Return from Sabbatical

I know it's been a really long time since our last post, but there is good reason for that. We just returned from our African Safari and unfortunately we did not have access to a computer while we were there. Man, did we have a great time!!!!

Well, I better come clean before I am found out. We didn't actually go on Safari. I know you are all sooooo surprised!!! We have just had some really crazy busy months. We are so glad to be back on the blog scene!!! We have missed you all!!!!

Quick updates:

Josh is still owning and working his own business. It is doing great! We are so rich (in my dreams.) Josh is teaching our churches disciple class every sunday morning and it is really flourishing with new converts. The converts are being baptized in Jesus name, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and assimilating well into the church. Josh is also on a new venture to be bring his pre-marital body back. It has been a long journey. He injured his shoulder and had to stop working out, but now it is feeling well enough to do certain excercises. No heavy weight training though. He has been working out with brother CJ Casey and doing quite well. He has lost 25 lbs and only has 322,000 lbs to go! Well not that much really. More like 25. He is doing great and even gaining belt loops back!!!!! Congratulations Babe....Keep up the good work!!!

Brandy is doing the same old stuff. Working, going to school (Master's degree & teaching credential), taking care of the home (with Josh's help!!!), and taking care of the kids (with Josh's help!!) Not much excitement here folks!!!! Sorry. However, in one year when I am done with school and all it's madness.....I will be a much more exciting person!!!!



Demi is growing up too fast and is so beautiful. She just started 2nd grade last week at Bethel Apsotolic Academy. She loves her teacher Sis. Casey and all her friends. Pastor Frost let me know that everyday Demi sees him at school she runs to him for a big hug. She really loves her Pastor. Pastor Frost tells her, "I just can't wait until tomorrow, because you get prettier every day!" He is a great Pastor!!!! Demi is so excited that she has a kitten now named, "Snickers". Quite frankly, I think it's possibly the ugliest cat on Earth, but Demi disagrees. They cuddle and sleep together all night in Demi's bed. Which I just think is totally disgusting. There is no telling what critters that cat is hiding in its fur.



Grant is almost 21 months. He is learning all sorts of new words. If only I spoke Telegu (the language his babysitter speaks to him) I could probably understand what he was saying. No really he is also saying English words. He says, caca (I don't think this is really English, but I know you all know what it means), mama, dada, ball, airplane(sort of), kitty(sort of), more(pronounced MO), Ama(mom in Telegu). The tiny tyrant is still ruling the house! He already beats Demi up with a wiffle ball bat and whatever else he can get in his hands. He is so smart too. The other day he got two spatulas and pushed a chair up to the stove so he could cook! Of course I stopped him. Hey this could work out in later years though!!!! I wonder if he would like to do laundry too?

MANSION IN SKY

We just closed escrow and boy are we EXCITED!!!!

Here's a picture of the "Guest House" entrance

Check out the pool

Join us for dinner???

The Main Entrance

The View

Walking on Sheet's of gold, real gold 23.5 K

John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

John 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

The above pictures are pictures of Hearst Castle......a man made castle. The man has perished and the castle remains. We serve God because we love Him, not because of the mansions he has promised. He said "If you love me, keep my commandments." One of the greatest commandments I have found is John 3:7 "Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." He has built the mansions and has prepared a place for us because he loves us. Soon this world will perish, but the mansions He has built will remain. I choose to dwell in those mansions how about you?

Until then I guess I will visit the sheets of gold, until I can walk on the streets of gold!

"the BBQ king"

You are gazing upon smoked tri-tip and ribs. A six hour process. Brought to you by Brett Burton, my brother-in-law. The man knows what he is doing when it comes to smokin meat! Brett is married to my sister Sarah "Bug". We really enjoy having family time with them and it's not just because of his mad BBQ skills. Keep up the smokin good work Brett!!!! We love you guys!!!!!

Sunday Fun!

OK. Boys......disgusting little creatures. This is Grant eating a chocolate candy still wrapped in the foil. We had a difficult time removing this one from his mouth. He was like a pit bull on a pork chop according to Josh.

This post is specifically for "Kokie Girl". Easter Sunday morning I was home with Grant doing homework and suddenly realized I did not hear anything in the house. With children silence equals trouble. I went searching and found him in Josh's bathroom. Grant was having a ball. He found Demi's Hello Kitty electric tooth brush and was swirling it in the toilet and then brushing his teeth! He is quite the one for hygiene. He had been doing this for a while because his entire shirt was soaked!!! I wanted to throw up....I was so disgusted. I screamed and washed him up and couldn't wait until Josh came home and received the nagging of his life!!!

