Archive for 2006
Breaking The Man Laws
Amy and I went out last night and while in line getting a coffee, a huge man law was broken by the cashier/barista.
“That is a really nice shirt, sir.”
[Grant with look of complete bewilderment.]
If I had been wearing a T-shirt – that would have been legit. One man can compliment another man on a cool T-shirt or sports jersey. I got a Champ Bailey jersey with embroidered numbers on it. (Ebay is a wonderful thing.)
Perfectly legit to compliment that.
Not cool to compliment an Eddie Bauer collared shirt.
Amy noticed this.
We get in the car and she says “Was that odd?”
Not only was it odd, it made me extremely uncomfortable. Which further proves the point – if a woman thinks that is odd for one man to compliment another man on a dress shirt – it’s odd.
Our Sledding Video
My first video to post.
Click PLAY to see the film.
Thanks to Rowland for the Spyder Jacket from China.
Bratz Cussing Doll
I’m not sure what is more pathetic…
A doll that is dressed like a hooker…
A doll that is dressed like a hooker with the brand name “Bratz”…
A doll that is dressed like a hooker with the brand name “Bratz” and the character name of Jade…
A doll that is dressed like a hooker with the brand name “Bratz”, the character name of Jade and is targeted for young girls age 5 to 10…
A doll that is dressed like a hooker, with the brand name “Bratz”, the character name of Jade, is targeted for young girls age 5 to 10, and sings words that sound like the F bomb…
Or parents who actually buy that kind of crap then complain about the message the toy is sending to young girls.
[tags]Bratz[/tags]
I’d Do It Again
15 years ago I said “I do.”
I made a lot of promises on that day I quite honestly didn’t think very deeply about. I’m not saying I didn’t mean them. I meant them as much as a 21 year old could, I guess.
I had no idea then that we’d move from Texas to Kansas to Arkansas to Colorado.
I had no idea that we’d have three of the coolest kids in the world.
I had no idea that you’d stay put after months of darkness.
I had no idea as to the intensity that you could throw a shoe, a remote, and a baseball.
I had no idea as to the tenacity of which you could argue.
I also had no idea as to the depth of your heart.
I’m somewhat ashamed as to the depth of love for you I had 15 years ago. I’m hoping that 15 years from now I feel the same way now.
15 years later – I know less now than I did then.
I have no idea when the next battery of remotes will soar or when the next round of uncontrollable laughter will explode.
I have no idea how we’ll navigate the teenage years, pay for college, handle the empty nest, or what health ailments lie in front of us.
I just know God’s given me the best sojourner in the world.
And I’d do it again.
Back For The Storm
Ahhhhh.
What a great few days and now we are back just in time for the 2nd blizzard of the year. 10-18 inches in the next 24 hours.
Here are the highlights of Christmas Eve:
My In Laws in Hungary sent us a cookie bouquet (which I think is the most bizarrely spelled word). In the middle of that, Dad caught this shot on camera. I call it “And when does your flight leave???”
Went to Winter Park for two days.
Put the 3 C’s on skis. Yes, we were nervous as all get out. Put them in ski school.
By the way – shameless plug here. We scheduled our trip through Ski Daddy. Mike DiLeo is a buddy of mine who schedules ski trips for youth groups, families, and whatever. Here’s the deal he’s doing with our youth group this spring. You won’t find a better deal. I promise you. Plus, Mike and his crew are top shelf in terms of customer service.
Alright, enough of the infomercial…
Here are the 3 C’s…
After 2 days of lessons – they were flying down the hill. Okay, not flying but they were skiing like crazy and loving every minute of it.
A couple of my favorite pics of the trip…
Christmas Blog Break
I’m going to take a few days off from the blog. Mom and Dad (Amy’s folks) are here. Going to enjoy the time with them.
To all of you – Merry Christmas.
I know this time of the year can be both the most depressing and the most wonderful. Sometimes at the same time!
So my prayer is more of a reminder to enjoy God’s presence in the middle of that.
Emmanuel.
God with us.
Sledding Day 2
After we ran some errands – see below – it was time to hit the hills.
