Loud 'n' Clear

For a majority of my life, and for all of my adult years one musical act has always held a special place in my record, tape, CD and Itunes collection.

In 1984 a friend of mine introduced me to Stryper, the world's first long-haired, heavy metal, rock-n-roll, Christian glam-band! As a 14 year old trying to live for Christ, Stryper provided a powerful role model and social outlet for me and my friends. And from 1984-1989 we were not alone as Stryper literally rocked the world with number one hits on the radio and top videos on MTV. Stryper was a hit and for us in the Christian world, smiles of pride were permanent fixtures on our faces.

Yes, we were Soldiers Under Command and Stryper was our leading battalion.

Even though I'm not 40 I have to admit when I hop into my Z06 it only seems fitting to crank up the rock-n-roll and it has to be loud. Though nowadays I usually jam out to the likes of FooFighers, Nickleback or others, 80s heavy metal remains a mainstay and a Stryper CD is usually not far away.

In 2001 the band reunited for what we all thought would be their last concert as a group. Michael Sweet was off doing his own thing and having success and the rest of the band had moved on with wives and kids in tow. In the early 90s they made some bad choices and had some personal struggles as young men that had tarnished their reputation and it seemed it was all but over.

But God wasn't done with Stryper yet.

In 2003, the band released a compilation with a few new singles on it called Seven and in 2005 their first new complete album since 1990 was released called Reborn. It was crisp, bold, loud and modern. It was Stryper and it was good.

In 2009, the band released yet another album called Murder by Pride which is probably their best album since Soldiers Under Command in 1986.

Today, Stryper has a new base of young fans to go along with us grey-haired oldies. I recently took my 14 year old niece to see them live at the House of Blues in Dallas. The show was incredible and fittingly ended with a Stryperized heavy-metal rendition of "Winter Wonderland". We both banged our heads, shook our fists and sang our hearts out. For me it was like stepping back to the late 80s when as a youth Stryper was my musical drug.

A quarter of a century has gone by, but as I have told members of the band personally over the years in the few times I have had the chance to talk to them, God used Stryper in my young life as a source of identity and pride as a Believer. They played a large role in helping me realize Christians should stand up, be counted, and be bold. I only hope they can do the same for this new generation of Stryper fans because the Lord knows our worlds needs it!

For now, I think today would be a good day to hit the streets and crank it up just one more time!

Quinny Update

I am still blown away by our little Quinny. I got to spend some good one-on-one time with him last weekend as we had a few "daddy days" in a row since the girls were out of town and I truly enjoyed it.

Yes he is two in all sense of the word, and yes he is a boy which compounds his troubles. But, this little guy is a bundle full of joy too. He makes everyone around him smile (always has). Everywhere we went he was waving at people and saying all kinds of stuff. He is such a talker. He can say his ABCs, the pledge, his night time prayers, and tons of other stuff. Basically, at two, he can talk nearly as good as his sisters who are 4 and he says everything he hears too. He is one smart cookie though. Few things get past him and you can see his mind racing in his eyes when you try and fool him.

He is the only on in our famiyl who is a morning person. Most days I get him out of bed and the first thing he does is go in and wake up his sisters with a big happy "Good morning!". Then he quickly heads downstairs to climb into bed and bumps heads with mommy and pulls on her saying "time to get up!". Does it nearly every morning. LOL.

Soon it will almost be two years since we first saw his cute little smile and felt God's tug to add little Seong Wook to our family. I cannot even imagine had we not responded. Life just would not be the same - for all of us.

My favorite thing? The way he says "daddy". Nothing is cuter.

Over the Years

I was thinking the other day about how our family has grown and changed over the years. Started with just me and Max back in 1999. Then Julie came along and rocked my world and soon Sam came into the mix. It was just us and "the boys" (http://maxandsam.blogspot.com).

A few years later that all changed with Chloe and Sidney. Then all things were completed when Quinn made us a family of...well 7 when you count the boys, and yes, we have to count them!

There really isn't anything greater in life than family! See photos on facebook!

Quinn Reunited with Foster Mom

Last weekend, Julie and Quinn flew to Phoenix for a Korean festival/reunion with Dillon parents and families. His foster mom was one of the Korean women that flew in to the States to visit. It was a rare opportunity to see her again and though we could not all go, it was important for us that Quinn get to see her again.

She was very emotional in seeing him and gave our family plenty of Korean gifts we will cherish forever. She is truly an angel of God and has fostered over 25 little babies over the years.

I am sure she was shocked to see how big and active the little Seong Wook has become!

