Trey-Rex

Trey has lately been skulking around the house making grunting, growling noises accompanied by dinosaur-like contortions and motions. It somehow made it into this picture.


I asked Trey a question this afternoon and he replied, "Let me think about it in my brain for a while. 'Cause I'm really good at thinking." Tonight, he stars in his first-ever school program.

Christmas party

Trey had a Christmas party at school this afternoon. He brought home a gingerbread house that he personally envisioned and assembled. Well, assembled anyway. It's pretty much consumed by now.

But it took me back to the Christmas parties we used to have at good, ol' FCA. Those were the days! I don't know if anyone ever felt this way, but I always got ripped off in the gift exchange. Every year they would pass around a hat containing slips on which was written the name of a classmate. This was top-secret, or at least was supposed to be. It was usually a secret until, O, I don't know, the first recess at which time everyone eagerly compared names. There was money to be made if someone wanted to make a trade. Anyway, we would then go out and buy a gift that had to be around $5 (someone can correct me on this if I'm wrong). I took my task seriously. I spent quite a bit of time scouring K-Mart for the perfect gift. You know, something like a purple and yellow whistling Nerf football. This was important. I also was known to spend a little more that $5 for the present. However, I inevitably ended up receiving a gift from a person who apparently did their shopping at the gas station on the way to the school party. I remember the year that I tore off the wrapping paper to reveal a plastic car with sour-smelling cologne inside. Pretty disappointing to an 8-year-old. That whole "it's more blessed to give than to receive" thing was pretty overrated to me.

We did have a fantastic time at the Christmas party, though. I still remember the time we decided to have a burn-out competition. Burn-out involves taking turns slapping each other's hands until someone finally gives up from the sheer pain of it all. David Fry and Jonathan Bailey both ended up with broken blood vessels one year. A great time was had by all.

Messed-up

Have I ever told you about my "geographic tongue" disorder? I really must sometime. Fascinating.

Closet Doritos Fan

Kassady was literally caught red-handed.

WWF comes to Nampa

Trey is really into wrestling and boxing these days. I made the mistake of letting him play the old arcade game "Pit Fighter" at a pizza place in town and since then it's all he wants to do. Of course, his passion for ninjas and G.I. Joes probably help feed his penchant for violence*. I, too, enjoy a good tussle (just ask Jeff Watson or Sterling Houchens about our rumbles in the makeshift wrestling ring, which doubled as the kindergarten classroom, at FCA) so Trey has found a sparring partner. I used to do this with my Dad until I was around 10 or so. During one of our matches I accidentally poked him in the eye resulting in an unplanned trip to the Frankfort Hospital. We never wrestled since. True story. But I digress.

Trey is turning into quite a fighter. In fact, he's impatiently waiting for me to do it here in a few minutes. He has created his own character names. Now, Kassady enjoys piling on whoever happens to be on the bottom. For some reason, Lori is the only family member who doesn't get into the whole WWF scene. Her loss.

*Disclaimer: not real violence such as shooting people, clubbing, mugging, or football.

The Burley Bunch

I would like to welcome The Burley Bunch (Mark, Jana, and kids) to my blogroll. Check it out at: http://burleybunch.blogspot.com/.

Mark and I used to travel in quartet together back in the day. He has the distinction of being the tallest guy I ever traveled with (6'7" or 6'8"; let me know on that one, Mark). I was the shortest member of the group at 6'0". I don't know how good we were, but we sure had a great basketball team.

Hair today, gone tomorrow

This is the real reason I don't let my hair grow out.

Trey thinks I look like Carlton.

Times, they're a'changin'

I am a bi-centennial baby. For those of you that don't get it, I was born in 1976. A lot has changed in 30 years. For example:

Scenario: Jack pulls into school parking lot with rifle in gun rack.

1976 - Vice Principal comes over, takes a look at Jack's rifle, goes to his car and gets his to show Jack.
2006 - School goes into lockdown, FBI called, Jack hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counselors called in for traumatized students and teachers.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Scenario: Johnny and Mark get into a fist fight after school.

1976 - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up best friends. Nobody goes to jail, nobody arrested, nobody expelled.
2006 - Police called, SWAT team arrives, arrests Johnny and Mark. Charge them with assault, both expelled even though Johnny started it.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Scenario: Jeffrey won't be still in class, disrupts other students.

