Brady & Julie's Bunch

A Cowboys Ticket Holder Resigns

2012-01-02T20:15:00.002-06:00

(sent to a Cowboys season ticket official from a ticket holder and fan)

I am greatly troubled at yet another poor season. As you know, I made it clear earlier this year that this was what I was afraid of and I predicted this was what we would get despite all of the hype Mr. Jones was giving us about the new Garrett regime but in the end I bought his spin as I have for years. I could send you a letter that was pages long, but knowing it would likely be a waste of my time, I will spare you my thoughts in detail.

However, I will say this, the Dallas Cowboys are a terrible 120-120 over the last 240 games. We have had just 5 seasons of 10 or more wins, only a handful of playoff appearances and only ONE playoff win since 1996. That’s 15 years of mediocre product. I no longer have any desire to pay for above priced tickets, outrageous parking and over priced concessions to get in return an average or below average product. Mr. Jones has made horrible business decisions these last 15 years as the GM and this is one fan that is tired of paying for it.

We have been a season ticket holder or suite renter since 2004, but 2011 will be our last year. I will not be paying for our seats in 2012. So before I am insulted with an invoice for 2012, just days after watching this terrible season come to an end, please make a note on my account that my tickets are available to someone else that wants to give Mr. Jones their money.

This is nothing personal of course, but I am not paying for Mr. Jones’ terrible product anymore.

2012 Year in Review

2011-12-13T10:50:00.000-06:00

Blink. Here we are at the end of yet another year.
Wow. Un. Real. I think I’m gonna just start leaving our Christmas lights up all year…

2011 was full of many key moments as a family for us. It started with a bang as we were fortunate enough to take the kids on the family dream vacation to Disney World. Words and photos hardly do it justice but we hope you enjoyed some on our Christmas card this year. It was truly one of the most amazing trips ever. If you do anything for your family, do this one. Julie and I both still vividly remember our trips with our families when we were kids. To be able to do this for our family was an amazing blessing. We can’t wait to go back! Our annual trip to Galveston is always a great time of the year and it was this summer too, but nothing really compares to Disney!

The girls started kindergarten this fall! Big girls now! They love it and are learning so fast. They can basically read almost anything. It’s been fun watching them socially interact with new kids and friends. As identical twins some things just never change. They love being together all the time. We do have them in separate classes, but other than that they are inseparable. Even as parents I don’t think we will ever understand the identical twin thing. Sidney has become such a little mommy and a leader. Chloe remains comical and entertaining. Both are super sweet and just great, great kids. We could not be prouder.

Quinn is going to pre-K and he too has grown by leads and bounds. He even sings the girls school song! He catches on to things so fast. At 4 years old he acts like he is 6 in many ways. He’s all boy though, and for those of you with a boy, you know what we mean. He is a little class leader though and everyone loves little Quinn. He is the star attraction in his school, at church and really wherever he goes. People love him and kids want to be around him. We remain in awe of him and all that God has done to make our family complete.

Our lives are 100% about kids right now. We live in a cul-de-sac and it has become the hot spot for the kids each night. We literally will have a dozen or so out in the front playing, riding bikes or playing some type of sport. We sit out on the driveway catching up with friends on Facebook or playing Words with Friends. In this crazy world we live in, it is kind of nice to have some of those old “front porch” ways visit us from time to time. We are trying to enjoy every second because so many have expressed how fast it all goes. Our lives were so self-centered and selfish before we had kids. God has taught us so much about love, forgiveness and putting others first which is really what life is all about, isn't it? It’s not easy, but there is nothing more rewarding.

Hey, how about our Dallas Mavericks and Texas Rangers huh?!?! Still cannot believe Dirk and the Mavs finally joined the other two Texas teams with rings! It was such a fun ride and the kids really got into Dirk madness! They would just laugh like crazy when we would hoot and holler at the TV during the playoffs. Same thing with the Rangers too. Probably our greatest times each year are being a “Rangers family”. We buy the JR Rangers package (highly recommend!) and go to 5-7 games a year or more. Kids love, love, love Rangers games. Some of my greatest memories are with my dad going to Astros games, so I am thrilled to do the same with my kiddos. Julie loves it too. We cheered them on like mad during their 2nd World Series appearance this year too. Such a heartbreak, but they should be good for a long, long time and in 2013 my Astros join their division! What about the Cowboys you ask? Well, nothing replaces football and it looks like the Cowboys might (and I say might) do something this year. Our fingers are crossed. But either way, the Mavs start up again soon, the Stars are looking pretty good and baseball is just around the corner. Yes, we are a sports family!

We have helped start an orphan ministry at our church this year called “Embrace” with another adoptive family we are friends with. We will officially kick things off in 2012 but we are excited about the chance to reach out to kids in need and help people adopt children. Every child deserves a family and our prayer is more Christians will step up to the plate. Please LIKE our Facebook page! www.facebook.com/wrbcembrace We will keep you posted on how you can help us help orphans!

Julie has been busy this year on two fronts. One, she started her own baking business this year making amazing “cake balls” and it is doing great. Our house always smells like cake! Needless to say, I have NOT lost any weight this year….those cake balls are so stinking good too! She also started a new jewelry business called “Crown Jewels” with my business partner’s wife, Rebecca Novinger. They do 2-3 “Gold Parties” each week and help people get cash for their old unwanted gold and silver. She loves it! We plan to expand in 2012 so if anyone wants to host a party and make some money just contact her! It’s easy and super fun.

Business for me is taking a new turn. After 10 years of primarily being in the health insurance market with http://www.equalhealth.com/ I am taking on a new career path as an agent and will be focusing my efforts on life insurance, annuities and retirement planning strategies with a powerful firm out of North Carolina. My business partner and I have been going through intensive training for months and plan to crank things up in January. We have ramped down the health insurance division for now, though we have a few agents still working with us, but we are truly excited about this new stage in our business. It’s exciting, going to be very rewarding and very, very busy! Our website is http://www.novers.net/ and please LIKE our Facebook page too!

No doubt about it our toughest challenge this year was losing our beloved 10 year old boxer Sam. We still miss him every day. He was just the greatest dog ever and his sudden death was so tough. But we knew the kids would have to experience a new puppy and after 10 years of having a play mate, our little dog Max needed another dog to help him stay young. Plus, once you have a Boxer, your family just isn’t right without one around. So we adopted little “Charlie” who is now about 5 months old. He has helped us tremendously and is one of the sweetest, loving dogs ever. Some nights he rotates sleeping in the bed with one of the kids (nearly pushing them out) or us and he loves, loves, loves the kids. He is a tall, lanky boxer with huge ears and a very wrinkly face. He is just great. His favorite toy? Any of the kids stuffed animals. He drags them out all over the place nearly every day and made one his own that we all call “kitty”. It is so funny. It has helped us all move on though our hearts will forever be tied to our Sammy too. I believe he may have had a hand in directing us to little Charlie!

We hope to hear from you as well. Send us your blog update, a letter or something! We wanna know and yes we actually read those we get!

God bless you in 2012 and may He shine His light of grace, mercy, abundance and love on you this next year!

Brady, Julie, Chloe, Sidney, Quinn, Max and Charlie!

Ahhh....Another Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T09:44:00.001-06:00

Family, Football and Food. Need I say more?

Thank God I was born an American. FOR. REAL. To all you haters, what would you be doing in Zimbabwe right now?

This holiday season I am certainly thankful for my faith, my family, my kids, my wife, my friends and so much more. But it's the little things I wanna list that I need to give some shouts out to:

- the ability to avoid Black Friday shopping and do 99% of my shopping online
- my iPhone
- Foo Fighters
- the fact they are building a ChickFiLa less than a mile from my house
- the Astros moving to the American League in 2013
- Phineas and Ferb
- Charlie (our new boxer) and his big ears, long legs and wrinkled face
- Stryper's "Winter Wonderland"
- the price of gold
- Wireless service on certain airlines
- Angry Birds and Words WF
- The "Occupy" protestors (pure entertainment)
- Mazzio's Pizza

Surely this isn't an exhaustive list, but you get the idea. Life is good. Real good. I'm just thankful each day I get a chance to run the clock another 24 hours.

God is good, isn't He?

For All You Rangers Fans...

2011-11-02T19:13:00.000-05:00

It's not as bad as it feels.

No doubt about it. The Rangers blew it in the 2011 World Series. If our pitching would have been just 20% better we win that series in 5 games. Then the gut wrencher in game 6. Ugh. I’m still ticked. Most teams would never recover.

But our Rangers will.

Two other teams have gone to back-to-back World Series and lost them only to eventually win a world championship - the Dodgers and the Braves. Both created legacies of winning and baseball fans now give them their respect.

The Rangers are in the process of doing the same and here’s why we should all be excited about the future.

- All key players will return
- West division opponents are getting older and not better
- Experience has been gained like no other
- Executives like Nolan and Daniels – enough said
- Coach Washington – again enough said
- Players are very young
- Farm system is ranked near the top in all positions
- BIG MONEY is coming in 2014 with FSSW contract which means Nolan can spend big now and he will
- Fan base is very strong
- God is a Rangers fan

Essentially, we probably got to the World Series a year or two too early. That being said, we had lots of intense, stressful but fun baseball in all of October. Most other fans didn’t!

I’m still in shock by how it all came crashing down. But, hearing all of the above over the radio this week made me feel a ton better. We are building a winning franchise. A team that will likely be in the playoffs many more times and will certainly have a chance to get the ring we gave away in 2011.

Spring training starts in February. Antlers up.

Ten Years Later

2011-09-10T22:47:00.002-05:00

Most of us know exactly where we were when the events of 9/11 unfolded. I was standing in my room getting ready when I just happened to turn on the ABC morning news. I watched the 2nd plane hit the other tower live. I will never forget my heart stopping in that moment.

A few minutes later I stood with my other co-workers and my business partner watching a small TV I grabbed. In total silence.

Then the towers fell.

And our world changed forever.

Julie and I sat and balled our eyes out later that week as we watched the CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, located on the top floors of one of the towers, talk about ALL of their 658 employees that day. All of them. He lived only because he was taking his son to nursery.

As we remember the horror of that day, we to need to recall the heroism we all witnessed. Many gave their lives in attempts to save others. They acted fearless in the face of an act of evil none could express. I am still amazed when I hear their stories. As one, America stood strong, even if only for a moment.

Sadly, terrorism is still alive and well. The war will never be won. All we can do is guard, protect and stand up to it.

But today, on the 10th anniversary of that horrible day in NYC, in DC and in a field of PA, I'm thankful as I was on that day to be an American.

