Weekend Rehash
Someone has a case of the “Mondays.” Oh wait, it’s me.
Last weekend started early for me. I had Friday off so we could learn our babies gender. In case you did not read my post from Saturday, we are having a baby girl. This should help balance out the amazing amount of testosterone that screams through my two boys (and their daddy). This will also give mommy an excuse to buy cute girl clothes she has been looking at for three years now. I have a feeling I am going to be learning a lot about princesses, pink, ponies, and baby dolls in the near future.
We had a small get together on Saturday.
We took in coats, blankets, toys, and canned goods for our local homeless / underprivileged population. I was blown away by the response! I thought at most we would see a couple of each item. Shoot, I was not even sure, for awhile, if we would have more than a couple of guests. By Friday we had about 15 RSVPs. Saturday, we had several unexpected (but welcomed) guests show up and drop off stuff. Many of our neighbors, some who could not stay for the party, dropped off items. By Sunday night we had over 100 items to give away! To all who attended, thanks a ton! You are really helping to make a difference in an impoverished city. The support from our family, friends, and neighbors was awesome. Thanks again!
Sunday…yea.
While my boys napped, I got to watch Atlanta ALMOST pull out a victory over the Saints. Would have been great, but hey, you cannot win ‘em all (or at least, they cannot win seven of them….). I lost in our fantasy football league, throwing me out of the playoffs. At first I was upset and acted like a baby. Some of the circumstances surrounding the loss were pretty unfair. But I have moved beyond it all now. Life can often be not fair. I think it is important to react better than I did.
Alrighty then. I hope you all have a good Monday.
-Don-
The News Has Leaked
Thanks for all your ideas, even if they were in vain.
Yesterday afternoon, we got our ultrasound. We were going to hold the results until after our party tonight, but that did not happen. Loose lips sink ships, and spoil surprises.
I was trying to hold out on one person in particular so she would not play Chris Johnson this week in fantasy football. But I could not hold back. She is too cool of a person to be left in the dark (unlike some of you…I kid, I kid).
Anyway. Back on track. The Dudley household will be treading new waters as we welcome our first baby girl into this madhouse full of boys (sometime early May). Her name will be Abigail Ryan. She will be cute. And I will have to buy big guns that hold a lot of bullets. Beware any baby boys and toddlers out there who think they can date my daughter.
Thanks for all the boy names, but those will have to wait until next time. Or until we get a puppy (who should be named Ramses…)
-Don-
Baby Gender Day!
Can’t wait.
Guys, this has been a great week. I have gotten to share comments and get to know a lot of people this last week, including the cool dude from the Eastern Orthodox church who has added a bit of historical lessons to the comments. Thanks so much to all who have stopped by this week to partake in some pretty cool discussions, etc.
Today, I am taking a break.
The main reason is, we are going to the doc to find out the gender of our third baby (who is obviously still in the womb). I have been sworn to secrecy about the gender until after tomorrow night. So, you probably won’t read about it on here until Monday. Oh, and if it is a boy, we do not really have a name picked out. If you have any ideas, put them in the comments.
Have a great weekend everyone!
-Don-
Taking Care of Others.
Build new family traditions.
This post is going to seem immensely practical, and it is. I am not trying to uncover some deep truth or come up with some witty philosophy. If we read the Scriptures, we will see countless times we are to take care of the poor among us. Check out the Gospel’s as well as 1 Tim 5. These should be enough to stir things in your heart to help others.
I am guilty.
I would rather have an iPod Touch and a $4 peppermint mocha than help those in need. I think most of us want Play Stations and nice cars more than we want to glorify Christ and help others. We can explain it away all we want, but if I asked you to sell your prized gadget, flat screen TV, or video game system to help the poor, would you? Reality says, most of us would not.
After all, Why should I change?
One reason is, I have a family. I have two boys who look up to me. If they see daddy as someone who always gets what he wants, they will emulate this. If we treat Christmas and the holidays as a gluttonous, gift receiving extravaganza, than that is all my boys will ever know. I don’t want that. I want them to love others and for them to not be selfish. I don’t want them to be like me. I pray they have a heart for those in need and a willingness to sacrifice wants and comforts to help them.
What can we do to help others instead of ourselves?
There are many things we can do to help those in need and to get our focus off of ourselves. I have made a list of ideas I want to try over the holiday season (Thanksgiving to New Years).
- Serve a Thanksgiving dinner to a family who is in need. This means buying, cooking, and delivering the food with my kids. (Ok, maybe not the cooking part so much, they are pretty young).
- Serve at a shelter several times over the next two months.
- Donate canned foods to a shelter or church.
- Sell something of value and buy gifts for needy children.
- Donate blankets and coats to families in need.
Want to help?
I like to present things as a challenge to others. Many of you have already thought of how you might give more or help others this winter. That is all well and good. But if not, why not join in the fun? In the comments, leave your ideas or how you plan on helping those less fortunate than you this year. If you live in my area, let me know if you and your family would like to partner with us on our adventures.If you have a creative idea on how we can help and reach more people, leave those in the comments as well.
-Don-
