To my Youngest Son

Drew, happy 24th and many more. I look forward to spending some time with you in Germany in a few weeks. Should be a lot of fun. Hopefully the dreaded "jet lag" does not get to me. I still have the "jet lag" pills someone gave me. I usually last until 9pm on the day of arrival. Then you can go out and have some fun.

I do hope today finds you in good health and in anticipation of your trip. Mom and I continue to pray that God will fulfill His perfect purposes in your life. Happy B'day.

There and back again

We just got back late last night from a whirlwind los angeles trip. There were a lot of firsts in these two days: our first time meeting our sweet little niece gracie, our first time meeting "tough-as-nails" brenda, our first time seeing jake and ab's spacious new house addition, and our first time eating more donuts in two days than we have in the last six months. Mmmm....that donut man, i tell ya. How could I forget that this weekend was also our first introduction to the wonders of sitting on a birthing/yoga ball (which Uncle Wes is utilizing in the photo above). All in all it was a lovely (though quick) trip, and we can't wait to see everyone again soon (once we have our own little bambino)!

Please Read

Hey everyone, I wanted you to check this out if you can. Aaron Varner was a member here at messiah, he was 19 years old. He's battled cancer for the last 2 or 3 years. He passed away last night. Thanks to hospice this was done at home. I've never seen a church come together like this and I mean everyone knew him. I can honestly say I've never seen one person impact others in such an amazing way. He was very funny and definitely marched to his own drummer, but.... God has used him for a very clear purpose. Please check this website out and read Friday's blog called Aaron Varner.... Come On Down! http://aaronsadventure.com/ about what happened. it's really cool. Check the video out too.

Game 3 - Thank you Wes

A big thank you to Wes Gaines!!
Despite the quivering indecisive sound of his voice on tuesday morning, Wesley, by the grace of God, did what no other man would do. He took up his cross "laid down his tickets" for the sake of others. Truly you are man after God's own heart.

The night was a memorable father-son bonding experience. And a cardinals win to take a 2-1 lead in the series.

Here's to you Wes!!! You get my vote for MVP!

The first cut is the deepest

My first taste of a mid-life crisis ensued last night when I received a phone call from Mom. She told me Uncle Jim had two tickets to tonight’s World Series Game in St. Louis, and he wanted to give them to me if I could go. It’s a no-brainer right? You go to the game. For some reason though I began doubting whether I was up to the task of making the 6-hour drive for the game, then driving home the next day. And at work we’re in the middle of one of our biggest projects, which is due by Friday, and I’m already taking Friday off for our trip to California. So either I go to the game and make it up by busting my butt at work the next two days, or stay home, play it safe, watch the game from the comfort of my home, get a good nights sleep and show up on time to work the next day. You still go to the game right? That’s where the mid-life crisis kicked in and all the sudden I was in a struggle between the early 20’s Wes who swam the Colorado River, climbed the highest peak in the U.K in my Pumas, flew to England for 24 hours and then back home, flew to Brazil, Australia, Belgium for the night etc.; and the late 20’s Wes who has a full time job, environmental consultant, Father to Be etc… Sure enough I tossed and turned all night, woke up early and decided it was all too much I should just stay home and watch the game. Then I made the mistake of telling everyone at work about it and calling a few people, and all the sudden I have co-workers, friends, family, and even my boss telling me to go! Uh oh! So I make a desperation call to Sarah, arrange to switch cars, take some money out, get myself ready to go…and sure enough the responsible Wes starts doubting himself again. By this time I have a stomachache, headache, and am still wondering what to do. After twenty minutes of waffling at the library, while Sarah was awaiting my decision, I made my decision it was too much to handle and I should just stay home and watch the game on T.V. So, after blitzing out of work early, “SEE YA, I’M GOING TO THE WORLD SERIES!!!”, I got back in the car and drove back to work. As I was on my way I drove over Interstate 69 and could swear I saw the young 20’s Wes waving me onto that entrance ramp. “Not this time,” responded responsible Wes, “Not this time”. Ouch! That Sheryl Crow was right, “the first cut IS the deepest”. This one will take some time to recover from. All in all Uncle Kurt and Joel get to go the game now and that’s pretty cool. And despite my lapse, I’m sure my adventuresome days are far from over. Or maybe they’ve only just begun…

P.S. The writer may have exaggerated for dramatic effect and was in no way permanently wounded by this incident.

World Series Game 1

Ok, so i told Wes I would Blog these pics, so here they are. It was a FAB nite, yes, we didn't win, but the comradery and koinonia (Greek sp way off help) . Missed my boy Wes, as well as the rest. Favorite moments:
- At Olympia and Ben Brus wips out his video camera and asks to tape this Soprano man next to us about his thoughts on the the Tigs run (Ben always making a documentary) , as his compadre leans in to me and says, "Your buddy better not tape him if he wants to leave here with two legs."