9/11 was our generations "pearl harbor". It was so sad. It was so painful. It was so wrong. But 10 years later, we remain renewed and stronger in some ways.

The terrorist that performed "ji-had" on us that day must have been surprised when their 70 virgins were nowhere to be found as they stepped into hell instead of paradise.

They are now dead and gone, yet but America remains.

Take that.

Meet Charlie...

2011-08-30T16:46:00.001-05:00

Saturday was a new day for the family as we introduced "Charlie" into our lives, as our newest member.

Our 10 year old boxer, Sam died suddenly just a few weeks ago, and we were all heartbroken. Boxers are just the most amazing dog in the world with families and Sam was even more unique and special.

But if dogs could speak, we know Sam would want his "spirit" in our home to continue through another. And, I think we have found the perfect next one.

I found this lady with one boy pup left near Denton. He was fully registered, which to me is important, and she was willing to give us a great deal on his adoption fees after I told her our recent loss. The kids had already decided our next dog would be called "Charlie" and so we had to find out if this dog was in fact a "Charlie" or not.

He sure is.

Funny thing is, once we got to this breeder's home, we learned that the dad dog was named "Charlie" too! The kids were excited.

We can already tell Charlie is gonna fit right in. He loves his new older brother Max (and Max has taken to him well being old and blind and all) and Charlie just has a great, loving, playful personality. The kids are beyond excited, and honestly, Julie and I are too.

Someone told me the only way to get over your first boxer, is to have another.

We will never "get over" Sam. He was so, so special and will always be missed, but it is neat to see the boxer spirit he gave this home already continue in this new little guy!

God, thank you for dogs, and thanks even more for boxers!

What the Bible Says About Animals/Pets

2011-08-23T17:37:00.002-05:00

In the wake of our dog Sam dying last week, I spent a little time reading about God's take on the animals of the world. Though the bible never mentions pets, the Bible is clear about a few things that should give those of us that have lost a pet, some comfort.

God made animals before he made man.
God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. Gen 1:25

Animals will be in heaven.
In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together;
the leopard will lie down with the baby goat.
The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion,
and a little child will lead them all. Isa 11:6

We are to love and care for our animals.
The godly care for their animals… Prov 12:10a

There will be surprises in heaven – our pets?
What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived the things God has prepared for those who love him…I Cor 2:9

This last one is my favorite. God is good, right? Well, doesn't it just sound like Him to surprise us when we arrive in heaven to have all of our beloved pets run up to us? It does to me. He is THAT good and He loves to surprise his children just like we do our own!

I hope this helps. It has helped us.

First Day of School a Hit

2011-08-22T20:36:00.001-05:00

Despite the crowds and the chaos, the girls both liked their new school and school day at Elizabeth Smith. Going to pre-school certainly helped the last few years but even Chloe said the new 7:50-3:15 day was "too long". LOL. I AGREE!

They have separate classes (Mrs. Ann & Mrs. Butler) but they do get to see each other sometimes and seem to like it already. It is scary to see them grow so fast!

I know we will one day go back and see their "12th Grade, 2024" sign and say to ourselves, "it felt like it was just yesterday we were standing in front of Smith Elementary and they were 6!"

Quinn is around the corner too!

Mark my words....
Embrace Life - it is an adventure...

13 Year School Journey Has Begun...

2011-08-22T08:17:00.003-05:00

I never really thought much about this day until all of a sudden it was here.

Our girls are now in the real school system!!!! They have started Kindergarten at Smith Elementary! It's literally 1 block from the house and we are personal friends with both of their teachers but.....

Y-I-K-E-S!!!!

What a change our entire family is embracing. M-F early mornings, homework, activities galore, new friends, teacher conferences, notes home (hopefully not!), report cards, BOYFRIENDS!!!! AHHHHHHH!!!!

KILL - ME - NOW

Ok....got that off my mind.

As parents we are nervous, excited and sad all at the same time. Our girls are no longer babies. They are girls, on their way to pre-teens, teens and beyond.

I must find a way to slow this down....must....find...a.....way....

Chloe & Sidney Turn Six!

2011-08-21T08:34:00.001-05:00

On this day 6 years ago our lives changed forever, as our identical twin daughters joined our family.

Chloe came in to the world at 3lbs 5oz and 18 seconds later came Sidney at 4 lbs 11oz.

What amazingly beautiful little girls they have become!

Thanks to the amazing doctors involved and staff at Arlington Memorial NICU for helping ensure that TTTS did not steal them from us!

Happy Birthday to my girls!

http://www.photodex.com/share/speers/7a796mg4

Embracing a New Normal

2011-08-21T08:26:00.003-05:00

This is a weekend of change for our family. A new normal is settling in. Some of it is sad, some is fun and some is a little nerveracking for sure.

1. Life without Sam is going to be an adjustment. For 10 years we enjoyed the "Max & Sam" show, but now our love and attention will have to focus on old Maxie...

2. Girls promote at church to the "kids" area and are no longer downstairs in the "baby/preschool" area. Plus, they start going to "big church" with us each Sunday. Quinn will go up another "grade" too!

3. Our class at church is changing service times to the 2nd service. New classroom too!

4. The girls start school FOR REAL tomorrow as the go to Smith for Kindergarten! Wow!

This is our new normal. Life is an adventure. We WILL embrace it!

They Were a Miracle - Watch

2011-08-20T10:39:00.001-05:00

TTTS Nearly Killed Our Girls

2011-08-19T14:46:00.004-05:00

The specialist told us, "Go straight to the hospital right now. Do not go home. We are going to get these girls."

It was August 19, 2005, and Julie and I had been sent to see this doctor out of some concerns our regular doctor had seen in the last sonogram of our twin girls. It was week 33 and Sidney appeared to be much larger than Chloe. Sid was growing and Chlo wasn't. Not good. Not good at all.

Having no clue what TTTS (twin to twin transfusion syndrome) was, we quickly left his office, went home against his instructions to get some stuff and then drove 30 minutes to our hospital. Immediately the nurses hooked heart monitors up to Julie's belly and for the next 48 hours it was nervous-city as we waited for the girls to hit the 34 week mark so Dr. Neill could go in and pull them out.

TTTS is a condition in which one twin dominates the other in terms of getting most of the mother's blood and nutrients. What happens in MOST cases is it is discovered too late and the twins die a silent death. One starves while the other drowns in too much.

Had our doctor not seen this and sent us to this specialist, Chloe and Sidney would likely not be here today. Those two doctors saved our girls' lives. TTTS was not going to win this one.

Sunday, the 21st, it was time to go get them. Hearts were still beating but it had been long enough. He went in and got them out. Sidney was big and red, and Chloe was frail and pale; lifeless and without breath at first. But our little fighter hung in there, came to life and thanks to the NICU staff made it home a few weeks later.

Our story was a miracle, but for many parents of twins, the endings are terrible when TTTS is present. Research is helping and giving hope but it cannot be done without our help.

In honor of Chloe and Sidney please consider giving a few dollars on their birth weekend to the Fetal Hope Foundation, a supported of TTTS research.

www.fetalhope.org

Today We Said Goodbye to Sam...

2011-08-18T20:21:00.001-05:00

Thanks to a Young Korean Woman

2011-07-25T21:21:00.004-05:00

She had to have been in total shock as the reality of learning she was pregnant hit her. Then the truth of her situation likely brought on intense fear.

There was no way she could have this child. Certainly the devil himself was whispering "abortion" in her mind and likely through some peers. If they even knew, that is.

Surely on this day, the day he was born 9 months later and the day you gave him hope, his face comes across your mind.

You wonder if his smile still sets him apart. It does.
You wonder if he loves the life he has. He does.
You wonder if he is told about you. He is.
You wonder if he brings joy despite your pain. He does.
You wonder if he is Korean or American. He is.
You wonder if he can tell his own story. He can.
You wonder if he lights up those around him. He always has.

Quinn Seong Wook is one of the cutest, loving boys in the world; a natural joy-maker with a twinkle smile that rivals St. Nick. In many ways, God shines through him every day.

To some young woman living her life near the city of Seoul, South Korea, we say thank you. Because of you, one less child has been destroyed, one more life has hope and our family (and friends) have been blessed beyond words.

Thank you for being strong. Thank you for saying "no!" to death and "yes!" to life. Thank you for making the hardest decision of all and opting to allow parents from across the globe to care for and raise this child. I cannot imagine the pain as he was whisked away to a world you'll likely never know. Those sobs that day were deep, real and surely touched the heart of God.

We are honored to love, protect, provide for and share our lives with the sweetest boy a parent could hope for.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, for not killing him when you could.

Thank you for being our hero.

Enough is Enough

2011-07-11T21:03:00.006-05:00

We know this is a difficult time for each of you. We have been there. Completely demoralized and in shock by the treatment we received from the pastor that married us, who dedicated our girls to the Lord, and that we proudly served the Lord with.

For nearly 7 years we gave everything - our time, our money and our service.

And yet one poorly managed incident, that I simply questioned leadership about, ended it all.

That was 2004.

Seven years later it has only gotten worse and the list of good people hurt has only gotten longer. I could name them all but I won't to protect the innocent...

Stop the hurt, stop the lies, stop the madness and stand up for yourselves, YOUR church and your calling as a body.

Pastors are not called to control, run-over and demean their flock. They are called to serve, love, lead and protect. He does none of those.

Sure you can pray - but as we have done....from a distance and from somewhere new.

We are praying for each of you and love you all. Our hearts are broken to hear about the rudeness, decit, lack of grace, unkindness, and pain one man has caused many of you. He himself needs to be removed and escorted off the property like he has done to so many. There is one of him and almost 5,000 of you.

If you feel called to stay - open your eyes. See the truth and expose the evil going on. It's your church, not his....and it can be saved.

Just be careful trying.

http://www.batteredsheep.com/abusive_02.html

http://stevenjcamp.blogspot.com/2006/06/holding-pastors-accountablebeing.html

Our Little Vacation Secret

2011-06-25T16:59:00.002-05:00

For years we have traveled to Galveston and rented a beach house on the west end of the island for our annual coastal getaway. Having grown up near the beach south of Houston, it's something I truly look forward to each year.

In 2010 we discovered the amazing Galvestonian condos on the east side right at the end of the seawall. Once again this year we rented another condo for the week and enjoyed days of private beach fun, a large pool and the closeness of being right near the city.

We topped of the trip with visits to Kemah, putt-putt, Moody Gardens, the Children's Museum, a ferry ride, the Strand, and meals at Marios, The Spot and the Original Mexican Cafe. Throw in some original Shipley's donuts and it was one fun week!

