Off to a Good Start
Posted by Chris
Well, I just got to work & remembered my laptop, power supply, lunch & fork. Things have got to be better today ...
Tuesday, June 29, 2004
Monday, June 28, 2004
Emerie Walked Movies
Posted by Chris
Well, I figured out how to encode the video clip of Emerie walking in a lower quality version that is more suitable for those of you with dial-up Internet connections. I've tested the high-quality/broadband version & it seems to be working fine, so I'll leave it as is. Here are the two versions ...
Emerie Walks! - Broadband Version (4.87Mb WMV)
A Typical Monday
Posted by Chris
Sure could tell today was Monday ...
I should have seen it from the beginning. I rolled out of bed this morning feeling not quite right. I couldn't put my finger on it, but things just didn't seem to be normal. In my half-awakened state I didn't realize what day it was. That was soon to change ...
It started when I got to work, already running a little behind schedule. I pulled into a parking space, turned around & realized I had left my laptop at home. Now when I worked next door to our home my forgetfulness wasn't that much of a problem. If I forgot something (like my laptop) I simply walked the 30 seconds it took me to get home & retrieve the abandoned object(s). Not so here. I turned around and began the 40 minute roundtrip trek to my home & back. I called Andrea and shared my mishap with her. Although a little perturbed with myself, I figured, "Oh well, I guess it's Monday." In reality, things were just getting started ...
I should have seen it from the beginning. I rolled out of bed this morning feeling not quite right. I couldn't put my finger on it, but things just didn't seem to be normal. In my half-awakened state I didn't realize what day it was. That was soon to change ...
It started when I got to work, already running a little behind schedule. I pulled into a parking space, turned around & realized I had left my laptop at home. Now when I worked next door to our home my forgetfulness wasn't that much of a problem. If I forgot something (like my laptop) I simply walked the 30 seconds it took me to get home & retrieve the abandoned object(s). Not so here. I turned around and began the 40 minute roundtrip trek to my home & back. I called Andrea and shared my mishap with her. Although a little perturbed with myself, I figured, "Oh well, I guess it's Monday." In reality, things were just getting started ...
Sunday, June 27, 2004
Emerie Walked!
Posted by Chris
It finally happened! Emerie took her first steps today! She has been on the brink of walking for a week or two & we knew she would do it at any time. I held her hands while she stood in front of me, slowly let go & told her to walk to me. I think she must have taken 8 steps! The boys were in the room with me. Andrea was just getting off of the phone. She came into the living room & Emerie walked for her as well!
We got her taking some steps on the video camera. I got them dumped over to the computer, but haven't figured out how to get them where they will stream over the Internet (never done this before so I'm going to have to read up on how to do it). I went ahead & uploaded a Windows Media (wmv) version of the clip for those of you who have highspeed connections. For those that don't have broadband, I apologize. I'll try and get it set-up sometime this week so you can watch her walking through our website.
For those with with broadband connections, you can either right-click the following link & download the clip to your computer, or you can click on it to watch it right now ... Emerie Walks! (4.87Mb WMV)
We got her taking some steps on the video camera. I got them dumped over to the computer, but haven't figured out how to get them where they will stream over the Internet (never done this before so I'm going to have to read up on how to do it). I went ahead & uploaded a Windows Media (wmv) version of the clip for those of you who have highspeed connections. For those that don't have broadband, I apologize. I'll try and get it set-up sometime this week so you can watch her walking through our website.
For those with with broadband connections, you can either right-click the following link & download the clip to your computer, or you can click on it to watch it right now ... Emerie Walks! (4.87Mb WMV)
Pre-Coffee Thoughts Continued …
Posted by Chris
WARNING: This is a long post - read when you have time to really think through it. Just finished spending some quality time reading outside. It's always nice & quiet on Sunday mornings in the backyard. I like to take a cup of coffee out with me & sit in our lawn chairs under the tree and spend some time with God. I was reading a book that the boys (aka Andrea) bought me for Father's Day ... The Air I Breathe: Worship As a Way of Life by Louie Giglio. Excellent book written by the leader of the Passion movement. Anyway, Louie hit on a topic that I brought up Friday morning in a post about focusing too much on peripheral things in our lives with God ...
Saturday, June 26, 2004
Seinfeld Gaps
Posted by Chris
We just got through reading an episode guide for Seinfeld, one of our favorite shows (most nights we wind up falling asleep to it, almost always have 4-5 episodes at any time on our TiVo, etc.). Come to find out that there are a total of 180 episodes which aired over 9 seasons & there are only 5 that we aren't sure if we have seen or not! We made a list of these episodes & others that we haven't seen in a long time that we're going to use to set-up TiVo to catch when they air again.
