I'm impressed... not to impressed, but impressed all the same.
This weekend the Pittsburgh Steelers, in making their team a little worse, made it a little better.
How? Bye, bye Santonio Holmes.
Although he has a great deal of athletic ability, and one of the most memorable catches in the Super Bowl his inability to lead a productive life meant the Steeler's sent him packing. And they did it for a mere 5th round pick.
It's nice to see pro teams expunge garbage.
It's interesting to see that the New York Jets picked him up. The teams that don't mind trash seem to go after trash. They're trash.
This is part of the reason why I've lost all hope in the Lion's. Besides just being bad for SO long and not seeming to want to get better, they've created a "Bad Boy" image that started with the Piston's. Draft and sign players with character. I can cheer for that.
Ultimately I'm no Steeler's fan, although I have a good friend that bleeds Steeler football they're just not my team. I'm interested to see what they do with Roethlisberger, I expect they may end up keeping him unless criminal charges enter the picture.
At any rate... good for one franchise by taking a stand!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
That's where I'm from...
Having now transplanted twice from my native Michigan, and having lived nearly a third of my life away from hometown it feels somewhat awkward when I am asked where I am from.
In Gillette it's a fairly common question since most everyone is from somewhere else. I can count on two hands the number of people I've met in the last 16 months that told me they and their family are native to Gillette.
There are many transplanted Michigander's in Wyoming, mostly due to an economy that's about as strong as a Mackinac Bridge made of popsicle sticks.
Typically when I tell people where I'm from in Michigan they immediately assume somewhere in and around Detroit... as if the whole state of Michigan is made up completely of the dirty city. It would be like assuming that someone from California just happens to be from Los Angelas. There's California and there's California. There's Michigan and there is Detroit. I happen to be from Southern Michigan's Hillsdale County. Officially my hometown is the Village of Waldron... all of 550 people strong.
There's a bit of a difference between Waldron and Detroit! A big difference!
Hillsdale County is one of the most rural counties in Southern Michigan we're dwarfed only be Branch, which is immediately to the West.
Starting to get the picture? Proudly, livestock outnumber humans!
This in turn made it no surprise when new's of a Michigan Militia group broke earlier this week. The "militia" is pretty popular in the Southern portion of the State. It's might be a little bit of our red neck nature, or it might be part of our heritage. I say heritage only because of the Michigan-Ohio War or Toledo Strip War (This has little to do with College Football)
The Michigan-Ohio War is a little known event in US History, but may help one to understand the bitter rivalry between the States. Michigan was a short lived loser in the "War" as we ceded the strip in order to gain the entire Upper Peninsula, which later proved very profitable for the State! Making the loss a victory in the end! It's not about who get's knocked down first, it's who's standing tallest in the end!
The Militia of today appears to be somewhat different. Absolutely it has to be dotted with radical's or better yet crazy's. Although by law Militia's are allowed to form, their actual role in doing anything is a little less clear... or non-existent. I doubt they do much more than complain about taxes and drink beer. Oh... and if Canada ever does invade Michigan don't expect many of them to be able to "march" to Lenawee County! Hillsdale County is exactly a portrait of men in great health!
I actually went to school with one of the nine arrested. He was a VERY odd duck in school. I am actually surprised that he's not a mad scientist for some pharmaceutical. He was very smart with the books. Who knows must be he decided to become "mad" in another way.
These Hutaree are really nothing different than any other crazy's I've heard about. They all claim something about Jesus and translate the Bible in to their own personal justification. I will say that I hope their is credible evidence of their guilt, if so, lock 'em up. What a bunch of crazy's! Check out their website. I think maybe the picture was taken at Will Carleton Park in Hudson!
Absolutely hit "play" on their video... it's more comical than "The Best of Will Farrell" on Saturday Night Live. Other places on the site include "Azuurlin's Blog" complete with two entries. He must have been to busy plotting how he and eight other ignorant individuals were going to bring down the US Government. Whoops.
I struggle with their name... I mean Hutaree? What in the world? Couldn't find a better name? Like how about "Rambo's Offspring" or "The Crusader's". But no, they pick "Hutaree". My kid's could do better than that. I'm all about people wanting to belong to something, I get that, but join the YMCA. Don't pretend to be some kind of commando and act like you're capable of anything more than shooting yourself in the foot. C'mon MAN!
