LegoCard

Thursday, February 26, 2009

I found this fascinating quote today:

As if I needed another reason to think that working for LEGO would be the most awesome job imaginable, Alexander Kjerulf just blew my mind with these customized minifig business cards that LEGO employees get.

You should read the whole article. LEGO Business Card, Feb 2009

OldSkool (aka Why to Avoid FB)

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

This is why I can't stand FaceBook ... One of your friends from many, many years ago posts a photo of you ... before you went through that natural change from Boy-to-Man ... to share with the World. Since I love a good game, I will share with you if you share with me:

Now your turn ... send us your OldSkool pictures here.

RockStar

I am sooooooo jazzed about this past weekend! MyBeloved and I were in Dallas for a business meeting on Monday. On Sunday morning, we drove an extra hour to see one of my longtime heroes ... a Theological-RockStar ... by the name of Tommy Nelson. What is a T-RockStar? He is a like a rock star, but his stage is the pulpit, his genre is good biblical doctrine, and his ballad is called Song-o-Solomon.

MyBeloved and I met this T-RockStar about 10 years ago at a romance/marriage conference called in OKC, Oklahoma. In the years that followed, we taught several small group studies on SoS. [ ... If you are interested in doing a 6-week study at our house in Nashville, let us know ... ] Anyway, I've been following this T-RockStart on ITunes for the past few years.

So, on Sunday morning we found ourselves sitting in a coliseum-type-sanctuary ... yea, one of those that seats 5,000 people ... listening to this T-RockStar talk about evangelism. At the end of the service, he scuttled out the back door ... and I assume so that he could hide from all the T-RockStar fans.

I was not going to let him off that easy. I ditched my bride and newborn in the dust, setting out to find this hero. [ ... Did I ever tell you that my Dad is my hero too? ... ] The church office looked closed, but I pried open the door with a credit card, a chewed piece of gum and a church bulletin. That's where I met PrettyPenny, a nice lady who inquisitively asked for my back stage pass.

Quick, Self! Think ... I thought. "Oh, I'm here from the MusicCity with my wife and No. 5 child. We met Pastor Tommy about 10 years ago at an SoS Conference. He is a Theological-RockStar. He's my hero. Can I meet him?" I asked PrettyPenny.

She smiled. She saw the excitement in my eyes. "I can't promise you anything, but I will go check," she said.

I waited.

She smiled.

I waited.

She smiled.

I waited.

She smiled.

I told PrettyPenny that I needed to get MyBeloved and would be right back. She said okay.

I ran.

I ran.

I ran.

We ran back.

We ran back.

We ran back.

Open the door. And there, sitting in the corner, waiting for us, was T-RockStar!!! We chatted.

I smiled.

MyBeloved smiled.

He smiled.

Life complete ... for a day.

[ ... You really need to hear this guy. If you have a minute, or a few hours, check him out ...]

Shortest / Longest

Sunday, February 22, 2009

This will be ... has been ... the shortest weekend, as well as the longest weekend, for two couples. Shortest for me and MyBeloved on our jump down to Dallas for the weekend ... Longest for P-Pet and Nelson, our good friends at home, who (for a reason we cannot determine) are watching our LittleWomen (No. 1, 3, 4). DillyBar (No. 2) is at Mom's house ... being spoiled like a king.

I can't believe we only have one more day. It has gone by so fast!

P-Pet and Nelson, there's only one more day. It will go by faster than you think!

Hi/Lo Thursday yadsruhT oL/iH

Thursday, February 19, 2009

This post is part of "Hi/Lo Thursday" on the Riggs Family Blog. Check out their blog to read everyone else's "Hi/Lo" posts and for a chance to win $100 ... It's where we get to know each other by sharing our emotional/spiritual HIGH and LOW for this previous week.

