On The Road...



Let's face it...I am out of town one night a week pretty much guaranteed. Some weeks it may be a couple days and a few full week (Mon-Fri). This past summer, I was in Muskogee 12 straight weeks for a HUGE network upgrade...I'll spare you the details because I know it would bore the non-techy people.

Well...every now and then I have to go back to Muskogee for little things here and there to help out. That just happened to be the case today. You know you have stayed somewhere way too much when you walk in the hotel and see your name on the marquee. haha! On top of that...the manager came out to check me in, gave me a big suite, a free bottle of water, and some codes for the website if I want to stay at any La Quinta when the company isn't picking up the tab.

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Day With Dad...


Growing up, I always wanted to spend time with my dad. Whether it was him taking me to OU games, going to work with him during the summer, or just hanging out watching action movies on the weekend...I just wanted to hang out with him.

As you grow up and become an adult, sometimes things just get so busy and hectic that you tend to miss out on just hanging out. Now with a family of my own, it just doesn't happen. We all try to get together as a family as much as we can, a Saturday here and there. I love my parents so much, I know I wouldn't be the man I am without them in my life. I know that they would do anything for us!

Well, I had the chance to spend an evening with my dad last week. It was so fun and just nice getting to hang out by ourselves. He met me right after work for a yummy chicken fried steak from one of our favorite places, The Chuck House. You can't beat a good chicken fried steak with a potato side and toast for $6!

After dinner we headed for downtown OKC to attend the OKC Thunder vs. Chicago NBA game. He had not been to a Thunder game yet. I had given my parents tickets back when the Hornets were in town, but they were way up in the upper deck. I had a chance to let my dad come sit with me down on the front. Unfortunately, the Thunder lost the game...but we just had fun being together for the night.

What's Happenin'...

It has been a month since my last post. I have been running around like crazy. If it isn't work, then I am at home trying to make life a little easier on my wife. In case you didn't know, she is now about 2 months pregnant.

We are VERY excited! She has been VERY sick so far. When she was pregnant with Addy, she was in the hospital all the time due to dehydration. Also, the only medicine that seemed to help was one they give to chemo patients...but it is $5 per pill and two pills a day. That adds up! Plus, she is trying to go as natural as possible and doesn't want to just medicate for everything.

I try to do whatever I can to help her out and just ride the roller coaster. haha! I just can't wait for the baby to join the family!

At A Desk...I Wish!!

Some people might hear that I am a Computer Tech/Network Maintenance thinking that all I do is just sit at a desk...and THINK that I have a cush job. Well, since I am a "hard worker, that doesn't mind doing anything to help out"...I get to occassionally help out in many different areas. I have spread manure all around a school to fill in ruts that one of the lifts left with the ground being moist. I have pulled so much cable both inside buildings and up on the lift pulling aerial fiber. I have hauled a 100 pound network switch up a garage attic (yes, a school has a network closet in an attic) and carried the old one back down. I have installed numerous networks, and have unboxed/installed 500 computers/monitors in an entire district by myself...just in time for school to start. I have had my shoes literally melt to the roof at a local high school (pulling aerial fiber) because it was over 100 degrees outside. I have been swarmed by a hundred bats, hornets, and even a mouse fall on my head out of a ceiling. Life on the job is fun!

Today was a first for me, I got a crash course on installing burried fiber cabling. Needless to say...I am a little tired this evening!

25 Random Things About Me...

Why not!?!? I keep getting tagged to do this...I can't let my fans down. Here it is:

1. I have watched every single OU football game either on tv or in person since I was 15...and watched everytime they were on tv since I was about 10.

2. In High School, I shot around in the Lloyd Noble arena while ESPN Camera crews were setting up for an OU game...the camera guys walked up to me curious if OU was recruiting me. AWESOME!!

3. I love playing video games...something I really miss spending time doing. Too much going on with work and family, it takes a backseat. I would totally be content being locked in my bedroom playing NCAA Football video game for a whole weekend...as long as someone brought me food, of course.

4. Speaking of NCAA football video game...I have never been beaten! I have literally played millions of games on there and against several people.

5. I really love carpentry and woodwork...I would really love to learn how to do it and be good at it. I also wouldn't mind making a career out of it.

