tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1880914543343068672024-03-12T18:52:08.341-04:00Happy husband and fatherI am blessed to be married to the most wonderful woman in the world, Donna. God has blessed us with two great children!! What a lucky man I am.Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682927386832803228noreply@blogger.comBlogger156125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188091454334306867.post-84296280739029887432013-12-31T09:24:00.001-05:002013-12-31T09:24:19.429-05:002013As it is every year, many take time to evaluate the previous year and to forecast, or resolve, for a better year to come. I'll take a few minutes now to do some of that.<br />
2013 has been a roller coaster year for the Guyton's (as most years are) full of ups and downs. I am so thankful for the blessings God has bestowed upon us! Some of the highlights in no particular order:<br />
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Celebrating 20 years of marriage with my wife and best friend! God has given me a gorgeous wife who loves me, lifts me, fights my insecurities with me, cheers me, and makes my life journey a more pleasant trip! I pray she can say the same for my walk with her!<br />
Kayaking on the Etowah with my son!<br />
Traveling all over North Georgia to watch Bailey play softball (and having the privilege to help coach her team)!<br />
Bailey and I traveling to Panama City for her World Series tourney and getting to hang out with our good friends the Bailey's on that trip!<br />
A family trip to Savannah with my parents, my sister and brother in law, and my family. (Great trip with lots of memories)<br />
Donna and I traveling to Mississippi for my cousin Emily's wedding and getting to stop at the original Dreamland BBQ! (Awesome time with my baby!)<br />
My first year as a deacon at CFBC!<br />
My second year on the City Council in Euharlee and the people of Euharlee entrusting me with that position!<br />
Bailey and I leading worship together at CFBC!<br />
Grif and I both catching balls at Turner Field watching the Braves beating the Pirates!<br />
Hanging out with the Hodorff's any chance we got!<br />
Business being up in 2013 at the office!<br />
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These are just a few of the highlights that I am so thankful that we got to experience as a family! God has blessed us beyond measure! <br />
As 2014 stands on deck, waiting to take a swing in the batter's box, there are already things we know for sure. There will be challenges. There will be triumphs. There will be defeats. There will be work. There will be rest. There will be a big God with every step. We know rehab on Bailey's knee will take up a good bit of our time. And I am very thankful that God, Donna, I, Bailey and Griffin will be together to take on the challenges together and celebrate the triumphs together!<br />
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May God richly bless you and your family during 2014.<br />
CraigCraighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682927386832803228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188091454334306867.post-14245560871513183482013-12-11T11:59:00.000-05:002013-12-11T11:59:05.792-05:00Bailey....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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My beautiful and talented daughter is having surgery to repair a torn ACL on Thursday Dec 12 at 10am. As parents, we want the best for our children. We want to shield them from pain. We want the dreams they dream to be big, huge even, and we want them to come true! Sometimes, maybe often times, what we WANT doesn't matter.</div>
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November 23rd, Bailey was playing in a softball tournament in Woodstock. She singled and the next girl hit it to right field. Bailey was heading to 2nd and started to slide when the throw pulled the short stop into the baseline and they collided. Baileys left foot stuck into the ground and her body flipped over her knee. Bailey heard the "pop", and felt the "pop" in her knee. I was on the field in less than 5 seconds from her first blood curdling scream! A sound and sight that a dad can't erase from his memory as much as he might want!<br /><br />A trip to the E.R. in an ambulance showed no breaks. But, the follow up with our orthopedic surgeon showed the dreaded ACL tear. Obviously, not the news Bailey wanted (or any of us). Surgery and at least 9 months of rehab. <br /><br />She had great plans this coming year! A pitchers showcase in January where she would be seen by colleges. Other showcase tourneys with her team, the GA Hornets. She also had a couple of college camps she would be going to in December. All these plans were in hopes of being seen by college coaches and being offered a scholarship to play softball and get her college degree (her dream).<br /><br />All her plans are on hold..... </div>
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According to Jeremiah 29:11 <em><span style="color: red;">I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.</span></em><br />As I have shared with Bailey many times over the last 3 weeks, OUR plans don't come CLOSE to the goodness of God or HIS plans for us! We are trusting in Jer. 29:11 that God's plans for Bailey are far better for her hope and future than what our plans were. We are praying that Bailey's surgery will go smooth, that her rehab will go well and quick, and that our faith will be increased as God reveals His plan for her life. We would ask that you join our family in these prayers!</div>
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One of the million photos I took when Bailey was going to her first Homecoming Dance!</div>
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Bailey, Kereston, and Sydney</div>
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Bailey and I singing together at church! Good day!!</div>
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My all-time favorite picture of my children!!</div>
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Doin' work!</div>
