Snappy Pappy and other Joys of life.

Taps was played, the angels sang and Snappy danced with his Savior on Sept 18th 2010.

I will always miss you Snappy.

Sometimes you need to get a Sitter

Sawyer my oldest is now a freshman in High School and though all of my kids get along fairly well, I would choose not to give him the responsibility of watching his younger siblings. Parker age 12 has Asperger's Syndrome and Alexa is 10. Kids at that age will get in arguments and quarrel regardless of Asperger's Syndrome. So there are times that you need to get a sitter so you can go out on the town with the hottest of ladies and not have to worry as much.

Lana is such an amazing lady and I am blessed to be her man. She looks at life as a mother of a cancer survivor. (Her Daughter has been Cancer free since 4 years old and is now 12) When your child is diognosed with a terminal disease, your outlook is different and the little things that would bother most, do not bother her because she has been through so much. Last week we went to the Stanislaus County Society for Handicapped Fund Raiser. http://www.societyforhandicapped.org/ It was a black tie event but when you cannot afford a tux, you go to Ross and pick out a really nice tie for $9.99 and make it look like a million.

Lana, Thanks for a wonderful time and thank you for making me look so good. I thank God daily that you are in my life. I love you so much!

Summer is coming and my gut is huge!!!

It started on Thanksgiving and never stopped! In fact, Newtons law was in full effect and my body stayed at rest. Let me back up even further! I met an amazing lady about 2 years ago and started hanging out with her on June 16th and never stopped. When I met her I was 200lbs. Give or take a few bags of Chips and Salsa (Which BTW is the greatest food ever created! I just can't stop once I start.)

She asked me out to a cooking party that was at a friends house. She told me that it would be fun and she would like it if I could accompany her. What's a single guy to do when you get asked out by a hot single successful Christian business woman? You accept the invite and hope that it goes well. It went well! As a father of three incredible kids, I need to be careful of who I date, who I am seen with and I have to be on good behavior all the time. The Apostle Paul wrote: "Watch your life and doctrine closely. That way you can save yourself and the three amazing kids that God entrusted you with." SPRSV (Single Parent Revised Standard Version) We went out a second time and a third time and we have never stopped going out! There is a by-product to the great times and that is my size! I have gained 24 lbs. since I started going out with her. Here is a picture of me when we first started dating. I don't look too bad but still at this weight I am about 10lbs over weight according to the BMI that Kaiser has. I decided to not only start an exercise program today but I also decided to blog my exercise efforts and my set backs. As always these blogs will be done as first drafts and with no post publishing edits.

BTW The amazing lady that I am dating makes me so happy and loves me for who I am. I am truly blessed to be in her company. She likes me for the way that God made me. With all of my defects and insecurities. God! Thank you so much for bringing her into my life but forgive me for being so happy that I now look like this. I will keep posting as inspiration hits me.

Dog days of Summer

Today the news said that it was the coldest day in the history of the Central Valley. It was record breaking! I guess summer is over and the vacation never happened and the times at the beach will have to wait till next year.

I love summer. With out a doubt it is the best season for me and now that it is gone, I am a little sad. I get my kids half time and when they are not with me, I am very lonely. I stay home, listen to music, or facebook in my spare time. (Who would have thought that Facebook could be used as a verb?) About 4 months ago I was sent the following email:

Greetings friends,

This is a dog story. We need help.

About a month ago we adopted a pit bull terrier who was in distress and roaming our neighborhood. The dog was a great dog; loving, obedient, well mannered. We thought we had found the perfect dog...

Unfortunately "Rusty" had a hidden defect, he was an escape artist, I am talkin a "dadgum Houdini". We have a back yard that has a waterfall that unfortunately makes our back fence a whopping three feet high, child's play for this boy.

We have invested in a chip, had the boy neutered, all his shots, and some really great chew toys. Unfortunately, we are the wrong address for this dog. With the right kennel, dog run, or fenced (and I do mean FENCED) yard or patio, Rusty will make someone a great family pet.

He is not aggressive towards people (has been absolutely great with our grand kids). I am not sure how he would do with other dogs (have not tested him off the leash). My guess is that it would take time for him to warm up to another dog. Cats? Forget it!

If you are interested or have someone you know who might be interested, please give me a call at xxx-xxxx. The dog is free to a good home. We are putting an add in the paper tomorrow for $50.00 (just to screen out undesirables).

Any ideas that you might have concerning how to find this boy a good home, would be greatly appreciated.

