The Sullivan Family

http://bandssullivan.blogspot.com/

Brad and Sara Sullivan are going through a tough time. She found out she had cancer the day before she found out she was pregnant. The baby was born last week premature, but healthy. Shortly after, Sara developed headaches, which escalated into a seizure, just days after Chloe was born. She is now hospitalized with little hope of recovery.

I have never met this family before. I found their website through a friend of a friend of a friend of a friend, if you get my drift. I don't know what I would do in this situation as a husband and father.

It is definitely a reminder to live life to the fullest, and more importantly, to be in full knowledge that you have a relationship with Jesus Christ, giving him the glory for all that he does.

It's been a while.

Yeah, I know it's been a while, but since I can't sleep, and it's 4:45 in the morning, I figured I would update this thing called a blog. I can say that this is not an easy thing, trying to keep up with blogging, working, family, facebook, and all the other social networking that is happening all around us. Are you on Twitter yet?
I have had to work hard to focus on what really matters in life, Jesus, Jenn and the kids, my family and friends. Though I can't say that I have the system perfected yet, it has been nice not to have to worry about one more thing.
A lot has happened since my last blog, but don't worry, I don't plan to start catching you up here. There will be plenty of time for that later on. I have a desire to try to share not just life events of the Crawford family, but also a Spiritual aspect and impact that play a major role in shaping who we are as a family.

For both of you that read this, we'll try to do a better job of keeping you posted. Until then, keep praying for us and we will continue to keep lifting you up to the Father in heaven.

It's Amazing; Random thoughts

It is truly amazing to see the hand of God at work in all that I see around me. From friends helping people coming into our country from all around the world (click here), to those who have come back to the US after working in a far away world (click here), to those who are just trying to reach their own corner of the world (click here). God is truly at work through His people.
Personally we have had a pretty good January so far. Earlier this month, we were able to get away with some friends and spend quality time together. We aslo got to celebrate my parents 40th anniversary, (which is actually today). So far, there has not been a weekend since Christmas that Jenn and I haven't spent at least a little time away from the kids.
Wow, 40 years. What an awesome example Jenn and I have to look to. Mom and dad have stuck it out through thick and thin. There were times where dad was working in Chicago or New Jersey that I'm sure were tough, but here they are celebrating 40 years. We joked with them that they must have gotten married when they were 5 years old, because there is no way that they could be that old.
Thank you mom and dad for all you have done for your family, children, and grandchildren.

Seven Pounds

www.sevenpounds.com

Just recently, Jenn and I took a date night to see "Seven Pounds" with Will Smith. This is not your romantic comedy. "Ben Thomas" is out to help people in a manner that gives life a new focus. It is definitely one you want to go see.

I apologize for not getting things out on this blog since November. Hopefully more things will come as I refocus, and get some "guest writers" to help me in the process.

God Bless,
Ben

Kindle

The future of books (click here to see a preview).

Yardwork would have been a waste.

Listen carefully.

Okay, this is pretty cool. This is a microphone. Click on the picture for the techie stuff.

I need to give credit where credit is due, so this is thanks to Kevin Hartzog's Facebook post.

Here is the link I was pointed to. Click the play button on "virtual haircut". MAKE SURE YOU USE HEADPHONES, otherwise it doesn't have the same affect. And don't listen to it on speakers, then go listen on headphones, that takes some of the shock value away.

Blogger's Reunion

I took Monday afternoon off and took the family down to Raleigh to make a few visits. First was my Papa (my mom's dad). Please keep him in your prayers as he is living from blood transfusion to blood transfusion. I had a feeling in my gut to go and see him. When we got there, Nanny, was sitting outside waiting for a cab to take her back to the house, so we got to see her too. Even though we only spent 15 minutes max there, it was time well spent.

Then, after Jay took a nap at my parent's house, we visited the Collins'. We haven't seen their new house or new child, so we invited ourselves over for Emily's breakfast for dinner. Man what a meal. It was great to let the kids play and eat in peace and quiet, relatively.
If you want to check out their blogs, check out "Wrapped in Mercy... Cloaked in Grace" and
"Life at the Zoo" links on the right hand side.

Catching up from the middle of the weekend.

First it was pumpkin carving.
Lydia was very creative in her pumpkin carving. It was probably more difficult to cut out than it was to draw.Then it was off to Grandmommie and Pops house on Friday afternoon. We took advantage of the grandparents and had a date night while they did "Halloween." This included Lydia running from the door when people came up to the house, and Jay not wanting to put his costume on.