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<br />Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682927386832803228noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188091454334306867.post-28336820883068137562013-11-28T10:22:00.001-05:002013-11-28T10:23:09.300-05:00ThanksgivingAs I sit with a hot cup of coffee in front of a warm fire, I am so Thankful! God has blessed my family beyond measure! I could try to write a list, but it would be too long! <br />
Happy Thanksgiving to all!<br />
Ok maybe just a small list!!<br />
My family, near and far. You can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family, is the way the saying goes, but I'm quite confident I would have chosen this family! Donna, Bailey and Griffin are so wonderful to live with, and I it is awesome being a husband and father to them!<br />
My church family and our friends are beyond wonderful!<br />
My job is going very well right now! This is an answered prayer!<br />
God is good!!'<br />
Happy Thanksgiving!Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682927386832803228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188091454334306867.post-63773047287586297812013-02-04T13:33:00.002-05:002013-02-04T20:00:55.485-05:00Adairsville and First times...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">In April of 1985 (thank you Lori and Jennifer!!), on a Friday night I went to spend the night with my memaw Flossie and granddaddy Marvin. It was a strategic move by a 13 year old, so that I could watch The Dukes of Hazard and Dallas. My memaw NEVER missed Dallas, but my parents wouldn't let me watch it!! Plus, memaw made some serious pancakes, so breakfast was always amazing! Anyway, that night a tornado came through Atco, Georgia. A bad one. The village houses in Atco weren't the safest place to be during a tornado either. We hunkered down in the "hall" between two bedrooms and listened, as the most horrible noise I've ever heard went overhead. We were lucky. No damage, other than debris, at our end of Atco. But, down at the other end where we went to church, Atco Baptist Church had some 100 year old oaks that had fallen all over the property and a couple of gorgeous stained glass windows damaged. Still very lucky but also a lot of damage.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">That Saturday morning brought a sunrise and a new day. VERY early, my granddaddy and I left for the church. There was a group of men gathering quickly with chainsaws and axes, trucks and gloves. We worked ALL day! Chainsaws running. Sawdust flying. Sweat dripping. Loading "firewood" onto trucks to carry to people's homes that had fireplaces. I don't even recall how many of our gorgeous oaks were knocked to the ground by the tornado (I think 5), but I remember that they were all cut up that day and the city workers had worked all day and only got one cut up on the road in front of the church. I recall that day being the first time that I felt like "a man of the church". I had always gone to church. I had always gone to church at Atco Baptist. But, that day was different. I had sweat and sawdust and mud-stained clothing (maybe even a splinter or two), same as my daddy, my granddaddy Marvin, my granddaddy Austin and the other "men of the church". I don't know how many men gathered that day to accomplish the task. I can name a lot of them, but in fear of forgetting some, I will not. That night I remember clearly feeling older than I was, because I did a man size day of work, not for money, or for reason of gain, but just because that was what "a man of the church" does. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I write this memory today, because I got to relive it a little this weekend from a different perspective. Our county was hit with a tragedy last Wednesday. A tornado hit Adairsville. A very tough direct hit by a F3. A lot of damage, a lot of demolished property, a lot of injuries and one tragic death.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">The Bartow Baptist Association put together (and are continuing to) a relief effort. They called for manpower. They asked for help and asked for folks that have them to bring their chainsaws. I told Donna I felt like I should go even though she and I were planning on spending some time together. She agreed, but then IT happened. A 12 year old little boy in the back seat asked THE QUESTION! "Dad, can I go?" My first instinct was, "NO"!! You are way too young. You could get hurt. Blah, blah, blah.....<br />Until the story I told above came to the forefront of my mind. I remembered it all. I couldn't help but say yes. Sure it was going to be cold. Sure it was going to be dangerous. Sure it was going to be hard work. Grif knew all of that, but he still asked. It was a great day that we had together! I ran a chainsaw all day. I watched him keep a close eye on me to make sure his dad didn't get hurt, but I also saw him dragging limbs to the designated piles. I saw my boy picking up logs bigger than he should have and struggling to get them over the the log pile. I saw him helping. I saw him being exactly where God wanted him that day. I saw him getting a taste of what it is like to be a man of the church. <br />It was a proud moment for this daddy! To let my son see that sacrificing the "god" that we in America call a weekend to help someone in need isn't much of a sacrifice! It is what we as Christians are called to do. Matthew 25:40 tells us that whatever we do for the least of these my brothers and sisters we do for Christ. <br />Right now our brothers and sisters in Adairsville need us. I hope we do not ask, "Lord when did I see you hungry and not give you food? When did I see you thirsty and not give you drink? When did I see you naked and not clothe you?"<br />Lord, when did I see trees down on your property and not take them away? When did I see you thirsty and not bring you water? When did I see debris over your city and not clean it up? What ever we do for our brothers and sisters in Adairsville, we do for Christ.