We've had a good couple of days. A few of Andrea's girls from her old small group came down on Thursday night & just left a little while ago. We enjoyed seeing Blaire, Bethany & Chelsea again & getting to spend some time with them at our new home. We also had some former youth who are now college students come down last night. They're at Frontier City right now but will be here through tomorrow. We're looking forward to taking them to Bridgeway in the morning with us. Last night we were up well into the early hours of the morning playing Nertz (sp?) & enjoying each other. Of course the kids didn't seem to understand how late we got to sleep as Emerie & Micah woke up a little after 6:00a! In fact I'd better wrap this up so I can catch a nap before Sara, Kelli, Rene, Paul & Adam get back here.
We've had a good couple of days. A few of Andrea's girls from her old small group came down on Thursday night & just left a little while ago. We enjoyed seeing Blaire, Bethany & Chelsea again & getting to spend some time with them at our new home. We also had some former youth who are now college students come down last night. They're at Frontier City right now but will be here through tomorrow. We're looking forward to taking them to Bridgeway in the morning with us. Last night we were up well into the early hours of the morning playing Nertz (sp?) & enjoying each other. Of course the kids didn't seem to understand how late we got to sleep as Emerie & Micah woke up a little after 6:00a! In fact I'd better wrap this up so I can catch a nap before Sara, Kelli, Rene, Paul & Adam get back here.
Friday, June 25, 2004
Pre-Coffee Thoughts
Posted by Chris
I'm sitting here slowly drinking my second cup of coffee. Seems like my mind doesn't really get going until that second or third cup of caffeine kicks in. As I was driving in to work this morning I just had a few thoughts that were bouncing around in my head. Forgive me if I spill them out here (they are likely to be somewhat incoherent in my pre-caffeine state). Needed to get them out in the open before I could concentrate on the day ahead.
We hit the big "Music Madness" sale at Mardel's last night & came home with several new CDs to enjoy. I think these are the first CDs that we have bought since 2003 sometime. One is especially dear to my heart as I've been eyeing it for quite awhile. It's the latest Passion installment called "Hymns - Ancient & Modern." Great CD & great idea for putting such a collection together. I read that one of the criteria for a hymn making it on the album was that it must be at least 100 years old. All of the hymns are 'ancient' in this way, but are rearranged & made new. If you've ever sung "The Wonderful Cross" by Chris Tomlin, this is a good example of the content on the CD. Excellent stuff.
We hit the big "Music Madness" sale at Mardel's last night & came home with several new CDs to enjoy. I think these are the first CDs that we have bought since 2003 sometime. One is especially dear to my heart as I've been eyeing it for quite awhile. It's the latest Passion installment called "Hymns - Ancient & Modern." Great CD & great idea for putting such a collection together. I read that one of the criteria for a hymn making it on the album was that it must be at least 100 years old. All of the hymns are 'ancient' in this way, but are rearranged & made new. If you've ever sung "The Wonderful Cross" by Chris Tomlin, this is a good example of the content on the CD. Excellent stuff.
Monday, June 21, 2004
Mobile Blogging …
Posted by Chris
I'm sitting at a Java Dave's in Tulsa typing this right now (isn't Wifi great?!). Just got through viewing my friend Alec Hendryx's photos from his Germany trip he just got back from. He's just getting set-up with his very own blog at www.alechendryx.com. Go ahead & check it out today ... No posts yet, but he's got some photo galleries up from the Germany trip & the Grand Canyon hiking trip he took back in May with a group from Coffeyville Community College.
I'm in Tulsa today with a friend of mine. Multiply is working with his company to upgrade some of the things we offer & expand our business. I've got a pitch meeting tomorrow in OKC & decided to hop-a-long for a meeting 'en route' to another meeting he had today in Tulsa. I'm catching a quick bite to eat & then I'll go by & pick him up to head back to the city.
I'm in Tulsa today with a friend of mine. Multiply is working with his company to upgrade some of the things we offer & expand our business. I've got a pitch meeting tomorrow in OKC & decided to hop-a-long for a meeting 'en route' to another meeting he had today in Tulsa. I'm catching a quick bite to eat & then I'll go by & pick him up to head back to the city.
Saturday, June 19, 2004
Buy TiVo Now!
