Farewell

We must now call it quits. Walmart, you have been there offering your cheap prices, late hours and convenient locations for many years but no more. Too often you are overcrowded and to be quite honest scary. A few days ago I was viscously mauled by tube tops and jean shorts, all I wanted was a bottle of balsamic vinegar but it turned into a 30 minute ordeal. Hire a few more checkers? Open more self serve lines? Offer better training? These are all things that would help our relationship but alas it is too little too late. I have been moonlighting with Target for years, and now she is my one and only. Much the same as I said goodbye to McDonalds almost two years ago, this is it, you won't see me again.

My people

What is better then this on Halloween? No, no philosophically ordained conversation on how this is the devil's holiday, just this. Discuss..

A perfect moment captured in time

Her first smile, her first attempt at words. She has my heart...

The sun hung red

Up at 6am to catch an early flight home, quickly packing, dressing and preparing to check out, a towncar to the airport at 7am. This trip cut short due to the fires that rage just south of LA. Monday morning I had no idea as I boarded a flight to the coast, today like many others I pray for those affected. We pull over; he unloads my bags and pulls away. As I walk into the airport it catches my eye, the sun rising in the east, so large and still it looks like it is hanging from a string, smoke accenting its color - a beautiful blood red. A sign I think to myself, may God bless and protect our children and beyond.

She sees angels...

This last month has been one of the best of my life. You may have already heard but just in case you haven't, on August 29th @ 2 a.m. Tiffany and I were greeted by a beautiful little girl, Isabella Grace. Experiencing the birth of a child is the most intense, overwhelming, emotional event I will ever experience. I stood there mentally and physically exhausted holding Tiffany's hand as she struggled to find the strength she so badly needed. A rush of nurses, a doctor with concern in her voice, urgency outlined the moment. Seconds dripped by like minutes as I felt myself float to the top of the room, my mind decided I could no longer handle it, I was overcome. I stood in silence, still, other then my lips mouthing a heartfelt prayer. God please give Tiffany strength, please put your Angels around my wife and unborn child. My mind jammed with thoughts, Tiffany had been in labor for 10 hours, she was beyond exhaustion but still fighting knowing how close she was. How is it fair that Isabella's life was still in her hands? She conceived and carried her for the last 9 months. Her life has been consumed with our baby; eating right, resting, taking vitamins, endless doctors appointments, and on and on. But at the end of it all, even in her current state, she is still the one. Moments later through the rush of people I saw her. Beautiful and perfect in the doctors arms, we all caught our breath and waited... There it was, the sound of health and life, a baby's first cry.

The other day I was holding Bella and she was just staring off into space, not focused on anything but her gaze fixed and intent. I asked Tiffany "What do you think she is thinking?" Her quick, confident reply, "She sees angels."

Proper Protocol..

Well it happened again.. Here at my office we have a mens bathroom that includes 2 urinals which are right next to each other and separated by a board bolted to the wall, and 3 stalls. Today, for the second time in as many months I was using one of the urinals when another guy walks in, steps up, and proceeds to put his arm up on the board, thus his elbow hanging halfway into my space. It may be hard for you ladies to understand but there are certain unspoken rules that we men follow when using the facilities. Here are a few of the notable ones:

RULE #1 - Provide Adequate Space Between Pissers

Do everything within your power not to choose the urinal right next to someone else's urinal. ESPECIALLY when there are other urinals available. If I am at the far left urinal, you should automatically know to move to the far right urinal. If you go directly to the closest urinal to me, I will assume you're trying to sneak a peak. This violates my personal space. Also, always keep your feet and or arms in your own space. The separation wall is not your personal arm rest so GTFO. Taking a leak is a sacred act, and we all deserve our own personal space when doing so.

RULE #2 - Noise Levels

Don't talk to somebody you don't know.  You may chat quietly with
an acquaintance, but must absolutely not call attention to yourself.

RULE #3 - Look Ahead

This should be understood but in case its not for the love of god never under any
circumstances look at anyone while you or they are going. Find a spot on the wall
directly in front of you and never look away. Breaking this rule is grounds for
an ass kicking with no questions asked.

Seasons Change...

I decided to start blogging again and while looking through my blog today I found this. It was written on 4/3/07 @ 9:45 PM but for some reason didn't get posted..
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Spring is here and summer is not far behind. Time goes by so quickly sometimes, before I blink it will be fall, I will have a new little one and Christmas will be a week away. I wonder why it goes by so much quicker as you get older. Maybe it is simply because we have kids in our lives who are constantly changing and therefore it is much easier to gauge the passing moments. I am not sure but that would be my guess. It makes sense because the first thing people tell you once you have kids is, "Cherish every moment, it will be gone before you know it." I cannot argue..

The best of...

At the Chicago airport waiting on a delayed flight. Actually my flight here was delayed as well which is ironic as Frontier has signs all over the place saying "Running Late? Well we aren't. Just another reason Frontier was voted the top low cost carrier." Pfffffffffffffffffffffffffft!!

Anyway, I just saw the BEST unibrow I have EVER seen. I am not kidding, this guy looks like he could be a brother of those two mexican werewolf guys. You know the guys who have hair over every inch of their body? Seriously go now and google image search "mexican werewolf brothers". You're welcome.