<br />Craig</span>Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682927386832803228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188091454334306867.post-76689167942936915022013-02-01T16:30:00.002-05:002013-02-01T16:30:42.200-05:00Newlyweds...Last weekend, Bailey and Grif were gone to Freedom weekend with the church! They had a blast!<br />Donna and I got to hang out like newlyweds! We got to talk and laugh and be unencumbered by being mom and dad for a while! It was a great time.<br />We went to dinner on Friday night after dropping the kids off at Scott's Walk Up BBQ. (City Loft and Cellar was packed!!). Then we went to visit with my grand parents and then by my parents to visit and warm up next to a FIRE!! We both love a good fire!<br />Saturday night was the Cartersville Service League dance with Iambic Underground as the band! We had a great time dancing and visiting with friends. If you read this blog at all you know that I will take any excuse to get dressed up and dance with my baby! Sunday was an amazing time of worship! Jarra Chatmon rocked a solo with the choir backing her up that gave everyone in there chills! An amazing morning!<br />Bailey had a break through at pitching lessons! Which is an answered prayer!<br />Donna and I then ended the weekend by taking Chicken N Dumplins and a warm pound cake over to the McDaniels and got to hold their sweet baby boy for a while!! Good Trade!<br />We laughed and talked so much those couple of days that it really makes me start getting excited again about dating when we are "empty nesters"! Although I am NOT wishing our lives faster, I am enjoying glimpses of what will be one day if the Lord tarries!<br />
CCraighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682927386832803228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188091454334306867.post-22361231739810754522013-01-11T10:55:00.001-05:002013-01-11T10:55:18.915-05:00New Year, Resolutions etc....January 11, 2009. I guess it is a day that I will never forget. An anniversary of sorts that I will celebrate as a turning point in my life. I had been playing full court basketball with some guys from the church, getting ready for the church league season that was approaching. After getting home and cooling down my chest started hurting. The rest, as they say, is history. A massive heart attack at 37 that I was fortunate enough to live through, changed my perspective.<br />
Four years later and my heart is healthier. Running, biking, rowing or using the elliptical for cardio 5 days a week will do that along with eating better! I am also in the midst of my 4th attempt to quit smoking. 13 weeks 5 days 14 hours and 16, 17, 18 seconds/ never mind; who's counting! Ha. I'm trying to love people and spend time with my family, and serve others like I won't be here tomorrow, because as a good friend of mine says often, "we weren't even promised today"! <br />
So one New Year resolutions is to continue to spend time with my children and wife, love big, play often, stop smoking, pray like it is all up to God and work like it is all up to me.<br />
Until 4 years ago I was never big on resolutions, but now I would consider ever morning a resolution of sorts. Still, though, God has been working on me for a few things. If you've known me for any length of time then you know self confidence is not an area that I have a problem. I have opinions and LIKE to share them. I enjoy talking. Well over the past month I have had the humbling honor of apologizing to several people that I have hurt or offended. NOT FUN!!<br />
I feel like God is working on my ego. NOT FUN!<br />
So, New Year Resolutions (or every day resolutions):<br />
1. Less talking, WITH more listening. (We are more connected as a society (facebook, my space, blogs etc) and know more about what people are going through, but seem to care less and that makes for a lot of lonely and hurting people. It is hard for me to hear someone hurting if I am constantly talking.<br />
2. Offer less unsolicited opinions. (I have a BAD habit of interjecting my opinion in conversations where I have no business doing so!)<br />
3. Lead, where warranted, BUT be the BEST follower when Leading isn't my job. (I enjoy leading and making decisions, but many times when it is not my job to lead I will look at the situation will a critical spirit instead of following and being a help! (I don't know if I conveyed this well, but...))<br />
4. Separate people from their sin. (I, probably in an attempt of judgement, see the wrong someone has done instead of the person. I need and WANT to give grace the way God has given it to me; FREELY.<br />
I'm sure there will be more that God will be adding to that list. If I were to get those 4 licked it would be nothing short of a miracle! Pray for me.<br />
Craig<br />
<br />Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682927386832803228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188091454334306867.post-70145425859246867952012-12-31T10:55:00.000-05:002012-12-31T10:55:12.945-05:00Merry Christmas Recap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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The Guyton Family has had a great 2012 and we had a phenomenal CHRISTmas.</div>
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2012 started off with me being sworn in to serve as a Euharlee City Councilman. It has been an amazing year of serving in that capacity and learning a GREAT deal about public service! I am having a blast and am so thankful to the citizens of Euharlee for placing that trust in me!</div>
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Donna is into another year of teaching. She is the most amazing wife in the world and I am amazed that I can fall more deeply for her everyday! </div>
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Bailey is in the midst of a great sophomore year! She is growing into an amazing young woman before my very eyes! It was just yesterday that she was born!! She working hard at her goals for softball and just amazes me daily with her talent at a lot of things!</div>
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Grif is having a good first year in middle school! He is falling in love with the outdoors and everything that entails! Hunting, fishing, kayaking, camping, whatever involves outside, he is loving and I am encouraging!</div>
