Karate

We finally decided on a karate studio to continue the kids' quest for a black belt. It is called Champions MMA (mixed-martial arts).

The Harry Potter Book Adventure

Last night, we all went to Border's to get the new Harry Potter book. The party started at 9:30. Most of the people there dressed up as some character in the series. Marisa dressed up as Harry. Alex didn't dress up.

Some of the characters we saw were Fluffy (3 people in the costume), Dobby, Hagrid, Madame Maxine, Professor Dumbledore, Professor Trelawny, and of course Harry. One of the best tha I saw was a Dad dressed as Harry and he had his newborn baby dressed as Hedwig the owl (very clever).

When we pulled a number for the official line when they start selling the book at 12:00am, I was informed that I could start lining up at 2am. We hung out awhile at the store, but we all decided to go back home at around 10:30. Alex and I came back to the store a little before our time. Another hour in line, and Alex finaaly had his book (and free commemorative poster).

I found Alex still reading the book at 4:30, when I happened to wake up and check up on him. He wanted to stay up to continue to read, but I told him to get some sleep.

My Eighth Royal Flush

I hit my eighth royal flush today playing a $10+1 Limit Omaha H/L 9-player tournament at Full Tilt. This was my first royal flush in a tournament. With seven left, I was severely short-stacked with 435 chips. The person who was sixth in chips at the time had over 1200. I was dealt [As, Js, 2h, 6d] in middle position. I raised and re-raised all-in pre-flop with one other player. Board came out [Qh, Qs, Ks, Ac, Ts]. Other person ended up having a full house, queens over aces. I needed that ten of spades on the river to win (a one outer!). I played well and came back to finish the tourney in second place for a $27 payout.

6/22/05-My First Royal Flush
12/01/05-My Second Royal Flush
12/22/05-My Third Royal Flush
3/14/06-My Fourth Royal Flush
4/30/06-My Fifth Royal Flush
11/19/06-My Sixth Royal Flush
4/22/07-My Seventh Royal Flush

OK, I'll Stay

One of the things that I miss about L.A. (and Hawaii) is a good local Hawaiian plate lunch. Hooray! L&L Hawaiian BBQ is coming soon!

Flag Display Rules and Regulations

To celebrate the Fourth, I bought an American flag to hang by our front door. I kept bringing it in and out because it looked like it was going to rain. I thought that we shouldn't display the flag in the rain. I found out that it was OK to display the flag in the rain because I had an all-weather flag. I just need to make sure that I take it down before sunset. I also discovered that I really shouldn't be wearing t-shirts with an American flag on it (I have two). It is not like the flag police will come out and arrest me, it is just a sign of respect.

please see: Flag Rules and Regulations

Hugh is Home!

Hugh is home from Iraq. Safe and sound into the arms of his family. Thank you for your service for all of us! God Bless. Please check out his stories from Iraq at Defending Purple Mountain Majesties.

June Poker Winnings

As per the updated resolution that I made in January, I have withdrawn $200 from my poker bankroll this month. YTD=+1,400. '06-YTD=+$3,800. '05-YTD=+$1,600. My next withdrawal of $200 from my winnings is due by July 31, 2007. Please continue to wish me luck and keep me accountable.

NEED WASHING???

A little girl had been shopping with her Mom. She must have been 6 years old, a beautiful red-haired, freckle-faced image of innocence. It was pouring rain outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout. We all stood there under the awning and just inside the door of the store.

We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sight and sound of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running and splashing as a carefree child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.

The little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in, "Mom let's run through the rain," she said. "What?" Mom asked.
"Lets run through the rain!" she repeated.
"No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit," Mom replied
This young child waited another minute and repeated: "Mom, let's run through the rain."
"We'll get soaked if we do," Mom said.
"No, we won't, Mom. That's not what you said this morning," the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm.
"This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?"
"Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!"

The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No one came or left in the next few minutes.
Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now, some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.

"Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If GOD lets us get wet, well maybe we just need washing," Mom said.

Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling, and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over their heads just in case. They got soaked... But, they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars.

And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing.

Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they can take away your money, and they can take away your health. But, no one can ever take away your precious memories... So, don't forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories everyday. To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.

I HOPE YOU STILL TAKE THE TIME TO RUN THROUGH THE RAIN.

--author unknown

72 Inches

Anthony, a college student, was writing a paper on quality of life. He wanted to know what made people happy and if they were content with their lives. He did not want to question common people on the street but sought the advice of someone who had lived an entire lifetime. At a local nursing home he asked who was the wisest person there and everyone pointed to Joe.

