Raising Kids

With our church hosting a Global Impact Celebration this weekend, we get to have a missionary speak during CONNECT group, so I get the week off from teaching.

The 1st speaker was great. Walker Moore, was here Wed & Thurs and he was both funny and challenging. Thursday was especially good. He talked about the concept of kids growing up, how they need to act like and be treated like adults at a specific time during their lives. I agree with the concept and can look back how in our son's lives how that has worked well for us and allowed our boys to learn some responsibility at a young age.

Tyler was a store manager of a dry cleaners at age 15, Corey has had his own business mowing yards for several years, and Brandon has had a job outside the home almost since the time he could drive. We have tried to make sure they are not given everything, and I feel they have an appreciation for the value of a dollar and that it is OK to work towards something before you get it.

I can just look around and still see people who call their 30 year old kids to get them out of bed in the morning so they are not late to work. The kids never learned any responsibility because they never mowed a yard or helped out around the house that I know of anyway.

Our boys are not perfect and have made mistakes, but the thing I am proudest of is that they have learned from the past and are better men today for it. No parent wants their kid to have to go through hard times or struggle with relationships or money or problems.

THAT is the point where kids have to grow up. When they go against the way they were raised and make a bad choice, they always know that love at our house is unconditional, but there are consequences for actions. When they take that responsibility, they become the men God wants them to be.

Jack blew it?

I can't believe it but Jack Bauer just let the Chinese get the circuit board and escape!! Today's episode of 24 was great!! Not only did Jack make a big mistake (which keeps the show on the air) but Bill Buchanan was fired by his wife! Great story lines are emerging, this is a well written show.

Now back to reality:

• New worship pastor accepted the call and starts in June! Can't wait, think he will be just what the church needs to continue the blessing's God is giving our church
• Spent last Wed-Fri in Chicago, hated being away from the family, but suffered through 4 star meals, 800 thread count sheets, and 3 kinds of creme brule` all at the same time! Life is tough sometimes.
• Helped scrub the outside of the Dear's new house Saturday got lots of sun and the house looks like new.
• God continues to bless our CONNECT group. Laura's 2 daughters were saved on Sunday morning, ate lunch with Amanda and Drason Sunday shared horror stories of raising 3 sons.
• The study of Romans is amazing! I am learning so much as I prepare the lesson about how God is working all around us.
• Actually using the treadmill, trying to get my summer body ready, it will take awhile I am sure.
• Pray for Global Focus this week at church, pray that God will speak to lives and people have the courage to answer.
• Thank God everyday for 1 thing he has done for you recently! It will make your day.

Easter Sunday

Here is my beautiful wife dressed up as the "Easter Bunny" with all of the little kids in the family. This has become a family tradition because the kids love it!!

We had great day in all respects. Church was super with salvation's at both services. Our Sunday School class had record breaking attendance with new couples joining and becoming involved in our church.

The lesson was out of Romans,

(Rom 1:4 MSG) his unique identity as Son of God was shown by the Spirit when Jesus was raised from the dead, setting him apart as the Messiah, our Master.

What a perfect verse for Easter Sunday where we celebrate the resurrection of our savior! That verse tells it all about why Easter is so important to Christians, it is that resurrection that sets Jesus apart from everyone else that claims any kind of power or ability to save us from our sins.

That should get us all excited about becoming a better christian this year. No matter what we have done in the past, we are all forgiven by the true savior who rose from the dead and lives today in Heaven.

Amazing Grace

• Angela and I went to see the movie "Amazing Grace" last night. I give it a B+. It was the story of an English politician in the 18thCentury who fought for, and finally succeeded in getting the slave trade banned in England. His inspiration was his Pastor, an ex-slave trade ship captain who became a christian and gave up his job, to serve the Lord.
• I wondered later, how many of us would do that? What if God convicted us that our job was getting in the way of serving him and led us to quit and go another direction with our life.
• I know of 1 person would did that, my father-in-law, Billy Allen.
• He was 40 years, a successful business man whom God called him into the ministry. He gave it all up and to do the Lord's work. From what Angela tells me, there was much financial sacrifice, but he never wavered. He went on to be a successful Pastor for 17 years, before God called him home. What a role model he was!
• I think that is what separates people in life, the amount of passion and commitment they have for what they believe in. Way too many people in life, just want to coast through their job, their spiritual walk, and their relationship with others and their relationship with Christ. They really do not want to listen to what God is telling them to do, mostly out of fear of the unknown.
• That is why people like Billy Allen and some long forgotten English politician, can change their part of the world and make the world a better place for all of us, still today.
• What is stopping you or me from changing our little corner of the world?

