We had two fantastic Ultimate Date Nights this weekend, one in Detroit and one in Continental Ohio.
Saturday night in Ohio, we were drawing the show to a close, teaching the couples the "flirt" song (The Celebrate Shuffle). During the night I kept noticing an older couple in the back who were totally into the show and EACH OTHER. Now they were really getting my attention as I am watching this elderly couple dance, and while they danced, he kept patting her on her bottom...funny thing was SHE didn't seem to mind! How FUN!
After the show, Laura and I were signing books and the same 82 year old man I'd been watching all night puts his hand on a 31/2 foot high guard rail and HOPS over the railing like a 25 year old gymnast. He exclaimed "I'm 82 and have been happily married to the same woman for 61 years!"
At that moment his wife joined us and I had to ask about her husbands "overly affectionate" pats on her rear. "Oh heavens, I don't mind...it's what keeps him young!" At this point I turned to her husband and said "YOU ARE MY HERO!"
I hope I can jump over a crack in the sidewalk when I'm 82 let alone a 31/2 foot railing!
Now, where's Laura...I've got a lot of "butt patting" to make up for!
Jay
Monday, April 14, 2008
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Oh my word!
Husbands are so annoying! Can I get an amen!?!? Anyway, Jay has been bugging me because he has written 4 blogs and I have not written one! Can you say " tit for tat?" So here I am, writing a blog! About him! Guess that will show him, huh?
Okay so, probably I should not be writing this blog simply to irritate Jay! Isn't it amazing how the ones you love the most can bring out the worst in you at times!:-) That is why marriage is so fun and yet such hard work. The fun is in the excitement of discovering new things together, having a companion daily with you, someone to laugh with, to do silly things with...to raise children with...wait, is that fun? HMMMMMM....
The hard work is the journey. The small habits that irritate,the stress of daily life, the crisis that makes you question your commitment.
You know, here is what I have decided...when I think Jay is the most annoying individual on the planet, I have to realize that I bet I am no pleasure to live with all the time either! Hard to believe, I know! There are times on this journey that we should focus on our spouse and not always think about ourselves, but I think when our husband or wife is the "most annoying person"in our lives, we should probably focus on our own annoying habits and start there with change.
I am not one for sappy cliches but I do think the one that says "we can't change others we can only change ourselves" bears merit and much thought!
Have a good day and don't let that ONE annoy!
Laura
Okay so, probably I should not be writing this blog simply to irritate Jay! Isn't it amazing how the ones you love the most can bring out the worst in you at times!:-) That is why marriage is so fun and yet such hard work. The fun is in the excitement of discovering new things together, having a companion daily with you, someone to laugh with, to do silly things with...to raise children with...wait, is that fun? HMMMMMM....
The hard work is the journey. The small habits that irritate,the stress of daily life, the crisis that makes you question your commitment.
You know, here is what I have decided...when I think Jay is the most annoying individual on the planet, I have to realize that I bet I am no pleasure to live with all the time either! Hard to believe, I know! There are times on this journey that we should focus on our spouse and not always think about ourselves, but I think when our husband or wife is the "most annoying person"in our lives, we should probably focus on our own annoying habits and start there with change.
I am not one for sappy cliches but I do think the one that says "we can't change others we can only change ourselves" bears merit and much thought!
Have a good day and don't let that ONE annoy!
Laura
Monday, April 07, 2008
Questions that haunted me while on vacation
We're back from a FANTASTIC week in Florida! Rest, and relaxation were on the agenda. The only problem when I'm not working is the eternal questions that plague my mind...here are just a few:
Can you cry under water?
Why do you have to 'put your two cents in'... but it's only a 'penny for your thoughts'? Where's that extra penny going to?
Once you're in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried in for eternity?
Why does a round pizza come in a square box?
What disease did cured ham actually have?
How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?
Why is it that people say they 'slept like a baby' when babies wake up like every two hours?
Why are you IN a movie, but you're ON TV?
Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?
Why do doctors leave the room while you change? They're going to see you naked anyway.
Why is 'bra' singular and 'panties' plural?
Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a
horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?
If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a stupid song
about him?
Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane?
If the professor on Gilligan's Island can make a radio out of a
coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat?
Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours?
They're both dogs!
If Wile E. Coyote had enough money to buy all that ACME crap, why
didn't he just buy dinner?
If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from
vegetables, what is baby oil made from?
If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?
Do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same
tune?
Why did you just try singing the two songs above?
