A photo blog of Wes's 27th year

greeting our friend mark at the bus station and posing with the sunflowers in summer


japan and birmingham in the fall


merry christmas and a yahtzee! during winter

heart in motion with recording in the spring

happy birthday, wesley! cheers to another great year.

Feliz Cumple!

george_brett, originally uploaded by andrewgaines.

Happy Birthday Wesser!

Print this photo off. It's gotta be worth about 150 bucks.

You turned that adolescent 'you get the keys' attitude around into something special. I love it!

You're a tru bro. I'll see you soon.

andy

thank you

Steph and I don't have the words to express how BLESSED we are to have friends and family across the country that would PRAY WITHOUT CEASING for our lil' guy. It's been two weeks now and he is doing great. Just look at this stellar smile! I really can't say much more. It was one of our scariest moments ever; yet within that context of the unknown and fear, you feel this enormous LOVE from "the praying saints." I realize that there will be times when all of us will hold our breath and surrender our hearts to the Holy One for our children (there will be 5 in our posse by the end of 2006!!!). I am just so thankful for how CLOSE (despite physical mileage) is our COMMUNITY. LOVE YOU GUYS. SEE YA SOON.

A new stage in Life for the Lampi's from Mt. Pleasant

Yesterday had to have been one of my favorite days this year. we had the whole family (stelter-lampi) in the beautiful Mountain that is known as Pleasant. At 10:00am the family was sitting front row at the final His House service for Steve. The music played the preacher spoke about our calling to be missionaries wherever we are (Always a good sermon) while also saying " How much fun can it be to go to a dome and hit golf balls." Ooops, he obviously forgot my father in law was there. I leaned in and told dad stelter, it's alright I like it too. he smiled and shrugged off the comment like the rock he is. By the way, his brother won a thirty thousand dollar car for hitting a whole in one at the Saginaw Country Club invitational two days ago. Yes, all Stelters are amazing golfers/Legends in Saginaw. I am proud to carry the tradition on with my 37 handicap. Anyway, back to church. As the last song played i could see a faint red dot in the back and a hand in the air videotaping the song. Guess Who? You got it, Jeff. He's always there to catch those unforgettable moments. Anyway, we celebrated Jen's brthday and hung out. We played some home run derby and ate some great cake. i finished the day by myself on the golf course in the late evening shooting out nine. That is my getaway, my sanctuary, just me and the ball working together (usually me working it far right off the tee and way over the green on my approach). As I walked the beautiful riverwood alongside the chippewa, i wished ya'll were there. i actually called ben, but no answer. Well, the sun set and as I drove my last shot down the fairway toward the big orange Sun fading into pink clouds, an end came to another chapter in life and a new began. I have a baby on the way, a new job, and I hit the ball in the middle of the fairway. Things seem to be looking up, hopefully the same won't be said for the golf score soon.

See you in East lansing Soon.

THE ADVENTURES OF FUTURE-DAD

Up to this point my role in this pregnancy has been pretty low-key, fix a meal here and there, bring the fan downstairs, give a back-rub, all tasks I can handle. As is in every pregnancy the woman (Sarah) is left to handle all of these rapid changes occurring daily to her body, while I'm usually left to observe and offer what little help I can. Well today I got called up to the majors! It is a beautiful summer day in the Fort, not too hot, a mixture of sun and clouds. We were attending the wedding of one our friends at a park close to our house, a perfect day for an outdoor wedding. The ceremony was beautiful, just a handful of close friends and family attended. After the ceremony a lunch was being served in a pavilion on the other side of the park. So Sarah and I and the rest of the wedding guests started walking over toward the pavilion. About 200 yards into our walk I got the first warning sign, Sarah gives the "I don't feel good, I need to eat now" signal. A couple steps later I get the "oh I need to sit down, I can't see anything". Heeding these two crys for help but still believing she can make it to the pavilion, I grab her hand and continue on. About five "drunken" steps later, I realize that I am now the only thing holding Sarah up. My time had arrived, I got the call and went to work! As the rest of the wedding guests and wedding party continued walking, I softly lowered my now fainted wife in the grass, so as not to distract from the wedding procession. Immediately I was joined with a member of the Smith family reunion who were celebrating nearby, we got her some water, and less than a minute later she was resting in the shade. The rest of the wedding guests became alerted as to what happened, but so as not to embarrass my wife I told them "Go, on. I got this under control". Later as we left the wedding, Sarah feeling much better, exclaimed to the bride and groom, "thanks for inviting us, sorry i fainted at your wedding". There you have it. Men, you just never know when you might be called into action. Be ready.