In Gillette it's a fairly common question since most everyone is from somewhere else. I can count on two hands the number of people I've met in the last 16 months that told me they and their family are native to Gillette.
There are many transplanted Michigander's in Wyoming, mostly due to an economy that's about as strong as a Mackinac Bridge made of popsicle sticks.
Typically when I tell people where I'm from in Michigan they immediately assume somewhere in and around Detroit... as if the whole state of Michigan is made up completely of the dirty city. It would be like assuming that someone from California just happens to be from Los Angelas. There's California and there's California. There's Michigan and there is Detroit. I happen to be from Southern Michigan's Hillsdale County. Officially my hometown is the Village of Waldron... all of 550 people strong.
There's a bit of a difference between Waldron and Detroit! A big difference!
Hillsdale County is one of the most rural counties in Southern Michigan we're dwarfed only be Branch, which is immediately to the West.
Starting to get the picture? Proudly, livestock outnumber humans!
This in turn made it no surprise when new's of a Michigan Militia group broke earlier this week. The "militia" is pretty popular in the Southern portion of the State. It's might be a little bit of our red neck nature, or it might be part of our heritage. I say heritage only because of the Michigan-Ohio War or Toledo Strip War (This has little to do with College Football)
The Michigan-Ohio War is a little known event in US History, but may help one to understand the bitter rivalry between the States. Michigan was a short lived loser in the "War" as we ceded the strip in order to gain the entire Upper Peninsula, which later proved very profitable for the State! Making the loss a victory in the end! It's not about who get's knocked down first, it's who's standing tallest in the end!
The Militia of today appears to be somewhat different. Absolutely it has to be dotted with radical's or better yet crazy's. Although by law Militia's are allowed to form, their actual role in doing anything is a little less clear... or non-existent. I doubt they do much more than complain about taxes and drink beer. Oh... and if Canada ever does invade Michigan don't expect many of them to be able to "march" to Lenawee County! Hillsdale County is exactly a portrait of men in great health!
I actually went to school with one of the nine arrested. He was a VERY odd duck in school. I am actually surprised that he's not a mad scientist for some pharmaceutical. He was very smart with the books. Who knows must be he decided to become "mad" in another way.
These Hutaree are really nothing different than any other crazy's I've heard about. They all claim something about Jesus and translate the Bible in to their own personal justification. I will say that I hope their is credible evidence of their guilt, if so, lock 'em up. What a bunch of crazy's! Check out their website. I think maybe the picture was taken at Will Carleton Park in Hudson!
Absolutely hit "play" on their video... it's more comical than "The Best of Will Farrell" on Saturday Night Live. Other places on the site include "Azuurlin's Blog" complete with two entries. He must have been to busy plotting how he and eight other ignorant individuals were going to bring down the US Government. Whoops.
I struggle with their name... I mean Hutaree? What in the world? Couldn't find a better name? Like how about "Rambo's Offspring" or "The Crusader's". But no, they pick "Hutaree". My kid's could do better than that. I'm all about people wanting to belong to something, I get that, but join the YMCA. Don't pretend to be some kind of commando and act like you're capable of anything more than shooting yourself in the foot. C'mon MAN!
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Donogb or Aoife
We're now entering week 14 of the pregnancy.
Samantha has a little more stable stomach... and we're starting to adjust to the idea of being parent's of three, if only slightly!
This being the third pregnancy I hope that I am at least slightly more accustomed to the up's and down's during the 40 weeks of waiting.
Waiting for the birth of your child is one of the most taxing ideas God ever came up with. It's like knowing the Tiger's are going to win the Pennant in '10 but still having to play out the season to get there! Ok, it's a little different than that!
One of the most challenging items non-medical items during that time is trying to decide what to name your child! Samantha and I have been on the same page for both of our first two, yet have found the decision process to be more difficult each time.
We live by a few rules: we must select a first name that is somewhat unique and the middle name is to represent someone in our line.
Aundrea was a variation of Andrea that I've always liked. Marlene was in honor of Samantha's Mom and her Grandma Moon. We had this middle name picked before we had even tied the knot. This was our only choice for a girls name as it just worked!
