Quick (Personal) Update

As many of my readers (if you’re out there) will notice, I have been a bit absent for the last few days. As you may have read about me is that I’m from a really small town (my graduating class had 47 people in it). Earlier this week, we found that we had lost another. As a 32 year old father of three, this came as a crushing blow to all who knew him. And when you live in a small town, everyone is your neighbor or friend or if you’re lucky enough, both.

Josh and I crossed paths once we entered junior high (seventh grade here). A lot of the girls thought he was attractive (myself) included. For the next 6 years we experienced a lot together and with our other friends. He dated my best friend so from time to time I felt like the third wheel. We sometimes exchanged “that” look but both knew we’d never be anything more than just friends.

When Spring rolled around I was thrilled to have an attractive friend that I could chat with about the mechanics and such of baseball and softball. Usually this sort of pattern repeated its self year after year until it was time to say goodbye.

After graduation, we all went our separate ways; schools, jobs and the military. I was off to a state school ready for a wonderful time. I didn’t really even know what Josh was doing. I know now that he entered the Navy, found the one girl for himself and together they were raising two small girls and a boy just under the age of one.

My heart breaks for the family Josh left behind and the one he won’t get to see grow up. I have a feeling they will be guided by dad for as long as possible. Please keep his memory alive! He deserves so much more than just that, but perhaps the Lord has more in store for him than we could have ever imagined.

Until we meet again my friend…..what’s your “magic” number? 🙂

To Mady, Sophia, and Grayson: your father was a wonderful man with a smile that could make the girls weak in the knees. To Barbara: Although we’ve never met, I cannot imagine what you’re going through and would ALWAYS make myself available to you – even if it’s just to have someone listen while you cry.

Please take the time to say a few prayers for our fallen friend and his family – it would help more than you know.

Top 100 Children’s Books

Top 100 Children’s Books

I came across this link on Pinterest and thought it would be a nice conversation starter. I also must admit that I love about 99% of the books on the list – the other 1% I haven’t had the chance to read yet! What are your favorite children’s books? Do you keep a copy around?

In an earlier post, I wrote about “But No Elephants” – one of my favorites from childhood, but looking at this list, I realize that I have many, MANY favorites and I don’t think I could ever limit myself to just one. My husband and I just bought a condo and I am hoping to make one of the rooms a small library. What books would be on your must-have list? I would love to start getting some feedback and begin collecting my pieces of art!

So, to my wonderful readers, which books are the essentials of a good collection for any age?

“Where is human nature s…

“Where is human nature so weak as in the bookstore?”
-Henry Ward Beecher

I will be the first to admit that once I enter a bookstore, all bets are off. I usually go in with the intention of browsing and writing down books that I would like to read on the Kindle or eventually buy. But then I pick up a book and quickly remember how much I like the feel of it in my hands. Or, I’ll discover that the store is having a 1% sale that day – good enough for me! Imagine the money I would save if I just bought the books I wanted NOW! To keep my book buying addiction to a minimum, I will typically limit the number of times I even go into a book store or I will be sure to bring my husband with. He is Pro-Kindle and I usually am too, but there are times when you need to feel the cover and smell the pages. Anyone know what I mean?