Out of the Mouths of Four and a Half Year Olds

Yesterday, we were at lunch after church with a bunch of friends. I was sitting across from one of the kids who asked how old I was.

I replied "thirty-X."

A few minutes later, I realized he was blowing on me (picture a kid blowing out birthday candles).

I asked him what he was doing.

He said, "I'm turning you into a dinosaur."

Nationals Game

A friend gave us two tickets to tonight's Nats game: Section 115, Row B. Right next to the visitors' dug out! However, only made it through the fourth inning, we're fair weather baseball fans.

Gramma or Grampa

A visit to the upper Midwest this past weekend resulted in the following conversation between my Dad and my 29-month old niece.

Dad: I'm GRAMMA

Niece: No, you're GRAMPA

Dad: No, [pointing to my Mom] that's GRAMPA, I'm GRAMMA.

Niece: No, you're GRAMPA

Dad: No, [insisting] I'm GRAMMA

Niece: No...YOU a MAAANNN! You're GRAMPA!

On Washington Photo Safari Location

I was Brian's guest on the Washington Photo Safari's DC Monuments at Night.

Brian got a few new tips on night photography and I took some pictures of him taking pictures!

Happy Independence Day!

This is one of my favorites. Enjoy. Happy Independence Day!

Air Force Memorial

We visited the Air Force Memorial this evening.

God is God, and He is Good

Recently, I have been dwelling on the theme of "God is God, and He is good."

I think it's easy to agree with that statement when life seems to be going well, and there's minimal challenges.

How about when life isn't exactly what you thought it was going to be? How about when someone you know dies of cancer and leaves a wife and three young daughters? How about when a dear family friend has a massive stroke, and his recovery path is not clear? How about news you receive about your own health?

I think that's when I dwell even more on "God is God, and He is good. Always good." Difficult circumstances are not easily explained in earthly terms. Colossians 3:2 reminds us to, "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."

So I also dwell on:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

Honoring D-Day Soldiers

One of the last times I visited the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in France, I saw the movie Saving Private Ryan. To me, it's still one of the most poignant movies about D-Day.

June 6, 1944, 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France. General Dwight D. Eisenhower called the operation a crusade in which "we will accept nothing less than full victory." More than 5,000 Ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the D-Day invasion, and by day's end on June 6, the Allies gained a foot- hold in Normandy. The D-Day cost was high -more than 9,000 Allied Soldiers were killed or wounded -- but more than 100,000 Soldiers began the march across Europe to defeat Hitler.
From Army

Run, Walk ... or Sleep

This Saturday is the Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure®.

This year's Global Race for the Cure® celebrates 20 years of raising funds and awareness for the movement to end breast cancer forever. You can run or walk the 5K route.

However, Saturday's event in DC:

You can run or walk the 5K route, or even join WTOP Radio as the official Sleep In for the Cure sponsor - raise money to support the fight against breast cancer- and stay in bed the morning fo the race!!

Does this mean we're too lazy to run or walk in DC, we have to sleep?

Exposing the Truth

As I was browsing the headlines in my RSS feed, this caught my eye. Now really, how can you not click on the link to this story from The Hill: "Nudists to lobby on Capitol Hill"?

The good news: You may see nudists next week on Capitol Hill.

The bad news: They will be wearing clothes.

“We want lawmakers to know that members of the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) enjoy their pastime within appropriate settings,” says Executive Director Erich Schuttauf.

Translation: The nudists won’t be naked.

Read more

I guess even lawmakers need to be exposed to all sides of an issue! :-)

Susan Sings Again

Memorial Day Remembrance

Remembering those that fight for our freedom

and have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Buttermilk

Why does the winner of the Indianapolis 500 drink milk in Victory Lane?

Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Louis Meyer regularly drank buttermilk to refresh himself on a hot day and happened to drink some in Victory Lane as a matter of habit after winning the 1936 race. An executive with what was then the Milk Foundation was so elated when he saw the moment captured in a photograph in the sports section of his newspaper the following morning that he vowed to make sure it would be repeated in coming years. There was a period between 1947-55 when milk was apparently no longer offered, but the practice was revived in 1956 and has been a tradition ever since.
From Indy 500

Tour Eiffel sans une jambe

The last time I was in Paris, I bought a key chain. A few weeks ago, I dropped it and one of the Eiffel Tower legs broke off. So sad.

Garrick Ohlsson

We saw an amazing performance tonight.

Garrick Ohlsson performed Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 25. Along with the National Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Jun Märkl, Ohlsson made the Concerto appear effortless.

I believe he was the best pianist I've ever seen. Seriously. Ever.

If you ever have the opportunity to see him play, you must.

(See, I can be cultured; I'm not always all about sports.)

Will He Play or Not Play, that Is the Question...

New and Old

New York is full of contrasts such as old and new. It struck me as were walking down Fifth Avenue, the contrast of the new skyscrapers and the St. Patrick's Cathedral.

Of course, our trip to New York wouldn't be complete without a stop at Joe's Shanghai, Jamba Juice and J&R Camera!

Here are a few more pictures.

Do Britains Have More Talent?

In case you're needing a little more inspiration for the day.

I Dreamed a Dream

This is quite inspiring. The entire clip is about 7 minutes long. It will give you goose bumps.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

Les Miserables I Dreamed a Dream Lyrics:
There was a time, when men were kind
And their voices were soft
And their words were inviting
There was a time, when love was blind
And the world was a song
And the song was exciting
There was a time it all went wrong

I dreamed a dream in time gone by
When hope was high and life worth living
I dreamed that love would never die
I dreamed that God would be forgiving

Then I was young and unafraid
And dreams were made and used and wasted
There was no ransom to be paid
No song unsung, no wine untested

But the tigers come at night
With their voices soft as thunder
As they tear your hope apart
As they turn your dream to shame

He slept a summer by my side
He filled my days with endless wonder
He took my childhood in his stride
But he was gone when autumn came

And still I dream he'll come to me
That we will live the years together
But there are dreams that cannot be
And there are storms we cannot weather

I had a dream my life would be
So different from this hell I'm living
So different now from what it seemed
Now life has killed the dream I dreamed

Grace

A little Good Friday reflection.

In John 19:30, Jesus utters these final words, “It is finished” (Grk. Tetelestai – [it is] paid in full.) Tetelestai is the same word that was written on first century tax receipts that had been paid in full.

My sin has been fully paid. Jesus on the cross has fulfilled the wrath of God.

I recently ran across this wonderful definition of Grace:
When God could have condemned all, He chose to save some for His glory.