Why do they call it an asteroid when it's outside the hemisphere, but call it a hemorrhoid when it's in your butt?
Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad
at you, but when you take him for a car ride, he sticks his head out
the window?
Now you know why I can't take two week vacations... :-)
Glad to be BAAAAACK!
Jay
Can you cry under water?
Why do you have to 'put your two cents in'... but it's only a 'penny for your thoughts'? Where's that extra penny going to?
Once you're in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried in for eternity?
Why does a round pizza come in a square box?
What disease did cured ham actually have?
How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?
Why is it that people say they 'slept like a baby' when babies wake up like every two hours?
Why are you IN a movie, but you're ON TV?
Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?
Why do doctors leave the room while you change? They're going to see you naked anyway.
Why is 'bra' singular and 'panties' plural?
Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a
horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?
If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a stupid song
about him?
Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane?
If the professor on Gilligan's Island can make a radio out of a
coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat?
Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours?
They're both dogs!
If Wile E. Coyote had enough money to buy all that ACME crap, why
didn't he just buy dinner?
If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from
vegetables, what is baby oil made from?
If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?
Do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same
tune?
Why did you just try singing the two songs above?
Why do they call it an asteroid when it's outside the hemisphere, but call it a hemorrhoid when it's in your butt?
Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad
at you, but when you take him for a car ride, he sticks his head out
the window?
Now you know why I can't take two week vacations... :-)
Glad to be BAAAAACK!
Jay
Friday, March 28, 2008
Sunshine Bound!
The Laffoon's leave today for the Sunshine state for a week of R&R! Our road schedule since January 1st has been fun but whew! And we hit the ground running April 7th! We'd love to see you at one of our upcoming events!
Our tapings at Focus on the Family and Life Today with James Robison went great! Thanks to you all for your prayers...now pray it helps sell some books :-)
Have a Blessed week!
Jay & Laura
Our tapings at Focus on the Family and Life Today with James Robison went great! Thanks to you all for your prayers...now pray it helps sell some books :-)
Have a Blessed week!
Jay & Laura
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Monday, March 17, 2008
A great story!
We got this great story in an email- let it be a reminder to us all!
When I drove up in my taxi cab at 2:30 a.m., the building was dark except for a single light in a ground floor window.
Under these circumstances, many taxi drivers would just honk once or twice, wait a minute, and then drive away.
But I had seen too many impoverished people who depended on taxis as their only means of transportation. Unless a situation smelled of danger, I always went to the door. This passenger might be someone who needs my assistance, I reasoned to myself.
So I walked to the door and knocked. "Just a minute", answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.
After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie.
By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets.
There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.
"Would you carry my bag out to the car?" she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.
She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.
She kept thanking me for my kindness. "It's nothing", I told her. "I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated".
"Oh, you're such a good boy", she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, and then asked, "Could you drive through downtown?"
"It's not the shortest way," I answered quickly.
"Oh, I don't mind," she said.
"I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice".
I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. "I don't have any family left," she continued. "The doctor says I don't have very long." I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.
"What route would you like me to take?" I asked.
For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.
We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.
Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.
As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, "I'm tired. Let's go now."
We drove in silence to the address she had given me.It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.
Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her.
I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.
"How much do I owe you?" she asked, reaching into her purse.
"Nothing," I said
"You have to make a living," she answered.
"There are other passengers," I responded.
Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.
"You gave an old woman a little moment of joy," she said.
"Thank you."
I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.
I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift?
What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?
On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.
We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.
PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID, ~BUT~THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.
Celebrate today!
Jay & Laura
When I drove up in my taxi cab at 2:30 a.m., the building was dark except for a single light in a ground floor window.
Under these circumstances, many taxi drivers would just honk once or twice, wait a minute, and then drive away.
But I had seen too many impoverished people who depended on taxis as their only means of transportation. Unless a situation smelled of danger, I always went to the door. This passenger might be someone who needs my assistance, I reasoned to myself.
So I walked to the door and knocked. "Just a minute", answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.
After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie.
By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets.
There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.
"Would you carry my bag out to the car?" she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.
She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.
She kept thanking me for my kindness. "It's nothing", I told her. "I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated".
"Oh, you're such a good boy", she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, and then asked, "Could you drive through downtown?"
"It's not the shortest way," I answered quickly.
"Oh, I don't mind," she said.
"I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice".