Weekend Full of Memories

This was one of "those weekends". One in which old memories were brought back to life and new ones were put into memory.

Julie took Quinn to Arizona to see his foster mom that had come to the States from Korea. I wanted all of us to go, but with today's travel expenses it was just not feasible right now for us.

So, I decided to take advantage of a weekend with the girls to myself and we headed out of town Friday afternoon to "stay at a hotel" and "see daddy's school" as they excitedly proclaimed. Yes, it was homecoming weekend in Brownwood, Texas, at good ol' HPU. It has been years since I have been and I really didn't want to miss another year. So glad I didn't too.

I decided we would stay just outside of Brownwood in Eastland at a new La Quinta. So we headed there Friday and boy were the girls psyched up. Along the way I made the decision to stop for dinner at the old "SmokeStack Cafe" just off I20 in Thurber - an old Ghost Town of sorts chopped full of big time Texas history. We admired the old smoke stack still standing but no longer in operation and enjoyed our dinner in the 100 year old building. All of these years driving down I20 I had seen this place but never stopped. Now the girls first memory of the smoke stack will also be mine. I love that.

A few miles later we pulled over to our hotel, headed to Walmart (sorry Clint) for some needed items and "surprises" and then back for a "stay up late fest" that included Disney Channel hits and more. Around 10 we hit that sack.

The next morning we arrived in Brownwood and promptly visited the fellas old friend "Achmed" and his donut shop. He was shocked to see me and nearly in tears to meet the girls too. His donuts were fresh and hot! AND GOOD. The fellas used to spend many a late night in his donut shop giving him a hard time and listening to him dish it right back to us.

The HPU parade followed that along with meet and greet with tons of old HPUers such as: Barry Carter, Shane Davidson, David Marsden, Brad Pletcher, Greg Bowman, David Curlee, Morgan Bush, and Steve Camfield - all with their respective wives and kiddos. Others were there as well, including a small, but vibrant group of current HPU DeltaPi members. After touring the campus and showing the girls the old hallways and classrooms, we headed over for lunch at Underwoods - which of course nearly made us all cry with joy (is anything better, really?). Then we toured the old Club J area and downtown (takes about 47 seconds) and headed over to Gordon Wood Stadium to watch the Yellow Jackets play.

The girls were fascinated with the band and "Buzzsaw" - the mascot - and had a smile on their face all day long. I did too. As we sat at lunch and talked about old times, shared funny stories and discussed old friends and current happenings, it just sank in that this was one of the times to relish and put away forever. Sure we talked about how we would all stay in touch via the wonder of Facebook, but nothing will ever replace the face-to-face experience of being together.

I love creating memories because they are there in tough times to recall for a little bit of joy. HPU still is a place I cherish and will always be blessed to have been a part of from 1990-1993.

And this weekend I think I planted that first HPU memory into the minds of the two things I love more than life itself.

If only Quinn and Julie had been there...

I'm 40

Yep. I'm old. Read my thoughts here:

http://nobonesaboutit.blogspot.com/2009/10/omgosh-im-40.html

Counting it down...

Less than 4 hours....

40th Bday Extravaganza Kicked Off

My 40th bday extravaganza week kicked off yesterday with a family day to the State Fair and then rounded off with a huge birthday party hosted by my wife at Splitsville in Arlington. In attendance were the Curlees, Greg H, Franklins, Harris, Shermans, Ruzekas, Irmish, Jensens, Novingers, and the Devlins – about 20 or so. Scott and Jen could not make it, but he dropped off an Obama chia-pet for my enjoyment so he was there in spirit. It was exactly what I wanted for a party – Julie did a great job and our amazing friends did the rest! I am truly amazed and blessed by our friends. You learn as you get older how important true friendships are….

Jam Out to Some Stryper/Boston

Happy Chuseok Day! (Korean Thanksgiving)

Today is one of the big annual Korean holidays - Chuseok. Essentially, they don't mess around with waiting until nearly December to have their Thanksgiving feasts and fun!

Being proud to share in the Korean way, our family will likely take some time out today to honor Quinn's homeland with a feast of our own!

For more you can read here: http://www.korea.net/News/News/NewsView.asp?serial_no=20070921035

New Business Launched Today

My days of dealing with the headaches of selling health insurance are going on pause for a while - at least for the most part.

As of today, we launched a new division - EMI - that will offer small businesses advertising on Google at unreal rates. We have struck a deal with a company called AdzZoo and Chris and I are fortunate enough to know and have direct connections to the owners and executives involved in this new company. Thanks to a long-term business contact, this opportunity has been made to us just at the time when we were getting really tired of the healthcare rat-race.