Progress

Here's a little progress report from the fort. The above is Sarah at 19 weeks. She feels better but the combination of hot humid weather, work, school, carrying a baby etc...is wearing her out. In the words of her gramps, "you gotta give it to her, she's strong".

We're looking forward to the "west coast invasion" this august. I'll make an offer that anyone who wants to catch a Tigers game while they're out, I'm there. Surprise, surprise I got TIGER FEVER. Sarah's grandpa (a lifelong Tigers fan) and I watched the game last night against the White Sox, and when Craig Monroe hit that Grand Slam I nearly had another Mickelson moment (those unpredictable tear ducts). As I told Andrew, the Sox are the new Avalanche and Pierzynski is the new Claude Lemieux.

Our trip to Missouri over the 4th was memorable. Here are the highlights:

Jolene: "Eddie would just as soon slit a cow's throat and eat it right there."
Eddie's response: "I guarantee I would, it'd still be warm!"

Gramie to cafeteria workers: "This my son, grandson, and their wives...they're Yankees, I'm not." (turns around and walks away)

Honorable mention is Uncle Kurt explaining to Gramie the difference between "lucky" and "blessed"
Gramie's reponse: "what-eva!"

See y'all soon. Lots of love from the fort, and continued blessing and protection to Abigail, Sarah, and Shea.

Friend in Lebanon

someone we know from our local coffeshop (who moved to D.C. last year to attend American University) was featured in our paper b/c she's been in Lebanon studying for the summer. Here's a link to the article and a link to her blog--if you don't mind a swear word or two:). it's interesting to read a young person's perspective on all that's going on.

Dov on Charlie Rose

American Apparel founder/owner, Dov Charney, was on Charie Rose Friday night.

It was a very thoughtful and telling interview and I think you should check it out:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8906053411802681740

Dov's the second guest, so you might want to fast-forward it to the middle.

Covina Vineyard Serve Week 2006

Well, the Covina Vineyard successfully pulled off our 3rd annual serve week with quite a bang at the finish line. We've been doing projects all week in the community including our standard thousands of cold water giveaways in traffic, which was nice seeing that we've been in triple digits all week. But yesterday we broke new ground. We tried to come up with something big and practical this year to meet a need. With the now record price of gasoline we came up with the idea of giving away free gas. So, our relatively small church gave $5000 to this endeavor and yesterday we took over 2 gas stations and gave each car that showed up $10 of free gas. It was a smash hit with traffic backups and all. We gave away nearly all the dinero in about 2 hours and then gave the gas station employees $50 gift cards to Chili's. What was really cool was seeing our people all over the gas station praying with people as they filled their tanks. The reception was amazing and the papers showed up to cover the event. There was a front page picture and then a huge article inside which you can check out here.

Arturo

Arturo, originally uploaded by andrewgaines.

Quite simply the best American Apparel ad I've seen.
I don't know if you'll be able to read the print but Arturo is an employee at American Apparel and a former police officer and Lucha Wrestler in Mexico. And an all around good guy.

Watch this video of him also that Ben helped translate: http://www.americanapparel.net/gallery/galleryThoughts.html

NASA nerd

I don't know why but I've been fascinated with the Discovery mission, you gotta check out the videos on the NASA website. Man! why didn't I join young astronauts!
Jake, maybe can get us into space camp next time we're out.

28 on 28

Just want to wish "Happy Birthday" to my wonderful greek goddess wife, Stephanie Merrily Lampi. 28 years of Bliss and 28 years more...and then some of course. It's your "GOLDEN!!!!" day.