The best day of my year (so far)

Fathers day 2007 was a memorable one. Saturday night we caught a baseball game; baseball with my two sons - does it get any better? Sunday morning Tiffany and the kids made a wonderful breakfast for me, then we bought a new grill for my dad and spent the afternoon watching Mark put it together. Later that evening we all met up on our patio and we shared a few beers, some good food, and some smokes. Couldn't ask for a better day, although one day this September may top it...

My boys and I at the game -


My dad and I with our fathers day smokes -


We had grandpa take a break from his michelob and try a Belgian trappist.

BFFL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I want to play it! Poker night was a nice evening full of slandering yet insightful jabs, food, drink, a few dollars and some of my favorite people. Hoshi got spanked, Josh was awkward, Jared was blinded out, Sean sucked out on more then 5 hands, I smoked 3 cigars and Mark won.

on an unrelated note...

Tonight I really miss playing live music.

Is it just me or

Are there some things in life that will always drive you nuts? Perhaps its the way people use the word "irregardless" or the way some people sit in a restaurant talking on their cellphone so loudly that everyone can hear. For me all of the above apply, but today I was reminded of something that I despise even more, the Truck Balls. What are the Truck Balls you ask? Well, they are a set of synthetic bull nuts that hillbillies and hicks for some reason decide need to hang from the hitch on the back of their jalopy. I was on my way to work this morning and out of nowhere a beaten down loud old Ford truck comes rolling up sporting a set of these babies. I sat there wanting to slam my head into the steering wheel as I watched them swing with momentum. Billy Bob, Uncle Ned and Aunt Jane, for the love of god stop dumbing this state down! Done - Jonas

Its a girl!

Well if you haven't already heard we are expecting a little one this September. Tiffany and I had talked about it for several years and finally decided to try for a girl. How do you try for a girl you ask? You read books, put a business plan together and pray. The backgroud..

We were in Tulsa at the Christmas Eve service this past December and Tiffany's uncle who is the preacher was sharing on how to put our faith in God and believe for what we need. Our oldest son Christian leaned over to Tiff's sister and said, "Nope, we don't need anything, mommy already has a baby girl in her tummy." Well this was news to all of us as we didn't even know she was pregnant. A week later on new years eve morning Tiff woke me up with a huge smile on her face, holding a pregnancy test that confirmed Christian's statement, she was indeed pregnant. Now, our family has a history of boys, I have 2 and my mom had 3 so having a girl was something we had to believe God for. Either way, boy or girl we would be happy. Fast Foward...

Last Friday our family went in for THE ultrasound. The nurse asked, "would you like to know what you are having?" and in the next breathe she said - It's a girl. We all cried and hugged and thanked God for his love and blessings. Come September the world will be a better place, blessed with little Isabella Ava Grace Thomas. YES two middle names, she is already spoiled!

God is sufficient, I need to learn this more every day. I often find myself caught in a mental spiral focused on meaningless garbage. I want to fall into love with loving God to the point where these things come and go and have no bearing on this simple truth.

That new carpet smell...

Odd but I really love the smell of new carpet. Today I walked out of my office and they were installing down the hall. Not sure why I have an affinity for this smell but its just nice. Its one of those things you take for granted until you experience it that next time and you remember, man I love that smell.

I need a new layout..

So who wants to help? Hoshi, I know you are bored from time to time and you just so happen to be newly single.. Mark, you called in sick from work due to diarrhea yesterday, which for you I thought was a normal condition so you obviously have time on your hands... Josh, you are in the midst of moving, looking for new employment and pursuing a beautiful love story so you are off the hook. Seanster? Never mind, you are an all or nothing guy and well.. Dammit. Ok, while we think about who is going to help me, lets all learn to properly fold a cat..

UPDATE: A very special thanks to Mark. Despite his bout with the runs, he was able to come up with this sexy new layout. Thanks Mark, eat a banana!

I don't post much -

Last week we got to celebrate lil Joshua's 24th birthday. It was a wonderful time. Keep saving those pennies Josh, 3 for life..

"Shoes, OMG"

I really suck at blogging and although I offer no apology for this, I thought stating it might make me feel better. Just in case they freeze my blog account due to weeks and weeks of inactivity I thought I would write tonight..

I just got done watching the "Pothole" episode of Seinfeld from 1997, and man what a classic. Jerry has an accident with his girlfriend's toothbrush; Elaine crams herself into a janitors closet so she is within a restaurants delivery boundary; Kramer adopts a highway and George loses his key in a pothole. How did Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David come up with so many fantastically crazy yet perfectly crafted episodes? Not sure why but I only watch when the reruns come on. I have all of the DVDs that have been released so far but can't remember the last time I popped one in. Its kind of like this; how many of you ever considered purchasing any of the Back to the Future DVDs? If for some reason you do have them, you never think to put it in and watch it. But when you are laying around on the weekend and it comes on TBS you spend 7 hours and watch all freaking three of them.

Well it has been a busy few weeks. I haven't had time to post lately but hope you all had a great Christmas and holiday season. Sometimes things get so busy that it is nice to have some down time to really relax and enjoy moments. We spent Christmas in Tulsa with Tiffany's family and it was a great time. The kids got to spend time with their Great Grandparents and other family that we rarely get to see. Santa came and delivered some wonderful gifts, ate his cookies and drank some room temperature milk. All in all it was a fantastic time and if I wasn't so tired I would post a few pictures, maybe next post. Happy New Year, I hope your 2007 is full of fantastic achievements, life changing moments and everything else you hope it can be. Stay tuned for some news and updates as I will do my best to post a bit more.

Jonas