We will still offer health and life plans, but it is now about 10% of our overall production strategy.

If anyone wants details on how you can use this service for your own business, OR want the opportunity to start a business with us, please see the link below and I will personally be glad to train and show you how. It is truly unlike anything I have ever seen!

New Income Opportunity

Quinn Loving MDO School

Our little Quinster is quickly coming into his own during his two days a week at our local Mother's Day Out program. It is so amazing to see him progress and jump into things, following his sisters every steps.

He is learning the songs, enjoying play time, making some new friends and really coming out of his shell - not that he was ever in one! LOL.

He had a few rough days in the begining but as long as his little "Howie" is with him, he just loves it!

Big Day for the Brady Bunch

Yep, it sure is going to be a big day!

1. Girls start school and will be separated for first time.
2. Quinn starts Mother's Day Out! Should be a little crazy but he will love hanging out with some boys for a change. Maybe it will get him away from those purses and high heels!
3. Julie starts PTA!
4. Brady's new office opens up - new era for Equal Health!
5. Brady and Julie get back to the gym! I need it way more than her!

Final Summertime Fun

Well, the summer is offically over now. It ended with a bang yesterday as we took the kids to Hawaiian Falls one final time. Such a great day outside too. Now for the next 9 months we will have to explain how the waterpark is closed every single time we drive by - which is alot since we live down the street!

Potty Training Isn't That Hard

Ok, so Quinn is a one of a kind child.

Two days ago, out of nowhere, he takes off his diaper and decides he wanted to go potty - in the potty. Julie rushed to get him his little toddler potty and sure enough, he sat down and went teetee all on his own according.

If I could bottle Quinn up I would be a zillionaire!

Now, let's see if he can figure out the "aiming" side of this thing once he learns he needs to pee standing up!

Fellas Entering Era of Turning 40

This fall the fellas will begin their collective decent "down the hill" as many begin turning 40. I of am now leading the pack, as Tercek is far ahead and left us in the dust, with Clint and RJ quickly behind. After that, the likes of Greg, Scott and Michael will soon follow.

I really cannot believe I will be 40 in just 60 days. But, trust me, I am already working on all I plan to say about that big day! For now, I have to get to bed. It's 10:22pm, WAY past my bedtime....

Quinn Becomes U.S. Citizen

Today our little Quinny became a real American as he was given his citizenship certificate via a neat ceremony in Irving. He was such a good boy too (compared to some others) and grinned from head to toe waving his little American flag while in the process of destroying it.

It was a wonderful moment to experience this process with him and now we can celebrate American with the rest of us!

The other great news - no more adoption paperwork! The 2 year process is complete!

(see our photos on facebook!)

Big is Not a Big Enough Word

Last weekend I attended my first game at the new Cowboys Stadium, the 1.2 billion dollar home financed by the city or Arlington, but mostly by owner Jerry Jones.

It took me thhhiiisss long to forget about my sentimental strongholds to Texas Stadium.

Wow!

Jerry did it. God has made many incredible things and He certainly gave Jerry (whether he knows it or not) the creative ability on this place too! It is unreal.

As long time season ticket holders I was somewhat nervous about what games would be like in this new JerryWorld. Much to my surprise, it was more than talked about. Sensory overload for sure. From the fun tailgating outside to the cushion seats, to the megaTVboard, to the concessions and bathrooms that were so numerous that there were still no lines even with 80,000 people there.

If you haven't gone yet, get a party pass at the least and test it out for yourself. All I can say is Go Cowboys!

Girls Turn 48 Months

Forty-eight short months ago our lives changed forever when our girls, Sidney and Chloe were born at Arlington Memorial Hospital. About this time in the morning we became parents of two incredible little (and I do mean little) beautiful girls!

Over the last 4 years life has been crazy yet fun all at the same time. The sad thing about having a baby is that one day the baby becomes a small child and gone are the days of telling people "she's 19 months" or he's about to be "6 months". For some reason, once they turn 2, we start reporting their ages in years.

Well, I am changing the tide. My little babies are going to be aged by months from now on. I want it back. It's just going too fast.

"How old are they?", I can see someone asking me down the road.

"Oh, they are 480 months," I answer as I stand and cheer on the Cowboys Cheerleader group they made at 20 years old during a game, "Good job Chloe! Good job Sid!"

In the mean time, we enjoy the moments of them turning our world upside down! 48 months later our world is still spinning!

