Daily life with the Sullenger family: Jed, Janna, Autumn, and Lee

“A man and his tools” by Jed Sullenger

2011-06-04T13:06:00.000-07:00

When it comes to fixes men seem to fix anything at any cost. Even the simplest task can turn into a complete over haul that takes days, weeks, and sometimes years to complete. Recently I changed the facet in the kitchen sink and never finished putting silicone on the drain to stop the leaking. So my wife is forced to use only one side. She reminds me of this from time to time, which I quickly dismiss as something which will be done soon (relatively speaking of course).

Today’s manly task is to change the tank lever on the toilet in the guest bathroom. My wife knowing that this is something that I would like to do waits a couple of weeks for me to do it. After breakfast the kids had their room time giving me a window of opportunity to tackle the task. I grabbed the parts needed, open the lid on the back of the toilet, and went to the garage to grab my tools. It looked simple enough, turn the backing nut and pull the lever out. I put the vise grips on the nut and turned counter clock wise. Nothing happed, so then I thought I’d break off the remainder of the knob, which it did break off some but the there was a short little knob left to hold on the unit. My next option was too break off the handle on the front side with a screw driver, which I did manage to break off but to no avail the unit remained somewhat intact. That’s when I brought out the power tool. Yep my sawzall, perhaps a bit of an overkill but it seemed at the time the only practically thing to do considering the circumstances. As a lumber jack cuts down a tree, I quickly and sternly cut off the front and the back of the lever, exposing nothing more than a shaft sitting in a hole. I pulled the part off with jubilance, I had conquered my foe!

I opened the new part and started to attach it in its place. I made a quick cut to get the proper length and proceeded forward. I noticed that the nut wasn’t turning on properly. It had reverse threads which means the nut turns the opposite that it usually does. I put the part on laughing cynically at myself. If I would have read the instruction on the back of the package then I would have saved myself a lot of wasted energy, time and potential heartache.

Isn’t that also true in life; we waste so much energy and time trying to do things our way. The Bible says that there is a way that seems correct to us but that way will lead to destruction. Often times we want to do things our way and not Yahweh's. Yet scriptures admonished to listen to what God says about instructing us in the way of right living. I praise God today for demonstrating his principles in everyday life.

Sunday morning - new outfit from Nonnie

2009-05-17T13:24:00.001-07:00

Daddy and Autumn: Jed had gotten up this morning with Autumn and spent quality time with her (mommy and Autumn's love language above all other thing). After that she had to be close and of course kisses to express her love. Oh so cute!
See look at me, I'm so content just sitting with daddy.
Oh daddy please pick me up, I have to be in your lap.
She smiles for mommy as I am looking for that perfect picture pose.
And of course this photo almost looks identical to what I recall when I looked at pictures of myself. We'll have to post those and see the similarities.

Fun in the Water hole

2009-04-28T11:04:00.000-07:00

So yesterday it rained, stormed, and flooded. Today was warm enough to go visit the water in that we have after a rain. Autumn as you can see wasn't too sure about it. She liked the mud but not between her toes. So many facial expressions.

Here is a video of the adventure into the water hole, watch the end she blows kisses.

Sullenger fun

2009-04-27T05:39:00.000-07:00

Autumn is up from her nap and just loves her abc singing dog. She sings along with it saying a few letters.

Autumn and I were playing and Jed tried to capture it.
Jed bought his first crawfish and of course Autumn gets to help. It was alright if you don't look at what you are eating.

Naptime and belly time.

2009-04-21T11:19:00.000-07:00

Autumn and daddy fun with training. As Autumn is learning how to sit still with her daddy, this session was around nap time. And as easy as 1,2,3 she was fast asleep. And fortunatly they both need a nap, so off snozzing they went. Once awake back to the fun of life. Autumn enjoys life, and she teaches us so many joys of living. God is good to have mercy on us as we do not deserve it.

