Livin' it up in ARKANSAS: 2008-06

Baby Einstein

Not too long ago, Sheena bought Jeremiah a Baby Einstein DVD. It's geared towards babies his age, and sings Twinkle Little Stars, has puppets, and little kids running around. Also teaches basic things like shapes and colors, and where the belly button is.

Jeremiah loves it. He watches so intently, especially when the puppets come on. This morning Sheena popped it in for him, and he sat ever so nicely watching it. We heard him laugh and wave his arm when the puppet came on. Very cute.

I am a proud father.

Am I Tied Down?

I was recently told that I’m tied down. That being married at my age is being tied down …since I’m so incredibly young, you know.

I’ve given this some thought and have come to the same conclusion that I came to back on February 14, 2004 when I got down on my left knee on a frozen sidewalk next to the iced-over Como Lake to ask The Question.

The idea is that by getting married at a young age, you are being tied down, and that the rules of marriage limit you. Here are my limitations:

-I get to share my schedule and time with my wife
-I get to share my stuff with my wife
-I have someone that is sincerely praying for, supporting, encouraging, challenging, and loving me. On a REGULAR basis.
-I get to live with my best friend, with no conviction
-I have someone that wants to serve me. Ie: laundry, dishes, cleaning, cooking, etc.
-I get tax breaks, insurance breaks, and other discounts
-I get to say phrases like, “my wife”
-I get to have kids that know they have a mommy and daddy that love each other, and love them
-I get to make family traditions
-I get to go on family vacations of our own
-I have a longer life expectancy (studies show that married men generally live longer than non)
-I get to have sex on a regular basis and know that it’s a gift from God (boy, what a limitation, eh?)
-And many other "limitations"

So, I would like to reverse the question and ask, “who is tied down?”

Thanks.

Disclaimer: I do not expect service, such as: laundry, dishes, etc. I seek to serve, and so does Sheena. We both contribute 100% to this marriage, not 50/50. That way, our marriage is always operating at a 100%+ level.

Why I Love ARKANSAS #9

I Love ARKANSAS because of a store named Ace, A.K.A. Yaegers. They're all over down here.

They have this cool rewards program that basically gives you free money/gift cards.

I just got 5 bucks in the mail because my birthday is coming up. Sweet. Another excuse to spend money on manly things.

15 minutes in 50 seconds

We picked a bunch of stuff from the garden, then sliced/diced/packed/stashed it all. In 15 minutes.

Down to 50 seconds. See if you can spot me chasing Sheena with the massive cucumbers, and juggling the summer squash.

How boring was it to watch that? Not as boring as doing it.

Cabin Trip 2008

I haven't taken the time to blog, so here's a quick update.
We got back from MN late Sunday night. I had a really good time with friends and family.

Probably my favorite part of the cabin trip was employing pyrotechnics (firecrackers and large bonfires). While passing through Missouri on the way up, we stopped at a fireworks warehouse and bought some artillery shells.

Then, at the cabin while our good friend Matt was fishing just a little ways off the dock, we decided to launch the shells at him. We rigged a double barrel launcher, and blasted him.

I’ll post the video later, but here’s a pic of the smoke after launching a couple at him. You can see him in the boat out on the lake.

Good times.

Gone Fishin'

Blogging from the iPhone...

We're currently on the road, due North. It was nice to be able to head
out two hours earlier than expected.

I'll be disconnected from the Internet for the first time in like
three years!

Check back Monday night for an update. You won't be disappointed.
Unless you're a five year old girl that doesn't have a sense of humor.

CRVS Clarification

I need to clarify a couple of things:

1. CRVS was discontinued because videos take time, and I couldn't hold up my promise of 3 days in a row. It was an eventful weekend.

2. I made a promise that Chrisitian Rap can be for everyone. I will fulfill that promise, yo.

3. Even though my blog header has me pictured in some oh-so-tight Cowboy Cut Wranglers, doesn't mean I am a country boy at heart. In fact, I'm more of a city boy, trying to fit into the Southern culture, yo. I mean ya'll.

-J-fizzle

3 Day Work Week

I see today as Wednesday and not Monday. Mainly because I am only working three days this week, starting today. And that means come Wednesday, it will feel like Friday. Only thing is, Friday, I mean Wednesday, is going to be a long day because we’re making the haul after I get off work, which means night driving. 11 hours of it.

So I’m asking for your input. What helps you stay wide awake through the wee hours of the night?

