Chrink and Listy Land

Our baby is here!!

2010-03-07T11:31:00.003-05:00

Here he is: Lando James Neal and we are all in love with him! He is such a great baby. He is very content and I must say that we are spoiling him a bit. We all hold him a lot and kiss him like crazy. Lily probably holds him 5 or 6 times a day for 20/30 minute periods. She is such a great helper. Lincoln is ready for him to grow up so he can teach him how to wrestle and play legos. My recovery is very slow, but I am taking one day at a time....trying to figure this mom of 3 kids thing out.

Our home=Lego land

2010-01-26T20:48:00.005-05:00

Check out the detail on this thing!!

The feeling of accomplishment!!

Don't ask....

Here are some pictures of our latest Lego project. We have been working on this Creator House for a little, over the past 3 days. Both Lily and Lincoln are obsessed with Legos and I must say that Link and I enjoy building as well. Link loved them as a kid. He would build his latest project and display it...never to touch again. Lincoln's only career aspiration is to be the next Brickman. ENJOY!!

7 weeks to go....WHOO-HOO!!

2010-01-07T20:57:00.004-05:00

As we approach the end, I am getting super excited and ready to hold this baby. Link and I are getting Lily and Lincoln's new room ready. They really want to share so after their room is finished we will get the nursery ready. I can't wait to get out his clothes, set up his crib, and organize the baby toys!! (hey, I haven't seen them in 4 years). We set the c-section date for February 23, exactly 7 weeks from this past Tuesday. Unless he wants to come earlier, the 23rd will be his birthday!! We are diligently praying for his health, his delivery, and his life.

How far along? 32 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: lost some, but gained one pound over the holidays!!
Maternity clothes? Yes
Stretch marks?Yes:(
Sleep? Not very well, I have to be totally elevated, on my side, with a pillow underneath my baby. It is quite the set up...and then when it's roll over time watch out Link!!
Best moment this week: Seeing the baby respond to my reading voice. He is SO active during story time.
Movement: yes, especially at night and when I read to Lily and Lincoln
Food cravings: Olives and Chick-Fil-A Lemonade
Gender: Another little boy
Name: Lando James it is....the family members that don't approve will call him LJ
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? Out with a blue ring around it...this ring is new for me with this pregnancy. I didn't have one of those with my other 2. Doc says it's a vein, nothing to worry about.
What I miss: Bending over, walking upstairs w/o getting winded...basically my "energetic body"
Weekly Wisdom: If it doesn't get done, it's okay.
Milestones: I shaved my legs this week!!

26 weeks down, 12 to go....

2009-11-26T14:28:00.002-05:00

How far along? 26 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: gain...that's all I'm saying
Maternity clothes? Yes
Stretch marks? Yes :(
Sleep: Not great, b/t pregnancy and having bronchitis for 3 weeks, I am not getting a lot. Just getting prepared for this little guy, right?
Best moment this week: Having the kids talk and sing to him.
Movement: yes, especially at night
Food cravings: no, I am really not enjoying food, the first or second time I see it.
Gender: Another little boy
Name: Link likes Lando and I like Leo, my mom likes neither.
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? Flat
What I miss: The GYM!!!
Weekly Wisdom: Having Thanksgiving at our house....very tiring.
Milestones: 3rd trimester is here!!

Week 17 Update

2009-09-20T21:15:00.002-04:00

How far along? 17 weeks....beginning month #5
Total weight gain/loss: not sure...I'll find out next week at the doctor
Maternity clothes? Yep, got out my stash yesterday
Stretch marks? Not from baby #3 yet
Sleep: Not sleeping great at night and must have 1 afternoon nap (30min-1hr)
Best moment this week: I think I am starting to feel the baby move.
Movement: yep
Food cravings: Mount Olive Baby Dill Pickles...I have been eating these by the jar!!
Gender: Girl, we think. This pregnancy feels just like Lily's pregnancy.
Name: A couple of options...no decisions yet
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: The GYM!!!
Weekly Wisdom: Enjoy each day that God gives me to be pregnant with this baby, it may be my last pregnancy.
Milestones: My only form of exercise...walking around the neighborhood and chasing my kids. I am so thankful that I am feeling up to taking good walks!!

