didn't accept Christ into our life's and devote ourselves to His word.

I want to give thanks and love to my wife, for putting up with me, through all these years. She is a one-of-a-kind person, that has a love for me that will never stop. Staci, I will forever love you, through rich or poor, or sickness and health. I have a huge shovel for the love I want to give to you ... (that's an inside thing.)

So you adapt Chirst to your life, again...

Manic Monday

If you had to be named after one of the 50 states, which would it be?

I would have to say "Tex", for Texas.

Where do you go for advice?

Mostly to the Bible, but if I need additional info I use the internet.

What is the sickest you've ever been?

A couple of years ago I found out that I was allergic to fish sticks, I got so sick I lost 5 pounds in two days.

Complainer...

Awww, much better...

You make your own decision...

Friday Faves

My 5 favorite places to eat:

1. Red Lobster (Seafood)

2. Olive Garden (Italian)

3. Angelina's Mexican Food)

4. Chili's (All-American)

5. McDonald's (Because it's easy for the kids)

What about you?

Whinning...

Thursday Thirteen # 3

13 Things Mrs. X despises 1. Lying 2. Biting finger nails 3. Dishwasher noise 4. Talking with your mouth full 5. Two faced people 6. Leaving lights on 7. Spending money (fruitlessly) 8. The internet not working 9. Finger popping 10. People not listening when she is talking 11. Arrogance 12. Her food touching each other on her plate. 13. Clingy clothing This list is not in any specific order.What do you despise?

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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This is HEAVY...

This looked so easy at first, but there is some real work in it.

Carrying the load...

Jesus asked us to pick up our cross and carry it daily.

Thankful Tuesday

Since November, my family and I have been attending a new church, that is literally 3 blocks up the road. Cross Ridge Church has been a pleasant experience through the holiday season. We know a couple that attends there ... Mrs. X went to the same schools with the husband when growing up. Brian and Beth are a great couple that, just over the past few months, have blessed me and my life. They have two kids that are about the same age as my older two, and it seems that both of them are just real people that are just trying to make it through this life. They are following Christ's word and raising a family the way He would want them to. We meet every Sunday for a life group meeting, where we go over a book that we are reading on money and possessions. The group consists of four families, right now, nut we expect another couple this Sunday. I just wanted to give thanks to Brian and Beth for helping us get plugged in to this church and for being real friends ... those are hard to find and, for that, I'm thankful!

Manic Monday

Which sex do you think has it easier in our culture? Have you ever wished you were the opposite sex?
Well I think its kinda like a a give and take. Men have to deal with certain things just like women have take care of their stuff. I think in the cultured world you make who you are. And I am happy being a man.

What books from your childhood would you like to share with your children?
The Outsiders

What is one talent or skill you don't possess but always wanted?
I wish I could dance, it looks like so much fun.

Friday Faves

Friday Faves

Five things I love about my wife

1 - She loves me more than I could ever ask for.

2 - Taking care of our kids is one of her first priorities and puts up with them all day long.

3 - When asked, or not asked she will do anything for me, with in reason.

4 - She makes me laugh, even when I really don't want too.

5 - "In bold wording"

I Love You dear, I will forever shovel my love for you.

Thursday Thirteen #2

Thirteen TV Shows we are Forced to Watch (what feels like) Daily With 4 kids in the house, when they get the TV in the late afternoon/evening we are forced to endure Disney and Nick shows while we prepare dinner and such! 1. SpongeBob Squarepants 2. The Suite Life of Zack & Cody 3. Hannah Montana 4. iCarly! 5. 7th Heaven 6. That's So Raven 7. Drake & Josh, Josh & Drake ... whichever it is? 8. Life with Derek 9. Cory in the House 10. Ned's Declassified School Survival guide 11. Naked Brothers Band 12. Kim Possible 13. Phil of the Future Anyone else??

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

New year, new diet

I believe the time has come, once again, to try and lose some weight. Now, I am a major Coke (as in Coca-Cola) addict. If my wife would let me, I could drink a whole twelve pack in one day. So, I have started cutting that back to one for lunch, because I need the caffeine while I'm at work or I would fall asleep. We got a treadmill for Christmas from the in-laws ... I don't know if that was a hint or something? Along with that I need to come up with some sort of diet, that wouldn't be too crazy to prepare ... along with making dinner for rest of the family. Anyways, I'll let ya'll know what I come up with, and know what I've lost or gained ...peace and carrot juice,

Manic Monday

What was the last thing you regret buying?

I bought a "bag of crap" from Woot one time. It came with some random items, one of which was a cordless phone. Piece of junk, didn't work, won't do that again. Two dollars down the drain.