The 3 C’s getting some air:
Amy is about to get some air here…
And various other shots…
Me and Cayden rippin’ up a run…
Tired girls….
The way home…
Cooper’s Knee
Technology is a wonderful thing. Here are the x-rays of Cooper’s knee. Somethings wrong with – a pain of some sort – and the doctors aren’t real sure why.
So we got some cool pics of Coop’s knee.
So all my doctor friends…what do you see?
28″ of snow and counting
This is crazy. Here’s what we are doing today.
Our house and me and my neighbors digging out. I barely got in the front yard when two of my neighbors – one with a snow blower – came over and started helping. Incredible.
Of course, I was informed that since we live on the corner – we’re responsible for the sidewalk that goes to the mailbox. Looks like I’ll be snow-blower shopping in the spring.
Kids playing on the “fort” in our front yard.
These are from our backyard. The drift goes over up to our fence. That the roof of the garage that Camber can almost reach.
More pics coming later but right now, we gotta go sledding.
Open House Cancelled
Because of this…
We are postponing the open house tonight. Enjoy the snow. We will. We will also enjoy the joys of Lego Star Wars 2.
The Denver Thuggets
It’s semi-official…barring any last minute crashes, Allen Iverson will become a Nugget as of 4 pm local time today.
What the Thuggets get – the #2 scorer in the NBA with enough attitude and tattoos to intimidate the scariest of opponents.
What they had to give up – Andre Miller, Joe Smith, and 2 first-round picks in a deep 2007 draft.
Congratulations to the 76ers for unloading an unhappy malcontent and getting 2 #1′s to go with it. Those will look real nice next to your own lottery pick next year. Please, don’t screw up this opportunity to set your franchise up for the next decade. I’m sure you will find a way to do exactly that given your history.
I think the Thuggets gave up to much to get AI. Trading the picks is a shortcut that isn’t even going to pay off in the now.
Does adding AI to the Nuggets make them better than Dallas, Phoenix, or San Antonio? No. With AI’s age and durability, how many more years does have in the tank? Would adding two 1st-rounders to the Nugget roster next year put them in a place to dominate the NBA for the next decade?
That’s the gamble I would have taken if I’m the GM. Carmelo is young – as he proved this past week – and adding 2 more young studs to this roster would have made them the scariest team in the West.
Not anymore. Now we get to endure the AI/Melo/Camby Experiment. One wonders if there are enough basketballs in the state to satisfy that kind of hunger.
[tags]Allen Iverson, NBA, Denver Nuggets, Philadelphia 76ers, Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs, trade[/tags]
Most Dangerous Toys of All Time
Here is a link to the whole article. Interesting bit about the article – it’s written by a Brit and there is a bit of language that is okay in England but not so much here. Makes for an interesting example of two peoples separated by a common language.
Of the 10, we’ve owned these…
#1. Yard darts – I loved this game. No, I would never let my kids play with it now.
#5. The Sky Dancer – I think Nana was responsible for that one.
Honorable Mention: Manley’s Disco Ball – remember these? Who’d thunk they’d explode and catch your house on fire.
NBA Doesn’t Do Enough
The full story is here but here are my thoughts concerning the brawl and the punishments.
To David Stern:
Bravo on 15 game suspension, bravo on 10 game suspensions, bravo on team’s being fined.
Boo on allowing Isiah Thomas escape unscathed – and don’t give me the “we didn’t have enough evidence.” Turn on Sportscenter and there is Isiah telling ‘Melo not to go into the lane. Got him on film.
To the Nuggets:
Take your licks, pay the fine, keep your mouth shut and play basketball. Don’t appeal or grandstand. I agree with Stern fining the teams. It’s a great statement and one that the NFL should take note of – you (as an organization) are responsible for the kinds of players you employ. Think the Bengals would like that rule?
To the Knicks:
Thomas escaped Stern’s wrath because he’s a class favorite. Don’t let him escape yours. Fine him, suspend him, or better yet – fire him. He can’t coach, he can’t GM, and he has no class or dignity.
Thomas claims the Nuggets were trying to run up the score and embarrass the Knicks. What is embarrassing is the kind of players Thomas put on this roster, trots out on the floor and then calls it a professional basketball team. What’s embarrassing is blaming the other team for trying to win when that is what your organization should be doing.
