Books for 2014

Planning the books I want to read during a year helps me remember what I want to read next. At the beginning of the year I went through each shelf of my library, examining all of my books and determining which ones to keep and which ones to get rid of. Some got tossed because I read them and didn’t like them enough to keep. Others got tossed because I realized I was unlikely to ever read them. Of those I kept but have not read, the following 23 jumped out as ones I am most anxious to read. It is unlikely that I will read all 23, and it is unlikely that those on this list will be the only ones I read this year, but it is where I am starting.

1. TheoMedia by Andrew Byers

2. Freakonomics by Levitt and Dubner

3. The Normal Christian Life by Nee

4. In the Presence of My Enemies by Burnham

5. Secret Believers by Brother Andrew and Al Janssen

6. Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

7. Heaven by Randy Alcorn

8. Half-Life/Die Already by Steele

9. Fantasy Life by Matthew Berry

10. Eleven Rings by Phil Jackson

11. For Men Only by Feldhahn

12. The Pilgrim’s Progress (in modern English) by Bunyan

13. The Case for Christ by Strobel

14. Mighty Be Our Powers by Gbowee

15. A Voice in The Wind by Rivers

16. The Lacuna by Kingsolver

17. Life of Pi by Martel

18. Speaker for the Dead by Card

19. The Gunslinger by King

20. Captain America Omnibus by Brubaker

21. Uncanny X-Force: Otherworld

22. Uncanny X-Force: Final Execution Book 1

23. Uncanny X-Force: Final Execution Book 2

I am also going to try and keep up with what comics I read this year. Between Christmas and now I have I gorged myself on new comics, reading 18 graphic novels.

Graphic Novels/Collected editions read in 2014:
1. Thor: God of Thunder Vol 1: The God Butcher

2. Thor: God of Thunder Vol 2: The Godbomb

3. Green Lantern Corps Vol 1: Fearsome

4. Green Lantern Corps Vol 2: Alpha War

5. Green Lantern – New Guardians Vol 1: The Ring Bearer

6. Age of Ultron

7. Shazam! Vol 1

8. Batman Vol 1: Court of Owls

9. Batman Vol 2: City of Owls

10. Wonder Woman Vol 1: Blood

11. Wonder Woman Vol 2: Guts

12/13/14. Avatar The Last Airbender – The Search Parts 1, 2, & 3

15/16/17. Avatar The Last Airbender – The Promise Parts 1, 2, & 3

18. Batman Vol 3: Death of the Family

Books of 2013

This post is for me. Just to put it out there so I can go back in look at it in the future. But if case anyone does read this I guess I will say a few words about each book.

Books Read in 2013:

1. Serve God, Save the Planet by Matthew Sleeth

The Sleeths have written quite a few books in the last few years. This I find to be the best and most compelling. It is hard to read this book and not change some of your energy consumption habits.

2. Beautiful Outlaw by John Eldredge

A book filed with conjecture but also one that helps us imagine a Jesus full of life. We read about Jesus in the Bible and find very compelling stories, but often they are read with such a serious tone that Jesus feels a bit like a guy who sucks the fun from a party. The book reminds us that Jesus was many times the very life of parties, that he was a man with emotion, not a stoic.

3. The Time Machine by H.G. Wells

What a weird book this is. Mid-century fiction is so very odd.

4. Love Does by Bob Goff

Bob Goff lives life to the fullest and this book makes you want to as well. Take chances. Live with risk. Do radical things with love. A great book.

5. The Princess Bride by William Goldman

I love this movie. Top 5 all time for me. The book is just as fun as the movie. The movie is very faithful to the book, so the reading the book felt like filling in the gaps. And it is written in such a interesting way, being told as if the author was translating a historical book and cutting out all the boring parts. Sounds weird but works so well.

6. O Me of Little Faith by Jason Boyett

I really like Jason Boyett’s books. His Pocket Guide series is informative and hilarious so I was naturally interested in what his memoir would be like. Turns out this guy wrestles with so many of the same doubts I do. I loved his honesty.

