http://patrickmarks.blogdrive.com/ No Longer Dead - a blog by Patrick Marks Mon, 27 Aug 2007 14:00:03 PDT http://www.blogdrive.com Copyright 2007. Family & Home Christianity http://patrickmarks.blogdrive.com/archive/17.html Mon, 27 Aug 2007 20:57:31 GMT Just a quick note to let you all know I'm still alive. We're in the midst of potty training our 3 1/2 year old boy. If you've any experience with this you know this is an interesting experience. After a number of false starts, on Saturday, we decided to outlast him. We sat in the bathroom for 3 hours - Melissa and I knew that he would have no choice before too long. We were right. He kept getting up and wanting us to put a diaper on him and his little legs were crossed - so we knew the geyser was imminent. Finally he let er go - and we applauded, cheered, gave him a tootie-roll, woo hoo etc.... (more) http://patrickmarks.blogdrive.com/comments?id=17 http://patrickmarks.blogdrive.com/archive/16.html Thu, 09 Aug 2007 00:36:52 GMT I've never experienced a surprise party before - but my wife pulled one off for me and I'm so excited. I was completely fooled. It was just SO cool. No one's ever done something like that for me and I can tolerate turning 40 all over again for the experience. It happened on Sunday night. I had been out late with my buddy Loway to a drum corps show on Saturday night (more on that later) so we didn't get in till 1 a.m. I was up, at the church, gave the message and came home shredded. I was really propping my eyes open trying to engage in conversation with my in-laws when Melissa reminded me we... (more) http://patrickmarks.blogdrive.com/comments?id=16 http://patrickmarks.blogdrive.com/archive/15.html Fri, 03 Aug 2007 18:45:18 GMT On Aug. 1, 2007 I hit the big 4-0. Yep, 40 years and still twitchin'. I heard there were great and profound secrets to learn after 40 but I've yet to discover any. My birthday was a simple affaird - I got to sleep in until 7 a.m. (this is a very good thing), took my family to Eatza Pizza, watched a wonderful rainstorm from my front porch, had the in-laws over for dinner. Gifts included a plant from my sister Sharla, a Jamba Juice card from Kristen, lots of neat artwork from my kids (crayon drawing saying "I love you dad" are priceless, trust me) and some peace and quiet. Now for the news -... (more) http://patrickmarks.blogdrive.com/comments?id=15 http://patrickmarks.blogdrive.com/archive/14.html Wed, 18 Jul 2007 23:51:06 GMT I've just completed uploading some pictures and one little video to a photobucket account. NOW - as soon as I can figure out how to put them up here - I'll do that. I figure if I have actual IMAGES on this little site, and IF I can make up something of interest to write about more regularly, and IF I can find the time - well maybe I can generate more than just one comment from my mom on a post. (Actually - she didn't comment on the last post - boo hoo.) I'm a comment junky! I just like to hear from you and, if you ask a question on a post, I'll probably answer so make sure you read... (more) http://patrickmarks.blogdrive.com/comments?id=14 http://patrickmarks.blogdrive.com/archive/13.html Thu, 12 Jul 2007 19:44:45 GMT Dear Devoted Reader, Yesterday I was exposed to the intricacies and intimacies of a colonoscopy. If you don't know what that is think: 6 foot long tube and laying our your left side while trying not to sing "moon river" too loudly. Even worse I had to endure an endoscopy as well - that's a 4 foot long tube sneaking down the entry end of the digestive tract. All in all, I was tubed. You might say I was fortunate because I was given a general anestetic (can't spell that) but I had a nasty reaction to that and barfed up all sorts of nasties. I don't remember that but I DO remember the recovery... (more) http://patrickmarks.blogdrive.com/comments?id=13 http://patrickmarks.blogdrive.com/archive/12.html Tue, 10 Jul 2007 16:50:49 GMT Dear devoted reader - I'm sorry I have not written in a while. We've had two weeks in a row of in town, then out of town etc. Things are back to normal, if normal is a word you can use to describe my existence, so I will try to be more consistent. Now it's your turn - you need to make comments so I know this exercise in ego management called a blog is worth your time and mine. It's easy - just click on the button that says "comment" and type. First: the drum corps show in Glendale was excellent. I was dissapointed in my seat and I resolve to buy tickets in advance next year. Also, the... (more) http://patrickmarks.blogdrive.com/comments?id=12 http://patrickmarks.blogdrive.com/archive/11.html Fri, 22 Jun 2007 17:59:36 GMT Sorry to the one person who emailed wondering where my blog entry was for the week - I suppose if I heard from more of you I might be more inclined to write - but ONE comment on my last entry - and that was a good one. Maybe I'm just not funny enough. I'm officially back in the tree business - baptized by deadwood trimming three pines and removing one up at my in-laws place in Williams. It was a challenge getting back into trees by having to climb over 60 feet (without hooks because you can't risk damaging the tree) at 7,100 foot elevation. Made from some hyperventaliting - but the job is... (more) http://patrickmarks.blogdrive.com/comments?id=11 http://patrickmarks.blogdrive.com/archive/10.html Fri, 08 Jun 2007 22:44:45 GMT We are in need of a Children's Pastor at FourteenSix - so if you know someone who has a heart for kids and is interested in building something extraordinary - let me know. We're not interesting in Sunday morning daycare - we want someone who will seriously invest in teaching k - 5th graders how to be REAL disciples. You get to teach them the basics (since more than 80% of our culture is essentially biblically illiterate), how to worship, how to serve, how to get real with God. Great stuff, lots of fun. Of course we're talking about a position here where someone has to have a job and then... (more) http://patrickmarks.blogdrive.com/comments?id=10 http://patrickmarks.blogdrive.com/archive/9.html Tue, 29 May 2007 18:04:39 GMT Melissa, my three older kids and myself went to see Spider Man 3 on Saturday. I really like that movie and I recommend it. I also learned something about myself that day - I'm truly a nerd and I must be obvious! I learned this because, without giving it a second thought, I took a pillow with me to the movie theater. I HATE uncomfortable seats so, forgive please, I figured since I'm paying for the comfort of oversexed and overspoiled Hollywood elitists I may as well be comfortable in the process. Anyhow, we got out of the van and I forgot the pillow, turned back to get it and hear later that... (more) http://patrickmarks.blogdrive.com/comments?id=9 http://patrickmarks.blogdrive.com/archive/8.html Tue, 22 May 2007 23:02:29 GMT Last Friday I flew out to San Diego with my buddy Jamie to attend a conference at Foothills Christian Church. We had a great time, especially so because we nearly froze to death upon landing at Lindberg Field. It was only 63 degrees and I was looking for snowmen on the side of the road. I guess after being here in Phoenix for 4 years you really do get acclamated to the weather. Someone told me it was 100 degrees the day before we left and I thought "really, didn't notice!" It's true, it doesn't get uncomfortable around here until it breaks 105. That's our famous "It's a dry heat" thing -... (more) http://patrickmarks.blogdrive.com/comments?id=8