To Carmelo:
You are going to be told by somebody that the penalty is to harsh and you should appeal. Sucker punch that individual like you did the Knick player. You blew it. You reverted back to your ‘hood days. Time to grow up and start thinking like a leader, not a superstar. Your image took a major blow this weekend. If you have any chance of redeeming it, it starts with agreeing to the punishment and not fighting it.
To the rest of NBA fans:
Why are you still watching this game? I really would like to know.
[tags]NBA, Nuggets, Carmelo Anthony, Isiah Thomas, David Stern[/tags]
Broncos 37, Redbirds 20
The addiction I have known as Broncos football was well rewarded yesterday. The rookie just keeps improving.
The 54 yard touchdown bomb to Javon Walker showed everyone why Cutler is playing right now. Cutler was standing on the Bronco 35 yard line when he threw the ball, got hit and the ball landed in Walker’s arms on the Cardinal 3 yard line.
That’s 75+ yards of pure arm-strength love right there.
What Cutler needs to work on:
Protecting the ball from the blind-side rush. Welcome to the NFL rook, where the ends run like deer.
What Cutler doesn’t need to change:
His memory. Throws a pick, next series out comes right back out and zips it right back to the same receiver in tight coverage.
Other weekend ruminations:
The Nuggets better get used to a losing streak because of their “dance” in New York, expect some game suspensions.
There isn’t a more pathetic figure in sports right now than Isiah Thomas. Besides spelling his name wrong, he’s classless. He’s been that way since Detroit and he’s proven it again. Talking trash to your opponent when you’re getting throttled and you have a lousy team? C’mon, Isiah.
LaDanian Tomlinson is a man playing among boys. He completely shredded the Chiefs.
Me and Matt Davis are going to apply for the NFL Network game commentators position next year. They are pathetic.
Cincinatti comes to Denver this week. I hope we have enough policemen.
There’s nothing better than NFL playoffs.
[tags]Jay Cutler, Denver Broncos, Nuggets, Tomlinson, NFL[/tags]
Cooper’s Early B-Day
First, the loot:
Cutler Jersey
Bronco Sweatshirt
Spy Kit (not shown because if I did, I’d have to kill you.)
DS game – Mario 3 on 3 Basketball
Coop went to put on the sweatshirt – Camber grabbed the jersey. I’m raising her right, what can I say.
The activity – bowling.
For some reason, our kids love bowling which I don’t get. I can’t stand bowling. Probably because I completely suck at it.
The Coopster is a whopping 9 years old. Can you believe that? 9!!!!
Happy Birthday, my young Jedi. I am so very proud of you.
The Staff Infection
We had our staff Christmas Party tonight. I think you could feed a small country with the amount of food that was there.
On the way, we picked up some summer sausage and cheese and crackers. Tell me, is there anything better than those three? That’s a meal right there. I love summer sausage. Brings back memories of my grandfather for some reason and Christmas.
Why is it summer sausage only comes out around Christmas? That’s a food that should be good all year round…unlike fruitcake which shouldn’t even be classified as food.
The only bad thing about summer sausage is that normally everyone likes it which means no leftovers. And there wasn’t any tonight either.
Marjie – the senior pastor’s wife – wanted to go caroling. I felt bad for her but not bad enough to go actually go. It’s not that I don’t like caroling. I just don’t like walking around in the cold singing to perfect strangers in the dark. It’s like the opening scene of a bad horror flick or something.
We laughed pretty hard during the night as some pretty funny stories were swapped. Of course none of those stories will be told here to protect the guilty.
But a good night. Ray said that if he had to put the past year into one word that described Pinecrest right now – it would be “peace.”
I started thinking about that (while he was still talking…hope he didn’t notice) and it made me realize what a wonderful word that word is. And then I started thinking about how some churches in our city don’t have that right now…whether it be because of their pastor’s failings or a church divided.
Then I started thinking about families whose sons and daughters are in a desert thousands of miles away, and families whose sons and daughters who might as well be thousands of miles away because of hurt or bitterness, and friends who are in the middle of the crisis of their life.