6. I have had 14 vehicles since I was 16...and I am 28.

7. I remember telling my Mom that I didn't want to work in the IT field after graduating high school (while temping with Mid-Del Schools 2 years during HS)...I have now been working in IT for a total of 11 years...9 being with my current employer).

8. I have never been able to attend an OU-TX game....I Know!!!

9. I am so afraid of heights that I don't even like the ferris wheel or high dive.

10. I am a somewhat picky eater...pretty much a steak and potatoes kind of person.

11. Also, if I don't have some sort of meat during the day, it makes me feel drained.

12. I end up sitting behind my wife and brushing her hair pretty much every night...just because I know she enjoys it.

13. I don't like the long drive home from work (28 miles and about 50 minutes)...but I actually like it in the mornings because I spend it in prayer/reflection. On my way home, I am praying, too...just praying as I grasp the steering wheel at a dead stop on I-35.

14. I enjoy waking up earlier than I need to for work...that way I don't feel rushed and can pace myself. Even though I enjoy it, I still end up waiting in bed for the last possible minute and end up scrambling around!

15. I really want to build my next house with my own hands. I think it would be even more awesome knowing that you did it yourself.

16. I know that because I still feel the satisfaction when I think about the wood flooring. My father-in-law and I installed about 1,000 sq ft of it in about 16 hours, over a Saturday and Sunday. My knees still remember that feeling!

17. I don't spend money at all (no shopping at stores or online), there is only one thing that I really like and that is eating lunch with the guys at work. I wish I could find a way to do that (with eating wherever we are) without spending money. I have a hard time letting that go sometimes. It is nice to just get away from work, hang out, eat food, etc...but $30-40 per week, $120-160 per month, yeah!

18. I have never been in the hospital or had any surgeries. I've only had a few doctor office visits from being sick and a few x-rays making sure I didn't break any fingers or have any cartlidge torn in my knees (I had knee problems my Jr & Sr year and a couple years after HS).

19. I lived next door to Jason White (Former OU QB and Heisman winner) for 2 years during his playing days at OU. I became really close friends with him and his family...and I also became the personal computer tech for the OU football team.

20. I have got to hold the Heisman Trophy...that is something I will never forget. It is definitely much bigger and heavier then it looks on tv! Thanks Jason!

21. I have a HUGE Michael Jordan collection of cards and lots of memorabilia...I even have a Michael Jordan rookie card in mint condition. I want to sell it all, but no idea where to even begin.

22. I have thought a few times about a tattoo, but I don't even like needles when drawing blood or shots. I don't think that will ever happen.

23. I played the drums in a praise and worship band for about 4 years. Fortunately and unfortunately, we all got married and some moved away...and kids came. It really was a blast and nerve racking sometimes...because we would literally walk on stage in front of 100 people with only a quick run through before people walked in. We were too good to practice! Just kidding...that really shows the power of God, just that He was able to use the noise of our instruments for His glory!

24. I absolutely HATE yard work...I would rather do just about anything else. It isn't even a one time thing...it has to be done about twice a week at times. And why is it required during the hottest time of year!?!?

25. My wife just gave me my first waxing on my chest. The first pull didn't hurt too bad, and I made the mistake of saying so. She let me have on the second pull by making sure she went right down the middle with lots of hair.

Lead The Pack...



I will be the first to admit that I lack leadership skills and not real sure where to even begin to be the leader of my family. I tend to flow toward the pleasing others and being passive, instead of taking a stance and making a decision. I decided to take a deeper look into what it really means to be "the leader" of my family.

To the woman He said: “I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you. Genesis 3:16 (NKJV)

For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Ephesians 5:23 (NKJV)

Imagine the relationship between Adam and Eve in the garden before sin, before being tempted to take of the forbidden fruit. Truly, without sin we would be able to coexist as husband and wife with the same goals and with the same desire. We’d have no problem loving and yielding to one another. We would seek each other’s desires above our own, and we would see this as the only way to do things.

However, sin did enter the picture....along with pride, selfishness, and other self sins. This is why, I believe, God intended for a woman’s desire should be to her husband, and he would be the ruler over her. Someone has to be the leader...the person that would take responsibility and make the final decisions. For anything to function in a timely manner, there has to a be a decision maker.

