Baby Memories

Yesterday, I was talking a break from hanging drywall. (Which by the way, drywall is really really heavy. I never had worked with 12 foot pieces before) My niece was out in the yard playing with Sarah and ran up to me and said that she wanted to swing. She grabbed my hand and led me to the hammock that was on the ground and asked me to hang it up. I am a sucker for a cute booger, so I put the hammock up on the tree. I picked Jessie up and put her in to swing her. While we were swinging, I started to tickle her belly and say "ahhhhhbooo". I told her that when was a little baby that I used to do that to her and she would laugh and laugh. I asked her if she remembered when she was a baby, she replied, "uh huh". She then looked up at me and said, "Uncle Brad that was so silly". I laughed and then grabbed her a tickled away. This was a sweet moment with that little girl. She is so cute.

P.S. Here is a picture of Jessie and Preston (Brother) on the hammock. Just for the record, I did not tickle my brother, this picture was taken days before Jessie and I swinging in the hammock.

On the Road

Uploaded by www.cellspin.net

Arrested Development

I need to talk about something dear to my hear tonight. I was tired today when I got home from work. Sarah being the sweet wife that she is, worked a double at the restaurant. This left me at home alone for the evening. So, when I got home from work, I did a little bit of folding clothes and cleaning up around the apartment. Then I decided to do my favorite thing, which is watch Arrested Development. I think that this is one of the greatest written TV shows next to The Office. It has some witty and dry humor that crosses lines that are perfect to be crossed. I watched one the discs and relaxed for a little bit. It was pretty awesome. If you have never seen this show, you need to check it out. You will not be disappointed. This is one of those days when I am reminded of a bit of my Dad that I have in me. I really love the dry humor that his genetics passed on. It is a wonderful thing. I think my dad would like this show, which reminds me I need to pass it on to him. Well folks, I am off to bed. I look forward to tomorrow, I am going to pay attention and have a really good blog tomorrow.

The Wooden Ball

I observed something today that I was pretty amazed by. I was in a store outside of Nashville this morning. It was a random stuff store as far as I could tell. Some people call them Antique Stores. I was looking around at this and that and noticed something across the room. I saw a large wooden ball with a price tag on it. As I walked up to it, I noticed that it had a huge crack in it. Just to remind you, it was a large wooden ball. Nothing came with this ball except, the ball. The price for this ball was, 1400 BUCKS. What the Crap. I am without words.

Alan Jackson's House

I have just a few things for you today. I went riding this morning on my bike for a little while. I am amazed by how many huge, and I mean huge houses there are around here. I am not sure what all these people do, because they all, and I mean all have houses that are freaking nuts. We went to one of Scott's nephews bday party at the pool also later in the day. I got to make up some games with 8 year olds and play those games in the pool with them. It was a good time.

To top off the day though, on our way back to their house they took the long way home and showed us where Alan Jackson lives. That guy has a beautiful place as you can see by the picture. He had gates all over the place like this to get into different places around his estate. It was crazy. Until tomorrow.

Nashville or Europe

Uploaded by www.cellspin.net

Nashville or Europe

Uploaded by www.cellspin.net

Test

Uploaded by www.cellspin.net

God is talking, but I am not sure in What Language?

Today I pose a question. That is all. If you would like to respond, I welcome your thoughts. Please give myself and anyone else who reads this the gift of many different minds and experiences.

-How do you listen to God, when you don't really understand how to understand when he speaks, or do not speak the same language? Sometimes it may feel that way. I hear people talk about knowing what God has for their life, or God speaking- whatever form of communication he uses. Do we listen to God, or just try to do what we feel is right? Waiting, to see if it lines up, seeing if he puts up a road block? I believe that God's desires and our passions have the ability to come together during our journey through life. I think that is what it is all about: the design.

Spin Doctors?

I met the lead singer of the band once know as the Spin Doctors. He came to SharpTop this weekend and is now a singer/songwriter. How nutz is that. I mean me and little miss can't be wrong in the flesh. I am a liar. But he does look like the lead singer to the once great band that brought up many timeless classics. What time is it? 4:30, it's not late... naaah it's early... I mean with lyrics like that, you are bound to stick around. I played a joke on my brother and sent this picture to his phone and told him the same story. Because he is a trusting, great older brother, he believed me. I got em. It was a good one. That is my story for today.