Peace.
What a wonderful word. I’m thankful for it but I wish more of it was around. Just like bickering and backstabbing and gossip can infect a team, I think peace can too. I think it’s harder and it’s more work, but I gotta believe it’s possible.
Here’s hoping that this staff infection spreads.
Little Rock Santa
My friend David E. sent this to me yesterday. This photo was taken right outside the K-mart on Rodney Parham, next to Chuck E. Cheese.
Just gotta love it.
[tags]K-mart Santa, Little Rock[/tags]
Itching to go
I’m ready to go skiing. Today. Tomorrow.
I’m just itching to do it.
BUT…
Kids room need shelves….
Garage needs a couple more shelves….
Extension ladder needs to be hung….
Bikes and skis migrated from Davidson’s house….
skis waxed, boots and bindings fitted….
Finish up my breakout of 1 John….
Finish up my CRASH: Surviving Adolescence seminar….
Maybe I can get all of that done tonight.
The Fray – O Holy Night
KBCO in Boulder mailed out these Christmas CD’s and if you get a chance to get one – do it. It’s the best Christmas CD I’ve listened to in a long time.
In particular is The Fray’s version of O Holy Night.
I tear up every time I hear it.
By the way – did you know they are from Denver?
[tags]KBCO, The Fray[/tags]
Who Are the Bucs?
Chris asked this question here:
OK So what do you think of my Buccaneers big boy?!
It’s a question worthy of a full post.
First of all, the Bucs have one of the best looking unis in professional sports. Pewter Power, baby.
But to keep in the style of the original post:
The Bucs have become the pro version of Alabama football.
Am I right?
Got a coach who flooded the organization with great, moral people. Maybe he wasn’t the greatest game situation coach but he won more than he lost, he had a stockpile of talent, and had a couple of teams that he problems beating.
So the “powers that be” fired him in search of the Savior who lead the organization to the promise land.
With the Bucs – hired Gruden and I guess it paid off in a Super Bowl win the first year. But honestly, I don’t see how anyone could be real pleased with what Gruden has done with HIS team. He won with Dungy’s team, not his own. His own team looks old, crusty, slow, and predictable.
‘Bama is doing the same thing. Someone is going to come to Bama and win some monster games with Shula’s talent. But will it lead to long term success? The problem with ‘Bama is that no one wants to work for two idiots that don’t keep their word or know what the heck they are doing.
What do you think about Chris?
[tags]Tampa Bay Bucs, Alabama football, Mal Moore & Robert E. Witt aka The Idiots[/tags]
NFL’s Changing Face
Hear me out on this. This year we’ve seen…
Sunday Night become Monday Night and vice versa.
New Orleans Saints become America’s Team, replacing Dallas.
Dallas becomes Philly (soap opera, NFL style).
Philly become Green Bay (as goes the QB, goes the team).
Green Bay become the Chargers (we’ve got this talent, now what?).
The Chargers become the Colts (score all you want, we’ll make more pylons).
The Colts become Jacksonville (great start, fade at the finish).
Jacksonville become the Chiefs (never know which team is going to show up).
The Chiefs become the Browns (we’ll win the ones we shouldn’t, we’ll lose the ones we should win).
The Browns become the 49ers (we win enough to keep the coach hired).
The 49ers become the Lions (up and coming team with potential).
The Lions become…well, they kept on being the Lions – stuck with unfulfilled potential.
The Broncos become the Jets (we only play one good quarter a game).
The Jets become the Titans (playoff team that no one really wants to play).
The Titans become the Falcons (an exciting team with a QB that gives headaches).
The Falcons become the Panthers (lots of injuries, defense and a flashes of brilliance).
The Panthers become the Raiders (one good QB away from greatness).
The Raiders become the Bengals (laughing stock of the league).
The Bengals become the Steelers (streaking team that could win it all).
The Steelers become the Texans (we’re figuring out new ways to lose).
And the Texans becoming the Saints (one dumb draft after another).
Wrapping up these deep thoughts, let me see this to all Houston Texan fans….