The kids just had a blast. We saw dolphins on the ferry ride, bought some hermit crabs, and they loved playing the Wii at night too!

I didn't even check my email all week -which is a first!

Seven days of bliss. Can't wait until we get to go back to our secret place again!

Sports Blessings

2011-06-15T00:40:00.004-05:00

I have to admit it. I am a sports addict. It is my drug.

I'm not quite sure how I would function without it.

Over the course of my short 42 years I have been the loyal fan of the Astros, Rangers, Stars, Mavericks, Rockets, Cowboys and yes even the Oilers back in the day.

I can say I am one of the lucky ones to have witnessed my teams achieve the following:

Houston Rockets - NBA Champions 1994, 1995, WC Champions 1986
Dallas Mavericks - NBA Champions 2011, WC Champions 2006
Dallas Stars - NHL Champions 1999, WC Champions 2000
Houston Astros - NL Champions 2005
Texas Rangers - AL Champions 2010
Houston Oilers - made it to AFL Championship 1978, 1979
Dallas Cowboys - way too much to write!!!!

With great players like Earl Cambell, Tony Dorsett, Michael Irvin, Terrell Owens, Roger Staubach, Nolan Ryan, Mike Modano, Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Dirk Nowitzi, and coaches like Tom Landry, Johnny Oates, Ken Hitchcock, Bum Phillips, and Bill Parcells, and broadcasters like Milo Hamilton, Chuck Cooperstein, Eric Nadel, Mark Holtz, Ralph Strangis, and the great Brad Sham.....I mean - seriously...that is one amazing list!

I have enjoyed watching games in the Astrodome, Minute Maid Park, The Summit, Reunion Arena, The AAC, Ballpark in Arlington, Texas Stadium, and Cowboys Stadium and have been fortunate enough to attend the Stanley Cup in 2000, World Series in 2005 and 2010 as well as the NBA Finals in 2006.

I just need one more SuperBowl appearance and I will have completed the cycle. (I could be 80 on that one too!).

I do love sports and sports has been good to me. From Jose Cruuuuuuuuuzzzz to Darryl the Moooooooose Johnston it has been a fun, fun ride topped off so far with the Mavs recent championship!

Now, let's go make this list even longer!!!!

A Journey Through the Bible

2011-05-28T21:12:00.002-05:00

In May of 2009 I went on a journey; a long, almost daily, journey that involved a bunch of thought provoking reading and thinking.

Last week, May of 2011, I completed a journey every believer should take when I read the Bible from front to back, just 2-3 chapters a day, underlying key words, phrases and verses all along the way.

And these are my simple, non-theologian thoughts on this amazing book.

Certainly throughout my life I have read every book of the Bible and many Christians have read God’s word through the “One Year Bible” method. But honestly, after years of reading and loving God’s word, I realized I had never truly read it like a novel; starting at page one and reading until the end all the way through. Add taking the time to read it slow and highlight various aspects to each verse, and it’s a journey that can take a while.

It was worth every minute.

After a business tragedy hit my family in May of 2009 God laid it on my heart to get into His word for strength, peace and comfort. I wasn’t sure how books like Leviticus would do that, but frankly one of the key verses I discovered in this process came right out of that book! God is always full of surprises.

Now I know there are thousands of people who have spent their life studying the Bible - breaking it down into every small detail and part imaginable. Theologians, Pastors, Bible scholars, and even Bible critics have all spent much more time than I have for sure in such study.

But the thematic breakdown for me was quite simple. The Bible is a collective play of many stories depicting the stubbornness and ill ways of Man within the back drop of the grace and judgement of a holy God.

It just doesn't get much easier than that. Really.

Man continues to think he has it all figured out...turns away from God in pride and sin....something tragic happens in which Man needs God to bail them out....God comes to the rescue...Man turns back to God out of thankfulness and the cycle repeats over and over again.

Over the last two years this repetitive story line was always right in front of me, from Genesis through Revelation.

In short I would say this:
- man is sinful, disloyal, weak, inconsistent, small, arrogant, and yet creative
- God is forgiving, jealous, holy and loving

In the end we can only be the best God made us to be by realizing that without the Creator we are doomed to be the above.

All God wants is for us to ask forgiveness, never forget Him, be thankful for all He has and continues to do, and live a good life as a way of showing Him how much we care.

Like the ones before me, I am far from doing all of the above. Without His grace I would be certain for Hell.

I'm just thankful God gave me 2 years worth of reading to see that I'm not the only one...

Graduation One Complete

2011-05-27T05:03:00.004-05:00

Sidney and Chloe strolled across the stage Wednesday morning as new pre-school graduates of Ridge Kids...provided by our church Walnut Ridge Baptist.

In a neat little ceremony the girls got to dress up in cap and gown, sing a few songs, and watch a wonderful slide show of them and all their friends.

As Julie and I watched together, me with video camera in tow of course, we couldn't help but both get a little emotional. Our little girls were already saying goodbye to one of their childhood phases.

They are officially no longer our little "babies". They are now our big, yet "little girls" - and oh how proud they are!

In just a little over 90 days we will be walking our babies into their new "big girl school" right down the street as they start the next phase of Elementary school. At least this time, the next graduation phase isn't for another 7 years. It just scares me when I think about how fast the last 6 have gone!

In 2005, God chose to bless us with these two little girls. It's now our job to parent them up for this crazy world we all live in. It's a chore, nights can be sleepless and money is always tight, but we certainly wouldn't have it any other way!

I just wish it would all slow down some...

Big Loss For our World - Dr. Kim Dies

2011-05-19T08:23:00.005-05:00

This world has lost another amazing person as Dr. Kim Duk Whang, one of the pioneers of international adoption, died this week at the age of 96.

In 2008 Julie and I flew to South Korea to meet the people of Eastern Social Welfare Society, an orphanage in Seoul, and to bring home our son. Dr. Kim took the time out of his busy day running numerous aspects of this large organization to speak to us and to tell us about his heart for the needy and his love for children. Sitting in his office that day hearing him share his story and his vision for the future was awe inspiring and humbling. He even signed and game us a personal copy of a book he wrote about Christianity in Korea.

Dr. Kim started ESWS in 1972 after seeing the need orphans in South Korea had for love and adoption. At the time adoption was unheard of in South Korea. Orphans needed love and care and Dr. Kim stepped in to meet that need. Today ESWS is a very large ministry with offices and locations all over South Korea that helps orphans and needy children find families, get educated and receive love and medical care. see: http://www.eastern.or.kr/eastern/main/main.jsp?c_no=002

If only we could all be half the man Dr. Kim was our world would be a better place. Because of this man we have a son. Because of this man thousands and thousands of children around the world have families and parents have children.

Dr. Kim loved on orphans and built an organization that will continue this service to mankind and God for decades to come. He was an advocate for children like one this world has never seen.

Do doubt this man fulfilled his calling and did a job "well done". His reward will be great.

Now it's our turn...

http://www.eastern.or.kr/eastern/board/detail.jsp?bt_no=33&c_no=002006001&b_no=32650&page=1

Final Shuttle Goodbye - Almost

2011-05-16T07:06:00.000-05:00

I will never forget standing in the playground grade school at Green Elementary when the Shuttle flew across right across the school on the back of a 777 during a landing at Ellington Air force Base in South Houston. We all froze and watched in amazement at this incredible space bird sitting piggy-back atop the largest airplane known to man. It was so low it was like I could touch it.

Growing up in Friendswood, Texas, a small town about 3 miles from NASA, I heard about the Shuttle nearly every day. The entire area was alive with NASA news all the time and many in our social network had someone that worked in relation to the space program.

Today the next to last Shuttle mission started and the last one is set for July, which will end nearly 30 years of voyages to "infinity and beyond".

I know Houston has to be a little sad today. A chapter in space flight comes to an end and for many of us, it has been apart of us most of our lives. Who knows what the next phase holds but I'm sure when the next vehicle to space is developed, Houston will play a vital role.

And we all will watch in all just like we have for the Shuttle.

Goodbye Shuttle and thanks for the memories!

8 Years and Counting

2011-04-28T20:27:00.003-05:00

Julie and I made a promise to each other and still talk about it all the time.

We will not get divorced.

Seeing so many of our friends get divorced for such shallow reasons makes us sick, especially when kids are involved.

Since we met in 2001 and married in 2003, we have had a wonderful, balanced, easy going relationship. We have fun, we have the same values and beliefs, smae friends, and we love being parents and being together.

This week we celebrated our 8th anniversary. Here's to another year behind us and many more in front.

I love my wife and I know she loves me.

What else could anyone want in life? G.I.G.

Gotcha Forever Family Day 3

2011-04-15T21:02:00.002-05:00

Three years ago Julie and I were experiencing life on the other side of the planet in South Korea getting ready to bring our son Quinn Seong Wook home to his forever family. It was a fast paced dash of seeing and learning some of the culture. It was truly one of the greatest weeks in our life. We cannot wait to go back with Quinny and the gang in tow.

We fell in love with this little boy the moment we saw him on our adoption agency's website. We quickly learned his nickname was "Mr. Smiley" and that smile was exactly what our family and life needed.

Quinn "the pooh" is one of the cutest, fun loving little boys in the world. Sure he has his moments, but he truly is one of the happiest little boys I've ever seen.

God is so good to allow us to be his forever family surrounding him with even more love from our friends and family members.

People always say "He is so blessed to have you". Boy, how wrong they are. We are so blessed to have him!

Another First

2011-02-27T21:35:00.003-06:00

Our little Sidney lost her first tooth last week. She has another about to fall out.

Chloe has 3-4 that are getting loose.

This is NOT funny.

Sounds crazy but it nearly made Julie and me cry when that tooth came out. How can it be already that ADULT teeth will soon appear!??

Sidney proudly put it in her tooth fairy box and later that night it departed the earth in place of a $1 bill.

Life is so good, but PLEASE slow down would ya??!

Going to Disney World Soon? Read This

2011-02-04T09:09:00.005-06:00

If you are one of the lucky parents blessed to take your family do Disney World in the future...below are some quick thoughts on what we learned regarding going with young kids.

- Prepare yourself to walk more than you can imagine carrying your kids alot of the time! Buy GOOD tennis shoes...I bought cheap ones and paid for it!

- Go in January or April. We've been both times and it's a totally different experience when there are NO LINES to speak of! Time is valuable and spending them in long hot lines is not fun...

- Use strollers with small kids! You will NOT regret the $20 a day you might spend!

- Buy PARK HOPPER tickets! This is a must!

- Get the parades you wanna see done the first few days and then ride rides during the parade times...

