Josiah's Baby Shower by Taylor Morrison...

Carrie's coworkers at Taylor Morrison hosted a Baby Shower for her the week prior to her leaving on maternity leave. Carrie and I have been greatly blessed by her employment at Taylor Morrison. She will miss everyone that she has grown so close to over the last 2+ years. We are still hoping that they will be able to convince Corporate to allow her to come back part time early next year...Janine and Elaine are hoping for this as well! :)

Carrie and Elaine

Janine showing someone the "ropes"

Country hoe-down...

Just wanted to share some pictures of my parents hosting their Bible Study's Fall Harvest Hoe-Down at their house. Very fun!

Joshua and Grandma....

Grandma Steinmetz who lives at O'Connor Woods near my parents loves having family stop by and visit with her. Although you definitely need to make an appointment since she is one very busy lady! Between chair exercise and gym classes, she keeps in top shape.

More Josiah Baby Shower pictures...

Paulette Marks

Animated Myko Mayer and Jennifer Groza

Kay Vallerga

Celia Sertich

Impressive cake made by my Mom, Darla Briggs

Stork cake and fountain cake made by my mom, Darla Briggs
Impressive cupcake tower made by Colette Bonar

Josiah's Baby Shower...

As I stated in the last blog entry, a HUGE thank you to my Mom, Darla Briggs, Paulette Marks, Sarah Kenney, Christina Duran, Stacy Mitchell, and Sharon Lowery for planning and organizing such an awesome Baby Shower. It was such a huge blessing to us and we feel so privileged to be a part of this amazing body of believers.

Here are some pictures from the shower...ENJOY!!!

A great BIG Thank You!!!

Carrie and I would like to thank everyone who came out yesterday and showed us so much love and support at the baby shower held at River City Grace. We feel so blessed by you all!

Pictures to come...

A special thanks to Paulette Marks, Sarah Kenney, Stacy Mitchell, Christina Duran, Sharon Lowery, Darla Briggs and others who helped make this possible!

Thank you also to everyone who contributed to the stroller/car seat gift! It is such a HUGE blessing!

Blessing to all from Indianapolis!

HUGE blessing...

Every once in a while, I get these awards points that I can redeem for stuff. I've been saving them as time goes on while here at my job. Well, I've now had a chance to redeem the points...all for very useful stuff for the little one soon to make his arrival.

We've been able to order a Baby Einstein Pack 'n Play, a microwave bottle sterilizer and a booster seat (for later)! All of this from points I've accumulated! Yeah! Thank you E. L. & C.!!!

Prayer request....

I'll be traveling to Indianapolis on Sunday, October 26. I've been asked to be a Guest Trainer for the Sales Training and Development department for my company. I'm very honored by the request considering my boss was a highly respected Sales Trainer prior to becoming my manager.

Please pray for safety for Carrie and the baby as well as His Hand of protection and guidance as I'm in Indy!

Thanks for your continued prayers!

Too cute shoes...

Heather Burnett, a receptionist at one of my doctor's office in the northern part of my territory, gave little Josiah the cutest pair of Robeez. They are these little shoe boots...very stylish!!! Can't wait to see them on him! :) Thank you Heather!

Delightful afternoon...

On Saturday, Carrie and I had the opportunity of stopping off in Placerville to spend a couple hours with Kay and Gary Vallerga. Kay works for one of the offices that I call on in Cameron Park. Carrie and I were able to meet their two "girls"...Molly Mae and Sadie Sue, two very cute Cocker Spaniels.

Additionally, we went down to downtown Placerville and had lunch...very yummy! :) And then Carrie, Kay and I decided to take a old fashion stage coach ride through downtown Placerville.

The funny thing is that we ran into Jamie, a friend of ours who recently got engaged to Josh, both of whom just finished their Master degrees from UC Davis. Additionally, we saw David, Gabriela's husband, with their kids standing in line for the same stagecoach ride. :)

It was a delightful start to our weekend up at South Lake Tahoe. We are looking forward to getting together with Kay and Gary again in the near future....though probably not until after Josiah makes his grand arrival. :)

South Lake Tahoe...

Carrie and I took the opportunity of spending some quality alone time before Josiah makes his arrival present...we went back to our favorite Bed & Breakfast...Black Bear Inn on South Lake Tahoe!

This is such a wonderful place and the surrounding vistas are magnificent!!! The owners were so considerate of Carrie's dietary restrictions (no diary) and very accommodating to having a 8 month pregnant lady there.

We hope to go back in the near future with Josiah and possibly rent one of the cabins on the property!

Daddy being "loved" on...

I think that the picture says it all, don't you? Notice how all three like their heads on the pillows!

Recent pictures...

Here are some recent pictures of Carrie looking very cute and very pregnant!

Stand with us!!!

Hey Y'All,

I have just signed the American Congress for Truth's petition to join in unity with all free people and nations in the world against acts of Islamic religious hatred and intolerance against our human right of freedom of expression. We must send a message to the Islamic world that threats to our freedom will not be tolerated, nor will we allow our way to life to be destroyed by violence or intimidation.

This petition demands that the leaders of the free world stand against the growing, fascist, religious assault against human rights. Please use the link below to read the petition and add your name.

http://tool.donation-net.net/ACT/IslamicTot.cfm?dn=1089&refer=2001

MUST read book...