Since we are rather UnConventional here at G&G, we are going to post our Lo first, which turned out to be a Hi. As you know, I have been overwhelmed with work over the past month ... almost like drowning underwater ... and with no end in the sight. Over the past 6 months, we've had a newborn in NICU, a messed up Dad in trauma, nights of no sleep, unplanned for medical bills, braces on No. 1, stomach viruses on Nos 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5, and finally ... one AbsentDad (... me ...) from working too late. I leave for work before the kids get up in the morning and I come home after they go to bed at night.

Here's my emotional low: MyBeloved calls yesterday morning. She says that No. 4 ... who just turned two ... was running through the house ... looking for me and crying my name. My heart is ripped. I'm sad. Here she is on her birthday the other night. ( ... I miss my family ... )

Here's my emotional high: In an effort to surprise the kids, I came home last night before they went to bed. Imagine walking into the kitchen to see your 5yr old boy ... bathing ... in the sink. My heart leaps. I'm smiling. I'm laughing. No. 2 looks up and says, "Hi dad!"

And Then There Were Four ...

These are Bella'sCorgis ... at least what is left of them ... there are only four! And, if you are the right person, one of them could be yours. A co-worker, MangrumPI, is selling off the corgi children of Bella and Jackson. Click here if you want a piece of the action. BTW, tell them G&G sent you and we will get 100% of the proceeds. [ ... Not really ... maybe 10% if we can guilt the Mangrum into sharing ... ]

Hard Times, Difficult Choices

Here's a picture of Lil'Mac (back) and Lady A (front) at the Special Olympics last year. Well, Lil'Mac's momma ... OuterCircleChic ... is raising money for the SpecialEvent this year. We know ... really, we do ... that times are hard and we have to make difficult choices with our money these days, but could you spare $5, $10, $20 for this great cause? The fun festivities begin on Saturday at noon. Click here to help OuterCircleChic's efforts.

100% Update: The Long Awaited

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

I know that many of you have been waiting for an update on Dad ... and I have to be honest ... it was entirely ... Mom's fault! I'm kidding ... it was ... Dad's fault! There I go again. What ever happened to personal responsibility? It was ... my ... employer's fault! Let's categorize these in BodyParts ... here's what I got:

1. Ears: The SurgicalEar ... the right one ... is beginning to pop. Sometimes Dad has some hearing and others times he says it is as if is underwater. Dr. Beethoven continues to say it will take time. There is still a great deal of packing (gel stuff) in his ear. This will eventually dissolve and be absorbed by the body. He is scheduled for hearing tests and a follow up meeting with the maestro on on March 9. Beethoven will address his left ear when he feels and tests indicate that Dad has healed totally from the first surgery. He continues to use antibiotic ear drops to stem infection.
2. Eyes: Dr. NewEye continues to monitor Dad's right eyeball. Since his tear ducts are non-functioning we put artificial tears 4 times a day and antibiotic ointment in the eye. Dad asked about the prognosis regarding driving in the future. NewEye says, "No way, Jose!" In other words, driving is not possible since Dad has no periphial vision in the left eye. Next appointment with NewEye is on March 26. Dad will then be seen at Vandy's Eye School on March 30, where Dad will meet with Dr. HeadSight, neurological eye specialist.
3. Teeth: Off to see Dr. Dentyne to see if Dad's gums have healed enough from the extraction of his front teeth. If they have, Dentyne will permanently cement his bridge. Dad has not had any other problems arise since our last visit to Dr. BidenSmile, the endodontist. This is a good thing.
4. Heart: Dr. Passion and his assistant RedSonya are taking good care of Dad. Mom and Dad had to make a special trip to see him because blood pressure really began to rise. He was prescribe a BP medication that left Dad hacking and coughing 24/7 and was not getting any sleep (neither was Mom). Our friend, Righty (...remember him? ...) shared with Dad that he had the same problem with the medication and found out that was one of the side effects. Passion prescribed a new med called HeartBeatDown ...blood pressure has dropped but his heart rate is still high. EKG scheduled for April.
5. Shoulder: Dad's shoulder continues to be a source of pain and severe discomfort. He shows no improvement in spite of his Occupational Therapy. It was discovered that Dad had Bone-Grow-itis ... also called Heterotopic Ossification (HO), which is an abnormal formation of true bone within his shoulder tendon. This often occurs as a result of trauma such a blunt injury. HO is seen in patients with brain trauma injury. There is not much that can be done for those who develop HO. Dad saw Dr. BoneFixer-ette, a new orthopedic doctor, on Jan 30 and she had additional x-rays done on his shoulder. After manipulating Dad's arm and shoulder, BoneFixer-ette decided that Dad might also have a rotator cuff problem. She scheduled an MRI, which demonstrated it was not rotator cuff. He has an anterior labral ligament tear, plus Adhesive Capsulitis. This is scar tissue that has developed around the shoulder joint as a result of the shoulder trauma from the accident. These issues are why he has not gotten any better. Dad is now scheduled to see Dr. ShoulderFix, an ortho who specializes in shoulder injuries. Your Dad said this is #25. On a positive note, BoneFixer-ette (Dad's only female doctor) released him...gave him a clean bill of health as far as his pelvis. She was his trauma doc on the 10th floor.
6. Legs: Physical Therapy continues to increase demands on Dad. He walked down the hall (which is quite long) twice without his cane. According to most recent balance testing ... it is still not what it should be ... but it has improved a bit. He was given permission to move around the house without his cane (which he was already doing), but when he goes out he is to use it to help keep his balance and help with his eye issues (lack of depth perception). His right upper thigh seems to be more sensitive which is an indication of nerve regeneration. The pain issues on his left side are a result of impact while the issues on the right side is a result of the brain injury. His left leg continues to be the weaker of the two. He has gained a little strength in it but he still cannot pick up his foot more than a couple of inches. He continues to have to put his hands under his thigh to lift his leg when he is sitting down.
7. 6th & 7th Nerves: There is still no indication that any regeneration is taking place. Dr. Beethoven says it will take time if it is going to happen. We will first see a little movement around mouth and he will experience twitching in his cheek area. This also explains why Dad's good eye has no peripheral vision. The main occipital nerve runs from the brain stem through the center of the skull. It was most likely damaged from the blow to Dad's head. Dad and Mom talked about his appearance and he shared that he has no problem if he remains looking as he does at this time.

Overall, Dad's strength is still not 100%. He is getting up earlier and staying up later, but he has to lay down for an hour or so a couple of times a day (... Oh, the life of a messed up dude! .... ). He still cannot sit for any length of time. His appetite is on the puny side. He doesn't know if it is because he cannot taste most foods. Taste buds are dead and his salivary glands are non-functional. He does love his chocolate milk, though. He does enjoy eating at Pei Wei's ... Beef Teriyaki with Noodles. Says rice is to dry for him. Go figure?

QR Code for G&G

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Not sure why our everyday readers would find this important, relevant, or even interesting, but here is the QR Code for www.growingandgrowing.com. If you have a bar code reading phone, then scan the above code and it will take you to G&G website and links.

Cool, huh?

BabyJ Update: God Smiles

Just like the above picture, every now and then God smiles on us. Yesterday morning BabyJ was scheduled for surgery. J&J ... not to be confused with G&G ... report that the surgery was successful:

After hours of waiting, the surgeon walked into our little "quiet room" to tell us the news. He sat down in a chair across from us and said that he just couldn't explain why everything went so smoothly this time. Needless to say, Jeff and I were overjoyed and knew that God's hands had been at work today. He continued to explain that they were able to put the liver all the way into the abdomen and place the patch where they wanted it. Jacob remained stable, tolerated the changes, and stayed on the lower vent settings that he had achieved in the last few days. The surgeon even said that he saw a little more right lung. This was what we had asked for! We still have a long way to go...there will be many more hurdles to jump over in the next few months before bringing him home. But, today has been a blessing beyond what we could have imagined. The doctors are concerned about a possible clot that they found in his lower extremities after surgery. Please pray that this hurdle will not obstruct further recovery for Jacob. May God bless you today as we have been blessed by you. Thank you for taking our son before the Father and being a part of this journey.