7. World War Z by Max Brooks

Could not be more different from the movie. A great take on the Zombie Apocalypse.

8. Blood, Sweat, and Prayers: Medical Missionary Stories edited by Knighton

I like missionary literature because it reminds me of the worldwide church and it reminds me that God still does miracles today. Not the best one I ever read but good all the same.

9. The Butterfly Effect by Andy Andrews

This isn’t a book so much as a short story with pictures. Given to me by my grandmother-in-law, it was an entertaining read for the 10-20 minutes it took to read. Not what I would call inspiring.

10. A Dream So Big by Steve Peifer.

This was my favorite book of the year. Of all on this list, this is the one that deserves its own post the most. I met Mr. Peifer this summer at a conference. We were in the same van and he was loud and a bit obnoxious and I really liked him. The next morning we had breakfast and talked a little, finding common ground in Asbury and friends who served in similar areas oversees it wasn’t until that night that I discovered he had written this book. The conference gave away free copies and I read it almost immediately. This man’s story is amazing. A regular dude with a tragic story that God redeems. A regular dude who saw a need among the children of Kenya and then did something about it. Just read it. You won’t regret it.

11. The Last Season by Phil Jackson

So much insight into Phil’s relationships with his players, his mind tricks and his struggles during his first last season with the Lakers. I know he and Kobe have since reconciled but the insight from this book into who Kobe was as a younger player is fascinating (spoiler alert: he was a selfish, maniacal, unteachable jerk). I enjoyed this one quite a bit.

12. Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

I didn’t see the movie. I read the book on a recommendation by my brother. It depressed me to no end. Some books are so enjoyable you never want them to end. I wanted this one to end as fast as possible. Not because it is poorly written but because it so effectively twists your emotions. Ender’s life sucks and I was sad/mad/and horrified by it the whole time.

13. Why My Wife Thinks I’m an Idiot by Mike Greenberg

Mr. Greenberg, your wife thinks you are an idiot because you ARE an idiot. I liked you before this book. Reading your inner thoughts were near repulsive. You should pay people to burn this book.

14. House by Dekker and Perretti

Listened to this on CD while driving. I didn’t like it.

15. Man’s Search For Meaning by Victor Frankel

Amazing book. Firstly for its incredible look into life as a prisoner of Nazi Germany and secondly for its wonderful theory of Logotherapy. Read it.

16. The Big Year by Mark Obmascik

My family loves the movie and when we found it was a true story and there was a book detailing that story, we all wanted to read it. The book is incredible and made me appreciate the movie even more.

A nice moment at breakfast with Uncle Matthew

My brother Matthew came to visit us in Indiana for a week in July. There were a few days, Thursday-Sunday, that Abby was gone to visit a friend and Matthew and I had Eli duty. We had a great time together visiting the park (multiple times), playing outside, and generally just hanging out. There is one moment I want to remember forever.

We were sitting at the bar eating cereal for breakfast. Eli was siting in between Matthew and I. At one point he looks over to Matthew on his left and puts his arm on Matthew’s arm. The he looks over to me on his right and puts his hand on my shoulder. Then he looks back to Matthew. Then he looks back to me. And again at Matthew, then me, than Matthew, then me, then goes back to eating his breakfast.

It was like he was saying, “Well, fellas, this is nice.”

I really enjoyed Matthew being here and having that moment with his brother and nephew.

NEEDTOBREATHE Conert

Abby recently worked the concert Fandana music festival at Huntington University. She let Alex and I use her pass and her friend’s pass to come in to see the last concert, NEEDTOBREATHE.

They play southern rock music and really know how to put on a good show. I have their first two CDs and really like both of them but haven’t paid much attention to them since. I enjoyed the new songs enough to go purchase some of them.

One of the things I liked most about the concert is that it felt a throwback to when bands jammed more. They extended songs, played to the crowd, had sing-a-longs,  covered songs, and generally just had a good time playing music. Definitely a band worth seeing. Even better if you can see them for free.

