Anticipation...

Before my random musings, I would like to say that I can't believe my baby girl will be five years old next week. In other news, we have been doing some leaf pile jumping and football banquets. We have been doing some ballet and tap dancing. We have been watching Christmas movies and listening to Christmas songs. We have been watching football games and eating turkey leftovers. We have been spending time with family and friends. This really is the most wonderful time of the year, is it the warmth of momma's cooking or the warmth of momma's love? It is wonderful for many reasons but most wonderful because of the anticipation of the return of the Christ Child. But this time will be much different. He will not be confined by a human body and swaddling cloths. He will be clothed in majesty and His glory will unmistakable to those who have bowed the knee. I read something the other day that made me think how grateful I should be and how praiseworthy He is. It went something like this; "It was easier for Him to bear the cross, than to bear the thought of spending eternity without me." The fury of His love took Him to Calvary. Praise Jesus!

Tap Dancing Our Way Through Life

The Princess is now taking ballet and tap instruction. We have included a short video of her weekly class. My baby loves to dance, she loves to spin around, she's only three feet tall... she loves her teachers and lives for the next class. Her first recital is scheduled for June '09. Make plans now to attend the dance event of the year! We are trying to take it all in, before long she will be all grown up.

Last Move for a While.... I Hope...

Here is the front facade of the new castle. This house was vacated by some friends of ours so we "lucked" into it. We prefer to refer to luck as the providence of God. If you look closely you can see the Princess on the stairs. As a note of interest we just got back from Boone. We visited one of our "teenage children" and took in an ASU football game. They won and we had a great time on the mountain. Thanks to all those who helped us move. No thanks to my former "piano mover". Maybe next time.

First Football Game of 2008

Well, the first game of the season has finally arrived. D-man is number 11 for the Raiders (black pants/white shirts). He is playing wing-back or 3-back on offense and corner or outside linebacker on defense. He is doing well. He loves football. He didn't get much blocking in this video which was his first carrier carry in a full-contact game. He gained a couple of yards and did well throughout the game. They won 36-30. In ballerina/princess news this week... our princess had her first dance class today. She loved it. Mom said she giggled for the entire hour. Dad is looking forward to her first recital.

Happy Anniversary

On August 21st we celebrated 15 years of marriage. We went to the mountains for a few days. The weather was ideal. Every meal we had was just perfect. We had lunch at the Daniel Boone Inn, some good barbeque at Bandana's, another lunch at a sidewalk cafe in Blowing Rock, and a great italian meal at Casa Rustica. We started each morning with a gourmet breakfast at the Lazy Bear Lodge. It was the best B&B we have ever stayed in. The view was sensational, baby deer just a few feet off the porch of our bedroom, flying squirrels every night, and hummingbirds by day. We shopped in Blowing Rock and in Valle Crucis at the Mast General Store. Somehow we did all that and at the same time spent a lot of time at the lodge being lazy. We also reflected on years past. We have been so blessed. People we have known, friends we have had, children God has blessed us with (ours and others), we talked about all the exciting things we have done and places we have been, we have been and are extremely blessed.

Summer is Almost Over

There a couple of things that always signal the end of summer for me. One is smelling a little football in the air of a cool morning. D-man has been practicing this week for football. They have had all light practices with just helmets and cleats until today. Today was the first contact with full pads. I have been a little concerned that he would be a little timid about hitting. He is one of the youngest and smallest on the team. The video you are about to see is of his first hit ever. I was proud of him. Of course he draws an older, much bigger boy. D-man is the defender #3 in the video. He did great and had some good hits and great runs throughout the day. Hopefully we can get some edited clips up for you all in the near future. Everyone else is great. Next round of classes start for me on Monday. Wendy is still trying to decide some things about her career. But all is good. Thanks for your prayers.

