The Adventure Begins...

(I wrote the following blog the night we found out I had knocked up the girl with the green eyes. I saved it to my other blog because I couldn't post it here quite yet. But I had to do something. So, here is the first blog in the life of my baby.)

It's Monday, January 21st.

It's 10:53 pm and though I didn't get much sleep last night, I'm wide awake.

The girl with the green eyes expected two words, but somehow, I knew there would only be one. One little word that will forever change my life.

Pregnant.

I don't believe I will ever forget that moment. She peed into a cup and then I dipped the little stick in. She had wanted to take it by herself earlier in the day, but I wouldn't let her. For once, I'm glad she listened to me. We both crouched over the counter in our spare bath and watched a little hourglass blink. The package said it would take three minutes, but she must be REALLY knocked up because it seemed to only be about thirty seconds.

It cut her off mid-sentence, as if to say there is nothing you will ever say again that will be more important than me.

Pregnant.

We hugged. We kissed and said I love you. We took a couple pictures with the test.

Pregnant.

Then, in a surprising moment of spiritual clarity, I grabbed the girl with the green eyes' hand and we knelt at the end of our bed.

I told God he could have it.

I praised Him for His generosity. I wept at His mercy. I laughed at His timing.

The thing is probably about the size of my pinky and I'm already envisioning the people he will lead or the beauty she will display.

This is my child.

And that is why I lie awake on an otherwise ordinary Monday night.

Because nothing will ever be ordinary again.

I Smell Stork Poop...

Okay, the time is almost here. As far as the plan goes, they will induce the girl with the green eyes on Tuesday. Sometime, in the hours of pain after that, my little girl will be born. As I am quickly learning, things change fast, so if it does, I probably won't be able to blog to let you know. All I know is that every moment that passes I get closer to seeing her and I can't wait!!!!

The Henderson's Are Gonna Be Pissed...

Click here.

What A Day...

Yesterday, we had a regularly scheduled Dr. appointment. At the very end, on a whim, the good doc said, "Ya know, I can't tell if the baby is head down yet. Why don't you have an ultrasound to make sure."

We go down the hall and wait for the ultrasound tech. Soon enough, Candice's belly is covered with goo and we see, sure enough, the baby's head is...well, making like a baby and heading out. All's good right?

Well, not quite. The tech says she wants to get a reading on the fluid surrounding the baby. Seems like there should be more than there is. She moves the magic wand all over my wife's blossoming belly and clicks on the computer a couple of times. She says, "Let me go talk to the doctor for a minute."

Never a good sign.

She comes back and says that her ussumptions were correct. Candice's fluids are about half of what they should be. She tells us we need to head to a specialist to see what is up.

So, this morning we go to a paranatal specialist and get checked out. Turns out my wife's fluids aren't just low, they are dangerously low. Like, we almost went to the hospital today and had a kid low. They told her to drink water today like there's no tomorrow and see if that helps. If not, they'll probably put her in the hospital and monitor her this weekend. We have to go back and get an update tomorrow afternoon and we'll know more.

All this, and my very first house as an independent real estate agent closed today. What a weird mix of emotions. A little success mixed with a lot of fear and anticipation. Who knows, I might become a daddy this week!

The really good news is that the baby is nice and heathly. She is just shy of 6 lbs and is right where she should be growth wise. Her lungs aren't 100% developed, so we really want her to stay in the cooker for another week or so, but if she decides she's ready, modern technology should be able to help her out for the first week or so.

We'll could use any prayers you got, but overall, I'm just overwhelmed with the emotion that everything is suddenly so close. I thought I had like 3-4 weeks and I may not even have 24 hours. I'll keep you posted.

Great Article...

My fellow blogger Dustin posted a great article his lead pastor wrote about multi-venue churches. You can read the article here.

My mom and I were just talking about this issue yesterday. I'm all for new and inventive ways of sharing the gospel. I'm all for church planting. But something has always rubbed me wrong about the multi-site video venue.