Today I woke up and turned to her and said this: "Stephanie, .....you had me at hello........you complete me..." So original.

Had to share these

Welcome to "Eden's Garden" says the little turtle in the middle (clic on pic and you can tell). Just tomatoes growing now, totally fair trade (Wes and Sarsh are giving Eden double min wage for the organic veggies. ThanksThis little dude was caught streaking during Mexico-Argentina game. He was upset about a lousy call and saddened about the loss (even has his hand on his heart). Uncle Steve made him do it And for Wes and those now cheering for the RedCoats of England, in honor of the sweetest pentalty/free kicker in the world (and Steph's guilty pleasure jk) DAVID BECKHAM...hence the phat hair. Ok, so he's hot.

So, since the GLposse has seemed to be stricken with World Cup fever, I had to post some pics of the little dudes. + Eden's new tomatoe garden

the eagle has landed . . .

Yes, folks, it's here . . . all 12 songs of it in stylish digicover packaging!






Wes picked our shipment up from church yesterday and arrived home with a big grin on his face--the sweat band came later (i blame andrew for that one). The cd looks great. Pretty soon you can go to wes's very own website, but for now it reroutes you to the church's record label site. Soon you might even catch this "modern rocker" on Itunes. Three cheers for Wes!

Eden

Hey everyone, eher it is. eden's first day. It was quite a day. Much fun was had by all, ecspecially the kids.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful fathers (and fathers-to-be) in our family! You are certainly some of the greatest men out there!

Visit my Dream House

CLICK

B H S
who ya rootin for
B H S
Good Luck to Mark and the Bulldogs!!

Mythbusters

Sorry Steve, but I had to post this. I did a little google search and look what I found. READ

South Central Farm

It's sad what's going on with the South Central Farm. If you haven't been following the story or have never heard of the South Central Farm this article that my friend Jacob wrote gives a brief overview. article

I went down there Tuesday after the farmers were evicted to see what was going on and I was met by a brigade of LAPD officers in riot gear. I eventually found a place where people had gathered accross the street from the farm and caught a glimpse of the struggle that the farmers and community members have been locked in for years.

The community has been farming here for over 10 years, growing food and running a foodbank that fed an estimated 350 families. When the farmers were forced out by the landowner (who bought it from the city for $5M unbeknownst to the farmers) the community organized and raised $16M to buy it back from the landowner who denied the offer because it came a few weeks after his deadline.

The farm has now been bulldozed and destroyed and plans are set to constuct a warehouse on the existing land. South Central remains as one of the poorest neighborhoods in LA with 1 in 4 children going hungry.

Oops!

JJ Redick arrested!

Hello Third Round.

Viva Mexico

Well Mexico is off to a great start. they ae truy the only team that impressed me besides the butt woopin the Chech put on us. U.S. must now win out. Mexico needs to win one or tie both to move on. Go Mexico!!!!!

short film #1

hey i'm trying this out, you can post videos to the blog directly using youtube, try it out. Sarah and I went and saw Robert Altman's movie A Prairie Home Companion last night and it inspired me to finish my first short film showing some scenes of life in indiana. maybe louise (or dad) can translate the song. I'm sure it has something to do with hoosierland. enjoy

Pete's got some CUP FEVER!! I woke up this morning and he had his Netherlands Orange on. He's picking the Dutch all the way!

copa loca

copa loca, originally uploaded by andrewgaines.

I must admit that I'm a little bit cup crazy. Like back in '94 when the cup came to the USA and I was inspired enough to make a Jordan-esque comeback and play another season of U-14 Community ED fall soccer. Jon Saunders had all the cool soccer jerseys, Chris Myers would do dribbling drills in the front yard, Tony Meola in goal, Coby Jones where did you go??

I think it's funny how nobdy in the USA really pays any attention to soccer, but once the World Cup comes around everybody and their mother's got Cup fever. That seems so very American, but I'm into it. That's what the Cup does to you and I love it.

