The Barber Kids. Sick.

The Barber kids are sick. Sam and Laney were up half the night last night puking their guts up. And, as it turns out, Benjamin has chicken pox. Yep - chicken pox.

So, after being elbow deep in regurgitated beef stroganoff at one o'clock in the morning, Janna and I are a little sleepy...

Top 5 Albums of 2007

If I can't think of anything profound or scripturally relevant to post here, I might as well write something. So here are my 5 favorite albums from 2007. No, you won't have heard of most of them. But the links go to their Myspace pages, so check them out if you're so inclined.

5. David Crowder Band - Remedy

I had heard a few tracks from this one long before the album came out, so it was a bit anticlimactic when I finally picked it up. But, their version of "O, for a Thousand Tongues" is cause enough to make this list. The album as a whole isn't nearly as interesting or inventive as their last record, but it's still pretty great.

Favorite tracks: O, For a Thousand Tongues, Everything Glorious

4. Wilco - Sky Blue Sky

Fresh off the full-band, hard-rocking live double-disc Kicking Television, Wilco stripped it down and mellowed it out for this one. It took me four or five listens before I really got into it. One of my favorite bands - not my favorite record of theirs, but it's still a good addition to the oeuvre.

Favorite tracks: Impossible Germany, What Light

3. Over the Rhine - The Trumpet Child

Man, oh man, what a good record. This one has one of my two favorite songs of the year - If a Song Could Be President, which, amidst all this talk of caucuses and primaries and platforms, comes across as truly sweet and clear. The best political stuff is never hard-nosed or pointed, and it certainly isn't here. The rest of the album is melodic and beautiful as well.

Favorite tracks: If a Song Could be President, Don't Wait for Tom

2. Sara Groves - Tell Me What You Know

Bought this one for Janna, for her birthday. She's the one from the Nomad documentary that we watched in Life Group a few month ago. This album reminds me of the really early Amy Grant stuff (way before Baby, Baby and the like) - just really fresh and inspiring. My other favorite song of the year is on this one, I Saw What I Saw, which is a statement about her trip to Rwanda and its profound impact on her life and her faith.

Favorite tracks: I Saw What I Saw, When the Saints

1. Okkervil River - The Stage Names

The band with the silly name and the lead singer with a voice that my wife can't stand. I freaking love this album. I loved these guys before this, but this album is my favorite so far. Any band that has the guts to cover (sorta) Sloop John B is ok in my book. Every single track on this album is great. Definitely pop over and listen to some. I can't stop listening to it.

Favorite tracks: Our Life is Not a Movie But Maybe, Savannah Smiles

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Now you guys know what i do with my spare time...


john

All the Latest . . .

We had a great time at the Young Married X-mas party -- all five of us who were there that is.
We really missed everyone who couldn't make it and you guys missed the chance to see "Redneck Frosty." Hopefully we'll get some pictures from the party. Of course Jeremy hopes we burn those pictures!

Please pray for me and John as we'll be flying to AR tonight and coming back home late tomorrow night. Also, keep my Mom in mind as she's watching the kids for us!

Not sure if we're meeting on Sunday. Kim has offered to let us meet at her place. We'll probably spend some time wrapping presents for our Angel Tree family. (If you haven't turned in your donation, you can give a check to Kim next time we see her.) Kim, thanks for working so hard on this project.

We're looking forward to a great party on the 23rd, after 2nd service. Bring your favorite appetizer or dessert out to Inspiration Point and we'll have a BLAST! Don't forget to bring a $15 (or less) present for the person whose name you drew. BTW- thanks to Amanda for taking care of goody bags for the kids; just let us know how much we owe you.

I can't remember what we decided to do to say "Thanks" and "Merry Christmas" to our babysitters. Thoughts?

I guess that's everything for now. Have a good week everyone. See you soon!

Married Life Live

All,

We'll be taking the week off from Life Group due to Married Life Live. Everybody go to that!

John

I feel like this picture

Can I say Oy Vay? It has been the day, and perhaps the last week or so from the hockey sticks word. Not only did I have to spend most of my fall break off doing work, but I had to spend it in a cold city during a weather change, which just made it colder. Not that I don't like Louisville, because I got to see how Louisville Slugger bats were made (which was cool, even though I despise baseball), but we were in meetings All stinking day--8-5! Meetings Suck!

A word of warning to you parents of still elementary students--savor the time. Preparing for a female 13 yr old sleepover is way too time-consuming for just one person. I don't think Jeremy will survive the estrogen spike...and it looks like Ty may escape to go camping. And now, they say its going to rain. ugh. Between this, school "surprise" observations, cat pee (another story), interstate wrecks, and soccer games, I'd like you can stick a fork in me. My only saving hope this week is that we will have a new (working?) dishwasher. Its sad that household appliances can make me happy.

Hopefully, I will survive. If you don't see me Sunday, assume the worst.

Wow, this sounds really negative~Sorry

A Whole Family of Ninja Warriors

It's an unlikely suspect, really. You wouldn't think that an entire family could bond over such a ridiculous thing. Yet, night after night, we all sit around the boob tube after dinner and watch Ninja Warrior (on G4TV) together. What kind of show could a 30 year old man, a 30 year old woman, an 8 year old boy, a 4 year old girl, and a 7 month old boy find common ground in? A Disney Channel tale concerning long-haired moppets and their hijinks? An animated story about a fun-loving sponge? An Animal Planet show about cute and fuzzy bunnies? Nope.

Only Ninja Warrior could accomplish such an unlikely feat.

But, wait, you say. A show in Japanese with subtitles about grown men completing feats of endurance and strength? The whole family likes it? How?

I don't know, and I don't care. All I know is that Ninja Warrior is the only television show that we all sit down to watch together (although sometimes Janna uses the time to clean the kitchen). The kids get way more enjoyment from seeing Nagasaki Makota completing Stage 1 than they do from watching football, baseball, basketball, or any other sport. Laney can't even read the subtitles, and she still loves it!

It's better than nothing, I reckon. I guess we could all be out in the yard together throwing the frisbee or something. But that doesn't really seem like our style.

What do you guys all do together as a family?

Tonight

All,

We're canceling tonight. See you next week!

John