samuel anton

for those who don't know, we have decided to adopt from russia. our application has been approved, now comes the pile of paperwork required by the US and Russian governments. one thing we will get to do is to name our children(yes, that's right, children...we want to bring back brothers). we decided last week that the oldest of the 2 will be names samuel anton myers. while they will have somewhat "american" first names, we wanted them to have russian middle names...

we decided on samuel for the first name because of the story of samuel in the Bible. hannah, his mother had prayed for years for a child, even saying "O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life..." one day hannah found she was with child and rejoiced, she gave birth and called him samuel "Because I asked the LORD for him." we asked God for a child, and this was His response...not quite like hannah, but close enough.

we wanted to have a middle name that started with the letter a...and i know, the poor kids initials will be the same as his name...as least he won't forget. we landed on anton which is russian for "to go into battle." ironically enough, it is also the last name of a friend of mine...but i don't think he husbands family is russian. anyway, i feel very much like samuel will literally go into battle and fight some spiritual wars. steve and i have always felt like our children will do some amazing things for the Kingdom of God, and the names seem fitting.

samuel anton myers...wherever you are, we love you and can't wait to meet you!

not so handy man

i got stitches last week...yep, 4 of them, and a tetanus shot for good measure. i was being a little handy man...finishing up some molding work in the house...using the ole coping saw when...that's right...horizontally about a half inch deep into my thumb right across the joint...1 hour later, i was sent home with my souvenir 4 stitches, thumb splint and antibiotics, and 20 minutes later, i was back at it...cutting molding and hammering nails...do you have any idea how hard it is to hold a nail with a metal splint on your thumb?

bracketology

here is my bracket...go ahead...laugh if you want...

adoption update

the application is in the mail! in 6-8 months, there will be little ones at my house!

between the ears

i seem to be having a bit of writer's block this week. maybe it's too many thoughts and the net can't catch one, or maybe the migraine i've had all week has jerry rigged the think tank upstairs...but whatever it is, there is nothing of much comprehension oozing out this week.

so, as an interim...the 10 things i'm thankful for this week...in no particular order...

• i applied for a passport this week...and it only took 15 minutes. thanks you doug from the post office.

• i got to use one of my favorite words this week...palindrome. it would be way cooler if "palindrome" was actually a palindrome.

• chipotle burritos. i've missed my delectable treat.

• brynn and trey...a switch went on last week, and they have been the two most well behaved canines in the history of canines.

• you suck at photoshop...the laughs are great, and it really is informational...if only everyone taught like that!

• ellen...and her love for everything style, clean and creative...and century gothic (sorry, no font sample).

• david for being my think tank, and being a person i can talk to about the impending adoption...i think he's as excited about it as me!

• for those who are bold and outspoken enough to speak their mind...even if it's unpopular or ruffles feathers. i wish i had the gull.

• novartis, the makers of excedrin migraine...twice a year you are my hero.

• my God...who consistently shows me that He has me in His hand.

weekend in review

pictures from my weekend

the street my office is one. this about 11 on friday morning, near the beginning of the storm.
my office all snowy

even the dogs had fun...

toyota final won a cup race...and btw...the camry is the only automobile in the nascar circuit that is manufactured in the united states....georgetown, ky to be exact.

this is peyton james...i think he might be a pj...he was born on the 25th to a friend of mine...

for your little one

it still amazes me how amazed i am at the amazingness of God. steve and i have decided to adopt, and as we have started telling people, it seems like a billion resources have been presented to us, and even some unexpected ones.

today a coworker walked up to me and handed me an envelope. "what this," i asked. "for you to read later," she said. i walked back to my desk, opened the envelope to find a card with a check inside...a blessing and a gift of support for our adoption. i balled my eyes out.

this adoption process is so not for me, but rather for the glory of God and the kingdom. i never thought i would be so deeply touched by the people i work with everyday, or the child that i have yet to meet.

thank you to my dear friend - your generosity is so undeserved and unexpected. i can't wait for you to meet our little one!

yummies

so i checked out a new restaurant last week...J Taps in western hills. they had a coupon in a magazine for a half price burger, so we thought we'd check it out. i have to say that i get a little creeped out by the term "sports bar and grill." my general impression has always been dark and dingy, with ok food, uncomfortable seating and blah service.

we went about 6 on thursday night. it was only about 1/3 full. the inside was spotless, and seating was spacious, with room for small parties or large groups. the bar was a rather large L shape, with plenty of seating also. the atmosphere said sports bar from the entrance - 15-20 flat screen TV's located throughout with a view from any seat, and not every TV was on the same station. posters, banners, and other sports items line the rafters and walls. they even show the ufc fights!

the food wasn't bad either. prices were comparable to other sports bars in town, but with more selection. they have the typical bar food...wings, nachos, burgers, but also have salmon, pasta, and the ever popular gyro. drink specials and prices seemed to be competitive also.

I was very impressed with my new west side find...i have a new favorite sports bar...J Taps, don't let me down!