In the family, God ordained the man to be the final authority, the one to rule over the family. Since He is the Creator, He had the choice. He created man first. He chose to make covenants with man. Man was what His Son came as. There are many reasons why He could have chosen the man, but He only knows the exact one.

That headship does not come as a master leading a slave, however. It comes with responsibility. Husbands...you are responsible for what your wife does, how she raises your children, and for her growth in the Lord. Christ doesn’t head the church by ordering it around and not taking responsibility for maintaining it, loving it, caring for it, and seeking its best interest!

Jesus laid out leadership for his disciples (the twelve that followed Him physically and us today) that we would lead through serving. He demonstrated this by washing His disciples feet. Husbands, we should not be lords over our wives, but we’re supposed to be caring and serving our wives and seeking the best for the family.

It’s quite the responsibility to be the leader in a Christian home! When I die, I have to stand before the Lord and give account for myself and my family...nobody else can do it for you! It is our responsibility.

OKC Thunder!



Liz and I were given tickets to the Thunder vs. Knicks game last night. We had a blast, even if it was a weeknight. Did I mention they were front row!!!! The only thing in front of us were the seats on the floor. I wish I had my camera on me...these not-so-top quality pictures are off the phone.

Office Lunch!

Yeah...look at me, I'm blogging! We had an awesome time on our vacation, and hopefully I will blog about that in the next few days with pics and all. I'm gonna TRY and do better...but no promises. Life just gets busy, then a day becomes a week...a week turns into a month...etc. I was just killing time and thought I would vent my frustrations of the office lunch!

For 8 years, everyday that I'm in the office there are a few of us that go out for lunch. We never do the sit down restaurant types, it is always McDonalds, Braums, Chick-Fil-A, pizza buffet...etc. Lately, I have been trying to do better about spending money and being a little healthier, though it is more about money! ;-)

So I bring my lunch and start to eat. You know how it is...ham and cheese sandwich, tuna salad sandwich, pb&j sandwich, or some sort of leftover. I sit down and begin to eat my sandwich with chips...do a little internet surfing on my lunch break.

Then one guy comes in with a fast food sack....the aroma fills the room. He sits down to one side of me with his Braums sack....man that looks good and smells great. I try to ignore it and get back to my sandwich....now I'm depressed because I would MUCH rather be having that.

A few minutes pass and as soon as the elevator opens you can smell that McDonalds sack getting out. Now the other side of me the guy is eating that...MAN!!! In a few moments later, another one with McDonalds. Why do they TORCHER me. At least when I'm on the road, I don't have to smell and watch others having that...I can eat my lunch in peace.

That folks is my story of the office lunch...it never fails, EVERY SINGLE TIME!!!

"Spiritual" President?

If I were elected President (which I have no desire to be), there is only one thing that I KNOW for fact would be true. I would be on my knees before the Lord seeking His direction. I would pray over every decision. After being elected, I could not imagine skipping church to workout at the gym. Well...that is the case with our President-elect. What can we do about it??? Some might say nothing...but we MUST pray daily for the leadership of our country. You can read the article here... http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1108/15902.html

Surprise!!

My wife and I had hoped to getaway for the Fall Break weekend and go somewhere. That didn't quite workout, so we decided to take Addy to the OU Homecoming Parade. It is Addy's weekend with her dad, but he needed to pickup a birthday present. We picked her up for the parade and had a blast! The theme was "Once Upon A Time In SoonerLand" and so many floats had famous children movie themese. That worked out perfect this year for the kids. Addy got to see Polar Express, The Grinch, Alice In Wonderland, and her favorite Wizard of Oz....not to mention many others.

After the parade was over, Addy's dad picked her up near by. Liz wanted to hang out before the game, so of course I was fine with that. The kickoff was at 2:30pm, so I HAD to be home before then. It was about 1:45pm and I told her that we HAD to get going. She was "looking" for her uncle Charlie in hopes that he would go inside and get her one of those frozen lemonades that Liz loves so much.

We couldn't find him, so we started walking away from the stadium. Liz thought we might see him on the way away. Finally, Liz stopped me and let me know that she had tickets for the game. I was definitely excited...but let her know that she can't do that to me when it comes to OU football. haha! She knows how much I love OU and did something so awesome for me. It is stuff she does like that to let me know how much she loves me! We have now been to 3 out of 4 home games this season...sweet!!

