Blake’s Christmas List

The stores have starting bringing out their Christmas stuff, and the worship channel was playing Christmas tunes. However, the most compelling reason for this is that my sister already has her list out. So here is mine, or at least so far…

1. Star Wars -
Action figures loose or in the package
Legos

2. Pathfinder Bestiary
http://paizo.com/store/blog#v5748dyo5lakh

3. Gift Cards –
Itunes - I love downloading episodes of TV shows, cartoons or songs that get stuck in my head
Amazon - They really are very flexible.

4. Light tracing box at least an 11 x 8.5 size or bigger. (If you buy on-line try Dick Blick, if not try Hobby Lobby or Micheals)

5. Anything Mouse Guard or by David Petersen the guys art work is amazing http://www.mouseguard.net/index.htm

6. A healthy happy baby, to help me play with my new action figures, and to build dreams with those legos. Oh I am so sappy.

7. Family and friends across the world to go to a church Service even if it is the only one they go to all year.


... and of course as always donations to local animal shelters, the Covenant Church or any other socially conscious organization made in my name are always appreciated.

Baby names are hard...

So as most, or many of you know, we are pregnant. In March there will be a new Craig, and our Doc thinks boy. A long time ago we settled on William kind of a family tradition on my side, but not really. Every first born boy has been named Brent, and then called something different. My dad was named Brent and people called him Bill. My brother Brent is called Barney. So you can see why it is weird. I always new my dad as Bill Craig, but liked William better and...Well, anyways we have been using a website to track the babies growth and they suggested we should start building a name list, and of course now I kind of want to make a new one. Geez this is hard there are so many of them. Any suggestions?

Pretty sure Labor Day made more work...

So, I came back to work today from what can only be classified as an emotionally draining weekend. In doing so I found a nice letter from the Sub, and lots of work left to do. E-mails and phone call that had been left unattended, and work world in shambles. If that wasn't enough my girls team is short players so we had to re-arrange an entire schedule. I do not mean to complain, but the day after Labor Day is a lot of work.

My baptismal testimony (8-23-09)

Hi my name is Blake (hi Blake!) I was 14 when I first accepted Christ into my heart. Since then I know I have broken hearts, broken laws and have made choices that where not glorifying to God and for which I carry guilt that affects me emotionally and spiritually still to this day. What always amazes is me that even though I turned my back on Christ and was even angry with him for things like, when my Grandma died with complication from diabetes, or when cancer took my dad's life, and when I had no place to go because of a messy divorce. God never let me go. He showed me ways out, He lifted me up, and he healed my heart with his unending gift of grace.

I know I did not and do not deserve that grace, but for some reason the God of all the earth loves me.

So, why get baptized now?
No# 1 God said so, and I may not be able to keep all his rules straight, but I can take a bath for Jesus.
No#2 Jill and I are on the edge of our bigger life together, and it is time to man-up and be deliberate about what I believe, and what I declare is my faith.
No#3 God has given me so much in my 33 years to prepare me to be a better husband, a better friend, and hopefully a better father and if that wasn't enough he gave me Jill, someone who loves me, and though I may not always see it. Her love for me is a powerful Christ like love, and one day we will have a family, and I want my children to know this story and that faith is a big deal to daddy, and however they come before Christ Dad believes this to be an important part of that faith journey. I want to be a good example for a change. I am just thankful to have found Grace at this time in my life, and the people here to let me wash myself in their church.

Thank you and God bless.

A little Irish blessing

Well, what a weekend. We started off hanging out with our friends the Walkers on Friday night, we did the 12 hour stint as proctors for the CFA exam and then after a good church service we went out to lunch with the family of the little girl Jill watches. The lunch was nice, both the mom and dad are great people, and the dad is a DnD player from way back, like I am, so that was nice. Yet no matter what we talked about. It was clear that we had two very special people in common Jill and Rory. My wife has the amazing ability to change you even a little bit when you meet her. Then take into account that she has been with Rory for 3 years. She has changed her diapers, potty trained her, and even taught her to be addicted to sweets at Starbucks. The family even made reference to what they lovingly call Jillisms. You know phrases that they know there is no way they said that, must be Jill. As we grow up, and talk about moving, dogs and maybe a family. Jill starts her Chaplinship, and that means no more taking care of Rory. I am not gonna lie both the Craig's will miss this little Girl. She has made us laugh in so many ways, and her personality is entangling. Well, like Jill said, "goodbye isn't forever."

Yet, as we move on so will time, and though the connections are strong they will become stretched, and so this is my hope for Rory:

An Irish Prayer
May God give you...For every storm, a rainbow,For every tear, a smile,For every care, a promise,And a blessing in each trial.For every problem life sends,A faithful friend to share,For every sigh, a sweet song,And an answer for each prayer.

Is this weird...? oh wait it's me.

So one of the items I asked for on my birthday wish list are Mighty Muggs www.hasbro.com/mightymuggs/ , any of them didn't matter which. Of course my amazing wife got me a Han Solo, or as she says Hans. Awesome, right? Well i have to be honest I think they are so cool and I want more. If you don't know what they are they are cool edgy action figures for the Eco- friendly over 25 possibly 30 crowd. The worst part is they remind me of my own art work, and they are all my fave characters from when I was a kid. So, is that weird?Well is it ...bub?

Hmm not sure how to say this...

You ever get to the end of something, and feel a weight on you that can't be described as depression, fatigue or even true anxiety. Because as you round the corner you start to realize that the truth is, it is just one more thing, and one more day. You can bury your thoughts in hobbies, or trying to spend your birthday money (thank you for that), but really you just want things to fall in place. Something secure and real, and then as you type your blog. It kind of gels you got things, you have people, and most importantly you got God. You can do anything, and overcome everything, but it is not on your time table, and no matter how overwhelmed you feel you are not doing it alone. So get up and take a stupid shower set your alarm, and get your game face on. Cause with God all things are possible, and you are glorious cause he made you in his image.