Pictures from recent trip

Tyler cooking

Old Friends

Statue of Liberation in Memphis

Tylers class

What a week

• Well the Buckeyes pulled one out last night! We were down by 17 points at halftime but we chipped away and finally went ahead with a few minutes to go. We made a free throw with about 3 seconds left and UT had 1 last shot that our big guy blocked. The only problem was the game was not over until about 12:30 AM this morning!!!

• Sorry to my UT friends, this was payback from the football bowl game where you cheated and beat us (you know what happened)

• Starting to get quotes for fixing the house back up, may have to move out for a few days after they sand the floor to let the new coating dry. Angela is working on other options, that are more family friendly.

• Brandon home this week on spring break. He finally bought a Nintendo Wii, and man it is fun!!! for those uninformed, it is a wireless system where you swing the controller based on the game you are playing. for example, when you are playing the bowling game, you swing it like you are throwing a really bowling ball. Great fun for the whole family. Even Angela and Tammy got into the act. Brandon goes back to school this Sunday, guess he will want to take it with him, maybe not.

• Corey got a haircut!! Hasn't been this short in a long time, looks like he is 25 years old. He is going professional this summer with his mowing business, advertising and working for the same guy Brandon did last summer.

• Have one of the new couples from church coming over tonight, trying to meet more of the people in the CONNECT group. One thing we all need to watch is that we don't always stay with the same people from church and form a clique. We need to reach out and make new people feel at home, meet new people, pay forward some of the blessings God had given to us.

• I would like to challenge all of you to invite someone you know over to your house for some fun and conversation. If you think your house is not big or nice enough, be very careful, God has blessed each of us with what we have for a reason, His glory. We need to use what he has given us big or little. I really believe we have to show God we can handle what he has given us, before He will bless us with more. So pay it forward for His glory!

It happened again!

I was traveling to my office so I decided to check voice mails on the way. I had 2 frantic messages from Angela saying there was water everywhere and she did not know how to turn it off!

The water supply line to the sink broke and water was pouring out from under the sink. She called Todd and Corey, both were close by. By the time they got it off it was about ankle deep in the kitchen.

So here we are again facing the replacement of the kitchen floor. The same thing happened before when the valve on the ice maker to the refrigerator busted and a much smaller amount of water was spilled.

This time we might have to replace the kitchen cabinet(s), the floor again, and a few things in the basement. Angela had just looked and it had been almost 1 year since it happened the 1st time.

And of course it could not happen at a worst time. We have some people from our CONNECT group coming over on Friday night and the Music Pastor search team over Saturday. Angela is really handling it well, all things considered.

stuck again

Well it is 10:00 PM eastern time and I am stuck in an airport again! My boss Patti and I are in Chicago for 2 days of meetings. We left for the airport today about 4:00 PM for a 7:30 PM flight that is now delayed until 11:35 PM, if all goes well, will get in about 1:00 AM and then drive home get some sleep and have very important meeting with the VP of HR at 10:00 AM!!

I have been here so long that my laptop battery died and I had to switch batteries with Patti from her laptop.

And I am glad I did!

It seems that when my baby doll gets lonely she gets on eBay and looks around, well to my surprise she is bidding on 4 items, hair barrettes.

If you know Angela, you could guess that plain plastic $1 kind would not be for her. No she is bidding on items around $10 each! Who ever heard of antique hair barrettes? I am sure one of them was like that.

Leave it Angela to find "Hair Jewelry"! In addition she won a ring and is bidding on others. Guess I will have to change my password again.

I am starting to see a pattern with my family when I leave town. Either going out to dinner without me or EBay shopping or something. Oh well, it could be worse, at least when I get home I know they will be there and will genuinely welcome me home.

I now understand why they ask, "When are going out of town again?"