Joe was an elderly man in his eighties with a body to match his age, sitting in a wheelchair, back slumped and head down, drooling from the mouth. But he had a sharp mind and tongue. Old Joe had fought in a World War before founding a manufacturing company and retiring a millionaire. He once bought a yacht and sailed around the world. Anthony knew he had found the man who could explain happiness and quality of life.

Joe reached in his pocket and pulled out a tape measure and handed it to Anthony and said "this will explain life." Anthony was confused. How could a tape measure explain life? Was Joe senile?

Then Joe said to pull the tape measure until 72 inches were showing. He explained each inch represents one year of life and the average person has 72 years of productive life. Many people are active after 72 years but many also die or are disabled before that time. He told Anthony to run his finger from the end of the measure to inch number 6. That is the first years of a person's life when they learn to walk, talk and tie their shoes. Next, inches 7 to 22 is the years a person is getting an education and preparing for life. Then from inches 23 all the way to 62 is when a person marries, raises a family, works a job and hopefully saves money for retirement.

The remaining inches, 62 to 72, is the time when a person can do all the things he wants to do in life but never seemed to have time to do them. Anthony looked at those 10 inches and they looked small compared to the 62 inches already consumed. The more he looked, the more he understood what Joe was trying to say.

WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH THOSE 10 INCHES OR YEARS?

Did you always want to see the Grand Canyon, tour Europe, ride a motorcycle to Key West or write a book? Ten years is a short period in a person's life and those are the years you can fulfill your life long dreams. SO GET GOING! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

--author unknown

Remember Me

Please continue to pray for Hugh and his family.

5 minute video tribute to our troops:




hat tip: Sandy S.

May Poker Winnings

As per the updated resolution that I made in January, I have withdrawn $200 from my poker bankroll this month. YTD=+1,200. '06-YTD=+$3,100. '05-YTD=+$1,100. My next withdrawal of $200 from my winnings is due by June 30, 2007. Please continue to wish me luck and keep me accountable.

Divine Redeemer Catholic School

We were all set to enroll our children into a school for the first time in their lives. We had our applications ready for Holy Trinity. Just as we were about to submit their applications we received news that after 40 years, the school would be closing due to low enrollment.

With great reservation we accepted the news and had to make another decision: public school, continue to home school, or find another Catholic school?

We had a meeting today with the principal, Jim Rigg of Divine Redeemer. We have to admit that we were even more impressed with this school than we were with our first choice. It is a little bit further away, but we have made the decision to enroll Alex and Marisa here because of the importance of a strong Catholic education to us. God works in mysterious ways.

[On a side note: the principal screened the kids to see if they would do all right at their prospective grade levels. Alex (age 8) was screened at a 12th grade reading level, YIKES!]

I Did It!

After shopping around for over 6 months, I finally bought my first flat panel television. I cannot believe that I have gone without one for so long. What a great picture! Even Lisa likes the difference (that's big news).

I bought the Philips 42" LCD HDTV. I had been looking at a Sony, but after seeing the picture and the price of the Philips, I used part of my lifetime poker winnings that I have been saving to purchase it. I probably saved $600 over the Sony and I just did not feel like the Sony was worth the extra cash.

I got it at Costco Online for around $1150, including tax, shipping, 2-year extended warranty, and Costco's liberal 90-day return policy. I just couldn't pass this one up. Hooray!

Here it is on Amazon.com (not available at Costco anymore).

Life is a Gift

There was a blind girl who hated herself just because she was blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She said that if she could only see the world, she would marry her boyfriend.

One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her and then she could see everything. Including her boyfriend. Her boyfriend asked her, "Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?" The girl was shocked when she saw that her boyfriend was blind, too, and refused to marry him. Her boyfriend walked away in tears and later wrote a letter to her saying, "Just take good care of my eyes, dear."

This is how the human brain changes when our status changes. Only few remember what life was before and who's always been there, even in the most painful situations.

Today, before you think of saying an unkind word, think of someone who can't speak.

Before you complain about the taste of your food, think of someone who has nothing to eat.

Before you complain about your husband or wife, think of someone who's crying out to God for a companion.

Today, before you complain about life, think of someone who went too early to heaven.

Before you complain about your children, think of someone who desires children but they're barren.

Before you argue about your dirty house because someone didn't clean or sweep, think of the people who are living in the streets.

Before whining about the distance you drive, think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet, and, when you are tired and complain about your job, think of the unemployed, the disabled and those who wished they had your job.

But, before you think of pointing the finger or condemning another, remember that not one of us is without sin, and we all answer to one Maker.

And, when depressing thoughts seem to get you down, put a smile on your face and thank God you're alive and still around.

Life is a gift. Live it, enjoy it, celebrate it, and fulfill it.

--author unknown

One Reason Why...

...we love our new home. THE VIEWS.