For slide show click here: http://www.photodex.com/sharing/viewshow?fl=3123977&alb=117305

A 4 Year Old Trapped in a 2 Year Old Body

Ok, maybe I am just a tad one-sided in this affair, but I am not exaggerating (for real) when I say our little Quinners is one smart dude. I mean, the girls are smart too, but he is so far ahead of them at his age compared to when they were two it is not even funny. The day we first saw his photo we knew he was special. His attitude, personality and smile rival any I have ever seen.

Yet, little did we know, this little 4 year old trapped in a 2 year old body was created to soon rule our world

BEFORE he turned two he:

- could basically count to 10
- could sing parts to almost any song he heard (including many on the radio)
- studies how anyone does anything and attempts to duplicate the act and in most cases succeeds
- can play with the Iphone
- speaks in complete sentences (he can put words together better than they can pronounce them - his brain is ahead of his tongue)
- he comprehends EVERYTHING he hears (i.e. Julie and I could be having an adult conversation about going to the mall for some reason, he will hear us talking and then ask when we are going to the mall)
- he can nearly swim and willfully and happily goes under water holding his breath
- he was running way before 18 months
- he practices going potty (I swear if we took his diaper off he would plop down on the toilet, do number two, wipe his own rear, get up and wash his hands and come out saying "Do NOT go in there!")

- he takes off his own diaper (to mom's horror) and calls himself "Stinky McFly"

- he has been eating with a fork and a spoon since he was 12 months old (he is still a disaster when we eat however and it gets everywhere)

- he has never used a passi

- he drinks from an adult cup and has been now for months

- he has been sitting in an adult chair since 18 months old when we eat shocking many waitresses (he has never sat in a booster seat)

- he can nearly say all of his ABCs

- when I get home for the day and ask him what he did today he gives me a complete, honest run down of all of his activities and I understand them all (sometimes I get more from him than Julie)

Surely, he has two sisters to emulate and copy and he certainly does that, all day long. Yet, this child is amazing.

In more ways than one.

Q-ster Turns Two

Just a little over a year ago, Quinn Seong Wook joined our family as a cute little 9 month old.

Little did we know what this little ball of joy and energy would do to us all!

Quinn turns two today and his incredible personality and attitude still amazes everyone. An early start to life full of more turmoil than most every experience, our little boy is truly a shinning example of God's joy.

He keeps us on our toes every minute of the day too. He is "ALL BOY" as they say. One minute he is a one-man terrorist organization, the next he is cuddly and cuter than a bug.

Overall, now we know just how incomplete our family was before him. He is the caboose to our train....so we hope.

Happy 2nd birthday Quinny the Pooh!

Girls Complete Swimming Lessons

Two weeks ago the girls started swimming lessons. At the time, they were sort of warming up to the water at our pool at home.

Just 14 days and some major episodes of crying later, they don goggles and swim like Shamu!

They still have a ways to go before they are quite as good as their Sea World hero, but it won't be long. Their brother loves the water and nearly drowns himself trying to get in it, but considering where the girls were just a few weeks ago, we are more than thrilled.

We are finally getting our monies worth out of our own blue lagoon!

A $1 Billion Dollar Home

I love football season. Thank God the Rangers and Astros both are still in the baseball hunt or my sport world would be drier than a 100 degree day in Dallas, but still, nothing gets me more fired up than knowing football season is just around the corner.

And for those of us season ticket holders stupid enough to mortgage our great grandchildren's future, their new home in Arlington recently topped $1,000,000,000 to build.

My office sits on the 6th floor of a building just down the street so we have watched it go up daily now since 2007. I have been tracking this montser via photos for the last two years. Below are a few with a link to them all. Enjoy.

We take a tour next week - more photos of the incredible Jerry Jones world will be posted then.

For now let's hope it all pays off in the Boys actually winning a post season game...

http://www.thefamilypost.com/Speersfamily/album_view.php?album_id=800603

Girls Taking Swimming Lessons

Chloe and Sidney are learning to love the water.

The hard way.

They started taking official swimming lessons Monday and despite occurences of Julie having to chase them around the pool with them crying hysterically, they are getting better and better each day.

After the first lesson Chloe proclaimed, "We are not going back there." LOL.

Finally on day 4 they are both jumping off the side, swimming a little under water and getting more brave. Our little babies are growing up.

Their brother? Well, he might as well have been born in water with duck webbed feet. He LOVES the pool....

No More Bottles

My wife did it. She got Quinny off the bottle this week.

That ends a streak of nearly 4 years of dealing with and using bottles every on a daily basis for the two of us.

Well, we have paid our dues and we are finally beyond the bottle stage. Some say that is sad, but I say bring on potty training and learning how to buckle their own seat belts. Then we will finally be getting somewhere.