There is a church in town that does it and I was speaking with one of the pastors who works there a couple of months ago. He was lamenting how they were having a difficult time getting people to want to be involved. It struck me as odd that they hadn't thought of this before. I would think that would be one of the first things you would plan on when you invite people into a room to watch tv.

I really like the attitude of the pastor and that the whole point of this church thing isn't to create a following, but to create a community of people building one another up.

Is there anyone out there at a wildly successful video venue site? What challenges did you have to overcome? Is it still the way that you would decide to go?

The Sound Air Makes Leaving Your Mouth...

Hey.

I could do the normal, "Sorry it's been awhile" thing, but the truth is, I haven't thought about blogging in a long time. How long? Well, since I last posted I guess.

The problem is, I have so much on my mind that blogging doesn't even crack the top ten list of things to do. It barely cracks the top 50.

What's on my mind? Glad you asked

1)Money. Cash. Moolah. Duckets. Benjamins. I need some. I've done a lot of work for a production company as a freelance tech and apparently they are running into money problems. I'm 90 days out on my furthest job and still no money. And we're not talking a few hundred bucks. Like many thousands of dollars. Thousands of dollars I could use to pay for things like my house and my a/c bill. I currently have 4 properties in escrow, but only one that will close this month. It's starting to get clinch the butthole tight around here.

2)I'm going to be a dad in about 7 weeks. Probably sooner. Why does that freak me out? See number 1. Seriously though, I'm going to be responsible for this fragile little life. Not just the providing either. How do you dicipline it and love it and form it into a contributing member of society? How do I introduce her to Jesus? What will I do if she's a patriot's fan? I'd feel really bad making her sleep outside, but hey, that's why patriot fans deserve.

3) I've never in my life felt like my lack of education held me back. When I worked at a church I always felt like what I produced outweighed any of that. And frankly it did. But I'm not in that world anymore. I love doing real estate. If I could pay all my bills without pulling a few thousand out of savings every month, I'd do it forever. But the truth is, it's not getting it done. I'm thinking I'm going to have to find something else. Not sure what though.

4) My walk with Christ has become very complacent. It's rare that I read my Bible. Like once in the last month rare. Even when I was working at Lennar I could always find time to read while I was at work. Now, it seems my life is so task filled I just try to get through as many tasks as I can and that one never seems to be on the top of the list. I was sitting with my good friend John Lee at my hockey game yesterday. I was telling him some of my anxieties with life. I mentioned how I don't necessarily have a lot of clients after the ones I'm dealing with right now and he said, "You know who's in control of that right?" And I replied, "Yeah, me. I just need to work harder." He said, "No, God's in control." It made me sad that I didn't even consider the possibility of that. I've blogged about God's will for our life before, but I think I forget how to have faith sometimes.

Well, that's why I don't blog much anymore. I hope it gets better, but it may not, but at least if it doesn't, you'll see this at the top and remember why you aren't getting your weekly dose of stupid videos and uneducated guesses.

Which Batman Character Are You?...

I'm the Joker. Not sure what that says about me...


Find out Which Batman Character Are You at LiquidGeneration.com!

And on the Seventh Day...

There are only two days a year where there are no professional basketball, football, baseball, or hockey games played. Today is one of those days. Can you guess the other?

63 Days!!!!!

Wow, I can't believe that's all the time that's left. When we found out the date in late February it seemed like such a long time away. Now it's getting closer and closer. The room is almost ready. I have just a little bit of work before the big day arrives, but soon it'll be finished and I can just relax and wait.

So exciting. It's all so new and fresh. Anything can happen and the possiblities of joy and excitement are almost too much for my imagination to handle.

63 short days. That's all. It'll be here before I even know it. Then everything else in life will seem to fade for awhile.

Colts vs. Bears. September 7th. A new season.

Oh, and the baby will be here sometime after that.

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

I do! I do!

So that is why yesterday, at 3:45 am, my alarm went off and I got up. No, this wasn't a drill for my rapidly approaching future of changing diapers and early morning feedings. This was a chance to change my life.

"Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" was auditioning people in Las Vegas and my friends Tyler and Kristee had invited me to go with them. So I met them at 4:30 in a parking lot and together we drove to an obscure casino in the north end of town.

After parking, we venture in to find only about a hundred or so people in line. Later on I found out that someone started the line at 6:30 pm the night before. Let it be known to the world that the person who did this has no life.

On a funny side note, the line ran in front of the entrance to the buffet. When we got in line, unbeknownst to us, we were the last ones they were gonna allow before the cut off the line and started it again further on up the aisle after the buffet. I can't tell you how many people showed up and thought we were the end of the line (to their credit, there were no signs or anything, just a security guard in charge of directing them back to the real line). What made it funny was that two or three times, two people would simulteaneously join the line. The gaurd would speak to them and only one of them would turn around. Meanwhile, the second fellow would stand there as if he couldn't hear the obvious explanation that this wasn't the back of the line and they would have to move. After the first guy would leave to join the real back of the line, the gaurd would have to get the second guy's attention, who was only a foot and a half away the first time the gaurd explained what was going on, and he would act like he had no idea. Cracked me up everytime.

As we are waiting there, they hand us a magnet with a number written on the back and the show's logo on the front. This is our admission ticket and our identification. They finally opened the doors and we head into a nightclub where they had set up chairs for the testing. We file in one by one and they pass out the tests. The first test was for a movie trivia week they are gonna do. They give you 10 minutes to fill out 30 questions.

As they were explaining the process, I quickly glanced around. Being my Mamaw's grandchild, the though passed through my head, "If I get in trouble, who can I cheat off of?" (warning: the following contains gross stereotypes that do not necessarily reflect my actual feelings) I looked to the guy on my right. He had one tooth. I was not going to cheat off of him. Kristee was sitting to my left. She graduated from a bible college. Prolly not going to be much help either. The person up to my left was kinda brainy, but once it started I noticed he was very concerned with someone cheating off him, as he covered his paper very well (DANG HIM!!!). The guy in front of me was really fat and I couldn't see over him. The lady up to my right struck me as the mother of four kids and living off of welfare.

"Hmmm..." I thought to myself. "Gonna have to go it alone Keck..."

The testing began. Some questions were very easy ("What's the first rule of 'Fight Club'") and some were very hard. So hard, I can't even remember them. Like, some film was created as an ode to this 1950's director. Name the director. I'm pretty sure I missed that one. But overall, I thought I did pretty well.

After the movie test was over, they passed out the general knowlege test. Once again, it ranged from easy to difficult, much like the show. I felt pretty confident on that one too. They were all scantron style of testing so I knew we would have the results pretty quick. We passed in the answer forms and tests and they fielded some questions as we waited on the results. Then they passed out T-shirts. This proved to be a very bad idea. They didn't have enough t-shirts for everyone so they just kind of generally threw them out to the crowd. You won't believe how much grown men and women will fight for a stupid t-shirt. I thought the guy in front of me was gonna take down a lady for it. Man he wanted that shirt. I felt like telling him he could just go to goodwill in about a month and pick one up.

Well, they interupt the questions to let us know the results are in. They'll read the passing numbers and those people are supposed to just stick around. Everyone else was free to go and fight for t-shirts in the parking lot. First they'll read the people who passed both the movie test and the general test. They read three numbers.

Those people are smart.

Then they read the people who had just passed the movie test. I thought I might be able to get on with that one. They read 6 numbers.

None were mine.

I'm starting to sense there is only a very small window of people who passed. So, I gave up, now knowing the standards must be pretty high. I figured they'd only keep between 5-6 of the general knowlege peeps. They started reading numbers. And kept reading. Pretty soon, I realized I just might have a chance. More and more numbers were read as people began a little celebration when they were called. All around, person after person celebrated as they won what I'm sure feels like the lottery. I just knew my time would come. Finally, they get to the last number.

A punch in the stomach. I exhaled.

The welfare woman made it.

Looking back on it, I came to a couple realizations.