I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. "I don't have any family left," she continued. "The doctor says I don't have very long." I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.
"What route would you like me to take?" I asked.
For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.
We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.
Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.
As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, "I'm tired. Let's go now."
We drove in silence to the address she had given me.It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.
Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her.
I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.
"How much do I owe you?" she asked, reaching into her purse.
"Nothing," I said
"You have to make a living," she answered.
"There are other passengers," I responded.
Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.
"You gave an old woman a little moment of joy," she said.
"Thank you."
I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.
I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift?
What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?
On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.
We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.
PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID, ~BUT~THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.
Celebrate today!
Jay & Laura
Friday, March 14, 2008
Word's with Dual Meaning
By now most people get the fact that men and women are different. THANK GOODNESS!
No one needs to read another book about “planets” or “pasta”. Married people just want to know what certain words mean to our spouse. So in our never ending attempts to help couples communicate we thought we’d give you a head start on some important words which hold duel meanings for men and women.
Eight Words with Two Meanings
1. THINGY (thing-ee) n.
Female...... Any part under a car's hood
Male..... The strap fastener on my wife's bra
2. VULNERABLE (vul-ne-ra-bel) adj.
Female.... Fully opening up one's self emotionally to my husband
Male..... Playing football without a cup
3. COMMUNICATION (ko-myoo-ni-kay-shon) n.
Female... The open sharing of thoughts and feelings with one's spouse
Male... Leaving a note before taking off on a fishing trip with the boys
4. COMMITMENT (ko-mit-ment) n
Female.... A desire to get married and raise a family
Male...... Buying season tickets to the Chicago Cubs.
5. ENTERTAINMENT (en-ter-tayn-ment) n.
Female.... A good movie, concert, play or book
Male...... Anything that can be done while watching TV
6. FLATULENCE (flach-u-lens) n.
Female.... An embarrassing byproduct of indigestion
Male...... A source of entertainment, self-expression, male bonding.
7. REMOTE CONTROL (ri-moht kon-trohl) n.
Female.... A device for changing from one TV channel to another
Male.... A device for scanning through all 375 channels every 5 minutes.
8 MAKING LOVE (may-king luv) n.
Female...... The greatest expression of intimacy a couple can achieve.
Male... Call it whatever you want, just as long as we do it.
There you have it...we're here to help!
J&L
No one needs to read another book about “planets” or “pasta”. Married people just want to know what certain words mean to our spouse. So in our never ending attempts to help couples communicate we thought we’d give you a head start on some important words which hold duel meanings for men and women.
Eight Words with Two Meanings
1. THINGY (thing-ee) n.
Female...... Any part under a car's hood
Male..... The strap fastener on my wife's bra
2. VULNERABLE (vul-ne-ra-bel) adj.
Female.... Fully opening up one's self emotionally to my husband
Male..... Playing football without a cup
3. COMMUNICATION (ko-myoo-ni-kay-shon) n.
Female... The open sharing of thoughts and feelings with one's spouse
Male... Leaving a note before taking off on a fishing trip with the boys
4. COMMITMENT (ko-mit-ment) n
Female.... A desire to get married and raise a family
Male...... Buying season tickets to the Chicago Cubs.
5. ENTERTAINMENT (en-ter-tayn-ment) n.
Female.... A good movie, concert, play or book
Male...... Anything that can be done while watching TV
6. FLATULENCE (flach-u-lens) n.
Female.... An embarrassing byproduct of indigestion
Male...... A source of entertainment, self-expression, male bonding.
7. REMOTE CONTROL (ri-moht kon-trohl) n.
Female.... A device for changing from one TV channel to another
Male.... A device for scanning through all 375 channels every 5 minutes.
8 MAKING LOVE (may-king luv) n.
Female...... The greatest expression of intimacy a couple can achieve.
Male... Call it whatever you want, just as long as we do it.
There you have it...we're here to help!
J&L
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Laura strikes again!
Okay I hope you all are not getting bored with stories of my antics! But here is another!
Last Monday, I took Grace to volleyball and decided to watch and run while she was there. Our new middle school gym has a track around the top so I could run and watch Grace all at the same time.
Well, I was feeling really good, and volleyball was going to last an hour and a half, so I proceeded to walk a lap and run 5 laps. I continued doing this until I reached 65 laps. I looked at the clock and realized I had a little time to cool down so I began walking more laps. Well, I was wondering exactly how many miles 65 laps would be so I asked the assistant principal,who also happened to be up watching the volleyball girls. She informed me that it takes 13 laps around to make 1 mile. Well being the math genius that I am, I started running again. I had set myself a goal of 3 miles. If 13 laps makes one mile, I had ONLY gone 65 laps and needed 4 more to make 69 laps which, in my mind, would make 3 miles!!!!