Today I got into work and saw that the Germany - Costa Rica game was at halftime with Germany leading 2-1. So, I jumped back on my bike and rode back home to catch the 2nd half. Cup Crazy.

And then I grabbed my Mexican flag and headed back to the factory with the flag draped over my back like a cape. I gave a tour of the factory to a group of students whilst wearing my Mexican flag cape locking in life long friendships with thousands of Mexican-Americans who work here. Cup Crazy.

I'm going with my gut and picking Portugal to win it all but if the US wins I'm flying over to Germany to celebrate. Becks and Wiener Schnitzel for everyone! Cup Crazy.

are you ready for some futbol?

Is anyone going to watch the World Cup? Any predictions? Here are mine

USA will make it through the First Round and that's about it.
England will win their first Cup since the 60s
Steve will once again be inspired by the cup and will find a new career in the MLS!

Fort Wayne's own DaMarcus Beasley is on the team again, he's amazing. I've heard a couple of my friends pulling the old, "yeah, i played against him"

Anyways check this video out! I used to be able to do something like back when I was playing for Karen Luck (sorry Jeff)

Mas fotografias

Hey, if you're wondering how the "Big Brother" episode is going and other baby Lampi news...tune into www.calebhotspot.blogspot.com for updates. We'll be posting there, and may be once in a while here. Love from EL.

jefe

Burrito Baby

These will be the last pics from the hospital. When we have T-I-M-E, we'll be posting our 2 boyz on caleb's hotspot. Just some kodaks for the West Coast, Fort, B-town gang. Love ya'll.

"Lampi...party of 4."

Ok, so you haven't seen him yet. Well, picture Caleb as a newborn with a BLACK FRO = Eden. Steph is doing well today. Eden likes to eat.

1 day old....welcome eden jeffrey!!!

What a storied day in our lives! We were so blessed by all the support and prayers. Thanks Mar for the coaching, laughs and memories...Caleb has a lil' bro!!! Mommy was amazing! I thought that nothing would be like when Caleb was born, but this was just as glorious, and heavenly a moment!
"I was on the Mezzanine floor, and I'd been there before...uh huh..."
Welcome Eden, 7.8 19 3/4 in. , June 4th 2006! Our angel.

Caleb's first words to Eden..."Oh, I take his eyes." Nice.

Sarah and I in 20 years!

Here's to You (A tribute to pregnant women)

Photo 5
Originally uploaded by stevelamps.

As I sit in Tim Hortons I reminice
about the year and all that came with
A new job, a new house,
a new cat, a new spouse (not really)

Drinkin my coffee and bobbin my head
I look forward and see what is ahead
one, two, three, four, five, six (if twins)
holy crud that's a lot of kids!

Next time we get together and share our thought
We'll see what our God in the world has brought (nice ryhme)
I'm talkin babies a whole new crew
let's tip back a drink and sip a brew(Wes)

So here's to the moms that are soon to be
carry those kids you're stronger than me
Us guys we admit, you are the best
keep up the good work, and get some rest.

Much love to all the moms to be out there!

Sincerely,
The whole family

I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS...HORRIBLE

http://www.taylor.edu/community/news/2006_05_31_accident.htm

Predictions

Who will win the Pistons v. Heat series?
	Heat in six - The Pistons will have nothing left and come up short in South Beach
	Heat in seven - Our hopes will be high and D. Wade will sink them in the 4th quarter
	Pistons in seven - They've figured it out and will take the next two to win the series
Free polls from Pollhost.com

memorial day feats

This was our Memorial Day project. Two days, 90 degree heat, and near exhaustion but it was worth it to prove that deep down inside there is a handy-man waiting to come out! It must have been a weekend of firsts because our veggie momma to be, Sarah, put down two brats at our cook-out! Its gotta be the hormones. The Pistons game is starting so I'm outta here. They better bring it!!

Restore the Roar of 84!!!!

Don't look now but the Tigers have the best record in baseball two months into the season! I've got one foot on the wagon and am pretty sure either Jeff or Dad are going to help me the rest of the way up. If you're contemplating making the jump with me this article will help you get to know the team a little. Jeff we gotta hit Comerica up this year!