Meanwhile, out little boy is bottle free. He is truly a champion.

The King of Pop Is Dead

It was not a good day for entertainers.

Farrah Fawcet died earlier in the day of cancer. She was "the" supermodel many of us grew up with whose fame peaked with her role in Charlie's Angels.

Then, just hours later, Michael Jackson suddenly died of a massive heart attack. He was just 50. He was one crazy person, who had a tragic life yet brought us an entire new sound and style. there may never be another album ever produced as popular as Thriller was.

He was my geneation's "Elvis" and now he is gone.

The Q-ster Update

Quinny is one funny dude.

As he approaches turning 2, we have learned that he is far superior in abilities than his age!

He can repeat anything he hears - including "Oh Crap" which he said one day from the backseat with Daddy driving. He can say his ABCs perfectly. He says "Mommy" about 100 times a day and he says "No, no Daddy" while waving his hand and giggling when I come calling for him. He can climb anything and does so all the time. He eats with a fork or spoon while refusing a high chair our booster seat - he has to sit like an adult. He can sing most songs he hears - especially "Happy Birthday Dear Becky" (his aunt). He can open all doors, turn everything on or off that he wants and he can watch you do something one time and nearly figure out how to do it himself.

He is one smart little man.

It has been just over a year since we became a family of 5, but certainly he pulls his own weight equal or more than the girls do combined.

I have always thought there is something very special about this child. He has the brains, the personality and even the looks to set the world a blaze!

Father's Day was Rangers Game for Me

I still cannot believe I have been a "daddy" now for 4 years. On top of that, a "daddy" to three. Who would have thought....

This week was special as I took my girls together to a Rangers/Astros baseball game Thursday night. It was the twins night at the Ballpark in Arlington! It is something I do ever year now.

We made it through the 5th inning, even though we only sat down for about 3. The rest were spent playing in the kids areas out on homerun porch.

It was a big night including Pudge Rodriquez set the MLB record for games caught and President Bush was in attendance that night too which was special. Not often you get to be in the same building with a former President, especially one we now wish we had back in office!

It was a great time and next year my "daddy" date with Quinny at a Rangers game will be added to the mix!

For pictures click here:

http://share.shutterfly.com/share/received/welcome.sfly?fid=af08d9dc5b0ba5762a944dfefaeb216b&sid=8QZtHLVy3bMO6

Annual Coastal Vacation - Corpus Christi

Usually the family heads down to the Galveston area each year, but this go around we decided Port Aransas would be our destination while Galveston continues to recover from Hurricane Ike.

Needless to say, we truly enjoyed the quick 5 day getaway while staying at a nice condo on Mustang Island. The beaches were incredible and the private pool sure made the ends of the days relaxing and clean. The Texas State Aquarium was also a hit with the kiddos.

Of course, nothing compares to the stop at Sea World on the way down. No one is bigger to them than Shamu....well, maybe Mickey.

Thanks for All to Those Who Died for Our Freedoms

Memorial Day weekend is always a great time to enjoy with family and friends, but neither should we forget to remember those that served and even died for freedoms of people all over the world.

I recall Julie and I visiting Washington, DC in 2004 and standing at the Korean War Memorial. What a powerful place that is. Had no idea at the time what that war would mean to both of us personally. Had our service men and women not helped our South Korean brethren they very well may be a communist state and our son would have never been our son.

Thanks to our brave military, they ARE free and we have our little Quinny.

Quinn Adoption @ Yahoo! Video

Quinn Fund Helps Child

After we got home with Quinn from South Korea, we felt led to set up a fund through Dillon International that would provide financial assistance to future families desiring to adopt a child. Not only did we personally contribute, but soon soon funds began pouring in from friends and family as well which resulted in the collection thousands of dollars in just 12 months.

We got a call from Dillon a few weeks ago that a child in Korea with special needs really needed a home. Apparently, this child had come close to being adopted before with it falling through. She had been on the waiting list since August but now a family was ready to make her their own.

The catch was they needed ALL of the money in Quinn's fund to be able to do so and Dillon wanted to know if we were ok with that since usually only part of the fund is given. This was a special case and this child really needed a home soon they told us.

We didn't even have to pray about that one and now thanks to all of you that have helped over the last 12 months a baby girl will have a forever family!

God is good.

Girls Are Bikers Now

Following in the footsteps of their Papa the girls finally jumped from their tricycles to their "big girl" bikes today! Chloe took the lead when she suddenly went nuts riding all over the place with Julie. Sidney soon followed. Of course, they had to show off to daddy when I got home, after all I bought these things for them in December!