Tristan's name was a late pregnancy decision that came from a baby name book (not "Legends of the Fall"). His middle name, Lloyd, is my Grandpa's middle name and Great Grandpa's first name. It to was preselected. The challenge was really to find a first name that fit. I believe when I said "Tristan" to Samantha her immediate response was "That's IT!" No question's asked... we were locked in!
This child is proving to be a little more challenging. We have a few ideas, although we won't be sharing them until after the baby's born. The problem is that we have SO few idea's and neither of us are sold completely.
Today I cruised the internet for baby names. I typically like to cruise the Celtic names as they often seem to ring with me. Samantha is a little more hit and miss, she starts at "A" then jumps to "J" and so on.
During my cruising I ran across Donogb and Aoife. I guess they're a "little" unusual! One is for a boy and the other for a girl... can you determine which is for whom?
The search will continue and no doubt that by September 20 or so we will have a name selected!
Samantha has a little more stable stomach... and we're starting to adjust to the idea of being parent's of three, if only slightly!
This being the third pregnancy I hope that I am at least slightly more accustomed to the up's and down's during the 40 weeks of waiting.
Waiting for the birth of your child is one of the most taxing ideas God ever came up with. It's like knowing the Tiger's are going to win the Pennant in '10 but still having to play out the season to get there! Ok, it's a little different than that!
One of the most challenging items non-medical items during that time is trying to decide what to name your child! Samantha and I have been on the same page for both of our first two, yet have found the decision process to be more difficult each time.
We live by a few rules: we must select a first name that is somewhat unique and the middle name is to represent someone in our line.
Aundrea was a variation of Andrea that I've always liked. Marlene was in honor of Samantha's Mom and her Grandma Moon. We had this middle name picked before we had even tied the knot. This was our only choice for a girls name as it just worked!
Tristan's name was a late pregnancy decision that came from a baby name book (not "Legends of the Fall"). His middle name, Lloyd, is my Grandpa's middle name and Great Grandpa's first name. It to was preselected. The challenge was really to find a first name that fit. I believe when I said "Tristan" to Samantha her immediate response was "That's IT!" No question's asked... we were locked in!
This child is proving to be a little more challenging. We have a few ideas, although we won't be sharing them until after the baby's born. The problem is that we have SO few idea's and neither of us are sold completely.
Today I cruised the internet for baby names. I typically like to cruise the Celtic names as they often seem to ring with me. Samantha is a little more hit and miss, she starts at "A" then jumps to "J" and so on.
During my cruising I ran across Donogb and Aoife. I guess they're a "little" unusual! One is for a boy and the other for a girl... can you determine which is for whom?
The search will continue and no doubt that by September 20 or so we will have a name selected!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Finally something worth reading!
It's been a few months since I've had a good book in front of my face, soon I'll have several!
I believe the last book was William Craigs' "Enemy at the Gates" which was later, in part, turned into a movie. I always liked the movie, until I read the book, the movie does little to capture the true events of the war itself.
I have always been a fan of books on war, human survival, and events that changed history.
I have been a big fan of Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks "Band of Brother's" HBO mini-series. I have purchased several books written by Stephen E. Ambrose on the particular struggles of the unit and have read some of the books written by the men themselves.
The two have joined forces again for a new mini-series titled "The Pacific" many have said that it is incredibly realistic and is equal to the B of B. Tonight I watched a production flick on the movie and was introduced to two of the books that they have credited with helping with the plot of the series.
The first, Helmet for My Pillow: From Parris Island to the Pacific by Robert Leckie is a first person account of the war and is supposed to be one of the top reads on the war.
The other, With the Old Breed by E.B. Sledge is another first person account of the war. It has some ridiculous reviews from some very outstanding individuals.
With those two purchases I also made two more purchases! (I had to get the free super saver shipping!)
I picked up Undaunted Courage : Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West by Stephen E. Ambrose. Ambrose is one of my favorite authors, however the topic is a little different than my usual read. This book was recommended by my boss as a book I should read. We'll see how it turns out!