Jeff

wierd sounds

Angela called me at work today to say that the shower in the boys bathroom was making a weird noise, like motor running, causing the pipe to vibrate.

She called Todd, our personal fix it guy, who came over about 7:00 PM. I went upstairs with him and sure enough there was a low humming sound coming from the shower head. We checked in Corey's bedroom to see if he had anything hid in his closet. (The back of his closet is on the other side of the wall of the shower).

The sound was definitely coming from the shower head, we looked around and didn't find anything until Todd picked up Corey's razor, (why does he have a razor?). He had bought one of those new razors that has a battery that vibrates, supposedly to give you a closer shave. It was running! Since it was hanging on one of those shower caddies that hang on the shower head, the vibration was going to shower head, mystery solved!

We all got a good laugh out of it, except Corey who is in denial about that being the cause.

We also one of the families that heard a BOOM outside of our house last week. It made it into the papers that people from Columbus to Newark to Zanesville heard what sounded like a sonic boom between 9:00 PM and 11:00 PM. Corey even went outside to see if something hit the house.

The official government version said it was nothing, but I think it was secret of aircraft flying over. I am not paranoid or anything but you never know~!

not my idea of fun

Well it's 7:15 PM on Monday night and I have been waiting in the Ottawa airport since 3:30 this afternoon. My flight was supposed to take off at 5:13, then 6:30 and now 7:50. That takes me to Chicago and then I hope to catch the last flight out for Columbus. If not it will be the 3rd time spending the night in an airport, which is not fun. Will try for hotel, but most will be booked up by now.

The ironic part is that it was a beautiful day here today. It was cold, but the sun was shining brightly. The bad weather was closing in on Chicago, no snow but low clouds slowing down the airplanes. I knew the bad weather was coming, which is why I was leaving tonight instead of tomorrow, so much for trying to plan ahead.

I found out my family had a party while I was gone and then someone went to Abuello's without me (course they charged it to me, I love computers, you see who is spending what almost instantly). I am beginning to worry that Angela is out for my money, I will have to keep an eye on her.

Supposed to get a big storm tomorrow, planning on working from, if I make it home, on Tuesday.


Nothing much new with the boys:

• Tyler moved into his house
• Brandon moved out of his old dorm, into a new room
• Corey didn't go anywhere

Big News, I almost forgot, Brandon and Charlie won some kind of a video game tournament at OSU! Hopefully the start of something big, maybe he can make a living and pay off our mortgage or something. Thanks Brandon, I know you will do the right thing.

That's all, I see a plane pulling up, PRAY FOR ME to get home tonight. I need to keep my baby doll warm!

Big Daddy

Winter Wonderland!

• It has been quite a week so far. Temperatures below zero, snowed about 4 inches today. It took my 45 minutes to get to work this morning and over an hour and half to get home. Averaged about 20 MPH all the way home tonight but made it home safely.
• Monday AM on my way to work I was stopped at the light by Bob Evans, getting ready to make a left turn onto the freeway, when the brake peddle went all the way to the floor! What are the odds of the brakes failing while I was stopped instead of traveling 60 MPH! It shook me a little, but know God's hand was on me and I made it safely to Deke's. so the Neon is back in the shop, getting new rear brakes.
• We are finally in the process of finishing the family room. When I lost my job in 2000 we had just finished the kitchen. God has provided the $$$ and we are painting the family room barn red and have a new couch on order. The painter has the 1st coat on the loft and it looks better than I could have imagined. Cannot wait until it is all done. My sister-in-law Pam liked the idea so much she went and bought the exact same sectional sofa we got!
• Tyler is fixing up his new house before moving in. He put tile in the kitchen and will have hardwood floors down before he moves in. Not sure where he gets his talent, but must be from his great grandfather Salyer. Sure not from me, I am not allowed to do anything involving tools or a paint brush.
• Corey's basketball team lost their tournament game so the season is over. The most memorable part was at the end of the 1st quarter Corey got a technical from the ref! He had to stay seated for the rest of the game, which was the only time this season he sat down.
• Have to travel to Canada next week for business, cannot imagine how cold and snowy it will be but will give a full report when I return.
• Question: Why do people have blogs and only update them once a month? Their lives must be so boring they have nothing to write about.
• God bless and stay warm and safe!