- Animal Kingdom is basically a zoo so spend your time at the others and maybe half day at AK. Bugs Life show is fun and try to have some adult fun on the amazing roller coaster "Expidition". It's fun!

- Plan to spend more time at Epcot than you think. Tons the kids will like but you can skip the countries...

- Disney parades, light show and fireworks at Magic Kingdom are a MUST! DO NOT MISS this!

- Find a way to ride Mt. Everest Expedition at Animal Kinkdom without the kids! Amazing roller coaster - same with Tower of Terror at Hollywood Studios.

- Use Fast Passes for the long line rides for sure.

- Buy giftcards before you leave - it will help you budget right. (Disney, Visa, etc)

- Do a character meal for sure! We did Chef Mickey one morning at Contemporary Resort and kids freaked. You have to call ahead of time and get reservation!

- Eat breakfast and dinners OFF SITE.

- IceCream shop right in front of the Castle is A MUST!

Disney Dream Comes True

2011-02-04T09:00:00.003-06:00

Julie and I both were blessed to have parents that shared the magic of Disney World with us as children and since we started our own family in 2005 it has been our dream to continue that tradition.

In January that dream came true as we flew to Orlando with her parents for a week of fun at Disney World.

For years our 5 year old twin girls and 3 year old boy have enjoyed the music and sounds of Mickey and his gang, including Donald, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Chip and Dale, the Muppets, Handy Manny, and all of his movie star friends - I think we have seen everything from the Aristocats to Toy Story 3. Knowing they all “live” at Disney World, our kiddos freaked when they learned for Christmas we were headed to go see them.

The countdown began and we all couldn’t wait.

We were not disappointed. Between the incredible weather, the amazing rides, the fun interactions with the characters, the nice people that work there and great shows, the week was just a total blast. Though we were all so tired we could barely function once we got home, every minute spent together as a family is a minute no one can ever take away.

Giving our kids experiences and memories that last a lifetime is one of our biggest passions. Our parents did it for us and we long to do the same for ours. Both of us still recall vivid details of those times with our families in the Magic Kingdom decades ago. Add to it our honeymoon in 2003 and Disney World takes up some serious space in our memory banks. Seeing the smiles on our kids faces, watching them interact with their Disney heroes and giving them 5 solid days of absolute fun will just be hard to top.

I guess it will take another trip back to Florida later in life, God willing.

We started missing Mickey and his pals as soon as we left.

See our photo slideshow here:
http://www.photodex.com/share/speers/79769mg4

Niece Headed to Mission Field, Support Needed

2011-01-18T21:24:00.004-06:00

Prayer, Encouragement, Support. This is what my 15 year old niece, Maci, needs now that she has made the courageous commitment to join the iGo mission team this summer in an effort to reach out to the lost farming communities of France.

We all could not be more proud.

Feeling a strong call to take this step of faith, Maci will join a group of other students from around the country and head to Europe in an effort to minister to people that rarely hear the modern Gospel. She is nervously excited about what lays ahead - lots of work, little rest but many new friends and the experience of seeing God in action in another land.

Pray for her trip today and consider helping support her financially. iGo strongly urges students raise their own funds and discourages parents from providing big financial support, so it is all on the rest of her family and friends.

Maci needs our help! Will you please consider supporting her in prayer and in giving?

Send Donations to:

Walnut Ridge Baptist Church
Attn: Wayneen Cassidy c/o Maci Jensen
1201 South SH 360
Mansfield, TX 76063

You will be helping her learn more about God's work while she shares God's love to those in France!

For more visit: http://www.igoglobal.org/

Thanks everyone!

Quinn Fund Helps Families Adopt Children in 2009 & 2010

2011-01-17T21:15:00.004-06:00

We recently learned that the adoption fund we set up in our son's name helped three kids in 2009 and two more in 2010 find forever families!

Thanks to each of you that have made a special effort to donate what you can to this fund named after Quinn. Every dollar helps a kid like him bless a family like ours!

Dillon International (our adoption agency) handles the fund and because of the economy funds are needed more now than ever before. Please click the link below to donate today! Just choose "Quinn Fund" from the list.

http://www.dillonadopt.org/

I promise fewer things make God smile bigger than helping an orphan!

Thanks everyone!

Disney World Is Magic

2011-01-12T21:54:00.007-06:00

Every family should have the Disney World experience.

Two of my greatest memories in life center around visits to the world of Disney in the heart of Florida. Mom and dad sacrificed their time and money to take my sister and me twice during the 80s. Those two trips were some of the greatest times we ever had together.

Nothing compare to seeing Mickey and the gang and watching the Disney World come to life around you. I can recall those times like they were yesterday and I am so thankful mom and dad created that memory for us.

Eight years ago Julie and I made our own Disney World memories during our honeymoon stay. She too had gone with her family as a kid. It was so exciting to re-live the childhood memories as newlyweds and see sites we hadn't seen in 20+ years. Even in our 30s we still got as excited as kids when we ran across Mickey, Goofy or one of the others. We had our images engraved in stone at Epcot for us to come back and see later. We had no idea one day soon we would do just that, with three kids in tow.

In just a few days, our kids are going to get the experiene of lifetime and so will we as we take our turn in passing down the Disney World visit tradition. The kids are freaking out about seeing Elmo, Cinderella, SnowWhite, Mickey, Donald, Kermit, Woody, Buzz Light Year, and so many others I cannot even remember.

Years later I hope Chloe, Sidney and Quinn have those moments of thinking about this trip. The fun times with mom and dad and each other all while hanging with the Disney gang.

Oh boy, it's gonna be fun!

Letter from the NFL

2011-01-04T16:34:00.001-06:00

With one of the most exciting regular seasons now completed and the playoffs about to begin, let me first thank you and all NFL fans for your incredible support. Many fans have been asking me where we stand on signing a new collective bargaining agreement with the players union. Let me update you and be clear at the outset:

I know we can and will reach an agreement.

My goal as Commissioner now is to help our teams and players find a solution that is fair to everyone and ensures that football becomes more popular, accessible, and fun. We want the next decade to be the best yet for our fans, and I'm ready to work day and night to make that happen.

We've come a long way. Compare where we are today with 10 years ago. From player accountability to player safety, more and better television coverage, upgrading the in-stadium experience, innovations like the RedZone channel, the Draft in prime time and playing the Pro Bowl before the Super Bowl, we are focused on doing what's best for the players, teams, and fans. My priority is and always will be the game and the fans who love our game.

The NFL is great because fans care deeply about it. Economic conditions, however, have changed dramatically inside and outside the NFL since 2006 when we negotiated the last CBA. A 10 percent unemployment rate hurts us all. Fans have limited budgets and rightly want the most for their money. I get it.

Yes, NFL players deserve to be paid well. Unfortunately, economic realities are forcing everyone to make tough choices and the NFL is no different.

These are not easy negotiations, but the outcome can be positive. If both sides give a little, everyone, including fans, will get a lot and the game will improve through innovation.

Even in difficult economic times, a new CBA presents us with the opportunity to secure the future of our game. You may ask how will the NFL look under this vision?

A significant change would be to resolve fan complaints about preseason by modifying our 20-game format. Fans tell us they don't like the quality of the preseason games, and we're listening. An enhanced season of 18 regular season and two preseason games would not add a single game for the players collectively, but would give fans more meaningful, high-quality football.

Our emphasis on player health and safety is absolutely essential to the future of our game. We are strictly enforcing rules that protect players from unnecessarily dangerous play, especially involving hits to the head. We are changing the "play through it" culture to a "player-first" culture to ensure that if a player has a head injury, he doesn't play again until his health is certain. We are also addressing the potential wear-and-tear on players in the way they train in-season and off-season.

It's not just the health of players that concerns us. We must ensure the health of the league. That includes a new system that properly compensates proven veterans and retired players by shifting some of the outrageous sums paid to many unproven rookies. Earlier this year, Sports Illustrated published a list of the 50 highest-paid American athletes that included five 2009 NFL rookies. Every other athlete on the list was a proven veteran. In 2009, NFL clubs contracted $1.2 billion to 256 drafted rookies with $585 million guaranteed before they had stepped on an NFL field.

Don't get me wrong: top draft choices will continue to be highly paid. All we're asking for is a return to common sense in paying our rookies. Other leagues have done this and we can too.

These improvements and more will lead to better football, plain and simple. A forward looking CBA that is fair to players and clubs will lead to a great future for the NFL and our fans.

My job is to represent the game - the fans, teams, players, coaches and business partners. Protecting the integrity of the game and ensuring it thrives is a responsibility I take very seriously.

This is about more than a labor agreement. It's about the future of the NFL. We have to improve and will be relentless in our quest. The commitment to our fans is to make the NFL experience even better in the years ahead. With a responsible CBA, we will fulfill that vision.

Happy New Year and enjoy the playoffs.

- Roger Goodell

New Opportunities, Not New Resolutions

2011-01-02T08:50:00.002-06:00

Sure I've done the New Year's Resolutions thing too and like most of us failed at keeping most of them. But now I look at things differently as I ponder the new year in front of me.

It's about seizing opportunities. Opportunities to pay off some debts, spend more time with friends and family, serve and give more, build a business, save more money, lose some weight, get closer to God or enjoy the journey more.

I am excited about 2011 like no year in a very long time. In front of Julie and me are opportunities like those above. We intend to pay off more debts like we did in 2010, travel a little more, give and serve even more and of course we both have full intentions to get healthier...yes even me! I even plan to finally publish my first real book sometime this spring. Just in the process of editing it now...

We start the year off with a bang later this month by taking the family to Disney World (that was our big Christmas present) and then we get focused on all of those "opportunities" mentioned rounding it off with a fun trip to Galveston once again this summer.

Mostly, I am excited about what God is doing with my comany, Equal Health, and watching Him rebuild it has been amazing. We are well on the way to rebuilding our residual income base thanks to some new health plans we now offer. It's going to be an exciting year. The more we can earn the more we can give!

Take some time to consider the opportunites in front of you during the next 365 days. God will put them in front of you, that I can promise!

A Year in Review 2010

2010-12-08T22:51:00.006-06:00

Enjoy our Christmas card this year? LOL. Hope so! That picture wasn't staged either. Julie took it one day when she heard the kids banging on the piano and looked around the corner to see them buttnaked! That's pretty much a snapshot of our year with preschoolers.

This year was full and busy as always. Julie stays busier than ever taking the kids to their preschool classes and various other activities. Plus she is involved in the PTA and a BSF group too. Between that and everything else she does there isn't much time for anything else.