Last but not least is The Imperial Cruise: A Secret History of Empire and War by James Bradley. Bradley is indeed my favorite author. He penned "Flags of Our Father's" and "Flyboys" both are must reads. This book takes a very different twist and may change my perspective on Bradley. The book cover's T. Roosevelt era U.S. involvement in Asia. Teddy Roosevelt is my favorite President, however the book blames a great deal of his policies on an eventual Japanese aggression in Asia and Pearl Harbor. We'll see how it turns out.
I'll have plenty of time to get through these books during the spring and summer on some VERY long road trips for baseball. Looking forward to it!
I believe the last book was William Craigs' "Enemy at the Gates" which was later, in part, turned into a movie. I always liked the movie, until I read the book, the movie does little to capture the true events of the war itself.
I have always been a fan of books on war, human survival, and events that changed history.
I have been a big fan of Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks "Band of Brother's" HBO mini-series. I have purchased several books written by Stephen E. Ambrose on the particular struggles of the unit and have read some of the books written by the men themselves.
The two have joined forces again for a new mini-series titled "The Pacific" many have said that it is incredibly realistic and is equal to the B of B. Tonight I watched a production flick on the movie and was introduced to two of the books that they have credited with helping with the plot of the series.
The first, Helmet for My Pillow: From Parris Island to the Pacific by Robert Leckie is a first person account of the war and is supposed to be one of the top reads on the war.
The other, With the Old Breed by E.B. Sledge is another first person account of the war. It has some ridiculous reviews from some very outstanding individuals.
With those two purchases I also made two more purchases! (I had to get the free super saver shipping!)
I picked up Undaunted Courage : Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West by Stephen E. Ambrose. Ambrose is one of my favorite authors, however the topic is a little different than my usual read. This book was recommended by my boss as a book I should read. We'll see how it turns out!
Last but not least is The Imperial Cruise: A Secret History of Empire and War by James Bradley. Bradley is indeed my favorite author. He penned "Flags of Our Father's" and "Flyboys" both are must reads. This book takes a very different twist and may change my perspective on Bradley. The book cover's T. Roosevelt era U.S. involvement in Asia. Teddy Roosevelt is my favorite President, however the book blames a great deal of his policies on an eventual Japanese aggression in Asia and Pearl Harbor. We'll see how it turns out.
I'll have plenty of time to get through these books during the spring and summer on some VERY long road trips for baseball. Looking forward to it!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Sammy turn's a year older...
Another year older, another kid on the way!
Number 26 marked a good year for Samantha... I think 27 will be just as good if not better!
Happy Birthday, Samantha!
We kicked off this weekend by heading to Rapid City spur of the moment at about 2 PM on Friday! We needed the break! I managed to score a great priceline.com deal at the Fairfield in Rapid. More importantly Fairfield is connected to the Watiki water park... better known as kid heaven!
Aundrea and Tristan rode to slides, splashed and got splashed! They loved it!
...side bar... Samantha's belly is getting big!
We ate out at Outback and managed to score about a $120 meal at 1/3 of the price thanks to a few screw ups! (Slivo's... I know what your thinking, but I didn't even say anything this time! This was nothing similar to Toby Keith's in Vegas!)
Saturday was filled with more swimming, a little shopping and just good ol' family bonding!
Samantha got a Bath and Body Works gift set picked out almost exclusively by Tristan... I think the boy smelled close to 20 different smells before he settled in on the perfect one for mommy!
Now that it's 9:30 on Sunday we're pooped and ready for bed.
Be older.
Happy Birthday Samantha!
Number 26 marked a good year for Samantha... I think 27 will be just as good if not better!
Happy Birthday, Samantha!
We kicked off this weekend by heading to Rapid City spur of the moment at about 2 PM on Friday! We needed the break! I managed to score a great priceline.com deal at the Fairfield in Rapid. More importantly Fairfield is connected to the Watiki water park... better known as kid heaven!
Aundrea and Tristan rode to slides, splashed and got splashed! They loved it!
...side bar... Samantha's belly is getting big!
We ate out at Outback and managed to score about a $120 meal at 1/3 of the price thanks to a few screw ups! (Slivo's... I know what your thinking, but I didn't even say anything this time! This was nothing similar to Toby Keith's in Vegas!)
Saturday was filled with more swimming, a little shopping and just good ol' family bonding!
Samantha got a Bath and Body Works gift set picked out almost exclusively by Tristan... I think the boy smelled close to 20 different smells before he settled in on the perfect one for mommy!
