Different Kind of Lens - Post for February 15, 2010

Well, I am going to incorporate a different type of lens into my picture blog. I have recently been working hard on learning as much about video editing as I can. I don't have a good video camera in fact it is my point and shoot in movie mode. It is a great place to start though. I am hoping to take the techniques that I learn and use them in ministry. Although the primary goal is church planting, media can be a tool to reinforce what we are teaching. Anyway . . . hope you enjoy.

Arrrrrrrrrr! Watch Your Booty! - Second Post for February 14, 2010

Today the boys got pirate regalia from Grandpa and Nana Kuhns for Valentines day. They both loved it, but Luke really took it serious. He loves pirate stuff. He was walking around all day saying "Arrrrrrrrrr". They are complete with hats, patches, hooks, and earrings (just little clip on ones). Anyway, I had wrestlemania with the two little pirates tonight before they went to bed. I even pinned them down and tickled them to help them burn some of that pirate energy.

Valentine Surprises [rollover picture] - Post for February 14, 2010

Ok, here's another rollover picture for you. Rollover your mouse to see my reaction when my wife told me . . . just kidding! Don't worry, I haven't been holding back information. I just found out less than an hour ago in a Valentine card from my wife. According to the instructions on the package for the test if there is even a faint second red line, we are expecting baby Sykes #4. Now for a few specific instructions for all of those involved:

1. Mom, if you are viewing our blog before church shame on you . . . just kidding. We are telling Sarah's family tomorrow at lunch and you will be getting a phone call at the same time! I posted this in hopes that Becca would be able to find out at the same approximate time as everyone else.
   
2. Becca, if you are looking at this before church . . . shame on you too . . . just kidding. If you talk to mom please don't tell her until we have a chance to call her this Sunday afternoon.
3. Anyone else reading our blog . . . please wait till after lunch on Valentines day before sharing the news with anyone to give us a chance to share the good news with both sets of parents. We posted it on the blog to give my family in Africa an opportunity to share in the surprise at approximately the same time as everyone else.

Am I excited . . . YES! Am I freaked out . . . YES! Do I live in a single wide trailer . . . YES! Have I already seen God take care of us in so many ways . . . YES! We will be updating you on our journey all the way to October.

Pirates Sleep Too! - Post for February 13, 2010

Well, just in case you were wondering, pirates like to keep their feet warm too! This is the picture that greeted me when Luke woke up this morning. His grandpa makes regular trips to the thrift stores and is always finding treasures for the boys. This winter, for instance, Grandpa has found pairs of coveralls for the boys to play outside in. They are getting ready to go outside and play in the snow in their coveralls in just a few minutes. These slippers were definitely a welcomed addition to Luke's recent interest in pirates. I am sure we will be seeing more and more of them (especially because they are a size or two too big)!

Sling Shots and Stitches - Post for February 12, 2010

Here are a couple of pictures of Sam's most recent mishap. The boys love our missionary display table! In fact, we have to keep constant vigil because they like to take the stuff for themselves. A couple of months ago the boys took a Venezuelan sling shot from the table, and we figured we would just let them play with it. Well, Sam decided to play with it the other day and so he grasped the wood handle in one hand and pulled back on the surgical tubing with the other. The only problem was that he let go with the wrong hand. The wood "y" came back and hit him in the face and put a hole in his lip (completely through). Usually we try not to worry too much about bumps and bruises because boys will always be boys, but as soon as I heard Sam scream I knew something was wrong. I ran out of the office and Sarah already had a blood-soaked towel on the fresh wound. Sam was a bit hysteric for a minute or so at the sight of all the blood, but he calmed down pretty quickly. As soon as Sarah pulled away the towel, I started getting ready to go to the hospital because even though the hole was not very big, it was gaped open and would not stay closed. Less than 5 minutes after it happened, Sam was totally calmed down and he watched a video all the way to children's emergency. He was such a trooper through the whole thing and never cried once even when the doctors and nurses were messing with it. They numbed his cut with a jelly-like paste and gave him two stitches. He didn't even cry when they started sewing his lip. He is one tough little cookie. Anyway, there were only 2 stitches and they are only in for about 5 days. They are supposed to dissolve on their own and they are very light colored so that they do not stand out too much!

Happy Feet - Post for Februray 4, 2010

This was a quick snap picture after we arrived at home. Jude is always a smiling subject. He loves to play with his feet. I wish I could do with my feet what he is doing with his, but I am definitely not the flexible. He is a little turkey and loves to keep the family smiling.

On the Road Again - Post for February 3, 2010

When you are a missionary, scenes like this become common place. Jude is laying in mommy's seat as it doubles for a changing table in this instance. This kid pretty much smiles not matter where he is. Shortly after this picture we began our 3 hour trip back home that evening.

Shave and A haircut! - 2nd post for February 2, 2010

Today was haircut day here in the Sykes household. Boy, were we overdue! For years and years we have been going to the same barber shop in Ringgold Georgia. I decided to keep the tradition alive with my boys and so about once every other month we go down for a haircut. Today I asked if it would be okay if I snapped a picture or two while they were cutting the boy's hair. Both of them consented and so what you see is what I got. Both of the boys do excellent as far as sitting still in the chair. In fact, nearly every time I go I get compliments from someone there. They really are good little boys. I could not pass on the opportunity to share just a few more pictures from today. I hope you enjoy!

Where's Waldo - Post for February 2, 2010

Ok so here's another Rollover picture for you. I was in my office this morning when I heard the cry "help me"! It was not a frantic cry, but one that needed attention nonetheless. When I arrived at the boys room this is what I found. This is kind of like the where's Waldo game where you find Waldo somewhere in the picture. If you roll your mouse over you will get a general idea where Luke is. Sarah cleans the boy's room at least 3 times a week and in less than 10 minutes they can have it back to this condition. We are working on making them clean on their own and they do a pretty good job, but it is as time consuming for parents as it is for children because you have to stay in their room the whole time and keep them motivated. After this picture I sent the boys in to clean their room and they did a pretty good job.

Little Shoes for Little Feet - Post for February 1, 2010

Last night we were sitting at dinner and I could not help but to snap a picture of Jude's shoes. They are so little! Due to our small dining situation, Jude sits in a foam chair on the top of the table (supervised the whole time). He is a little cutie and adds tons of fun to our meal times.