Held Hostage

There's never a dull moment with kids around. Take for instance when I go to download the digital camera and realize that at some point in time Nori has gotten a hold of it and snaps some doozies. I actually have a folder just for her special shots.

In all seriousness, I like it when she gets the camera, because she grabs memories that we either wouldn't see or wouldn't have time to seize. Behold.

Moving Right Along

Here are some pictures of Christian workbench project. I have to be completely honest (not that I was lying or anything). The table saw made the tenons much easier to make.

We're about half way done with the tenon-and-mortise joints. Then, we just have to gluing it all together and attach the top. Not bad for his first.

The Pumpkin Patch

This is from the Pumpkin Patch in Wilcox. The weather was beautiful, the company was great!

Wax On, Wax Off

Christian has been in Jiu Jistu for about two months. Last Tuesday, he performed his initial test which included three different "I can fall without getting hurt" techniques, a couple wrist-grab escape moves, the perfect push-up, and a couple other moves. He's still a white belt, but he officially belongs to the Kodenkan Yudanshakai dojo.

What Do You Hope For?

In an effort to teach our children how to handle money, about a year ago we started paying them for their "jobs." They each do a chore pack every morning and we pay them for their performance during school, which includes their "grade" for each class and their behavior(attitude, willingness to learn, etc.).

Nori and Christian get paid when we get paid and so they know paydays very well. God recently used that fact to encourage me. As I said, both of the kids are aware of when payday is. They know not to ask to be paid until the 1st or 15th. However, they've also seen that those days are very busy because of the things that have to be done as a result of us getting paid (groceries, bills, errands) so occasionally they remind me on the 16th that they haven't been paid yet. I let them know that I haven't forgotten about it.

They always take that answer and wait patiently for it. They know that I've promised them something and that I have to do somethings before they can be paid. They don't know the exact moment dollars will be in their hands, but they trust that I'll deliver as promised. They live with a sure expectancy.

We should do the same with God. He has clearly told us that we are not citizens of this world, that we are His children and heirs with Jesus, and that He is coming back for us (or taking us home at death). We have to maintain our faith and trust that God will deliver! He's able to come through on His promise! How should that effect our daily lives? I'm sure it should effect us in several ways - all of which are good. I pray that we will all remember that truth and remember what our identity is.

"And even we Christian, although we have the Holy Spirit w/in us as a foretaste of future glory, also groan to be release from pain and suffering. We, too, wait anxiously for that day when God will give us our full rights as his children, including the new bodies he has promised us. Now that we are saved, we eagerly look forward to this freedom. For if you already have something, you don't need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don't have yet, we must wait patiently and confidently." (Romans 8:23-25)

The Wood Man and others

I've recently been posting different small business websites up because I believe in capitalism and the American dream (you can see here for what I believe that is). Consequently, I'm putting up another website for anyone that might want or need Tim Becker's fine wood crafting services.
I'm also adding the website for other small businesses owned by friends and acquaintances that's we've used and that we can attest to their great quality.

Tim Becker
Yestertime Wood Works - might not be up yet.

Don Ross
Designs in Steel

The 5 Jalapenos - of course!

We also have used Amenity Construction, who do an awesome job, but do not have a website. Jason, the owner, put the wall up in our (now) bedroom and did a fantastic job. Here's his contact info:
Amenity Construction, LLC
(520) 631-2615
PO Box 16182
Tucson, AZ 85732

Anasi Tile and Flooring
No website either (that I could find) but they can be reached at:
1011 N Pantano Rd
Tucson, AZ 85710
520-750-8021

New and Improved

The company my dad has co-founded is moving forward. The 5 Jalapenos has widened it's clothing line, sponsored a race car, and opened their first retail location. Pretty exciting stuff. Check it out here.

It turns out it was a prank call...

So I haven't put any pictures up of the camping trip because I didn't take any. In fact, any pictures we would have taken probably would have had some scowls in them anyway.

I got to the mountain just after sunset, was served some scrumptious hot dogs, root beer, and marshmallows, and sat around the fire telling and hearing jokes and scary stories (that were made up on the spot pretty much).

We hit the sack around 9 and woke at midnight to rain. After 2 hours of heavy rain the girls tent was washed out. Travis and I re-arranged the vehicles so 3 girls could sleep in one car and Nori went into our tent. Another two hours of rain...

We woke to soaked wood, soaked tents, soaked shoes, and soaked chairs (from our van, longer story than belongs here).

But then Christi's cheerfulness brought the sun out and we gradually got everything loaded. I threw on three extra layers of clothes and road the motorcycle down.

All was not bad, though. There were some great jokes told. The root beer was outstanding. The kids had about 16 hours on Friday to play in an awesome camp site (good on the Harts for picking that one). Everyone was safe. We lived to learn to pack better for the next trip!

Nature Calls

We're heading up to Mt. Bigelow today in the Catalina Mountain range for an overnight camping trip with the Harts. It was going to be several families, but sadly a lot of people were busy or not feeling well. I'll get some pics up when we get back.

Off subject, I got this today from The Other Secret Agent. I thought it was a sharp reminder that we can't borrow billions of dollars too prop up a straw-man economy and not expect serious impacts.