1976 - Jeffrey sent to office and given a good paddling by Principal. Sits still in class.
2006- Jeffrey given huge doses of Ritalin, becomes a zombie. School gets extra money from state because Jeffrey has a disability.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Scenario: Billy breaks a window in his father's car and his Dad gives him a whipping.

1976 - Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college, and becomes a successful businessman.
2006 - Billy's Dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy removed to foster care and joins a gang. Billy's sister is told by state psychologist that she remembers being abused herself and their Dad goes to prison. Billy's mom has affair with psychologist.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Scenario: Mark gets a headache and takes some headache medicine to school.

1976 - Mark shares headache medicine with Principal out on the smoking dock.
2006 - Police called, Mark expelled from school for drug violations. Car searched for drugs and weapons.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Scenario: Mary turns up pregnant.

1976 - 5 High School Boys leave town. Mary does her senior year at a special school for expectant mothers.
2006 - Middle School Counselor calls Planned Parenthood, who notifies the ACLU. Mary is driven to the next state over and gets an abortion without her parent's consent or knowledge. Mary given condoms and told to be more careful next time.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Scenario: Pedro fails high school English.

1976 - Pedro goes to summer school, passes English, goes to college.
2006 - Pedro's cause is taken up by state democratic party. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that teaching English as a requirement for graduation is racist. ACLU files class action lawsuit against state school system and Pedro's English teacher. English banned from core curriculum. Pedro given diploma anyway, but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he can't speak English.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Scenario: Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from the 4th of July, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle, blows up a red ant bed.

1976 - Ants die.
2006 - BATF, Homeland Security, FBI called. Johnny charged with domestic terrorism, FBI investigates parents, siblings removed from home, computers confiscated, Johnny's Dad goes on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Scenario: Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee. He is found crying by his teacher, Mary. Mary hugs him to comfort him.

1976 - In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes on playing.
2006 - Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces 3 years in State Prison.


Somewhere, we screwed up.

Music to my ears

These days I'm enjoying Christmas music. My current faves are:

expecting 3to4 inches (for more info on this great collection, click here)
Alabama Christmas
Avalon's Christmas album
Bing Crosby's Christmas album

I'm Putting My Foot Down (and sleeping on the couch)

I rarely post any of those many forwarded e-mails that I receive, but this one is a classic:

Guys are taking over, and here are the rules, women:

1. 1. Men ARE not mind readers.
2. 2. Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down. We need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.
3. Sunday sports. It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides. Let it be.
4. Shopping is NOT a sport. And no, we are never going to think of it that way.
5. Crying is blackmail.
6. Ask for what you want. Let us be clear on this one: Subtle hints do not work! Strong hints do not work! Obvious hints do not work! Just say it!
7. Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.
8. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's what we do. Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.
9. A headache that lasts for 17 months IS a problem. See a doctor.
10. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. In fact, all comments become null and void after 7 Days.!!!!!!
11. If you think you're fat, you probably are. Don't ask us.
12. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one.
13. You can either ask us to do something or tell us how you want it done. Not both. If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.
14. Whenever possible, please say whatever you have to say during >commercials.
15. Christopher Columbus did NOT need directions and neither do we.
16. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings. Peach, for example, is a fruit, not a color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is.
17. If it itches, it will be scratched. We do that.
18. If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," We will act like nothing's wrong. We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.
19. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.
20. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine... Really.
21. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as baseball, the shotgun formation, or golf.
22. You have enough clothes.
23. You have too many shoes.
24. I am in shape. Round IS a shape!

Can I get an "AMEN"?!

Fritos

I have a new favorite type of chips: Chili Cheese Fritos. They really are addictive. I can't get enough of them. I tried Fritos when I was a kid and hated them. They tasted like mothballs (not that I ever snacked on mothballs) and gave me a weird feeling in my chest which I now know as heartburn. So, it was with some skepticism that I tried the Chili Cheese version. I loved 'em! And, notice, 0 grams of TRANS FAT. For those of you who know my eating habits you know that this is very important to me.

I've only had to turn to Pepcid AC twice.

Command Performance

Two of my former youth group members (and on-call babysitters), Abby and Alex, tear it up at Nampa Christian High School's variety show (or something like that).