If you had a crystal ball that could tell you the truth about any one thing you wished to know about yourself, life, the future or anything else, what would you want to know?

Well I don't know, I don't want to know. Because, if I did i would try my hardest to change it and it just might not be meant to be. do you know what I mean?

How do you know when you're in love?

When someone can show unconditional commitment and compassion to you and you to them.

SPARE CHANGE

Me and my daughter took a late night trip to Kroger the other night, to get some groceries. She wanted to take her coins and cash them in at the "Coin Star" machine, just because no real reason. So I told her to go grab my jar and we would see how much we would get. I received a little over $18.00 bucks and she walked way with $5 and some change. But, friend her a work was telling me about this story about a guy purchasing a vehicle with change he found on the ground. Check it out...and just remember this could be you if you would just bend over.

CLINTON COUNTY, IN -- Christmas came a little early for Paul Bradt. The Indiana farmer has been driving Chryslers for 50 years, and even though his current truck only has 11,000 miles on it, he just bought another one. He spent the last 14 years saving for this day."When you save you have to drop it and don't touch your hand again," Bradt explains.Paul has done this before. Paul bought his diesel truck with $29,000 worth of quarters in 1994, and followed that up with $4,000 more when he bought his wife a new car later that year."It isn't that unusual for people to come in and pay cash, but coins...we're just happy to have it all over with," said salesman Terry Wright.When Paul placed his piggy bank on the floor of the dealership in Frankfort last Friday, he left the tradition he inherited from his father with it. In return, he received a cake and his new truck. This will likely be the last time though."Everything from now on, I'll just let the bank take care of," Bradt said.

High impact Saturday for me...

Friday night I prepared myself for Saturday morning. It was time to take down the Christmas stuff. Obviously, since this was the first year in this house, we had fun decorating. So there were a lot of decorations everywhere. And, it was oh so beautiful, with the exception of the outside of the house. We didn't have the funds to really do anything elaborate, and it is a two story home, so I wasn't about to get on top of the house to put up lights. So, I got up around 9am and ate some cereal and went up stairs and played a little GH III. I need to start my day out right you know, just kidding. After that, Mrs X got up and started moving around and we got into the attic and got the empty boxes down. The older two packed up the tree and ornaments upstairs and we packed the rest of the Christmas stuff down stairs.

After we put the Christmas stuff back in the attic, we needed to get the kids ready for a new school program that they are starting Monday. That took a little time but not long. After that we showered and went to the library to get some books for them to start reading for Monday.

Came back to the house and ate some lunch and here I am ... rambling ...waiting for the Redskins and Seahawks game to come on at 3pm. Everybody else is in the living room watching Hairspray, the movie.

Till next time peace...

Friday Faves

My five favorite vacation spots I want to go to include the following:

1. Sydney, Australia - I want to go to Hillsong Church.

2. St. Thomas Virgin Islands - Always wanted to go, wanted to go on our honey moon but had to settle for Galveston Island.

3. Tahiti - It just sounds like it's far away from everyday life.

4. Las Vegas, NV - What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

5. Mexico City - I think I would like to see some of the ancient ruins and experience the culture a little.

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things about "Super" Colby 1. I like to shop, whether it is for clothes, food (sometimes), or electronics. I can sit down and look a Fry's ad or a Micro Center flyer for about an hour. 2. I prefer to wear a pair of jeans and two t-shirts ... or a t-shirt and a polo (layers). 3. I'd rather be cold than hot ... I hate to sweat "just because." 4. Reading was not one of my strong points in school, more like science and history. 5. The Lord has blessed me with fair health. I'm only color blind and an asthmatic. I thank God there isn't anything else that really matters. 6. I like being outdoors. If there is a lake near by, I like to swim with my kids. But, I burn real easy so I have to watch it. 7. My wife Mrs X would like a nice romantic vacation in the Poconos, to me that sounds great. But, don't get me wrong, I've never justed laid out on a beach with white sands and clear water ... and that sounds more enjoyable. 8. I will watch pretty much any kind of sport from NFL to the LPGA. The last sporting event I attended was the Busch race in 2006. 9. Coughing ... I can't stand to hear someone cough repeatedly, it just gets on my nerves. 10. We have a bigger house than before this one we are in now, and, although I don't call myself a clean freak, I do like things picked up every once and awhile. 11. I would love to have dog, but being that we have four kids it's hard to give one enough attention. 12. I have a wonderful wife that just loves me to death, and sometime I just don't know why. 13. Jesus Christ is the center of my life. I give Him all praise to him for he has carried me through and through.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Procrastinating

