Sorry for the delay

Too many details popped-up causing some slight changes in plans (and requiring that I go to the restaurant to make sure it would work). Now everything is in order, the place has been secured for us to meet and have lunch in celebration of Becky's birthday. I sent out an evite to many people, however I found that I do not have email addresses for everyone. I will be sending text messages on Monday. If you have not received your text message or email, contact me at srjanis1998@gmail.com before 6/25. I need to have a head count into the restaurant in time for preparation of the birthday cake.

Without further adieu here is the invitation.

Becky's 30th Birthday
Luncheon Host: Stephen Janis
Location: Bread Winners - Uptown 3301 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX
Map Click Here
Cafe Website Click Here
When: Saturday, June 28, 1:00pm - 2:30pm

Come have lunch with Becky to celebrate her 30th birthday. We will be dining on the patio please wear cool attire. Please reply by 6/25 if you will be able to attend.

Party Invitation Coming . . .

I am finalyzing the plans for Becky's birthday party. I will post an invitation on this blog before 8pm on Saturday 6/21. Check back by then and shoot me an email if you will be able to make it.

Thanks!

srjanis1998@gmail.com

Congratulations!!

This past week I was able to attend a wonderful event. It was the ordination ceremony for Erin, our chaplain (and now friend) when Johnathon was in the hospital. Erin also performed the blessing ceremony for Johnathon and our families during his final hours with us. Erin has been so helpful in being a strong sympathetic ear for us to vent to. While at the same time being a great friend to hang out and party with. It was so exciting to see Erin ordained and to know the commitment she has made to God with her life.

A wonderful professor of mine at Dallas Baptist University, Dr. Fred White once said "the greatest call you will ever receive is the call from God, just don't forget to answer the phone". I will say that Erin picked up that call and has done so much with so many families in such a short period of time at Children's Medical Center and in various other places she has traveled through. Congratulations Erin, just remember the journey has only begun, stay strong as you are the backbone of so many people who are in need of God's care.

Hey do you know what this means 8x+2-x= 16? Well Becky does now. I sat down to help her the other night and before I knew it she had scored higher than me on her algebra quiz. I think she just keeps asking for my help so that I will feel needed. Well soon she will have a new problem to tackle as her break from boot camp ends this week. That's right, starting next week it's time for 'ol Sargent Jay Johnson to whip her back into shape. What was his nickname again . . ."Terror". Oh I so will love the smell of ben gay at night!

Hockey is going good. Too good. The Grave Diggers goalie had a scheduling conflict and could not make our game. So we played without a goalie (extra ice time for me). It was a great game, we went 1 1/2 periods before finally giving up a goal. Then the flood gates opened and we lost 4-0. The Komets played immediately afterwards (no rest for the weary) and we won 3-2. By the time it was all over, I was done for. I spent the rest of the night fighting off leg cramps. Great workout, too bad I was so sore I could not mow the yard the next day. I am in Denver this week at a conference for my company. When I get back home I have a jungle waiting for me to take care of. I hope everyone is doing well. I hope it has not gotten too hot where you are at, as summer seams to now be bearing down on us.

Where does it go?

The other night I had a Socrates moment while working out. No it did not happen because a weight hit me in the head, it was before that! Have you ever noticed how many of societies things we take for granted. For example how about the toilet. If it was not for my brothers adventure overseas and all of the pictures he brought back of his bride to be (whom I am starting to believe is a cardboard cut out only because I know he does not know how to use photo shop and all I ever see of her is pictures), this has given me such a different point of view on toilets. If you get a chance, Google images of "Chinese toilet" and you will see what I mean. (By the way that is not a bathtub.) You see with a toilet on the floor it would be quite easy for it to overflow and cause quite a mess.

Now let's Americanize this to the standard porcelain king. Whenever someone here causes it to overflow no one will take ownership of it. Generally they leave the mess for the next person to clean up (sorry Becky it wasn't me it was Haven). Knowing this we now know why a toilet that is floating above our heads in a space station broke down with the last person using it not coming forward. So for an easy fix we send a billion dollar spacecraft up with a new million dollar toilet. Glad I'm not paying for that bill . . . oh right I am, stupid taxes. Out of this whole equation we have taken for granted the plunger. Yes a simple rubber tool that does it all. Fixing toilets and causing raw sewage to back-up into the neighbors apartment downstairs (sorry Dad I still chuckle on that one every time, especially the part when he knocked on our door). So an easy modern day convenience is taken for granted at times along with a funny looking rubber object on a stick (plumbers have the best sense of humor).

