Love is Kind

Be Kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. - Ephesians 4:32

Kindness is Love in action. If patience is how love reacts in order to minimize a negative circumstance, kindness is how love acts to maximize a positive circumstance. Patience avoids a problem; kindness creates a blessing. One is preventive, the other is proactive. These two sides of love are the cornerstones on which many of the other attributes we will discuss are built.

Love makes you kind. And kindness makes you likable. When you're kind, people want to be around you. They see you as being good to them and good for them.

The Bible keys in on the importance of kindness: "Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man" (Proverbs 3:3-4). Kind people simply find favor wherever they go. Even at home. But "kindness" can feel a little generic when you try defining it, much less living it. So let's break kindness down into 4 basic core ingredients:

Gentleness. When you're operating from kindness, you're careful how you treat your spouse, never being unnecessarily harsh. You're sensitive. Tender. Even if you need to say hard things, you'll bend over backwards to make your rebuke or challenge as easy to hear as possible. You speak the truth in love.

Helpfulness. Being kind means you meet the needs of the moment. If it's housework, you get busy. A listening ear? You give it. Kindness graces a wife with the ability to serve her husband without worrying about her rights. Kindness makes a husband curious to discover what his wife needs, then motivates him to be the one who steps up and ensures those needs are met - even if his are put on hold.

Willingness. Kindness inspires you to be agreeable. Instead of being obstinate, reluctant, or stubborn, you cooperate, you stay flexible. Rather than complaining and making excuses, you look for reasons to compromise and accommodate. A kind husband ends thousands of potential arguments by his willingness to listen first rather than demand his way.

Initiative. Kindness thinks ahead, then takes the first step. It doesn't sit around waiting to be prompted or coerced before getting off the couch. The kind husband or wife will be the one who greets first, smiles first, and forgives first. They don't require the other to get his or her act together before showing love. When acting from kindness, you see the need, then make your move. First.

Jesus creatively described the kindness of love in His parable of the Good Samaritan, found in the Bible - Luke, chapter 10. A Jewish man attacked by robbers is left for dead on a remote road. Two religious leaders, respected among their people, walk by without choosing to stop. Too busy. Too important. Too fond of clean hands. But a common man of another race - the hated Samaritans, whose dislike for the Jews was both bitter and mutual - sees this stranger in need and is moved with compassion. Crossing all cultural boundaries and risking ridicule, he stops to help the man. Bandaging his wounds and putting him on his own donkey, he carries him to safety and pays all his medical expenses out of his own pocket.

Where years of racism had caused strife and division, one act of kindness brought two enemies together. Gently. Helpfully. Willingly. Taking the initiative, this man demonstrated true kindness in every way.

Wasn't kindness one of the key things that drew you and your spouse together in the first place? When you married, weren't you expecting to enjoy his or her kindness for the rest of your life? Didn't your mate feel the same way about you? Even though the years can take the edge off that desire, your enjoyment in marriage is still linked to the daily level of kindness expressed.

The Bible describes a woman whose husband and children bless and praise her. Among her noble attributes are these: "She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue" (Proverbs 31:26). How about you? How would your husband or wife describe you on the kindness meter? How harsh are you? How gentle and helpful? Do you wait to be asked, or do you take the initiative to help? Don't wait for your spouse to be kind first.

It is difficult to demonstrate love when you feel little to no motivation. But love in its truest sense is not based on feelings. Rather, love determines to show thoughtful actions even when there seems to be no reward. You will never learn to love until you learn to demonstrate kindness.

Taken from The Love Dare, by Stephen and Alex Kendrick

Love is Patient

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. - Ephesians 4:2

Love works. It's life's most powerful motivator, and has far greater depth and meaning than most people realize. It always does what is best for others and can empower us to face the greatest of problems. We are born with a lifelong thirst for love. Our hearts desperately need it like our lungs need oxygen. Love changes our motivation for living. Relationships become meaningful with it. No marriage is successful without it.

Love is built on two pillars that best define what it is. Those pillars are patience and kindness. All other characteristics of love are extensions of these two attributes. And that's where the love dare begins. With patience.

Love will inspire you to become a patient person. When you choose to be patient, you respond in a positive way to a negative situation. You are slow to anger. You can choose to have a long fuse instead of a quick temper. Rather that being restless and demanding, love helps you settle down and begin extending mercy to those around you. Patience brings an internal calm during an external storm.

No one likes to be around an impatient person. It causes you to overreact in angry, foolish, and regrettable ways. The irony of anger toward a wrongful action is that it spawns new wrongs of it's own. Anger almost never makes things better. In fact, it usually generates additional problems. But patience stops problems in their tracks. More than biting your lip, more than clapping your hand over your mouth, patience is a deep breath. It clears the air. It stops foolishness from whipping it's scorpion tail all over the room. It is a choice to control your emotions rather than allowing your emotions to control you, and shows discretion instead of returning evil for evil.