My math wizardry did not dawn on me until later that evening, watching our 17 year old playing basketball. During the game, I commented to Jay that my legs were really tired and that I was starving! He asked how many miles I had run and I replied, "Only 3. Kari told me that 13 laps make a mile and I went 69 laps." It was when Jay busted out laughing that I re-calculated my numbers! Oh my! I had gone over 5 miles! No wonder I was tired and hungry!
Well, until next time...Laura
Last Monday, I took Grace to volleyball and decided to watch and run while she was there. Our new middle school gym has a track around the top so I could run and watch Grace all at the same time.
Well, I was feeling really good, and volleyball was going to last an hour and a half, so I proceeded to walk a lap and run 5 laps. I continued doing this until I reached 65 laps. I looked at the clock and realized I had a little time to cool down so I began walking more laps. Well, I was wondering exactly how many miles 65 laps would be so I asked the assistant principal,who also happened to be up watching the volleyball girls. She informed me that it takes 13 laps around to make 1 mile. Well being the math genius that I am, I started running again. I had set myself a goal of 3 miles. If 13 laps makes one mile, I had ONLY gone 65 laps and needed 4 more to make 69 laps which, in my mind, would make 3 miles!!!!
My math wizardry did not dawn on me until later that evening, watching our 17 year old playing basketball. During the game, I commented to Jay that my legs were really tired and that I was starving! He asked how many miles I had run and I replied, "Only 3. Kari told me that 13 laps make a mile and I went 69 laps." It was when Jay busted out laughing that I re-calculated my numbers! Oh my! I had gone over 5 miles! No wonder I was tired and hungry!
Well, until next time...Laura
Thursday, March 06, 2008
MOPS and a Quizno's!
Laura is off speaking for MOPS group at Calvary Church in Grand Rapids today. Laura LOVES speaking to MOPS groups and they LOVE having her speak so it's a great fit.
I have to admit it's a nice break for me and Laura too. You see Laura and I often feel like we're attached at the hip (not in the good way :-)) 24/7 because of our ministry together. Day's like today give us a much needed break from each other but at the same time renew our passion to work together.
So Laura is off speaking and shopping. I'll spend the afternoon enjoying a Quizno's Honey Bourbon Chicken Sub (only 260 calories)and writing in SILENCE and we'll both be very very happy campers!
MMMMM....Toasty!
Jay
I have to admit it's a nice break for me and Laura too. You see Laura and I often feel like we're attached at the hip (not in the good way :-)) 24/7 because of our ministry together. Day's like today give us a much needed break from each other but at the same time renew our passion to work together.
So Laura is off speaking and shopping. I'll spend the afternoon enjoying a Quizno's Honey Bourbon Chicken Sub (only 260 calories)and writing in SILENCE and we'll both be very very happy campers!
MMMMM....Toasty!
Jay
Saturday, March 01, 2008
We're ready for SPRING!!
I'm not going to complain about the snow, it could be worse...take a look at this picture from upstate New York.
Trust me when I'm saying I am NOT making a political statement when I say...Global Warming???Not THIS WINTER!
I grew up in Petoskey, Michigan and this year we have finally had a winter like I remember growing up. We've had plenty of "snow days" with the kids off school and the blanket of white sure is beautiful. The piles in the parking lot of Grocery stores and Walmart are like mini-mountains.
HOWEVER, I am ready for a change. The sun is shining a little longer each day and the song birds are singing all day long. It has me longing for a change. If there is one thing I really appreciate about Michigan is that we truly have four seasons.
I'm just ready for the NEXT one to start!
How about you?
Blessings~
Jay
Trust me when I'm saying I am NOT making a political statement when I say...Global Warming???Not THIS WINTER!
I grew up in Petoskey, Michigan and this year we have finally had a winter like I remember growing up. We've had plenty of "snow days" with the kids off school and the blanket of white sure is beautiful. The piles in the parking lot of Grocery stores and Walmart are like mini-mountains.
HOWEVER, I am ready for a change. The sun is shining a little longer each day and the song birds are singing all day long. It has me longing for a change. If there is one thing I really appreciate about Michigan is that we truly have four seasons.