Is January over already?

Hard to believe today is the end of the 1st month of the year. Time is really going by fast. A couple of things are already obvious about this coming year:

1. Our cars are falling apart, the Neon is in the shop, the Caddy is still losing oil. I did some research today and found out the problem with the Caddy is the Northstar engine is prone to lose oil! The options are spend $2,000 to fix or put 1 quart of oil in the engine with every fill up! Guess which option I will choose.
2. Pastor Noel preached against playing the lottery (how did that guy get here anyway?) So now I have follow around armoured cars hoping they crash to get rich quickly
3. Our boys are becoming men, Tyler closed on his house yesterday, Corey is doing great job coaching and moving out in the fall, and Brandon actually turned in his meal plan at OSU because he was not using it very much, saved a bunch of money.
4. Finally getting the family room painted and new furniture on the way! Had been on hold since I lost my job at Longaberger, but God has been good!
5. Finally, Tinker, the dog, snores worse than Granny James every did! He climbed up between Angela and I this AM, and woke me up at 0500, snoring in my ear.

GOD IS GOOD! It will be a great year!

Please call me this from now on

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: Reverend Lord Jeffrey the Harmonious of Colquhoun St Cahoon Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

lot going on since last time

The Salyer house has been very busy over the last few weeks:

• We had a water leak in both bathrooms and had to have the tile replaced.
• We bought a new sectional couch, yet to be delivered
• Took the twins to a model train show last week, I had a great time, but the boys told Angela "this better be good" before we went. Bribed them with pancakes from Bob Evans before we went.
• Corey's basketball team is doing great, won 4 in a row, homecoming game tonight (for middle school?) against Madison who defeated them soundly the 1st time(32 - 2 after 3 quarters).
• Brandon got another deer and was invited to an archery event at Ohio State with the archery team, apparently he is a very good shot!
• Tyler bought a house and closing next week, moving in before Valentines day
• Angela fell on the ice and is slowly recovering
• I got my passport and am getting ready to travel to Canada next month, (yes you need a passport to get to Canada now, don't you watch the news?)
• Jack Bauer is trying to find his Dad on 24, wonder if he knows his brother tried to have him killed?
• Hero needs to find a special sword on "Heroes" to retain his power
• Smash got busted by his mom over the steroids, but Coach Taylor did not turn him in. (cannot wait until next week when Buddy Garrity gets the shock of his life)
• Neon been running all week with the "Check Engine" light on, no time or $$$ to fix.
• OSU basketball team is for real!

Is that enough? Hope your week went calmer.

Have you got 24 fever?

I have caught the "24" fever. It was only the end of 2004 when I started watching. Have not missed an episode since, keep thinking I will go back and watch the early seasons, but have not taken the time.

Jack Bauer is an American superhero come to life. He can do amazing things every hour the show is on. If you have not seen the show, it takes place over 24 hours (hence the name) each show is 1 hour long. In the 1st 4 hours of the show this season:

• Jack has been returned from the Chinese prison
• Traded to Muslim terrorists by the US government so the US can capture another bad guy.
• Escaped from the bad guys
• Found another bad guy who is really a good guy when no one else could.
• Tracked down another family being held captive by even more bad guys
• Killed one of his best friends because he (Curtis) didn't like the bad guy who is now the good guy.
• Almost had a mental breakdown
• Watched a nuclear bomb explode in downtown LA, (not Lower Alabama either, but the one in California)

What a way to start a day!!!!

Another good week

• I got rid of the walking boot and crutch this week. Doctor said break was healed, but need to wear an ankle brace for 3 weeks
• Corey's team won both games this week, his team is really getting better. Wonder if he will be the next Thad Matta?
• The OSU Basketball team finally beat a ranked team yesterday. We beat UT on a last second shot. It will take something like this help Buckeye fans get over the football team loss.
• Went to Japanese Steakhouse yesterday with Bonner's and their grandkids. It was Brooklyn's birthday. The kids were excited about all the knife twirling and fast movements made by the Chef.
• Close to buying a new couch for the 1st time in over a decade! Angela thought she wanted a sectional, but Tammy tried to talk her into a couch and love seat. I am OK either way, but do not really like the sectionals with a chaise on the end. But willing to go along, just excited about something new.
• Tonight opening night for TV show "24". All kids are going to Tammy's to watch with her and Gary on their plasma TV. 2 hours tonight and 2 hours tomorrow.
• Continue praying for our CONNECT group. We are still growing, pray that we are effective in our outreach to new couples in our church.