Wanna leave J&J&BabyJ a comment or word of encouragement? Go here.

No Caption Necessary

Monday, February 16, 2009

... picture snapped at drycleaners ... nice ...

Great Time ...

... last night at the Beyond the Ashes concert last night at Woodbine. In case you missed it ... what I am saying? Of course you missed it! I did not see you there ... Okay, I saw one of you ... check out their MySpace page or regular website page. They were great!

Dear Sweety-Pie-Sugar-Plum-Baby-Love:

Friday, February 13, 2009

I tried to find one that said Wii, but this was the best I could do:

Happy VDay ... a little early!

Love,
Self

[... World of Dudes, if you wanna get your lovely one of these cards, try Storeyshop at Etsy ... ]

New Grill!?!?!

This is No. 1 ... I wonder why she is smiling? Probably because her mom made her smile for this picture. It cannot be voluntary. Anyway, Dr. Renovate installed those little colorful bands yesterday, along with the following statement: "She could be sore for over the next week since her teeth are spread unevenly." I did not know he meant painful crying at 4:00am this morning.

--------------------

No. 1,

I love you and I am praying for you. I think the MouthMetal makes you look beautiful! At least you get hip colors like pink and green ... some kids get stuck with OSU orange orange and black.

Love Dad

My World ... Her World

Thursday, February 12, 2009

You know what I've been up to recently ... underwater living. Check out what MyBeloved has been doing in my absence from you and them.

Bubbles Live!

In case you missed Bubbles a.k.a. Kathleen Murphy singing of her original song, Hallelujah, at Woodbine last month, she did it again last weekend at Brush Hill. This time, it was recorded. [ ... gives me chills everytime I hear it ... ]

"Hallelujah" by Kathleen Murphy (c) Copyright 2009.
All rights reserved.
May not be used, copied, reproduced without author's express written permission.
If you want to get in touch with Kathleen, contact us here.

BabyJ Update: Look for Poop!

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

It's about three posts down, but really funny. Reminds us of our FunkyPrayerRequest for Dad. Speaking of Dad, we have some updates and will let you know later today.

A Lesson in Marketing

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

I broke down this weekend and I sneakily grabbed a tasty little morsel. "One little piece of chocolate delight won't hurt," I convincingly told myself.

I held on to that piece of chocolate for a long time. Well, long in the sense of, I have a piece of chocolate that I should not eat, but I really want to eat it before someone catches me-time. It was about 42 seconds.

Finally, I broke down and busted the brown tin foil open. As I looked at the wrapping, I noticed that this chocolate could talk ... I will call him Chocolate Guy. He was different that other treats cheats that I snuck in the past. He was, what DoveChocolates called, a Chocolate Promise. A little piece of chocolate, wrapped in foil, with a little promise. Here's what my little Chocolate Guy told me:

"Keep the promises you make to yourself."

Dear DoveChocolates, here's a lesson in marketing. Your little promises campaign is good ... unless you promised yourself not to eat chocolate. Yep, I kept my promise and threw that little Chocolate Guy in the trash.

Now if the GoldenArches would only wrapped their BicMac and FrenchFries in foil lined with words of encouragement and promises.

100% Update: Dad Missing

Monday, February 09, 2009

Yes! You read that correctly. Dad went missing this weekend. Apparently Mom and Dad went to do some errands. At one point during the day, Mom ran into to her destination and Dad remained in the car. ( ... just chillin' like a villain ... )

As Mom came back and jumped in the car, something was wrong. Someone was missing. Dad was not there! ( ... heart beats fast, pace of breath quickens ... )

"Ray!" she called. Where was he? Did he try and walk off to find her? Did he fall? ( ... mind racing ... what's happened?!?! ... cannot take any more accidents ... )

Mom looks up and notices something else wrong. Leather seats. Their car does not have leather seats.

Oops! Wrong car.

Dear Copy (A Fellow Fatty)

Friday, February 06, 2009

Nice try! You can come into this office all you want with your OtisCookies and Chik-Fil-A-Biscuits, but I'm not biting! Better save your $$ for the finish line.