My run-In with the law

Children of the Snow

The day after Thanksgiving, we headed up to Donnelly to the Taylor cabin for some fun in the snow. Actually, if you must know, Marc and I made the trek so we could watch the Boise State vs. Nevada game (which by the way catapulted Boise State into it's first ever BCS bowl). Anyway, Talisha captured the 2 days with her camera (hence, the absence of any embarrassing pictures which would, of course, be posted).


Trey and Emme bravely embark on a tubing adventure with yours truly. They had the cush ride. My rear-end was dragging the whole time. I was quite frozen by the time we got back. They laughed gaily, hopped off, and headed off to the world of snow angels, while I groaned, pulled my aching hindermost portions off the tube and headed off to the world of Icy-Hot.


Kassady spent most of her time eating the "white stuff" and trying to feed it to Addison. Seriously, that's all she wanted to do.


Let's just say that Lori wasn't waving by the time she returned from this little trip. I was pulling her with the 4-wheeler. Many a marital crisis has started with a scene like this.


Kassady spent the entire ride trying to scoop up the snow and put it in her mouth while we're flying along.


Trey's snow ninja castle (no, I don't know, either).


By the end of the day, we had figured out that it was more fun to ride the tube this way. The only negative is that you eat snow the whole way...which Kassady liked.


Kassady and I made the trip eventful. Kassady enjoyed pushing the throttle, which didn't always make for a smooth ride.


We finished the day with Moxie Java (toasted marshmallow hot chocolate for me) and a GI Joe card game for Trey. All good.

up

OK, I'm rolling again, thanks to my Clearwire antenna.

ARRGGGGHHH

I have this love/hate relationship with my internet provider, Clearwire. When it's working, I love it. I like the equipment and I think that long-term it's going to take off. However, every once in a while it just blows up on me. That's what I'm facing right now. I can't upload pictures (I have several I would like to share) or videos (one that you really want me to share). Right now I can't even check e-mail. I'm hoping that this post will actually make it. We'll see.

You have to appreciate irony. The one week I have an opportunity to update my blog, I'm stuck with slow to stagnant web access.

New Graphics

As promised, here are the graphics for the upcoming Liberty Quartet release, "There's a Testimony". You are the very first to see them (aren't you lucky?). Thanks to Jon Plank for some great design work. The CD will be available in December. We have a small order (200) being rushed to us for the December 17 concert at Grace Bible Church in Nampa, ID. I'll also be bringing several CDs with me when we go back east for Christmas. The rest won't be in until after Christmas. Click on the pictures to increase the size:

Cover design and first page of the insert.

Inside insert

Back of CD

Design behind CD

CD label (blue line won't actually be on CD)

Gamer

Here I am trying to distract my opponents by making Pac-man sounds while laying down my cards (sounds like: woop-woop-woop-woop). Works every time. You can also observe Diane cheating. She's looking over Doran's shoulder at his cards. I knew that she wasn't winning just based on talent.

In my steps

By the way, I found it heartening to discover that Trey is following in my footsteps. On the morning of Thanksgiving, he remarked out of the blue, "I really wish we could have stromboli for our Thanksgiving meal." Skip the turkey, Jack. He's a good man.

Thanksgiving

The Waggoner family enjoyed a fanastic Thanksgiving! While the rest of you were gorging yourselves on turkey and such, we feasted on honey-baked ham and beef tenderloin (excuse the drool marks on this post; I'm trying to wipe them off). Oh, was it ever delicious.

With Ray and Lenea McCrary moving back to Indiana, we were in a lurch when it came to Turkey Day. Normally, we would get together with the McCrarys and the Ritcheys. Everybody else around here has their families close by and so we orphans would get together and cry over our cranberry salad. Not that I ate the salad. I just cried over it.

However, our good friends Marc and Talisha invited Doran, Diane, Lori, and I (along with our munchkins) to be part of a Thanksgiving Day celebration. We had a great time! As you can see from the picture above the table was full of food. While Marc was taking the picture, we quieted our rumbling guts and pasted on our plastic smiles all the while smelling the wonderful aroma of holiday food (ah, there I go again...wiping off saliva). We were hoping that he would hurry up and take the picture because we were starved. All I had to eat before our 1:30 dinner were 6 Chili Cheese Frito chips. Yes, I counted them. I don't know why, I just did.