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Grif and I got Kayaks for Christmas!! CAN'T WAIT FOR SPRING!</div>
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Donna got an AMAZING camera for Christmas and is already using it often!!</div>
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Our trip to Alabama was fun, food, games and hunting as always.</div>
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A couple of other notes: Sunday was 12 weeks (3 months) of being off cigarettes!! That of course will be a goal for 2013 to remain that way!! Other goals for the year: I would like to do a couple of 5K runs, another Triathlon, lots of outdoor time with Grif, no smoking, lots of time spent with Bailey on the softball field, weight below 200, and more time spent in the kitchen cooking with Donna! <br />I pray 2013 will be the best year ever for the Guyton's and for your family as well!</div>
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Happy New Year!</div>
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Craig</div>
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Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682927386832803228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188091454334306867.post-24106549073104734282012-12-10T12:41:00.001-05:002012-12-10T12:41:28.703-05:00Are you kidding???<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I can't believe Donna is old enough to have a 16 year old!! Bailey got her Driver's License and my sister and brother-in-law have given her a 2005 Volz Passat! Donna and I flew up to Cleveland to get it and had a great time for our anniversary weekend!<br />
Bailey's travel ball fall season went amazing! They played in 3 tourneys and won 2 of them! She went 5-2 pitching and had a great time with her new team.<br />
Griffin is struggling a little with middle school! I am hoping it will keep him from struggling later in school!!<br />
Life is busy and moving along.<br />
Yesterday was 9 weeks non smoking! I hope to keep it up this time!<br />
C<br />
<br />Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682927386832803228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188091454334306867.post-79063621347358645132012-09-10T10:50:00.000-04:002012-09-10T10:50:02.239-04:00Men in SuitsAnyone that knows me well, knows I look for any reason to wear a suit. Of course, partly because I like the way they look. Partly, because it is a reminder of more formal days gone by. BUT, mainly because if I mark the amazing (good and bad) days in my life, 8 of the top ten and 4 of the bottom 5, I was in a suit!! The 2 exceptions being that I didn't wear a suit to the hospital when my children were born (that would have been a little creepy! And I didn't have a suit on the day I had a heart attack.)<br />
Anyway last night was one of those night that has firmly been nestled into that top 10!! More on that later.<br />
Sometimes God carves out an little extra for you. Gives you something to chew on, that isn't something you planned or thought out. This entire weekend was like that for me! It was like God said this weekend, "I'm going to show that boy just what he means to me!!" and the moment (or weekend) wasn't lost on me!!<br />
Friday after work, my son and I got to spend several hours alone! We don't get that often! He had just come from his first middle school dance! He slow danced with a girl!! So I got some great one on one time to talk to him about how we treat girls, how we respect girls etc! This was just one of many conversations to be had, but it was great seeing his excitement about that day in his life!<br />
Saturday after a much needed hair cut I got to go to a political rally for Trey Kelley who is running for State Rep in District 16. I was one of the speakers. It wasn't exactly the best speech I have ever given, but I did OK. I had a couple of more points I wanted to get in about Trey and I just blanked. He is a great young man and will do a great job for District 16. I hope I get a chance again to express that for him! Then I went to watch the Woodland Lady Cats play in a tourney in Woodstock. I watched their last 2 of 5 games. They won the 3 games I wasn't there and lost the 2 that I was there for! Does that mean I am a jinx? (Don't answer that!!) Bailey didn't get to play except for courtesy running! I am extremely proud of how much she continues to improve, and that makes me disappointed for her when she doesn't get to play! She always handles it with class though, which is impressive to a father! She is the loudest cheerleader when she is on the bench and even though I hurt for her, it is very impressive to watch and easy to have pride in her!!<br />
Sunday was something else!! I don't mind telling you that Sunday Sept 9th will go down as a very special day in my life! (Top 10)!! Donna and I were just overwhelmed! <br />
Sunday started out with our choir back on the risers warming up at 8:30!! Full choir! Big numbers and great sound!! Then Bible study was incredible! From a new believer sharing with the group to Andrea's teaching style that I had never had the chance to sit under, it was an incredible morning! Worship was amazing! 2 baptisms, our choir rocking it out, David Franklin preaching and challenging our church!! An amazing time of God! Even a short Sunday afternoon nap!<br />
Sunday night at 5 I put a SUIT and headed back to church for my deacon ordination. Donna and I got to sit on stage while the ordained men of the church prayed over and spoke encouragement over us one at a time. A stunningly power time, that God ordained! It truly felt like God was sitting between us the whole time. I can't explain it except to say breath taking!! My granddaddy got to come and closed the service out in prayer! As Donna and I laid in bed recounting the different things that were prayed over us and on our behalf, we were humbled and just sooo thankful!! I was also extremely thankful that 3 girls agreed to sing and be a part of that special night!<br />