Self

--------------------

[Note: In case you don't know what's going on, click here. Copy happens to be in the copy business. And pre-Biggest Loser Competition, he would bring breakfast and cookies in an attempt to win the hearts of our secretaries and paralegals (i.e., grease the wheels of document productions). Well, Copy has been seen trying to entice (see letter above) the other three Fatties in this office! Not going to work for me, although I saw Cola with a chicken biscuit this morning ...]

Warning: Terrible Accident Pictures

Thursday, February 05, 2009

We just got an email from Corvette, a pre-kindergarten teacher who has been following Dad's story. ( ... If you are new here, check out the box to the right which describes some of the miracles that have been going on in Dad's life ... you will also see some great recoveries involving other humanoids, like Righty, PrayerChair, FarmDad, Sk8ter and, more recently, BabyJ ...)

Anyway, Corvette, writes: "I have been following your blog for several months now ... I am so glad your dad is doing much better. My best friend's daughter was at Stallworth the same time your dad was there. She was in a wreck also ... God has amazing plans for your dad. I saw the picture of the car recently and just could be believe how bad it looked. I am glad all is going good."

Thanks for the note, Corvette, which reminded us that we have not shared all of the pictures from Dad's accident. You may have briefly seen them on the Tube, but in case you have not, then we will share the havoc of a ViolentSilence. WARNING: Terrible Accident Pictures below ...

For the full collection of Havoc, click here.

Cool Dads

This is why dads are cooler than moms.

Seriously? Seriously!

World, I wanted you to know about this publication I’m a part of called Serious.Life Magazine. They just published the February issue on Monday and guess what? G&G ... your favorite provider of miraculous stories, rants of a MadDad, and GodThruMan moments ... is in their "Featured Blog Directory." It’s a very high quality magazine … you’ll really like it. The magazine includes a lot of great content from bloggers you’ll appreciate, as well as great features, photos and other content. The magazine is owned and published by a family who have seven kids ... Looks like MyBeloved has some work to do!

The magazine gives away a bunch of ads to charities and ministries. Besides great articles on interesting people, there is a lot about family, adoption, personal finance, spiritual life, humor… all sorts of “life” topics. Again, the subscription is free, and we at G&G know you’ll enjoy the magazine, so take a minute to check it out and sign up to get future issues. http://www.seriouslifemagazine.com/

When you get there, look for G&G at page 124. If you want us to be included closer to the top in March, then send an email to Brent, the publisher, and tell him the following:

"Dear Amazing Publisher Dude Brent:

My friends over at GrowingandGrowing sent me to you. While I am not normally the type of person to beg ... please, please, please, please, please ... I would appreciate it if you could kick it up a notch for G&G in your Blog Directory. Perhaps even one of those 12 coveted "hightlight" spots. You can be assured that me, my family, my friends, and everyone else I know (and don't know) will be looking for G&G up close and personal in March. And, I should not forget ... your magazine ABSOLUTELY ROCKS!!!!

Sincerely,

_________________ (sign your name)

Where Are You, GodThruMan?

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Do you remember the last GodThruMan post? I don't ... It's been so long ... I asked myself that question this morning and the only answer I could find is:

I wasn't looking for GodThruMan ... I wasn't looking for God through man ... I wasn't looking for God acting and displaying Himself through the men and women who cross my path.

Back then, I saw and heard God daily and sometime hourly.

Today, I guess that because He has not Twittered me, or FaceBooked me, or even emailed me, He must not be around.

Dude, wake up! Get a hold of yourself! Look around and count your blessings! Look for GodThruMan and you will find Him.

Fatty Update: Lesson in Pride

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

In my zeal to become the Biggest Loser, MusicCityFatties-style, I have been back in the gym and eating trying to eat right for the past two weeks. That's right, we are now entering week 3 and my competition is fierce. Well, I have a confession to make ... I am not think as you fit I am! Strike that ... reverse ... I am not as fit as you think I am. Here's the real scoop ... in what has become a lesson in pride:

I had a scare a few weeks ago. In-laws in town. Stressed out. (Not because of in-laws, but because of overload of work.) Started to have pain in right side of my chest. No radiating pain, but constant. Scared poop out of me. Called Dr.Corazon (... that's spanish for "heart" you English-only proponents ... ), who ordered a battery of health tests, including a RadioactiveIrateExam.