CALEB'S B-DAY PARTY!!! and some CANDIDS to share

We had a blast today at Caleb's Thomas the Train 2nd B-day party. It was a day to remember. One of surprises....WES AND SARAH AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! Norm busting through the sliding SCREEN door, "Oh, I'm ok, I'll fix it" after we thought Armaggedon was upon us, Jeff doin' some promoting and getting top dollar for Wes and Steve's new MUSIC, Caleb scoring a vintage Tigers jacket from W &S (thrift store in FtWayne!!!), Greek Mafia representin', Barbaro going down in the Preakness and Dawn Georgiou yelling, "Are they going to shoot him?", Bill and Leen trying again, to wooo me to Cali (Shut up Bill and don't call me next week, please), Bill Stelter and Bill Gaines trading Masters Moments, Debbie the new threads for C-unit (I love em Mom, seriously), 80% females pregnant, Diana running after the wolf and the poor little bunnies, the little tykes playing together, Benny Brus and connections from film, theology, family and the party??? and my little guy TURNING 2!!!! He is AMAZING. I love when our families get together...it's BLISS. We need to do this more. Today I saw what 's coming the Gaines-Lampi way........NINOS and ABUELOS!!! Missed you SOOO MUCH West Coast Gang. It's hard being far apart. I did spread the word about possible Fall get together WEST COAST STYLE to welcome in the new babe. Anyway, what a great day. Thanks to EVERYONE. Caleb is blessed.

ok, probably 2 of the most photogentic peeps I know ...One, the new SURPRISE!!!! One of Wes and Jasmine (Steph's sister's dog..I mean wolf) which Wes wants as his CD cover, and a a Mezzanine glimpse of Fort Wayne's finest.

Sexy Model Wes, caught posing for a senior pic, prego mommies everywhere in order of due date!!! Prego daddies too, look at Jay's...8 months man!

Caleb trying to sneak a bit of his Mommy-made (w/Jami's help) Thomas B-Day Cake, 2 Bills and Gramps stuffed after ice cream cake and the "green stuff" (ask em), and Mommy opening some of C-unit's new toys....you guessed it...trains!!!

HAPPY 2nd B-DAY CALEB and HAPPY MOMMIES DAY to ALL NEW AND VETERAN!!!

I cannot BELIEVE my little guy turned 2 today! I am reminded of our night in the hospital when the little man appeared for the first time into the world, and of the strentgh and sacrifice his amazing mommy displayed to give me the greatest gift in the world. I won't be long-winded but I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited for the two new MOMMIES in Abagail and Shea, and want to affirm the veteran mommies in Debbie, Lena, Jan, Maureen Stelter, etc for their Christ-like examples of God's model for motherhood. This is an open venue to "shout-out" to the mommies on their day and may be even a holla to our boy C-unit...the BIG 2!
Love you all!!!

Check it out

link

A MILESTONE FOR BRIGHTON'S FINEST

For all y'all who have had the opportunity to be graced by Michigan's 4th most winninest baseball coach, number 1 body surfer, trend-setting hard core warm-up, oldschool reebok playa, Uof M most stroied 3 sport prospect, MI hall of fame coach, father, and friend, MARK CARROW...then CHECK THIS OUT! He is the talk of every paper, across the State and his 10-1 bulldogs could send him a STATE CHAMPIONSHIP this year as he goes out on top. And all he has to say is, humbly, "What about my wife, and those retiring this year...why don't they get this attention, too? Because Sports are idolized?" Mark, we love you and are pulling for you ll the way. Here's the link to the story:

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060505/SPORTS09/605050410

And this ain't one of Mary's stories..if you know what I mean.