Rise and Shine, I am hungry

It has been a while since a post about my dog, Maple. I have come to realize that dogs are really good alarm clocks. She is up every morning at the same time. Even if she does not move, her eyes are open and she is laying there waiting, for the first sign of movement from the bed. Any type of stir, she is ready to spring into action. This morning, I rolled over to get comfortable and opened my eyes for a second before I was to go back to sleep. I noticed something moving level with my face. I focused onto a sight, that will just make you wake up smiling and start the day right. Maple was right there, tail wagging, bone in here mouth. She stood there super pumped that I was awake and looking at her. I reached out to pet her and that just got her more fired up. I think she was thinking a list of things this morning; first off, FEED ME NOW!!, followed by HEY HEY HEY HEY HEY HEY HEY, also this morning, she had her bone in her mouth. She really wanted me to see that she had her bone, it was swinging back and forth in here mouth because it was pinned between her teeth so it could sway back and forth. It was like she was soooo excited about the morning, she went to grab her favorite toy to have with her during the excitement that was around. This is just another time when I am so pumped to have Maple in our lives. Whether or not I need it, Maple validates me every morning with a wagging tail and a figgiting (sp) body that screams happiness. It made me think about the saying that if, people think I am half as cool as my dog thinks I am then I am good shape. It also made me think about no matter what, Maple runs to the edge of the bed every morning pumped up to see me and loves on me like crazy. I would like to have that kind of relationship with God, every morning no matter what, I run with excitement. Just waiting, sitting there waiting with excitement.

My Office and making the Bed

So, I am sitting here at my desk for a bit while the group is in the Club Room having their meeting for the night. It has been a pretty good day, I cleaned the apartment today like a mad man. I cleaned for four hours straight. (yeah that's right Mom, you son, four hours of good ole fashion cleaning) I am talking about our apartment screaming cleanliness. But, I have a confession to make... in the almost three years of marriage, I have never completely made the bed. I have never by myself changed the sheets and made the bed. I know that sounds bad. I think it's because in college I got used to stinky sheets and for Sarah the stinky sheet threshold is at the normal person level, while I have a tolerance for things like that. As for never making the bed... when you get up in the morning out of bed; when is the next time you plan to use the bed again? Nighttime, right? So, I do not make the bed because if I do, that is more work for me the next time I am ready to get in. Now that you understand where I am coming from, let me talk more about cleaning. I cleaned everything in the house, except the dog, she was fine. Here is the big news, I walked into the bedroom and looked at the bed. I decided to take the plunge. I took of the sheets, comforter, and the blanket in between. I went and got new sheets and put them on the bed (alone), I tucked the sheets in really nice, with the middle blanket and then pulled them back to make them look all nice. I put the comforter back on the bed, added the pillows and then added some other pillows that are for show and BAAM, you have one nicely made bed. Again, I mention, this is something I have never done in marriage. I have helped with the process before but never alone. When Sarah came home it was really funny because she went in the bedroom and was like, "Hey, you made the bed...??? you have never made the bed??? You even made it look nice???". It was a good moment for me.

I just wanted to add the picture of my desk at work, so you all can see my world. Organized Chaos.

Those tricky Presidential Candidates

So, I am sitting here waiting for a DVD to burn in the club room and was thinking about last nights post.  I feel that I sold you guys out and did not give you anything worth reading or to be amused.  So I am going to add  something this morning.  I was looking at Yahoo News while waiting for the DVD and saw a report on the Presidential Candidates agreeing to 3 debates and 1 vice presidential debate... WOW thanks guys, you agree to debate for the public to see and decide who they will vote for.  It just made me a little moody if you will, that they would "agree" to those debates as if there was a question that their would be even 3.  I am a little disappointed in both of them, that they did not already meet for the "town meetings" and help the public get educated early and thoroughly.  Well, that is my two cents on that issue.  Darn Politicians. 

Maple Home Alone

Welp, I am pretty tired. I just finished a three hour draft for the 08 Football Season. It was a good one, Tom Brady... drafted.

So I do not have much today, other than we left Maple out today when we were gone for about five hours by herself. She did great. Night Night everyone, I am fall asleep as I type.

The Cycle of Generations

Okay, so I am going to preface this with a disclaimer. This is going to sound bad at first, but it is not meant to be that way. It is an observation that has led me to think about things and question my own "cycles". So here is the story...

