Daddy...Are you going to die?

 Daddy...Are you going to die?

My 5 year old son Preston asked me this question last week as we were sitting in the car in a parking lot at a grocery store. "Daddy...why is the sky blue?" would've have been much easier. Or, "Daddy...why does it rain?" I would've replied with that one by telling him, "It's God crying because of all the bad things you've done to me and your momma!" OK, I wouldn't have said that but way easier to answer than the first question. 

I was honest with him and told him yes I was going to die one day. He asked me if it would be soon. I told him I hope not. I told my five year old son that if I did die, I would go to heaven to be with Jesus because He lives in my heart and has forgiven me of my sins. I told him that he could go to heaven also one day. I proceeded to let him understand that God made us and put us on earth to help other people. When we are done helping other people we can go HOME to heaven. I told Preston I had alot more helping to do for other people so I hope to be here for a while! He said, "Yeh, I gotta help alot of people too!"

 We have many more theological discussions to talk about as he gets older, but for now, loving Jesus and loving others is really about all he ever needs to understand!    

<<<This is Preston in his wrestling mask ready to conquer his Dad. He punches really hard!!!!

New Beginnings

My two oldest kids started school. Annabelle started second grade yesterday and Preston started Kindergarten this morning. Annabelle cried her first day and Preston cried today (his first day). This really sucks! Me and Steph were talking about how we were Momma's kids and we cried too during our early years in school. WHY???? Maybe we and the kids just really love our Momma's!

I remember Kindergarten vividly. I cried, hated nap time, bit a kid on the arm cause he didn't give me a block, cried some more, asked someone to be my friend by the water fountain and cried some more.
 I remember second grade also. I chased a fly around in the bathroom and actually got a whoopin from the teacher with a wooden paddle, had a crush on my teacher (discipline equals  LOVE), thought wearing bandanas around my arms and hands made me look cool, and I cried.
If they can stay away from the Principal's office and not get whoopins, I can handle their crying a little easier. Pray for them and pray for Momma too!
 

Steph and Me

This month Steph and I will celebrate our 10 year Anniversary on the 16th. I can hardly remember the early years of our relationship. Even remembering the dating years are blurry. I saw her, fell in love, and married her. Pretty simple steps.
We were talking the other day about how we knew we were supposed to be married to each other. It was New Year's Eve 1998 and we were sitting in my pick-up truck overlooking the city of Birmingham, Alabama watching the fireworks go off! Typically you kiss the one you like/love on this night as the clock strikes midnight! Not us. My palms were sweating, I was so nervous, I couldn't say anything. She was the same. I looked at her and said, "Can I pray with You?" She told me her heart melted. We knew that night we would spend the rest of our lives together. She wanted to kiss me and I wanted that too! I ain't no idiot!  But,,,,,,we Prayed!

She had been praying for a long time that she wanted to pray with the person she was to marry...on a New Year's eve. I had no idea. I was at the right place at the right time! God beautifully orchestrated it all from before the world began. I am glad to be part of His plan! Prayer changes everything................

Oh Yeh.    She is still HOT to me!!!!