Posted by Chris
Anyone who has known us for anytime at all knows that we are TiVo addicts (Andrea would debate such a strong term, but it definitely applies to me). People would think that we were getting paid commission on TiVo sales based on how much we give the "TiVo Tour" and encourage others to get one themselves. After all, "TiVo changed my life" (a statement that most TiVo owners wind up uttering at one point or another). Well, if you've ever considered buying a TiVo, now is the best opportunity to buy that I have ever seen!
Harry Got the Vote
Posted by Chris
We had a great time last night on my 'Week-After-Birthday Date!' After reading through some online reviews we decided to go see the new Harry Potter movie & man were we not disappointed! I would have to say that it was the best movie I've seen in a long time. It was very entertaining & I don't think there was one thing in the movie that I didn't enjoy. After the movie we ate at Johnny Carino's & then went to Barnes & Noble afterwards for dessert & coffee. It was nice to have a big date & not have to drive half an hour or more to do all of these things. Living in a big city definitely has its advantages along with its shortcomings.
Friday, June 18, 2004
How Much Is Your Gasoline?
Posted by Chris
Well, I can't complain about the gas prices in Edmond. We filled up the other day for $1.58/gallon thanks to the 3 cent price break at Murphy USA. I think when we moved here a month ago we filled up for something like 35-40 cents more than it is today! Unbelievable! Of course, when did we ever think we would be thinking that $1.58/gallon was cheap gas!
Want to find the cheapest gas in your area? Check out GasBuddy.com. It doesn't work in all areas. If it doesn't, why not sign-up & start reporting prices in your area. Tell your friends to do the same & pretty soon you'll have the gas stations in your area competing to be listed as the lowest price in town!
Want to find the cheapest gas in your area? Check out GasBuddy.com. It doesn't work in all areas. If it doesn't, why not sign-up & start reporting prices in your area. Tell your friends to do the same & pretty soon you'll have the gas stations in your area competing to be listed as the lowest price in town!
Movies & Pics
Posted by Chris
Well, I've gone ahead and opened up the photo gallery again. Please excuse the mess as we continue to "move back in" to our new gallery setup. Because of the server change we had to move back to a previous gallery software that we were using. I actually like this one better, but it takes a little setup at first. I've got albums up to Josiah's preschool graduation from May 03 online. I'll work on getting the others uploaded over the next few weeks. If you previously had bookmarked our gallery page, that URL will no longer work. You will need to bookmark it again.
I've also added a "We've Watched" section on the bottom-right of each screen that gives you a glimpse at some of the movies that we've recently watched. I figured I am all the time asking someone what they thought of this or that movie & have had others ask the same of us. This way you can see what we thought of a particular movie, read more information than you would want to know about the movie with the provided links & even purchase the DVD/VHS of the movie if you want.
Also, we're going to be going out this weekend to celebrate my birthday (just Andrea & I) & I would like to go to a new movie somewhere. There are several that are out there that I've been wanting to see, but I think I've got it narrowed down to these three: The Terminal, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, The Day After Tomorrow. I wouldn't mind seeing Shrek 2 as well, but I think we'll wait and take the kids to see it with us another time. Anyone seen any of the above movies? If so, what did you think? Leave us a comment below & let us know! (OK, I know that The Terminal doesn't start until tonight, but go ahead & leave a comment if you're wanting/planning on seeing it.)
I've also added a "We've Watched" section on the bottom-right of each screen that gives you a glimpse at some of the movies that we've recently watched. I figured I am all the time asking someone what they thought of this or that movie & have had others ask the same of us. This way you can see what we thought of a particular movie, read more information than you would want to know about the movie with the provided links & even purchase the DVD/VHS of the movie if you want.
Also, we're going to be going out this weekend to celebrate my birthday (just Andrea & I) & I would like to go to a new movie somewhere. There are several that are out there that I've been wanting to see, but I think I've got it narrowed down to these three: The Terminal, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, The Day After Tomorrow. I wouldn't mind seeing Shrek 2 as well, but I think we'll wait and take the kids to see it with us another time. Anyone seen any of the above movies? If so, what did you think? Leave us a comment below & let us know! (OK, I know that The Terminal doesn't start until tonight, but go ahead & leave a comment if you're wanting/planning on seeing it.)
Thursday, June 17, 2004
One Month Later
Posted by Chris
Well, we've officially been here for a month (Andrea says it's four weeks ... I guess the 'official' month mark will be on the 20th) as of today. It seems like it has just flown by! I thought I would take a moment and look back over the past month and see what one month later looks like ...
Monday, June 14, 2004
Houses That Change the World
Posted by Chris
Many of you have been asking what our new church looks like - i.e. "What is a House Church, anyway?" We answered most of those questions with a short and limited description - one that is somewhat vague due to the fact that we haven't even begun to get involved in a House Church (HC) yet. Many of our own questions will be answered as we begin to be a part of a HC in the next several weeks.