If your spouse offends you, do you quickly retaliate, or do you stay under control? Do you find that anger is your emotional default when treated unfairly? If so, you are spreading poison rather than medicine.

Anger is usually caused when the strong desire for something is mixed with disappointment or grief. You don't get what you want and you start heating up inside. It is often an emotional reaction that flows out of our own selfishness, foolishness, or evil motives.

Patience, however makes us wise. It does not rush to judgement but listens to what the other person is saying. Patience stands in the doorway where anger is clawing to burst in, but waits to see the whole picture before passing judgement. The Bible says, "He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is quick-tempered exalts folly." (Proverbs 14:29)

As sure as a lack of patience will turn your home into a war zone, the practice of patience will foster peace and quiet. "A hot tempered man stirs up strife, but the slow to anger calms a dispute." (Proverbs 15:18). Statements like these from the Bible book of Proverbs are clear principles with timeless relevance. Patience is where love meets wisdom. And every marriage needs that combination to stay healthy.

Patience helps you give your spouse permission to be human. It understands that everyone fails. When a mistake is made, it chooses to give them more time than they deserve to correct it. It gives you the ability yo hold on during the tough times in your relationship rather than bailing out under the pressure.

But can your spouse count on having a patient wife or husband to deal with? Can she know that locking her keys in the car will be met by your understanding rather than a demeaning lecture that makes her feel like a child? Can he know that cheering during the last seconds of a football game won't invite a loud-mouthed laundry list of ways he should be spending his time? It turns out that few people are as hard to live with as an impatient person.

What would the tone and volume of your home be like if you tried this biblical approach: "See that one one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another" (1 Thessalonians 5:15).

Few of us do patience very well, and none of us do it naturally. But wise men and women will pursue it as an essential ingredient to their marriage relationships. That's a good starting point to demonstrate true love.

This love dare journey is a process, and the first thing you must resolve to possess is patience. Think of it as a marathon, not a sprint. But it's a race worth running.

Taken from "The Love Dare" by Stephen and Alex Kendrick.

What Does True Love REALLY Look Like?

I wish sometimes I was a writer. I have opinions, beliefs and feelings I want to express, but I can't string the words together sometimes. Or when in a conversation with another person, I often thing of what I should have said the next day to get my point across. The problem is, when I needed the words was during the conversation the day before.

Anyway, I've just finished reading a book that has made a big impact on the way I think. I wish I had read it 3 years ago, or had it available to me 3 years ago. If I had, maybe the past 3 years would have been a lot different. What's more, I'm starting another book that I think will also teach me a lot.

The first book was The Love Dare, written by Steven and Alex Kendrick. The one I just started is called Family Man, Family Leader, Biblical Fatherhood as the Key to a Thriving Family.

In the Love Dare, I learned that though I thought I knew how to love, I really didn't have a clue. I don't know if anyone is following this blog anymore since it's been awhile since I've posted, but I'd like to share the book...one chapter at a time, (don't worry, the chapters are short...no longer than 2-3 pages a piece, though this post will be the longest as I added a part of the appendix that relates to the introduction) with maybe a few sporadic comments along the way. I pray that someone may find what I share, and learn something from it, therefore improving an already good marriage, or saving one that is in trouble.

I recommend this book to anyone who is married or is planning to marry. I especially urge anyone having marriage problems to read this book and do the dares, especially before considering separation or divorce. If taken seriously and taken to heart, it can be the tool that gets your relationship on the right track. It can teach you what love really is, and how to truly love your spouse as God intended. It can get your marriage on the path to the way God intended it to be.

Following is the introduction to THE LOVE DARE:

The Scriptures say that God designed and created marriage as a good thing. It is a beautiful, priceless gift. He uses marriage to help us eliminate loneliness, multiply our effectiveness, establish families, raise children, enjoy life, and bless us with relational intimacy. But beyond this, marriage also shows us our need to grow and deal with our own issues and self centeredness through the help of a lifelong partner. If we are teachable, we will learn to do the one thing that is most important in marriage-to love. This powerful union provides the path for you to learn how to love another imperfect person unconditionally. It is wonderful. It is difficult. It is life changing.

This book is about love. It's about learning and daring to live a life filled with loving relationships. And this journey begins with the person who is closest to you: your spouse. May God bless you as you begin this adventure.

But be sure of this: it will take courage. If you accept this dare, you must take the view that instead of following your heart, you are choosing to lead it. The world says to follow your heart, but if you are not leading it, then someone else or something else is. The bible says that "the heart is more deceitful than all else (Jeremiah 17:9), and it will always pursue that which feels right at the moment.