Baby #3 Update

2009-09-11T15:32:00.003-04:00

Here are some fun updates about our 3rd pregnancy. I "borrowed" this from a friend of a friend who is at the same stage as me, with #3!! It's kind of exciting to know someone that is due the same time as you, with the same number of kids already!! Congrats to Daniel and Danielle!!

How far along? 15 1/2 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Lost 11.....but gained all 11 back. I am exactly where I was before I got pregnant!
Maternity clothes? Not yet, but no favorite jeans anymore....wearing lots of elastic skirts.
Stretch marks? Not from baby #3 yet
Sleep: Not sleeping great at night and must have 1 afternoon nap (30min-1hr)
Best moment this week: Only vomited once so far.....that makes a great week!!
Movement: I think I am feeling some movement at night, but it's still kind of early to know for sure.
Food cravings: This week...salads with cold, shelled, edamame and walnuts
Gender: Girl, we think. This pregnancy feels just like Lily's pregnancy.
Name: A couple of options...no decisions yet
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: Wanting to eat Italian and working out
Weekly Wisdom: When I feel like I have to stop....STOP!!
Milestones: Hello, Second Trimester!!!!!!!!!!

School Days

2009-09-10T14:18:00.005-04:00

A break from hardwork

Here's Lily painting China

Here's Lincoln painting the Taj Mahel

Well, since I haven't posted since July I thought I would post a few pics of the kids during school. Lily started 1st grade in August and Lincoln is doing preschool. I am really enjoying the kids this year. First grade is a lot of fun so far....and a lot of Lincoln's work involves Legos. I may have an architect on my hands. Lily loves science and "encourages" me to do a science experiment everyday....of course she is disappointed many days, but I have her in many science classes outside of the home. We are having a lot of fun and I am interested to see how things are going to change at the beginning of the year when the baby arrives.

Sunflowers and Lawn Professional

2009-07-19T11:45:00.008-04:00

Here are some shots of what we love about our back yard."Mommy, if it rains I won't get wet!"

My favorite

We love black-eyed susans

Comparing faces

Our watermelon patch

Lincoln mowing the mulch

Of course, we must wear safety glasses while mowing

Little Christy??

2009-07-04T09:11:00.002-04:00

Here is Lily with her new "haircut like Mommy". She has been wanting to get her hair cut for SEVERAL months, but agreed to wait until after the wedding. On Tuesday, I took her to my stylist and she cut away!! She looks a little too old for me....especially with that front tooth gone!

The Ring "Bear" hibernates...

2009-06-29T16:36:00.002-04:00

SO, Lincoln got his Lego set!! He did fabulous and he didn't lose it until the very end of the ceremony. He started sobbing before the very last song, so my Dad rescued him from standing. Afterwards I said, "Buddy, what happened?" He replied, "Mommy, it was taking too long and you made me work all day!" So, here he is sleeping on the church pew during the pictures.

Brittany's Wedding

2009-06-29T09:55:00.003-04:00

Here are my cutie pies at my sister's wedding on Saturday. They did fabulous during the ceremony and they danced the night away at the reception! What a fun day for all of us. They are so happy they have an uncle now and they are ready for cousins. (We will patiently wait for a couple of years, Britt)

Lego DreamLand

2009-06-25T19:19:00.002-04:00

Here's my sweet buddy sleeping with his unopened Lego set. My sister is getting married on Saturday and both kids are in the wedding so for some creative bribery or incentive...whatever you want to call it I took them to the Lego store yesterday. They both were allowed to pick out a Lego set to purchase....here's the catch....they are not allowed to open it until after the wedding, if they do their job and obey the wedding director. Maybe that's a little strict or mean, but I really wanted to discourage any power struggles or battles of the will during the ceremony! (Lincoln especially) So far they both seem to understand and they think that it's a great idea....I guess we will see what happens. Will we be building Legos on Sunday or doing a return at the Lego store??? I'll keep you posted.

P.S. Lincoln takes his box EVERYWHERE with him....he eats with, sleeps with, watches tv with, and walks around the house with this box!! A little obsessed you think??

Don't Call Me Snaggle-Tooth!!