Once upon a time I used to enjoy going to the store and shopping for groceries. But, I don't know, lately it's like pulling teeth to get me to go pick up the simple items. With that being said, it is close to 8:00 pm and I need to go get some food for the rest of the week. I normally just go to Walmart, simply because they have everything under the sun. But, on Monday we received the mailer for Kroger and they have some pretty good deals on items we use, so we'll make the trek there instead. My oldest daughter normally goes with me, mainly because my wife has a small "social anxiety" problem. Mrs X just doesn't like leaving the house very often, that, and she doesn't like to spend money at all ... I really think it raises her blood pressure. Anyways, I came home from another uneventful day at work, and helped Mrs X cook dinner. Then visited with the kids upstairs and gave the little ones a bath in the master bath, just because there is a larger area for more bubbles. I don't typically don't write much on my blog, I'm a man of few words, I'm just procrastinating. Till next time....

Bringing in 2008

Yesterday evening started out pretty nice, just us and the kids hanging out ... playing video games and watching some tube. Not much planned for the New Years eve night at all. I believe the in-laws and "Betty White" showed up around 7ish, and we played Clue for a couple of hours. Then after that, more in-laws show up with their two kiddos, and hang out till midnight. Pretty much just took the easy road to the new year. Midnight came and went, struggled to stay awake with the Mrs and watch Jeff Dunham on a DVD my son got for Christmas. Good Times! Hope yours went just as well. Peace and chicken grease...

Hang over cures...

Don't drink...Humm

"uh-uh, no way!"

I found this on Yahoo odd news so I thought I would share. I think both of them crossed the line a little bit, enjoy.
- Bremerton, Wash. - A 25-year-old woman was arrested for investigation of second-degree assault for getting into an argument with her boyfriend over whether his dog should be in the bathroom while the couple were taking a shower together. A police report said the man, 26, wanted his dog to join them in the bathroom, but the woman objected on Thursday night.
The woman told her boyfriend that if the dog doesn't stay out, she didn't want to be his girlfriend anymore. He replied that maybe his next girlfriend would appreciate the dog more, and called her a name. The police report said the woman punched him in the face several times and the man dislocated his shoulder after the naked couple grappled. He told police his girlfriend threw a picture frame, which broke and cut him. The woman was taken to the Kitsap County Jail in Port Orchard. Bail has been set at $50,000.

Top 5 New Years questions, with 25 bonus questions.

1. What did you do in 2007 that you had never done before?
Sling shot over the Gulf of Mexico

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
No, and no. You just set yourself up for failure.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My boss' daughter and a friend from church had one.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Mr. Bobby Hill, my boss' husband

5. What countries did you visit?
USA

6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?
Patience and the courage to do Gods work.

7. What dates will remain etched in your memory and why?
December 26, read my blog to find out why.

8. What’s your biggest achievement of the year?
Holding down three jobs at one time, although it wasn't something I planned on doing.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Not being more obedient to God with my finances.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Not really, got a little ill after my flu shot.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Obtained our new house, its a lease.

12. Where did most of your money go?
Bills, bills and food.

13. What did you get really, really excited about?
Roomba, once again read my blog.

14. Compared to this time last year are you?
a) Happier or sadder?Other than Christmas debt, I am much happier.

15. What do you wish you had done more of?
gone to Six Flags more often

16. What do you wish you had done less of?
Dirty dishes and Trash.

17. How will you be spending New Year’s Eve?
Safe at home

18. Did you fall in love in 2007?
I fell in love 365 times in 2007, every time I woke up and saw my wife.

19. What was your favorite TV program?
Football and Nashville star.

20. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Hate is not a word in my vocabulary.

21. What was the best book you read?
I don't read much, so I guess the Bible would be at the top of the list.

22. What did you want and get?
Bigger house, got it.

23. What did you want and not get?
2nd car

24. What was your favorite film this year?
Little Miss Sunshine (I like random movies)

25. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?
Did nothing, just turned 32.

27. How would you describe your personal fashion in 2007?
Jeans and a T-shirt.

28. What kept you sane?
Christ.

29. Who did you miss?
Some old friends from Trane.

3O. The person you want to thank for helping you through 2007?
Jesus, My Wife, My Mother and Father-in-Law, and 4 kids.

Thank You
To anybody I left out of the posting, please don't be offended.

Time Wasted

When I was a little boy back, in the early 80's, my cousin would bring over his Atari. We would spend hours upon hours playing games like Asteroids, Battlezone, Missile Command, Pong and many more I can't remember. Eventually I saved up enough money, after mowing my neighbors yard for a whole summer, to buy the "Nintendo". I owned games like Excite Bike, Tecmo Bowl, Mike Tyson's Knock Out, and, of course, Super Mario Bro's. Now, my kids are where I was at 25 years ago, playing video games, and making it a goal to conquer the game as soon as possible. We got Guitar Hero III for the older kids this Christmas. They have pretty much moved form easy to medium in about a week. So, I found my self last night needing to practice, because we like to battle against each other. I played for about an hour and a half, making my way though songs on easy and medium. I just can't get my pinky finger to hit the blue chords. Anyways, I just thought I would share the frustrations knowing that my pinky finger is holding me back from being an all time Guitar Hero III legend!

