Extending the Family

20 July, 2010

Mick My Thoughts , 8 Comments

It seems that the three of us will soon be the four (or five?) of us.  We found out a couple of weeks ago that our family is going to grow.  I could not be more excited!  My wife is not really looking forward to process over the next nine months, but I can safely say that we are both excited about the new kiddo.

If you have any name ideas, please post them in the comments.  My wife wants Gilgamesh for a boy, but I told her that’s too medieval.  Just look at the picture of the dude, no way I’m naming my kid after that guy.  Although, he does have a sweet beard.

My wife’s grandmother was a twin, so there is a slight possibility we will have twins.  At this point we do not really want twins, but that is not really for us to decide.

So it looks like we will have two diapers to change early next year.  We’re sure on the due date, but hopefully that will be figured out relatively soon.  Either way, I can’t wait for our family to grow yet again.

How NEET Are You?

16 July, 2010

Mick Christianity, Community , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

After a conversation with one of my friends about the impact Dragon Quest has on Japan (I’ve heard that half of Japan shuts down when a new game is released), he informed me of major cultural issue.  An epidemic of non-motivated people generally between ages 15 & 34 has swept the country of Japan.  These people are called hikikimori, or are described with the acronym NEET ( Not in Employment, Education, or Training).

The hikikimori end up getting so caught up into video games, manga, and anime, that they have no desire to be involved in society.  No job, no school, no family.  I read in article that says over 600,000 people in Japan are considered NEET.  It’s kind of depressing to think about it.

I’m wondering if we are entering into a time of that within the United States.  There has been a sharp rise in college graduates moving back home for several years before they get a job, and lack of motivation has a strong influence on this.

The worst part of it all is that someone has to enable them.  Without a job you cannot buy your basic needs, which means that whoever the sluggard is living with is supplying the needs.

Proverbs 6:6-11 says:

6 Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise!

7 It has no commander,
no overseer or ruler,

8 yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.

9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard?
When will you get up from your sleep?

10 A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest-

11 and poverty will come on you like a bandit
and scarcity like an armed man.

I’m not sure about you, but this verse is warning enough for me.  Sure, I play video games, watch movies, and read comics, but it is in a fair balance with everything else that happens in my life.  May none of us ever fall into the category of NEET.

Christmas Traditions

19 December, 2009

Mick Christianity, My Thoughts , , , , , , 4 Comments

Christmas is a time when so many families carry out annual traditions.  Every family has their own, whether it be to gather around a piano and sing Christmas carols or enjoy the company of family and friends.

Every Christmas Eve, my dad would cook breakfast.  His most legendary achievement is what we have come to call JBP (Jim’s Breakfast Pizza).  Don’t get the wrong idea, the only thing that made this a ‘pizza’ was the fact that it was round.  I don’t think that eggs on a pizza crust would be appetizing.  The closest I can come to describe it is a breakfast casserole.  My parents will be in town for Christmas, and hopefully I can learn from the master how to make this wonderfully delicious meal.

We would always go to a candlelight service at our local church.  This was probably my favorite part of the holiday.  Often times, the sanctuary would only be lit with a few stage lights and candles burning around the perimeter.  The service would go through the story of Jesus’ birth, and then end with a time of prayer.  Even as a kid I loved just sitting there and praying while people would quietly take communion and leave.

Once we got home, we would open one present before going to bed.  Then the long, sleepless night would come.  Often times I would be so excited about the next day that I couldn’t fall asleep.  Oh the joy!

On Christmas morning I would jump into bed with my parents and sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Jesus.  I know this is probably not the actual day that He was born, but it’s when we as Christians celebrate his birth.  So what better way to start than by singing ‘Happy Birthday.’

After opening presents, I would run off and play with my new plunder of toys while mom and dad would slave away in the kitchen for our big dinner.  Most people cook a ham on Christmas, but we always did another Thanksgiving dinner.  It was awesome!  After taking a nap from all the food we would gather around the table, eat snacks, and play Clue.

This routine happened almost every year while growing up, and I loved every moment of it.  Now that I have my own family, new traditions will be started.  There will be some from my childhood, some from my wife’s childhood, and some new one’s that my kids will be able to enjoy.  I know one thing is for sure… we’re having breakfast for dinner on Christmas Eve.

10 Things I’m Thankful for in 2009

26 November, 2009

Mick My Thoughts , , , , , 2 Comments

1. A beautiful, healthy family
2. My new guitar (Fender Telecaster)
3. New friendships
4. The house we live in
5. Crossroads Christian Church
6. Lots of coffee
7. Expanding collection of vinyl
8. AVOIDING A ZOMBIE INVASION
9. My car is still running well
10. Having a job that I love

I’m an Uncle

10 June, 2008

Mick My Thoughts , , , Leave a comment

My wife received a phone call from my father-in-law today out of the blue.  He received a letter from his daughter, whom he had not talked to in over ten years.  If you do the math, that means that she is my sister-in-law, and until today, I really did not know much about her.

Come to find out, she has two kids.  I’m an uncle!  After looking at her blog (full of pictures), it feels as though I met someone of great importance.

But what should I do from here?  Do I leave a message on her blog stating that we are related?  Posting would be somewhat weird, especially if my wife has not yet made contact.  And should that be the first way I try to talk to her?

I’m an uncle.