2009-06-19T17:25:00.005-04:00

Here's my 1st grader. She had been hanging on to her front tooth for about 2 weeks now and finally lost it last night in a cherry. The tooth fairy brought spaghetti that we are having for dinner tonight. Lily can't wait to slurp the pasta through her new hole. She looks so different to me in a grown up way. I haven't done her 6 year old portraits because I have been waiting for this thing to come out. Now I feel like I can accurately capture the year of a first grader!! Oh, yeah, she doesn't like being called snaggle tooth or vampire (Lincoln came up with that...I'm not sure why?)

One of Cinderella's Tears...

2009-06-16T20:58:00.007-04:00

Here are some of Lily's recital pictures from Carolina Dance Center's production of "The Glass Slipper". One of my best friends from college, Missy Blackburn, is the owner. It is the most amazing, school! The teachers are so talented and the recitals are awesome performances. This year they hired the prince from Carolina Ballet, he was incredible!! Missy, we loved our recital and we are so proud to be part of your dance school!

Lily and Cinderella

Lily getting flowers from her Daddy.

Lily with her blue eyeshadow...she loved that!

My star!!Lincoln's thoughts on the recital!! I guess we
don't have to worry about Carolina Ballet for this prince!!

I am officially a DORK!!

2009-06-15T18:28:00.002-04:00

So I thought that taking a picture of my squash made me a dork, but my sweet, sensitive, hubby informed me that using the word "dork" made me a dork. About the picture...I just couldn't resist!!! Aren't they beautiful?? I absolutely love my summer garden; however, these babies aren't from my garden...just a sweet farmer on the side of the road. My squash are looking really sad these days, so I am hoping a couple of showers will help. Would you join me in praying for my squash...or is that "dorky"?

Mr. Sock gets a haircut

2009-06-03T11:02:00.005-04:00

Mr. Sock BEFORE

Mr. Sock DURING

Mr. Sock AFTER

Lucy in "The Frog Prince"

2009-05-22T09:31:00.005-04:00

My sweet "Lucy"

"Princess Penelope and Lucy"

Tonight and tomorrow Lily will have her first drama performance. This semester she has been taking theatre with Cornerstone Christian Theatre. She is Lucy in the play and her best friend Lizzy is Princess Penelope. We are so proud of both of the girls and VERY thankful for outlets to channel our drama!!

Water filled scooter rides interrupt school day!!

2009-05-22T09:24:00.005-04:00

When the weather is so beautiful we have school outside. This morning we stopped to benefit from our sweet neighbor's grass watering. The kids enjoyed their wet scooter rides!!

Easter Eggs

2009-04-11T13:17:00.005-04:00

Patiently waiting for the colors to take....

Such careful dipping...

The finished product!!

Cinnamon Rolls, Jewelry, and Toes

2009-04-08T08:43:00.007-04:00

This year for Lily's birthday she wanted Cinnamon Rolls instead of a cake and a Pedicure instead of a gift to open. Very easy for mom!! She even asked for Pillsbury Rolls instead of homemade. We had a playdate jewelry party with a few close friends. The girls made the cinnamon rolls and twists themselves and made their own jewelry. It was a very fun morning!! The next day my friend Jessie took Lily on their annual "birthday date". Jessie started this fun tradition when Lily was 3. It is Lily's favorite part of her birthday each year. They go to the mall, shop for a dress & shoes, and have lunch together. Afterwards I met them at Sweet & Sassy for Lily's pedicure. My little girl is growing up!!

Let the pampering begin...

The finished product...notice the stars on the legs.

Happy 6 year old!!

Lily walking down the runway.

Lily is 6...Lincoln is 4...Mommy is tired!!

2009-03-24T09:12:00.007-04:00

Papa and Granny enjoying each other!

Grandpa and Grandma loving each other!

Auntie Britt and Lily reading birthday cards.

Here are the yummy carrot cakes

Every year we have a family birthday party with all of our grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts and soon to be uncle this year (welcome to the family JB)!! This year the kids wanted Carrot Cakes and Chicken Wings...so Mommy got to work on a yummy carrot cake recipe and Daddy grilled 8 lbs of wings for lunch on Saturday. Despite the flu bug at the Neal home, we had a great time!! We love our FAMILY!!

