paulurban.blogs.com

Basketball season

 Basketball season started yesterday.  Spencer helped lead Mona Shores middle school to a 33-28 victory over Holland Christian.  He had 7 points and played great!  Plus, it's doubly fun because I grew up going to Holland public schools and I always enjoy when Holland Christian gets beat.  He was excited about playing and helping lead the team in scoring honors.

Happy Birthday Will!

Our youngest son, Will, turns 8 today!!  Time is flying by, and our "baby" is growing up to be a great boy.  Will is funny, energetic, and smart.  He loves to hug and cuddle still (which I love!), and he also lives half his life as a dog, and another 1/3rd as a monkey - he can climb on ANYTHING (and does).  We're so glad he's part of our family and is a true blessing to us.  So, Will - happy birthday buddy!  We love you.

Happy 55th??

Sunday was my birthday.  Matt told The Journey I was 55.  And, Journeyers were kind enough to facebook me with lots of well-wishes for my birthday - including a few congratulating me on my 55th (tongue-in-cheek, I know - at least it better be!). 

I had a great birthday.  My family was wonderful to me, had cards and signs waiting for me when I woke up.  I then left with my oldest son for Paw Paw at 7:05 am, to speak at Freshwater Church and their two services.  I loved being able to help a friend out and see what they were doing (and they're doing great things!), but I miss being at The Journey and can't wait to be back next week and beginning a brand new series!

I got home about 3 pm and the family had presents waiting for me.  The picture above is one of the gifts.  Jen and I saw a similar plaque with these words from Song of Songs, up in Traverse City, and we loved it, but it didn't work with our room - so she researched and finally found where she could get it and put it up without me knowing. 

I'm grateful for my wife, my kids, all of my friends, and a great church.  I'm ready for this coming Sunday!

P.S., for those wondering, I'm in my 30's!  Not even close Matt.

Valentine's Day

Yes, it's over-commercialized.  Yes, it may just be a "Hallmark Holiday".  Yes, you can buy flowers, and candy, and funny cards, and write sweet notes to your sweetheart any day of the year.  But, my guess is you don't.  SO - bite the bullet and go do something about it.  Tell them how much they mean to you, spend a few extra dollars (it doesn't have to be much - and you'll be helping our economy!!), take some time to write down what they mean to you.  Seriously, go!  You'll be glad you did, and they'll be grateful for your expression.

Oh - and Happy Valentine's Day Jen.  On our 20th Valentine's Day together, I love you more than you could ever imagine, and more importantly, I'm so grateful that you choose to love me in spite of all my quirks, goofiness, and smelly socks.  I'm grateful to God each day I have with you.

Vacay

Took a vacation day yesterday.  The boys were gone for most of the day, so Jen and I went and played Tennis in the morning, then biked downtown Muskegon and went to a new restaurant called Mia & Grace.  We had a fun time, and it was a beautiful day.

I'm in meetings all day today - 9:15, 11:45, 2; 3:30 pm. 

We've still got some finalizing for our Doors Project - competitive bids coming in, final plans being drawn up, going to the city, finalizing things with the bank.  We've also had some cool things happen - like the potential of $7-10,000 worth of equipment being given to us.

Cubs have won 2 in a row over the Brewers!  Go Cubs Go

My laptop had a crack in the casing.  I took it in and Best Buy said that it could be $200 to fix the casing - or if the screen was cracked, it might be more like $700 and I should just buy a new one.  I told them to send it in and check it out and then let me know where we stood.  They called yesterday to say it had been serviced.  And that my bill was $1,100!!!!  I was like "Oh, no you didn't!!"  So, they are trying to figure out what to do - I won't have to pay that - but I don't know if I'm going to get my old computer back for a much reduced price, or if I'm going to have to get a new one . . .

Vacation

For the last 10 days the family and I have been on a bit of vacation and work.  I had a conference to go to in Washington D.C. and since Jen's sister and family live out there, we decided to make a trip of it.  I got to connect with some key pastors and ask lots of questions in both D.C. and Virginia Beach.  Here's some pics that highlight our trip.

Washington Nationals new park and Spencer with a ball that a Baltimore Oriole player gave him.

Will and Jen at the National Air and Space Museum with the Space Shuttle (free museum, gotta love that).

Here's the crew at Va. Beach.  And a good time was had by all . . .

Lots of hard work to make their sand creation (that was wiped out by the tide about an hour later).

We checked out the International Spy Museum and they all got glasses that have mirrors on them so they can see who is coming behind them.

We stopped by the White House, the Washington Monument and the new WWII Monument as well.  Plus lots of time at the pool.

Now, back at it!  Refreshed and ready to go!!

Last Day of School . . . reflections

So, the boys had their last day of school on Tuesday.  Here's a couple thoughts - each year seems to go by quicker and quicker.  They seemed to agree.  Spencer is heading out of the elementary school and into middle school!  They had a 5th grade graduation at the school on Tuesday and I quickly thought "his high school graduation will be here before we know it".  I heard they have a 2 hr. long 8th grade graduation.  I think we'll skip that one, as I don't want him to start thinking that graduations aren't a big deal or anything because they're always having them (it has nothing to do with it being 2 hours long!). 

After school (1/2 day) they each had a friend over.  6 boys at our house and a dead mouse that Jake was playing with and only one boy (not ours) would use a shovel and pick it up and throw it away.  Wimps!

At night we did a little fishing and had a hot dog cookout at some friends' place.  Great time.  Fun to see our boys fishing and having fun out in the row boat. 

Then, we headed to the Getty 4 Drive-in.  We've never been to a drive-in as a family.  We went to see Indiana Jones and the Curse of the Crystal Skull.  Spoiler alert! I wanted to curse a few times.  I loved the old Indiana Jones, and I thought this one was horrible!  Especially when they pulled out the aliens.  Really?  I didn't find a point in the movie, I was bored. 

Will liked it (we had to tell him to "don't look" at a couple parts that were too intense), but he liked it enough that he decided not to go to the bathroom for the last 1 hour or so of the movie, and then as soon as it was over said "I have to go now!".  He couldn't even run, it hurt too bad and half way to the bathroom he started to cry.  We made it, and he peed for, what I declared, was an Urban family record!  I think we missed the first 2 previews of the next movie.  I was helping hold his pants and at one point we both just started laughing because he was still going and going and going.

Great last day of school!  Let summer officially commence!

Sweet 16!

16 years ago, Jen and I said "I do" and began our life as husband and wife.  I am grateful every day for this wonderful woman I call my wife and best friend.  If you haven't gotten to know Jennifer yet, she is publicly fairly quiet, but is extremely funny, a good friend, a wonderful cook, wife and mother.  She loves me and encourages me and I would be 1/2 the pastor I am (at best) if it wasn't for her.  Beyond that she is beautiful and my favorite person in the world to be with.  16 years.  There are moments when it is hard to remember life without her, and at the same moment it feels like the years have flown by. 

16 years and I fall more in love with her as each year passes.  I'm looking forward to spending some extra time with Jen today.  Happy Anniversery Jen!