Every season of life has it's moments. Tonight, for example, Adam rolled over for the first time. I love that I was there to see it and yet I realize that as quick as it came a season has passed. I will never have this moment again. Adam, like my other children, is growing and growing and growing... and I would have a better chance of holding back the tides than to hold back the growth of the four Thomas kids. But I will say, at every moment of their life that we've shared, it's been the best season of my life. James Barry, the author of Peter Pan, said, "God gives us memory so we can have roses in December." True, winter roses are hard to find, but I dare say they are not forgotten.

So are those past days of little feet that kicked out of control, and dark nights pierced with hungry cries. When 1,2,4,6,7,3,9,1,8 becomes 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9... Clumsy feet and ugly ducks become Swans dancing on misty lakes and Kisses on the lips turn into kisses on the cheek. But each seasons has been the best I have ever had.

I am not sure what lies ahead... Today has enough for itself.

Years apart and each their own. None of them the same yet bonded together. Following in the footsteps of the child that has gone before them and yet making their own path.

Again, I am not sure of what the seasons will hold in the future, but I know it will be the best one I have ever had.

peace.
johno~

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

43% of Americans carry a balance on their credit card.
One in 6 families with credit cards pays only the minimum due every month.
With a minimum monthly payment of only 2% required on a card balance of $10,000 at 18% it would take 58 years to pay off the entire amount, with the cardholder paying $28,931 in interest. By paying a minimum monthly payment of 4% a cardholder would pay the same $10,000 off in 15 years and pay only $5,916 in interest.

Today, Dawnette and I paid off our 2 credit cards. NO MORE CREDIT CARD DEBT! YIPEEE! Yeah, it took a while and we learned some things the hard way, but we rejoice today as we are one step closer to being debt free.

peace.
johno~

Tonight was a night I'll not forget. July 4th, 2006. It's the night to celebrate our freedom, our independence... Children of all ages gather around to see the wonderful display of "fire in the sky" as professionals put on a brilliant show with "ooooooh", and "aaaaaaaaah!"

"Sweetheart, Let's gather the kids and head for the river for the show spectacular!"

Of course, our kids don't like the loud bangs, so we brought ear plugs for their little ears. We had our chairs and water bottles and even some candy to snack on. JACKPOT!

I even brought my camera to take some pictures. BTW, taking pictures of fireworks is not as easy as it looks.

We made it to the trail that sits across from the park that displays the Show. I had just set up my camera and snapped a couple test shots and then...

A LARGE FIREWORK EXPLODES about 25 feet from where we are sitting. Immediately the brush catches fire and the nice breeze we had helped assist the blaze that started.

Having worked as a fire fighter, my experience kicked in and I knew being up wind would be a good start... However!

Many people started running across the trail into the field, which was knee high with weeds and sage brush. That's bad. I thought, if that blaze crosses the trail, they'll never out run the flame...

We had packed in chairs for everyone, which I could care less about,,, As a matter of fact, I think my nice mag light is out there... But my wife grabbed children and chairs and bags and anything and anyone else and gave the official retreat call.

Before I could turn around they're running into the field... Remember, that's bad. So I called to them and told them to "STOP, GET OUT OF THE FIELD." My wife and 3 of the kids heard me and came back and moved up wind back to the trail... But, not Hannah. She was running for her life in the wrong direction.

I don't think I could type letters large enough to let you know how loud I yelled her names. Watching the fire lick the edge of the trail, I ran and yelled louder. Why couldn't she hear me. I'm not sure how, but after a few "HANNAH STOP!" she did. I grabbed her and moved up wind away from the fire and met up with my family.


Now, if you think my kids are freaked out about the noise fireworks make... I'm not sure they will ever be the same with any fireworks. PERIOD.

Now, my thanks to God. We arrived at the trail late. Our "regular" spot was taken so we move up the trail about 50 feet. The spot we would have been sitting at was engulfed in flames.

God is good. He has saved my family once again.

peace.
johno~