Hello Everyone,

There is a MUST read book by Brigitte Gabriel called Because They Hate. I'm about halfway through listening to her book on CD and I am highly recommending it. It is an eye-opener for Christians and our view of Islam and their view of us as Christians and Americans. This comes from someone who lived through Islamic jihad and is giving a personal and historical perspective.

You can also visit Brigitte Gabriel's website.

Must see movie...

Hey Y'all!

Carrie and I went to see Fireproof with my parents in Stockton today! What a phenomenal movie with a solid Christian message!

All in all, this is definitely a must see movie!

http://fireproofthemovie.com/

Joshua

Love, devotion, family...

These are all adjectives that describe someone whose birthday we are celebrating today. There are many, many more though I want to touch on these today.

Love - Christ has given us a directive to "love one another" even as He loved us! This individual exemplifies this trait every day of their life whether it be with the mother of the Little Sister, the girl's tennis team, woman's Bible Study, Sunday School class members, etc.

Devotion - Devotion to Christ, family, and others. Devotion to Christ through their ministry to teaching/leading woman's small groups, devotion to family through intense love and heartfelt longing for wholeness, devotion to others through giving of their time and energies for the benefit of people around them.

Family - One minute into a conversation with this person and you will know that family is central in their life. The love, pride and joy in life comes from the members of their family and their desire to see everyone reaping the joys and benefits of life full in Christ.

This person that we are celebrating today is my mom, Darla Briggs. Happy Birthday Mom! We love you and are so blessed to call you Mom! Have a wonderful day!

Fascinating...

Here is a fascinating test that I took and thought others might want to take. I found that I disagree with Barack Hussein Obama 98% of the time. What I found fascinating were all of the CNN, CBS, MSNBC sources cited recently for BHO's positions....additionally, I found it fascinating that I actually agreed with him on 1 question. It would be interesting for the Constitutional Law experts out there to see how they would answer #2 under Defense.

http://www.barackobamatest.com

To a great role model...

Today is a great role model's birthday...my Dad! Sure, he is human...we all are! Sure, he has made mistakes...we all have! There are several facts though regarding my Dad that I am rock solid confident...

1) He loves his Lord, Jesus Christ and seeks to serve Him in his work, family and interactions with others

2) He adores his wife and is a Godly testimony/example of how a Biblical husband loves his wife

3) He loves his family and seeks to have his family whole

4) He is proud of every single member of his family and thanks God every day for blessing him with the family that God has given him

5) He gives 110% to everything and everyone who asks of him

6) He is an incredible teacher, mentor and coach to the students, families and lives that he touches

Happy Birthday Dad!

I love you and am so incredibly proud to call you my Dad and soon-to-be Grandpa to your latest grandson, Josiah!

Joshua

Nine weeks left...

Carrie and I are eagerly anticipating Josiah Kenneth's arrival in 9 weeks. Time certainly flies by! Last weekend I completed putting together the changing table/dresser that my parents got us! Will have to post pictures of it soon!

You can definitely feel Josiah moving around more and more and Carrie's belly is definitely getting a great deal firmer.

Still is amazing to me that we will be parents in a matter of basically 2 months! Life will joyously change!

View about the current state of affairs...

In recent months, I've been debating about starting a separate blog to vent some frustrations regarding the political season that we are currently in. My brother Daniel has frankly inspired me through his own blog to write my own blog though I'm sure my entries will not be as long or as involved as Daniel's are. By the way, you should definitely check out his blog. I enjoy reading his entries daily as they refresh and challenge me.

So, I've started a separate blog...

http://caforcommonsense.blogspot.com

Obnoxiously cute...

This is the new definition of Jackson, our 11 month old black Standard Poodle puppy. He defines "Obnoxiously cute"! When we are in bed, he decides that since he can't be between us then the next best thing is being ON me. Or when I am sitting on the couch, Jackson decides the easiest way of getting attention is coming around the back of the couch and putting his paws up on the armrest of the couch and then proceed to place one of his rather large paws on my shoulder or head. No scratching mind you since he has realized that he doesn't get the right kind of attention when he scratches.

Another thing that he does is take Harrison's rope tug toy and plays keep away from Harrison. :)

Definitely...."obnoxiously cute!!!!"

Due process...the great American gift...

Well, today I was able to celebrate a freedom others around the world can only dream about...jury duty! :) Several things struck me! First of all, we, the jurors, received a very informative history lesson from the Superior Court Judge in charge of juror summons. It was an excellent refresher for me! Interestingly enough, he believes that Russia's Putin has fashioned himself a Russian dictatorship. Amazing to me was the unprecedented gift we have to due process of the law...something that I know many take for granted...

Another thing that struck me today was the sheer depravity of mankind! As a believer from a strong Christian family, I haven't been subjected to this kind of depravity. When the judge asked the question, "Have you, a close relative or friend ever committed a crime?" I was personally shocked to not only see the hands raised but the answers many gave would have made Hollywood blush (possibly...well probably not). Then the judge asked "Have you, a close relative or friend ever had a crime committed against you?" and again I was shocked to see the hands raised and the answers given.

While sitting there hearing these personal accounts, I began praying and rejoicing silently how the Lord saw fit to place me in a Christian home where my parents both love and serve the Lord and imparted to my siblings and myself the same love and devotion to serve Him. When we have the Lord front and center in our lives, the depravity of mankind cannot enter in.

May the Lord bless His children and keep us continually seeking after Him!