Saturday, we went to a fall festival at Jenn's home church. There were games in the parking lot, inflatables, the Lowell Volunteer Fire Truck, and free food. We all had a great time and really enjoyed the warm first day of November.

Amazing Story

Click here for a story on an amazing kid.

On the Road...

This weekend we had the opportunity to go camping with my parents off the Blue Ridge Parkway. We left Friday morning and it started drizzling, it then continued to rain the entire day. Luckily, my parents have a camper that kept us dry and warm.
When we woke up Saturday morning, the weather was absolutely gorgeous. My dad made pancakes and bacon. We drove back up the parkway toward Valle Crucis where they were having the annual "Punkin Festival". Down in the Valley, it was cloudy and cold, but we still had fun. They had some great "kiddie" games and a Bluegrass band that Lydia and Jay loved dancing to.
God's creation is wonderful and this trip reminded me of this.

(you can click on the arrows pointing outward to make it full screen)

This is interesting.

Saturday at Pilot Mt.

Just the other day, I had the opportunity to take the kids to Pilot Mountain. It was beautiful to look at God's creation if it were only for a few seconds the kids were sitting still. I had planned to take the kids to lunch afterward, only to find out I had left my wallet at home. I drove the speed limit back home and ate a peanut butter sandwich. We all had a pretty good nap that afternoon.

Digital Television is Coming, are you ready.

Catching up

So, I've been out of touch for the last few days. It has been busy with a trip to Atlanta, a full Saturday, and finishing a great book.

First the book. You need to order and read "Same Kind of Different as Me".
I first ordered it at the recommendation of a co-worker, along with some other books. Then Jenn picked it up and began reading. She couldn't put it down, saying "it'll make you cry." Then I began reading it, and in my slow manner of reading, took a few times of sitting down to get into it. The latter part of the book however, I couldn't put down and read in one night, after I wiped the tears off my face. Jenn and I were in Seminary in Ft. Worth at the same time some of the events were happening. It really changes your perspective on homelessness and the impact one can have.

Second, the trip to Atlanta. I took the opportunity to go to the "Catalyst Conference". This is a leadership conference inviting speakers to inspire and encourage Christian leaders. Pastors such as Andy Stanley and Craig Groeschel, to leaders in racial reconciliation, marketing, and even Yahoo! All I can say is "wow!" I was blown away by the content, worship, and technology. It was a good time to get away from everything and focus on what, where, and why God has called me to be where I am today and try to catch a vision for what the future holds.

Unfortunately, Jenn did not go with me, but I did get to stay at her sister's house and got to see my neice, for a short time anyway.


On my way back, I met Jenn and the kids at her parents house. Saturday morning, we went to the Cotton Ginning Days Festival. Sorry, we forgot the camera, or I would show you pictures of Jay and Lydia in the inflatables, or seeing the tractors, or even touching some of the cotton.

Then we went to Jenn's PawPaw and MawMaw's house to celebrate his 90th birthday. Lydia and Jay like going to see the farm and did great in visiting their great-grandparents. Pictures of this to come, they're on my work computer.

This coming weekend, we may be traveling west to see some of the colors. I hear there is a Wooly Worm Festival in Banner Elk, if I can talk everybody into going. We are looking forward to going camping with my folks up in the mountains next weekend, or at least Friday and Saturday.

There, I think I've caught you up.

SEEYAINDAMORNIN...

Marker

This very morning, Jay got into a brown marker. This was the outcome.

Chicken Combo...

Tonight, Monday night, is dad/children night. Jenn volunteers her Monday nights at F.R.O.G. which is a children's program in the inner-city of Winston Salem (More on that later). This leaves the kids under dad's supervision.
Normally this means a trip to Chick-fil-a, AKA "Chicken Combo", for apparent reasons. Although, there is a difference between Chick-fil-A and Chicken Combo... one has a play ground, the other doesn't. Although for the life of me I can't figure out which one is which.

This trip is normally followed up with a trip to the gym, where there's free childcare, then home, bath, bed. It's always a pretty good night with limited breakdowns.

So this is what we do, feel free to join us... What do you do on Monday nights?

Happy Birthday Suz

Tomorrow is my sister's birthday.
Happy Birthday Suzanne...

Family Portrait

I thought this was a pretty good family portrait of us all. It is always so tough to get everybody to be still, looking at the camera, and smiling. Anytime I find a good picture, I'll try to pass it along. Even in the last one, Lydia is trying to escape before the picture goes off. The sly one she is...

First Post

Okay, everyones got to start somewhere, so here we are. We are a family of four living in Winston Salem, NC. We hope to keep you informed on what's going on in our lives as well as some interesting things we see along the way.