I can't tell you how amazing it is that God picked for me in Donna, a wife that is so supportive, loving and amazing! I am truly a lucky man!!<br />
CCraighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682927386832803228noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188091454334306867.post-16937813851728586662012-08-14T14:29:00.000-04:002012-08-14T14:29:03.447-04:00Summer winding downIt has been a LONG time since I have updated! Summer has been crazy busy!!<br />
The kids are now both back at school! Bailey in 10th grade and Grif in middle school! Donna didn't like the fact that Grif is in middle school! He is very excited and likes all the new experiences so far!<br />
Bailey got to pitch in her first Varsity game on Saturday and threw a 1 hit shutout! We were very excited for her and proud of how hard she is working to get better!<br />
Being a part of the interim worship team at church takes up more time than I had originally hoped it would, but it is going well so far. The team has gotten a lot of positive feedback on the worship sets that we have done over the summer! <br />
City Council is going GREAT! I enjoy serving the city! It is far more rewarding than I could have ever expected!<br />
Donna is back at school and is looking forward to a great year!<br />
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1955 Bel Air convertible that I got to drive the bride and groom away in!</div>
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Our niece got married this summer and I haven't had a chance yet to post the pictures, so that is why there are so many pictures this time!!<br />
CCraighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682927386832803228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188091454334306867.post-3838594445527152882012-06-13T13:28:00.001-04:002012-06-13T13:29:28.019-04:00Prayers and LifeThere is a lot going on!! (Isn't there always?) Anyway.....<br />
We are praying for 2 families in our life! The Startup family has a child in Egleston. Copeland quit breathing and his Mimi performed CPR and brought him back! God has had his hand in that whole situation!! We are praying for complete healing for Copeland with no lasting effects!! If you would like to read Will's blog, click this link:<br />
<a href="http://willlaurenstartup.blogspot.com/">http://willlaurenstartup.blogspot.com/</a> (you may want tissues before you start!!)<br />
We are also praying for the complete healing of Bob Collier! Melanie was Shep's consultant on his campaign and I got to know Melanie and Bob through that process! Bob's cancer has come back, and only God can fix it! I am praying God will do just that and give Bob a beautiful testimony to share with the world!<br />
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Bailey's softball team won their tourney this past weekend!!! Woohoo! We played extremely well and I hope this is just a little of what is to come!<br />
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Grif is full on into VBS this week and playing outside as much as possible!! I remember those days as a kid very fondly! I hope he does as well later in life!<br />
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Work and City Council are going well. Church is going extremely well considering we are sending two pastors off into the mission field! My prayer is that our church family will work hard to keep things going in the right direction while we are searching!!<br />
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This weekend is the Euharlee Que Festival!! Many craft and food vendors and great activities for the kids! Come on out and enjoy Euharlee this weekend!!<br />
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Spring is always very busy for us. Grif's baseball season has ended though and it is a little easier! They didn't win a game, but he got better. Grif seems to WANT to be great, without putting the work in to be great. I'm trying to instill in him that without the effort, results won't be good, but he doesn't get it yet!<br />
Bailey is doing well at softball and now school summer practices have started as well, so there are days when she has school practice in the morning and travel ball practice in the evening! She DOES understand that results match effort and she works hard! Makes a couple of parents proud!<br />
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We had a great memorial day weekend!! Grif and I rented a kayak from Euharlee Creek Outfitters and went for a ride down the Euharlee Creek, into the Etowah River all the way to Hardin Bridge Road. We had a BLAST!!! Sunday, I helped lead out in worship at church and it was INCREDIBLE worship!! Sunday afternoon we all just rested! Donna and I went with some friends to eat and had a great time! <br />
Monday we relaxed all day and had a neighborhood cookout in the evening! Which involved a corn hole tournament! Bailey and Donna finished in 3rd place!!! Grif and I went undefeated and won!!<br />
We had a great weekend full of great memories! I hope the rest of the summer is as wonderful!<br />
CCraighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682927386832803228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188091454334306867.post-81431104820343169752012-04-24T15:38:00.001-04:002012-04-24T15:38:25.407-04:00Wonderful spring!!Baseball for Grif is in high gear, as is softball for Bailey!<br />
It unfortunately is the time of year that Donna gets stressed over her kids taking the CRCT! <br />
Work for me is very slow, which is a little scary.<br />
We are getting to spend a lot of time doing things that we like to do together (which generally involves a ballpark somewhere!)<br />
I have taken a one-third role at church of interim music until we find a new music minister. A little scary, but a lot fun.<br />
The City Council is going great and I am enjoying my time there more than I could have ever dreamed, so I am very thankful for this opportunity!<br />