We dare you to think differently- choosing instead to lead your heart toward that which is best in the long run...your mate and your family. This is the key to lasting, fulfilling relationships.

[more on following your heart vs leading your heart in a moment.]

The Love Dare journey is not a process of trying to change your spouse to be the person you want them to be. You've no doubt already discovered that efforts to change your husband or wife have ended in failure and frustration. Rather, this is a journey of exploring and demonstrating genuine love, even when your desire is dry and your motives are low. The truth is, love is a decision and not just a feeling. It is selfless, sacrificial, and transformational. and when love is truly demonstrated as it was intended, your relationship is more likely to change for the better.

Remember, you have the responsibility to protect and guide your heart. Don't give up and don't get discouraged. Resolve to lead your heart and make it through to the end. Learning to truly love in one of the most important things you will ever do.

LEADING YOUR HEART. WHAT IS THE HEART?

Your heart is your identity. Your heart is the most important part of who you are. It is the center of your being, where the "real you" resides. "The heart of man reflects man" (Proverbs 27:19). As a person "thinks in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7)

Your heart is your center. Since your physical heart is in the center of your body and sends life-giving blood out to every living cell, the word "heart" has been used for centuries to describe the core starting place of all your thoughts, beliefs, values, motives and convictions.

Your heart is your headquarters. Your heart is the Pentagon of your operations. As a result, every area of your life is impacted by the direction of your heart.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH FOLLOWING MY HEART?

It's Foolish. The world says "Follow your heart!" This is the philosophy of new age gurus, self help seminars, and romantic pop songs. Because is sounds romantic and noble, it sells millions of records and books. The problem is that following your heart usually means chasing after whatever feels right at the moment whether or not it is actually right. It means throwing caution and conscience to the wind and pursuing your latest whims and desires regardless of what good logic and counsel are saying. The bible says "He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks wisely will be delivered" (Proverbs 28:26)

It's Unreliable. People forget that feelings and emotions are shallow, fickle, and unreliable. They can fluctuate depending on circumstances. In an effort to follow their hearts, people have abandoned their jobs to reignite a lousy garage band, lost their life savings following a whim on a horse race, or left their lifelong mate in order to chase an attractive coworker who's been married twice already. What feels right in the height of sweet emotion often feels like a sour mistake a few years later. [I recently read an article on divorce that shows the same sentiment. It discovered that when many people are asked just a few years after divorce if they are happier now than when they were married, the greater majority were either no happier or not even as happy as they had once been. They regretted making the decision to get a divorce.] This selfish philosophy is also the source of countless divorces. It leads many to excuse themselves from their lifelong commitments because they no longer "Feel in Love" [I, and other sources I have read challenge that if a person can say that they don't love their spouse anymore, they either don't understand what love really is, or they never loved that person to begin with.]

It's Corrupt. The truth is, our hearts are basically selfish and sinful. "The heart is more deceitful than all else and desperately sick; who can understand it?" (Jeremiah 17:9). Jesus said "Out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders" (Matthew 15:19). Unless our hearts are genuinely changed by God, they will continue to choose wrong things.

SHOULD I EVER FOLLOW MY HEART?

King Solomon said, "A wise man's heart directs him toward the right, but the foolish man's heart directs him toward the left" (Ecclesiastes 10:2). Just as your heart can direct you towards [anger], hatred, lust and violence, it can also be driven by love, truth, and kindness. As you walk with God, He will put dreams in your life that He wants to fulfill in your life. He will also put skills and abilities in your heart that He wants to develop for His glory (Exodus 35:30-35). He will give you the desire to give (2 Corinthians 9:7) and to worship (Ephesians 5:19). As you put God first, He will step in and fulfill the good desires of your heart. The Bible says, "Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4). But the only time you can feel good about following your heart is when you know your heart is intent on serving and pleasing God.

WHY IS FOLLOWING MY HEART NOT ENOUGH?

Because our hearts are so subject to change and so utterly untrustworthy, the Scriptures communicate a much stronger message than "follow your heart." The Bible instructs you to lead your heart. This means to take full responsibility for it's condition and direction. Realize that you do have control over where your heart is. [Is your heart with your spouse as it is supposed to be, or is it elsewhere, like work, or the Internet, or the TV?] You have been given the power by God to take your heart off one thing and to set it on something else.

HOW DO I LEAD MY HEART?