I'm just ready for the NEXT one to start!
How about you?
Blessings~
Jay
Thursday, February 28, 2008
BIG NEWS!!!!
We wanted to share with you some very big news. We have a couple of really cool media opportunities coming up in March:
March 18 Focus on the Family
March 25 Life Today with James Robison
While we know these interviews are not the “end all be all” we do feel honored and humbled by the opportunity. THANKS to you all for helping make these happen.
I’d like to share how God has worked in this process. Earlier this month I turned down two youth engagements I’d normally say yes to because we feel God wants our focus on marriage ministry at this point. The next day we got the call from James Robison.
Monday I said to Laura…I really need to back off the PGA chaplain gig so I can further focus on marriage ministry. This morning I was on the phone with Ben from FCA Golf letting him know our decision and while I’m on the phone with Ben we get the call from Focus on the Family.
Wow~ Thanks again to all of you and your part in this ministry. You BLESS US!
Jay & Laura~
March 18 Focus on the Family
March 25 Life Today with James Robison
While we know these interviews are not the “end all be all” we do feel honored and humbled by the opportunity. THANKS to you all for helping make these happen.
I’d like to share how God has worked in this process. Earlier this month I turned down two youth engagements I’d normally say yes to because we feel God wants our focus on marriage ministry at this point. The next day we got the call from James Robison.
Monday I said to Laura…I really need to back off the PGA chaplain gig so I can further focus on marriage ministry. This morning I was on the phone with Ben from FCA Golf letting him know our decision and while I’m on the phone with Ben we get the call from Focus on the Family.
Wow~ Thanks again to all of you and your part in this ministry. You BLESS US!
Jay & Laura~
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most!
After a long weekend of travel, Laura, Grace and I went to watch Torrey play a Men's church league basketball game last night. It's really quite fun. I used to play and coach our Men's church league team, then I gave up drinking, smoking cussing and swearing :-) It is amazing how the competitive juices come out even among Christian brothers!
Anyway, last night we watched our Alma 1st Church of God team defeat a scrappy Forrest Hill Church of Christ team. Torrey hit a crucial 3 point shot with less than 2 minutes left in the game that put us up for good!
As we bundled up to leave the game, I began frantically searching my various pockets for the keys to the car. I couldn't find them ANYWHERE! I had sat in a couple of different seats talking with different friends during the game so I began searching everywhere. Being the quiet diminutive type, I soon had the entire gym full of people looking for my keys that I was SURE had fallen out of my sweat pants pocket.
In a final act of desperation, I thought I'd look out in the car (but SERIOUSLY who would leave the keys in the CAR?) That would be me! Wow did I feel old, absentminded and STUPID. In know we live in a small town, but leaving keys in the car for anyone to find is not too smart. Age sure has a way of humbling us all...
So of all the things you've lost...do you miss your mind the most?
Blessings~
Jay
Anyway, last night we watched our Alma 1st Church of God team defeat a scrappy Forrest Hill Church of Christ team. Torrey hit a crucial 3 point shot with less than 2 minutes left in the game that put us up for good!
As we bundled up to leave the game, I began frantically searching my various pockets for the keys to the car. I couldn't find them ANYWHERE! I had sat in a couple of different seats talking with different friends during the game so I began searching everywhere. Being the quiet diminutive type, I soon had the entire gym full of people looking for my keys that I was SURE had fallen out of my sweat pants pocket.
In a final act of desperation, I thought I'd look out in the car (but SERIOUSLY who would leave the keys in the CAR?) That would be me! Wow did I feel old, absentminded and STUPID. In know we live in a small town, but leaving keys in the car for anyone to find is not too smart. Age sure has a way of humbling us all...
So of all the things you've lost...do you miss your mind the most?
Blessings~
Jay
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Gerty saved our marriage!
As you know, Laura and I travel together A LOT! And as with most married couples there are often discussions in the car about silly things like directions and the best way to get here or there...For us traveling in new towns and cities these silly "discussions" can often lead to major disagreements!
So...last week I spent $200 and bought a portable Garmin GPS system for us to take on the road...simply plug in the address and "Gerty the Garmin" as we've named her will give you turn by turn directions, in her pleasant little voice. She will even tell you your expected arrival time...it's WONDERFUL!
