A Late Father's Day Blog...

I meant to post this blog on Father's Day, but the weekend was busy and I disappeared for the week to study for a test I had to pass for a promotion. After many hours of study, and a passing grade I can get back to life. Anyways...here's a picture of puddin' and I on Father's Day. All I can say is I love being a dad. I have often felt overwhelmed, but at the same time extremely thankful for the blessings God has put in my life through my wife and daughter.

For all of our regular readers (all five of you), I'm fully taken over the blog and will start blogging more on what God has been teaching me and not just family updates. Don't worry, there will still be more and enough pictures of our puddin' because I know that's why four of the five of you visit the blog.

Our Family Picture

We have had an exciting week. First, Granny and Grandpa Steve (iamnots mom and step-dad) came up to visit for Mother's Day weekend. This was there second time to see puddin' and she was more active and responsive (the last time they saw her she was barely three weeks old). So, Granny and puddin' had some good bonding time. Although, dad has tried to train puddin' to cry anytime she sees any of her grandparents she hasn't done it yet...they are always met with a big smile. Then, it was baby dedication and sheeps "first official" mother's day being a mother. Puddin' bought her some books they could read together, and iamnot bought her a Starbuck's gift card, so she could get some alone time on the weekends and he will stay home and play with puddin'. Then, puddin' turned six months on Monday which was greeted by some more shots from the doctor, but she did much better this time than she did at the three month appointment (she didn't throw anything back up) and then on Wednesday her first two bottom teeth started showing. So, we are blessed and enjoying God's grace that's working in our lives at this moment. He is so good and gives us so much than we deserve.

Win or lose....

One of my favorite lines in the moving facing the giants (which if you haven't seen I highly recommend) is when the coach tells the players from now on we are going to have fun, play our hardest, and win or lose still praise God.

This weekend I got to practice that piece of advice. One of my goals is to win the International Toastmasters speech competition and I made it to the third round and didn't even place. At first I thought I had went over the time limit, but after checking with the timekeeper I found out I had stayed within the time limits. Then, my mind went directly towards thinking how stupid the judges were, okay maybe not stupid just had it out against me and didn't like all the humor I slipped into a serious inspirational speech. On the way home God reminded me of th quote from the movie and I prayed about it and began praising him. When I got home I was able to tell my wife I was beat because on that day there were three people who did a better job speaking. And then I thought about how lucky I am to have the wife I have (she told me if I really needed a trophy her and puddin' could make one) and how we have been so blessed this past year. And I started thinking how so many times if I'm not careful I can pursue goals that don't matter and not be content at where God has me. And I started thinking about the times when I just sit back and enjoy all that God has done (and is doing) and invest in those relationships around me...that is true success. So, win or lose I will praise God and start working on my speech for next year.

Learning How to Use Those Feet

This past week has seen many milestones in the life of a young "Puddin'." Last week, dad went into her room in the early morning to check on her and she was on her stomach. But, she's starting to use her brains (which she inherited from her mom). If you look closely at this picture her foot is pushing against her mobile. She has figured out how she can move it back and forth using her foot.

We're trying...

to do this blogging thing. The conversation around our house is, "Did you update the blog?" "Oh, yeah. I'm going to do that tomorrow." Well...tomorrow has finally came. I'm enjoying life at this moment. My job is the hardest job I've ever had, but I love it. And even on days like yesterday when I was ready to give up, I could think of anything else I would rather do. And God is starting to give me a vision for my ministry...but more on that later.

Puddin' is the joy (and center of) our lives at this moment. It's amazing how much love one can have for a child that can't even speak yet (she just gargles and spits up at this time). And Sheep is such a great mom. It's been amazing at where God has taken her in the last three months, she challenges me to keep growing. I have more to say...but I've just got a request to spend some time with my wife and daughter...so I'll have to finish "tomorrow."

Welcome to Facing Our Giants Blog

We are getting into the blogging world and want to share how God is working in our lives. I'll introduce you to our family.

• Iamnot is our dad. He chose this name because he's been reading a book by Louie Giglio who challenges us to remember how small we are, but how BIG our God is-it's entitled, "I am not, but know I AM," dad highly recommends it.


• Sheep is the mom of the family. Make no mistake, she is one of Christ The GOOD Shepherd's sheep. She wants to treasure Christ above all and trust Him to lead her through this crazy pasture until they're home.


• Puddin' is our bundle of joy God sent to us on November 14, 2006.


• Eb & Lucy are our original children. Okay, they're only dogs, but God used them for two years to prepare us and help us realize we could face the giant of parenthood.