I have juste recently gotten into playing online multiplayer games. One I particularly like right now is Trukz which is a trucking simulation game. Doesnt sound exciting does it? Well there is a certain level of excitement, not that of games such as WoW is for some people. What makes this game interesting, is that it takes a lot of real life concepts of trucking (sorry no lot lizzards) and makes it part of this game. You have to start at the bottom driving solo or working for a company. Either way the point to the game is to be the best, and for some that is creating your own company and making it the best or just being the best driver.
The game isnt just about hauling cargo from one place to another, there are other changing aspects in the game that keep it interesting, although there are some things that I think would make it even better, but its a good game regardless. Check it out and see for yourself.
Look me up once you are there, jayman32878.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
What I have learned after 12 years
This is a little long.
Today, I have been married to the same wonderful woman for 12 years. My wife and I dated for 3 years during high school, it was the first real relationship that either one of us had been in. Here are some highlights, and some things that I have learned over the past 12 years.
Getting married right out of highschool is crazy! Plain and simple, dont do it unless you are 100% sure that you are marrying your 'soul mate'. It's not easy going from living in a house with people that provide for you, to living in a house where you have to be the provider. I think its even harder than being a bachelor, although I never was a one.
Trust. This is a huge deal in any relationship, especially a marriage. You have to be able to trust your spouse, if you are not able to, you have a rough road ahead of you.
Individuality. You are who you are, and your spouse is who they are. You cant make someone what you want them to be. Your differences compliment each other more than you could ever know. There are definitly going to be things they do that bug you, or even make you mad, but there are just as many things if not more that you do that causes the same feelings for them. You have to learn to live with your differences, and be able to use them to strengthen your marriage.
Pain. You cant solve each others problems. Although, there are times I wish I could make them go away, or take sicknesses upon myself just to ease her suffering, I cant. It isnt about solving or taking away problems, its about supportive, loving, helpful, listening. There are things that will come up that can almost drive you to your end emotionally, physically, or spiritually. It's coming through these things that can bring you closer together.
With both of our children, it was a long road in getting them here. We went through 3 difficult pregnancies. With our oldest she was in and out of the hospital, from week 6 through delivery (c-section 4 weeks early). She was sick the whole time and had to have a couple different central lines so that she could get the nutrition that she and the baby needed, since she was not able to keep much of anything down. Two years later we went through a miscarriage at around week 5. This was a devastating experience for her as is for any mother, and I still to this day do not know how to feel about it. A little over 6 months later she was pregnant once again. It is hard to hear that when just a short time ago you lost something that you never really had, and you are not sure that you can handle going through it again. Fortunately we didnt go through that experience again, but we went back to the same thing we went through when she was pregnant with our oldest. This time it was a little different. Overall it was the same situation, except there were things that were better this time, and there were things that were worse. She was able to be more active but some of the problems were more serious than before. In a 4 year time period, we spent 16 months in and out of a hospital, with questions of our childrens health, my wifes health, and the path our lives were on. Both of our children are very healthy, Brayden will be 8 next month and Haley will be 5 in January.
Sacrafices. I quickly learned about this one. I never realized how much things would change once I got married. I just assumed since we were "always" together when we were dating, marriage wasnt going to be much different. Well, lets just say I was dead wrong! You soon redefine what the word "always" means. Sure the first year or so it was great since you got to be with each other all the time, and you are still on the high of being married to your one true love. It started to change when I wanted to do things that didnt involve both of us, like golfing or fishing. Oh, I still did them, and she was for the most part okay with it, but it was a lot different than before. It's different because now that you are married, expectations are higher, not necessarily your expectations, but the expectations that others hold you to. You quickly start feeling guilt by just thinking about doing something without your spouse. My in-laws for the most part expected me to be a perfect husband and work 40 hours and clean and mow yard and a million other things. My mom, and grandma thought that she needed to be the perfect wife, keep our house spotless, cook me a 3 course meal every night, and thats all the farther I will go into that (keep it SFW).
Regardless, there are going to be sacrafices in your life when it comes to marriage. The choice you have to make is what you are going to sacrafice, when are you going to make the sacrafices? Are you going to sacrafice time with your spouse and children to do things with your friends? Are you going to cancel that golf trip so that you can be home? I can tell you that if you always sacrafice time and activities with your family, you will lose your connection and possibley your family; and if you always sacrafice time and activities with your friends, you will lose your mind, and possibly your friends. Part of a successful marriage, is sacrafice. You dont have to do everything with your family, but you should be willing to do anything for them.