Summertime Bloggin' Blues

It is very hard to blog in the summertime. At least 3-4 weeks of my summer have been spent in the absence of internet access. 98% of my internet time is spent in a seminary chat room or taking a quiz/exam. And then there is the hectic pace of summer. Someone has to mow the grass around here twice a week (used to have a friend who would do that for me). Working a "part-time" ministry job is always full-time. Playing outside with my bambinos... but enough excuses! The family update is as follows: the Wenge is busy canning tomatoes, green beans and freezing corn. She is also in the last preparatory steps of the next homeschool year. We have no idea what lies ahead for her on the career front. Just waiting on God to show us. I am about to finish a summer online session this week. I am starting to look for fall employment opportunities as my summer gig will be up next week. We are moving again. This time will be the third time in six months. D-Man is done with his second football camp of the summer. Practice starts next Monday. We picked up his equipment and uniform Saturday. The Princess is looking forward to being a mascot cheerleader. She wants her mom to make her a pink "Raiders" cheer outfit. She is starting to read pretty well now. Amazing how their little minds soak things up. I will try to put up another post in less than a month. Sorry again for the delay!

Independence Day

Many people have loved this country. Many men and women have risked their lives for these United States. Many not even knowing why they were willing to fight for her, they just sensed it was the right thing to do. Many have made high sacrifices, their own lives for this land. A few like George Washington, helped make it a place worth fighting for. Ronald Reagan once said, "Freedom prospers when religion is vibrant and the rule of law under God is acknowledged." This country is worth loving and fighting for because it was founded as an acknowledgment that it was under God. As I heard recently, we elect a president, not a god. No matter the circumstances here on this chunk of dirt hurdling through space, Jesus Christ is still on His throne. Only by acknowledging Him as King of your life can you experience pure independence. You can not celebrate Independence Day without knowing Jesus. I pray that the euphoric feeling you feel this year as you watch the fireworks causes you to think of the true and only real freedom available. "If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed." -- Jesus Christ, John 8:36

Very Funny Friends

It seems that you can't take a vacation from blogging. So much criticism if you just take a little break. Well, for general updating purposes... we spent a lovely vacation at the Outer Banks of NC. We played on the beach, fished, rode bicycles, played tennis and grubbed out on seafood. It was a very sublime time, it was great. D-man is done with baseball for the summer. He is going to football camp next month. Our little princess is trying to adjust to glasses. We found out she has a lazy optic nerve. The doctor feels it will mostly correct itself with proper use through the glasses since we caught it before age 7. Otherwise, she is great. Both kids just finished VBS, I taught 19 kindergarteners. We are all having fun at summer day camp. Wenge is doing well also. We are still working on housing options. If we move we will let some of you know, haha.

ESPN: Baseball Tonight

The Red Sox continue their amazing run leading up to the playoffs. After dropping their first two games of the season, the Sox have rallied to win eight in a row. D. King continues to improve in all areas of the game. Defensively, he has become a vacuum cleaner. Offensively, on the season King has a .737 batting average, 1.105 slugging percentage with 6 doubles and 4 triples, and 27 runs batted in. In other news, the queen and princess are doing well. They enjoy watching the boys at the ball field. The video here was provided by the queen on a cheap little still photography digital camera. I hope it gives those of you who missed the game or who miss our little baseball player an enjoyable moment in the Kingdom. Also, it is my pleasure to inform all of you that the king has completed one of his final exams. I think I did well but only the grade will tell. Thanks again for visiting our little page. Yert!

General Information

Well, today I thought I would give you all a break from baseball and football stories. Today's post will only include some baseball stats. Friday DK went 4 for 5 with no extra base hits breaking his streak of games with a double. Saturday though he went 3 for 3 and had a double and a triple. He is loving baseball. The princess of the Kingdom is just happy go lucky. She is doing really well in home pre-schooling. She can read lots of words and some sentences. The Queen is now a worker bee and she likes the work, she knows it well. She is adjusting to the long days and hard physical labor. She is a real hard-worker. The kiddos and I are making our best attempts at laundry, cleaning, cooking, shopping, etc. We will never be able to run a home as well as the Queen but we are getting better at it. It has been good to be near family for a change, playing with cousins, meals with grandparents and aunts and uncles. We miss the Spartans but know we are where God wants us to be right now, for this season in lives. We are anxiously listening listening for God to tell us what is next on our grand adventure. We are willing to do anything He tells us, just waiting.