I’m thankful every day I’m not one of you. This weekend must have been brutal…passed on Reggie Bush and we’ve all seen what he’s done. Then passed on Vince Young and have him come in your house and beat you like he did.
The good news is that you’re franchise will have another shot this year…
Start the chants now – Troy Smith, Troy Smith, Troy Smith.
[tags]NFL[/tags]
Parenting Backfired
Do you ever get the idea that maybe you’re over-parenting? I’m amazed at my ability to hang out with youth and not have a care in the world but the moment my kids come in the room I become “Control Freak Grant.” It’s not good. It’s definitely a character flaw that needs to improve on my behalf. I woke up to this reality this morning.
“There’s something wrong with the heat.”
That’s not how anyone wants to wake up, let alone in December. I suddenly realized that I was cold. Very cold.
“The heat isn’t working.”
While I think I understood the first time she said it, I was so out of it Amy had to dress me. I’m not kidding. I’m stumbling around the bedroom and Amy is throwing clothes at me. You could hang meat in our basement. Outside there was a light dusting of snow and you could tell it was cold outside.
Eventually I stumble down to the basement and immediately I see the problem. The main power switch is off. Which means someone had to switch it off. Which would be easy because it looks just like a light switch. Which means it was one of the kids.
Amy goes to find out who turned it off but we both just started laughing because we know what happened. The metamorphosis of me becoming my dad is almost complete.
“Turn off the lights, please.”
“Please turn off the lights when you leave a room.”
“The monsters like the dark so when you leave your room, turn off the light.”
“We don’t have to have the lights on for the room to stay in the house. If it’s dark, the room will stay put.”
“We have 3 floors – do we have to light them all at the same time?”
“TURN OFF THE LIGHTS!”
So at bedtime last night, Camber came up from the basement and turned off every light. Because she’s awesome like that. She had no clue she’d turned off the heat.
In a few moments the heat was running, hot chocolate was being poured and the English family adventure had heat once again.
But as my beautiful daughter drank her hot chocolate I smiled at the notion that last night she flicked that switch because she wanted to obey – to help – to “be good.” She didn’t brag about it, she just did it and went on. It didn’t work out exactly as she planned but her heart was what mattered to me.
It’s awesome that God is like that. 80% of the time I do something, I’m quite sure it’s not the best way to do it or even remotely what the Father exactly had in mind. But His grace is scandalous enough to cover it because He sees my heart.
I’m not saying my heart is always good. I am saying that when it is – and my actions don’t measure up – the heart trumps the action.
Now if I could parent that way all the time….
Quoting Al Michaels…
Watching New Orleans open up a can on Dallas, Al Michaels was in rare form.
It’s a treat to watch a game called by Madden and Michaels but when a game is a blowout, it really sets up the stage for some great quotes…
After Reggie Bush scored a 75-yard touchdown pass…
“If you’re Houston right now you’re saying ‘What the he*& were we thinking?’”
After the halftime show left Texas Stadium foggy from the pyrotechnics…
“This is idiotic. Why are the pyrotechnics especially in a stadium that’s practically a dome? We can’t even see the game.”
What a weekend for football. All the “big” games ended up blowouts – Indy, Denver, Kansas City, Dallas, Jets, and the Patsies all decided to take this weekend off.
[tags]Al Michaels, Sunday Night Football[/tags]
Don’t Bother Me Today
What the heck is up with the Broncos.
Can’t block.
Can’t tackle.
Can’t play special teams.
Can’t stay in bounds.
We can kick field goals.
Current score: 14-3, Chargers.
UPDATE 1:
This is why Cutler is playing. Laser arm…canon…not getting rattled. But methinks that the gap is to big.
UPDATE 2:
Phil Simms just made the best point of the game. Cutler is playing because for the Broncos it’s not about making the playoffs. It’s about winning Super Bowls. If the Broncos were just going to play for the playoffs – Plummer is still playing. This move is for the future, take your licks now and come back next year.
UPDATE 3:
The butt-kicking is on. Two failed fourth down conversations, a fumble.
UPDATE 4:
Great shot of Shanahan hugging LT after the game and congratulating him.
LT is going to shatter the TD record. He will put it at 40. He is absolutely the NFL MVP.