The kids are doing great. Quinn continues to blow our minds with his personality and joy. He is potty trained (no more diapers!) and has his moments since he is three, but for the most part he is great. Chloe is our family comedian and keeps us all laughing all the time. She truly is FUNNY! Sidney is sweeter than candy and so motherly. Just fun times around here with them being 5 and Quinn acting like he is too. The things they all say....Next year the girls will start real school. Just 9 months away. Sad but exciting.

The boys are doing great too! Sadly, they are getting older. Max is basically blind and Sam has really gotten some grey hair. Doctor says they are both healthy as oxes and they have the kids around to keep them active.

My business made it through another year praise God. Last year was terrible and 2010 started out without a lot of direction. But God has led and blessed us beyond belief and 2011 will start our 10th year as an agency. The future looks brighter than ever too. The industry is in chaos right now because of Obamacare but that means agencies like Equal Health can take advantage of the market too. Hopefully we will be able to do so in 2011. We still have a ways to go to fully recover from what happened to us in 2009 but we are well on the way to a full recovery! God is good!

We love our church, Walnut Ridge Baptist, and our pastor is so real and down to earth it's amazing. We have finally found a great group of friends there and are having lots of fun. We are truly blessed to have so many great friends in our lives all over the place.

Our best trip of 2010 was by far our journey back down to Galveston. We discovered The Galvestonian resort and loved it! Julie and I celebrated our 7th anniversary by going down to the Hyatt Hill Country Resort in San Antonio. What an amazing place! Go there if you can. Great weekend getaway. We went to Vegas this summer with some friends and stayed at the Rio. It was a total blast! Discovered the Voodoo Lounge on the top of the Rio and wow, that was cool!

Overall this was a very good year though it went way too fast.

Only downer for the year was the Cowboys....but the Texas Rangers made up for it and we got to go to the World Series and cheer them on! The kids love going to baseball games too. Let's Go Rangers!

Here's to next year being another great one to enjoy. See you all on Facebook!

Transfering Large Iphone Video Files to PC - A Solution

2010-12-06T19:10:00.004-06:00

Have an iphone? Wondering how to get large video files onto your PC? Tried to drag it to Windows Explorer only to find it doesn't work?

I have your easy solution.

The Iphone rocks, but a big flaw is that for large video files (over 3-4 minutes) it does not work well with Windows in terms of copying the file to your PC.

Here's the solution.

1. Connect phone to PC
2. Open Itunes and sync phone
3. After sync is go to Windows Explorer and then to your C drive
4. Then documents and settings folder
5. Then owner folder
6. Then application data folder
7. Then Apple folder
8. Then mobile sync folder
9. Then backup folder
10. Then open last backup folder
11. Sort files in the folder by size - large files are your video files
12. Right click, copy and then paste into another folder
13. Rename each file by adding ".mov" to end and it will turn it into MOV movie format
14. Play file with Quicktimes and you are done!

Just Another Time to Say Thanks

2010-11-24T18:23:00.002-06:00

Once a year we slow down just enough to think about all we have and how much worse it could be.

All of us should be thankful. I know we are.

I am thankful for....

our salvation and God's grace
my health
my wife's health
our kid's health
my wife (I am sure she is thankful for me....most days)
our amazing kids
our incredible families
the amazing group of friends we have
my business making it through another year
our wonderful church right down the street
the trips we've been able to take
the fun times we have had
God giving us strength in our worries
God providing week after week
our freedom in this country
what looks like a fun, amazing future!

Oh there is alot more for sure but time is after all, of the essence and we have a pizza in the oven - homemade too.

One thing I have learned in my 41 short years is to always remain in a state of humility and gratefulness before God. It covers a multitude of shortfalls with Him when we are thankful each and ever day no matter our circumstances. It is always worse off for someone somewhere else.

Take time to thank God today for all He has done and given you. Write and list - you will likely be shocked.

Our Kids Now

2010-11-13T00:13:00.001-06:00

It’s neat watching kids grow up in front of your eyes. When they are toddlers or pre-schoolers it almost seems like they change daily. As a parent it’s a sad reality that these days won’t last long.

I’ve been thinking about my three kiddos a lot lately. They truly are all Julie and I live for, outside of Christ. They are our joy, our focus and our drive to be the best we can be.
One of the things we have learned is to pay attention to who they are as individuals. Knowing their characteristics, traits and tendencies helps us manage, guide and oversee them. I can’t wait to see who each of them become, but for now this is a short essay of who we see them as right now.

Sidney “Louise” Nichole Speers (age 5) – One word that describes her best is sweet. She is motherly, loving, sensitive and caring. She watches over her sister and brother as if she was the first born. In fact, she was 2nd by a mere 18 seconds behind Chloe. She is also very funny. Though I would not say she is whity. Just funny in her own way. She can even be a little naïve too – and I think that is a Wroten family trait! She has a great laugh and when she gets rolling along with her sister we are all usually cracking up. Sidney doesn’t need much in terms of discipline though she tends to be a follower sometimes. All you really have to do is express your disappointment or tell her how upset you are and that will do the trick. She has a big heart and learns very quickly and is also a great helper. In that regard she is a leader and I can see her being a classroom leader as well. A teacher’s pet maybe. She is good, just like her momma is!

Chloe “Gracifer” Grace Speers (age 5) – One word that describes her best is hilarious. Just about the funniest 5 year old I have ever been around. She is super whitty, sarcastic and a total jokester. Her little chipmunk laugh gets her sister rolling and anyone around her laughing as well. She is always up to something to try and get a laugh out of people. She is very active and brave too. She isn’t afraid to take off and do something except for being in front of a crowd! She puts on a front that she has it all together but deep inside she is sensitve too. She is more like her daddy than the others for sure and seems to have a deep sense of connection to daddy. I see myself in her every single day. Class clown appears to be a title she might win one day. She is also very independent and never stops. Since the day we first felt her in Julie’s belly she has been a squirmy worm. She has a fighter’s spirit which I like a lot!

Side note - Neither of our girls are very girly-like and neither play with baby dolls. But they love their makeup and stuffed animals for sure. Though the girls are identical twins, they are completely different in personalities.

Quinny “Quinny” Seong Wook Speers (age 3) – One word that describes him is joy. Since the first day we held him he has had a smile on his face. His nickname was “Mr. Smiley” in Korea and he certainly lives up to that now. He lights the place up wherever we go and everyone loves little Quinn. He is a people magnet. Though he has temper tantrums from time to time, he truly is happy most of the time. Considering all that he has gone through in his short 3 years you would think he would be the least happy. He loves people, is very caring and loving and is certainly a momma’s boy! A second word to describe him is smart. He was speaking complete sentences at 18 months and walking before a year. He figures lots of things out and hangs with his 5 year old sisters like he was their age. But overall he brings everyone around him a sense of joy. His cute little smile, the Santa Clause crinkle in his eyes and his soft skin just make him a total bundle of fun! As they say, we could eat him all up!

I’m eager to see what I will write about these kiddos in another 5 or 10 years. I’m sure some things will change, but I can also see how many things will stay the same. We have three very unique children and God has blessed us like no other!

Election Night Fever - Literally

2010-11-02T23:45:00.005-05:00

As most of my family deals with fevers and bronchitis (me included), an important night in our nation's history took place in the form of the 2010 mid-term elections.

I swear if I could do it again, I would be a talk show host.

I love election nights almost like I do a good Cowboys game (which is hard to come by these days!).

It is our DUTY to vote every two years. Our freedom demands we pay the price of giving 5 minutes of our time to the booth looking over names most know nothing about. It is the American way. It's why we are free.

Shame on you, if you don't vote.

Voting is an honor and a privilege. Soldiers give their lives every day so we can.

I love America and thank you America for speaking out tonight.

Thanks to John Boehner for being real and standing strong.

Now, back to tracking some results...a few more hours to go.

Quinn and the Lizard

2010-09-23T20:47:00.002-05:00

I felt like a schmuck.

Here is what happened...

I came home to take over on kid duty. Getting ready to take the kids out for our favorite pizza run with good ol' Daddy.

"Everyone go get your shoes on," I said. The girls complied. As usual Quinn pretended to not hear and started wandering around.

A few minutes later...

"Quinn go get your flip flops on now!"

"But there is a lizard in there," he said with a very poor attempt at crying.

"Whatever!"

Knowing he pulls these kinds of stunts all the time, looking for any reason to not obey, I wasn't about to be fooled.

"Go get your flip flops now or we are not going!"

"Whaaa!" he started crying a little harder.

"Quinn!"

I began pushing him towards the small basket the kids kept their shoes in.

Still he refused, frustrating me more.

Finally, I gave in.

"Never mind...we don't have time for this."

I started digging around the basket for his flip flops. "See!" I proudly proclaimed, "There are no lizards in here."

Right about then he screamed and I looked down at my hand to see a large Gecko running around the outer edge of the basket!

"Holy crap!" I yelled. (I couldn't help it).

By then the girls had joined the commotion and like the squirrel scene in Christmas Vacation, everyone ran from the scene screaming, including myself with the basket in hand.

Quickly I opened the front door and the little dude jumped off on the porch.

"I'm so sorry buddy!" I said while hugging a sobbing Q-ster. "There WAS a lizard in there!"

Thank God Father of the Year awards are later in the winter!

What a scene.

We Have Forgotten - Islam Is Here

2010-09-11T08:56:00.004-05:00

One of my favorite quotes by any President in history is this:

"We will not tire, we will not falter and we will not fail."

Sadly it appears most in America have tired, faltered and are failing when it comes to remembering 911 and just what took place nearly 10 years ago.

Look at these photos and remember where you were that morning. While you stood there in shock, think about those kids, parents, and friends who haven't seen their loved one since then. What if that had been you that decided to jump knowing you would never see your child or spouse again? What if that had been your child or spouse jumping to the cement at 120mph.

Islam is not a peaceful religion. It's built on hate and fear. It teaches to kill anyone opposed and does not tolerate another way of thinking. It's goal is to infiltrate America and it is winning in doing so.

Next year we will be talking about the 10th anniversary of this crime and more than likely an Islamic mosque will be in the process of being built just a few feet away from where Islamic terrorist gave us the finger and killed thousands of people. What's next? Mosques near the Pentagon and out in the middle of a field in Pennsylvania?

I wouldn't doubt it.

As for me and my family, we will serve the true Lord and yes, Mr. President, we refuse to tire, to falter and we will not fail in remembering what these people did to our country.

Jesus is Lord in America. Not Muhammad.

And if they mess with my family, they better prepare to meet their Maker.

Bring On Some FOOTBALL!

2010-09-08T23:16:00.004-05:00

Julie's favorite time of the year is here. The Fall, which means FOOTBALL is back and I am one happy dude.