Well, I had my exam last week, which went something like this. Me, old dude, older dude, fatter older dude, and almost dead dude sitting in the waiting room. They had more pace-makers, stents, canes, and nitro pills than a medical supply store. They saw this Fatty (a young 27 37, vibrant, good-looking male ... yes, me ...) and wondered why I was there. I gave them the scoop and they gave me the reverse scoop (as in, what to expect). When I entered the exam room, I saw my opponent (see below).


Herein you will find my lesson in pride. The exam went something like this:

Nurse HowdyY'All: Are you ready? The treadmill will increase in speed and incline every three minutes. When you reach a point where you think you can only continue 1 minute, let me know and I will give you last injection of nuclear gunk.

Self: Are you looking for a target heartbeat?

Nurse HowdyY'All: No. Just keep going until you hit that 1 minute point.

Self: Are you sure? That could take a long time. I mean, I could go 45 minutes or so.

Nurse HowdyY'All: (... Laughs out loud...) Don't worry about that, the treadmill always wins!

I really don't need to continue this post, because you probably already figured out the ending. Around minute 11, a tired and broken and sweating Fatty named Self, with arms holding on for dear life, screamed, "One minute!"

The good news, everything is okay and I passed the stress test. Also, the pain in the chest was attributed to pleurisy. The bad news, my ego was momentarily bruised (for about 2 minutes).

That's Not Right (#9)

That's not right ... a collection of stories, events, and incidents that are just ... not right!

I am glad to report that this is not my kid and that I am not the crazy dad who posted this on the internet ( ... although it is probably something that I would do ... ). All I know is ... it's not right!

BabyJ Update: That's the Ticket

We have an update on BabyJ! Click here to see what J&J have to report 'bout their lovely, precious, amazing, wonderful son! Make sure you leave them a note of encouragement or prayer. Speaking of prayer ... That's the ticket! ... J&J have identified how we can pray for them:

1. A plan for the surgeons to repair BabyJ for his next surgery and that God will put that plan in the minds of the medical team.
2. That BabyJ continues to grow stronger, not weaker, while we wait for the next surgery.
3. When surgery takes place, that BabyJ's liver will respond more positively to being placed in the abdomen and that he can be on the path to recovery instead of waiting for the next steps...
4. After surgery, that BabyJ's right lung will expand and work efficiently, as if it was developed in there all along and just needed space to inflate.

BabyJ Update: The Wait

Monday, February 02, 2009

World,

I feel like you did months ago ... waiting, waiting, waiting ... just for another post ... hopefully it's a good one ... don't wanna see it if the news is bad ... I keep checking their site, knowing that there will be good news to share.

In case you have no clue what I am talking about, we've been following our never-met-before friends, J&J, along with their precious BabyJ, who just joined the world last week. BTW, did you know that J&J made a decision in favor of the sanctity of life a few months ago and that decision was rewarded with the birth of BabyJ a day after National Sanctity of Human Life Sunday? [ ... Thanks to Mrs.Word for the information ... ]

All we can report today is what was reported on Saturday ... one day after surgery. Go check it out to see some precious pics of BabyJ and to meet this wonderful family.

Self.

----------------------

Dear J&J and BabyJ,

You are in our prayers. One of our friends, SouthernDrawl, and her friends, are making a prayer blanket for BabyJ, which we will coat with prayers as soon as possible. Let us know how we can get it to you.

Self.

FoxRocks!

In case you could not hear the episode last week (... I admit, I could not hear it even with the 'puter speakers turned up ... ), here is a rendition of why Fox Rocks! You can now share this link with your friends. To make this educational, tell us which one you prefer ... Channel No. 17 or Channel No. 4?



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