No more big truck, but no minivan either...

As some of you may have noticed, Vanessa and I have recently made a vehicle purchase. With our baby boy on the way, we thought it would be wise to upgrade to something with a little more room and something safer for a car seat. So, we bought a 2001 Chevy Silverado from our friends Gavan & Melody. It is an extended cab with the 3rd & 4th doors. It also has upgraded captain's chairs with a middle console and lots of other gadgets, so it's really comfortable. We really love the truck, but at the same time it's difficult for me to part with my old one. It's definitely worth it though - I'm getting rid of my 4X4 baby to get a REAL baby!

New Truck

If any of you know someone looking to buy a truck, please pass this information on or have them contact me. It is a 1997 Ford F-150 with 115,000 miles. It is 4-wheel drive with a 4.6 litre V8 engine that runs great. It's equipped with off-road tires in great condition and with a lot of tread, keyless entry, alarm, tinted windows, upgraded stereo with single cd player, sliding rear window, power windows, power locks, cruise controle, tilt, dual air bags, a bed mat, and the towing package. It is the perfect "guy truck." I'm asking $5,000 OBO. I really would like for someone to just make me a reasonable offer so I can get rid of it as quickly as possible. Here are some pictures:

Old Truck

ctb

Is this really happening?

I know that any of you who know us have already heard that we're having a boy. Vanessa and I are so excited. This is so weird. As my lovely wife stated in her blog recently, it's hard to believe that there's a life in there. It's definitely a good reminder of all that God is capable of.

I don't really know what to say. Sometimes I catch myself starting to tear up when I think about being a daddy and having a son of my own, but then I catch myself picturing his life and our life together as a family. It's so weird to think about what he might look like, what type of personality he'll have, how he'll react to my crazy family, what things he'll like to do.

All I know is that a child is a gift from God (although it's difficult for me to believe that my parents at one point considered me a gift). I won't take it for granted. Pray for Vanessa and I, and for our son, that God will watch over our family as we grow together.

ctb

Football and Other Life Changes...

It's football time in Oklahoma! I always love hearing those words over the PA at the first OU game of the season, which was a success by the way. It's not too often a dominant team like OU has to play a high school team (although OSU plays them every year), but they were able to execute like they should have so it was a success. I also enjoyed watching the NFL season kick off last night and look forward to High School Football starting this weekend.

Everything else is going well. Next Tuesday morning Vanessa and I will find out if we're having a boy, a girl, or maybe even a girl that I can raise to be a boy (just kidding - that's wrong). Honestly, Vanessa and I just want a healthy baby, but I'm not gonna sit here and tell you that I wouldn't rather have another Bryant boy.

Well, that's all for now. Soon I will be sharing with you my thoughts on the presidential election. Have a good weekend.

ctb

It's raining, it's pouring...

This afternoon I mowed my yard. It was in such a shape that it looked like a baseball field (yeah, the dirt infield part). I've never seen so much brown grass. BUT...now it's raining...no, pouring. I've never been so excited to see rain. Except the rain brought along with it some lighting and thunder. I was on the front porch and about jumped out of my shorts when a transformer blew right across the street. My ears were ringing for at least 5 minutes. Nonetheless, it's a good night for rain. Hope y'all are safe...

ctb

Happy Birthday & Welcome Home (a day late)...

I know this is a day late, but I just wanted to let everyone know that my good buddy, Nathan, had a birthday yesterday. He also arrived back in OKC late last night - he has officially completed his commitment to the US Army. So Nathan, happy birthday and thank you for your service to this country.

ctb

Rewind...

Well, the youth group summer is officially over and I have to say that I'm very relieved. It seems that every year I'm more and more exhausted at the end of a busy summer. Maybe I really am getting older. I'm sure the fact that I haven't kept in shape doesn't help so much either. Anyway, I'm looking forward to the Fall, especially because it brings my second earthly love - football. I thought I'd rewind the summer for you. Since it's been like 8 years since I updated my blog I thought I should let you know why...

1. June 1st-6th Quartz Mountain Camp Session
2. June 29th-July 2nd Junior/Senior Trip to Dallas
3. July 6th Lock-In
4. July 7th-11th Vacation Bible School Preparation
5. July 10th Six Flags Trip
6. July 13th-16th Vacation Bible School
7. July 20th-26th Lariat Creek Camp Senior Session
8. July 27th-31st New Orleans Mission Trip
9. August 5th Illinois River Float Trip

That was my summer! Obviously that doesn't include the little Sunday to Sunday stuff when we're in town. But, as you can see, it's been go, go, go. I'm excited for what comes now...sit, sit, sit.

Come on, football! I'm ready. Oh yeah...all you tools in Fantasy Football are going down!

ctb

Watch Dateline NBC

Peter Alexander from Dateline NBC

Just wanted to let everyone know that you need to watch Dateline NBC tomorrow night (Monday, July 14th) at 9pm (central time). Believe it or not, my family will be on there. We filmed it about 3 or 4 months ago. Gail (her real first name is Eilene, but we know her as Gail), my mom's cousin who has always been like an aunt to us and a sister to my mom, lost her mother in a car accident about 20 years ago. She didn't know it, but her mom had a lot of money in a bank account in South Carolina. Since Gail was the only beneficiary the money is rightfully hers...she just never knew about it. That's the reader's digest version. Watch or record the show tomorrow night...it should be pretty cool.

ctb