Not sure what my boys will do this year with the 3rd hardest schedule in the NFL and a weak offensive line, BUT if they can get to the SuperBowl it would be right down the street!

Survey time....see the new survey. Who will win in the end?

50 Years of Cowboys football!

THANK GOD FOR THE PIGSKIN!

The Story Few Know About Chloe & Sidney

2010-08-21T13:51:00.008-05:00

Today we are celebrating the 5th birthday of our identical twin girls, Chloe and Sidney. But our celebration is a little more meaningful than the normal birthday bash and few really know how bad it could have been.

Chloe and Sidney might not have lived to see their first.

Most people don’t know this, but Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) silently claims the lives of hundreds of identical twin babies each year. In simple terms, the blood and nutrients from the mother are shared unevenly between the babies. One umbilical chord is larger than the other and one baby usually out-grows the other. Eventually, one will starve to death and the other will simply drown in excess. By the time the mother notices a lack of movement in her belly it is usually too late. We personally know some people who had this exact thing happen recently. Nothing is sadder.

On Thursday, the 18th of August 2005, (week 33 of the pregnancy) we had a sonogram done with our incredible doctor who was concerned that one baby had been getting larger than the other over the course of the last two weekly visits. After taking more time than usual looking at the results, Dr. Neill quickly dispatched us to a specialist who had the equipment to look deeper into things. The next day we arrived for our appointment. A few hours later the doctor didn’t like what he was seeing and told us the girls needed to join our world quickly. Signs of TTTS were taking place and we could take no chances. The girls needed to be monitored 24/7 and Julie needed to be at the hospital so that if something happened the babies could be taken within minutes. He told us to proceed directly to the hospital.

Hearts racing we rushed home, grabbed our things and anxiously headed to Arlington Memorial. After two nights of starring at the heart monitors making sure the beeps never stopped, Sunday morning arrived and our girls were born. Dr. Neill grabbed Chloe (above picture girl#1) first at 8:58am weighing just 3lbs, 5oz and 18 seconds later Sidney came out weighing 4lbs, 11oz. Sidney immediately started crying and looked red and large. Dr. Neill even said “she is much bigger than we thought she was”. Chloe on the other hand was not even breathing; looked lifeless and pale. Dr. Neill looked over his shoulder very concerned. I was standing there watching it all and caring for Julie. My head was spinning trying to take in all the activity. Nurses began slapping Chloe to wake her up and get her going, while giving her oxygen. Seconds went by and soon a few minutes with nothing. Finally a small cry came out.

Our little fighter was alive.

Dr. Neill relaxed and I nearly fainted.

The girls were whisked out to NICU and I left the room while they cleaned up Julie. Poor wife had no idea all that was going on but it was hitting me at full throttle. I hugged my mom and cried. It was gonna be touch and go with our little Chloe.

After a few weeks of NICU care, both girls were able to go home. Chloe would likely be smaller than Sidney for a while, if not forever, but TTTS had been outsmarted which was a miracle.

Thank God for doctors.

And know you know why we call them our little miracles.

http://www.photodex.com/share/speers/7a796mg4

http://www.tttsfoundation.org/

Five Years Has Flown By

2010-08-21T08:43:00.003-05:00

Our girls are suddenly five. Really? That's impossible.

Yet it is true - Chloe and Sidney are now F-I-V-E.

Our little babies are now little girls. Yet they will always be our babies.

Happy Birthday girls. You mean more to mom and I than you could ever imagine. You have brought us much laughter and joy.

(I'm sure I will look back at this post in another 5 years and say NO WAY once again. Our little girls will soon be little ladies...)

Psalm 23 Without Faith

2010-08-10T16:21:00.001-05:00

I am my own shepherd. I am always in need.
I stumble from mall to mall and shrink to shrink, seeking relief but never finding it.
I creep through the valley of the shadow of death and fall apart.
I fear everything from pesticides to power lines and I’m starting to act like my mother.
I go down to the weekly staff meeting and am surrounded by enemies.
I go home and even the goldfish scowls at me.
I anoint my headache with extra-strength Tylenol.
My Jack Daniel’s runneth over.
Surely misery and misfortune will follow me, and I will live in self-doubt for the rest of my lonely life.

Quinny Turns 3

2010-07-25T15:22:00.002-05:00

Quinn Seong Wook turns three! Our little tyke is hitting true "boy stage" at this point - eating everything in sight, breaking tons of stuff and playing rough and tough....that is when he isn't playing "dress up" with his older sisters.

Happy birthday son! You are loved!

Life is good!

Galveston - Recovered from Ike, Spared from the Oil

2010-07-18T19:18:00.004-05:00

Since I grew up just 20 minutes from the coast, I have to admit I am a little biased in my assessments. But considering the damage done by Hurricane Ike in 2008 and the fear of the BP oil disaster making its way to the Texas Coast, Galveston is alive and well!

All should take advantage and visit the Island soon!

This year we started a new tradition by staying at the Galvestonian Condominiums on the East Beach. For decades we have rented a beach house on the West Beach but it was time for a change. http://www.galvestonian.com/

The Galvestonian was incredible. We loved it and already have the same condos booked for our visit next summer. It's just 1 minute from Broadway, the Sewall, the Strand, the Ferry Landing and most importantly Marios Pizza. And with the new Pleasure Pier opening sometime in 2011 we will be just a few minutes away from even more fun.

Nothing is more enjoyable than fun time in the sand and surf surrounded by your kids and family. We ended each day with a clean swim in the huge pool and then rounded out the night with some movies, snacks and drinks.

If you haven't been to the Texas coast in while, get yourself down there and keep the Galvestonian in mind...just don't take our new spot!

What a Difference God Can Make In a Year

2010-07-06T19:51:00.002-05:00

From our company blog:

One Year Later....a New Business with a New Plan

Last June began a trip to business hell we hope to never revisit. Actually, things started going south in the spring, but all hell broke lose in late May, early June, when we learned that key employees, friends and others were in the process of stealing our business ideas from under neath us in setting up a company called United Health & Life.

A year later UHL appears to be dead and out of busienss and EHL is in the process of a full recovery. All because of the grace of God and His favor and blessings. Period.

Twelve months ago we were wondering how to survive the next week. We were focused on trying to salvage what was left of a 9 year business that blew up in our faces. Today, our 10th year, we in a full recovery with a new exciting business plan that we believe can set us free.

God is good.

After our short stint trying to sell Google ads with AdzZoo, we decided to get back into healthcare sales and in February we connected with a huge brokerage firm out of Fort Worth. Our bond was almost instantaneous and since then we have become a powerful team with a big vision for the future.

Needless to say, summer of 2010 is already night and day from last year. Last year on my vacation these bad people did this to us ruining our family trip to the coast. Next week we go again this time with fun plans in hand! Though cash is still real tight, things are fun again, business is exciting and we can really see God's hand in it all. It has almost been too easy just letting Him lead us.

We have a future we would have never dreamed possible this time a year ago. We have a lot of work to do but with God's help all things are possible and we can't wait see what the next 12 months bring us.

Summer Time Brings Busy Fun

2010-06-13T10:12:00.003-05:00

The reality is life is just ALWAYS busy. Any parent will tell you. Just when you think, "oh good. Summer is here!" life just keeps on trucking along at full speed.

Last summer my business was nearly taken out from under me by some former friends and close employees. It was NOT a good summer. Stress, worry, fear and lots of anger and confusion filled our minds.

But God has been beyond good the last 12 months as He has restored things, brought us new plans and visions and given us a total new focus on life, His work and His nature. The future could not look better! The return to a sense of normalcy being the biggest of all blessings for sure. So I welcome a packed calendar this go around!

This summer for us looks packed nearly each week from here until school starts back up too. VBS, family vacation (hopefully two), friends coming in town, trips to the zoo, church volunteering each Wed, soccer practice for Quinn, Hawaiian Falls trips, grandparent visits, gymnastics for the girls, various church events, 4th of July family fun, Tyler trips, home group meetings, our own summer party, business summer bash and other business activities.

At the same time, this is what makes life fun. In between all of those things there will be plenty of time for a few Rangers games, some small cookouts, swimming in the pool and spontaneous fun that should include some movies, Six Flags, shopping, time with friends, etc.

Summer is fun. But, it sure is busy. Hope yours is as good as ours looks to be!

The Floor Cracked Us Up

2010-05-29T11:24:00.016-05:00

This will take some explaining, but it sure was funny.

Let me set the stage. In our home we have wood floors that run from the front door, down the hallway completely covering the kitchen and dining room ending at our bedroom. Over the last 8 years water from the dog bowl has basically ruined an area about the size of a door mat. It was only a natural move for us to cover this area with a rug in order to hide the ugliness until we redo the floors completely.

However, after Julie removed the mat the other day she immediately realized that was a “bad idea jeans” move; the floor looks way worse. It was wet, moldy looking in some spots and boards were sticking up or pealing back. It was an ugly, scary looking sight. In a last ditch effort we placed a box fan in the area to dry up the wetness with hopes we could avoid having to do major repair work right now. We will see.

Now, for the other part of this story.

Both of our 5 year old twin daughters have started having these “night terror” dreams. Not fun for anyone. They awaken in the middle of the night screaming bloody murder causing the entire southern region of Mansfield to bolt up out of their beds with personal protection devices armed and ready for action. Seriously. When I say scream I don’t mean a little “ahhhh!” We are talking Nightmare on Elm Street levels of fear bursting out of their throats.

Hearts pounding we both usually leap out of bed (and I do mean leap!) and run to the stairs where they are usually standing at the top screaming and crying saying “I had a bad dream!” Honestly it is kind of sad because we all have had those “bad dreams” but it’s just such a violent way to wake the family at 3am nearly every night.

But last night topped them all.

About 3am our night of deep sleep came to a crashing halt. Screaming was taking place within our very room! Hearts in throats we scrambled out of bed thinking we had just been raided by 3 foot curly blond home-invasion criminals. I was reeling with thoughts of getting my gun, or a knife, whatever thinking I was about to have to go into my powerful, much practiced, terminate the enemy, defend-the-family mode.

I had been in the middle of my own amazing dream - running on the beach with rock hard abs while bikini babes chased me, yelling my name, wanting me bad – when my mind made the realization that the screaming I was hearing was coming from the mouths of babes, just not on the beach! Julie’s intense dream of cooking me the best homemade pizza ever was interrupted too as the screaming filled our ears from just a few feet away.

Within seconds our arms were around them both. Chloe was the most upset.

“What is wrong!” I asked.

“I had a bad dream,” Chloe said sobbing and shaking like a leaf.