Lonny

I responded to the email and the next day my kids and I had a new member of our family.

Rusty is the best dog that a lonely dad can have. And the above statement about being an escape artist is true! Houdini. Copperfield, Blane, they have nothing on Rusty the Pit Bull. This dog can be changed in the house and still find away to escape. Thank God that we have the http:www.homeagain.com microchip. We have used it twice and are truly greatful.

Every boy needs a dog. And if your dog prays for you, then all the better. Rusty! Welcome home.

Dealing with Drama and knowing God's Promises.

About 4 years ago I was told that she must have loved me but does not remember.  Then there was an apology  for talking to a male friend when she claimed that she never did talk to him. If I was to look back at all the lies I was told, I could probably be a real bitter man at this time. Instead I gave it to God and have been dealing with things as they come.  When I would get the occasional lack of communication issues, I would tell myself, "If that is all that I have to deal with, then life is not that bad.

I have been hit recently with the reaction of my former spouse when she saw me having dinner with my kids and a lady friend and her daughter.  I do not think that any amount of prep would have prepared her for the amount of emotion that she would experience in the days to come.  Did she think that I would stay home and not have friends that have kids as well? Did she think that I was not going to move on with my life? I have seen the bitterness and hatred come from a person that is not hard wired for that kind of emotion and it saddens me.  My former spouse is a good lady. Why she is reacting with such harshness is not like her and it saddens me.  Not because my feelings are hurt. But rather because she is hurting our children by her example.

I know that divorce is not easy and I know that there are people that have it worse than me. However I feel that my children do not need to be the victims of someone else's choices.  I pray for them often. And if you are going through the same thing, then I pray for you as well.

"The plans that I have for you are to prosper you. Not to harm you" God

I stand on His promises

Michael Buble' or is it Mr Bubble?

I feel really embarassed for even posting this but I am the first to laugh at something funny, even if it is at my own expense.

I am still in communication with my ex wife and at times I have even asked that she make me some cd's of her latest favorites. I received one at Christmas and it had a song on there that I could have sworn was from John Legend. The lyrics are as follows:

You're a falling star,

You're the get away car.

You're the line in the sand when I go too far.

You're the swimming pool, on an August day.

And you're the perfect thing to say.

And you play you're coy, but it's kinda cute.

Ah, When you smile at me you know exactly what you do.

Baby don't pretend, that you don't know it's true.

Cause you can see it when I look at you.

[Chorus:]

And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times

It's you, it's you, You make me sing.

You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.

You're a carousel,

you're a wishing well,

And you light me up,

when you ring my bell.

You're a mystery,

you're from outer space,

You're every minute of my everyday.

And I can't believe, that I'm your man,

And I get to kiss you baby just because I can.

Whatever comes our way,

ah we'll see it through,

And you know that's what our love can do.

[Chorus:]

And in this crazy life,

and through these crazy times

It's you, it's you,

You make me sing

You're every line,

you're every word,

you're everything.

So, La, La, La, La, La, La, La

So, La, La, La, La, La, La, La

[Chorus:]

And in this crazy life,

and through these crazy times

It's you, it's you,

You make me sing.

You're every line,

you're every word,

you're everything.

You're every song,

and I sing along.'

Cause you're my everything.

Yeah, yeah

So, La, La, La, La, La, La, La

So, La, La, La, La, La, La, La

I found out later that the song was sung by Michael Buble' I was trying to find the album on iTunes and was unsuccessful. I called my dad and I heard the song in the background. (My dad is an audiophile and Music lover of Jazz, Gospel and Folk.) I asked him who he was listening to and he said in all seriousness, "Mr Bubble" I laughed so hard that I nearly drove off the road. I said "Mr Bubble or Buble'?" My dad said "I don't know!!! It must be French! You know how I feel about the French!" It was at that time that I realized that the song that I liked was NOT John Legend but rather Michael Buble' and it is my love song to my little girl. If you get a chance, take a listen and if you have a little girl like mine, you can see how this can be one of the greatest love song that a quirky dad has for such a free spirited little girl.

Life is good and everyone needs a little Mr Bubble in their life.

Ninjas

You know it is really a shame when you get the day off of work to go to a Ninja parade only to find that you can not see these stealthful creatures. You can see the evidence that they have been there but you still have not seen them face to face.

Enjoy this news footage and tell me what you think.

BTW my kids love to go every year.
http://www.theonion.com/content/video/ninja_parade_slips_through_town?&utm_source=digg_1

Thanks to Larry Stanton for the file footage.