Back To Wood

Stay tuned . . . I’m working on a big project! Just purchased the materials tonight. Does anyone want to take a wild guess what I’m working on? Will be revealed right here when finished, so keep checking back and find out soon.

Bud’s Best Cookies Tour

As part of the homeschooling program, the teacher (that would be Coby) took the girls to a Bud’s Best Cookies facility. They got to see how the cookies are being made by riding in an indoor train, and they also got some free cookies as part of the tour. And the real highlight of the tour was they had to wear a hair net covering on their head, and the girls thought that was the coolest thing. Well, they’ve corrected me, the highlight was riding the train and getting some warm cookies in the cup.

Photos were taken by Allison Rumore

This I Like Too!

I’m sure this is a dream of every iPhone users to have an iPhone that will do this.

But then, I guess I can keep on dreaming!

Another Milestone

When you look at this picture, you may be thinking . . . “oh no”, they are letting their daughter be an alter “girl” server (although alter girls are approved by the Church), however we do believe strongly an alter server should be “boys” for the sake of nurturing their possible vocation to the priesthood. And we do  believe that there are places for girls to take part in Holy Mass, such as being in the choir.

Gabriela has joined and has been practicing in the girls choir at our parish, Our Lady of Sorrows. Her debut singing in the choir was today at the 8:30 am Holy Mass. It was so beautiful and very touching to see that our little girl is doing something that she loves to do and at the same time praising God through her singing, and she looks so cute in her choir outfit.

Reading Time With Grandma

I have to say, this is a very rare moment to see Grandma read a story book to Abigail. I love to see the two of them just sat on the couch, Grandma was reading and Abigail was just listening while sucking her thumb.

This I Like!

Since I’m an automotive guy and enjoy my iPhone, I’m in favor for this new hybrid Lexus LF-Ch Concept sports car. This is only a concept, and we don’t know if Lexus will really put this out in the market. This Lexus concept car was at the Frankfurt Auto Show.

“The LF-Ch has four sport seats that feature trim lighting along the cushion’s edge for cabin illumination. Rear passengers can enjoy headrest-mounted iPhone® docking capability for audio and video entertainment. In addition, the LF-Ch has storage in the rear seat armrests for small items such as iPods®, PDAs and cell phones.” [Jalopnik]

Happy Birthday Gabriela!

Once upon a time someone had told me, “the more children you have the easier it becomes.” Well, I have to say it is somewhat true. Today Gabriela turns 8 years old and we had a birthday party for her last Sunday, and she . . .

. . . decorated her own cake

and . . . organized “pin the nose on the clown” game.

Happy birthday my little “big” girl! We love you!

Junior Master Gardener

Gabriela has enrolled in the Junior Master Gardener (An international youth gardening program of the University Extension network) and attended the first class at the Aldridge Gardens last week. JMG mission is: to grow good kids by igniting a passion for learning, success and service through a unique gardening education.She has her own 15 square foot plot of garden that she will be responsible of taking care of it through out the duration of the program. She could grow any vegetables or plants and at the same time learn how to grow and care of them. She loves it!

We will be updating this blog from time to time with the progress of her garden plot at the Aldridge Gardens or if you are in the area, you are welcome to visit her garden plot (behind the pavilion), and it’s marked with her name on the upside-down clay pot. 

Priceless

Bag of rice: $6.95

60 foot Yacht: $275,000

30 GB iPhone 3G S: $499

Relaxing with my girls: Priceless!

This is what is all about . . . work hard for the whole week and enjoy the perfect weekend with my family. Stayed home for most of the time. I live for weekends like this!

Fun Friday

"Sure Wish Somebody Would Invent Something To Keep The Sun Out Of My Eyes."

Twenty Ten (2010) By Lloyd Marcus

Start spreading the news, 2010 is just around the corner, we are taking back America!

It’s up to you in 2010!

From Patrick Madrid’s Blog: Top Ten Father Corapi Facts

I saw this at Patrick Madrid’s blog and I thought it’s really funny and some what true about Fr Corapi. Those of you who don’t know Fr. Corapi, you can click here to find out more about him. He is in EWTN and as well as the radio talk show. You can also click here.