"You did?" I said. (Julie was consoling Sidney)

"It's ok baby. Calm down." Her intense shaking and crying continued. "It's gonna be alright."

"We all have bad dreams honey," I said. "It's ok. Mommy and daddy are right here."

We carried them into the living room, making our way to the couches, both still sobbing. It was obvious it was a bad one. This was going to take some time to get the place back in order. My own dream was on hold for at least another hour.

Wondering what her dream was about, I pressed her for details. It surely had to include some scary scene from a show we had watched, or a monster from one of their Disney DVDs. It was bad whatever it was. Might even include some Bigfoot fears passed down via my DNA.

"Chloe, what was your bad dream about," I asked.

She mumbled something between a sob.

"What?" I asked again.

"I had dreamed about (mumble)," she said unintelligibly.

Not wanting to get her fear activated again I gave it a few minutes.

Then finally I asked again and her answer was more clear though I was confused as to what it sounded like. I thought I heard what she said but I just had to clarify that I heard her right.

"Did you say you had a bad dream about the floor!?"

Shaking and sobbing still, she replied as serious as her little self could.

"Yea."

Need I say more. I am still laughing now.

sigh Another Great Show Is Gone

2010-05-25T00:01:00.002-05:00

Sadly another one of our favorite shows came to an end tonight as "24" closed out with a bang. Sure the show had it's quirks and such, but it was a great series based on a cool, creative concept.

Few characters rise to the occasion like Jack Bauer did and we will surely miss his grit and ability to withstand torture, stabbings, gun shot wounds, poison, bombs and the likes all in a days work.

Let's face it, TV shows bite these days. Few make you laugh and it is reality and drama show overload.

I wish we could get one more season at out of Jack and CTU.....*sigh*.

Finally - a GetAway

2010-05-21T10:00:00.004-05:00

The last time Julie and I snuck off for a few days was in the fall of 2008 with our visit to the Ozarks in Arkansas.

Yesterday we finally started another one in the great city of San Antonio. It's a whole new world down here without the kids too. We enjoyed some Hard Rock Cafe burgers for lunch yesterday on the River Walk. Then we checked in at the amazing Hyatt HillCountry Resort, and spent the evening at the Alamo Quarry Market - dinner at Canyon Cafe, a 7pm flick ("Date Night" - VERY funny!) and then some dessert at Amy's Ice Cream and ending the night with some wine here at Charlie's Long Bar.

Today we will bask in the sun around the pool, get a massage and I will work on my Club J story. We don't really plan to leave until maybe tonight. Who knows. We have no agenda and THAT is what we need.

Jealous?

You should be.

Boy how we needed this...sorry kiddos, see you Sunday.

Six Flags Then & Now

2010-05-07T22:28:00.007-05:00

Tonight we randomly decided to make a family run to Six Flags. Sitting right across the street from my office I see the place all day long. Yet something is still magical about entering the park mid-afternoon on a sunny day and enjoying the sights, sounds, smells and rides.

Of course this time I wasn't 15 chasing 15 year old girls around either.

Rather, I'm 40 with a wife and three kiddos.

Walking around the place it really was weird. In all the years since those pimple-faced days of old the park really hasn't changed that much. Last time Julie and I went was 2001 when we were DATING. Yet, back in the 80s this was THE place to be. Such fun times.

Tonight was a blast too. Quinny fell in love with speed and his little Loony Toons land coaster. The girls jumped right in with most of their rides too. Julie and I could do nothing more than just look at our "adult" rides in the distance of course.

Maybe one day we'll go back, just the two of us, and finally ride Superman.

If not, until then we're happy taking the kids. It's just a fun place to go.

Three Under the Age of Five

2010-05-03T18:32:00.005-05:00

For those of you without kids and for those of you beyond these days, enjoy.

This is our life:

"stop it...put that down...don't do that...what's in your mouth...where did you get that?!...what are you doing!?...stop running with that...wipe your own butt!....are you poopy or did you just tootoot?...get down...sit down...turn around...move...be quiet... please just...obey me now...really?!?!...oh my gosh!...tell me...put that away...let it go... give it to me... NO.... NOW!... one! two!.... I said yes... don't ask me again... get back in bed... what now!?...shut that door...yes I will put cream on it in a second!... get out of that...spit that out, don't eat that...eat another bite....where did you get that gum?... why are you crying...you don't need a bandaid...you don't need medicine... stop whining... can you whine a little more please...Quinn get your hand out of your pants!...stop fighting...we don't talk about our butts/poop/boobies or bobo...don't hit...say excuse me...can you whine a litle more?...apologize now...what do you say?... get in time out now...lay down!... stop singing Christmas songs... there's no need to yell... you already asked me that... where did he/she go?...where is he/she?...put down my phone...no, more Dora/Mickey/Handy Manny/etc..in a minute...where did you learn that?!"

(to ourselves and between us) "no more kids...kill me now...why did we want kids again?...it's gonna cost HOW MUCH?!...yes one day we will get to go on a trip alone again....you're lucky so-and-so is still alive...shoot me now...where's the wine?...go get more wine...we are out of wine...call your parents...who's crying?...when did he/she start doing that!?!?!"

End of the day:

"The kids are so funny!" I say smiling.

"Yes, they are...." Julie replies.

"What do you think about four?" I ask.

"Good night."

"Good night."

UPDATED REGULARLY

Sports Duldrum Begins

2010-05-02T19:09:00.001-05:00

Thanks to my lame Mavs and Stars, the 2010 sports summer started early and is going to be ONE LONG BORING PHASE.

Let's face it...between NASCAR, golf and baseball, it's really a dead time for exciting sports activity. To top that off what shows during the summer really get your juices flowing? Yea, exactly,...nada.

I've been fortunate that usually I have someone to cheer on well into May and even early June shortening the time between then and August when football gets cranking. This year....oh man is it gonna be a bore.

Too bad I can't depend on my Astros or Rangers to do much for me.

Guess I'll just have to enjoy the sun, work my butt off and make some money and spend more time with the kiddos and wifey.

Seven Year Itch

2010-04-23T22:14:00.001-05:00

Never have understood this "7 year itch" myth. I've had an itch since I was 3. Just ask my wife as I lay in bed scratching and driving her to new levels of insanity few have experienced.

Seven years ago had she known this realty, she just might have gotten an itch to say "c ya". But lucky for me, I got her locked in, haze-grey and under-way.

Hard to believe this weekend we will have been married for 7 years and known each other for close to a decade. Without getting t0o graphic, those early days sure were fun in the sun - if you get my drift - wink, wink. After all, we did produce identical twins...

This weekend we planned a little excursion of sorts to the W Hotel in Dallas. Been FOUR-EV-ER since we have had a real adult, party night out on the town. I was pumped. Even had a sexy new lingerie outfit picked out that I felt confident and sexy in. It was gonna be one fun evening....

Then Sidney vomited.

"Hello, W Hotel in Dallas? Hi....I need to cancel our reservations for tomorrow. My child just barfed and it looks like we are going to have yet another planned hot night at home. Yes....right...yes she will likely be wearing her baby blue M&M long t-shirt and I will be in boxers. The dogs? Yea, correct....they will either be in the bed or by it....one snoring louder than me."

Married with Children continues...

Drive-Thru Terror - Village Idiots Are On the Lose

2010-04-07T05:33:00.006-05:00

Apparently even more villages than is usual have lost their idiots this week in the DFW area. And for me, they apparently find drive-thru lines a good place to accentuate their ignorance.

Case in point 1- we have a Chick Fi Lay right on the way from my home to my office. They know me by name. I visit nearly daily for tea or breakfast and sometimes lunch. They, like all fast food establishments, have a drive-thru line for autos.

They, like most fast food places we all frequent, have a parking lot with CLEARLY defined parking spaces at a obvious angle the place of business intends for cars to travel through said parking lot. In many cases they have separate entrance and exit points that also coincide with the direction of the parking space stripes I just mentioned. Usually these places also have at least one very visible NO ENTRANCE/EXIT ONLY sign sometimes accompanied with "guidance cones" helping out those that just can't figure it out. Anyone with a brain can easily see that entering the parking lot going the wrong way in a feeble attempt to circumvent the drive-thru line ahead of others or for the sake of being a lazy butt is simply not going to work with cars coming head on trying to leave through the EXIT!

So here I am pulling into the parking lot heading towards the drive thru while listening to "Fake Jerry" (Jerry Jones) on my favorite AM morning show. Coming at me is a lady GOING THE WRONG WAY via the EXIT ONLY entrance. On top of that guess what.....you guessed it....our little Missy is playing Chatty Katty on the flippin' phone.

I am forced to stop in my tracks and a quick game of chicken ensues. I just sit there and stare here down with my hands lifted off the steering wheel as if to say, "Really!? I mean seriously? Are we that stupid as a society now?"

Feeling four of my five of my fingers desperately wanting to curl up leaving one standing rigid for her view I fought back the flesh and just held my ground feeling my look of exasperation was enough for her this bright, glorious Monday morning.

Her response?

She stopped her car, looked at me angrily, raised her hands at me and mouthed a few choice words that I am sure included the likes of "Lord I pray this man is truly blessed today...may his children succeed in all they do and may his business flourish like no other in the future...Amen."

I refused to budge as I waited in line. So she spent the next 60 seconds slowly maneuvering her car between mine and the rest with just inches to spare. I have to admit I laughed out loud watching her respond to the other two cars that honked at her behind me and further relished her hilarious attempt at having to make an eight-point u-turn that took her forever and backed up the line even more.

Oh yea, she did all of this without ever putting down her phone.

Guess she was letting her village know just exactly where she was.

(case in point 2 coming soon)

Old Friend Is About to Be Blown to Shreds

2010-03-31T22:05:00.007-05:00

Of course, most Texans all agree Texas Stadium is an icon most of us are likely to never forget. But the sad truth is she has been in a state of death and decay since the late 90's and throughout the first decade of the new millennium she degraded beyond salvation.

Small, cramped, dirty, stinky, cold and damp. It's over.

Bring on the dynamite. It's time she blows.

For me personally I am going to take it hard.

Growing up a huge Cowboys fan I got my first personal Texas Stadium experience in 1983 when dad took me to a Thanksgiving Day game against the St. Louis Cardinals. I was 14 and loved every second of the Cowboys victory that day. To see the Boys for real in that loud, fan crazed place was incredible. Not to mention how awestruck I was at seeing the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in person too!