What Is Up My Brethren and Sisters!?!?

Yeah...I'm horrible. I have intentions of posting everyday, the next thing you know it has been a month or two. Things are going good. We are scaring our foreign exchange student to death...she must think Americans are crazy by now! Yeah...we are cool!

Yes, welcome to the Shipley household. Hey...at least we have fun!

Home Sweet Home!

Life has been a bit crazy here. It is weird that we are having to adjust back to life together in the house. Unfortunately, Liz has had to do it all over the summer and live as a single parent...and forunately, I have been cleaned up after by staying in the hotel (gotta love housekeeping). After 12 straight weeks out of town (home on weekends), I have been in the office this week...which means I am home every night.

Another thing, I have been sleeping in a king-size bed all to myself....I am also having to adjust my sleep patterns as I am back to sharing a full-size bed with my wife. Trust me when I say that I am not complaining, though. I love snuggling up with my wife, and I enjoy being home with the family.

It has just been one crazy summer full of big jobs. It looks like things are starting to slow back down to normal.

Christians Today...

I was just thinking about talking/witnessing/just living as Christ would. I have realized that I am not doing my job. Never did I think I was perfect or even really good at it...I have just realized that even my neighbor needs Christ.

Every time I pull up to the house....every time I leave the house, he is always sitting outside in his chair having a beer. He is eager to chat, and I am eager to get inside to the air conditioning. He is eager to help anyone with anything (yard work, cars, repairs, etc)...again, I am eager to get inside to the air conditioning.

No wonder people don't realize they are lacking a Savior...they know I go to church, they know I am a believer, etc...but they see me running inside, instead of serving others and sharing the love of Jesus!

Hopefully, this will serve as a reminder to all of us. We need to do something nice for others, and share the love of Jesus while serving.

Strong and Faithful Marriage???

What is marriage? Everyone used to know. Collier's Encyclopedia 1969 says, "Marriage is a socially recognized and approved union between two individuals of the opposite sex...Over 90% of people in the United States enter marriage, and the great majority of marriages are broken only by death." Compare that to what we hear and see in the world around us. That doesn't mirror the way it was "in the old days".

The false messages which are accepted in American culture make it difficult for Christians to have good marriages. Paul warned Christians 2000 years ago to resist being pushed into the world's mold. We are under great pressure, and we must resist. Our culture scoffs at the idea of living by the Bible, an out-of-date, old-fashioned book of legends and myths. We are new, modern, educated...we can figure out for ourselves what marriage is, and what we want it to be.

But we believe in the Bible. We accept the Bible's authority about right and wrong. Marriage is from God. We didn't invent it.

Tonight, while being in the hotel out of town, the Lord just placed a comforting feeling in this area. I'm so glad that my marriage isn't "of the world". I'm so glad that I don't have to worry what my wife is doing while I'm away...and that she doesn't have to worry about what I'm doing on the road. I love the Lord, I love my wife, I love our marriage and relationship...and I know she feels the same towards me. I thank God everyday for blessing me with the perfect wife...she is my best friend and knows me better than anyone. Just like 1969...we are "old fashioned" in our marriage (and everything else in raising a family/living), and we want others to see God through us.

Note: Let me clarify one thing. I do believe there are circumstances that allow for divorce...and I'm not saying if you are divorced that you are not living by the Bible. This post is about faithfulness...not about abusive (physical, emotional, mental) situations.

Happy Fathers Day!

It was quite the weekend. We took my parents and my niece to Incredible Pizza Saturday afternoon. She had never been, and we knew we didn't have much time left before she went back to Arizona. We had a pretty good time! Plus, it is always nice getting to take some agression out on my wife in bumper cars (or boxing on the Wii). I can't get in trouble for "playing" the game...right!?!? haha!

After that, we went out to my parents house to play....tada, the Wii. We didn't box...but we all played some bowling and tennis. They also bought this Wii Fit thing this past week. Let me tell ya...it is real encouraging when you step on the "board" and the game makes this "oooooooohhh" sound. Yes, I know I am fat...thanks for pointing that out. haha!

Today, we had a cookout with my parents, aunt, and Liz's mom. We really hadn't decided what we were going to do until about 2pm. All in all, it was a pretty good weekend. Now the fun part of going back to work for the man. Here is a little Fathers Day video to leave you with...