First, they probably don't want someone like me who got every answer of the test right. It's not like they want someone on the show who could actually WIN the million dollars. They want the $50,000 contestants. I'm more the million dollar type. That makes more sense.

And second, I should've cheated off the welfare lady.

This...

...is quite possibly the most creative thing I've ever seen.

Enjoy.

If You Have The Time...

Please don't ask me how I came across this. I don't know or remember. But if you follow the instructions exactly, I assure you that you'll laugh at some point. I can't garauntee which point, but at some point in following the directions exactly, you'll laugh.

Okay, here goes:

1) Click here.

2)Read the 'review' of the KJV bible.

3)Read the comment at the bottom.

4)Move your mouse over the name "Gregory Paul Adkins"

I hope at some point you enjoyed that. Now, back to work!

Ah, Vacation...

What a week. We left Las Vegas on Friday and arrived in Lake Tahoe, CA. Well, we landed in Reno, NV, but drove to the cali side of the lake. What a beautiful place. And considering the highs in Las Vegas were roughly 4,000 degrees while we were gone, it was a good break before the heat set in.

I got to play golf twice. I read Eric Clapton's biography (not as interesting as you would think. The guy was a real jerk before he turned 55). I freaked out as there was NO internet access in sight. I was hoping to not completely abandon work while I was up there, but apart from one morning in a coffee shop, I was without.

But, that gave me a chance to relax and watch an INCREDIBLE U.S. Open championship. I remember when Dad used to watch golf on Sundays after church. I used to think it was the most boring thing that could ever be broadcast on television. When we would steal the remote from my father's hand after he had fallen asleep (even HE couldn't stay awake through it), he would inevitably wake up and say, "Turn it back. I was watching that."

Anywho, Tiger Woods won an amazing tournament after 91 holes. 91 FREAKIN HOLES!!!! Although, after it was over, I was really sad for Rocco. Prolly the last time that guy will ever do something that significant. I was really impressed with his attitude and grace.

Anywho, we are back and tomorrow starts the grind again. It's good to be home with the puppies and to sleep in your own bed, though. Something about your own tv with your own remote and your own thermostat that just feels good.

I'll try to post more often Mom. I know you miss my updates!

It's Here....

Click here.

Thanks Matt.

What A Numnah...

The definition makes it even better!

For Chief Yellowhat...

I love living in Las Vegas. And with the our little girl on the way, I'm excited about all the things living in the west has to offer. Things that I didn't get to do when I was a kid. San Diego Zoo, the Grand Canyon, Disneyland (sure we went to Disneyworld, but it's not the same as the original), California beaches, real snow skiing (not the hills of Michigan), etc. But there's one area of my childhood that the west cannot provide for my little girl.

Roller Coasters.

Oh sure, sure, every casino on the strip on every corner has one. But they are really just little thrill rides. Only one (New York, New York) actually comes close to being a TRUE roller coaster. The one out at stateline is nice and cheap with a, what was at the time of construction the world's largest, huge drop. But even then, you aren't in the midst of a carnival atmosphere with cotton candy, elephant ears, and expensive sodas with more roller coasters to explore. Sorta one and done.

And yes, there's Magic Mountain. It was once labeled the roller coaster capital of the world. Once. A long time ago. Now it just feels like they squeezed as many coasters into one area as they could. When you are on one ride, you loop and ride through another. After awhile, they all kind of blend together.

No, for theme parks, there is only one destination for a true roller coaster enthusiast.

King's Island.

Now, before you midwesterner give me the Cedar Point argument, let me stop you right now. I know there are parks with taller rides. I know there are parks with steeper drops. I know there are parks with more loopty loops and corkscrews. But there is no park, no park in the world, that can match the speed and distance of the greatest roller coaster ever created.

The Beast.

Yes, even before you climb aboard one of the three 36 passenger trains, you can hear The Beast's satisfaction in striking fear into the heart of a new passenger. As you stare at the impressive six layers of 2x4 used to brace just the track, you have to wonder just how much lumber went into making this...well...beast of a track. The truth is, no one knows! There is so much wood that went into this monster that no one kept track and now it is a mystery. Try it. Try to find the answer. Good luck.