Sunrise on Pikes Peak

April Poker Winnings

As per the updated resolution that I made in January, I have withdrawn $200 of my goal of $200 from my poker bankroll this month. I am back on track after last months loss. YTD=+1000. '06-YTD=+$2,300. '05-YTD=+$800. My next withdrawal of $200 from my winnings is due by May 31, 2007. Please continue to wish me luck and keep me accountable.

Idol Gives Back - To Abortion

Please think twice about voting after tonight's show.

from LifeSiteNews.com:

In a statement released to the media on March 9, 2007, Douglas R. Scott, Jr., president of Life Decisions International (LDI), expressed his disappointment over the decision by "American Idol" to include two pro-abortion groups among the charities that will benefit from its "Idol Gives Back" project.

On April 25, several celebrities will appear on the show to promote "Idol Gives Back." Americans were invited to call a toll-free number or go online to make a donation to CPEF, which will turn the money over to UNICEF, Save the Children, and several other groups.

"It is laudable that the people involved with 'American Idol' want to help the poor," Scott said. "But it is tragic that they would choose to do so through groups like UNICEF and Save the Children. These groups have far too much deadly baggage." Scott urged Americans who do not believe killing preborn human beings is an acceptable "solution" to poverty and other "adult-created problems" to contact the corporations that own "American Idol."

The most comprehensive list of UNICEF's anti-life moves is available on LifeSite here: War on Family

In the Campaign Life Coalition pamphlet featured on the site, author Winifride Prestwich wrote: "For years UNICEF spokesmen denied promoting contraception or abortion." In "UNICEF: Guilty As Charged" she said records prove that "step by step over a 30-year period UNICEF has tied itself to the population controllers and to the anti-life, anti-family attitudes of such organizations as the International Planned Parenthood Federation."

In 2001, Save the Children worked with pro-abortion groups Planned Parenthood, the Population Action Council and the pro-abortion National Audubon Society on its five-year "Planet Campaign." Funded by the rabidly pro-abortion/population control David and Lucile Packard and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundations, the purpose of the campaign was to "raise awareness of the connections between international family planning and the health of children, women and the environment."

"Ask the corporate officials to take whatever steps are necessary to drop UNICEF and Save the Children from the list of charities that will be supported through the 'Idol Gives Back' project," Scott said. "Tell them you want to participate in this admirable effort but your deeply held beliefs do not allow you to do so. Pro-family people should not be left out. We want to help, too." Pro-family Americans are also urged to include a few personal lines explaining why they want corporate officials to drop UNICEF and Save the Children.

See complete story here.

Anyway

Martina McBride was the guest on American Idol last week. She sang her song, 'Anyway' on the show. It was an incredible performance. She probably was inspired to write the song from the poem entitled, Anyway, that is attributed to Mother Teresa. It was a fitting song choice for the remaining contestants on the show, but especially for the massacre at Virginia Tech two days earlier.

Happy Birthday Marisa!

Our miracle child, Marisa turns seven today. Happy Birthday little muffin.

90 More Days?

It seems that Hugh may have to spend another 3 months in Iraq. The Army needs the extra troops there. Please continue to pray for him and his family. And that he may return home safely (and soon).

My Seventh Royal Flush

I hit my seventh royal flush today on Vegas Poker 24/7. It was on a $1/2 Limit Hold 'Em six-player table. Unfortunately (once again), it did not pay off with a large pot. I was in the small blind with [Qs Js]. Three players see the flop of [As Ks 10s]. I flopped the royal! Another spade on the turn pretty much kills all of my action. I scoop a gigantic $8.75 pot.

6/22/05-My First Royal Flush
12/01/05-My Second Royal Flush
12/22/05-My Third Royal Flush
3/14/06-My Fourth Royal Flush
4/30/06-My Fifth Royal Flush
11/19/06-My Sixth Royal Flush

The Day They Kicked God Out of the Schools

I thought you would appreciate seeing this video, produced by the American Family Association.

Click Here to watch "The Day They Kicked God out of the Schools."

Sincerely,
Donald E. Wildmon, Founder and Chairman
American Family Association

My 6th 'Birth Day'

On April 14, 2001, I was baptised, confirmed, and received first communion in the Catholic Church. How many of you remember and acknowledge the date of your own baptism? It is probably as important of a date, if not more, as the date that you actually celebrate as your birthday.

Two Days After

Trust me, I am not altering the date stamps.
10:00AM:
9:00AM:
7:00AM:

The Day After

24 hours later, 60 degrees, snow gone, crazy:

A White Easter!

Photos of our backyard today:

Good Friday in Iraq

"Only two have offered to die for you...Jesus Christ and the American Soldier." --Hugh (from Defending Purple Mountain Majesties)

As a way to say thanks to Hugh and the many other military personnel currently serving in Iraq, just go to the web site sponsored by the Xerox Corporation, called Let's Say Thanks, where you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq. You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to some member of the armed services. It is FREE and it only takes a second. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these?

