The Best Week Ever!

This past week has been one of the better weeks for the Family of N. The week started by having company at the house last weekend. Last Sunday afternoon, the family went to a nearby state park and took pictures. We may put some of the pictures on here a little later. It was nice to see the company come and nice to see them leave! Seriously, the adults played spades and Dad's in-laws did something they think happened for the first time ever. They set Dad when he went neil and then won the game by far and away! My Mamaw was very happy and excited to do so. They left for home on Monday after getting some supplies at a nearby bookstore. It was good to see them.

Late Monday afternoon, after the company left, Dad and JT started watching Star Trek: The Original Series. Bubba has really been getting into science fiction. Dad is enjoying the time with his son.

On Tuesday, the family got a special treat in that we got free tickets to see the comedian, Henry Cho. He did an awesome job and made us laugh. An older lady on the front not far from where I was sitting, tried to take his picture. He noticed and went and sat on the edge of the stage to pose for the picture. She accidentally took a crotch shot and he noticed. He made a big deal of that! It was a good, clean show and we enjoyed it very much.

On Friday, I had a doctor's appointment. I have been dealing with a skin issue but the doctor thinks it will be getting better. I. HOPE. SO. I am tired of my Dad trying to play doctor and practice on me!

Also, on Friday, Bubba left town to go to a youth rally. He has been gone for the weekend and will be back today. I have enjoyed the attention my parents have been giving me in my brother's absence. My friend came over and stayed the night on Friday and most of the day on Saturday. We played girl stuff all night and day. Dad was tired of the DRAMA! I had a great time.

Recently, two of my cousins (siblings) celebrated a birthday. Yesterday, there was a family get-together in honor of their birthdays. Since, the party was nine hours away in another state, we were not able to go. But, with technology what it is, we got to FaceTime with the family and see everyone. It was a lot of fun.

The most exciting news for me this week was that my Dad upgraded his iPad. While I am very happy for my Dad, this is exciting because I get to be the primary user of his old iPad. The kids of the Family of N inherited my mother's old computer about two years ago but Bubba has been the primary user of it. I get to use when I need to but Bubba seems to dominate. So, the family agreed I would get to use the iPad primarily. It is amazing what kids need for school supplies these days!

Here are some pictures we took last weekend. See you next week!

-j&k

Book Review

How to Argue with Your Teen and Win by Dale Sadler. This book is available at Amazon Kindle for a minor amount. In fact, the author runs it for free from time to time. It was published in 2011. I went to school with the author several years ago and he is a counselor in another place. The book is based on his practical experience as a school counselor and his expertise in the field.

The book does not take long to read and it only available in digital format. I found the book more helpful for communicating with my daughter (who is pre-teen) than I did not for my 13-year-old son. The book is concise and has some good suggestions for parenting. I would recommend parents read (and possibly re-read) the book prior to their kids becoming teens and during the teenage years. As I like concise books with a pointed message, I give it an 8.5 on a 10-point scale.

-j

Creating Memories

Another week has passed and it is time for our weekly family update. This week has been fun. On Monday, we went to school and work but, at the end of the day, Kaylee started feeling bad. There has been a stomach bug going around and several schools in the area have and to cancel due to so many people being out. I (Kaylee) told the school nurse my stomach was a little ill so she instructed me to call Mom to come get me. Mom had to work late Monday night so Dad put us to bed. it was not a normal night, to say the least, but the job got accomplished.

Tuesday and Wednesday were the normal routine for the family. Thursday (Valentine's Day) was not only not normal but Dad was crazy!! Very. Crazy! At first, the family went to school and work. Everything was crazy at both places. Dad left work early and I asked him if the family could go to the local steakhouse for dinner.We have not been in two or three weeks so I thought it was a good idea. Truth be told, Dad liked the idea but knew Mom had other plans in mind. So, Dad met Mom and I at Mom's work and Mom asked Dad to stop by the store on the way home to get some drinks. Dad asked who I was going to ride with and I said I would ride with my Mom. Dad whispered in my ear, "If you ride with me, I will make the steakhouse happen!" Mom asked what Dad said but knew already. Dad told her and she explained she knew. Dad, thinking good long-term-marriage, non-verbal, through-the-look-of-face communication took place, verbally said, "We will see you after a while." So, Dad and I took off to the steakhouse. After a minute, Dad texted Mom asking her if she wanted him to get her anything and she said a diet drink would be nice (obviously, thinking Dad and I were at the market and not at the steakhouse). Then, Mom called Dad and suggested he call and order food from the steakhouse at which time, Dad had to explain he was already there eating his salad. And, if that was not bad enough...

Later the same evening, Dad offered to take Mom to Sonic for milkshakes. Mom, in her frugal way, had a coupon. They went. They ordered. The carhop brought them their food and gave them too much change (no one initially noticed). The carhop nearly got to the door of the building and turned around to come back and get the two dollars extra she had given to us. Dad, not realizing it was to make her money come up right and not to prevent stealing from him, gave her the money and an extra dollar saying, "Keep the extra dollar! Thanks for being honest! Have a great day!" Then,he turned to Mom who had a dirty (I mean DIRTY) look on her face and she said, "You just gave her money for her trying to save her own neck [Mom understood the money was rightfully her's but did not see that she deserved a tip out of the matter] AND you gave her money which was allotted to me this week. You gave her MY money!" Dad was in the doghouse this Valentine's Day!!

This weekend we had company. The company didn't get in until Saturday so we got some family time before they came. Well, as usual Bubba was at a friend's house Friday night so my parents got some Kaylee time. We went to a nearby big city to eat and do some grocery shopping. Dad hung out at the coffee house and read a book. The company came in the middle of the night but we had some good times with them yesterday and they will be here through tomorrow. More about that next week!