Have I ever had the 'What If?' thoughts. Definitly. What if I dated more before I decided to get married, what if we would have waited a couple years while we both went to school, what if I decided to live on my own for a while first.
Even though I have had these thoughts, it doesnt mean that I regret anything, because I dont. I dont think any of that needed to ever happen, I feel that the way everything happened is the way it was supposed to, the way it needed to. There is something about being married to your highschool sweetheart. I am blessed to have been married to my wife for 12 years, and look forward to several more.
Today, I have been married to the same wonderful woman for 12 years. My wife and I dated for 3 years during high school, it was the first real relationship that either one of us had been in. Here are some highlights, and some things that I have learned over the past 12 years.
Getting married right out of highschool is crazy! Plain and simple, dont do it unless you are 100% sure that you are marrying your 'soul mate'. It's not easy going from living in a house with people that provide for you, to living in a house where you have to be the provider. I think its even harder than being a bachelor, although I never was a one.
Trust. This is a huge deal in any relationship, especially a marriage. You have to be able to trust your spouse, if you are not able to, you have a rough road ahead of you.
Individuality. You are who you are, and your spouse is who they are. You cant make someone what you want them to be. Your differences compliment each other more than you could ever know. There are definitly going to be things they do that bug you, or even make you mad, but there are just as many things if not more that you do that causes the same feelings for them. You have to learn to live with your differences, and be able to use them to strengthen your marriage.
Pain. You cant solve each others problems. Although, there are times I wish I could make them go away, or take sicknesses upon myself just to ease her suffering, I cant. It isnt about solving or taking away problems, its about supportive, loving, helpful, listening. There are things that will come up that can almost drive you to your end emotionally, physically, or spiritually. It's coming through these things that can bring you closer together.
With both of our children, it was a long road in getting them here. We went through 3 difficult pregnancies. With our oldest she was in and out of the hospital, from week 6 through delivery (c-section 4 weeks early). She was sick the whole time and had to have a couple different central lines so that she could get the nutrition that she and the baby needed, since she was not able to keep much of anything down. Two years later we went through a miscarriage at around week 5. This was a devastating experience for her as is for any mother, and I still to this day do not know how to feel about it. A little over 6 months later she was pregnant once again. It is hard to hear that when just a short time ago you lost something that you never really had, and you are not sure that you can handle going through it again. Fortunately we didnt go through that experience again, but we went back to the same thing we went through when she was pregnant with our oldest. This time it was a little different. Overall it was the same situation, except there were things that were better this time, and there were things that were worse. She was able to be more active but some of the problems were more serious than before. In a 4 year time period, we spent 16 months in and out of a hospital, with questions of our childrens health, my wifes health, and the path our lives were on. Both of our children are very healthy, Brayden will be 8 next month and Haley will be 5 in January.
Sacrafices. I quickly learned about this one. I never realized how much things would change once I got married. I just assumed since we were "always" together when we were dating, marriage wasnt going to be much different. Well, lets just say I was dead wrong! You soon redefine what the word "always" means. Sure the first year or so it was great since you got to be with each other all the time, and you are still on the high of being married to your one true love. It started to change when I wanted to do things that didnt involve both of us, like golfing or fishing. Oh, I still did them, and she was for the most part okay with it, but it was a lot different than before. It's different because now that you are married, expectations are higher, not necessarily your expectations, but the expectations that others hold you to. You quickly start feeling guilt by just thinking about doing something without your spouse. My in-laws for the most part expected me to be a perfect husband and work 40 hours and clean and mow yard and a million other things. My mom, and grandma thought that she needed to be the perfect wife, keep our house spotless, cook me a 3 course meal every night, and thats all the farther I will go into that (keep it SFW).
Regardless, there are going to be sacrafices in your life when it comes to marriage. The choice you have to make is what you are going to sacrafice, when are you going to make the sacrafices? Are you going to sacrafice time with your spouse and children to do things with your friends? Are you going to cancel that golf trip so that you can be home? I can tell you that if you always sacrafice time and activities with your family, you will lose your connection and possibley your family; and if you always sacrafice time and activities with your friends, you will lose your mind, and possibly your friends. Part of a successful marriage, is sacrafice. You dont have to do everything with your family, but you should be willing to do anything for them.