NFL Draft Update

In our mock draft preceding tomorrows official NFL draft, we have Princess running back out of Tennessee moving up the draft board as the potential 1st pick overall. She performed well at the combine in North Carolina yesterday and should be an immediate impact player. She turned in one of the fastest times ever in the run from your brother race and scored well in the hula hoop high jump. She also ranked first in the hopscotch competition. The formerly projected number one pick, QB King, seen on the right, has dropped. Rumors have surfaced that he is considering being a two or three sport athlete and the football owners frown on this heavily.

Red Sox Pummel Pirates for First Win

The Red Sox started and finished strong today. With flashes of leather on the defensive side and hot bats on the other, the Red Sox piled it on today. After two tough losses the Red Sox rebounded today to pick up their first win. D. King was 2 for 3 with a RBI. King continued his hit streak and his doubles streak. King has a .636 batting average and a slugging percentage of .357 on the season.

Red Sox Drop Second in a Row

Red Sox came out on fire in the first two innings. They strung together two of the best defensive innings so far this season blanking the Orioles through the first two frames. However, the Red Sox could not stand prosperity and quickly let the Orioles back in the game eventually losing by a score of 21-18. D. King kept his hitting streak alive as well as his doubles streak. King has doubled in every game this season. In the loss to the Orioles he was 2 for 4, with a double and two RBIs. Defensively he made several outstanding plays. The Sox will be back in action Saturday vs. the Pirates.

Red Sox Lose Season Opener

D. King prepares to take a cut in opening game for Red Sox.
Farmington (AP) --
Last night, the Red Sox lost their opener in inner league play to the Dodgers. The Dodgers are favored to be at the top of the league all season. The young Red Sox came out swinging to take an early lead. In the bottom of the first, with two runners on base, D. King ripped one down the third base line for a two-RBI double. The Red Sox and Dodgers continued to pile up the hits until the Dodgers prevailed in the last inning. After the game King said, "I was kinda nervous. I was hoping we would win. But win or lose, I will praise the Lord." Later last night King was seen at a popular local spot, the Golden Arches. The Red Sox will enjoy an off day today while they regroup and plan to turn this year's start around.

Trucks and Cars, Cars and Trucks

Well, spring is really official now. I have an itch for a "new" car. We had planned for some time to sell our XTerra once Wendy's brother gave the original Red Van (RV) a thorough going over. That has been done. All she needs now is a set of shoes. So yesterday we had a family car cleaning day. We shined the Nissan and the van and some kid's bikes. We will try the one vehicle family thing for a bit. I don't see that working out too well. In an ideal world I would be buying a 911 twin turbo for the spring. I would settle for an old Jeep. As long as the top comes off of it I will be happy. But then there is practicality. Gas is going to be $0.25/oz soon and I need something to haul stuff around sometimes... so... I am hoping to find a little Mitsubishi Might Max, a Mazda B2000, an old Nissan Frontier or a 'Yota. I wish Honda made trucks back in the early 90's. So if you know anyone who wants a nice used XTerra let me know. If the sell goes through I will donate $100 to the charity of your choice.

Strange Place for a Redwood

Today I had to go apply for a replacement SS card. It seems I have lost mine. It actually had nothing to do with the move... I lost it a few years ago. Although I have a passport and can travel to most any country in this galaxy, I had to have one. So off I head to Salisbury, NC. Pastor Furches and I had a pleasant experience at the SS Administration office. We waited only about 7-8 minutes and the process took about 2 minutes. So off we head back home. Along the way we encountered this 150' tall Redwood tree you see in the picture. From a distance it rises majestically above the Carolina pines. Before you start thinking I am crazy or we got lost and drove to California... upon further inspection we realize the "tree" is a cellular phone tower! The cell phone tower was built next to a state historic site. The only way they could be awarded the building permit was to disguise the tower in a historic way. What could be more historic than a 400 year old tree? I am not for federal government regulation but I would not be opposed to this being required of all cell towers. Brilliant!

Just Keep Moving, Just Keep Moving...

See Cooter is moving! Well, if you have ever moved then you know the perpetual state we are now living in. Many things are "missing". They aren't really missing just not found yet. Sounds a little Armenian, but everyone knows moving is completely Calvinistic. If you don't believe this it does not matter because God is definitely a Calvinist. We have collected a lot to stuff over the years. A good "collection" policy is much like the one rule to being successful at grade school P.E dodge ball. Just keep moving. I know some of you are cringing right now as you remember being hit in the face by a kid like me. Just remember, it didn't kill you so it must have made you stronger.