I was sitting in Starbucks today, reading and people watching. I was off today, so I went down to Atlanta with Sarah to work. While she was at work, I went and explored Barnes and Noble and the Apple store, with a Starbucks break in there, too. I was sitting at the table that was in direct line with the counter where people pick up their drinks. I noticed a lady and her two boys, one being about 12, and the other around 15/16. They were all extremely large people. That is the nicest way that I can put it. I do not want to be extremely judgmental here; there could be a thyroid problem, or something that is beyond my scope of sight. But, for the story, I do not know of any existing problems. I sat there and watched the two boys eating rice crispy treats (you know the ones that Starbucks sells, that are about the size of your fists). The first drink came up to the counter ready to serve. It was a large or super grande (whatever they call em') Chocolate Smoothie, with some cookies or something in there, with chocolate whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles on top. The next two drinks for the mom and other son were two super grande specialty drinks with splenda. I sat and watched each of them have trouble walking as they left with their treats, and it made me think about the cycle of parents to children, and then me personally in my own life. Quite frankly, I thought, "Are those kids overweight because of the example and lifestyle that there mother has chosen for them?" This made me think about my own cycles that I live in daily. This does not mean cycles that I received from my parents, but the ones that I am beginning as an adult in my own life. Things that I could stop, but won't. Or, cycles that I will find ways to trick myself into continuing: pride, selfishness, being judgmental, being lazy, not having compassion when I should. I could go on and on about the battles that I face daily.

So, it brings me back to this: What are the cycles in life that we could fix or stop from continuing? It is so much more than overweight kids in Starbucks. Well, I do not mean to go getting all deep on ya'll today, but it struck me as I sat there.

No words needed

This weekend, I was hosting a family camp that was here staying at SharpTop. I witnessed something that has really left a life long impression on my heart. I was at lunch, making sure all was well, and that the group did not need anything. David Haskins, who was in charge of the Chattanooga Family Camp was getting ready to pray for the meal. He was up on stage and he had this little boy in his arms. The little boy was three or four years old. Old enough where he was waving and smiling etc. This little boy had a smile that could melt your heart, and every time that you would pass him around camp, he would wave and smile at you. This little boy was also, "mentally challenged". Anyways, back to the story in the dining hall. David was about to pray and said that he was going to let the little boy pray for the meal. As he put the microphone to the little boys mouth, he just smiled. (this went on for about 15 seconds) David, then pulled the microphone away and with a big smile, said Amen. He followed up by saying, "That was a beautiful prayer". God is so huge, and he has made us all in the way he designed, no matter what the world tells us. This little boy was talking to God, in the clearest way I have ever seen.

The Inch Worm

So I was sitting at the top of the slides today, while the work crew was using them. I noticed an inch worm working his/her way up this large post. It had to be 100 times that worms body length. It climbed with determination and vigor, briefly pausing to look around. I sat with wonder, thinking about what it was looking for, what would it do when it got to the top of the pole? Such a tall and big journey for such a tiny worm. I grew impatient; I started to imagine all the things that could be running through that little worms head: man what a view I will have, I bet there is treasure up there, I am going to jump etc. Finally after a long awaited accent to the top of the pole... the worm scooted right across the top and started to work its way back down. It did not even enjoy the view. This made me think, was it about the goal/destination or the journey to get there? Half full or half empty kind of thing. I pondered this for a while and thought about different ways that this applied to my life. I named this inch worm "Plato" for its deep thoughts.

I pose this question to the readers: Is it about the goal/destination or the journey it took to get there?

Not to many words today

I am kind of blank today. I have been sitting here for a moment, thinking about the day. I do not recall anything that I wanted to write about. Got to hang out with David Puffer today at work which was nice, because he working here at SharpTop Cove now.

On another note, I have been reading this book, called "Lord Save us from Your Followers" which is a book that goes along with a documentary. The website is www.lordsaveusthemovie.com. I highly recommend going to the website and looking around for a bit. You will not be disappointed. It is truly a breath of fresh air.

Trimming the back of my neck

So, I have decided that trimming or shaving the back of your neck is the hardest thing known to man. Especially when you go at it alone. I was on my way into work today around three, because I hosted tonight, when I noticed that the back of my neck looked like a wolverine. I decided to fix that problem. I grabbed one of Sarah's compact mirrors (so I could use it in the other mirror to see the back of my head). Then, while looking in the little mirror to see the bigger mirror, I tried to move my hand in the right direction to shave my neck and trim it up. Left is right and right is left... It was a nightmare of confusion. I completed this task sometime later, and now I have a great, clean, new neck. But... it sure was a task. I felt like I needed to voice this, because I know that I am not the only one who has fought this battle before.