After an hour or so of fine dining and sophisticated conversation (insert smart-aleck comment here), we kicked off a spirited game of Apples to Apples, which I highly recommend to those of you who enjoy group games. We then followed that with a few competitive rounds of Pit. Truly, a great day.

That evening Marc, Doran, and I went over to the church gym for some basketball. I didn't embarrass myself, which these days is as good as it gets. Good stuff!

In all seriousness, it is a wonderful thing to have good friends. The older I get, the less I take them for granted. I'm a blessed man. Yeah, I guess you could say I'm thankful.

Story of Poultry's Cousin

Happy Thanksgiving!

I remember sitting in my Grandma's living room several years ago when the subject of Thanksgiving dinner came up. "Well, I guess I better start looking for the turkey for our Thanksgiving meal," Grandma said. I just couldn't take it anymore, so I piped up, "You know, I've never really liked turkey. It's way too dry for me."

"I've never liked it, either", said Dad's voice from the recliner.

"We've only had turkey because I thought you guys liked it", Grandma said. "I don't really care for it myself."

We had been eating turkey for years. That Thanksgiving we had ham.

True story. The end.

A Near Myth

Were you ever told obvious myths as a child, myths delivered by an authority figure with the intent to alter your current behavior? The one that we've all heard is "if you keep twisting your face up like that it's going to stay that way." Is there anyone who can produce a documented story of a child poking out their eye as a result of running with scissors? Heard that one. "If you don't quit fighting with your brother Santa's not going to bring you any presents (this didn't come from my parents by the way; so it failed to bring about desirable results)!" Early to bed, early to rise, make a man health, wealthy, and wise. Yeah, right.

I found myself using the "poke out the eye" warning the other day, as Trey ran through the house with a fork in his hand (don't ask). He gave me a puzzled look, then said, "oh" and put the fork on the counter. I'm currently creating my own weird combinations of plausible outcomes:

If you don't eat your chicken, your spine will turn to rubber.
Listening to Celine Dion music leads to immorality.
Assembling 500-piece puzzles increases a person's ability to understand technology.
A pretzel a day keeps the orthodontist away.

Preface them by saying to children and underlings, "I've heard that..."

Sorry, I was just in a weird mood tonight. This topic slightly reminds me of my grandmother's insistence that the Russians control our weather. They do this by beaming satellite rays (no, I can't define what a satellite ray is) into the heavens. Our tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes are related to the Communists quest for world-wide domination. Maybe she's onto something. Besides, Steward McBurney said so...

And, no, mom, people can't look at you through your computer monitor.
I'm going to die for that one.

Cover #9

You guys are fantastic art critics. I am now bringing my artistic concepts here first. You had some good ideas. #9 is the cover pick. I'll upload the artwork in a little while. Great comments.

I'm listening...

I'm listening to a bunch of new music this week. Every once in a while I like to expand my musical borders. It's very easy for me to get stuck in the Southern Gospel rut (which isn't all bad), while ignoring the wealth of today's musical talent. A group whose music I'm enjoying is Irish Christian band Ceili Rain. They have an interesting sound that reminds me of what would happen if you fused the Corrs and Iona together. However, the music is much happier. Ear candy, if you will.

And I know this is pathetic, but I've just started listening to Carrie Underwood. Yeah, I know, if I was a true American Idol fanatic I would have already contributed to her massive fan base (or not, if you were more into Bo). But, I didn't get turned onto AI until last year, so I pretty much ignored her run to the top in 2005. I do like her CD, though.

Sorry, Faith Hill.

Also on my listening list for the week are:

Building 429: Rise
POD: Testify (really, really heavy; don't recommend for the weak of heart)
David Crowder* Band: Collision A (actually, this is a great album)

Trick-Or-Treat

Trey and Kassady pose with LeRena Ezell before embarking with Mom, Talisha, and Emme upon a night filled with fun and plunder. Trey enjoys giving the thumbs-up symbol for everything. How's that appendix, buddy? Thumbs up. What do you think about soccer? Thumbs up. What's your take on "Cars"? Two thumbs up.

They weren't sure of Bob's intentions when he opened the door.

Emme wasn't too sure she wanted any of the Waggoner candy when I met them at the door.

However, she quickly got over it.

