Grateful for my gifts

So, if you spend any time at all in blog world you, no doubt, have been on one blog and seen a link that was of interest to you. You click on that link only to find another link that interests you...click, click, click. Before you know it you've blown half an hour reading about the lives of people that you don't even know. Anyone know what I'm talking about?
I have my little list of blogs that I check each day to keep up with dear friends. Then I have a few links that I check periodically because I find them to be informative or encouraging or just funny. Today while I waited for my coffee to brew I checked one of those links which led me to a post on the Girl Talk blog. The post is on Gifts of God. You can read it by clicking here.

Here are three of my gifts that I am grateful for:

Happy Birthday, Max!!

Yesterday our guy turned 8 !!!! We enjoyed lunch together at his favorite spot, TGIF's. He got a new Leapster game and thinks it is SO cool. Happy Birthday, Max!

...more pictures coming soon...

Lumber Jake

Funny Story

Last Saturday night, after a long week of work, Erin and I decided we should go out to eat rather than cooking at home. We do this regularly, and we go to the same places regularly...Jimmy John's, Chicken Express, Jimmy John's, Airway's, Jimmy John's, Chicken Express... and on and on. It's difficult for us to try something new because we don't want to waste an eating out experience, so we typically go where we know it is good.

So I made the suggestion that we try something new. I turned onto Cooper street and turned right on Arkansas, which, as Erin reminded me, has nothing on it. I said "I know, but humor me. Let's try it anyways." We almost never go down Arkansas. So we see this place called Joey's Pizza. As you probably all know, we were/are huge Alias fans. In the first couple of seasons whenever Vaughn would need to meet with Sidney they would call her apartment and ask if this was Joey's Pizza, to which she would reply "wrong number". So I strongly urged Erin to try it out with me, and partly used Alias as a ploy. She agreed on one condition, that if it looked bad after we walked in I would explain to the people why we were walking out.

So we walk up to the place and notice they are open on Saturday nights until 11 pm, but there are only three cars in the whole parking lot. Erin says "I don't know", and I convince her to give it a try. We walk in and the lights are all out but there are people at the front of the store. I asked if they were open, to which Joey replied in a deep Brooklyn accent "nah, we don't open 'till Monday, but come on in and have a seat anyway. Whadaya like, Pepperoni? Hey Jeff, make a large Pepperoni, will ya?" Yeah, a real New Yorker opening up a New York style pizza joint in Arlington and we are the very first customers before they are even open. Let me tell you, it was good. Max and Anna Kate sat down with Joey's kids and his brother's kids and watched Spongebob Squarepants on the big screen TV. They treated us like family because we happened to waltz in when they forgot to lock the door behind them. Joey didn't charge us but I left a $5 tip anyways because I wanted us to be the very first paying customers, which we were.

I went back today and got a canadian bacon calzone. It was excellent. When I walked in Joey remembered my name. I think he was even about to promo my calzone today when he saw the girl was already charging my card. Let me tell you, he earned himself his first regular.

If you're in the area give Joey's Pizza a try, and tell him that Chad, his very first customer ever, sent you.

Joey Pizza
1121 W Arkansas Ln
Arlington, TX 76013
(817) 277-7601

Happy Easter Everybody!!!

Click to Play

Anna Kate wants to wish everyone a happy Easter!

Photo Update

Here are a few pictures of the latest happenings at our house. Jake is 7 months now, and a hefty 20 pounds. One of his favorite times is bath time. He's thinks it's the best. Have a look:

Bath Time

In other news, we are sad to report that the Bragdon Clan is moving away. They're headed to Iowa Park where Dan will be a youth minister. We are super sad to see them go, but we're thrilled to see how the Lord has provided for their family. Now, that may all seem exciting, but there's more. More? Yes, more. Baby #4 is on the way and it's a BOY!!! We are so excited. That little man won't know what to do with THREE big sisters! Congratulations, friends. We love you so much! Oh, and here are a few pictures from our last gathering. Dan got clobbered by all the kids...good times.

Bragdons

I watched the news today during a break from school. Evidently, the warm weather is waving good bye for a few days. It's supposed to be 32 degrees on Easter morning (Anna Kate will be devistated that she can't wear her new dress and sandals...). So I decided that we should go to the park and run off some energy before we were forced indoors for a while. We had so much fun together! These are a few of my favorite pictures:

The Park

The last two pictures crack me up. Max wanted in that picture so bad and Anna Kate wanted to slide with Jake all alone. He was squeezing in. She tolerated the first picture, but by the second one she was pushing back. Jake was oblivious. He just wanted to eat Max's shoe. They are the best!

To make you smile...