Thursday, December 24, 2009

Merry Christmas

Well...
The children are asleep!! Mrs Claus is wrapping away. I sit here overwhelmed with joy. Overwhelmed with blessings. Just overwhelmed. 2009 has an amazing year. A wakeup call, if you will. I guess it wouldn't be good to go through life asleep anyway, huh?
We started this morning with a traditional breakfast at my parents for my grandparents. Dad and Mom did great, as always. We came home and I started the cooking!! Painted cookies. German Chocolate Cake. Pineapple cheese casserole. All for lunch tomorrow. But after we see what Santa brought, we go eat breakfast with my Maternal Grandparents.
I am excited for the kids. I am excited for Donna and I too. I just love CHRISTmas.
For unto us a child is born. For unto us a son is given. His name is Jesus.

Merry CHRISTmas to all!! And to all a goodnight.
C

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Families

I had an opportunity to talk to a lady yesterday who came in the store to get her CHRISTmas card labels printed. As we spoke, I learned that this will be her first CHRISTmas without her husband of 57 years (they were high school sweethearts). I literally had tears flowing listening to her talk of their life together and how sweet a man he was. She lavished praise to his name as if he was the greatest husband and father that had ever walked the face of the Earth. I so enjoyed speaking with her! She will never know how that conversation she had with me meant to me.
I learned this morning that John Lane and Danny Guyton (no relation)both passed away. I learned Tuesday night that Grover Knight had passed away.
All of these individual events just have me thinking this morning about families. I have written on this blog about the family that I grew up in and how it has affected the husband, father, and man that I have become! I am blessed!
But, there have also been a lot of other families that have affected me over the years as well.
The Lanes, Guytons, Knights, Boss, Lowerys, Hobsons, Grahams, Hatchers, Doyles, Vickerys, Billues, just to name a few. These families affected me mostly because of their faith. They didn't mind sharing their faith, and in some cases training me in mine. And in most of these families (mentioned and unmentioned) they had/have a husband and father that was a spiritual leader in their churches (and homes). All of these families were in my early and impressionable childhood years.
They loved/love God, their families, and friends.
They helped make me into the husband and father that I am today. I am so blessed that these familes (and many more) were in my "village".
I strive to be a better husband and father today because of them and the men in my own family!
C

Friday, December 11, 2009

Busy Time of Year

I love this time of year!! Always something to do.
Donna and I had a wonderful anniversery weekend!! We skipped the Christmas parade and slipped away early!! We stayed at the new Hilton in Cville Thursday night. We shopped all day Friday! We stayed at the Hilton in Kennesaw on Friday night and finished our shopping on Saturday morning!! It was amazing to get away with such a stunningly gorgeous woman!! I had a blast!
Griffin's first basketball game didn't go great Saturday, but he had fun!! Sunday worship was amazing as was prayer time Sunday night!! I love starting off my week with our Sunday night prayer "meeting".
I am so blessed. I have an incredible family and am so looking forward to spending a lot of time together over Christmas with all our family and friends!! It's the most wonderful time of the year!!
C

Thursday, December 3, 2009

16 Years Ago


Sixteen years ago tomorrow the most stunningly beautiful, sweetest woman said "I do" to me!! Woohoo!! No, I can't tell you why she did it, but she must take vows pretty seriously, because Donna Guyton is still with me!! I can't tell you just how lucky I am!!
16 years later, she still makes my heart beat fast. She still is the most gorgeous woman in the world. She is still so sweet. She still melts me. She makes me want to be a better man!! I love her more today than I did 16 years ago!!
So, I am going to take her away for a few days!! (It would probably be a better gift to let her get away from me for a few days..... but TOO BAD!!) I can't wait!!
I love you baby!!
C