Legacy Five

Last night Legacy Five was featured in concert here in Nampa. It was great to be able to be with the guys again and hear what's going on in their ministry. Liberty sang 3 songs before the start of the 2nd half, while Testament, a fantastic trio from First Church of the Nazarene consisting of Boyd Hoops, Mike Wiebe, and Carey Cooke, opened up.

I'm here to tell you that Legacy brought the house down. I've been to probably 10-12 L5 concerts since they formed. Last night proved to me that they have taken their music, performance, and energy to a whole new level. To be honest, in the past, their songs haven't wowed me. Yes, they would have a great song now and then, but as a whole their albums didn't have anything that set them apart from everyone else. And then came "Live in Music City". For those of you who don't have this new project (DVD or CD), you need to go buy it. Immediately! It is full of GREAT songs, material that puts them on a whole different plane.

Not only have they chosen their songs wisely, they have also gelled as a performance team. Last night they were exciting! The missing link was Frank Seamand. He has definitely come into his own in the last year or so. He brought an energy to the stage that has been missing in the past. I've seen them several times without Roger, but this was the first time that I didn't miss him. And that's nothing against Roger; he's one of the best emcees in the business right now. But this group has finally emerged from his shadow. Scott Fowler did a fantastic job emceeing last night, while Scott Howard and Glenn Dustin added to the performance with their dry senses of humor. Tim Parton is filling in on piano, and I'm here to tell you the guy is amazing! He didn't miss a note, while playing fills and solos that Roger would be proud of.

They began the concert with a charisma and sound that can only be described as aggressive (in a positive way, of course). They owned it from start to finish. And, they have added an overt evangelistic thrust to their concert. Nearly all of the guys shared their personal testimony, and Scott gave a moving invitation that I'm sure several responded to. Itwas awesome!

Some of the songs they sang last night were Strike Up the Band (an exciting, high-energy concert opener), I Found Grace, The Blood Covers It All, I've Been Changed, Peace, The Right Side of the Dirt, Truth Is Marching On, Precious Jesus Hold My Hand, I'm Winging My Way Back Home, His Name Is Wonderful along with more of their classics. It's one of the best concerts I've been to for a while. Legacy Five has taken it up several notches. They have established themselves as one of the elite groups in the SG genre.

We (along with our families) enjoyed hanging out with Legacy Five and our good friends the Graffenbergers at Dennys following the concert. The guys flew into Boise to meet the bus. Unfortunately, 50 miles outside of Boise the bus's turbo system gave out. Gary, Legacy Five's bus driver, called Royce at 11:30 Monday night to ask if he knew of a place he could take it. He had driven it to the outskirts of Boise and he said smoke was just rolling out from under the bus. He thought that the bus was literally on fire. Fortunately, he was just around the corner from the only diesel shop in town that stays open all night. Gary didn't get much sleep Monday night, so he spent Tuesday crashing at a hotel. He was feeling pretty good by the time he got to Dennys.

I'm convinced Scott Fowler is going to run for office someday. He ought to. If you want to hear some passionate commentary get him going about the recent elections.

Overall, it was a great night. You're not going to find many groups who can match Legacy Five in spirit, performance, or integrity. Go buy their DVD and see what I'm talking about.

Take your pick

OK, sorry about the absence. I'm back. And, no, I'm not going to quit blogging. It just might be a while between posts during those busy times. I'm currently working on a new album concept for Liberty quartet with my good friend Jon Plank. I already know what we're going with, but just for kicks and giggles (nope, never understood that phrase either) I want to hear from you. Which one do you prefer? If you pick the right one, you might win...well, no, to be honest, you're not going to win anything. Just let me know your favorite:

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Crossroads

Loyal readers (all 4 of you), I am at a crossroads. I have thoroughly enjoyed my blogging endeavor the last year and a half. It's been a lot of fun and I have been able to connect with so many people. However, it's getting harder and harder to update on a consistent basis. My schedule is getting busier each week (at least that's the way it seems) and I'm finding less time and inspiration. So, I'm either going to retire or just do it whenever inspiration hits me. I'm still debating... I'll let you know in the next few days what I decide.

Yes, I voted.

#5

Pictures from Trey's 5th birthday party. Witty commentary to follow. I'll be back from Arizona on Tuesday.