Bevo & Grant

Thought I would share the latest picture of Grant and his new dog Bevo. Bevo was a gift to Grant from "Grandpaw" Pevey, who was heard to say, "every boy needs a dog!"

Grant enjoys feeding, playing, taking Bevo for long walks and explaining to complete strangers that no he did not attend the University of Texas, nor did anyone in his family but the Dog was three year sold when he got him and already answered to that name so he couldn't change it.

Oh, wait that's me! Grant just tries to ride Bevo like a pony and chew on his ears!

Housing update

Being a first time home buyer, I am learning the intricacies of dealing with things like building permits, inspectors, contractors, inspectors, permits, electricians, did I mention inspectors?

Today's post involve Centerpoint energy, the city of Houston and my above ground swimming pool. Before we moved in, I took it upon myself to have some key electrical work done to try and move the electrical service line from right over the middle of the pool to the side, which my electrician was able to. Then came the inspectors. Centerpoint electricity and City of Houston. At first all was well, then all was not well, then all was maybe well then all was definitely NOT well with the electrical service and the pool. In the end, the City of Houston and Centerpoint won 1-0 over the swimming pool, or should I say $4,000 to $250 over the swimming pool. Yes, Centerpoint Energy wanted $4000 to install a new pole to bring power to my house that was within code.

This brings us to my $250 solution for the above ground pool, above ground deck and strategically located "BBQ & bar" that the previous owners installed. I guess they were more concerned about getting a good tan while eating their BBQ and throwing back a few cold ones than to worry about such things as building codes or safety. So what is the $250 solutions? The Milwaukee Sawzall and multi blade assortment package (Amazon $250, shipping included). Milwaukee was the inventory of the Sawzall and boy howdy did they make a great product. I was slightly intimidated by it at first but found it easy to use and operate and it did a serious number on the BBQ bar, deck and pool. Something that took a third of my back yard was picked up by the city of Houston on heavy trash day this month. Thank you City of Houston!.

Good Bye to Rocky

On Monday, March 30th, the Fordham Family said good by to Rocky. After fighting for several days to get his illness under control, the good doctors at Memorial Cat Hospital said there was nothing more that could be done and it was time to let him go. He left this world at 10:30 am. He is much loved and his loss is grieved by all in our house. Peanut and Christmas have spent most of the week looking for him and have not been able to find him.

He was the first pet I chose and who chose me. I will miss him dearly.

Grant's Baptism

So I am finally getting some old posts put out on line, here is one from last December and Grant's Baptism...attached is a picture of my brother Kevin hold Grant after the Baptism at a get together at Richard & Marcia's afterward.

The past several days have been very hectic for the Fordham clan as we have seriously put Grant outside of his comfort zone and any semblance of a routine since last Sunday when he was Baptised into our Church. In his defense, he handled it like a champ! Getting his hair wet, didn't phase him and when JJ (Rev. Jim Jackson) introduced him to the church by walking him around and showing him to everyone, he didn't cry, fuss or anything. Reminded me a little of Tess when she was baptised. Now the hours of people time at the reception did set him over the edge, something about not getting a nap until 3 or 4 in the afternoon did it for him.

More to follow about the BIG EVENT!

Diaper changing 101

Any good parent will tell you that every baby needs a solid routine to get use to life on the "outside". What they don't tell you is that the routine is just as important for the parent's survival because of the massive sleep deprivation that all parents go through during the first year.

Our bed time routine goes something like this. Somewhere between 4-5 pm Grant will start to get hungry. Hungry is a bit of an understatement because when he starts to eat his supper, he seems to pack away enough milk to satisfy a defensive lineman for the Houston Texas. Now given that the Texan's current record isn't that impressive, it may not seem like a lot but for a 4 month old, it's pretty darn impressive. Somewhere during this milk fest he is ready for his evening bath after which it's time to get into pajamas and get ready for the last bottle (or three) before going to sleep.

Such was the extent of my sleep deprivation this past weekend, that for the life of me I couldn't understand what was wrong with Grant when I put him into his pajamas. I kept looking and looking and thinking, my it sure looks strange to see is willy flapping in the breeze of the ceiling fan. I must have been contemplating this for a several minutes when it suddenly dawned on me that I might want to put a diaper on him before handing him to my wife for his last feeding. Luckily, I caught this one in time to prevent an embarrassing wet incident on my wife.

Thanksgiving 2009

This was an extra special Thanksgiving. First my Aunt Joyce and Cousin Kate came flew in from Michigan then a week later, my brother flew in from German. It's when I finally get to spend time with my extended family that it drives home how much I miss them. Here's to seeing them again soon.

Advent - Living in Abundance

Leah and are reading from a book called "Watching for the Light (c)2001 and the reading from Dec 7, titled: The Penitential Season by William Stringfellow started and ended with the following statements.

"We Live Now, in the United States, in a culture so profoundly pagan that Advent is no longer really noticed, much less observed."


"In the First Advent, Christ the Lord comes into the world, in the next Advent, Christ the Lord comes as Judge of the world and of all the world's thrones and pretenders, sovereignty's and dominions, principalities and authorities, presidencies and regimes, in vindication of his lordship and reign of the Word of God in history. This is the truth, which the world hates, which biblical people (repentant people) bear and by which they live as the church in the world in the time between the two Advents."

After reading this Leah and I were deeply struck by what advent is suppose to be about. Not the stereotypical "Putting Christ back in Christmas" or other things but trying to live in the in between. In between Christ's first coming 2000 years ago and his return somewhere in the future. How we are called to live expectantly and in accordance with all of God's laws. That we are suppose to live a life of gratitude and to remember that God has given us far more than we need, not so that we can have one more Pumpkin Latte from Starbucks (my favorite) but rather so that the abundance would flow through us and to someone else; thereby, showing the love of Jesus (God) to others. This concept of living an abundant life and how we have already been given more than we need struck me deeply. Because of this, we are exploring what it would look like to live an abundant life.

What is an abundant life? Well, I am not referring to the "Name it and Claim" concept or the Gospel of Prosperity that is preached by many TV evangelist. I personally think these things go against the teachings of Jesus. Because of this, Leah and I have decided to try something different this Advent and rather than living in a world of not having enough, try living in a world of more than enough.

What exactly are we doing? Well, you'll just have to wait until Boxing Day to find that out.