Do they make a "growth slow down" hormone yet? This is just going way too fast!

Girls Bike Video

Best Commercial

I just love this guy!

The Flu is the Flu People

Not sure why the hysteria over this new "Swine Flu". More people die from the normal flu each year than this one. Check out this from FoxNews.com. Mainstream media is so worthless...hence the reason we have Obama as President.

Swine Flu vs. Seasonal Influenza
“The illness is consistent with seasonal influenza and has generally the same symptoms of seasonal influenza,” Fukuda said. “Our information to date shows that the infection can range from very mild, requiring no hospitalization and recovering after a few days, to fatal, which is also in keeping with seasonal influenza."

Fukuda said there is no evidence that the virus is spreading from pigs or that it is unsafe to eat pork.

Authorities sought to keep the crisis in context: Flu deaths are common around the world. In the U.S. alone, the CDC says about 36,000 people a year die of flu-related causes.
Children, especially those younger than age 5, are particularly vulnerable to flu and its complications, and every year children die from seasonal flu.

According to the CDC, more than 20,000 children younger than age 5 are hospitalized every year because of seasonal flu. In the 2007-08 flu season, the CDC received reports that 86 children nationwide died from flu complications.

As of April 11, CDC had received reports of 53 seasonal flu-related deaths in children during the current seasonal flu season.

Still, the CDC calls the new strain a combination of pig, bird and human viruses for which people may have limited natural immunity.

Hence the need for a vaccine. Using samples of the flu taken from people who fell ill in Mexico and the U.S., scientists are engineering a strain that could trigger the immune system without causing illness. The hope is to get that ingredient — called a "reference strain" in vaccine jargon — to manufacturers around the second week of May, so they can begin their own laborious production work, said CDC's Dr. Ruben Donis, who is leading that effort.

The first doses of a swine-flu vaccine could be available about 15 weeks after the World Health Organization decides what kind of vaccine it wants companies to produce, Sanofi-Aventis SA's chief executive said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal.

You Might Live in Texas....

Great stuff from an email:


If someone in a Lowe's store offers you assistance and they don't work there, you may live in Texas ;

If you've worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you may live in Texas ;

If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed a wrong number, you may live in Texas ;

If 'Vacation' means going anywhere south of Dallas for the weekend, you may live in Texas ;

If you measure distance in hours, you may live in Texas ;

If you know several people who have hit a deer more than once, you may live in Texas ;

If you install security lights on your house and garage, but leave both unlocked, you may live in Texas ;

If you carry jumper cables in your car and your wife knows how to use them, you may live in Texas ;

If the speed limit on the highway is 55 mph -- you're going 80 and everybody's passing you, you may live in Texas ;

If you find 60 degrees 'a little chilly,' you may live in Texas ;

If you actually understand these jokes, and share them with all your Texas friends, you definitely live in Texas .

Six Years of Romance, Passionate Love, Bliss, Joy and Perfection

Six years ago, I talked an incredibly sexy, smart woman into saying "yes, I do" and marrying me. I cannot believe I have been so fortunate all of these years!

Ok, so maybe the headline of this entry is a tad stretched, but the truth is, the last 6 years have been truly incredible. God is giving us a great story and road to travel on. I can only pray that one day there will be a "0" behind the 6, even though I would be almost 99 years old it that happens!

Here are some great wedding day memories. More photos on facebook!

One Year with Quinn

Twelve months ago, we became a family of five. Read the story. God is good!

http://luvfromasia.blogspot.com/2009/03/one-year-with-quinn.html

Nothing Like the Bluebonnet Trail

Took the kiddos out for our annual bluebonnet photoshoot Saturday near Ennis where my grandparents had a neat farm. Love it out there and it is always the perfect backdrop for some kid pictures.

http://www.photodex.com/sharing/viewshow.html?fl=3090032&alb=0

The Masters - Is Truly a Masterpiece

Most men I know play golf. Outside of my brother-in-law, most of those same men are about as bad as me. Now, don't get me wrong, I only play maybe 3-4 times a year and live with a golf course right in our neighborhood.


It's a strange love affair we have with this game. We can't figure it out, yet most of us cannot get enough of it. Make "pars" on each round and you are a millionaire more than likely. Shoot just 2 shots a hole higher and you are like me, bound to spend millions trying to get better.



This week I experienced the true height of this incredible game as I was flown out to Augusta, Georgia, by one of our insurance providers for some practice rounds for the 2009 Masters. Only the best of the best get to play in this annual tournament worth millions, and it is a truly "members only" club. Rumors are that it took years for Bill Gates to get invited to become a member and President Bill Clinton was never invited though he repeatedly stated he wanted to play there.


