American Idol 2008

Our family has been watching American Idol for a couple years now. We've enjoyed the show. To mix it up a little last year we held our first idol competition. We took turns picking from the group until all the idols were "drafted". The winner of the competition was the person that picked the winner of the idol show. Well, last years game ended like this; Wesley 1st place, Jessica 2nd, Jaye 3rd and I had come in 4th. That set this years draft, Wes picked 1st, Jess 2nd.....and so on.
Last night the show had already started before we got a chance to pick (pizza party, we didn't get back early enough: Bekah hope you made it home in time) so we were rushed. The first guy was gone before we started picking....so he was out. I don't think any of us wanted him anyway. We hurried through our drafts and here is how they came out. Just to let you know we like to pick nick-names for each contestant. We assign them as the show goes on but some have already earned them.

Wesley's picks: Amy Jean Davis-kicked out last night, Michael Johns, David Hernandez, Kristy Lee Cook, Kady Malloy and Colton Berry="Nathan" (he looks like a guy that used to go to our church)

Jessica picks: Chikezie ="mustard" because of that horrible suit he had on, Danny Noriega = "he/she", I think Danny and Ramiele Malubay are the same person. Jessica also picked her. David Archuleta. We all like this kid. We hope he goes far, he is really lovable. Alexandrea Lushington="suspenders" and Jason Yeager.

Jaye's picks: Brooke White (I wanted her but Jaye got her before I could) Jason Castro=smiley "dreadlock" boy, Robbie Carrico, Joanne Borgella- kicked off the show last night and Asia'h Epperson.

Brian's picks: I think I have the strongest team :) Syesha Mercado, Carly Smithson="tatoo", David Cook, Alaina Whitaker, Amanda Overmyer= "rocker girl" or "skunk girl" and Luke Menard.

This year is going to be different as far as how we pick the winner. What we've done is assign a point value to each person. The first person kicked off is worth one point, the next 2 points all the way up to 24 points. That way the people (me) that have a good team that might not go to number one still has a chance of winning. What do you think? Any ideas that might help the Holland Idol tournament? We'd be glad to consider changing the rules, as long as they help me win.

Pizza Party

Last night we attended out first JR High Sunday School pizza party. A good time was had by all. Me and Jaye along with my co teacher, Bekah took our JR High Sunday School class to Brooks Upper Crust Pizza. The food was great, I'm going to heat up the leftovers for lunch today. Yum. It is really fun to hang out with the teens outside of church. I think they had a good time? I was excited to treat everyone in the van to a donut as we left the church parking lot. I noticed that my wife had spun a couple on her way in to the parking lot. Nice work Jaye :) I'm looking forward to our next Jr High Sunday School outing, an suggestions? ~Brian

What a Good Morning Surprise

Look what I woke up to this morning!! Our kitty had kitties!! We've been awaiting this day anxiously...well, the girls in the house anyway!! We noticed last month that Tito was putting on a little weight. Then it was quite obvious that it just wasn't her winter coat. We figured the "crime" had occurred while we were in Florida and she was alone in the house with her "mate".

Anyway, this didn't at all play out like I imagined it. I figured I would have more of a role in this whole thing. But...I went to bed and she was pregnant...I woke up and we have four kittens. Hmmm, must have been a pretty smooth process!! Funny thing is this all happened on the floor by Joseph's crib. This kid wakes up when he hears the doorknob to our bedroom turn but he sleeps thru the whole birthing process right under his crib!!!

Well, if anyone is in the market for kitties we'll have some for you...2 pure white ones (the twins is what I call them), 1 mostly black w/some white and 1 mostly white w/some black.

Black one getting bathed.

"Miley" getting her bath...Anna's been naming these.

This Weekend

This weekend our church welcomed several new people into membership. Among those becoming members were two Hollands, Jessica and Wesley are now full members of the Wesleyan church. It was a cool weekend. ~Brian

Winter Pounding

Last night after watching the news the Hollands prepared for one of the worst snow storms of the year. We did the normal stuff, milk, eggs and bread from the store. Gloves, hats and scarves set out for the trip to the mailbox or some snowman building. The kids went to sleep all jazzed up knowing that the morning would bring a fun filled day of snowball fights, fort building, sledding and building the favorite giant snowman.
The professional weather forecaster said that it would start about 9 pm, bedtime. So about midnight, after falling asleep on the couch, Jay Leno woke me up. I peeked out the window on the way to bed, NO SNOW. Well, the weather folks must have missed the timing a bit because when we woke up and ran to the window we were greeted by grass peeking through the skimming of snow that we received.
Those guys/gals on tv have no idea what they are talking about. I wonder if they go home after a long day of lying to us and laugh. Do they work for the big bread/eggs/milk companies. "We've not sold enough milk this month, call the weather puppets and have a fake snowstorm. Stat!" They must be in cahoots with the school bus drivers too. Check this out, very little snow, roads are wet and NO school today. I will enjoy the day with the kids. Fridays are my day off so that's a good thing. But come summer when I think my kids should start summer vacation they will be making up "Snow Days" because the milk companies didn't sell enough milk.

What does this sign say to you?

I think I understand what is trying to be said here. But I wonder, is what is being said the same as what is being read? What does this say to you?

Renewal Weekend

The Gang

This weekend Jaye and I have spent the last few days in Ft Wayne. It was the third annual youth pastor & spouse renewal weekend. It is an event our district sponsors that actually focuses on youth pastors. It's a great weekend to get away for a few days, hang out with my lovely wife and see some of my district buddies with their lovely wives. It's a great time.
This year they brought in a guest speaker named Robert Rogers. Oh my, he was amazing. He shared his story, there wasn't a person in the room that didn't shed a tear. He lost his entire family in a flash flood while they were traveling home from a wedding. I'm going to do my best to see about getting him to come to Chapel Pike and share his story. You can read his book "Into the Deep" but do so only with a box of Kleenex. Basically he taught us to live our lives without regret. God first, family second, anything else far behind those two. I don't think I've ever met a guy that really showed grace like he did, a man that REALLY loves God and lives it. It was a life changing message.
It was really hard to hear and not be able to go home and hug our kids.

Our Room @ Residence Inn...each room had a fire place. Nice.

On our romantic walk of questions @ Fort Wayne Botanical Gardens