Some of my plans:
-Lots of snacks/beverages
-Deep conversation topics with the Sheen
-Heavy Metal/upbeat music on the iPod
-What else?

My Father's Day

Today was perfect. My wife and son woke me up with a card, went to church, and hit the links for a few holes. Also relaxed a bunch.

Ok, so one of the adjectives to often describe good looking children is CUTE. I have come to dislike that adjective for describing Jeremiah, mainly because it puts him on the same level as other kids, and clearly Jeremiah beats em' all. Hands down.

So, I introduce you to the new adjective for describing JJ's good looks. Not just cute, HITMAD.

He Is The Most Adorable Dude

To My Pops!

Just a reminder: I blog mainly for the sake of keeping my family and friends up to date on my away-from-MN calling to Arkansas. Days like today would have been nice to be able to stop by the folk's place.

Dad, this is for you. Happy Father's Day.

CRVS Discontinued

I am discontinuing my CRVS series.
Thank you.

Vote for ME!

Ok, so now that my first episode has aired, I need your input. I need you to vote. I put up a poll on the right of my blog.

Vote!

Christian Rap Video Series: Episode 1

As promised, here it is. Episode 1:

Check back Saturday for more krunk.

Why I Love ARKANSAS #8

I love ARKANSAS because it's a melting pot of the U.S. 50.

Often times when I'm out-and-about, I get asked where I'm from. I tell them Minnesota and usually get one of two responses:

#1 "Really? Cool. I'm from [enter state here] "
Or the less likely:
#2 "Oh, you're a Yankee. I wouldn't go around bragging about that."

It's cool because it makes me wonder if these other people were called to come here just like us. I'll admit though, this is no New York City or L.A. You never hear of college kids saying, "let's go to Alma for Spring Break!"

And I have yet to see people wandering the streets of Alma while wearing T-shirts.

My Favorite Type of Phone Call

A big-wig executive down the hall is celebrating his birthday today. I just got a call from my friend, Joe (guy that wears the button-down deer shirts):

"Jake, did you eat breakfast yet?"

"No"

"Come down to the HB Conference room. Tons of breakfast stuff. Help yerself"

My favorite type of phone call = FREE FOOD

P.S. The strawberries came from home. Look at the one on my mountain-o-breakfast. Looks like it's on steroids.

Christian Rap Video Series

Hi. My name is Jake. I like Christian Rap music.

Ever since I had a Sony Walkman, I’ve liked Christian rap. The very first group I remember is D Boy, and his tape “Peace 2 the Poet”. He helped me learn my States and Capitals (more on that in my video on Friday).

Believe it or not, to this day I still sometimes repeat some of his lyrics in my head. That’s how much I listened to this thing.

I used to get all sweaty, “hoopin’ it up” in my bedroom jamming to this tape on my door-hung hoop, just like any other 9 year old boy.

Anyway, I’m starting a video series on this blog. It’s the Christian Rap Video Series. I will be posting a video-a-day starting Friday. I plan to do at least three days in a row, maybe more.

You may spew at even the mentioning of rap music, but that’s ok. I promise you one thing: I will prove to you that Chrisitan Rap can be for everyone. I promise.

Don’t miss my last episode… or the first.
Peace out home-boy!

J-dog

Testimony Time

Sheena and I have been believing God for many "things." We have "written the vision" and are keeping it before us. The vision we've written has many things on it. Things we believe God will do through us and for us.

This is Sheena's new Jeep. Well, new to us. We wrote the vision. We kept the vision in front of us. And now we have it. Let this be a testimony of God's faithfulness.

New iPhone Announcement

Apple announced a bunch of details pertaining to the SDK today. Looks like some pretty awesome applications coming out for the iPhone (releasing in July).

They also announced the new iPhone. Replacing the current version.

-It has a different color backing on it (black or white).

-It's 3G compatible, which basically means if it is near a 3G cell tower (mostly only in large city areas right now) it can surf the Internet pretty quickly. Almost as fast as my wireless Internet at home. AND you can surf the Net while on a call (if connected to 3G).

-It has A-GPS built into it. Which is not quite as nice as real GPS. Basically it uses cell towers and wi-fi hot spots to pinpoint your current location, and of course give you directions based on that, or pretty much anything you search for: restaurants/gas stations/wal-mart/hair salons etc, etc.

Other than that, it's pretty much the same handset, slightly cooler.