JT and I (Jeremy) have started a new entertaining project. JT has really enjoyed the science-fiction series from the United Kingdom called "Doctor Who." There is a really interesting history to the show and he has been checking the DVDs out at the library. I wanted to be a little more involved in his life so I asked him if he would like to watch the series again with me. Hejumped at the chance and we have been watching about three episodes a week. It has really been enjoyable.

Have a great week!

-j&k

Book Review

One of my 2013 resolutions was to read more books. It is a feature of the tablet devices which I enjoy for a variety of reasons. Namely...

1. It is back lit so you do not have to worry near as much about lighting and can focus more on a comfortable reading position.
2. It is comfortable and lightweight and turning pages is easy.
3. This will show my age but I can choose a font size big enough I do not have to wear reading glasses.
4. Since they are digital in format, the books do not take up shelf-space.
5. And, it was pointed out to me by a friend but still a plus, you do not loan your books to a friend and never get them back!!

Okay, enough of that. I thought I would post some book reviews as I am reading them. As I have had a bad habit of staring to read books and then not finishing them, I chose to begin 2013 by finishing up books I had started in the past. Here goes...

Sufficient Grace: A Study of the Subject of Grace was written and published by a friend of mine many years ago. In 2012, the book was made available at the Amazon Kindle store for $3.03. When I downloaded it, I was just getting into reading books in a digital format so I purchased the book, read it, and enjoyed it. It is, as the person who wrote the forward of the book says, "It is not an exhaustive text due to its size limitations; but it is comprehensive." I recommend the book to anyone. It does not take long to read and is a good reminder of the biblical view of grace.

-j

Fun Times

This week has been another busy week as a lectureship took place which took up every evening through Thursday. We got to hear some good lessons and it has been encouraging, to be sure. It has just been a very busy week. This is on top of the busy week last week due to the gospel meeting. On Monday this week, Bubba and I went to school and Mom and Dad went to work. On Tuesday, we did the same and then, after school, I went to work with Mom and did homework and spent time with friends. On Wednesday, I went to school for about half a day and then had to come home sick. That meant I had to stay home for the evening. Thursday, I was feeling better though I was still stopped up a little bit. I went to school and we had a good time going to the lecture as a family. Friday, Mom was worn out so, after work and school, we went to Fazoli's (can we say, "Goodbye diet and proper eating"?). We had a good time. Dad and Bubba went to four different guy's stores while Mom and I went to one place. We finished the evening up with a snack at Five Guys.

Bubba has a job now. Dad does not know what to think about that! Last year, at one of the baseball games associated with Mom's work, Bubba and his friend went and ended up chasing balls for the team. The coach (family friend and someone with whom we worship regularly) asked if he would be willing to work games this year. This was for concessions and free entry to the game. Bubba jumped at the chance and was given an official team hat. He worked one game on Friday and two games on Saturday. He had a lot to talk about at family dinner on Saturday.

Today is a special day as a little man in our extended family is celebrating the first anniversary of his birth. We sure wish we could be there with him but he lives far away with his parents and older sister in another state. We have it scheduled to FaceTime with the family later today and sing happy birthday to him. Hopefully, we will get to see them and the rest of the family face to face at the end of next month. We are looking forward to it.

My Dad is so unfair. We found some clothes for my cousin, Brennie Boo, and Dad was given the job to pack them up and send them to him. Dad figured out that Bri Bri did not have anything in the package and so, after calling his sister, decided to buy Bri Bri some M&Ms to send in the package to her. He said, "I realized we were sending stuff to brother Brennie and there was not anything for Annie. That is a road this uncle does not want to travel."

"And we (referring to Bubba and me) do not get anything!?" I asked in a rather sarcastic tone.

Here was Dad's equally sarcastic reply: "This uncle does not want to go down that road. This father will drive all over it!"

I felt very put in my place! Then, I realized Dad ordered me an Otter Box for my iPod. Then, I thought Bubba does not get anything but realized he already got an Otter Box for his iPod. [Of course, one low point of the week was Kaylee getting in trouble and, consequently, getting grounded from her iPod. So, I ordered a case she will not even get to touch for a while!].

That's all for now! See you all next week!

-j&k .... and Bob.

Good Family ... Good Times

The week began with the start of a gospel meeting where we attend. It was a very encouraging week. Monday and Tuesday, I was a little sick but I am better now. It just seems to be the way things go for me.

At the last minute on Wednesday, Dad ended up getting to teach at an area congregation and so he did not get home until late. On Wednesday night, for the gospel meeting, Mom thought she would have to teach class so I had to find a place to sit. So, I asked my friend, Jessica, and her mom ended up teaching but my mom did not. I had already promised Jessica I would sit with her. Her mother's class was fairly full. So, Jessica and I ended up helping out in the class for the evening. It was young, young kids and we had a good time.

On Thursday, Dad and JT went out to a restaurant because Dad had a coupon. They had a good time. Mom and I hung around the house but got to go out for ice cream!!! On Friday, the kids went to the movies so Mom and Dad had a coffee date at the coffee house in town. It was their first time in this coffee house since it has been open for over five years. Bubba and I went to school and it was a dress-down day. That means we got to wear jeans. Yea! Before we got to go out Friday night, we had to clean our rooms. Boo!

Saturday, Bubba had a friend over to the house and we played Phase 10 for a while. Mom and Dad took a nap and I watched a little television. Saturday evening, we made cupcakes and decorated them during family time. It was a lot of fun. Dad worked all day on a PowerPoint presentation he has to deliver in May. Can we say, "over achiever!" I had to have a little bit of an attitude adjustment at times but I am better now.

Today begins a lectureship in the area so the town will be quite crowded! It will be a good week as we get to see old friends.

-j&k