Turning 28: The Golden Birthday

March 28, 2013 I turned 28. My golden year (the year you are the same age as your birth day).

My actual birthday was pretty cool. Abby was very nice and got me a few “day of” gifts. One was our traditional giant birthday card.

Then there was the Happy Birthday sign that read “Hadpy Birthpay” because someone on the assembly line put the letters in the wrong place. Hilarious. We are keeping it for every birthday.

Abby also blew up a bunch of balloons to have at the house. Eli LOVED them and played with them a ton. He really like to a) lay on them and b) kick them.

Eli helped me open my gifts.

My first was an apple core-er. Because I loved eating peanut butter and apple slices. Seriously. Like every day.

 

My second day-of present was the movie Wreck-It Ralph. We all really like this movie, Eli especially. He thinks Vanellope Von Schweetz is hilarious. I think Sour Bill and King Candy are hilarious.

Abby also got us Wreck-It Ralph and Fix-It Felix toys.

More kicking of the balloons.

Full speed.

Lining it up like a corner kick.

All of that was nice, but my REAL birthday gift was going to Chicago for a concert. I had strep throat and felt awful, but I told Abby, “I will go to this concert on a stretcher if I have to.”

And why is that you ask?

Because it was freaking Sigur Ros!

Months before I was checking out their website in the hopes that they might have some US dates. I fell in love with the ( ) album my freshmen year in college. Sometime in my sophomore of junior year they played in Nashville and I didn’t go see them. I always regretted it. So, for the last seven years or so I have been trying to find a way to see them. And low and behold they are playing in Chicago. Abby agreed to get me tickets for my birthday and I was so happy.

It was a great concert and was definitely a band on my concert bucket list. Happy birthday to me.

 

 

Eli’s Graduation Video

Abby has already given her spin on Eli’s graduation so head over to her site to see all the pictures of the event. Here is my take on it. It is a joke. These kids are so young. Do some of them enjoy doing a little song and dance, sure, but I don’t think most do and I know for sure Eli doesn’t. And what are they graduating from? The two year old room? It’s the same mentality that gives every kid a trophy and awards for “2nd most improved.”

Was it a great pre-school? Yes. Is it important to celebrate milestones? Yes. But we don’t need a two-year old graduation ceremony.

Here is my contribution from the event. A video of Eli’s misery. Poor kid. But it is kind of funny.

Eli Update: May 2013

And I’m on a roll. Here comes the May update.

Here was a fun moment from breakfast one morning. Thankfully this happens every once and a while. Hopefully it continues to happens for many years to come. Just Eli and Daddy eating cereal together.  

Eli and his Gamma and Gampa reading together.

Eli and Mommy. He is such a happy boy.

So you can tell we had a few cold days in May. Eli loves to play outside. Sometimes that incorporates walks with our wagon (which you will see more of latter.)

Don’t you love the dinosaur boots and hat?

And then not that longer latter we are outside in shorts and a t-shirt.

I don’t ever remember playing with a felt board but Abby apparently does. Eli likes the one she made for him.

Eli loves his chair. He falls asleep in it (and then we move him to his bed), takes naps in it, reads books in it, and one morning we found him sitting in it playing a drum. We sit in it every night when we read the Bible before bed.

We were hanging out one night at Abby’s parents and, well, I don’t remember what happened, but Eli’s clothes were dirty and Alex offered one of his shirts. Then he and Alex started playing with light sabers and in that shirt, he looked like a little Jedi.

Back outside walking around the neighborhood with our wagon.

I am so grateful my little boy gives me kisses. I know this wont last forever, but it is sweet while it lasts. I love him so much.

We have an AWESOME local park. These are just a few pictures form one of the smaller areas of the park.

Love hanging out with my little boy. After we have eat dinner and play I sometimes give him snacks before bed.

That smile.

Goodnight Eli.

That was May.

Eli Update: April 2013

Wow. It has been a while since I have blogged. I basically just do this as a personal family record now, so sorry for anyone who wishes I did it more often.