Have I ever had the 'What If?' thoughts. Definitly. What if I dated more before I decided to get married, what if we would have waited a couple years while we both went to school, what if I decided to live on my own for a while first.
Even though I have had these thoughts, it doesnt mean that I regret anything, because I dont. I dont think any of that needed to ever happen, I feel that the way everything happened is the way it was supposed to, the way it needed to. There is something about being married to your highschool sweetheart. I am blessed to have been married to my wife for 12 years, and look forward to several more.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
50 Years of Highschool
Here are the best of my Yearbook photos for my years of high school.
1980
1984
1990
1980
1984
1990Thursday, July 31, 2008
Haley's Surgery
Today, we were on the road at 6:30 to come to quincy, for Haley to have her tonsils taken out. This isnt the first time we have been down this road. She is 4 now and had her adnoids taken out when she was 2.
I consider myself pretty tough when it comes to dealing with pain. This is one of my biggest weaknesses, seeing one of my kids suffering. I am the kind of dad that when I have to spank (yes i do spank), afterwards I feel like a complete tool. I dont know that anyone really sees it but it kills me.
She will be staying here overnight and then should be going home by lunch tomorrow. It doesnt seem to be a mojor surgery, but to me its a big thing. I love my kids more than anything, and I get scared at the thought of anything ever happening to them. Am I paranoid, or just a caring parent?
I consider myself pretty tough when it comes to dealing with pain. This is one of my biggest weaknesses, seeing one of my kids suffering. I am the kind of dad that when I have to spank (yes i do spank), afterwards I feel like a complete tool. I dont know that anyone really sees it but it kills me.
She will be staying here overnight and then should be going home by lunch tomorrow. It doesnt seem to be a mojor surgery, but to me its a big thing. I love my kids more than anything, and I get scared at the thought of anything ever happening to them. Am I paranoid, or just a caring parent?
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Power User
I use Yahoo messenger a lot, but today when I sent a message to someone it came up with another window stating that I am a "Power User". I am one of the top Yahoo Messenger users, how crazy is that? Anyways I looked into it and evidentally I get all kinds of "Benefits" that normal users dont get.
1) Exclusive online indicators as seen below.
2) Special Avatar items that I will more than likely not use.
3) 24/7 Live support just for Power Users. Not sure I would call customer support for anything Yahoo Messenger related. I hate calling support for anything.
4) I am first to know about benefits and Power User Giveaways. Maybe I will win a purple Corvette with a big yellow Y! on the hood. Sure I would drive it.
Ok, so is this the status that everyone strives for? Probably not even close but hey I am still a "Power" something.
1) Exclusive online indicators as seen below.
2) Special Avatar items that I will more than likely not use.
3) 24/7 Live support just for Power Users. Not sure I would call customer support for anything Yahoo Messenger related. I hate calling support for anything.
4) I am first to know about benefits and Power User Giveaways. Maybe I will win a purple Corvette with a big yellow Y! on the hood. Sure I would drive it.
Ok, so is this the status that everyone strives for? Probably not even close but hey I am still a "Power" something.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Photo Scavenger Hunt
Tonight we did our bonus 7th week of our 6 week competetion series on teamwork. We did a photo scavenger hunt, where I made up a list of 30 clues of places in Macomb that they had to figure out, and then have one team member have their picture taken in front of the building or sign for this location. They were given 45 minutes to go across town to get as many pictures as they could.
One team got almost all of the clues figured out but only 13 pictures taken, and the other team got almost all the clues right with 23 pictures taken. The youth really got into it, and it was great to see students that are normally not involved, be a part of this and having a good time. The student leader concept worked out great, and the teams really worked together.
We closed the night out just relecting over the 7 weeks, and what were the best parts. I also said that we will be doing more team competetions in the future that will be primarily lead by student leaders. I had them look around the room and find those that they thought would not make good leaders, these are the ones that are going to be your leaders at some point. Sometimes the most unlikely people end up being the most prominent leaders.
After these 7 weeks I am really stoked to do something like this again! It is an amazing experience for the youth as well as for me.
One team got almost all of the clues figured out but only 13 pictures taken, and the other team got almost all the clues right with 23 pictures taken. The youth really got into it, and it was great to see students that are normally not involved, be a part of this and having a good time. The student leader concept worked out great, and the teams really worked together.