Very Inspiring Ordination Video

Let’s pray for our Priests, especially now in the Year of the Priest.

Only In Alabama (For Me)

s it very common to see two snakes doing the matting dance?

I was coming home from work tonight and as I was driving I saw in the ditch on the side of the road two snakes wrap around each other doing the matting dance. I assumed they were doing the matting dance until I Google it to confirm. At first I kept on driving, but then I thought to myself, when would I get another chance to see it again. So, I stepped on the break, backed the car up and parked near the snakes (okay, 15 feet is considered near when you are dealing with snakes) and took couple of photos. Since I only took it with my iPhone camera, I couldn’t zoom it in and I wouldn’t dare to step outside the car to take a close up photo!

Very fascinating to watch if you ever get an opportunity to see it.

 

46 Years Wedding Anniversary

Congratulations to Papa & Mama (Michael's parents) on your 46 years wedding anniversary!

The gift for 46 years of wedding anniversary is supposedly an original poem, but since I’m not a poet, I will offer you the gift of prayer, the Magnificat prayer!

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed;
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm;
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.
(Luke 1:46-55)

We love you and thank you for being faithful to your marriage vocation!

The Bird Cam – An Excellent Gift!

For my birthday I got a bird cam from Coby and the girls. Yes, this is  a camera specially made to capture photos or videos of birds at the bird feeder using the infrared sensor technology, it will only capture the videos and photos when the birds landed at the feeder. Of course we are not only seeing birds but also squirrels. But regardless of what animals the bird cam will capture, it is still very cool to be able to watch them very close up.

The YouTube below is one of the first video after I set up the bird cam, it captured a squirrel at our bird feeder. It gives me a whole new perspective watching a squirrel at our bird feeder.

Today’s Activity - Getting Buried

I’m always amazed with children how they can entertain themselves very inexpensively and still have fun. For those of you who have children, you know what I’m talking about! They can play and play, for example with an empty diaper box and turn it into a boat or a car. Or this picture, Rebecca was getting buried by every Lego and block pieces. They all took turns to get buried, and of course at the end our living room was full of Lego pieces and blocks which the living room was cleaned by the time I get home.

Weekend At The Callaway Gardens

We had a great weekend at the Callaway Gardens, and the weather really cooperated with us, little rain but didn’t ruin the fun. We bike and bike, swam in the swimming pool, swam at the man-made beach, swam at the pool again, bike some more.

Enjoy looking at the photos! More photo gallery at Callaway Gardens click here.

Can anyone name this flower?

At The Butterfly Center

At The Horticultural Center

At The Discovery Center

At The Horticultural Center

One of the 17 mile bike path

At Robin Lake Beach

Babywearing Is Awesome

I was totally convinced, when Coby told me she was going to get another baby carrier, I thought I was going to loose it. I mean we already have a “sling”, “moby-style wrap”, “mei tai”, and now this Ergo baby carrier. “Just try it", just try it”, those are the only words she said to me before I put them on. I tried the sling, which I thought it looks easy, but I didn’t really like it, both the moby-style wrap and the mei tai were just way too complex for me, you almost need an engineering degree to use them.

When we arrived at Callaway Gardens I tried the Ergo baby carrier, and I have to say, this is different! It’s easy to do, comfortable and I just love it. I guess it helped when Christiana actually felt a sleep within 20 minutes after I put her on.

I also carried Abigail on my back, like having a back pack.

Two thumbs up from me on the Ergo baby carrier!

Click here if you want to watch the Ergo baby carrier YouTube.

Mini Getaway On A Big Day

For my 44^th birthday my dear wife and the girls are taking me to Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia, about three hours South East of Birmingham. We are leaving in the morning of the 13^th and returning on Sunday. We are all looking forward to this mini getaway on my birthday weekend. Much needed getaway after weeks of hard & intense work at work!

Lots to see and lots to do, our bicycles are all tuned up and ready to be ridden. We will be biking until there is no tomorrow!