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!!!