I did yell at Josh and told him, once again, please close the toilet and the bathroom door. He said "Yes dear", once again. That afternoon Grant again had disappeared. I found him......you guessed it.......in Josh's bathroom shoving towels in the toilet!!! Apparently he thought they needed washed...and if it's clean enough for your tooth brushing then why not clean the towels there too?

So I made Josh get the towel out. Hmmmmmm.......I wonder if Josh has learned his lesson?

I do have to admit that even though I have to put up with Josh's forgetfulness about closing toilets and such.......he could possibly be the best husband and father on planet Earth. This is true.

You Rock Baby Girl!!!!

Proud mom and dad want to give a "shout out" to our baby girl Demicans.

Demi has really learned a lot in Sister Caseys first grade class....including how to be more independently responsible for completing her work. Sister Casey has a tough job and with her help and expertise I think we have helped Demi to reach a monumental point in life and academia.

Two words.....Time Management!!! This may be a strange concept for a first grader to need to learn, but in our household time is a precious commodity. For the past few weeks Demi has successfully been completing or almost completing all her work in class and then what she does not finish she does at day care after school. She is trying really hard and we are so proud of her.

Yesterday Demi did not do her homework at day care......I think spring break messed up her system and she forgot. Anyway, she woke up today and on her own did her homework before going to school!!!!! How's that for first grade motivation!!!! She is growing up so fast and becoming a little funny lady!!! She is doing so well in school and received all A's and one B on her report card!!!! WOW!!!

We would like to thank all the school staff and day care staff support that help our family every day!

"SWEET BABY JESUS"

Baby Firo is a real live miracle baby, so how appropriate that he should play baby Jesus in our church Easter play.

Baby Nate is the newborn son of Richard and Jessica Firo. He is a baby of promise. He did a great job of remembering his lines and gave such an amazing performance portraying Christ as a baby in the "Messiah" play. He seemed to really enjoy the bright blue lights on the stage. He did not cry and looked bright eyed at the crowd!

He is perfect in every way.....if you don't believe me just ask his parents. Congratulations Richard and Jessica and great job baby Nate!

The Left Shoulder

I was honored to play in last Novembers annual church football game. The Youth against the Oats. In other words....the young against the has beens. Usually the youth really sock it to us, but this year they didn't fair so well. I don't want to mention the score, but it was like 60 something to 7, and a lot of fun.

It was all fun and games until someone hurt their shoulder. That would be me. I played 6 years of football at a competitive level and I personally love the sport. Strategy, physical contact, execution of athletic skill on the fly. However, at the age 32 chasing a 17 year old who has more energy than the energizer bunny, not to mention a great set of wheels, and a competitive spirit, my mind (ego) chooses to mislead me into thinking that I could catch him.

Allow me to set the stage. Fourth quarter, they were down by a ton, and this kid was determined to score. Well, I was just as determined not to let him. I was playing inside line-backer and he was playing tail-back. He ran the ball to the right. I predicted his path and chose my angle. I pushed him to the side line and at this point in an organized level of football my job would have been successful. In football an inside line-backers job is to make the tackle on the run, stuff the hole, or push the runner to the outside. In which, the outside line-backer would execute his duty of pushing him back to the inside. Well, my outside line-backer was no where to be found leaving the 17 year old (130 lbs) and the 32 year old (230 lbs) all alone. Needless to say Jordan Johnson turned the corner, hit the after burners and took off like a gazelle. My 32 year old mind told me I could still catch him, if and only if I dove. So I did, and I missed. With my left arm completely extended I hit the ground and heard a loud POP! I jumped up like nothing happened, and it didn't hurt, but I knew I was in trouble. However, I still thought I would be better in a few weeks, so I continued playing.

Here it is over four months later and my shoulder is still killing me and I can't lift my arm past a 45 degree angle without feeling excruciating pain! I was told that shoulders usually heal in three months so I refused to see the doctor....because I AM A MAN! Doctors are for sissy's, and injuries are for the feeble. LOL......just joking.

My wife told me that they had a meeting at work about laying people off due to the economic downturn, and since she carries our insurance through her work I figured it might be a good idea to get my shoulder looked at now while we still have insurance. Not that she is getting laid off, but just in case.

So I went to Dr. Chang and he said, "You have shouder injury u need x-way. X-way no show u notting, u need specawist. But fust u go x-way. Insuwance all cwazy. Don't do nutting wight." LOL hence the name Change. I got a copy of the x-rays and Dr. Chang was right......x-ways no show nutting. I made an appointment for March 30th with the specialist. I closed my shop early potentially losing customers and money and showed up at the specialists office with my x-rays. I found out upon arrival that the specialist was on VACATION! Sorry for the inconvenience, but the specialist will not be able to see you until April 8th.


Keep you posted.