Lincoln's Field Day Party

2009-03-11T10:38:00.003-04:00

So our first attempt for a Field Day Games party was a 35 degree snowy day. Exactly one week later we rescheduled for an 82 degree sunny afternoon!! Only in Good Ole' NC!! Here is the proud creator of a Dinosaur Swamp Cake and an excited winner of the Pillow Sack Race!! What a fun afternoon.

Happy Birth/Snow Day Lincoln!!

2009-03-02T13:05:00.005-05:00

Lincoln requested Cinnamon Rolls for his birthday breakfast.

Here Lincoln is building his Lego Birthday gift from Lily...he asked not to be distracted.

Here are my SnowBunnies!

What a great gift for a four year old boy....a snow covered yard to play in on his special day!! Lincoln was a little sad to have to reschedule his Field Day Games party this afternoon, but I think the Pillsbury Grands Cinnamon Roll this morning cheered him up. I can not believe that my BABY is four. He is such a blessing to us! I am learning so much more about him everyday. He is very creative, funny and entertaining(he competes with Link all of the time)! He brings me so much JOY!! I love you Stinkin' Linkin'!!!

Let It Snow!!

2009-01-20T18:56:00.006-05:00

Just Chillin'

My Snow Angel!!

We enjoyed the 6 inches that we got!!! It was Lincoln's first snow. When he came to get in the bed with me this morning I told him to go look outside. When he saw the snow he was more excited than Christmas morning. He immediately broke into his "snow dance" (which is the same dance that he does every time he is excited...it just changes names depending on the situation). It was such a joy to watch he and Lily slide down our backyard hill, with their homemade sleds....Wal-Mart trashbags!! Hopefully we can enjoy it a little more tomorrow.

Merry Christmas from the Neals!!

2008-12-20T22:10:00.003-05:00

We pray you will experience the love of Jesus as we celebrate His birth!!

Fall Festivities with lots of SUGAR!!!

2008-11-04T13:17:00.008-05:00

We had a super fun October. I am really enjoying the ages of the kids. We get to do so much during the day. Lily really enjoys cooking...she is very creative. She loves to make bean burritios and her very own eggs in the morning. Lincoln is not doing too bad in the kitchen either, I hope that his wife will thank me some day!!

After studying How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World by Marjorie Priceman, Lily and I made our first apple pie...we used Paula Deen's recipe instead of the one in the children's book...I highly recommend it. We made the apple pie to celebrate my sister's engagement to JB!! We love you guys and can't wait for June!

We made S'mores Apples at 8AM on Halloween Morning....yes, our priorities are in order!

What a great Halloween Lunch...hey it counts as a fruit, right??

Wonderwoman and Black Spiderman

We successfully conquered "Trick-or Treating"

Tooth Fairy Spotted in Fuquay-Varina!!!

2008-10-20T10:12:00.010-04:00

Now you see it!!

Now you don't!!

Tooth wrapped up nicely for the tooth fairy!!

The next morning!!

On Saturday Lincoln pulled Lily's first tooth. The poor little tooth was hanging on for dear life and Lily refused to let me or Link wiggle it, but somehow Lincoln convinced Lily to let him try.....and it fell safely in the hands of little brother!!! The tooth fairy had a chilly night to visit, but she made it in through Lily's window, leaving a trail of "fairy dust", a certificate, and the sweetest letter! Oh, yeah and 5 bucks...hey, the first tooth is special!!!

Mud, Egyptians, and Icecream

2008-09-16T20:09:00.002-04:00

Here are some pics of what goes on during our days here at the Neal House. This weekend we dug up our summer garden to prepare for our fall/winter garden. The kids seized the opportunity to make a "mud garden". They had a blast and they are with one less outfit!!

This week we are studying Jacob's family in Egypt. Here we are making Egyptian collars. Lily is wearing the finished product....and of course we have to reward ourselves with icecream after a long, hard day of school!!

BLOG NEGLECT!!

2008-08-18T16:59:00.002-04:00

Hello to all of our readers....Happy End to Summer. I wish that I could say that the reason that I haven't posted lately is because I have been busy on some awesome, all time consuming, project BUT, the truth is.....I got a Facebook Account!!!! Yes, it is super addicting, and I realize that it is 2008. Since my husband wrote "The Facebook Song" like 3 years ago I decided to try it out for myself. I am fully, completely satisfied.