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This past weekend Donna, Bailey and Lorraine headed to Alabama for a wedding shower, so Grif and I got a great guys weekend in! He had a ballgame Friday night! Saturday's game got rained out, so when the day cleared off pretty nice, we headed to the river to wet a line! No fish, but we had a blast together! Probably need more of those outings with him!!<br />
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That about covers it!<br />
CCraighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682927386832803228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188091454334306867.post-73420987257409103522012-03-01T09:11:00.002-05:002012-03-01T09:19:45.203-05:00Struggling a little!We all go through stuff in life! No doubt being able to lean on God, friends and family helps during those times. I have the best wife in the world to partner with in these times and that makes a lot of stuff bearable!<br />Bailey had her first ever "serious" trouble! She is learning a valuable lesson. It has broken our hearts to have to discipline her, but discipline is as much of love as hugs and kisses! Having Donna to hold to, cry with, and snuggle up to has made this week better!<br />Many other things to mention.... A lot of time and energy going into City Council right now! Our worship pastor is leaving to become a lead pastor at a new church! That is amazing for him and our church to be planting a new church, but from a choir leadership perspective I can't help but be a little concerned over our ministry! I'm trying to give those concerns to God, but right now I'm hanging on to the fear with both arms!!<br />CCraighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682927386832803228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188091454334306867.post-31903745854975472352012-02-20T13:22:00.002-05:002012-02-20T13:38:10.723-05:00February busyContinuing our life theme right now.... the Guyton's are busy!<br />Bailey's travel ball is gearing up (first tourney on March 10th). Griffin is about to start baseball. Both are working hard in school. Bailey is heading to Savannah this weekend for All-State.<br />I just got back from Athens and the Georgia Municipal Association's newly elected officials training. I had a good time meeting people, but it was an overwhelming amount of information!<br />We are trying to find a weekend to slip over to Birmingham to see the newest addition to the family, but are struggling with finding the time.<br />My workouts are going well, and therefore my health is doing very well right now.<br />Life continues to be good and God continues to bless us beyond what we deserve!<br />CCraighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682927386832803228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188091454334306867.post-85272676072062531542012-02-03T16:40:00.002-05:002012-02-03T16:50:14.440-05:00Warm winter days!!It has been beautiful in North Georgia for "winter"!! Above 60 degrees during the day! I'm actually wearing a short sleeve polo shirt today! (if you read this in Cleveland Janet, sorry for rubbing it in!!)<br />Grif's basketball season is over and it won't be long until we are full swing into baseball and softball! I hope to enjoy a month or so down time first!<br />I have a trip coming up for Newly Elected Officials training and we are looking for a weekend when we can sneak over to Birmingham to see our great niece!!<br />My January cardiologist visit went extremely well!! He was very happy with my blood numbers and my heart looked "beautiful" during the echo-stress test! He was pleased and so were we!<br />Bailey and Grif both have some improvement to do in school! I wonder if the mid-year doldrums have set in? Either way, I've got put a boot to butts to get the doldrums out!!<br />I'm looking to see if there is a political race that I can get neck deep in this summer!! A couple of good possibilities, but we will see.....<br />I'm looking forward to a great weekend chilling with the family!<br />CCraighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682927386832803228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188091454334306867.post-53386272316850880572012-01-06T11:11:00.004-05:002012-01-06T11:19:42.213-05:00Start of 2012<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694552492770819826" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FP2zNwFTcVg/TwcdUjZrfvI/AAAAAAAAAHo/T8Di8oq9uWA/s320/394268_3003180405685_1447615188_33214327_1417381942_n.jpg" /><br /><br /><div align="center">Well, we started out the year with my swearing in to the Euharlee City Council! </div><br /><div align="center">Donna, Mimi, Bailey, Griffin, My Mom, and My Dad all came out for the event.</div><br /><div align="center">It was really uneventful, but it was very cool! I continue to be humbled and excited for this opportunity!</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VHevudvCKcI/TwcdRp064SI/AAAAAAAAAHc/1ER_T7K8CFI/s1600/387441_3003189685917_1447615188_33214330_495416814_n.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694552442956079394" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VHevudvCKcI/TwcdRp064SI/AAAAAAAAAHc/1ER_T7K8CFI/s320/387441_3003189685917_1447615188_33214330_495416814_n.jpg" /></a> Steve Worthington and I being sworn in together by City Attorney, Boyd Pettit.</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="left">School is back in. Both kids received their report cards. Grif with all A's and Bailey with only one B that she assures me she will bring up to an A!! </div><br /><div align="left">Bailey has got me hooked on a book series called The Hunger Games. It is incredible and hard to put down! Which isn't too good when I have plenty to be doing!! Ha.</div><br /><div align="left">We have been out of town for New Year's and will be glad to be back in church this Sunday! I get to lead the children's music upstairs! </div><br /><div align="left">Happy New Year everyone!!</div><br /><div align="left">C<br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div align="center"></div>Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682927386832803228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188091454334306867.post-81068759969792291322011-12-27T08:44:00.003-05:002011-12-27T13:32:55.025-05:00CHRISTmas 2011<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fwSnSPtv8nc/TvoPJ5lWqoI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/S6rWM2avG8w/s1600/388453_2944580140715_1447615188_33178237_1710688460_n.