In other news... the Lion's Den Academy, which offers bible based pre-school and elementary education, nursing and psychology degrees, and seminary training, is up and running. While the learning curve for the administration is still very steep, the students seem to be doing well. Pre-school is our biggest need for prayers. Some of our pre-schoolers are very independent and stubborn. Our seminary students have been entrenched in preparation for mid-term exams. They are now complete and spring break is here!!! Yee-Hi. The funding income of the academy is still at $0 per month. We hope to have two part-time donors within the next month.

We went to get driver's licenses today. It seems the easiest way to get a driver's license in this state is to wade through the Rio Grande and present fake documentation. We are holding out hope that tomorrow will be more promising.

The Domain of the Kingdom

Well, the bad news is that it is not the house some of you strained your backs to help us move to... but the good news it is not the house some of you strained your backs to help us move to! After much deliberation we have moved down the street about 1/2 block. The house is about the same size. It is very roomy and comfy for a royal family of 4. It has three bedrooms, two baths. It has a nice 12 x 20 den we have set up as a school room. In the mornings, Wendy is schooling our bambinos while I find a quiet spot in the house to read. Then in the afternoons I move to the Lion's Den for watching lectures and taking quizzes. Maybe we should have rented an old schoolhouse for our years of education. The kids are doing great, playing with cousins and aunts and uncles and of course grandparents. So far so good, but Wendy will be looking for a job next week. I will begin looking for a summer job soon as well. God has sent us down this path, He has never let me down. He never will. I am not saying times will always be this smooth, it may get rough during these next couple of years. But we know God is with us and trust Him to make us better for it on the other side.

What's Old has Become New Again

I can't show you pictures yet because I am on dial-up right now. But as of Wednesday night I will be on 5 Mg DSL with no land line. Poo on you BLomand! We are living among boxes and stuff that is all wrapped up. But, we are together. Things have changed a lot here around my ole' stompin' grounds. But some things are the same. Daniel's Little League coach was my coach when I was 16. We will be going to our old/new church for now until God shows us where we need to be serving and maybe that will be there. I think Wendy and I both would like to just sit in a pew for at least a few weeks, see what that is like. We are trying to settle in the house. We have water, power and soon to have ISP. We will gladly send you our new address via email. If you do not get it soon, then email me at timothybking@gmail.com. Later this week we will be sending out our new phone numbers, we do not have them yet. Stay tuned for more stories...

It's All Coming Together... or Apart???

Well, the contract on our house looks all but for certain. We are scheduled to close on the house on Friday, February 22. We will be packing it all up and convoying it east next week. We are still looking for an old black Trans Am to run interference for us to keep the fuzz off our tail. We have somewhere in the neighborhood of 62' of trailer space and one small UPS truck (owned by a local airline). Plus three pick-up trucks pulling the trailers. It is truly amazing how much stuff we collect. Next Wednesday after lunch we will be pulling into D.C. We can use all the help we can get to help unload. Free food and drinks will be provided. Anyone wishing to help out with online seminary classes during next weeks move... just call me for a reading assignment, quiz review or essay topic.

On a less serious note... I did get to do some muddin' this week. First time since I traded the Jeep in, little over a year ago. I was actually the navigator. Hooked up the tow strap and talked smack was really all I did but it was fun. Thanks to my ole Air Force buddy, Captain B.Fargin for providing the mud and the stuck vehicle.

Tomorrow is one of the first of many lasts for me over the next week. Tomorrow will be the last Pizza Hut lunch for our gang. This may seem trivial to some but pretty much every Friday of my life for the last several years was spent at the local Hut. We go there and catch up and share our hopes, dreams and fears. We eat pizza and drink diet drinks. We walk in to "our" table and sit down even if there are buses full of people waiting to get in. We eat from the buffet from our table not the bar. They make special pizzas for us. We get coupons and pay next to nothing for great pizza and even better fellowship. Tomorrow will be our last regular visit. I am sure that if I am ever in this town on a Friday in the future it will involve a Hut trip.