It Is Official...

We just wanted to let you know that it's all official. We are excited to plan for our foreign exchange student's arrival on August 9.

Cherry (Szu-Han) is a 15 year old girl from Taiwan. She will be with us for her sophomore year of high school and return to her country when her VISA expires next June.

We're so excited about the powerful opportunity God has given us to show this girl His love and hopefully spread His word to countless others we will never meet. It is going to be so awesome to share differing cultures in the same house, while they get to experience America. Please pray for everyone involved. I know it must be very difficult leaving everything you've ever known (family, friends, sites, smells, etc) to go live a year with complete strangers in a foreign land. Also, please pray for us as we accept her as part of the family and try to share our faith, culture, and customs with her.

Updates...

It has been a long couple weeks. I was in Ponca City for 9 straight days of driving back and forth. I was leaving the house by 6:30am (6:00am if I went by the office first), picking up 3 guys, and arriving there by 8:45am everyday. We would leave there at 3:30pm, drop off the 3 guys, and get home at 5:45pm. At least I was home every night...though, that was a chore for awhile because we were in the middle of major house cleaning.

My parents got a Wii, so we were over there playing for about 5 hours last night. I love it!!!! We have got to get one!

We have finished our Adoption classes at the end of May and awaiting our homestudy. After the homestudy, they will begin the matching process which could be 2 months or maybe a year. We are awaiting our fingerprints/background check through OSBI before they will do the homestudy. We are caught in between two processes and waiting.

Another development has taken place. We decided to open our home to a foreign exchange student for next school year. We had received an email from friends stating if they didn't find families to host, they wouldn't be allowed to come to the USA (it included profiles and essays from different students). It is all but official at the moment. We had our interview on Saturday, and they were calling our references over the weekend. Our background check passed, Norman HS gave a verbal approval (awaiting the official in-writing approval), and it looks like we will be hosting a 15 year old from Taiwan. Exciting!! I can't wait to learn about their culture, while giving her a chance to experience America.

Random Thoughts...


Well, it is that time of year again. Kids are on summer break, schools closed, etc. That means that my job slows down, right? HA! This is the busiest time of year for me. Last week I drove back and forth to Ponca City everyday, and I will be doing the same again this week. Looks like an awesome mileage check coming my way!!!

I have so many jobs lined up this summer, including a $3 million job in Muskogee. I joked with my wife, saying see ya on the weekends. Truth is, I never know what is going to pop up and totally ruin whatever was "planned" for the day. Oh and I can't forget to tell the best part of working in schools during the summer....no air conditioning!!!

A thought of mine. Is it just me or does anybody else wonder how in the world they are going to make it through summer!?!? It is so stinkin' hot already! Last year, it rained so much in June...hopefully that starts, which would keep temperatures down.

We went over to another family's (from church) house on Friday night. Besides being in total awe of their house, I got to play the Wii. I have been wanting one, but after playing it...I REALLy would like one. After telling my dad about it, come to find out he has one on order. Yes!! I guess we will be spending some time during the weekends at their place to play.

For this month, my wife is hosting a women's bible study at our house on Wednesday nights. We have been "trying" to get the house totally clean. It seems we work most of the day, then look around and the house is messier. I don't think it is supposed to work that way. You should see progress...right?

The problem is that we have never been organized, so things don't really have a place. We just hide our "items with no home" in places people can't see. This women's bible study breaks into small groups and will use every room in the house. Uh Oh!! That means cleaning with with a capital C. We have our "to do" lists all planned for the next couple nights, so hopefully everything gets done.

Co-Workers...

Next time, you might want to think twice about picking on your co-worker. Watch this video to see what happens when a guy is throwing paper clips at a fellow employee...

Homeschool Day!

Last night we went to Frontier City for homeschool day. It was so awesome! This was our second year going to the event. The park is still closed to the general public and only open this day to homeschooling families. We love going on this day because you can literally walk up to ANY ride and basically get on.

This year we have been in touch with more homeschooling families through our church and "Educating For Life", a homeschooling group in Edmond, OK. We thought we would definitely see several families we knew...or at least recognized. We only came across one family that we knew...though it was good to meet Erin's husband, Jon, who just returned home from Iraq and their two boys.

Anyway, we had a blast and we look forward to going next year!