On a more productive note...we had our first day of kindergarten today. I am teaching Lily at home for this year. We had a blast and I think that Lincoln will learn a lot too. I would post some pictures of the fun things that we did today, but our camera got stolen on Link's last trip. SAD, SAD, SAD!!!

Until next post...or if you are on Facebook it may be sooner!!!

What do we do in PRESCHOOL?

2008-07-12T07:51:00.004-04:00

We start kindergarten next month so in honor of saying good-bye to Lily's preschool days I thought I would post one of her favorite lessons. We are in a homeschool group so we rotate homes each week. This particular week the kids were reading Angus Lost by Marjorie Flack so they "studied" dogs. I think they mastered eating like one!! They LOVED this activity.

Vowels ARE important!!!

2008-07-02T09:42:00.004-04:00

Okay, just a funny story for this post...Yesterday in Trader Joe's Lily, Lincoln and I were debating over what cereals to get when Lincoln began to pitch a fit because he didn't get Gorilla Munch (he just likes the box, not the cereal). My way to discipline in public (without get turned in for abuse) is the "secret pinch in the inner thigh". So in order to warn Lincoln that his secret pinch was coming, I turned to him with the question,"Lincoln, do you want me to punch you?" Just as I realized what I said, this sweet old lady looked at me with a very disturbed look on her face. After explaining myself, I said to the lady, "Well at least I asked him first!!!" She thought that was hilarous.

So I wanted to share one of my embarrassing, flustered MOMMY MOMENTS!!

Lincoln-Funkel

2008-06-09T20:43:00.006-04:00

Never let em see you sweat...unless it makes you look like Art Garfunkel.

"Let's Go To The Hop"

2008-06-09T20:00:00.006-04:00

Here's our little frog!! Lily had her 2nd dance recital this Sunday. The theme was "The Little Mermaid" and Lily's class did their frog dance. For all of you Little Mermaid fans, she was in the scene after "Kiss the Girl". Her teacher is Miss Missy, Mommy's great friend from Meredith!! We are so proud of you Lily!!

A Mother's Day Monday

2008-05-12T22:48:00.007-04:00

Mom please don't make us do anymore work!!

Playing in the grass after the work is over
Lily & her lilies
Veggie & Herb Garden

Monday was an AWESOME day for the Neal's. One of the greatest gifts for me this Mother's Day was to have my family working with me in the yard. What a tiring, but rewarding day!!

New DO for Me!!!

2008-04-28T10:27:00.002-04:00

Well, after having the same hairstyle since college, I decided to get something new!!

Sunday Afternoon Tea

2008-03-31T19:32:00.002-04:00

For Lily's 5th birthday her friends came over for a tea party. We brought out the REAL, FINE, CHINA and learned a little table etiquette. The girls sipped Purple Princess Tea and munched on cucumber sandwiches, grapes kabobs, and cinnamon blintzes. The afternoon was precious!!

Happy Easter

2008-03-25T22:30:00.002-04:00

Backyard Downhill

2008-03-11T19:49:00.001-04:00

Watch out for that...

Lily steals the show

2008-03-11T09:27:00.003-04:00

Lily made a guest appearance in my latest video. She's a natural! Uh oh.

If a loved one of yours has a LOST problem, please forward them the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NR9OtbZ9R8Y

And be sure to visit rhettandlink.com/perspective

Link

Lincoln turns 3!

2008-03-02T19:30:00.002-05:00

Priceless Princess

2008-01-29T18:36:00.000-05:00

Here is a priceless picture of one of my best friend's little boy. When Erin and Riley came to visit Lily insisted on dressing Riley like a princess several times a day....he didn't seem to mind....I guess this is okay for now. I hope Riley's Dad will let them come back to visit!!

Merry Christmas

2007-12-26T19:47:00.000-05:00

Cinderella Christmas

2007-12-22T11:48:00.000-05:00

Lily and her best friend Elizabeth went to see Cinderella for Christmas!! The perfect gift for a 4 year old girl!! After the show we got to meet the stars of the show.

Cornhole: a lucrative enterprise?