Truly "Gerty" has saved our marriage from numerous unnecessary arguments! Now I just have to get past the fact that a WOMAN is still telling me how to DRIVE!
oh well :-)
Jay
So...last week I spent $200 and bought a portable Garmin GPS system for us to take on the road...simply plug in the address and "Gerty the Garmin" as we've named her will give you turn by turn directions, in her pleasant little voice. She will even tell you your expected arrival time...it's WONDERFUL!
Truly "Gerty" has saved our marriage from numerous unnecessary arguments! Now I just have to get past the fact that a WOMAN is still telling me how to DRIVE!
oh well :-)
Jay
Monday, February 18, 2008
You just can't make this up!
Okay so people always ask us if the funny stories we tell on stage are really true? Look people you can't make this stuff up!
Saturday, I was out running errands and Jay called me on my cell. When I returned home, He went out to run his errands. While he was gone, Grace and I decided we needed him to pick us up some groceries so we could do some baking. So I picked up my cell phone and simply hit the "JAY" number that he had called me on earlier, assuming it was his cell.
As I am calling him, my home phone rings.Dilemma! Do I hang up before Jay answers and answer the home phone or do I simply let the home phone ring? I hung up on Jay and answered the home phone- I couldn't believe it, the person had hung up! All I got was a dial tone! Maddening!
So I called Jay back. Again my home phone rings! I don't recognize the caller id phone number and it says "out of area", but I hang up on Jay again because he is not answering anyway and again the home phone is nothing but a dial tone!
Now, I am about ready to scream! So I wait a few minutes to give Jay time to see I have called his cell. I dial him again and what do you think happens? My home phone rings again! Now this time I am going to give this person a piece of my mind! So once again I hang up on Jay and answer the home- again dial tone!!!
Well, needless to say I did this one more time before I realized as you probably already have that I was dialing my home phone the entire time I thought I was dialing Jay's cell! I was hanging up on myself! I was the person I was going to give a piece of my mind too...somehow a piece of my mind does not sound very promising right now!
See, we just can't make this stuff up!
Saturday, I was out running errands and Jay called me on my cell. When I returned home, He went out to run his errands. While he was gone, Grace and I decided we needed him to pick us up some groceries so we could do some baking. So I picked up my cell phone and simply hit the "JAY" number that he had called me on earlier, assuming it was his cell.
As I am calling him, my home phone rings.Dilemma! Do I hang up before Jay answers and answer the home phone or do I simply let the home phone ring? I hung up on Jay and answered the home phone- I couldn't believe it, the person had hung up! All I got was a dial tone! Maddening!
So I called Jay back. Again my home phone rings! I don't recognize the caller id phone number and it says "out of area", but I hang up on Jay again because he is not answering anyway and again the home phone is nothing but a dial tone!
Now, I am about ready to scream! So I wait a few minutes to give Jay time to see I have called his cell. I dial him again and what do you think happens? My home phone rings again! Now this time I am going to give this person a piece of my mind! So once again I hang up on Jay and answer the home- again dial tone!!!
Well, needless to say I did this one more time before I realized as you probably already have that I was dialing my home phone the entire time I thought I was dialing Jay's cell! I was hanging up on myself! I was the person I was going to give a piece of my mind too...somehow a piece of my mind does not sound very promising right now!
See, we just can't make this stuff up!
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Happy Valentine's Day!
Here's hoping you and your loved ones enjoy a GREAT day of LOVE!
We just returned from a live radio remote in Williamston MI with our friends at Family Life Radio. Laura and I have literally been on air all day with 6 different radio stations from FL to CO and many states in between.
As we were wrapping up our time live with WUGN Peter Brooks interviewed "Martha" who is 35 and has only been a Christian for 5 years. When she heard our names mentioned throughout the day, she felt like she just had to call in...you see we met Martha 20 years ago when we were Youth for Christ leaders here in Central Michigan.
Martha said that while she had only been a believer for 5 years that the "seeds of her faith" were planted when she was 14 and went on a trip with us and YFC.
NEVER underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit to transform lives, even if it's 20 years down the road. Be faithful in your witness and let God do the rest.
We never imagined such a great Valentine gift would be ours today!
Blessings~
Jay & Laura
We just returned from a live radio remote in Williamston MI with our friends at Family Life Radio. Laura and I have literally been on air all day with 6 different radio stations from FL to CO and many states in between.
As we were wrapping up our time live with WUGN Peter Brooks interviewed "Martha" who is 35 and has only been a Christian for 5 years. When she heard our names mentioned throughout the day, she felt like she just had to call in...you see we met Martha 20 years ago when we were Youth for Christ leaders here in Central Michigan.
