Last night, I heard from an old friend. Someone who had coached me many many years ago.
It was great to hear from him. It wasn't a long conversation, but after the New Year we're hoping to have our families together some weekend. The last time I saw him and his wife... well, it was at least 2, if not 3 children of mine ago. That's too long.

SO you ask, "What's the turtle got to do with this?"

Well, where I come from, it's not every day you see a turtle around. And in one afternoon a few months ago, I saw two in the forest behind my grandmother's house. Really it was amazing.
I'm not sure before that day when the last time was I saw a turtle. I took the picture after I had picked the turtle up and had him hiss in my face. It was so cool.

Christmas time is here. And as holidays do, we tend to remember when, and gather with those we don't see very often, maybe just this one time of year.

But I think this year, I would encourage you all to ask God
to reconnect you with a long lost friend.

Maybe you even need to reconnect with Him.

"Breakfast with Santa"

It's December the 5th. And We are taking the kids to see the Jolly Elf today.

Last year was great. No tears.
Other years, not so lucky. LOTS OF TEARS.

I wonder how it will go today? Hmmm....

"Out of the Mouth of Babes"

This is the K-grader. 5 years old. Going on 16.

She's a straight shooter. She tells it like it is.

Spent from 3pm to 5pm asleep on grandma's couch with a migraine. I did. Not her...
or the grandma... or the k-grader. I did.

Should have been in my tree-stand awaiting Mr. 10-Point. Couldn't help it. Headache won.

Came home that night and told the family about my day. Empty handed I came.
K-grader made feel so much better. She told me if I hadn't spent 2 hours asleep on the couch and had spent them in the woods, maybe I would have gotten a deer.

Like I said. She's the real deal straight shooter.

You want to know if your clothes match right... ask Abby.
You want to know if the dinner you cooked was good or not... ask Abby.
You want to know...
YOU WANT TO KNOW...
or maybe you don't... ASK ABBY.

Dear Abby...

I love her. Just have to understand there will be no pulling punches with her.
the K-grader. She's 5.

God help me when she's 13 and above. Wait. God help me now.

"Happy Thanksgiving"

Oyster Stuffing... Traditional Bread Stuffing.

Cornbread Dressing Stuffing... Pork Sausage Stuffing.

Gluten Free Stuffing... Vegetarian Stuffing. (which I guess doesn't go in the turkey?)

Stuffing, stuffing, stuffing!

Sure, I love my turkey on Thanksgiving. But for me, it's all about the stuffing.
I'll skip the 'tators and the gravy. Skip the green bean casserole. Skip the cranberries.
Skip... skip... skip.

Show me the stuffing.

I guess it really is what's on the inside that counts.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

"Over the hill, and Thru the Woods..."

I love my children.


AND I love my wife.

I'm also grateful that my parents are willing to take on the four kids overnight.
This is so important for Samantha and I. It not only affords the both of us rest,
and quiet time; it goes far in keeping it real for us. It's needed, time alone.

Oh, How I urge all of you to find this time alone. It's hard, I understand.
Finding babysitters, parents live far away, no siblings to help out. I understand.

But some how, I urge you, find a way. Your marriage needs it. Your children need it.
Find someone you know and trust at church to take care of them for you. If not overnight,
at least for a long evening.

In the words of Nike: JUST DO IT!

"It's in the Genes"

Sometimes I wonder if I have an influence on my children's lives. I wonder if they listen and hear me. I wonder if they see how I live and will choose to model their lives after mine. This is a scary thing; because I do understand that they will not only (hopefully) model the good things in my life, but that they will also model the things that I do that are not so wholesome. I wonder.

But do I really have to wonder. Though some where I live in Western Pennsylvania may think we all are born with the black and gold gene, the fact is, loving our Steelers is a learned behavior.
Thankfully. 'Cause when that first rebellious child comes home one day wearing brown and orange... well, look out below.

"11, 11, 11"

Tomorrow is Veteran's Day. Thank a Veteran if you have the opportunity. Go out of your way to do it. They certainly went out of their way to provide you the cover of freedom you enjoy right now.