In the mean time, I'd encourage any readers out there to get a hold of a great book that I just finished reading this morning - "Houses That Change the World - the Return of the House Churches" by Wolfgang Simson. Simson does a great job of explaining the rise of the house church and cell church movements in recent days and putting forth a challenge to the reader that the Great Commission will only find its resolution within such a movement. It is a very easy read and very challenging. I want to share just a few paragraphs of the final chapter which hit on what the youth pastor at Bridgeway spoke about yesterday and a subject that God has been leading me in within the last several months - the idea of community with the Christian life. These paragraphs take it a step further and relate community to the task of discipling the nations...
In the mean time, I'd encourage any readers out there to get a hold of a great book that I just finished reading this morning - "Houses That Change the World - the Return of the House Churches" by Wolfgang Simson. Simson does a great job of explaining the rise of the house church and cell church movements in recent days and putting forth a challenge to the reader that the Great Commission will only find its resolution within such a movement. It is a very easy read and very challenging. I want to share just a few paragraphs of the final chapter which hit on what the youth pastor at Bridgeway spoke about yesterday and a subject that God has been leading me in within the last several months - the idea of community with the Christian life. These paragraphs take it a step further and relate community to the task of discipling the nations...
Sunday, June 13, 2004
A Great Birthday
Posted by Chris
Today has been a great day. I actually wasn't sure what to expect. It seems that as I get older birthdays just don't carry the same kind of weight that they used to. Not sure why that is ... maybe we just get used to the process along the way. Whatever the case, my birthday turned out to be a wonderful day.
Friday, June 11, 2004
It’s Official
Posted by Chris
Well, it's been a good week. I think this week was the first that I really began to feel like I was hitting a groove at the new jobI've been training & getting used to the new business over the first couple of weeks. This week I started to get a little more organized and actually had my first 'unofficial' sale yesterday afternoon! It's unofficial because we still have a couple of things to take care of & they are checking with a couple of people on their end, but it's probably 95% a done deal (if I don't jinx it by typing this). The cool part is that it is with our new church, Bridgeway. I got hooked up with them last week as wanting to redesign their web site. I met with the office manager last week, talked back & forth with her this week & presented our proposal yesterday afternoon. It feels good to feel like I'm beginning to contribute to Multiply.
Wednesday, June 09, 2004
Less Painful Than I Thought
Posted by Chris
Well, the transition to the new servers has gone off easier than I though it was going to. Everything appears to be operating normal once again. The new servers are Linux & not Windows machines, which means we are having to switch the galleries back to the way they used to be (when this used to be babyemerie.com). This will take a little bit of time, but I should have them back up by the end of the week.
Sunday, June 06, 2004
Dating for a Decade
Posted by Chris
Andrea just reminded me that we've officially been dating now for 10 years. It was ten years ago on this date (June 6, 1994) that we had our first date, right here in Edmond. Now we find ourselves right back in the place where it all began. Kind of strange in a way that we've come full circle in some ways. Andrea told me a few weeks ago that she left Edmond for me after she graduated from college & now she has returned to Edmond because of me as well. Good memories & more to be made!
Possible Blog Downtime
Posted by Chris
I'm switching hosting providers (again). Jason, whom I work with, got me hooked up with an amazing company (Dreamhost). I'll basically be getting 10+ times the services for about the same money every month. The problem with this is that I've got to move this blog, my other blogs, & sites I'm currently hosting for others over to the new host & get everything set back up over there. I got this one done tonight & will make the final transfer in the next couple of days. I doubt you will notice the changeover as I'm effectively doubling my entries (in two locations) until the move happens. Just in case something weird happens & the site goes down, don't worry ... just keep checking back & everything should iron out quickly.
PS - One changeover that will take some time will be the galleries, unfortunately. I went ahead & shut them down for the time being & will work to get everything back up as soon as I can.
PS - One changeover that will take some time will be the galleries, unfortunately. I went ahead & shut them down for the time being & will work to get everything back up as soon as I can.
First Day at Bridgeway
Posted by Chris
Well, today was another great day. We got up this morning & went to our new church, Bridgeway, for the first time. We were a little nervous, but equally as excited (if not more so). It felt wierd to get into the van to actually go to church as we have been walking to church for so many years! The people at Bridgeway were extremely nice. It took us a little bit of time to get all of the kids to their respective places before heading into the worship service. The first major change was that kids 5 and up stay in the worship time for the first part of the service. We really enjoyed having him in their with us as the atmosphere was very laid back. We sang, holding hands with him or with our arms around him for about 30 minutes or so. If we felt like standing, we did. If we felt like sitting, we did. We just thoroughly enjoyed worshiping with him. I also had an opportunity to pray with him during a prayer time before the kids were dismissed to go to their time.