Bad night last night

Well, we had waited 51 days since beating Michigan to claim our next National Championship. Everything was ready at home. The family showed up, we moved the furniture around. We even placed the buckeye helmet and bobbleheads back on the TV like we had for every game this year. I even wore my "Big Daddy" jersey that Corey got me for Christmas 2 years ago. That jersey has only been worn twice before last night. The Texas game and the Michigan game both wins. I didn't know what else to do to get ready.

We got the opening kickoff and ran it back all the way for a touchdown! Pandamonium at the house jumping and shouting, excitment all around. Little did I realize it would downhill fast from there on. During the celebration in the end zone, someone jumped on Ted Ginn's ankle and he was out for the rest of the game.

It would not have mattered, we stunk!

at times it looked like we were playing with 4 lineman not 5 because Troy Smith never had any time to do anything. Worst performance by an OSU team I can remember.

Today at work was not much better, everyone quiet and moping around. Trying to remember the good year we had.

But Remember: We were in the National Championship Game and only 1 other team made it there. We had a great year with lots of good memories, beating Texas and Michigan. don't forget, spring practice is only a few months away.

Starting the New Year

As I look ahead towards 2007, I can already see it will but another exciting year.

Corey will be moving out in the fall to go to main campus. So the house will be a little quieter.

I will be back on my diet once I can start walking again, and the holidays are over. Too many desserts to sample this time of year to waste time dieting.

CONNECT group still going well, might have a class spin off of ours if the Lord leads that way. Cannot wait to meet even more new people and get them active in our church.

There will be some sad times in 2007 also. My Aunt Edna died this week and we are going to the funeral today. My Aunt Nellie died this month as well. As time marches on I am more reminded that our time here on earth is short compared to eternity. We better enjoy the journey now.

Any other suggestions for New Year's Resolutions?

Merry Christmas Report

We are having a great Christmas at the Salyers. Angela and Rachel are asleep, Tyler is watching TV, Corey is at Kyles, and Brandon is at the Thomas'. I am catching up on email and after reading Pastor Noel's blog, I am glad things are quiet here.

It was a hectic time on Christmas day, but the boys slept in until 8:30 AM, the latest present opening time ever. I was of no help to Angela, due to the broken ankle, and Angela kept forgetting to bring out presents! We were all done and she found more of Tyler's presents, thought we were done again and Brandon found one more for me! Angela just had a lot on her this week, but all is well that ends well.

By my account this was the best Christmas ever. Everyone got something they wanted, and something they were surprised to get. Angela was the big winner of the day with a "dream" blanket, food processor, and silver punch bowl being the big things. I got some clothes, a new book to read, my Woody Hayes picture re-framed, Bible software, and Civil War DVD set.

Angela's family showed up (25 people) for dinner and gift exchange, I got some stupid Ostrich, but Tyler traded me, since it came with an OSU shirt. It was lots of fun with all leaving around 10:00 PM.

Today, Angela, Rachel, Tyler and I went to the mall and bought a few little things, tomorrow is Easton!

Ankle doing fine, went back to doctor, new X-ray showed nothing bad, so I get to stay in the walking boot and 1 crutch.

Christmas Trivia

Christmas Wreath:
The Christmas wreath is a symbol of Eternal Life that has come to us through Jesus' coming into the earth to save mankind. The circle is a symbol of eternity in that it has neither a beginning or end. The evergreen symbolizes life that continues to bloom even in the midst of winter. Sometimes there are candles lit in the middle of the wreath to show that Christ, the Light of the world, has come and brought us this eternal life.

Gold Ornaments:
Gold represents the gifts the Wise Men gave. They gave Jesus precious gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. We bring Jesus precious gifts, too. Our gifts are faith, hope, and love. We love Him because He first loved us.

Gifts:
We share gifts with one another at Christmas to remind each other of Jesus - the greatest gift of all.