Headlines I Missed in 2007

I came across a video on Yahoo odd news, I found it a little interesting. With in the video I remember hearing about a particular story that I though should blog about.

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa -- A Marshalltown woman faces charges of stealing three rolls of toilet paper from the local courthouse and could get prison time. NewsChannel 8's Katie Piper caught up with the woman accused of stealing the toilet paper. Courthouse employees said they thought something was up. "They said they seem to go through a lot of toilet paper at the courthouse," said Marshalltown Police Chief Lon Walker. Marshalltown police said one of the employees caught Suzanne Marie Butts, of Marshalltown, taking the two-ply from the women's bathroom and called police. The courthouse parking lot attendant said he knew about toilet paper going missing. "I've heard they call it the toilet paper caper," said parking lot attendant Gene Seim. Police said they caught up with Butts outside the courthouse Friday, and she was hiding the toilet paper in her shirt. Butts told NewsChannel 8 that it was the first time she had stolen toilet paper and that her attorney said not talk. "He told me not to ask any questions until he's with me," Butts said. The courthouse workers told police they suspected something was up. "She's facing three years incarceration for three rolls of toilet paper," Walker said. "Normally, that would be a simple misdemeanor," Walker said. Police said that on Friday, Butts was arrested on charges of stealing $30 from a family member. That makes four theft charges against her. A judge will decide what punishment fits this crime.

Now Clueless

The majority of my day I wasn't at my desk at work. It seemed we needed to get our files ready for 2008. So in turn, it was hard to be able to write during business hours like I normally do. My wife blogged about what we, or I, did Thursday night. Kinda interesting if you didn't do anything last night. Now tonight we stayed up and played Clue for about 2 1/2 hours! The time we spent wasn't bad ... it's when you're sitting on the floor for hours and everything below your waist starts to fall asleep. I won 3 out of eight games between the four of us, and I am very tired. So till the morning when I find something retarded to blog about.

Thank you, God, for my kids.

Yesterday, when I got home I had a "Father moment" I will never forget. Typically my youngest daughters come running to the front to greet me everyday. For some reason, Wednesday, December 26 of 2007, was different. Princess JL, my two year old, came running full blast around the corner from the master bedroom yelling into cupped hands, "Princess JF, Princess JF, Daddy's home. Princess JF, Princess JF, Daddy's home". Now, Princess JF was upstairs playing with her brother and older sister, so once she heard Princess JL proclaiming that I have arrived, she let out a scream and started to run across the upstairs and slid down the stairs. The part I won't forget the most is that little Princess JL could not make up her mind to come give me a hug or wait at the bottom of the stairs for Princess JF. She finally came and gave me a big hug and a couple of her "Princess JL kisses". Princess JL can be a real brat a majority of the time, but lately she's done some really cute things.

My sha-Roomba

"iRobot delivers innovative robots that are making a difference in people’s lives. From cleaning floors to disarming explosives, we constantly strive to find better ways to tackle dull, dirty and dangerous missions—with better results." That is word for word what iRobots web site says about their products. My mother & father in-law got me a Roomba vacuum cleaner for Christmas. Now granted, this "state of the art" vacuum cleaner doesn't disarm physical explosives, but it will hopefully ease the tension of me blowing up when I get home and the flooring of my home is covered with junk. I hope that my Roomba accepts its mission to keep my floors clean and fluffy. Thank you, you know who you are.

Keep in Touch...!!!

For the past couple of weeks my wife and I have been collecting clothes from people for the homeless. Staci would put a posting on http://dallas.craigslist.org/ asking people for unwanted clothing, blankets, back packs, shoes, etc, and I would pick them up. Well, yesterday a group of 12 of us went to Downtown Dallas to pass out the items we had been given. My father-in-law works downtown a has gotten a feel for where the majority of the homeless men and women hang out. We had a lot of women's clothes this time compared to the time before. As soon as we pulled up in front of the community resource center, they all flocked to the vans we were in. In the gold van we served sandwiches and chili, unfortunately though we did not have enough food for everyone. Even though we didn't have enough for everyone I believe that everyone was just glad we came down just to see them and serve their needs. God brings us down a certain road to prepare us for different obstacles in life. I pray for the people we saw yesterday and I hope they are getting prepared, because change is right around the corner.