This place is unreal. The grass outside of the course grass is so manicured it looks fake. Nothing like you see on TV. The course itself makes any other look like a putt-putt course. How anyone can par this course is unbelievable to me. As we sat there on "Amen Corner", between holes 11, 12 and 13 watching players tee it off just feet away from us, I was truly in awe. Not only were these the golfers we admire and watch as we nap on Sunday's, this place in every facet represented excellence to the extreme along with an old fashioned sense of integrity.

You could buy a small chair, set it up anywhere, put your belongings in the chair and leave for hours only to come back and find nothing was disturbed even if your chair was in the best spot on that hole. Lunch cost you less than $5. Beers were $2.50 and cokes were $1. Everyone was respectful, polite and incredibly helpful. The players themselves were fun, light hearted and super nice. Gift shop items were set at Target prices. And, trash was no where to be found. Even those that smoked put their butts in a trash. I was floored.

The Master's is truly a Masterpiece.

Sleep is for the Birds - I Just Wish I was One

It's always something when it comes to getting more than 6 hours sleep at one time. Here it is 4:30am and what are most American's doing right now? Yea, updating their blog....

Whether it's the girls, our boy, thunderstorms, my "can't stop thinking" brain, snoring, the dogs, or being sick, there is bound to be something get in my way.

Tonight is another of those nights.

At least I have the Internet so I can read up on all the crazy happenings in our world and the people that either killed themselves, or others during the last 6 hours.

Whew, without that, I would really never get any sleep.

Team Korea Shows Pride

In 2006, professional baseball started a new world wide tournament called World Baseball Classic. Team Japan beat out everyone to win the Championship.

In 2008 Team Korea won the Gold Medal in the Summer Games.

The Asian baseball world is proving it is among the best.

Two years ago I would have caredless, but now that I have a Korean son, having visited Seoul, and doing all I can to make sure the Korean culture is a part of our family life, I spent hours over the last 3 weeks watching Team Korea as they weaved their way into the World Baseball Classic Final against Japan Monday night at Dodger Stadium in LA.

They lost 5-3, in a 10 inning battle that proved to be one of the most exciting baseball games I have ever watched. For 4 hours nearly 40,000 Korean fans stood, chanted, whistled, clapped, cheered and loved on their boys from Seoul.

Though all of the players in this tournament are paid professionals in their home country, none make the 100s of millions most of the Team USA players do. I was cheering for Team USA too, but it was special to see "the love for the game" and "the love for my country" be the motivating factor in the eyes of both of these asian teams.

Koreans are a special, special people. There is much we could learn from them, even the way the play one of the games most of us love.

A Letter to President Obama

I am so frustrated by what this new President is doing I have decided to write him a letter. Here is a copy of it. I know he will never see nor read this, but at least I can feel better knowing I said my piece. This guy is destroying our country a little bit every single day!

http://conservativelight.blogspot.com/2009/03/letter-to-president-obama.html

Paul Always Told the Rest of the Story

I remember many, many times being in the car with dad as Paul Harvey would be telling yet another set of interesting stories. Only as I got older did I realize how great they were.

Sadly, Paul Harvey died this week and he will be missed. Some have asked me who he was which I find interesting. I am already getting so old that there are things in my life that have been there for years that others have no idea what they are.

Paul Harvey was a great AM radio commentator that shared short stories each day that had interesting twists and turns. Most would come to some "wow" ending and he would end it by saying, "And, that's the rest of the story".

Too bad he is gone. His story though will live on.

Deep in the Heart of Texas

Being a licensed insurance agents means every 2-3 years I have to spend about 30 hours in "continuing education". I elected to do mine online and decided I would hit two birds with one stone and do so at my alma mater, Howard Payne University, in Brownwood, Texas. I try to get down there once a year or so at Homecoming or another time, so I thought this would make for the perfect "escape". Plus, I had two tests to take at the end of my online courses and it has been awhile since I have done that. Maybe HPU could bring back some old studying habits...

Brownwood is located just a few miles from the dead center of Texas. Or, as I like to say it, "in the middle of nowhere." Other than that, HPU and Underwoods BBQ there really isn't much special about the city. Being a big city boy myself (Houston/Dallas), Brownwood gives me a taste of the "other way" people live. Needless to say, I did it from 1991-1993, but I have no desire to do so again.