***To honor Mark, those who can, post a memory as a comment. Gracias.

Goodbye Birmingham

In the words of Michael W. Smith,
"packing up the dreams God planted
In the fertile soil of you
Can't believe the hopes He's granted
Means a chapter in your life is through
But we'll keep you close as always
It won't even seem you've gone
'Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong"

Gramie is leaving her home, headed for St. Louis the Gateway to the West, (Go west young man
Go west young man
When the evil go east
Go west young man
Go west young man
Find a heart that's golden
Why must i wander like a cloud
Following the crowd
Well i don't know
But i'm asking for the will to fight
To wear the crown of life
And you say go)


** All this to say, why don't we get her a gift for her new place....this would require the Gaines to UNITE and think of something special she can show off to all of her future friends in her new home!!!
What do you think?????

Reply some ideas....and if you are IN!
(this is for all those who call Gramie...Gramie)

El Cinco de Mayo

Feliz cinco de Mayo a todos! We had a half day today (go figure) and had a fiesta complete with pinata, a Navigator limo, and bowling. In the words of David Brent "el vino did flow". anyways I had the high bowling score until my boss through 3 three straight strikes in the tenth at which he exclaimed, "YEAH, I BEAT YOUR A**" There you have it, wild times at SES! Look forward to seeing you all soon!

Colonel cares

Colonel cares, originally uploaded by andrewgaines.

The boycott yesterday was HUGE and fun but we'll wait to see if all of this noise and action will add up to any political clout.

Was there any sort of protest in Brighton? At the Mill Pond?? Jose Lopez???

This picture reminded me of the picture Jacob took at the Pizza Hut in Israel. It also reminds me of the Colonel, who's from Fort Wayne, is he not? And who no doubt owes some of his finger lickin' goodness to immigrant labor.

EMERGING CHURCH: Part 2 Listen?

Hey, I heard from wes, and spoke to Jake a little about it already. If you guys want to check out the sermon I was talking about from Sunday (previous blog: Emerging Church: Friend or Foe), here's the link to the website. Then scroll down to the "teaching from our evening services" and Dale Van Dyke's sermon is there. Listen to it; I'm curious. I also suggest, you join me in reading "Velvet Elvis" by Rob Bell if you have the time too. Wes, the next book club? Can I get an ok to implement that, my boy? Since you're the Curriculum Director and your bride the hot librarian (just playing man.....waaaaattch it!) It may make for some sweet dialogue.

Funniest thing I heard today at school: One of my buddies I car pool with has kind of an edge to him and his class really gets heated (That's why everyone wants to get into it---Think about the teacher from Colorado who recently got some heat for the comment -taken out of context-about the president)

Anyway, he was showing the film "OUTSOURCED" to his freshman today about jobs going overseas. He noticed that alot of his kids had their heads down "sleeping" so he just blirted out,

"Whatever, you're gonna wish you watched this ten years from now when you're living in a cardboard box under a viaduct seeing as all the jobs go to India." "I'll just drive by and throw the video at you!"

From the mouths of educators....... (I got more where that came from if you want) Just couldn't stop cracking up.

love ya,

jefe

http://www.urc-msu.org/sermon_audio.cfm

BIG COUSINS!!!

This is Caleb and his girl Mekkena saying how excited they are for their 2 new cousins coming!!!

Had to share these!

The EMERGING CHURCH: FRIEND OR FOE?

Last night, the Lampi-Brus-Newman posse all went to a local church to hear pastor Dale Van Dyke (visitor from Grand Rapids) preach on the the topic of ":the emerging church"; specifically, concerning Rob Bell's book "Velvet Elvis." I am not going to give you any of my thoughts at this point, because I would like to be a good "Berean" and test what was spoken and let things digest. But I will say, ever since Steph, Caleb and I have been attending this church, issues like "women's role in the church, predestination, and now this, a critique of Bell's book agianst the Bible," has been preached and dialogued. The pastor even had a night where people could come and "hash it out" with him about hard issues. Steph is in this Bible doctrine class with a bunch of gals her age that just dig and dig through it for answers. And get in cat fights (jk) Wow! And to add to the mix, they have a huge ministry to internationals from all over the world! Latin night this Friday!

Anyway, it was very interesting last night. If you want to check out what this pastor spoke on specifically, here's the LINK

LUv,
jefe

How are those babies doing Abs and Shea???? SO STOKED for you!!!