At dinner we go around the table and everyone tells two things from their day. What was one high? What was one low? It’s a fun way to hear about everyone’s day. I actually learn some fun things about my kids.

Here’s an interesting thing. Amelia (3) hasn’t figured out the difference between a high and a low. Her high and her low are always both fun highs. Hmmm… something about child-like faith and such a happy view of the world.

Here are a few photos that I took on my phone. They turned out pretty well. 

Kendrick Jr. wins Jack Ratz, Jr. Memorial tournament

You can check it out from their website: Levend Water Delft 

We took the train from Rotterdam to Paris – a three-hour bullet.  We had a blast in Paris. We were their on Bastille Day (their independence day). There was a big parade on the Champs Elysees. Fireworks at the Eiffel Tower. The Louvre was open for free. We saw all the major sites. It really is an amazing city.

Here are some photos from the trip: Holland and Paris ’08

We got a fish aquarium last week. All the fish have been named after “What About Bob?” characters: Gill (of course), Betty, Sigmund, Anna, Fey, Dr. Leo Marvin, and Mr. and Mrs. G. Unfortunately, we’ve lost two fish already. Fey and Anna have passed to a better place. We’ll replace them with Fey 2 and Anna 2. When I grew up I think my sister got up to Bubbles the 8th.

On a more upbeat note, here are some of my kids’ favorite “What About Bob?” quotes:

1. Dr. Leo Marvin: “I want peace and quiet in here.” Bob: “I’ll be quiet.” Holding up the peace sign, Sigmund says, “I’ll be peace.” This has become an evening ritual at our house when I put Aliesha and Gabriela down for bed.

2. Dr. Leo Marvin: “Why do you always wear black?” His son Sigmund responds, “Maybe I’m mourning for my lost childhood.”

3. Bob enjoying dinner at the Marvin’s house (eating corn on the cob). “Mmmm… Mmmm… Mrs. M. Mmmmm… is this hand shucked?”

4. As we start the day, we quote Bob: “I feel good. I feel great. I feel wonderful. I feel good. I feel great. I feel wonderful.” 

5. Baby steps.

6. Bob: “There are two types of people in this world: those who like Neil Diamond and those who don’t. My ex-wife loved him.”

7. Bob: “I’m sailing. I’m sailing. I am a sailor.”

Today my lovely wife is 40. I am the happiest and most blessed man on earth. Nana makes the Prov. 31 woman look like she’s loafing. She loves God and always wants to do His will. She’d go anywhere on the planet to serve God. She’d live in Africa or Asia or anywhere in between if God called us to move. 

She’s a loving and supportive wife. I know that she’ll always support and encourage me. I can trust her 100% all the time. She’s loyal and respectful, yet always full of wisdom. She has helped me so many times in so many ways – in personal decisions and church leadership. She’s got great intuition with people. She laughs and she’s flexible – putting up with my spontaneous and crazy ideas. 

Nana loves and serves her children tirelessly. She homeschools all subjects and teaches them the most helpful life skills. She’ll play basketball or take the kids swimming. She’s the best chef in town –  healthy and delicious food. She loves to travel and speaks Spanish. She can sing and play the flute.

She’s smart, kind, and patient. She’s the best friend any person could ask for. She’s gracious and a good listener.

Many women have done nobly but you, Nana, excel them all.

As you’ll see in the photos, we had great weather. Our three ports were San Juan, St. Maarten, and Haiti.

Caribbean Cruise ’08

We’ve had an exciting fall – never a dull moment. I’ve put together a gallery of photos from a few things we did. I recently returned from Neiva and Bucaramanga, Columbia. DeWayne Watson and I were serving Steve Fatow at one of his crusades. Our Global Impact Celebration was a big success.

Tonight Joseph and I went hunting together. We had two deer real close but didn’t get to take a shot. A dog ended up chasing the deer. Oh well… fun Dad and Joseph time.

Last weekend, Kendrick Jr. and I played golf with two Duke golf team players (Clark Klaasen and Michael Quagliano). Kendrick Jr. had one of his better rounds. He shot 33-42 for a 75. His front nine was on fire with four birdies, four pars, and one bogey. Clark shot a 70 and Michael a 72. I limped in with an 84.

Gallery of Fall Fun Fotos

I scored the first eagle of my life today. For those who don’t know what “an eagle” is – it’s two under par on a hole. For a par 3, it’s be a hole in one. Or a two on a par 4. Or the most often eagle is a 3 on a par 5.

My first eagle came on #5 at Chapel Hill Country Club (a par 5). I do have three witnesses: Chris Hallaren, Kendrick Jr., and Joseph.

My drive came to rest just next to the 200 yard marker. The pin placement was #3 (-13 yards), so I had 187 yards uphill with wind at my back. I hit a 6 iron just right of the hole by about 15 feet.

As I stepped up to the putt, I asked Chris to pray and fast while I putted. He did both. The putt broke just slightly to the left and caught the right edge as it just barely died into the hole. I did a victory run around the green and posed for the picture that you see. Yeah!!