Ren

A buddy of mine, Gary and his wife Hiromi, just had their first child. Ren was born March 28, at 9:28PM weighing in at 6 lbs 15 oz and measuring 20 inches long. Gary was a big fan of the Ren & Stimpy Show. So obviously, I assumed that their child was named after Ren Hoek, the chihuahua.


Gary clarified the name this way, "We wanted a name that was easy [to say] and not too foreign sounding in English, but that used only Japanese phonetics so that it would be easily pronounced by Hiromi's family. That narrowed the list of choices down quite a bit. We didn't want a typical Japanese name like "Takamasa" or "Katsunori" or "Tomoyuki". We wanted something that fit without sounding too foreign in both languages. We hit on Ren and liked the sound of it both from the English and Japanese perspective....In Japan, it isn't really common, but seems to be growing in use. Longer forms using the same base are definitely common like "Rentaro". The Kanji for Ren is that of a lotus flower."

Congratulations! And think about Stimpy for your next child.

Our Visit to Holy Trinity Catholic School

Lisa and I are thinking about what type of school Alex and Marisa will be involved with next school year. Should we continue to homeschool, send them to public school, or to a Catholic school? While living in southern California, the only option for us as a family was to homeschool. Our move to Colorado Springs has given us a lot more options because the public schools are so much better and the cost of living is drastically lower that we can look at a private school. This morning we visited Holy Trinity Catholic School.

We were able to spend a couple of hours touring the school. There are only about 160 students with an average of about 18 students per grade. We liked the fact that it was small, because we believe that it would be an easier transition for the kids. The local elementary school near us has around 700 students. Holy Trinity seemed to be a very nice community to belong because of its size. The principal gave us the tour and knew the names and activities of all of the students he met along the way. We really liked everything that we observed. Everyone was very welcoming to us and had no problems with us being there in their classrooms. Sending them to this school is definitely an option for us. Please pray for us as we continue our discernment process.

Birth Order of Children

I received this as an email attachment. It was too funny (because it's true), that I had to post it here.

1st baby: You begin wearing maternity clothes as soon as your OB/GYN confirms your pregnancy.
2nd baby: You wear your regular clothes for as long as possible.
3rd baby: Your maternity clothes ARE your regular clothes.
_____________________________________________________
Preparing for the Birth:
1st baby: You practice your breathing religiously.
2nd baby: You don't bother because you remember that last time, breathing didn't do a thing.
3rd baby: You ask for an epidural in your eighth month.
______________________________________________________
The Layette :
1st baby: You pre-wash newborn's clothes, color-coordinate them, and fold them neatly in the baby's little bureau.
2nd baby: You check to make sure that the clothes are clean and discard only the ones with the darkest stains.
3rd baby: Boys can wear pink, can't they?
______________________________________________________
Worries:
1st baby: At the first sign of distress--a whimper, a frown--you pick up the baby.
2nd baby: You pick the baby up when her wails threaten to wake your firstborn.
3rd baby: You teach your three-year-old how to rewind the mechanical swing.
______________________________________________________
Pacifier:
1st baby: If the pacifier falls on the floor, you put it away until you can go home and wash and boil it.
2nd baby: When the pacifier falls on the floor, you squirt it off with some juice from the baby's bottle.
3rd baby: You wipe it off on your shirt and pop it back in.
______________________________________________________
Diapering:
1st baby: You change your baby's diapers every hour, whether they need it or not.
2nd baby: You change their diaper every two to three hours, if needed.
3rd baby: You try to change their diaper before others start to complain about the smell or you see it sagging to their knees.
_______________________________________________________
Activities:
1st baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics, Baby Swing, and Baby Story Hour.
2nd baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics.
3rd baby: You take your infant to the supermarket and the dry cleaner.
_______________________________________________________
Going Out:
1st baby: The first time you leave your baby with a sitter, you call home five times.
2nd baby: Just before you walk out the door, you remember to leave a number where you can be reached.
3rd baby: You leave instructions for the sitter to call only if she sees blood.
______________________________________________________
At Home:
1st baby: You spend a good bit of every day just gazing at the baby.
2nd baby: You spend a bit of everyday watching to be sure your older child isn't squeezing, poking, or hitting the baby.
3rd baby: You spend a little bit of every day hiding from the children .
______________________________________________________
Swallowing Coins:
1st child: When first child swallows a coin, you rush the child to the hospital and demand x-rays
2nd child: When second child swallows a coin, you carefully watch for the coin to pass.
3rd child: When third child swallows a coin you deduct it from his allowance!

--author unknown