Eli was hanging out in a car and fell out onto the concrete. He was fine. Just scraped up his face a little. He is all boy and tough.

Will me maybe have a tap dancer in our future?

Eli really likes ice cream. What kid doesn’t? He doesn’t really like the cookie pieces of the ice cream sandwich, mainly just the middle.

Fist bump.

Like a good boy, bringing mommy a pretty flower.

We were so lucky to have Jenelle McClean come visit us in April. She is such a good friend. We love any chance we get to see her.

Little Eli just chompin’ on a muffin.

Just a fun day hanging out outside. It was still cold back then.

He is a cute kid.

We love stickers. And every once and a while, we go crazy with them.

We bit a lot of train tracks. Trains are one of Eli’s favorite things.

The classic big wheel. He is, unfortunately, not big enough to get his feet to the pedals yet. But that doesn’t stop him. He still loves to roll around in it.

With kids, everything is a toy. Just Grandpa Chuck and Eli playing with a box mover.

One of the local supermarkets has toy cars on the front of their carts for kids. Eli loves them. It really helps grocery trips go better.

This is back when we were still using the nebulizer. We have since switched to a smaller inhaler. These 15 minute medicine times have been shortened to 10 seconds.

Flying like superman.

Superman!

Abby bought Eli these cars. He immediately knew what to do with them.

We are so hipster.

You know, sometimes you just like to hang out in your underwear.

Memory: A nice afternoon

I have occasionally written down some moments Eli and I have shared that I want to remember. Here is a recent one:

I had been working like a madman at work. We lost someone from the office in December and already it was April and we still didn’t hadn’t had our two new hires start. I was overwhelmed with the amount of work and was working a lot of late nights. One afternoon i asked Abby if she minded if I stayed late again. She said yes, but soon after we got off the phone I changed my mind. I missed my family and didn’t want to miss another afternoon/night. I was so glad I went home. Eli and I spent the afternoon bouncing a yoga ball outside, running after it, kicking it, pushing it. Oh, and I also introduced him to Gatorade and he loved it. Definitely an afternoon I want to log away.

Later in the week I stayed home with him. One thing I want to remember from that day is, in the morning I was getting dressed so we could go outside to play. I grabbed my purple Asbury shirt and he said, “Cool. Daddy cool.”

Yea. You remember that son. Daddy cool.

Eli Update: March 2013, pt 2

I was so excited to have my Mom and Dad come visit our new home this March. I am pretty sure they flew in on the 7th and flew out on the 18th. We did a terrible job of documenting their trip, taking almost zero photos of anyone but Eli (shocker). Most of the trip Mom and Dad kept Eli during the day while Abby and I worked, with us spending time together on the weekends and during two days  I took off to stay home.

As I pulled into the garage with Mom and Dad, Abby and Eli were standing in the doorway waiting. Eli saw Dad through the windshield and just started yelling, “PA! PA! PA!” It was like he couldn’t believe he was here.

Mom of course has a whole suitcase of gifts. A month later, Eli’s favorite is by far the Superman blanket she sewed him.

 

Eli is really draw to Dad. He will just crawl up in his lap and sit. A quick shot of them reading a book together.

Eli LOVES to run back and forth across our library area. I will jump over him as he runs and he is totally fearless.

Mom helped Eli jump over me.

In the words of Eli, “ready. set. GO!”

Growing up.

I love seeing him sitting in a chair reading by himself. He likes this chair so much we moved it into his room.

He is a sweet kid. He is going through the terrible twos, but we are doing ur best to get through it. Amazingly, when we sit him in his time-out chair he doesn’t try to get down. He may scream and cry, but he doesn’t even try to get down until we say he can.

Mom and Dad said to us, “Take us to see the Amish.” Kind of a funny request, but we decided we could take them up to Shipshewana. We spent the day driving up, walking around, eating, and then driving back. This is the only picture we have from that day.

And then, of course, the day Mom and Dad leave we try and get some shots of them with Eli.

We loved having them visit.

Mom and Dad, come back soon.