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690877741886777986" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fwSnSPtv8nc/TvoPJ5lWqoI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/S6rWM2avG8w/s320/388453_2944580140715_1447615188_33178237_1710688460_n.jpg" /></a>Anything hotter than a woman firing a pistol?? </div><br /><div align="left"><br /></div><br /><div align="left">Well, what a Christmas!! We had a blast, ate too much, and opened too many presents! It was absolutely perfect! We are blessed!<br />Grif, Donna and I went out to the firing range for a couple of hours yesterday and shot my new pistol! Very smooth shooting gun! I. Love. It.!!! Donna did incredible with that gift!<br />Grif got a new bike and a BB pistol that he has almost already worn out! LOL. Bailey got so many clothes and just dance 3! (That I will NEVER play!!)<br />It was a most memorable Christmas!<br />God is good!<br />C</div><br /><div align="left"><br /><br /></div><br /><div align="left"></div>Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682927386832803228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188091454334306867.post-9422849050026527412011-12-23T09:21:00.002-05:002011-12-23T09:33:34.945-05:00Merry Christmas!!It has truly been a busy season!! It always is. We have been going here to there. Exacerbated by my 86 year old neighbor being in the hospital for a while and now being moved to a nursing home. I don't know if he will be my neighbor again! Sad, sad situation.<br />Griffin and Bailey both had a B in classes for the first half of school that they have brought up, so hopefully straight A's for both by the end of the school year! Grif is playing basketball and having a blast. It is his first year in "rec" ball instead of Trinity so the competition is a lot higher.<br />Janet and Henry are on their way from Cleveland for CHRISTmas and I can't wait to see Hank and meet the new baby (Guyton).<br />January 3 will be the day I am sworn in to the Euharlee City Council. I am very excited. The very first night I will be voting on a 1.4 million dollar budget! Welcome to politics, right?<br />I already know what Donna is getting me for CHRISTmas and my 40th birthday (combo gift!!) and I am as excited as I have ever been about a gift!<br />That pretty much sums it up for now.....<br />Work outs are still going well, etc....<br />Merry CHRISTmas to all!!<br />CCraighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682927386832803228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188091454334306867.post-34298559104446347922011-12-05T10:11:00.002-05:002011-12-05T10:16:28.663-05:00Don't you LOVE December?Way too many things going on to touch on them all!!<br />Donna and I left Thursday night after the Cville Christmas parade for a long weekend to celebrate our 18th wedding anniversary! We had an amazing time in Birmingham Christmas shopping and just being together away from the normal daily routine! We got to ride down Friday morning to Tuscaloosa, to watch her high school play for and WIN the State Championship in 4a Alabama football at Bryant-Denny stadium. Pretty cool!<br />We spent the rest of the weekend shopping and well, that's all I can talk about.....<br />I am the luckiest guy in all the world! Donna is an incredible wife, mother, teacher, friend..... and I loved getting to spend that time celebrating with her!!<br />CCraighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682927386832803228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188091454334306867.post-23801857667658424202011-11-16T11:09:00.002-05:002011-11-16T11:25:07.568-05:00OverwhelmedI won!! God is good! The people of Euharlee gave me the most votes in the election and I am amazed! I can't wait to get started. There is a lot to do!<br /><br /><br />We had a great day of waving and sign holding at the precinct. A lot of folks stopped and talked to us. Lorraine sat with me for most of the day and then Donna came up there after work. I got to talk to Councilman Eubanks and Councilman Worthington a lot over the course of the day as well! It was just a blast! Of course, if you know me, you already know how much I love campaigning! It was a great campaign and a great way to culminate it!<br /><br /><br />At 7 pm, we all removed our signs, and went up to the front door of city hall with 15 or so people who wanted to know the results! When the city manager taped the slips of paper from the voting machines to the front door, a few people went up there, but I stayed back. I heard someone congratulate Councilman Worthington and then I heard someone mention my name!!! I was excited. Donna and I walked up there and she tallied the three totals from the three voting machines and I had gotten the most votes! Overwhelmed is an understatement! We left and went over to Elizabeth Street to see the vote certified and look at the absentee results, and when all was said and done, I had 206 votes of the 338 people that voted! Right at 61%!! Donna and I were pumped and went out to dinner to celebrate!! It was an amazing night that I doubt I will ever forget!!<br /><br /><br />CCraighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682927386832803228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188091454334306867.post-59413035155603907382011-11-07T08:56:00.004-05:002011-11-07T09:08:24.708-05:00What a blast!!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lzGoCpwvD6w/Trfj_qfCopI/AAAAAAAAAHE/blSwhTjuXY0/s1600/Guyton%2Bpostcard.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 247px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672252938572178066" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lzGoCpwvD6w/Trfj_qfCopI/AAAAAAAAAHE/blSwhTjuXY0/s320/Guyton%2Bpostcard.jpg" /></a> The campaigning is over and now all that is left to do is set up the poll tonight with signs and stand out in front of the polls on Tuesday! Voting day is almost here and I am excited. After last year, I have no confidence in how everything will turn out, but I am hopeful! I am thankful for all the people that have supported me! It is truly humbling!