"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!!!

Props to Wesley

5 stars for wes's birthday bog to Jeff. Nice one kid.

New Orleans Reflections from Dad (Bill)

It has been a week since mom and I returned from NO. I remember a conversation we had when she was to Kiln, MS. in January. The change in her life by being there exceeded anything that had been done in previous missions trips. I have to now agree. Coming home from the week of "vacation" the thought occurred to me that when I take vacation to visit family or friends or do some recreational activity, I come home relaxed and encouraged. On a trip like this, I have to say that I come home changed.

The devastation, traffic lights not working, homes that have not been in for 8 months, damage as far away as 90 miles out of NO, all of these things were minimal to the effect of this hurricane had on the life of the people. The pictures of what Ben showed on his blog were not of molded furniture or walls or piles of rubble. Those things piled up in the street were of peoples memories of their homes and the things that went on in those homes for over 20 years. From hearing a daughter of one home owners wale as she came to see what we were doing to the home she grew up in. Lorentz, who was retired and lived in his home 23 years could not in 8 months come over to his house to clean out the memories. When the first pry bar went ripping into his molded living room dry wall, his whencing and expression showed how much this hurt to hear his house and memories being ripped apart. But he was very appreciative and loving to us for what we were doing to help him. In Ben's blog, the picture of me bending over in front of an older gentleman was me presenting from the BCC group a bible to Lorentz that was supplied by Samaritan's Purse (I know, it was a Holy moment). How would we feel if 7028 was stripped of all her memories. The kitchen table where many conversations occurred being thrown into a pile of rubble on the curve at Winding Trail.

The people are being told that they cannot get flood insurance unless they raise their homes 4 feet. How do you raise a home on concrete slab 4 feet? The obvious question we all asked was, "why do you stay?" Every answer was, "because this is our home. Our family has been here for generations". It was meeting the people in NO that has changed us. The devastation was incredible, but it was the people.

Sumaritian's Purse did an excellent job of taking care of us. They also extended a lot of trust as they sent us out to clean out the homes that had been waiting for months for someone to come help. Volunteers from Washington State, NJ, Montana, NC, GA and two groups from MI. became the Body of Christ for these hurting families. It did not matter what brand of christianity we were. We worshipped together, prayed together, heard devotions together, worked together and shared experiences of the day together.

Lena and I thank you all for praying for us while we were in "hot" NO (95 degrees), but the effect of the effort was life changing. Thank you Lord!

New Orleans 2006

I'm sure you are all have heard stories from either mom and dad or myself, but here are just a few pictures from our recent trip to New Orleans to work with Hurricane Katrina. I am sure our trip leader (dad) will give a nice report on the blog (hint..hint) about exactly what we did and how it went.

28

Here’s a tribute to my man Jeffery on his 28th!
Happy Birthday Bro, we love you!

The Top Ten Worst Decisions Jeff and Wes Made

10. Driving at 100 mph tops to Taylor U. in 2 hours for a campus visit
9. Giving the ole “my eyes were hurting and I was trying to make it to the next exit excuse when you got pulled over
8. Double dating Jenny Payne and Carin Patrick in 6th grade
7. Summer girlfriends after freshman year of college (no names)
6. Taking candy bars from Norm’s secret “Activity Night” supply in middle school
5. The Daytona Beach fist fight Spring Break ’93
4. Two for “Beavis and Butthead”
3. Throwing eggs at the neighbor’s house from your bedroom window
2. Two for “Far and Away”
1. The whole living on the beach together swimming with dolphins idea

The most important news you will ever hear from mt. pleasant

Well You all probably know by now, but i will blog it anyway. this only happens once or twice or five or six times in life. Shea is pregnant!!!!!!! That was me screaming. I am very excited. I have never had a bigger reality check in my entire life. I don't have pictures or anything, but I did go in to the OB with her. On May 11th we get to hear the heartbeat. My child is the size of a lentil bean right now, and his or her brain is forming. I also just read that his testes or her ovaries are forming. That's nice to know, huh? I never thought I would spend so much time on pregnancy websites in my life, but I am often caught looking by my co-workers. the Lampi-Gaines family is soon to go from Caleb to Caleb times 4. Talk about exponential growth. I can't believe I am going to be a dad. In the words of Joey Lawrence "WOW!"

Random Andrew siting

beatwars_image
Originally uploaded by stevelamps.

Alright, here's how it happened. You are probably wondering what is this picture of. I have no clue, but it has to do with the fact I saw Andrew. At about 7:00am today I was flipping the channel and came upon a show called Action Blast (think show for video game junkies). I was very confused as to what was going on during it but I tuned in for about 5 seconds. Then all of a sudden, i see Andrew picking this girl up on a date with commentary in the back on this show. I just about peed my pants. i wasn't sure at first so i kept watching and it was definitely him. What the heck was that all about Andrew. I must admit i had to take a step back and confess some pride issues that i now know people on tv. You looked great and your acting was stellar, ecspecially when you finally picked up the girl. I continued watching and was more confused after a while amidst the fighting costumed caracters a la power rangers but that alone made my day. Good to see you Andrew. Love ya man.

Mt. Pleasant in the spring

Mt. Pleasant in the spring
Originally uploaded by stevelamps.

Everyone was giving love to the spring time in there home cities and I can't find any breathtaking view like the weeping cherry and flowing river, so here's what Mt. P looks like right now. Students in classe Mt. Pleasant, Wow!. No really that is our city motto. Wow!

Springtime in Brighton

I think there was a request for a picture of the Weeping Cherry? Can you believe I actually figured out how to upload this? I can't either!

"And the streams are all swollen with winter..."

I believe it was Rich Mullins who penned those words as he hammered away on his dulcimer singing about the color green. Wes told us a week or so ago to blog some pics of springtime so I thought I'd throw a few pictures on the blog from a recent hike with Abigial, Harley, and friends in the San Gabe's. With a little winter rain and heavy snow at higher elevations we are in our green time of year. This is one of my favorite new mountain biking and hiking spots. The trail runs 8 miles along this rushing river complete with fly fisherman catching rainbow trout along the banks. With all the snow melting now, there must be 9-10 waterfalls coming off the cliffs as you meander through this canyon up to a big lake with an amazing view of a snow-capped Mt. Baldy. It's a must see the next time you Midwesterners head west.

Spring Break pics

JUst some shots from the week. There'll be more on calebhotspot.blogspot.com later. I know SOME OF YOU will love the last pic. Sweeeet shades. Guess who? Got pole? Is Newman on roids? Caleb, today a Butterfly house at MSU with friend Kristina. One with nature.

TWO TIME CHAMP

For the second year in a row Sarah was voted the "Most Outstanding English Major" by her department, a feat that the chairman said was "unprecedented"!! Way to go smarty pants, you're putting my 3.00 to shame.