Now that it's 9:30 on Sunday we're pooped and ready for bed.
Be older.
Happy Birthday Samantha!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Booger Beads and Super Dad!
When your child has something wrong with them all's you want to do is fix it. And quick.
Maybe they fell playing in the yard.
Perhaps they pinched their finger in the door.
They might have even touched something hot.
Any way you slice it... when your kid is hurting, you do what you can to fix it or to comfort them through the hurt.
I'm no different! I hate hearing my kids cry, especially if it's an "I'm really hurt" cry. It eats at me. It pains me. It even frightens me as I realize there is little I can truly to do help them.
Last Wednesday was a different story!
I officially inserted myself into the "super dad" category! (ok, not really, everyone knows you have to be nominated for this category!)
It was about 8:30 Wednesday night and I was looking forward to my last hour of class so that I could jet home and maybe catch Aundrea and Tristan before they went to bed!
It's important to at least say goodnight to your own kids! Especially when you haven't seen them all day!
Samantha called (crying) to tell me that Aundrea had a "bead up her nose".
"A what?"
"A bead."
"Seriously?" (I'm laughing)
"Seriously." (She's not laughing)
"What kind of bead?"
"A bead... does the kind matter?"
"Well just have her blow her nose!"
"I did... I did... it just won't come out... what should I do?" (crying)
"I don't know"
(At this point I wanted to say... "Weren't you watching her?" but any self respecting husband knows that a question like that is enough to send any wife into full blown hysteria... good thing I didn't ask that question!)
"Weren't you watching her?"
"%$#@ *&%$ @D#% $#@* &%$ @D#% $#@* &%$@ D#%$ #@*& %$@% $#@* &%$@"
"Ok, ok let me call you back!" (click)
(this was yet another mistake... never, never, never ever hang up on a crying wife... correction... a crying, angry wife)
(I "quickly" assess the situation... and hit the green button)
"Ok, I'm coming home, put an ice pack on her face, rock her and just try and have her relax" (this was brilliant... at this point Samantha is thinking that I just might have a plan!)
"WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD I PUT AN ICE PACK ON HER FACE? ARE YOU THE DUMBEST PERSON IN THE WORLD?"
"Look, I know what I'm doing!" (This was said with extra gusto to prove that I know exactly how to handle this situation!)
"I'm calling someone who actually knows what to do."
"Good idea! See you in twenty minutes" (Boy am I happy to be a MAN!)
(Arriving at home)
"Daddy is here... let's see what the problem is"
"The problem is she has a bead up her nose... I told you this already"
"Right, well... where's my flashlight?"
"We're taking her to the hospital"
"When?"
"Right now... Brandon the nurse said that if you stick something up there your going to make it worse. Do you really wanna take that chance?"
"Um, no! But I gotta see this!" (ok so I didn't quite say it like a forty year old surfer smoking pot... but I sounded pretty dumb!)
(Out to the garage... I'm trying to find one of my ten flashlights... waiting... more waiting... flashlight found in the dog's cage... probably time to organize... maybe I could build a really big shelf... I wonder what kind of price I could get on a 2x4... man I hate Home Depot... that place stinks... stinks... nose... Aundrea... bead... crap... I wanna look at this bead in Aundrea's nose... focused!)
"Ok, lay down here little girl let's see what you have up there" (it's always important to provide your child with all the confidence you can muster when they have something up their nose!)
"Daddy, I have a beeeed up my nose" (This came out pretty nasally)
"Right. Ok, well let's see what color it is!
"RED" (Samantha, Aundrea, Tristan, Angel and Daisy seemed to yell this in unison)
"Hmm... well, you absolutely have a red bead up your nose"
"I told you daddy." (more nasally sound)
"I think I can get to that!"
"Brandon, we're going to the hospital"
"Give me a chance!"
(Time to head back to the garage... wait a minute... what could I possibly have in the garage that would help me get a bead out of my daughter's nose? Miter saw? Nah, to messy! Vise grips? Nah... to clumsy! What about the air compressor? Sweet idea! I'll put the nozzle in one nostril and blow the bead out of the other nostril! Genius!)
"Samantha, this will be awesome!"