Next time you look around at all of our modern day conveniences remember how lucky we are to have these, cause trust me if you think its hard to find out who backed up the toilet, try finding someone to dig a hole and move the outhouse. I guess this all proves one major point, I need to find something better to think about while working out.

On a fun note a cute blonde has been spotted behind the wheel of a slate gray Nissan Altima. Yes that is Becky and yes that is her new car. If you see her, can you do me a favor . . . ask her if I can have a chance to drive it.

I am back at hockey after having 3 weeks off, it was great to be back on the ice. The Komets won but the Grave Diggers lost. After it was all said and done I was happy to be back hanging out with the gang.

Becky is back in school and I am taking the summer off to get projects around the house done. If you come by and see my spotted law, it is because I am tired of the weeds. Don't worry I plan to have the greenest yard on the block by the end of the month. Well must be off, I hope everyone is doing good.

Back from Alaska. . .

Wow, what an experience. The cold. The rain. The eagles. My bum freezing after diving into a pool by a glacier!

Becky and I had a blast on our cruise. I will spare you the stories of eating since I don't want to make you hungry. I will mention though you can knock duck liver off our list of things to eat. I'm not sure what you have heard but in our first stop in Juneau, Becky decided to see a different part of society. As you can see from the picture below it was a fun time.

Don't be fooled the local police are great. The former police chief in the photo was quite a wonderful guy and was willing to show Becky the other side of Juneau. After this stop of shopping and seeing 200 ft of snow we headed off to Hubbard Glacier. It was freezing cold, but well worth the 2 1/2 hours I stood at the front of the boat to see the glacier first.

Then we went to Sitka. This would be our new home away from home if we wanted to get away from the heat of the summer. The eagles soaring overhead as we walked the trails made for a very peaceful getting back in touch with nature experience. If you go there visit the Alaska Raptor Center (http://www.alaskaraptor.org/). One of the eagles we got to see was named Sitka. She is quite beautiful, though the look in her eyes will put the fear in you.

We then went to Ketchikan where some of the best shopping was found. We followed this with our second favorite stop in Victoria, BC Canada. The presence of all of the flowers in town could be smelt all over. I know Becky has already said she is ready to move here or to Sitka. Only problem is I don't eat fish so that rules out living in Sitka and I am not affluent in saying eh, so that puts out Victoria at this time.

I hope everyone is doing fine and enjoys a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

Keeping the Streak Alive!!!!

Sorry for the delay. Bad Blogger, bad bad Blogger. Bring in the nun with the ruler and let her slap me on the back of the hand. Fortunately I have never had that experience, however I cannot speak for all of my relatives. Well I have been overly busy studying for my final exams, watching the Stars win in the playoffs, working, being the Home Owners Association President, and playing hockey. After all of this I am proud to say I have kept my streak alive of getting A's on my studies. I just finished both my psychology and microbiology courses with a perfect 4.0 GPA. Now my next endeavor is to CRUISE!! That's right it's cruise time. Becky and I are packing to sail away with my Parents and her Grandparents on a fun filled Alaskan vacation. (Please no more requests to bring home magnets. They have weight limits with fines on the airplanes now.)

Here is a recap of what has happened since I have last blogged.

*We all cried and rejoiced at the naming of "Johnathon's Place" for the nursery at Calvary Baptist Church. A wonderful plaque was presented to us with a picture of Johnathon on it that will soon be hung in the church hallway. This meant so much to Becky and I. It has brought an inner peace to me and makes me feel good to know that his memory will be something I can see every Sunday when I share moments with my church family.

*Becky finished her class ahead of me and attempted to rub it in by kicking her heals up and watching TV. (No fair!)

*The Dallas Stars keep winning in the playoffs and I keep watching the games at home (because of exams the night of the games or having to study the night before). I will not be able to attend the next round because of my vacation. I have been forced to sell my tickets to my friends. (NO fair!! Except for my friends.)

*The Grave Diggers hockey team won their first game of the new season. (Way fair!)

*The Komet's hockey team suffers a melt down that will bring the team back together as a contender again. (I look forward to playing with them after my vacation.)

I hope everyone is doing good and I look forward to sharing pictures with you of whales, eagles, and icebergs. (And that's just from the buffet of the ship!)