2007-12-04T10:13:00.000-05:00

People ask me all the time via Youtube or rhettandlink.com: "So, is this what you do for a living?!" And I always reply: "I was hoping you could tell me."

I'm not just being funny; it's true. Viewers are the key to our success: our audience views our videos; those views are tabulated and published; then advertisers become willing to pay for those eyeballs; and we get a cut of that money.

With our latest music video, we negotiated a form of product placement with www.ajjcornhole.com. So, since I'm getting paid by views for it, I thought I'd post it here. You're not going to ask for a cut are you?

This hopefully represents a growing component of us making a living on internet video. So, thanks for watching and posting it on your blog or emailing the link or whatever!

It's our ode to the tailgating game affectionately known as "Cornhole." We filmed it--with permission--at NCSU's Carter Finley Stadium last Thursday.

Here's the URL to copy-n-paste:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io8X4pz_QJ0

thanks,
LINK

All Aboard the Potty Train

2007-11-19T14:26:00.000-05:00

Over the weekend, Lincoln traded in his Blues Clues diapers (how unmanly!) for Spiderman underwear (how exciting!). This picture was taken right as he flushed himself down the toilet.

Nealoween

2007-10-27T19:48:00.000-04:00

Happy Reformation Day, from Island Princess Barbie, Spiderman, and a very serious Batman!

TV Premiere party

2007-09-24T13:59:00.001-04:00

Lincoln and I got sweaty at the premiere party for Online Nation last night. If you saw the show, you can weigh in about it on the rhettandlink blog.

Dance Recital Rehearsal

2007-06-09T11:04:00.000-04:00

Married 7 Years!

2007-05-27T11:07:00.000-04:00

Christy and I celebrated our seventh wedding anniversary in Winston-Salem...where we also checked out the NC Homeschool conference.

We found some great places to eat downtown...Sweet Potatoes and The Filling Station. We actually ate at both places twice.

The Guitar Man

2007-04-25T08:33:00.000-04:00

Until Christy gets a new computer--or until I get a new one...and she gets my current computer :) -- it looks like i'm in charge of any update that happens to our blog.

Here's some pics of Lincoln...he is obsessed with the guitar. He's amassed a collection of at least 8 already. Old men have reading glasses everywhere they go--a pair in the car, a pair by the nightstand, a pair by the recliner, a pair sitting on top of the toilet...well, Lincoln has a guitar stashed in all of those same places.

A happy Easter at the Neals'

2007-04-08T08:42:00.000-04:00

We celebrated Easter with lunch at Nell and Lincolns'. Everybody was so festive, we even got a rare family shot:

Grammy Adventure video online now.

2007-02-16T11:02:00.000-05:00

Click here to see it on our website...or just click on the player below.
Thanks for voting!

Going to the Grammys

2007-02-06T09:44:00.000-05:00

Rhett and I won the contest! Check out the rhettandlink/blog for more about that and even hear the audio from our radio interview yesterday. Thanks for voting and telling everybody!

When mom's away...

2007-02-03T20:52:00.000-05:00

Christy's at a women's retreat for our church this weekend...from last night thru tonight.
So when mom's away, the kids eat pudding for dinner. Pudding and tortilla chips. That's all I'm eating either. We miss our Christy.

(I also inadvertently put the "Princess in training" bib on Lincoln...because any bib at all is quite an accomplishment this weekend.)

Send me to the Grammys please

2007-02-01T16:26:00.000-05:00

Hey...Rhett and I created a video that got selected for a contest. The winners gets to go to the Grammys! Would you check it out and vote for us if you like it? We'll pay you in shout-outs. (Hurry! The deadline is tomorrow --Friday--at noon!)

Click on the pic to get to the voting site:

Also, to spread the word, check out the Facebook Event and invite your friends...or just email them the website!

Under contract again

2007-01-30T16:43:00.000-05:00

Our townhome went under contract again last night. I'm so relieved...but cautiously optimistic, given what happened last time. The closing date is set for the end of Feb.

We are pretty much settled in to our new home. The additional space is glorious. Christy is beaming. I'll take some pics soon, now that the boxes are emptied.

1st Snow of 07

2007-01-18T21:40:00.000-05:00

I was actually down in Lillington, so I didn't see any snow...so I was glad Christy took pics of the kids.