"Brandon, your a dumby." (crying) "Your going to blow compressed air in our daughters nose? Won't you pop her ear drums?" (a lot of crying)
"Hmm... good point." (once in a while... as a man... it's important that we give our wife a little time to do some creative thinking... this seemed like an appropriate time to me)
(Back to the garage... Hmm... Blow torch? We could melt the plastic bead! Nah... she won't hold still long enough. Allen wrench? Nah... to uncomplicated. At this point a little tool catches my eye, it's perfect for this job... a paperclip! Back inside.)
"Brandon, let's go to the hospital"
"I got this" (more confidence)
"You might be the dumbest person I know" (she might be right)
"Hold her down!"
"Are you kidding?"
"Hold her down"
"Daddy... NOOOOO"
"Trust me" (Or don't if you ever want to smell pizza again)
In goes the paperclip.
The crying starts again... first Aundie... then Samantha... then Tristan... finally me.
Deeper goes the paper clip.
The screaming starts... first me...then Tristan... then Samantha... and finally Aundie.
"I got it"
"YOU DON'T HAVE IT"
(Here goes nothing)
Out pops the paper clip... right behind a red bead... and followed by snotty blood.
Success!
Crown me Super Dad!
All is right in the world of Brandon and Samantha.
"I knew you could do it!" (Really?)
I love my family.
Maybe they fell playing in the yard.
Perhaps they pinched their finger in the door.
They might have even touched something hot.
Any way you slice it... when your kid is hurting, you do what you can to fix it or to comfort them through the hurt.
I'm no different! I hate hearing my kids cry, especially if it's an "I'm really hurt" cry. It eats at me. It pains me. It even frightens me as I realize there is little I can truly to do help them.
Last Wednesday was a different story!
I officially inserted myself into the "super dad" category! (ok, not really, everyone knows you have to be nominated for this category!)
It was about 8:30 Wednesday night and I was looking forward to my last hour of class so that I could jet home and maybe catch Aundrea and Tristan before they went to bed!
It's important to at least say goodnight to your own kids! Especially when you haven't seen them all day!
Samantha called (crying) to tell me that Aundrea had a "bead up her nose".
"A what?"
"A bead."
"Seriously?" (I'm laughing)
"Seriously." (She's not laughing)
"What kind of bead?"
"A bead... does the kind matter?"
"Well just have her blow her nose!"
"I did... I did... it just won't come out... what should I do?" (crying)
"I don't know"
(At this point I wanted to say... "Weren't you watching her?" but any self respecting husband knows that a question like that is enough to send any wife into full blown hysteria... good thing I didn't ask that question!)
"Weren't you watching her?"
"%$#@ *&%$ @D#% $#@* &%$ @D#% $#@* &%$@ D#%$ #@*& %$@% $#@* &%$@"
"Ok, ok let me call you back!" (click)
(this was yet another mistake... never, never, never ever hang up on a crying wife... correction... a crying, angry wife)
(I "quickly" assess the situation... and hit the green button)
"Ok, I'm coming home, put an ice pack on her face, rock her and just try and have her relax" (this was brilliant... at this point Samantha is thinking that I just might have a plan!)
"WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD I PUT AN ICE PACK ON HER FACE? ARE YOU THE DUMBEST PERSON IN THE WORLD?"
"Look, I know what I'm doing!" (This was said with extra gusto to prove that I know exactly how to handle this situation!)
"I'm calling someone who actually knows what to do."
"Good idea! See you in twenty minutes" (Boy am I happy to be a MAN!)
(Arriving at home)
"Daddy is here... let's see what the problem is"
"The problem is she has a bead up her nose... I told you this already"
"Right, well... where's my flashlight?"
"We're taking her to the hospital"
"When?"
"Right now... Brandon the nurse said that if you stick something up there your going to make it worse. Do you really wanna take that chance?"
"Um, no! But I gotta see this!" (ok so I didn't quite say it like a forty year old surfer smoking pot... but I sounded pretty dumb!)
(Out to the garage... I'm trying to find one of my ten flashlights... waiting... more waiting... flashlight found in the dog's cage... probably time to organize... maybe I could build a really big shelf... I wonder what kind of price I could get on a 2x4... man I hate Home Depot... that place stinks... stinks... nose... Aundrea... bead... crap... I wanna look at this bead in Aundrea's nose... focused!)