Sarah and Isiah (not our Kid)

Sarah and I went over to eat dinner tonight with some friends, the Korpitas. It was a really good time with good food a, few local brews, some steak, and sweet potatoes fries. MMMmmm. Sarah made some bread (Springer Bread) to add to the dinner. It was very, very, very good. After we ate dinner, we were all sitting around the living room and "Izzy" (Isiah) was laying on the floor thing playing, and Sarah was playing with him. I went to grab a picture and with the two of them, and to make Izzy smile, Becky yelled potato over and over again, and he started to giggle a bunch and laugh. It was really funny because the word potato triggered laughter to him. He really liked Sarah (most kids do).

This made me think of when I was little. I have been told stories about how my brother used to say the words "chicken men" to me, and I would die laughing. Chicken Men, Potato... it's all ripe for humor.

The Couch Exploration

My head still feels like it has gained 20 pounds in the past few days, and when I walk around it tries to fall and hit the ground. I came home early today from work around 2pm and laid down on one couch for about two hours. I then switched to the other couch for the next hour, then moved to the bed, and then back to the second couch and watched the office for another hour or two, while I faded in and out. Maple has been right by my side all day, chuggen along with me.

But, what I wanted to mention today was something that was said at work that has stuck with me. We had a meeting with all of the staff at camp, about 40 people right now, and a buddy I work with spoke up about a family member who had been open with him about something hard he was going through. Unprovoked, his family member just walked up and said, "hey, this has been tough" (referring to what his family member was going through). My buddy just brought up about how in a community of believers in Christ, we should have that freedom and trust to walk up and be honest. But yet, we rarely talk to someone with out being asked, and then in that moment, if we are not asked in a way that we feel comfortable, we will not talk. It made me think about a community of people that love and care for each other in a way that there is comfort and trust in one another. I think that we all walk around waiting for someone to ask us how we are doing, and we will not share until provoked. I think it would be a neat environment to be that comfortable with each other and be able to share without hesitation.

Alien's have taken over my head

I did this to myself. I sleep every night with a fan that is positioned on the bed and keeps me cool because my wife is 1000's degrees. On a side note I think that her body temperature increases beyond normal levels each night when she goes to sleep. Such levels that they burn the skin of anyone, who might be sleeping near bye. (ME) Anyways, last night I went to bed and the fan was pointed a little bit to high and on my face. I thought about it for a second and was to sleepy to move it and went to sleep. Well while I was sleeping a alien crawled into my head and shrunk it... and then after that, hired a bunch of tiny mini dwarf ninjas to take there little mini swords and chop up my throat for a bit. So when I woke up my head appeared to be the regular size, but it was really not. Also the alien had struck me with a slow motion spell and when I would move my eyes and head together everything would move very slowly and a little off. Throughout the day, the symptoms have gotten a little worse and the Alien has the upper hand right now. BUT... I have eaten some cookies and pills along with as much water as I can drink and I think by the morning I should be launching a offensive of my own.

Also, there was no acting in this photo, I turned the camera around and 'click' and that is what you get.

Also, Random Question of the Day: If you could be one uncommon animal super hero, What would you be?

Weed and Cash

Today was a tough labor day, but it was fun. I worked with Courson and Jacob, and weeded a hill at a lady's house for about seven hours. It was a pretty labor intensive day, filled with Weeds- and other type bushes that we were to pull out- and lots of Ants. It felt like with everything I would pull out, there would be an Ant Family that was really pissed off because I ruined lunch. Then, we broke for Lunch ourselves and went to a place Courson called the "Cow Pen" and had some really good Double Cheeseburgers. Afterwards, we went back to weed pulling and Jacob made a discovery of Hornets, whom where also really pissed off for some reason or another, and chased us away from that Bush. Later, they chased Jacob off a few more times. He is curious, like a cat.

Later that day, when I was on my way home, I got a call from Scott and Michelle Cash, two of our dear friends, who had just landed in Atlanta from a long summer of travel. They made a quick trip up to Jasper, and it was a great time to hang out and catch up. I also got to feel the baby kick in Michelle's Belly. I have never felt a baby kick before... that was nutz, it was pretty neat... that little booger kept running around in there. It was a very sweet time. I do not have a picture today so here is something random.