Thursday, June 03, 2004
(Somewhat) Normal Day #1
Posted by Chris
Andrea's downstairs cooking some brownies as I type this. These are no ordinary brownies. No, these are "been waiting a week to make them" kind of brownies. Our oven has been on the fritz for the past week & it just got fixed again today. So, of course, we are celebrating with the Making-o-the-Brownies ritual.
Today was probably the first somewhat normal day that we have had so far being here. Andrea got together with a friend of ours this morning with her kids & played together at the park. It was good for the kids to get out & good to be with friends. She also spent a little time (at the same time) with another friend who will most likely be our House Church pastor (with her husband). Andrea sang on the BSU Promotion Team with him when she & I met 11 years ago. We haven't really kept in contact with them, but have stayed acquainted through mutual friends. Another guy from the House Church dropped in as well. Andrea & I have been wanting to begin to meet people & make new friends, especially with those who go to Bridgeway.
Today was probably the first somewhat normal day that we have had so far being here. Andrea got together with a friend of ours this morning with her kids & played together at the park. It was good for the kids to get out & good to be with friends. She also spent a little time (at the same time) with another friend who will most likely be our House Church pastor (with her husband). Andrea sang on the BSU Promotion Team with him when she & I met 11 years ago. We haven't really kept in contact with them, but have stayed acquainted through mutual friends. Another guy from the House Church dropped in as well. Andrea & I have been wanting to begin to meet people & make new friends, especially with those who go to Bridgeway.
The Tale of the Two Debit Cards
Posted by Chris
One of the good things about living in Oklahoma is that you get to have cool stuff like your very own OU Sooners debit card! Actually, we have several accounts with the bank here, so we have several debit cards that are beginning to arrive in the mail. I got mine just fine. But, we were in for a surprise when we opened Andrea's envelope - they had mistakenly (or purposefully - you never know what Cowboy fans work for the banks here) given her an OSU Cowboys card instead of her beloved Sooners one. So, what do you think we did? We got right on the phone & told them to send us a new one! Call us petty, or call us faithful. There was just no way that we were going to lug around an OSU card with us!
Tuesday, June 01, 2004
Good Memorial Day Weekend
Posted by Chris
Okay, this is my last post, and I've got to make it quick. I promised Andrea I would get to bed at a decent time tonight (I was up until 12:45a this morning trying to get our money all figured out - one of the joys of moving!). I just wanted to say that we had a great Memorial Day weekend. You already read about the excitement on Saturday. Sunday afternoon our friend Amber came to visit us. It was nice having a bit of 'home' in our new house for a day and a half. The kids absolutely were thrilled she was here. Josiah had a hard time letting her go back to Coffeyville on Monday night. We got a lot of work on the house accomplished with her help and took a picnic lunch to the park on Monday. I've got some pictures of the kids playing at the playground. I've got to weed out the blurry ones (have I told anyone how sick of our digital camera I am?) before I can post them. Maybe by the end of the week. Anyway, that's about it. Gotta' go to bed now.
Moving Sucks
Posted by Chris
Glad I got that off my chest! Actually, it's not that bad - it's just the actual 'moving' part of it all that is getting old. We are still hitting the boxes hard & getting 'fixit' things done that need repair. We're considering buying stock in Lowe's. We figured we've already given them so much money anyhow, it might be worth the investment! I got my last window blind hung tonight (and the people cheered)! We are approaching the tail end of things, though. Andrea has done a fantastic job getting things in order. We hope to be able to start decorating, hanging pictures/knick-knacks, etc. by next week.
Pick-Me-Up
Posted by Chris
Well, I needed a pick me up tonight. I was down a little. I think everything that we have been going through over the course of the last month or two (and over the last year, really) has finally caught up in a way. On the other side (in Coffeyville) of everything it was more exciting & less reality. Now it is equally exciting & real. Very real. I needed some alone time with God tonight, something that has been lacking in quality since we moved. It has been so crazy, adjusting to life in the business world, moving into a new place, trying to figure out a routine that works well for our family, etc. Tonight I felt compelled to go outside & sit & bathe in God for awhile. I think I talked with him a good 20 minutes or so - just being real with Him, sharing my joys & fears in this whole process. I then grabbed my guitar & just played for awhile & sang a little.
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