"Ok, lay down here little girl let's see what you have up there" (it's always important to provide your child with all the confidence you can muster when they have something up their nose!)
"Daddy, I have a beeeed up my nose" (This came out pretty nasally)
"Right. Ok, well let's see what color it is!
"RED" (Samantha, Aundrea, Tristan, Angel and Daisy seemed to yell this in unison)
"Hmm... well, you absolutely have a red bead up your nose"
"I told you daddy." (more nasally sound)
"I think I can get to that!"
"Brandon, we're going to the hospital"
"Give me a chance!"
(Time to head back to the garage... wait a minute... what could I possibly have in the garage that would help me get a bead out of my daughter's nose? Miter saw? Nah, to messy! Vise grips? Nah... to clumsy! What about the air compressor? Sweet idea! I'll put the nozzle in one nostril and blow the bead out of the other nostril! Genius!)
"Samantha, this will be awesome!"
"Brandon, your a dumby." (crying) "Your going to blow compressed air in our daughters nose? Won't you pop her ear drums?" (a lot of crying)
"Hmm... good point." (once in a while... as a man... it's important that we give our wife a little time to do some creative thinking... this seemed like an appropriate time to me)
(Back to the garage... Hmm... Blow torch? We could melt the plastic bead! Nah... she won't hold still long enough. Allen wrench? Nah... to uncomplicated. At this point a little tool catches my eye, it's perfect for this job... a paperclip! Back inside.)
"Brandon, let's go to the hospital"
"I got this" (more confidence)
"You might be the dumbest person I know" (she might be right)
"Hold her down!"
"Are you kidding?"
"Hold her down"
"Daddy... NOOOOO"
"Trust me" (Or don't if you ever want to smell pizza again)
In goes the paperclip.
The crying starts again... first Aundie... then Samantha... then Tristan... finally me.
Deeper goes the paper clip.
The screaming starts... first me...then Tristan... then Samantha... and finally Aundie.
"I got it"
"YOU DON'T HAVE IT"
(Here goes nothing)
Out pops the paper clip... right behind a red bead... and followed by snotty blood.
Success!
Crown me Super Dad!
All is right in the world of Brandon and Samantha.
"I knew you could do it!" (Really?)
I love my family.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Birthday partying, potty chairs and cleaning
This last week has been a busy one for our family!
We celebrated Tristan's birthday last Saturday with the help of Grandpa and Grandma Strong
Samantha's cake decorating skills are improving as shown with Tristan's ball and bat cake!
We celebrated Tristan's birthday last Saturday with the help of Grandpa and Grandma Strong
Samantha's cake decorating skills are improving as shown with Tristan's ball and bat cake!It's difficult for us to realize that our little boy is now 2! He's developed a big personality in the last 6 months, however he continues to be the biggest "momma's boy" in the world! He proved it yet again by getting up this morning, marching into our room and crying "MOMMY!"
Samantha rewarded him by pulling him up into the bed. He snuggled with her... and kicked me in the ribs for an hour until I just got up for good. Someday I'll have my revenge when I blackmail him with this...
What would possess my son to do this?
Samantha rewarded him by pulling him up into the bed. He snuggled with her... and kicked me in the ribs for an hour until I just got up for good. Someday I'll have my revenge when I blackmail him with this...
What would possess my son to do this?We got the party started the right way... a little bit of decorating!
The kids loved this stuff! I also filled up around 100 balloons in which Aundrea believe was the coolest thing of the night!
What kid doesn't want blue or pink hair? All in the name of a good time!
Overall, the birthday party was a success! Tristan received a baseball bat and tee, a police setup for Mr. Potato head, a toy tool set, "Don't Break the Ice" game, a large wooden train set, and two packs of underwear.
I guess Tristan is a little excited!
Grandpa and Grandma gave him a wooden train whistle, a train shirt, a bike helmet, and something else I can't seem to remember!
Grandpa and Grandma Moon sent out monkey pajamas (which fits Tristan's personality very well) and a car carrier that zips out to become a mat with roads and such.
Momma and her Monkey Boy!
