Friday, August 13, 2004

My Family Matters !

I can spend so much time on this blog talking about goofy stuff but today is a day of focus. Today, family matters !! Today, I'm just going to write about my family. I hope this blesses you as much as it does me.

My wife Kendra is great ! We've been married almost 7 years (December 7th is fast-approaching!) and it's gotten better each year. We may look alot different than those kids who got married back in 1997 but our relationship with each other is better now than ever. Kendra and I continue to seek ways to strengthen our Christian walk together. We are challenged every day to put God first and find time...uh... make time together in prayer and study of His word. I love Kendra's devotion to God's word and the way she soaks it up. It's precious to me to catch a glimpse of her during her quiet time. I know she's a godly woman and I praise God that He decided that I needed to be her partner for life. I love you kiddo !!

Tyler is my wonderful 3 year old son. He's my wrestling buddy, my computer whiz, and just about one of the cutest kids you'll meet. (biased of course) Tyler has a great imagination and loves to act out what all is going through his head. He loves Pooh, JoJo's Circus (Disney), Buzz Lightyear and Woody, Veggie Tales, children's praise songs (Jana Alayra, the Donut Man and Karen Henley are his favorites). It's so much fun to listen and watch him praise His creator. Tyler loves to swim and is getting better and better at it each day. He loves to read books, especially at bedtime. He loves a good tickle-rub on his belly too at night and that's real cute. Especially when he says "one more time" ! Tyler loves to give hugs but brace yourself because he'll come at you with force. Love that kid!!

Colby (aka Colby Joe) is our 18 month old bundle of fun. Colby Joe (his real middle name is David but one of our friends started calling him Colby Joe and it stuck) is lots and lots of fun. He's picking up words left and right so we have to watch what we say ! (HA) He loves to play with his older brother but he keeps getting the losing end of the stick because of his size. Tyler is much bigger and makes Colby pay for it everytime. However, his fun-loving attitude keeps him coming back for more. Colby loves to nestle into your lap for a quick read. He loves to give hugs and kisses. He's great in the pool too and seems much more fearless in the water than his older brother. I think Colby has got some daredevil in him so I'm sure we'd better have good insurance !! Love my Colby Joe!!

So, there's my family. I just put together a new family website for us. It has some family photos to let you see my little guys in action. The website is in it's initial stages so I don't think I'll quit my day job !! Click here: Vaughn Family Website (defaults to photos but feel free to search around)

Thank you God for my family!! They are the best and I'm truly a blessed man to lead them !!

Joshua 24:15 (MSG) "If you decide that it's a bad thing to worship GOD, then choose a god you'd rather serve--and do it today. Choose one of the gods your ancestors worshiped from the country beyond The River, or one of the gods of the Amorites, on whose land you're now living. As for me and my family, we'll worship GOD."

God bless you all,

SJ


Wednesday, August 11, 2004

Doe v Wade - ??

There are things that I learn in my life that fall into the category of "I didn't know that - should I have known that?". Here are a few things that I learned today when I got caught up in the web of searching the internet and clicking on article after article, all tied together. I really wasn't looking to get into abortion articles but one thing led to another and I found myself reading all of them. Guess that's why they call it the "web" because once you are in, it's hard to get out.
  1. Did you know that the reason that ROE v Wade was called "Roe" because there was already a "Doe"? Jane Roe was the famous woman who filed the complaint against Dallas District Attorney Henry Wade. Another couple was involved in the original case and they were identified as "John and Mary Doe". So they didn't want a Mary Doe and a Jane Doe because you can't have a "Doe v. ?" and another "Doe v.?" - so that's why we have "Roe"... I didn't know that.
  2. Did you know that "Roe" (Norma McCorvey) is now a strong Catholic and is anti-abortion? Actually, I think I knew that but I put it in here in case you didn't know.
  3. Speaking of Henry Wade of the "Roe v Wade" - he was known for 2 things. He put Jack Ruby behind bars (after killing Oswald). He was also known as a Texas legend with the nickname of "The Chief'' around the Dallas courthouse because Wade never lost a case he personally prosecuted. What? What about Roe v. Wade? Didn't he ultimately lose that because of the Supreme Court's decision? ... Well, actually he never personally got involved. One of his assistants actually defended the case for the State of Texas.

And now you know things I didn't know.

God bless you all,

SJ

p.s. This is not meant to spark an abortion debate. I have my personal opinions on the issue but I just thought this would be interesting regardless of your stance on the issue.


Tuesday, August 10, 2004

Nice shot Tiger !

For anyone who is a golf fan or if you just like cool photos, check out the following website for some great pictures of Tiger Woods!

Click here for the website

(Note: this is my shortest blog ever! You can thank me later!)

God bless you all,

SJ

Sunday, August 08, 2004

The Joys of Comfort Fit !

My wife and I had some extra money that we had set aside to buy some new clothes. We ventured out yesterday while leaving the kids napping at home while Aunt Moni stayed back to watch 'em. Shopping without your kids is a whole different experience. It's amazing how much you can get done.

While shopping, I made note of some observations that I thought I would share:

  1. Do parents realize how loud they truly are when griping at their kids?
  2. My children are angels compared to some of the devil kids that were out yesterday.
  3. Department stores could help out with the divorce rate if they would just have a men's department that had a TV in it with some sporting event showing. I've noticed that unless the man is shopping for himself, he's less interested in the experience. Selfish pig!
  4. Oh, and if the man is frustrated at how long his significant other is taking, the pain involved in waiting is much less than the backlash involved by expressing his disgruntled opinions to the women he is with.
  5. Atkins, Weight Watchers, South Beach, Slim-Fast ... none of these will help you to lose weight. Go try on some clothes and you'll begin fasting immediately!!! (Not that I would know from experience ...again these are just observations!! :)
  6. I wish they would have mannequins that were more "realistic". Can you imagine a mannequin with a belly that hangs over the belt? It would help some men determine whether or not a belt is needed at all in some outfits.
  7. My body and the term "fitted" don't go together !!
  8. I love the term "comfort fit" !! It's a new term for clothes that allows us larger guys to actually not throw clothes across the dressing room while in tears that we have to wipe away before anyone sees us.
  9. If you bought so many clothes that your small toddler has to balance on top of the shopping cart instead of the proper front seat, then it's time to head to the cash register. (I actually had to do a double-take when I saw this!)
  10. It's a sad day when a 10-year old girl has to say to her Mom, "but those shorts are too short - they show too much of my butt!" Have parents lost their ability to discern appropriate vs. inappropriate?

God bless you all,

SJ