Martha said that while she had only been a believer for 5 years that the "seeds of her faith" were planted when she was 14 and went on a trip with us and YFC.
NEVER underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit to transform lives, even if it's 20 years down the road. Be faithful in your witness and let God do the rest.
We never imagined such a great Valentine gift would be ours today!
Blessings~
Jay & Laura
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Honey...It's London Calling
I know the world is shrinking faster than ever, but the coolest thing just happened!
Laura and I have been promoting our new book The Spark since it's release January 15th by hitting the road for our Ultimate Date Night show and conducting countless radio and television interviews.
Today, we were interviewed Live on Premiere Radio in London England. It was the wildest thing chatting with the hosts who's accent was so FUN and realizing that we were impacting couples half way around the globe!
Our first four book tour Ultimate Date Nights were "Sold Out" and the response has been terrific! We'd love to see you at one of our upcoming events go to: clik here to find a show near you!
Blessings~
Jay
Laura and I have been promoting our new book The Spark since it's release January 15th by hitting the road for our Ultimate Date Night show and conducting countless radio and television interviews.
Today, we were interviewed Live on Premiere Radio in London England. It was the wildest thing chatting with the hosts who's accent was so FUN and realizing that we were impacting couples half way around the globe!
Our first four book tour Ultimate Date Nights were "Sold Out" and the response has been terrific! We'd love to see you at one of our upcoming events go to: clik here to find a show near you!
Blessings~
Jay
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Snowed IN!
We are officially "SNOWED IN" here at Celebrate! We've received over 12 inches of fresh snow in the last 24 hours...coupled with 30 mile an hour winds, you can imagine it was close to a "White out!"
So today is filled with kids out of school, Torrey gripping about shoveling (I'm SO glad we have teenager in the house!) and Laura and I getting ready for another weekend of Ultimate Date Nights.
For those of you who don't know we are on a bit of a "Book Tour" promoting our new book The Spark now through March, conducting a series of "Ultimate Date Nights" music, comedy and fun for couples. We "sold out" two shows last weekend in Alpena and Alma and this weekend we have two more "SELL OUTS" in Charlotte and Winston-Salem, NC. For a listing of future shows near you click here.
If you think of us, breathe a prayer over the next two months for our travels, our kids and my sister and parents who are helping with the kids!
Blessings~
Jay
So today is filled with kids out of school, Torrey gripping about shoveling (I'm SO glad we have teenager in the house!) and Laura and I getting ready for another weekend of Ultimate Date Nights.
For those of you who don't know we are on a bit of a "Book Tour" promoting our new book The Spark now through March, conducting a series of "Ultimate Date Nights" music, comedy and fun for couples. We "sold out" two shows last weekend in Alpena and Alma and this weekend we have two more "SELL OUTS" in Charlotte and Winston-Salem, NC. For a listing of future shows near you click here.
If you think of us, breathe a prayer over the next two months for our travels, our kids and my sister and parents who are helping with the kids!
Blessings~
Jay
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Evan Almighty Was Right!
Last week we had a family movie night. We told Torrey and Grace to go together and pick out a movie that we would all enjoy. They came home with Evan Almighty. It was great movie! I would highly recommend it!
The premise of the movie is that Evan is a new senator and wants to change the world. He prays and asks God to help him do just that. His wife on the other hand, prays that God will bring them closer together as a family, as a result of this new senatorial job.
In the course of a conversation, this question is asked, "Will God just make us closer as a family or will He give us opportunity to become closer as a family?" It was a great question, but I did not pay much heed to it at the time.
So now you are up to speed....
Our Grace tends to think that the world revolves around her! She is the typical baby of the family and we have enabled that! Well life as she has known it is over!! This new strategy on Jay and I's part has created much complaining from Grace! GO FIGURE!! Last night was nothing new. Dinner complaining! "The meat is too tough!" "I can't chew it!" All the complaining led to some consequences she was not happy with.
When it came to bed time and prayer time, She and I said our prayers and specifically prayed for her to be able to realize that she is not a baby any longer. After we were done, Grace asked," do you think Evan Almighty was right." I was perplexed as to exactly what she was talking about so I replied, " about what?" To which she responded, " Well I need to stop complaining. I prayed and asked God to make me stop complaining. Do you think He will just make me stop or is He going to give me opportunities to stop? Is He going to give me opportunities where I would normally complain and see if I can not complain!"