While I was there, I did get to visit a few places I cherish like Achmed and Bosa, the Regency Suspension Bridge, Purina Tower, the Spillway and Lake Brownwood, the old Club J building, my first ChickFiLa at the Heartland "Hall" and the dead center of Texas near the town of Brady, of all things.Life there is slow and the places dies down to nothing after 8pm and I do mean nothing - no car noises, no planes...nada.

A day or so later I was back in the Metroplex enjoying the city thinking about the old days and looking forward to tomorrow.

Yes, I did pass my exams and my hours are done....at least until 2011.

Family Enjoys Korean Meal

In celebration of Julie's birthday and Korean New Years, we met up with some co-adoptive friends, Tim and Margie and their kids, Ryan and Mary for a traditional Korean BBQ meal in Dallas. It was an incredible time of cooking and fun. What an experience and the meat was incredible.

We are doing all we can to create an arranged marriage between little Mary and our Quinny! She is just so cute and a little fireball at that!

BTW - Quinn LOVED the Korean food. He ate like there was no tomorrow...

Happy Korean New Years 2009!

Korean New Year (Seollal) starts today and runs the next three days! This is our first time celebrating this annual tradition with our son Quinn! We are excited and plan to honor this time, along with Julie's birthday this week by enjoying some Korean BBQ in Dallas!

This is the Year of the Ox!

Read what people in Seoul are doing this year to celebrate.

http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEWKHSITE/data/html_dir/2009/01/24/200901240030.asp

For more read here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_New_Year

Big Girls Beds Rule the Day

Start with a little bit of pink paint, add a dash of leopard spots, some new sheets, 2 twin beds, and a twist in the arrangement of the furniture and you have a new phase.

Transition from toddler beds to big girls beds complete.

Our girls are no longer babies. Sniff, sniff.

This weekend marked the end of a phase and the start of a new one as we spent the weekend transforming their room into the "pinkvilla" it now is. They will always be daddy's babies, but in reality, my babies are now little girls sleeping their own "grown up" beds tonight.

Where is the pause button?

History Has Been Made - Change is Coming

Today history will be made.

No matter how you voted in 2008, today America takes a big step by inaugurating Barack Obama as the first African-American as President.

At 12:00 pm EST America will begin to change.

The problem is, the change coming does not look good. Look for an increase in taxes, spending, weaker defense, more acceptance of homosexuality, less moral accountability, rampant liberal agendas, liberal Judges, corrupt government officials and certainly more abortions. Sunday was "Sanctity of Life" day, yet starting today it is likely this administration will allow even more than the 1.3 million that already occur each year in this nation.

Tonight there will be a party in the streets of Washington that will make MTV look tame. Maybe Brooke and Wild On E! will show up...

In the 3 months since he became President-elect we have heard nothing but controversy already. Everyone he knows seems to have some kind of track record - corruption, fraud, socialistic ties, non-tax payers, immorality, strong liberal agendas, terrorists, racist pastors, you name it. Everyone this man seems tied to is questionable.

If he were a conservative candidate, he would have been run out of town for having even just a few of these connections. But he wasn't. Obama is lovable, gives good speeches, says all the right things, spent nearly 1 billion for adds, promises the world, and stands for nothing but everything so all people will like him. And people have emotionally fallen for it hook-line-and-sinker.

He has the celebrities, most of the media and even support from over 40% of those that call themselves Christians.

I am not trying to be a doomsayer. God is still in control even of Obama. But truth is God may very well allow us to lie in the bed we made by voting this man into office. Sometimes God does just that.

Heaven help us.

It is time we strive that conservative, Christian values are not lost forever. We must watch this administration like a hawk, prepare now for 2012 and pray like never before..

http://conservativelight.blogspot.com/

If You Did Not See This...HOLY COW!!!!!

You thought Evil Knievil was crazy.....you haven't seen nothin' yet.

If you have been to Vegas and seen the "Paris" hotel, you will recognize what this daredevil cyclist does in this out-of-your-mind stunt. He uses a small ramp to propel his way to the small top of the Arc de Triomphe replica and then free-fall drops off of it onto an even smaller landing ramp!!!! You gotta see this.

Open Arms for Another New Year

Welcome to 2009. It's a new year. All things start over, right?

For us a new tradition might have been born as we ventured out with the three children and watched the New Years Day Parade in downtown Dallas this afternoon. It was a great way to have some fun family time to start the new year off!

Some say 2008 was a year we want to put behind us and for the many I certainly understand why. For us it was one of the best years ever. We adopted a son, paid off some debts, got a few new cars, found a new church home, made some new friends and my business really did well.

I can only hope and pray 2009 is even better. We have our goals set and as usual they are many. Let's hope we can achieve a few at least.

Cheers to 2009 being the best year yet!