That's enough of that...

My Own Bucket List

My friend Rhino recently posted a blog titled "The Bucket List". His is pertaining to a movie and one of the things on his checklist of things to do before he dies. My bucket list is very different. Here is my bucket list, best I can remember: ham, hashbrown casserole, green beans, role, diet pepsi, Krystal shake, fries, corn pup, and an apple. We were leaving Thursday morning to go scope out some places to live for the next few months. We have had our parents, my little sister, friends and anyone else looking desperately for options in NC. I woke up early Thursday morning to a rumbly tummy. For the next few hours I stayed very near the bathroom. I will spare you the details but I hope and pray that none of you get this virus. Apparently it is going around. It reminds me of the time me and Rhino helped Big Nate move to Colorado. We drove for two days with a big UHaul trailer. Hitting speeds of more than double the little speed limit sign in the rear view mirror (the one the paint backwards on the trailer). As soon as we pull into the apartment complex we head for the office to get Nate's keys to the third floor apartment he has secured. I spent the next several hours near a bathroom. Then I spent the next 12 hours in Nate's recliner with my pillow and a blanket staring out into the Rockies. They say it was very forlorn of my future days in a sanitorium. During all this my buddies were carrying things up three flights of stairs, then rewarded themselves with some Outback Steakhouse takeout. I recall that particular part as being a little cruel. But I guess the deserve it since the only thing I carried upstairs was my pillow. Why do I tell this story? I think I am allergic to moving stuff...

Do You Believe in Circumstance?

Well, our house was on the market for about one week when we received three offers. We have accepted the best offer and have signed the contract to close on February 22. We have been praying all along that God would make this transition happen smoothly and in His timing. I guess we can't really complain if He has answered our prayers. It is definitely a bittersweet moment. We have made tons of memories in this old house. From fixer-up projects to all night XBOX parties we have had some good times. It has served as a home, church, playhouse, spookhouse and basecamp for many a special operation. We have made giant beams worthy of Build It Bigger. We have shoveled crap in the front yard, literally. We filmed a Ford truck commercial on our back porch, using an "As Seen on TV" gravel unloader. We scaled walls at death-defying heights to keep out the bugs. We have tossed flaming tennis balls on the back driveway in lieu of New Year's fireworks. We have taunted death by electrocution holding a 30' metal pole next to power lines while standing on a 20' stepladder strapped to the bed of same Ford truck, all in the name of "Happy Holidays". We have sacrificed burnt offerings of steak, chicken, ribs, hamburgers and the like. We have "installed" six "Fatheads" on the walls of this home. We filled our game room with 400 balloons which was only knee deep. We have won and lost SuperBowls and NCAA basketball games at all hours of the night. Good times that will never be forgotten...

Only Change Stays the Same

Isn't it funny how most of us do not like change? But it is one of the constants in our lives. Sometimes it seems to evolve like a snowball. One thing changes and it's surroundings quickly begin to morph as well. Some big changes are in store for our family. Hoping to move back to NC in the near future is one big change. Another change for me is a drastic change in my time management priorities. Most of my free time over the next 17 weeks will be devoted to reading, writing (but no rithmatic). So far I have enjoyed knocking some cobwebs out of my old noggin.

Wenge is working like crazy trying to keep the house in "show" condition. She has done so much to make the house presentable to prospective buyers. It looks so great... it makes it sort of hard to think of selling it.

The D-Man is playing basketball. He isn't nearly as passionate about it as he is football. He is doing well though, he plays great defense. He is already dreading the post superbowl down time. I am not sure if arena football will satisfy him.

Princess is learning in leaps and bounds from her reading tutor. She is doing very well and really enjoys learning and dancing for anyone who will watch. Stay tuned.

The New Year

We can not believe it is 2008. But we know it will be great. Hopefully, it will be relaxing and we can drown a little bait. God will open and close many a gate. If you are single you may get a date. Maybe with a girl named Kate. We pray your relationships involve no hate. Always remember to hug your mate. Especially if his name is Nate. Try to be on time and don't be late. The economy could get bad so mind your interest rate. Listen to more songs by a man named Tate. And always remember sometimes God says be still and wait...