Tour De SharpTop and Horse Shoes Complete

So today, Alan and I rode from Jasper to the Lake Allatoona (37.1 miles) in the Tour De SharpTop. It was a great ride, and we got to have some good time talking and riding. We had a pretty good ride, until this White SUV with this fish-looking sticker on the back almost hit my elbow- but at least they honked when they went by us going 20 over- to let us know they were there. :) Later in the ride, a dog tried to bite our feet off, but we out-ran him. At the lake party, Ryan and I had a once in a lifetime horseshoe game. We were down 9-1, and then down 18-11, coming back to win with a Ringer (thanks Ryan) to win 21-19. It was amazing. It was a good day. I also saw the best mullet I have ever seen on a five year-old. It was down to the middle of his back, which means at least one third of his life has been spent growing his mullet.

Last Day of Summer

Tired Brad. Summer has officially come to a close here at SharpTop Cove. We have a two month stretch coming up where we will have guests for everyday but three. But that will look a whole like different than summer and I will have a little bit more time to myself and family which I am looking forward to. But for now, we have a party tomorrow at the Lake and Alan and myself are participating in the "Tour de SharpTop" tomorrow which will ride from Jasper to the Lake about 36 miles away. I am looking forward to it. Welp, for now I am off to watch Arrested Development and go to Bed.

Etowah Valley Sporting Clays

Today Jacob, Mike, Lee Ann (The Interns whom I worked with this summer) went to a end the summer celebration to shoot some Shotguns. It was a day to tell them thanks for their great work and a time to relax and pop off a few rounds. We even got to shoot out of the back of a pickup truck. Yeah that is exactly what I said, a PickUp Truck. It was a great time with some first time shooter and some first time Clay Breakers. It was awesome.

Another Maple Post: Maple and Babies

This is going to be a pretty quick one. My Dog loves babies and small children. It has always amazed me that Maple really knows how to treat little ones. When my niece Jessie plays with Maple, she can do anything to Maple, push her, hug her, sit on her, whatever she wants and Maple is great. She just sits there and takes it and wags her tail. Its like she knows that it is a little one and to be careful. Tonight our friends came over for dinner and brought their new daughter Peyton and Maple saw her and got really excited and ran over for a closer look. The whole night they were over Maple was very keen to where Peyton was and if she was okay. When she would cry, Maple would get up and her ears would pop up and eyes widen as she looked on with a watchful eye. She just loves kids.

Strike Force

My brother sent me some pictures today and I felt like they needed to be posted for the world (ya'll to see), and give you a little light into a Springer holiday. It was Thanksgiving of this past year when Preston and I began a quest to conqueror the world of Wii Bowling. It started as a few games in the game room with an occasional spare or strike. This grew into much much more, with 2, 3 no 4 strikes in a row. We pressed on, (while family stood and watched, many whom did not understand the lure of the Wii) trying to figure out spin, speed and positioning of our little armless men who stood on the screen before us. This passion eventually grew into a streak of 8 strikes my friends, this is no small feat. This was hours of sweet and pure hand slapping fun. It is here that Strike Force was born. Later that day, we were at the local huge old silk screening tee shirt plant that now only uses a small corner that locals can come in a get an iron on for 2.50, when we spotted the Strike Force logo. Our bowling team was born, now it was complete. This is one example of many that I could share, of how my brother and I can turn any holiday into something you could never guess ahead of time. Whether it is dragging each other on sleds or mountain boards behind the four wheeler, paintball wars, extreme crow hunting, turkey hunting, duck hunting, wading across a freezing river pulling my brother in a canoe trying not to laugh because it kept making me fall while he was screaming nonsense and mush or something, or just plan ol' sting pong, or pool... we always have a good time.

Bricks and Ninjas

Today, I was reading a daily reading book I have by Max Lucado. Seeing that the guy has written 400 million books, I have in the past written him off as one of "those guys". But when I bought this daily reading book, I was attracted to the title, "Grace". I have by no means kept up with each day like I wish, but it seams when I do, I always walk away being blown away. God has given Max the ability to write and share. Although, I have not read many of his books, this one has really spoken to me.

Today, it starts with Psalm 37:4 "Enjoy serving the Lord, and he will give you what you want"

I know we have all heard that before and I tend to ignore it, because I think yeah right... come on, really... what I want. Then the reading continues as follows. I give all rights here to Max because I am about to go word for word for a bit.

"When we submit to God's plans, we can trust our desires. Our assignment is found at the intersection of God's plan and our pleasures. .... The longings of your heart, then, are not incidental; they are critical messages. The desires of your heart are not to be ignored; they are to be consulted. As the wind turns the weather vane, so God uses your passions to turn your life. God is too gracious to ask you to do something you hate."