Great Grandpa and Grandma Strong, Great Aunt Carla, and Great Uncle Randy sent out my favorite gift. A 1938 Hot Rod Pedal car. They had it painted up with a couple cool items and also had the Strong family "Coat of Arms" and motto placed on it in several places. We took it out for a spin that night. Tristan just started to pick up the pedals and how they worked before it was time to head in.
Tristan is indeed a Hot Rod when he's on this machine!
The kids loved this stuff! I also filled up around 100 balloons in which Aundrea believe was the coolest thing of the night!
What kid doesn't want blue or pink hair? All in the name of a good time!
Even Angel and Daisy got in on the action!
Overall, the birthday party was a success! Tristan received a baseball bat and tee, a police setup for Mr. Potato head, a toy tool set, "Don't Break the Ice" game, a large wooden train set, and two packs of underwear.
I guess Tristan is a little excited!
The train set! Aundrea may like it more than Tristan!
Grandpa and Grandma gave him a wooden train whistle, a train shirt, a bike helmet, and something else I can't seem to remember!
Sorry for the sideways footage... I'm new to this!
Grandpa and Grandma Moon sent out monkey pajamas (which fits Tristan's personality very well) and a car carrier that zips out to become a mat with roads and such.
Momma and her Monkey Boy!Great Grandpa and Grandma Strong, Great Aunt Carla, and Great Uncle Randy sent out my favorite gift. A 1938 Hot Rod Pedal car. They had it painted up with a couple cool items and also had the Strong family "Coat of Arms" and motto placed on it in several places. We took it out for a spin that night. Tristan just started to pick up the pedals and how they worked before it was time to head in.
Tristan is indeed a Hot Rod when he's on this machine!In other news... Tristan did receive undies for his birthday... he's still trying to figure out where they go!
Good grief. This might not have been a good idea!
With the underwear means the beginning of potty training another kid. Which to me is basically like trying to catch a greased pig.
Tristan has shown interest in the potty chair for the past 2-3 months occasionally squirting a little hear and there with not much consistency. With the underwear we've now had a couple of really good days and a couple of really bad days.
This morning appeared to kick off a not so good day! Tristan managed to poop in his undies then head to the potty chair... leaving me with a trail of intestinal joy.
In other notes... expecting a baby is a great deal of fun! I'm pretty excited about the whole process. Mainly watching Samantha's belly grow, picking out a name, setting up the cradle I made when we were expecting Aundrea, watching Samantha's belly grow, dreaming about sleepless nights, buying tiny diapers, watching Samantha's belly grow, and wandering through the baby departments!
The one thing that I don't like is the extra chores that tend to fall to me during those nine months! I always try and do my part on a regular basis (I'm sure Samantha wishes that I did a little more!) but during the pregnancy my chores seem to compound. I'm not complaining... I absolutely don't want Samantha doing anything that involves chemicals up to and including cleaning the bathroom. It's just not my favorite thing on planet earth! That's ok... I guess once the baby come's I'll make sure she get a good dose of a husband that doesn't "do" house chores!!
Good grief. This might not have been a good idea!With the underwear means the beginning of potty training another kid. Which to me is basically like trying to catch a greased pig.
Tristan has shown interest in the potty chair for the past 2-3 months occasionally squirting a little hear and there with not much consistency. With the underwear we've now had a couple of really good days and a couple of really bad days.
This morning appeared to kick off a not so good day! Tristan managed to poop in his undies then head to the potty chair... leaving me with a trail of intestinal joy.
In other notes... expecting a baby is a great deal of fun! I'm pretty excited about the whole process. Mainly watching Samantha's belly grow, picking out a name, setting up the cradle I made when we were expecting Aundrea, watching Samantha's belly grow, dreaming about sleepless nights, buying tiny diapers, watching Samantha's belly grow, and wandering through the baby departments!
The one thing that I don't like is the extra chores that tend to fall to me during those nine months! I always try and do my part on a regular basis (I'm sure Samantha wishes that I did a little more!) but during the pregnancy my chores seem to compound. I'm not complaining... I absolutely don't want Samantha doing anything that involves chemicals up to and including cleaning the bathroom. It's just not my favorite thing on planet earth! That's ok... I guess once the baby come's I'll make sure she get a good dose of a husband that doesn't "do" house chores!!
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