A Quick Mom Thanks

So yesterday was Mother's Day. The service here at Southern Heights was really good. Ms. Kim got up and recognized all the mom's and a few of the guys in the service passed out some really good cookies (I snuck one). Then it happened. I'm not sure why or how I get those feelings, but I seemed to always know when something funny is about to happen. One of those moments where I lose it on stage and everyone in the church is looking at me wondering what the weird guy has thought of now. After the cookie passing out shindig, a parade of kids began to march around our sanctuary holding signs like "I love you mom" and "You're the greatest". JP is just 2 years old. Surely they wouldn't give him a sign and let him walk around on what has become his on personal track field. Seriously, JP cannot go into the church without thinking he has to run his 40 yard dash. Anyway, I knew JP wouldn't be walking, then I saw Benjamin, JP's best friend. Benjamin is the good kid that JP influences in a bad way. I begin to smile not because I think this is cute, but because in my mind I saw JP whacking some deacon in the back of the head with the "I love you mom" sign they foolishly gave the seemingly innocent child. While he is walking toward the front I kind of turn around because if he sees daddy, JP is getting on the stage. This was a sweet moment in our church and I didn't want the "youth minister's kid" to mess anything up. Well, it's clear till he sees Megan and of course mom picks him up. I'm thinking it's all ok she'll take him to the nursery and we will be safe from embarrassment. Then the trusting mom makes the mistake and trusts the child. Thinking JP will walk the rest of the way with Benjamin she puts him on the floor. JP being clever acts like he is going to walk right beside his best friend, then makes a straight left cut heading away from mom and toward the crowd. I see this in slow motion. I have many thoughts on what was going to happen next.

1. JP was going to let out his freakish devil laugh exposing his true nature to the church.
2. He was going to face plant in the carpet and everyone was going to think we were bad parents.
3. Megan, my lovely wife, was going to bust it chasing after him in heels.
4. JP was going to take off down the aisle turning this sweet moment into, "I can't believe we hired a guy with a kid like this" conversation.

Thanks to my sweet, swift, suspecting wife he was captured before he reached full stride with one hand around his waist and the other around his mouth (muffling the devil laugh). So mom saves mother's day. I love you Megan. thank you, not for everything you do, but for doing everything.

And to my mom...I love you a lot. Thank you for always being at my games, not killing me when I did some stupid stuff, and understanding why I wanted to marry this incredible girl. You made life too easy. Thank you for taking care of me when I was sick and cooking pretty much whatever I wanted to eat. Thanks for semi-understanding why we came to Arkansas:) I can't wait to see you guys in a few weeks.

Confession: Cherry Pie

Sometimes I feel like a horrible parent. I have moments where I just quit thinking and do some of the dumbest stuff ever. Do you know what I'm saying?? There could be this incredibly huge list I could write out for you, but to be honest it is kind of depressing the more I think about it. But here's one more to add to the confessions of a youth pastor.
So here it is: It started out all cute. We all thought it was so funny, then we started to notice the changes. His ocassional request turned into constant demands. Sometimes we would give in, and allow the cycle to continue. We allowed another taste of addiction. You see our son is addicted to Guitar Hero. Specifically, he is addicted to Cherry Pie. I'm not sure when the obsession with this particular song happened, but for the past two days it has been a continuos, "I wanna pway cherr pie daddy". We should have seen it coming. So you see...Even as a youth pastor I do many stupid things. We have started denying the requests to play guitar hero and therefore have began his treatment. I know what a lot of you are saying, "Ricky, dude, you over reacting." Maybe I am. But we have made a comittment to remain strong on this issue.

Disclaimer-- Please know that this is not a serious post. Do not call, write, email, or comment on how bad of a parent I may be. Also do not request for the termination of my position in the ministry. My son does love to play guitar hero, but I place the blame for his obsession solely on Phillip Weems, The TJ Mauldin Band, The students of Southern Heights Baptist Church, and Megan Sowell:)

Taste the Rainbow

I love candy. Maybe it it's the sugar...I don't know, but here lately I have been on a candy kick. Today I would like to give you guys my top five favorite fruity candy (does that sound gay?).

5. Starbursts- I love these things. They would have been higher but I absolutely hate having to unwrap each individual one.

4. Sour Patch Kids- I have never been really big on sour stuff, but these little guys are addictive.

3. Gummie Bears- These guys are classics. Who doesn't like gummie bears??

2. Jelly Belly- In 1976 the first eight flavors of Jelly Belly were born. Now they boast 50 natural flavors. That's right...I know my Jelly Belly.

1. Skittles- I know everyone is going to want to debate this, but seriously...There is nothing better than a good pack of skittles.

I would love to hear your favorites...Umm...Taste the rainbow

Funniest Thing Ever

So most of you guys who know me know I love to read blogs. I like the rough, uncut, unedited, thoughts of people. They just fascinate me. So today as I was going down "my reads" column, I came across this blog. I have never laughed so stinking hard in my life. He has dedicated his time to make fun of things that Christians seem to be obsessed with. I know most of you guys are way too busy to go down the list and read everything so I figured I would post my most favorite three so far:

• The Bald Worship Leader
• The Mandatory youth minister goatee
• Flags, Handbells, and Puppets (please read this one)

I want to thank Prodigal John for making me laugh this morning....I needed it.