That hit me like a sack of bricks and ninjas. God desires for us to live our what brings us joy, what sets our hearts on fire and gives us that gitty feeling about life. I know that I do not associate the longings of my heart sometimes with what God is planning for me. In closing, I just wanted to share that with ya'll today because it put God in a different light than I usually leave him in.

Maple v.s. Oreck

So, I know that I will post about Maple here and there and that is somewhat "Marley and Me," but at the risk of, I am going to post about Maple today. As with most dogs, Maple has a thing for our vacuum, named Oreck. Every time that we fire him up to clean, she gets really excited or mad or something, because she will run up to him and then try to bite him and then run away. All the time this is going on, her tail is wagging. I think she thinks its a game between the two of them. For example the other day, I was using Oreck to clean off Maple's bed, and she was not having it. She would stay inches away from her bed and watch as he tried to eat it... or even worse... kill her bed. So much so, that after it was all over, she went over to lay down just to make sure that everything was okay after Oreck wrecked up shop. Yesterday, I was brushing Maple and getting some hair off her coat and brought out Oreck to vacuum the Area she had been sitting in. Afterwards, I left Oreck out where he was this morning. I came out of the bedroom, and Maple was keeping watch of Oreck to make sure that he was not up to anything. I walked up, and this is what I saw. As she laid beside Oreck, she would wag her tail and move her eyes up to where they met mine to say, "I got 'em covered..." In the picture you can see that her head and paws were on top of the cord. She would look over at the vacuum every little bit and wag here tail. It was pretty funny. Again, I would love to know what she was thinking.

My Wife the Skee Ball Champion

My wife is the worlds best skeeball player. We went the other night out on a date which was more designed for me than her, due to the putt putt and the arcade that we went to. When we go to the arcade, we end up battling it out in skeeball and basketball games pretty much the whole time. I beat her about 1 of 12 games. She kicked my butt every time. This has been consistent since I met Sarah. She has always had a skeeball ability. She also hold multiple high score records around the country. I just needed to share that with everyone today. But for the record, I kick her butt in putt putt and bball games.

P.S. On a side note, If every once in a while anyone wants to comment so that I know I am not writing to myself that would be awesome. Just let me know you are out there. I know my Mom is, but she probably not post. (Although she should, I bet she is scared to. Yeah that is right Mom I just called you out.

Where do I turn

Today, I was reminded of something about God and guilt. When I turn my back on God, my first instinct is to run from God and not talk to him, spend time with him or anything. The funny thing is when I turn my back on God, is when he wants me to turn right to him because he is there waiting. I am my own problem, not God. I was just thinking about it today, that God is there when we turn away and that is just the moment that he is dying for us to turn to him, to come into his arms and find grace. But, there are so many times when I turn away on my own accord when God is ready and willing to forgive. Grace is big, and I consistently keep myself from it. It is funny to think that my actions do not keep me from it, but yet myself. God is always willing to have me, his grace is always ready to give.

Facebook and Friends

I have been sitting here this morning looking at Facebook and uploading some pictures etc. For the most part I really like facebook, I can keep up with friends and see how they are doing and where they are in life. As I was uploading some pictures from a day at the beach this morning, it struck me about being blessed with people. I was looking at one picture of all of us jumping in the air, while a girl who was kind enough took the picture. There is a lot of people in that photo and there were a bunch more who would have been there if they could. That is a lot of people who love and care about each other and the friendships they have. That is a huge deal. God has given me people like that to have around and go through life with. Then I started to think about my buddy Scott and his wife, Michelle and there sweet child that is still in the oven who have been all over the country with his band The War this summer and my buddy Blake who is overseas traveling right now and Ryan McClish... who I have no clue what he is up to but it does not matter, Bradley who is in NY, Jon, Brandyn, Mike, Jesse (the Barn Boys), Raleigh friends, Chapel Hills peps, and all the friends who I have not mentioned that are all over this country. The point being that I would do anything for these people and they would do the same for me. It does not matter if we do not talk for a while, we pick up just the same with the love for each other. The other day, Sarah and I were at a wedding for our friend Nick and his new wife Melissa and saw a few friends we haven't seen in a while, Patrick, Matt and his wife Marina. We talked for hours, not just about whatever but good deep meaningful conversations, that checked up on each other and really got the core of how we were doing. That is a blessing. I thank God for that.