I told her Evan Almighty was right!
Today she is looking for those opportunities where she normally complains and see if she can not!
The premise of the movie is that Evan is a new senator and wants to change the world. He prays and asks God to help him do just that. His wife on the other hand, prays that God will bring them closer together as a family, as a result of this new senatorial job.
In the course of a conversation, this question is asked, "Will God just make us closer as a family or will He give us opportunity to become closer as a family?" It was a great question, but I did not pay much heed to it at the time.
So now you are up to speed....
Our Grace tends to think that the world revolves around her! She is the typical baby of the family and we have enabled that! Well life as she has known it is over!! This new strategy on Jay and I's part has created much complaining from Grace! GO FIGURE!! Last night was nothing new. Dinner complaining! "The meat is too tough!" "I can't chew it!" All the complaining led to some consequences she was not happy with.
When it came to bed time and prayer time, She and I said our prayers and specifically prayed for her to be able to realize that she is not a baby any longer. After we were done, Grace asked," do you think Evan Almighty was right." I was perplexed as to exactly what she was talking about so I replied, " about what?" To which she responded, " Well I need to stop complaining. I prayed and asked God to make me stop complaining. Do you think He will just make me stop or is He going to give me opportunities to stop? Is He going to give me opportunities where I would normally complain and see if I can not complain!"
I told her Evan Almighty was right!
Today she is looking for those opportunities where she normally complains and see if she can not!
Monday, February 04, 2008
My Funniest Super Bowl EVER!
Laura and I chose to watch the Super Bowl just the two of us last night. After back to back shows in Alpena and Alma, we were a bit torched and didn't feel like going to a party. So, we donned the sweat pants and poured some Diet Dew and watched a great game with some really LAME commercials.
I don't remember when, but at one point I said to Laura, did you see the move that guy made out there? The defender "lost his jock strap!". Now for those of you who don't follow sports "lost his jock strap" is simply a phrase one uses when describing a man who really got faked out...anyway
Laura replied, "Is that what I saw laying in the middle of the field?" I just looked at her and shook my head with a grin of unbelief on my face. Realizing how dizzy her remark was, we both broke out in outright laughter. I said that would be quite a feat to see wouldn't it? It's not as funny in print as it was at the time, but needless to say we laughed the rest of the night anytime there was a good play!
Hope your team won!
Jay & Laura
I don't remember when, but at one point I said to Laura, did you see the move that guy made out there? The defender "lost his jock strap!". Now for those of you who don't follow sports "lost his jock strap" is simply a phrase one uses when describing a man who really got faked out...anyway
Laura replied, "Is that what I saw laying in the middle of the field?" I just looked at her and shook my head with a grin of unbelief on my face. Realizing how dizzy her remark was, we both broke out in outright laughter. I said that would be quite a feat to see wouldn't it? It's not as funny in print as it was at the time, but needless to say we laughed the rest of the night anytime there was a good play!
Hope your team won!
Jay & Laura
Friday, February 01, 2008
Reality Check
Today is REALITY CHECK day. We basked in the after-glow of the cruise for as long as we could. Today however the cold harsh snowy reality of Michigan is upon us.
The kids are out of school, there are times I can't see my neighbors house across the street and in an hour Laura and I have to drive to Alpena Michigan for an Ultimate Date Night!
We're excited as we head to Alpena, just a bit nervous about the weather. The response to our Ultimate Date Nights has been PHENOMENAL. Three of our first four shows are at or nearly "SOLD OUT!"
Our "UDN's" are really a great concept. Music, Comedy and fun for couples. For $15 (the price of a movie) a couple can laugh, engage each other and walk away remembering why they fell in love in the first place. It's a great way to inspire couples to CELEBRATE!
Hope to see you all at one soon!
Blessings~
Jay & Laura
The kids are out of school, there are times I can't see my neighbors house across the street and in an hour Laura and I have to drive to Alpena Michigan for an Ultimate Date Night!
We're excited as we head to Alpena, just a bit nervous about the weather. The response to our Ultimate Date Nights has been PHENOMENAL. Three of our first four shows are at or nearly "SOLD OUT!"
Our "UDN's" are really a great concept. Music, Comedy and fun for couples. For $15 (the price of a movie) a couple can laugh, engage each other and walk away remembering why they fell in love in the first place. It's a great way to inspire couples to CELEBRATE!
Hope to see you all at one soon!
Blessings~
Jay & Laura
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