Moving Ahead

2007-01-15T21:42:00.000-05:00

We're still looking for an offer on our townhome, but we're moving forward with moving forward...and moving in to our new home in Fuquay this Saturday. If you'd like to help, feel free to be at our townhome at 8am.

Merry Christmas to you too.

2006-12-25T21:46:00.000-05:00

Disappointing News

2006-12-12T21:12:00.000-05:00

We found out yesterday that our buyer's loan didn't go through...even though he was pre-approved. We're awaiting official word on that...but the sale looks pretty bleak right now.

So now we're wrestling with the decision...move forward with the purchase of our new home and try to "re" sell our townhome quickly...or maybe just let this house go and start from scratch on this process.

Thanks for praying for us about this!

Do your renting homework

2006-12-08T11:18:00.000-05:00

Christy and I watched Masked and Anonymous last night. I don't recall exactly what prompted me to put it in my Blockbuster queue, but it shouldn't have been there, much less in my DVD player. Maybe it was Bob Dylan in a starring role...and a reassembly of Lebowski's Dude and Walter...? It looked good on paper. But...

Kids, it really pays to do your homework. Rottentomatoes gave it 25% but I didn't check until...um...today. My bad.

My take on the movie--before looking online--was..."what begins as a potentially creative film quickly becomes as stiff as Bob Dylan's walk on screen."

The Rottentomatoes' concensus? "Unintelligible and self-indulgent Bob Dylan vehicle". Okay, okay, I'll do my homework!

What's in a "thanks" ?

2006-11-28T09:09:00.000-05:00

zefrank's almost daily video podcast is funny, political...and sometimes crude. I enjoy it because he often succeeds at using humor to make me think...something i hope to get better at (yes, that would be thinking...as well as using humor to invite others to do so). This particular clip--specifically the part about kids needing to be taught to be grateful--made me think of our sinful nature from birth. I'd love to talk to ze about this someday...I wouldn't definitely say that he doesn't share my perspective on Christ...but he does share my perspective on "thanks"...so that would be a start.

Nana is out of surgery and doing well.

2006-11-27T12:52:00.000-05:00

Thanks for your prayers, those of you who knew about my Nana's heart attack. They placed a stint in the artery on the front side of her heart just a few hours ago. I just talked to her on the phone and she sounded great. The doctor says she'll be back home tomorrow and should be just fine!

We got the call on Thanksgiving afternoon that Nana was in the emergency room at Wake Med--and that she had had a small heart attack.

Yet another blessing to be thankful for!

Happy Thanksgiving

2006-11-23T18:26:00.000-05:00

Well, we hosted the annual Neal/White/Cummings/Pate/Core Thanksgiving lunch. What a spread...the meal was delicious. We have some pretty awesome cooks in our family. Together we thanked God for so many blessings and answered prayers since our last Thanksgiving meal.

My experience at the Carrboro Film Festival

2006-11-20T21:32:00.000-05:00

Rhett has already summarized our experience pretty well on his blog.

We were really encouraged about the platform that our short film gave us in such an "artsy" community. We met a UNC student, Topher, at the festival and then ate dinner afterwards with him. We really learned alot about his worldview and spiritual perspective...and were able to raise a few questions for him to think about. It was really interesting...he shared with us about contracting lyme disease and, after being disappointed with the Dr.'s prognosis, he turned to self healing and "channelling his positve intentions."

It's inspiring that our little movie about trash led to such an opportunity.

offer accepted

2006-11-20T09:30:00.000-05:00

our offer was accepted...now we're just working on fixing some stuff with our townhome and awaiting the appraisal.

We made an offer...

2006-11-16T16:31:00.000-05:00

We just finished an offer on a home on this side of Fuquay. It's funny...that home that we looked at the other day, the one that Christy loved...the one that immediately went under contract...well, it's right next to this one. And we like this one better. So we'll see if they accept?????

"I don't believe in God, I believe in science."

2006-11-16T10:03:00.000-05:00

I'm not in to the 'leading man' comedies like Tommy Boy or Billy Madison...my taste is more wes anderson or coen bros. That being said, i am recommending Nacho Libre...despite rottentomatoes' 37% rating.