Just seven years later in 1990 I became an actual employee of the Dallas Cowboys as I landed a part time gig working Cowboys games as a stands attendant. (bet you didn't know that!). Yep, I had to help people find their seats and keep them out of the isles, but at halftime I got to sit wherever I wanted and watch the rest of the game. I made $25 a game and was allowed to bring my 35mm camera to the game too. It was fun watching Emmitt, Troy and Michael just getting their grove on. The playoff game against the Eagles that year was a highlight for sure!

In the 2000s, being much older and little more financially sound, I was fortunate enough to start attending more games. I was there when Troy Aikman played his last game in 1999 against the Redskins. He was pulled because of a huge hit to the head. I even told my girlfriend at the time he would never play again. I was right.

With the likes of Ebay and StubHub I found myself at many games from 2000 to 2003, many times alone, until 2004 when my business partner and I decided to buy season tickets and rent a suite to entertain our sales staff. What an experience! Friends, family, and business contacts alike shared in the fun too! Tailgating became the craze and we literally would hang out for hours before the game. Certainly more fun than watching the likes of Joey Galloway, Ryan Leaf, or Quincy Carter. Geez.

Our lease ended in 2006 and I returned to my personal season tickets for most home games. The company continued to buy seats for most home games too and the fun continued for the most part, though, until 2007, the team was terrible.

My last memory of Texas Stadium ended just like my first. With my dad at my side. The game was a cold one and the Cowboys finished the season with a terrible loss to the Baltimore Ravens, ending what should have been a promising year. It was an ironic twist of fate seeing the death of a season run along side the death of our beloved Texas Stadium.

Dad and I stood in the frozen wind and rain that night as we watched a parade of Cowboys stars take the field one last time. Dandy Don then sang "turn out the lights" and the Texas Stadium era came to an end.

The lights turned off and we headed home.

Thanks for all the memories Texas Stadium.

Boom goes the dynamite.

Breast Bombs

2010-03-24T19:07:00.007-05:00

It's really no secret that this world would simply not be the same if not for breasts. Come on. Be real. Admit it. God knew what he was doing when he added that special feature to the woman's body. Large or small, they are special. Even David in Song of Solomon spoke of their precious beauty...

But now a new twist on these attributes is down right scary and appaling all in one.

Apparently terrorists are now training women to use explosive breast implants in order to avoid detection and blow up planes and the like.

Jesus please return soon.

I know the line of men will likely be out the door for the new security jobs certainly to become available to check for such explosive devises, but in all seriousness, is there any end to these maniacs?

I just wish they would leave our breasts and our planes alone.

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=123758

Hope & Change is Just Turning Into Change

2010-03-22T21:58:00.003-05:00

It is no secret after more than a year in office that President Obama is no different than all of those before him when it comes to breaking campaign promises and pursing his own agenda. He is a liar like most before him and he could careless what the majority think.

The problem is he makes Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter look like the founders of the conservative movement. Barack Obama is spending us into oblivion and it appears he will stop at nothing until every drop of ink is spent at the mints.

Yea, I know. We are the morons that fell for his "Hope & Change" campaign spin when in reality all he had in mind was "change". And boy, do we have change.

I fear for the society, values and debt Quinn, Chloe and Sidney will face when they are sitting here reading this entry in 25-30 years. Will America remain? Will "conservatism" be dead and gone? Will this be the time in which they will look back on as the date America turned into all the rest?

We have to work and pray to save our land between now and November. We can't stop him, but we can slow him down.

He now runs the banks, he runs student loans, he runs the auto industry, he runs the housing market, he controls the insurance companies, and he wants to run immigration and Wall Street next. Anyone out there think of some countries that run everything? You laugh, but are we any different now?

Let's just hope we can return the change.

Quinn Tries out Big Boy Bed

2010-02-21T22:19:00.003-06:00

It's a sad yet exciting moment for the family. Our little Quinny has graduated (we think) from his crib to a "big boy" Tommy the Train bed.

After Julie put it together (yea, I was a slacker), he proudly took his first nap in it yesterday. Then that night he excitedly laid down and slept without a peep until 8am!

It's weird that all three of our kids are already no longer "babies". We are excited about it, yet somewhat scared about how fast it all is going.

Now, all we need to do is figure out how to get him to pee and poop in the "big boy potty".

Once in a Lifetime DFW Snow Storm

2010-02-13T19:48:00.003-06:00

I am not sure how many times the word "unreal" was spoken either by me or Julie on Thursday and Friday when over 12inches of snow fell in the Dallas area, a record for the most snow to fall in one day in the entire state of Texas!

For just a few days it felt like we were transported to the mountains of Colorado or the fields of Wyoming as a soft, gentle snow storm wrapped its arms around the DFW area and covered us with a peaceful blanket of the good white stuff. It started snowing around midnight and did not let up or finish for over 24 hours. In the end we were left feeling somewhat like our national leaders in the DC area who have been snowed in for weeks now.

So much for "global warming" Al Gore. I think God himself had tired of your "science" and scheme. Apparently another record was set last week when snow was recorded on the ground in all 50 states at the same time.

The kids and the dogs loved playing out front with our neighbors, though most of us were fighting off colds and ear infections. I never thought I would have to get a ladder out and brush the snow off our satellite TV dish - much less three times in a day! Not to mention getting out the big shovel to clear off the 8 inches that had built up on the driveway. Truth be told, my neighbors and I did that mostly just to say we did and to empathize with our northern American comrades!

It was truly a once in a lifetime Valentine's weekend event. Not in my 40 years had I seen this kind of snow in Texas. It was a sight to behold; so soothing, beautiful and white.

Watch slideshow here:

Q-ster Peeing in Potty - Working on the Poopin'

2010-02-04T20:10:00.002-06:00

Quinny is so proud of his new Buzz LightYear underwear. He won't even poop in them he is so excited.

Potty training a 2 year old boy is surely WAY different than the girls was. "Hold it down!" is often something heard broadcast throughout the house these days.

He is a peeing machine.

Now all we have to do is get him unafraid to poop!

Diapers, you are on the final count down! PRAISE GOD!

New Year Starting Well

2010-01-28T21:27:00.002-06:00

Yea, it's way early, but still.

Business wise 2010 is looking good already!

Can't really breath easy just yet (never really can when you are in business for yourself) BUT if anything, I have learned over the last year to truly keep my faith in tact and trust God.

Things are looking up.

Now, all I have to do is keep it rolling...

Football Offseason Begins....a sad day

2010-01-17T17:04:00.003-06:00

I love football. Specifically I love Dallas Cowboys football. Today I had the kids wave by to the animated Cowboys man we leave on the fireplace daily starting each August. Their Romo jerseys will be hung up. The tailgating gear was put away in the garage and most of my Cowboys hats will be put to rest until July.

It's a sad, sad day in the life of the Speers family.

Cowboys 3, Vikings 34. Not good. Not good at all.

Here are my thoughts:

1. Wade should come back - not because I like him, but because there are no other good ones to replace him with and any change now will set things back for 1-2 years.
2. We DID improve and we have a "team" now. It has been 13 years since we have had that chemistry.
3. We have young players to build around.
4. Our defense is much improved.
5. Romo looks like he can be a winner.
6. We need to focus on a kick returner, a kicker, secondary help (Newman is totally over-rated) and offensive line help.

Next year I at least wanna get to the NFC Championship!

For now, go Saints!

Speers World Ready for All 2010 Has to Offer

2010-01-10T11:26:00.009-06:00

Rarely I have I looked forward to a new year more than I have 2010. For the Speers clan it was a tough one in all ways. As always, God was good during the tough days 2009 brought us, but hopefully the next year will bring some much needed change.

Now 2010 is here and we are expecting a year full of joy, peace, contentment, and success.

Quinn will be three and thank God his "terrible two days" should come to an end. If not, he might find himself in permanent time-out until then. Right now "no" means "yes" and never in my life have a seen a child get into more things so fast than him...

New business plans look promsing and our plan is to work toward debt freedom and taking the kids to Disney sometime soon!

Our girls will turn 5 and are sadly growing up way too fast. But they are a complete joy and world of entertainment. I never knew 4 year olds could be so funny. Just the other day Sidney told me "Chloe just went poop and it was huge!". Neato.

The Cowboys have started off the new year with a bang and regardless of what happens now have made the end of the football season acceptable for a change!

We can only pray Dora fades away into the forever forgotten past, but for now she remains a mainstay throughout each and every long, drawn out morning of our ever living lives...

Political winds are going to lead America back to conservative values in the November elections. Don't get me started...

These things and more are in the plans for the year. Now it's just a matter of getting us there!

Loud 'n' Clear

2009-12-23T09:11:00.005-06:00

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

2009-11-24T07:06:00.003-06:00

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

2009-11-14T09:50:00.003-06:00

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

2009-10-30T15:27:00.003-05:00

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

2009-10-24T21:21:00.006-05:00

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

2009-10-20T22:42:00.011-05:00

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

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

Counting it down...

2009-10-20T20:20:00.001-05:00

Less than 4 hours....

40th Bday Extravaganza Kicked Off

2009-10-17T10:21:00.002-05:00

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

2009-10-05T09:04:00.001-05:00

Happy Chuseok Day! (Korean Thanksgiving)

2009-10-03T09:01:00.002-05:00

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

2009-09-24T21:31:00.004-05:00

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

2009-09-22T14:31:00.001-05:00

Quinn Loving MDO School

2009-09-21T21:42:00.000-05:00

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

2009-09-07T22:27:00.003-05:00

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

2009-09-07T10:16:00.002-05:00

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

2009-09-02T21:52:00.003-05:00

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

2009-08-31T22:18:00.003-05:00

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

2009-08-26T18:51:00.004-05:00

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

2009-08-25T21:14:00.002-05:00

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

2009-08-21T09:39:00.009-05:00

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

2009-08-11T07:51:00.007-05:00

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

2009-07-26T09:19:00.003-05:00

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

2009-07-19T13:43:00.002-05:00

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

2009-07-11T09:19:00.006-05:00

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

2009-07-09T21:47:00.003-05:00

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

2009-06-27T10:42:00.003-05:00

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

2009-06-26T09:07:00.005-05:00

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

2009-06-23T10:47:00.003-05:00

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

2009-06-21T09:58:00.006-05:00

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

2009-06-12T19:40:00.004-05:00

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

2009-05-24T14:04:00.002-05:00

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.

2009-05-17T20:27:00.001-05:00

Quinn Adoption @ Yahoo! Video

Quinn Fund Helps Child

2009-05-17T10:28:00.003-05:00

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

2009-05-14T22:04:00.007-05:00

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

2009-05-14T21:15:00.000-05:00

Best Commercial

2009-05-01T11:17:00.001-05:00

I just love this guy!