Some of my best memories of childhood revolve around King's Island. There was a pattern to the day. You started at Top Gun, because it sucked, but you had to ride it, so you tackled it early to get it out of the way. Then you hit the Racers. Backwards was a must! (Although rumor has it that they changed the backwards ride to now go forwards. Shame). Then you stood in the rediculously long line to ride Days of Thunder (IAAASSSSSAAAACCCC!). Next was the Vortex. I have to be honest. The first time I went to King's Island, I was scared to ride this coaster. I didn't do it. Neither did my friend Kevin and we both tried to pretend we would've if the other had wanted to. Then came lunch. SKYLINE CHILI BABY!!! After that you tried to win the girl a stuffed animal in the Coney Island section. Once lunch was digested, it was off to the King Cobra. Then, after this proper warm up, and only then, could you even consider taking on The Beast.

I remember standing in line with two good friends to ride The Beast when a gentlemen interrupted our conversation to tell us he was one of the first people to ever ride The Beast. We went along with him until he told us that The Beast used to have a loop in it (this was before Son of Beast was injuring people with it's metal travesty). After that, we figured he was off his rocker. He proceeded to 'jeff gordon' us (as Johnny "IT'S TIME" Scott said at the time) and jump ahead of the line. He happened to be wearing a yellow hat. From that, the legend of Chief Yellowhat grew. Chief Yellowhat, the only man to ride a loop on The Beast.

I say you must ride The Beast after a proper warm up. But it's not you that's warming up. You see, The Beast is a woodie. It's not state of the art. It's not new technology. It's classic. And the cool nights in Ohio means the wood is stiff and unforgiving in the morning. You don't want to be on one of those first rides out of the gate. You want the late afternoon runs. You want to hit the ol boy when he's good and ready to give you the ride of your life.

It takes four minutes and thirty seconds to tame The Beast. And once you've tasted the good stuff, nothing else quite compares.

One day I'll take my daughter there. One day we'll board the 7,500 feet of track, scream with delight as we drop over 100' into the earth (that's right, the first drop goes underground!), and hold on for dear life as we twist and turn through the 35 acres that The Beast covers.

Until that day, I'll have to settle for this:

If I Were To Ever Fight...

...surely this is how it would turn out.

BIG BROWN!!!!

I don't know what it is about horse racing but I LOVE IT! I love how beautiful those enormous animals look as they stretch for another stride. The power in their legs. They way they almost float above the track as they race at full speed. Absolutely stunning.

It always seems at this time of year I get to watch the three races which make up the triple crown, the greatest acheivement in thoroughbread racing. For three years in a row, we had a horse win the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes but lose the Belmont Stakes (War Emblem in 2002, Funny Cide in 2003, and Smarty Jones in 2004).

To see Big Brown do what he just did to the rest of the field got me excited. It was like his jockey was driving a car and just decided to throw it into high gear and run away from the pack. Amazing.

One more race to go!!!!

ALMOST!!

Thank you Betsy for pointing out how long it's been since I've posted. Truth is, I had REALTOR (like doctor just with 'real' instead of 'doc'. It's not Realator. That word doesn't exist. Unless you live in eastern Tennessee where you are allowed to add syllables at any place and at any time to any word) classes last week then did a job with a production company that I moonlight with to earn a little extra needed cash. Anyway, I should have more time to blog now that I'm back to working. And awe all know, with Jake, Work=freetime-to-search-the-internet-for-random-clips. This week's episode comes courtesy of a moron who apparently decided to attempt a standing back flip without ever practicing it before in his life. Enjoy!

I Am Tony Stark's Jealous Fan...

Went and saw Iron Man on opening night. Pretty darn good. Anybody else see it?

In honor of the movie, this website has a list of real life gadgets so you can assemble your very own iron man suit. Good luck.