I was in a good mood and really ready to laugh, so I popped it in the DVD player instead of Mission Impossible III. Jack Black loses his accent as often as he finds it...and there are some annoying fart overdubs, but I could forgive all that for the moments that you could tell that Black was just coming up with stuff off the top of his head.

And it has positive spiritual overtones: Black's character shares his faith with his tag-team wrestling partner. And score! He's baptized. Director Jared Hess is a Mormon...so that's why no one curses or drinks Coke.

under contract--whew

2006-11-13T17:18:00.000-05:00

Our townhome went under contract today--woo hoo!
we're relieved...especially w/a closing date of Jan 5 (that way we get to have a home for the holidays).

We'll be looking down around Holly Springs or Fuquay for our next place....and going in some places with Matt in the morning. We want to stay as close to church and friends as possible...but it looks like we'll settle a little farther south to afford 4BR's. We'll see!

Happy Reformation Day!

2006-10-31T17:54:00.000-05:00

We took the kids out for candy.
Lily quickly developed a routine of questions:
Question 1: "Trick or Treat?"
Question 2: "Do you have a puppy?"
Question 3: "Can I spend the night with you?"

Really. She went through this at almost every house. From what I could observe, the answer to question 2 did not impact her decision to ask question 3. Willingness to dole out candy was the only true criteria for a sleep over. A puppy just sweetened the deal.

Dumbo just wanted as many suckers as he could grab...and then to go home with us.

A nice breezy Saturday

2006-10-28T17:03:00.000-04:00

Today we had a showing on our townhome (a rare occurrence lately)...so we took a walk around Lake Pine and fed the ducks. The weather was pretty much perfect...and the ducks were appreciative.

movie trailer site up

2006-10-26T17:15:00.000-04:00

the trailer for the movie i've been working on at work is finished...it will help us communicate what we've been working on (and will be working on through early next year)...and it'll help inspire us to not give up on it. click to take a peek...

Lily, the budding shirtless artist

2006-09-30T20:07:00.000-04:00

Lily and Nana made a pc of art for Papa's birthday...

Inhospitable Hospital Waiting

2006-09-23T14:49:00.000-04:00

Christy's dad was in surgery all morning last Friday (9/23)...and we were in the waiting room.
He was having his prostate removed b/c they found cancer. The surgery went really well...and he's at home now recovering.

It's funny how waiting can be so exhausting...I guess b/c it's so mindnumbing. I took this pic of a guy in the waiting room with us. I think he would agree.

Thankful

2006-08-20T17:35:00.000-04:00

Today, Sunday, August 20, 2006, the only word that comes to my mind is...thankful. Last night on the way to a concert I was looking out the van window for our new house, hoping to find a neighborhood in our price range. For a short while, my eyes took me to a family sitting outside of their single wide mobile home having dinner together. They seemed so happy...even to be living across the road from million dollar luxury homes, clearly seen from their front yard. Immediately, my search for a bigger home didn't seem so urgent.
On the return trip from the concert a couple of hours later, we passed by the same home....only this time to see it in flames. We spotted the smoke first and then as we got closer I realized that it was the same house. I asked Link to stop to see what we could do to help. The family, all 14 of them, had just gotten out of the house, beside the road, waiting for the fire trucks to arrive. I jumped out of the van to see if I could just help the mom with her kids. It was the saddest thing I have ever seen...I held the three youngest children while they watched their home burn to the ground. I sang to them and told them about Jesus...only to calm their tears until the next piece of their house came crashing down. We stayed until friends came to take the children and the situation was under control.
So this morning I woke up wondering where this family of 14 slept and not so concerned about our house hunt!! Please pray for this family.

Chatham County Line concert

2006-08-20T13:48:00.000-04:00

We saw Chatham County Line last night...very fun... Gregg&Jen had seem em before...and knew about this concert in Garner. They also know that if it's free, I'm there.

It's amazing how seeing someone live makes you a believer. A few weeks ago, Gregg loaned me their 1st CD...I liked it, but I didn't turn around and download it from iTunes. After last night, I'm headed to over there to add it to my cart.

Lily's Welcome

2006-08-19T10:00:00.000-04:00

"Welcome to Chrink and Listy Land!"

Our anniversary trip pic

2006-08-15T11:14:00.000-04:00