- The car guys asking me to "leave my keys in the car when I park it." Ah yeah right....
- I hear that "door locking sound" from the back seat right when we get off on Lafayette Blvd Greektown exit
- All of us turn to each other before Pujols bats and say "he better walk him, first base is open".....and well, you know what happened next.
- Ben Newman spilling my $8 spirits all over Wes' organic sweater (brought a piece of you, Wesser withn me) I was wearing and my CHucks ...ah yeah...he bought me another
- Hearing "one verse" of America the Beau from D-townz own (and accord. to Mary Carrow - Mark's parnter in crime at Ann Arbor Pioneer)
- Hearing the racial profiled music playing at every bat (Polanco - Merengue and Salsa, Monroe 50 Cent etc)
-and the last 9th inning hopes after Monroe's Homer and Ben NEwman and Bradley yelling, "WE CAN DO THIS STILL"....ok so was I.


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Proof that Lutherans can ROCK!

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Originally uploaded by stevelamps.

Check it out. I finally got a chance to wear a robe and took full advantage of the opportunity. "For those about to rock", I salute you. Have a great day.

God's Politics Blog

There is a new God's Politics Blog with posts by Jim Wallis, Brian McClaren, Tony Campola and more. For those who want to "Change the Wind" check it out (LINK)

Shea and Steve's new crib

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Originally uploaded by stevelamps.

Shea and I are officially Midlanders. Enjoy the few pics of the new house.

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Originally uploaded by stevelamps.

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Originally uploaded by stevelamps.

The back yard, many a coffee will be drank here.

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Originally uploaded by stevelamps.

across the street..... a soccer field where little steve or shea will learn to love the game whether he or she likes it or not. Just kidding, kind of.

BRING IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sniper

GO CARDS!

MAGGLIO!!!

DCB lightin it up

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Originally uploaded by stevelamps.

Hey all, while the Tigers where on there way to a game three win, I had a chance to go spend a little time with David and the boys. They put on a great show as always and of course, he made some time for the keytar. Thrid day wasn't that impressive, but I guess people really like them. Alright, I hope all is going well. Nice video Wes, now everyone who sees it on Youtube will think you and Jeff are "life mates." Congrats Jake and Abs.

GAME THREE HIGHLIGHTS!!

I think it was Frankie Vallie who once said, "Oh What a Night!". I knew it was going to be special when while driving up to the Mitten I stopped for gas, and as I was walking into the station I saw some trash blowing towards me from the road; I look down and there was a $50 laying at my feet. That's weird...As I come out of the station just as I'm getting back into the car I see some more trash blowing my way, look down and a $100 was laying at my feet. Whoa!! I waited around to see if I was on hidden camera or something and no one else was there so I guess someone's paying for Jeff and I's tix. gracias senor (if you're reading this blog and lost $150 at a gas station, let me know which one and I'll send you the money). Anyways, meet up with my boy Jeff, roll down do D-town, grab some grub at Olympia (thanks Lance, and Dr. G) make some signs (BET ON THE GAMBLER, FIRE MILLEN) and watch K-Rog throw a 2-hitter. WOW! Here's a video tribute to my best man Jeffery. Jeff, I had the time of my life and I owe it all to youuuuuu!!!

nowhere near as exciting as a baby but . . .

not to turn the attention away from our newest family member, but I just thought you all might like to see wes's reaction when the tigers tickets arrived in the mail yesterday. pure joy. please scroll down to see the latest gracie pictures.

Gracie and Family

Here's another round of photos of Gracie with her grandma and grandpa, aunt and double uncles. She loves them all. The last one is of the new mom on her way home. We're all home now, watching the Tigers, and eating mom's famous salad topped with Stu's chicken. Thanks to all for the support and love!

Gracie GAINES

Here is the video 1 hour after her birth.

GRACIE

A very proud mom and dad welcomed Gracie into the world in the early evening of October 9th, 2006. Here are the first pics of the newest Gaines member an hour after birth!

**ALSO SEE GRACIE AND HER PROUD PARENTS VIA THIS VIDEO!!! (Copy the link below!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCuj7hLC244

amish article

alright I've gotta a five post blogging streak going here, and i hate to interrupt the Tiger posts, but I read this article (link) on how the Amish are dealing with the tragedy of last week and thought I'd share it with you. I think the Amish get it right in so many ways. Sarah and I might just pack up and move to Grabill.

YES!!!

Tears in my eyes when Rogers left in the 8th!
Yankees in 4??? COME ON JEFF, BELIEVE!!!!
That was one of the best performances I've seen.

Ernie Harwell in the booth brought back so many memories. Waking up hearing Dad shaving listening to WJR. Going to Tigers Stadium for a game every year. Wow. What a night.

WE CAN DO IT!!!!!!!

Tigers Padres rematch???

Here's a good story on Jim Leyland (link)

sarah at 30 weeks

Yeah, its that Big.
And two more months to go!



Full Body Shot.