Races, joy, cheering

We went to the races with some friends of ours (the Leathermans) at the Route 66 Speedway in Amarillo a week and a half ago. Our kids loved the races! Hunter loved the loud and fast cars, the girls loved to watch and cheer and we all loved the mud that was slung upon us when the cars came out of turn one. Every once in a while we would get hit with a big round ball of mud, the kids would yell and we all laughed ... it was fun being a kid again. Too many times I catch myself taking life too seriously. I am reminded of Hebrews 1:9 - "You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.". The author is speaking about Jesus being swallowed up, bathed, lavished in joy. Jesus lived a life that was serious and seriously full of joy. Life in Christ ought to enjoyed as one cheering other Christians on to run the race and while running the race itself.

How are you doing cheering the participants of the race?

Keep in mind you might get some mud slung on you while cheering!

Also, Christianity is not a spectator sport, get in the race!

Children, Messes, Mom, Rewards

The first week we moved into our new home Amanda prepared spaghetti for dinner. Amanda is a great cook! We all think she does super when she has KP duty! We all would be much skinnier if we didn't like her cooking.

Anyway, when she fixed spaghetti Brooklyn decided to test it to see if it was cooked enough to eat. How do we test pasta? Just look at the pictures and imagine the action!

What I have learned in the process of raising 4 wonderful kids:

1. Mom's don't get paid enough

2. There are always messes that need to be cleaned and it is usually the one with the biggest shoulders to get it done - mom because "I don't know" made the mess.

3. Mom's are great at refereeing children but get a bad wrap from the "cheated" or "bad call" kid.

4. Mom deals with all the stuff Hunter sticks into his pockets. Hopefully she catches it before it turns to mud in the washing machine or is dumped on the floor.

5. Mom deals with all the "creative craft" that Lexi colors, cuts up into little pieces.

6. Mom picks up after Makayla playing dress up with her dolls and with Lexi.

7. Mom does the laundry, if she can find where her husband took it off and threw it somewhere, or where Hunter took his off (try looking under his bed), Makayla and Lexi just leave it lay in bathroom floor.

8. Mom also changes Brooklyn's diaper, if really messy, then she may have to look for the wipes that the girls were playing with (hint - try looking in the basement - that's where they were last time).

9. Mom also co-teaches a Lady's Bible class on Tuesdays from 12:00-2:00 pm and attends to her husband's class on Wednesday morning from 10:00-11:00 (with Brooklyn and Hunter)

10. Mom host people in her home - in between remodeling, painting, decorating, still unpacking stuff.

Evolution has always puzzled me, if it is true, why do mom's have only two arms?!

Anyway, because I love my wife and for all that she does I wanted to reward her so we went to eat at Chili's and then to a movie - I even took her to Wal-Mart!

Husbands be good to your wives, take her on a date (even inexpensive ones give a cha-ching in the love bank) or do something for her because she is well worth it!

Garden, Home Cooking and A Good Helper

A friend of ours, who would probably like to remain anonymous, planted a garden in our backyard when he found out what we liked to eat. He planted the garden before we arrived so we were able to enjoy the produce pretty soon after we arrived. It is good to be blessed by the work of others!

The first photo is of a bell pepper, Anaheim peppers (I think) and yellow squash. Separately they are OK but blended together with chicken, onions, Mexican food spices, and a tortilla they are out of the world delicious! Amanda cooked fajitas, which is the second picture. She was also blessed to have a little helper stirring the fajita "stuffing".

I like the spiritual produce (God calls it fruit, a metaphor of His results because of His working in His people) because of God working in our lives. When our "spiritual produce" comes together we can create an aromatic, savory offering to God. Or we can put our own selfish self-seeking produce together and make a really bitter stinky meal. Sad to say, I think I have contributed to one of those meals a time or two.

Which one would you rather eat? How can you and I prepare a delectable offering for God?

Dad! Dad! It's A Sunny Day!

If you are like me then it may take a second or two for your kids to get your attention. My son, Hunter, has gotten into the habit of saying "Dad! Dad!" a few times before I give him the attention he so desires and deserves.

For the last six years we have lived in Juneau, Alaska (and loved it!) where it seems the sun may "never shine". I believe the average amount of sunny days per year was approximately 44 days! That is not a whole lot of sun. For the first 6 weeks after we moved back to Tulia Hunter would enthusiastically say when we woke from the evening's slumber, "Dad! Dad! It's a sunny day!" He usually said this running through the house with a smile on his face. Oh the things we take for granted and forget to thank God for in our lives!

Stop and give God the glory for the "small" things in your life today.

What things have you taken for granted lately?

Playing Catch Up with blogging news

I thought I would use a few posts to play catch up with what has been going on in our lives. So ...

My dad (Lawrence), who lives in Amarillo, Texas and Janet Henderson, who lives in Juneau, Alaska helped us move to Tulia. They were a great help driving and a really big help with our four kids!

We stayed in a Hotel that had a swimming pool with two slides. The kids really had a ball zipping down the slide! That kept us pretty busy as well.

Alexis and Makayla played soccer this year ... for the first time! I think they are MVP material!

They played on a team coached by Cody and Melissa Culwell. They whipped into shape in no time at all!

In the final tournament, the team placed second! We are proud of them!

That is probably way too much blogging ... be patient ... I am a beginner!

The Bairds

Just now entering the blogging world ... with eyes wide shut!

WOW! We have made it into the blogging world!

Getting started was like trying to fly a kite without any wind! I ran, and ran, and ran and finally the kite is up! I hope I can keep it up without a whole lot of running and maintenance!

We have been meaning to start the blog since we left our dear friends in Juneau. I hope our lives don't bore you to death! Maybe you should read ours last ... just so you can drift off to sleep at night.

We plan on using this blog for everyday life events as it happens in LIFE (spiritual life). Sometimes I (Bruce) will write, sometimes Amanda will write and at times my kids may have something to say (imagine that!).

I don't like to read long blog or emails (they usually get deleted, especially if it is a forward) so I will not be long either.

Get ready to laugh, cry, sigh, or be bored ... its just our life the way we choose to live it!