<br />There is something so cool about knocking on doors to introduce yourself and discuss issues relevant to your community with people. The things you find, while knocking on doors could be made into a book! Some people don't want to be bothered, which is understandable! But, when you knock on a door and the person that answers it has a genuine love for the community and wants to ask you questions and give feedback, it becomes well worth the effort! I know a lot of people running for office, don't do that anymore and rely on signs and ads, but I think that type of conversations and involvement is sorely needed in our communities today!<br />Anyway, thank you to my neighbors in Euharlee that have allowed me in your homes to talk about our city! I will do my best if elected, and that, is my one and only campaign promise!<br />More frequent posts after the busyness of a campaign is over!<br />CCraighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682927386832803228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188091454334306867.post-1807436317398766852011-09-08T09:31:00.002-04:002011-09-08T09:50:58.497-04:00Fall happeningsHurricane Irene brought much needed rain to Georgia and with it ushered in some lower fall-like temperatures! I love it! I love all the seasons, which is one of the reasons I love living in GA! We get a full dose of all 4 seasons! My favorite seems to be the change though! The week or two between the seasons that you get the hint of whats to come, while still enjoying the last little bit of the former! That is where we find ourselves in GA right now. Crispness in the AM like fall, with warm afternoons like summer! It makes me happy! God knew what he was doing, didn't he?<br />School is in full swing and the kids are doing good, not great yet, but it is coming! Bailey's softball schedule is winding down, and while she hasn't gotten all the playing time she would like, or any mound time, she is getting to see what it takes to play at a varsity high school level! I hope that inspires her to work hard during travel ball season! Grif's start at football hasn't been a bang either. He is afraid of the contact right now! I think he will get over that and I think he will start to love football, but the jury is still out??!?!? Both kids have a class that they are struggling with as of now, but like I said, that will change!<br />Donna's classes seem to be going well, and B12 shots will hopefully help with energy levels. I would love to tell you that we are all up in a romantic season in our lives, but I would be lying. The daily grind tends to get in the way of that along with nightly trips to some ball field, we rarely even eat at the same time. I am hoping that to some degree, the daily grind, will hold some romance! Maybe, the daily struggles fought through together add a lot to a marriage!<br />**Big Announcement**<br />I am running for Euharlee City Council!!<br />I qualified last week, and am looking forward to meeting people that I have yet to meet and working on the city council. I have always loved politics, and would love an opportunity to be part of lasting solutions for our rapidly growing city! I ought to be fun! I covet your prayers and support!<br />CCraighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682927386832803228noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188091454334306867.post-76040673731444391052011-08-11T12:02:00.002-04:002011-08-11T12:07:59.704-04:00Jacob Hawkins is the bomb!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Ztlgh69UoU/TkP9TE_uYoI/AAAAAAAAAG8/gWO7-5Eh4QQ/s1600/225641_2270707845341_1177950661_3111412_7181212_n.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 232px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639629662598357634" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Ztlgh69UoU/TkP9TE_uYoI/AAAAAAAAAG8/gWO7-5Eh4QQ/s320/225641_2270707845341_1177950661_3111412_7181212_n.jpg" /></a>
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<br /><div>I forgot to add this with my other post today, so you get 2 postings from me today!! A couple of weeks ago a young man that you may know, Jacob Hawkins, brought his new boss through Cartersville for a few hours to speak to the rotary club. He took Newt Gingrich to the Booth Western Art Museum in Cville and the Speaker was very impressed with our little town! So much so, that according to Jacob, they are going to try to plan another visit to see the Tellus Museum. </div>
<br /><div>While they were through here, Jacob introduced me and I got a picture made with Mr Gingrich and got my book signed! It was a very cool day for me, and even more so for Jacob!</div>
<br /><div>Congrats to Jacob! He is a very smart young man that I am proud to know! </div>
<br /><div>And good luck Mr. Speaker at your debate tonight! Knock em dead!</div>
<br /><div>C</div>
<br />Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682927386832803228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188091454334306867.post-15491191823407576632011-08-11T09:42:00.002-04:002011-08-11T09:48:39.794-04:00In the fall routineTemperatures are still summer-like, but we are into our fall routine now. School has been back in for a week! Bailey is learning how to study and finding that high school honors classes are going to be tough for an athlete! She made the JV softball team and their first games are next week.
<br />Grif's "senior" year of elementary school has started well. I haven't had to referee a single disagreement between he and his math teacher, yet. Donna says he is doing well calling her Mrs. Guyton and such.
<br />My workouts are back to normal now! Thank goodness! I gained too much weight over the summer, and am ready to get back down below 200! We'll see how long that takes. Work has been good for back to school and now I am hoping we stay steady for the rest of the fall!
<br />Back to the grind....
<br />C
<br />Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682927386832803228noreply@blogger.com0