Category Archives: Family Funnies

“Happy Birthday, Gabriel!”

(This story was first posted on October 24, 2007)

Well, five years ago today, I held Gabriel in my arms for the very first time. For 9 long months Cindy was the only one who got to hold him, but on October 24, 2002, it was my turn. Wow! What a joy he has become to our family. Yes, God still does miracles today!

Last night after wrapping Gabriel’s present, Cindy made the mistake of letting him carry it up the stairs. Along the way, he conveniently and rather sneakily (Is that a word?) poked a hole in one side. Later he came to my office and asked to play with my flashlight. Being too busy to care about a flashlight, I happily turned it over to him and he left the room. Continue reading “Happy Birthday, Gabriel!”

A Little Crowded in Bed!

(This family moment was first published in 2007)

Almost every morning, between 3:00 and 6:00 a.m., Cindy and I get a visitor in bed with us. We have always laid down with the boys to put them to bed at night and we have always made room for them when they wake up in the middle of the night. Bryson outgrew the whole climb-in-bed-with-Mom-and-Dad-thing long ago. However, Gabriel, 10 years younger, is just hitting his stride. Each morning, here he comes.

Several years ago, Cindy’s folks gave us a wonderful queen-size bed. We love it. Although we only use a very small portion of the bed, it is Continue reading A Little Crowded in Bed!

Startled by God!

All of a sudden, out of nowhere, Cindy sucked in her breath and exclaimed “Do you see that?!” Startled by her reaction, I glanced around in a panic. We were approaching a busy intersection and I fully expected to see another vehicle about to hit us.

I followed Cindy’s finger as she excitedly pointed out the window. Thankfully, I discovered that her startled look came not from an Continue reading Startled by God!

“P-I-G – F-L-E-A – I-T”

The game is called “P-I-G – F-L-E-A – I-T.” It’s similar to “H-O-R-S-E” only with a unique, Gabriel-like flare.

The family and I were having one of those no good, very bad days. You know, the kind that features a full-blown rain cloud hovering overhead and the haunting sound of Eeyore’s voice resonating through every decision you make. With shoulders sagging and Continue reading “P-I-G – F-L-E-A – I-T”

The Ugly Dress

It was obvious I had made the wrong comment almost from the moment the words left my mouth. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

Before telling you my story, there are three important details you must understand:

  1. I love her very much, but she’s only been part of the family for 8 months.
  1. I’ve never had a daughter before.
  1. It was Halloween, a detail to which I should have given a lot more consideration.

Here’s what happened… Continue reading The Ugly Dress

All Tucked In

It was Sunday morning, the first day of a meeting in New Albany, Indiana.  During the song service, Cindy whispered to me that our five-year-old, Gabriel, needed to go to the restroom.  Since there would be several minutes before I would be introduced to speak, I volunteered to take him out.  We both took advantage of our visit to the restroom, then returned to our seats.

Several minutes later, I was ushered onto the stage. In keeping with the traditionally correct standards of most churches, it has always been my custom to wear a suit jacket on Sunday morning and for at Continue reading All Tucked In

If Chickens Could Talk

It was a beautiful spring day! The front door was left open to enjoy the breeze. I was in my office at one end of the house while Gabriel and his grandmother were mixing up homemade bread in the kitchen at the other end. The sun was shining brightly, the enticing aroma wafted on the breeze, and all things seemed right with the world.

Then it happened!

All of a sudden, the distant squawking of a panicked chicken grew rapidly in volume until, in just a matter of seconds, it seemed like I Continue reading If Chickens Could Talk