And here is my very first photo of the unborn child growing inside. Baby is enjoying fighting for space for when Autumn and I read stories together. Baby pushing against Autumn almost every time. I certainly feel much more with this pregnancy then I had with Autumn. This baby is low I believe, and strong. The pregnancy is going great. Who am I to complain, it is an honor to carry such a blessing. God is good and true to His word. Ha ha ha, pain is worth it. Just like trails we experience. When we survive by God's grace, who are we to complain but rather to be thankful for being sharpened in our life.

Smoothie free for all

2009-04-21T11:07:00.000-07:00

She thinks she can get more smoothie by sticking her hands in it.

So I leave for an hour to go to the grocery store and Jed captures the exciting moments at home. It seems there was no concern for clothing. Autumn loves her smoothies.
Look at me, I'm doing it all by myself.
I just know there is more left.
Oh come on every drop counts.

The tongue story

2009-04-21T10:59:00.001-07:00

So, after telling her to stick her tongue out she gets this really cute face on. I'm so thankful for capturing the moment. The innocence of a child is a blessing to my heart. Praise GOD
This smirk is me telling her to smile. As she hesitates.
And this tongue feature comes after a day at Nonnie's house (my mom). I went to the post office and she stuck out her tongue to 3 different people, and I didn't tell her to. This is what laughter does to a child it affirms behaviors. Thankfully at this point it's innocent and mommy and daddy can retrain at home. Simply by not affirming it. It seems all children go through this, so we had fun with it.

3-13-09 You Tube Video

2009-03-13T19:48:00.000-07:00

Just a short clip of Autumn dancing with her toy, as you walks to her daddy. It's a fun time with this little bundle of joy.

Sullenger Family Fun

2009-03-13T19:35:00.000-07:00

Thumbs down to my first attempt to baking biscuits.
This should not of been left over.
Well rounded biscuits.
Autumn melts in daddy's arms
Sweet, sweet, sweet!

Pictures of daddy and Autumn. Autumn was playing until daddy picked her up (he hadn't been home much of the day), he told her to sit still (special training) and she just crumbled into his chest. And was quickly asleep within 5 minutes. I had to capture this moment, because she would rather lay in her crib then be rocked or held to sleep. She really loves her daddy. The other pictures is my failed attempt on baking biscuits. Yes, I and Autumn will eat them. They crumble to the touch, got me all confused. I'll try again next week. They taste OK, but when the recipe said to drop them, I had to mush them together like cookies. I love learning how to cook. And learning what not to do.

Reading books, playing gutiar, and standing

2009-02-10T06:18:00.000-08:00

Autumn loves her books!!

Look at me daddy, I am standing.
Autumn says, I really wanna touch it.... but the guitars is off limits. She sings along with daddy, claps her hands, and hits her legs with both of her hands. She loves music, and so do we. Especially because we use it to glorify God. After all isn't it His love the reason why we sing. Prise God for little blessing.

We are starting early

2009-02-09T17:24:00.000-08:00

Autumn helps mommy in kitchen (daily),

She comes running with I open the dishwasher. And she knows her task, she is so proud of herself when she is able to help her mommy.

Sullenger Family Photo fun

2009-02-05T07:43:00.000-08:00

Daddy and Autumn just starting watching veggie tales.

She is really relaxed here.

Autumn is making lunch time a fun time.

Autumn just loves life.

So this is how Autumn woke up one day and I got a picture of it.

Sharing our lives with loved ones

2009-02-05T07:11:00.001-08:00

So, finally I canceled facebook. I loved looking at all my friends photos and such, I found myself spending too much time on there. The purpose of facebook for us was to share our lives with you. So, instead I am utilizing my blogger account to do the same with the necessity of you have to create an account. That's the main purpose of it. Though it takes a while to upload photos, I'd rather invest my time here. At least try it out. We are always glad to share what God is doing in our lives. Some photo's are added but they were on facebook as well.

Christmas in MI

2009-01-07T06:14:00.000-08:00