We closed the night out just relecting over the 7 weeks, and what were the best parts. I also said that we will be doing more team competetions in the future that will be primarily lead by student leaders. I had them look around the room and find those that they thought would not make good leaders, these are the ones that are going to be your leaders at some point. Sometimes the most unlikely people end up being the most prominent leaders.
After these 7 weeks I am really stoked to do something like this again! It is an amazing experience for the youth as well as for me.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Teamwork Series
Last week we finished up a 6 week teamwork series. We broke the youth group into 2 teams by drawing names from a hat. From the very beginning it looked like a lop-sided battle. My team was primarily guys and Susans was mainly girls.
Week1 - Strength
Talked about Samson, and how he had physical strength, but ended up lacking the strength to with stand nagging, and caused him to lose his physical strength. He finally through one last event became victorious by getting back in tune with God.
Week 2 - Integrity
Went through the story of Joseph. Everything that he went through in his life, he always had integrity. He didnt lose sight of God, and never gave up on doing the right thing.
Week 3 - Endurance
We talked about Job, and how he was able to endure all the trials that he faced. He didnt lose sight of God, he even went as far as to curse the day that he was born, but wouldnt curse God. Through losing everything, and facing these trials, he was blessed with twice what he had before.
Week 4 - Honesty
Discussed Proverbs 12:17, 16:11, and how honesty is something that God desires in us. People that are honest in life are treated differently, not always better. Honesty many times hurts people, and can cause hard feelings, or break friendships. Although, being honest isnt always easy, it is important to be honest with people.
Week 5 - Teamwork
Talked about 1 Corinthians 12:14-26. We discussed how the previous 4 weeks had to do with teamwork. Being a part of a great team requires all these things. Being on a team isnt always easy. There are times you are on a team with people that you cant get along with or dont like you, or even that they are not the brightest people. Talked about what it meant to work on a team, and that the rest of their life was going to be full of being on teams in some way.
Week 6 - Leadership
After talking about the essentials of teamwork, we talked about how every team that is going to be effective, or successful needs a leader. Without a leader, there is no clear direction. It is likely that we will all be faced at some point in life with a position of leadership, we need to know what it takes to be good leaders.
These 6 weeks fit together better than I had ever imagined it would. There was an overall good response from students in and after service. I felt like this series flowed well together, and lead perfectly into our bonus 7th week. A scavenger hunt, where 1 student on each team is going to be the leader.
By the way, the team with mostly girls wiped the floor with the team that was mostly guys. It was a great 6 weeks.
Week1 - Strength
Talked about Samson, and how he had physical strength, but ended up lacking the strength to with stand nagging, and caused him to lose his physical strength. He finally through one last event became victorious by getting back in tune with God.
Week 2 - Integrity
Went through the story of Joseph. Everything that he went through in his life, he always had integrity. He didnt lose sight of God, and never gave up on doing the right thing.
Week 3 - Endurance
We talked about Job, and how he was able to endure all the trials that he faced. He didnt lose sight of God, he even went as far as to curse the day that he was born, but wouldnt curse God. Through losing everything, and facing these trials, he was blessed with twice what he had before.
Week 4 - Honesty
Discussed Proverbs 12:17, 16:11, and how honesty is something that God desires in us. People that are honest in life are treated differently, not always better. Honesty many times hurts people, and can cause hard feelings, or break friendships. Although, being honest isnt always easy, it is important to be honest with people.
Week 5 - Teamwork
Talked about 1 Corinthians 12:14-26. We discussed how the previous 4 weeks had to do with teamwork. Being a part of a great team requires all these things. Being on a team isnt always easy. There are times you are on a team with people that you cant get along with or dont like you, or even that they are not the brightest people. Talked about what it meant to work on a team, and that the rest of their life was going to be full of being on teams in some way.
Week 6 - Leadership
After talking about the essentials of teamwork, we talked about how every team that is going to be effective, or successful needs a leader. Without a leader, there is no clear direction. It is likely that we will all be faced at some point in life with a position of leadership, we need to know what it takes to be good leaders.
These 6 weeks fit together better than I had ever imagined it would. There was an overall good response from students in and after service. I felt like this series flowed well together, and lead perfectly into our bonus 7th week. A scavenger hunt, where 1 student on each team is going to be the leader.
By the way, the team with mostly girls wiped the floor with the team that was mostly guys. It was a great 6 weeks.
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