Oh, and they slashed the price from 400 bucks to 200. Not bad, eh?
Starts selling July 11. The day after I turn 24.

Big Day Today

If you either have or want an iPhone, or are even somewhat familiar with the technology innovationist, Apple, then today my friend, is a big day for you.

Today is WWDC 08.

I am one of many people anticipating all that Steve Jobs has to say today.

If he doesn't reveal iPhone 2.0 today, it is said to be the biggest letdown of all time.

28 Years and going...

Happy Anniversary to my beloved parents. You two have set a wonderful example of a committed marriage. Here's to 28 more...

And yes, we all expect you to get on the tube again for a 50th anniversary photo.

Congrats! Love you.

Why I Love ARKANSAS #7

I had a beautiful experience the other night. It goes down in the history books of my love for ARKANSAS. But it's in video form below.

(so if you're reading this from a phone, email, or RSS, you need to come to my site to view)

'nuf of that... here's the goods:

Why I Love ARKANSAS #6

I love ARKANSAS because of this dude named Kyle. He lives here. He's a friend of mine. He's my co-Announcement Guy. And he is a living, breathing, walking, talking testimony of what God can do in and through someone when they submit their life to Him.

We're doing Announcement Guys this Sunday. Kyle has a tough schedule to work around, but I love his attitude. We were texting back and forth and he said "doesn't matter what time. I will make it work."

Two words: servant's heart.

This Sunday will be an episode you won’t want to miss…unless of course you don’t really like Indiana Jones.

Simple Faith Now

My good friend, Matt has been blogging for a little while now. He provides some good insight on the Word and may also get you cracking up from time to time.

Stop by and tell him hello!

Worth Quoting

"Never ruin an apology with an excuse."

-don't know who said it first, but it's good.

Happy Birthday Mom!

To my mother:

You are good one
A good one I say
Celebrate today
The special holiday of your birthday!

You raised 6 children
As if it were a cinch
You dressed up all funny
Just like the grinch (nice rhyme, eh?)

So go outside
Or maybe go for a walk
Sit back and relax
Maybe get out the sidewalk chalk???

Or whatever :) You get the idea. Enjoy your birthday today. Do something fun. You deserve it!

I love you, Mother. I hope you don't see this post until tomorrow or Thursday.
Love,
Jake

Why I Love ARKANSAS #5

I love ARKANSAS because of Wilson Brothers Automotive.

Basically, it's a 5 or 6 stall automotive repair shop that does all sorts of mechanical work run by 2 brothers. Our car needed an A/C recharge, so we dropped it off yesterday. They called me to let me know when it was finished and said since I couldn't pick it up before close, they'd let me "pay later."

Now how many mechanics will let you take your car, after they've done work on it, with faith that you will pay later?
Not many I say. Not many.

Oh, and they also fixed a couple other minor things on the car. CEL was on, and shifter had a damaged wire. They didn't even tell me they fixed these. I just picked it up and BAMMO it was all G. (G=good)

One more thing, they also charge a lot less than the going garage rate from my homestead in MN. Gotta love that.

Jeremiah's First Words

Jeremiah has been saying Da-da for probably the last week or so. This is his first real word, even though he maybe doesn't associate it with me, yet.

I was hanging out in the living room this morning before heading off to work, when I heard a miniature voice from his bedroom say, "da-da......da-da, da-da, da-da...."

I came into his room very slowly. I think he heard me though, because he got really quiet. Then I peeked over the edge of his crib, and saw this.

Man, I LOVE when kids wake up smiling!!!

Weekend Photos 5/31/08

I had a really good weekend. Here's some photos to recap, all taken with the iPhone. So please excuse the O-K quality.

Jeremiah infatuated with his toes

He's getting more and more mobile every day

I'm not sure exactly how many poles blew over yesterday, but there were quite a few. This is just one shot of the aftermath of yesterday's wind. Highway 64 was closed off as far as I could see, and I'm sure many people are still without power.

Once the storm passed, the sun shined through and we were able to get some yard work/gardening done. Look at these two. I am very blessed to call them mine.

Some day, if he is asked, "did you eat plastic coat hangers when you were a kid?"
He will have to honestly reply, "yes".

We also began the process of putting up a privacy fence to add extra privacy from our only neighbors. It's about 100ft long. We rented a gas powered auger to dig the holes, and then set all 13 posts in concrete. Hopefully we will finish the rails and pickets next weekend (we, being the Sheen and me).

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