First, you need to understand that your heart follows your investment. Whatever you pour your time, money and energy into will draw your heart. This was true before you were married. You wrote letters, bought gifts, and spent time together as a couple, and your heart followed. When you stopped investing as much in the relationship and started pouring yourself into other things, your heart followed you there. If you are not in love with your spouse today, it may be because you stopped investing in your spouse yesterday. [We must lead our heart to our spouse and our marriage instead of these other things. Our marriage must be our hearts first priority]

Check your heart. One of the keys to successfully leading your heart is to constantly be aware of where it is. Do you know what has your heart right now? You can tell by looking at where your time has gone in the past month, where your money has gone, and what you keep talking about.

Guard your heart. When something unhealthy tempts your heart, it is your responsibility to guard it against temptation. The Bible says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life" (Proverbs 4:23). Don't let your heart put your work or money above your spouse and family. Don't let your heart lust after the beauty of another woman (Proverbs 6:25). The Bible says, "If riches increase, do not set your heart on them" (Psalm 62:10)

Set your heart. The apostle Paul taught, "set your heart on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God" (Colossians 3:1). It's time to identify where your heart needs to be and then to choose to set your heart on those things. You say, "But I don't really want to invest in my marriage. I'd rather be doing this or that." I know. You've set your heart on that in the past and you are stuck in a "follow your heart" mentality. But you don't have to let your feelings leave you anymore. Lust is when you set your heart on something that is wrong and forbidden. You can choose to take your heart off the wrong things and set it on what is right.

Invest your heart. This is SO IMPORTANT! Don't wait until you feel like doing the right thing. Don't wait until you feel in love with your spouse to invest in your relationship. Start pouring into your marriage and investing in where your heart is supposed to be. Spend time with your spouse. Buy Gifts. Write letters. Go on dates. The more you invest, the more your heart will value your relationship. This is what the Love Dare is about-40 days of leading your heart back to loving your spouse.

Prayer needed

Please pray for me and my family. I was laid off my job of 8 1/2 years this past Thursday. Pray that I find something soon.

Thanks,

One Month Later...

For crying out loud (yes I am aware of the pun) Feed me!!!
(Registering his discontent!!)

Just a few minutes later...
WHAT THE...!?!

Hey cat...Just wait 'til I get mobile...

Bath time again? The water had better be warmer this time or I'll show you the meaning of "Squirt"!

Check me out in my "Gator" Towel!

Hanging with Dad and trying to get rid of that air bubble. Mommy says I look like a turtle.
Hanging with Dad and trying to get rid of that air bubble. Mommy says I look like a turtle.

Jacob is Here

Jacob Winston Vaughan officially made his arrival yesterday morning, 7/25 @ 10:08 AM at Medical City Dallas, weighing in at 7lbs. 12oz. and measuring 20" long. He's perfect and healthy. Even the Pediatrician had nothing negative or bad to say, which greatly enthused his mother and I.

Taylor's very enamored with him. She just can't seem to look at him enough. I think I'm pretty taken with him myself. Taylor's healthy and doing great, Jacob's healthy, so I'm a happy man.

We are now much more than a couple. We are truely a Family.

More later,

Michael, Taylor and Jacob

Official Due Date

At her last doctor appointment, we received an official due date. The calendar is now marked for July 25th. As we wearily trudge to the end of this tiring yet wonderful experience of pregnancy (though Taylor would have a lot more words to describe it and none of those words would be anything close to wonderful) we look forward to a new phase of life. For those closer to me, I ask for patience. There are so many emotions going on I feel myself getting a little wiggy and stressed out. Excitement, fear, anticipation, trepidation, responsibility, etc. I've noticed I've snapped around on a person or two without meaning to do so. For that I apologise. Hopefully it won't happen again, but it may, so just be prepared and tell me to chill out and take a breath. in the mean time, I'm keeping my fingernails a little longer to keep a better grip...

Oh, and Christina, have a safe trip and we'll see you in a week and a half.

62 Days and Counting

He'll be here before we know it. It seems like we're stuck in a time warp though. On one hand, it seems like we have such a long way to go. still 62 days to go. By the time Jacob gets here, She will have been pregnant for 1/2 our married life. Low on energy and sick a lot of the time. On the other hand it's gone by so fast. December seems like it was just last month. 218 days of the pregnancy are behind us. That's a lot of days already gone!!! Comparing that number to what's left, and Jacob will be here very soon and there's still so much to do!!!

Go Stars

In case you missed Game 6, which was a game for the books (4 overtimes, 61 saves on 62 shots faced for Marty Turco, 53 saves on 55 shots faced for Nabokov, 55 shifts for 50 minutes of ice time and 19 hits for the eventual game winner Brendan Morrow, who earlier took a puck, then later a stick in the face, 8th longest game in NHL playoff history, 3rd longest game in franchise playoff history, etc. etc. etc.) FSN SW channel 65 will be rebroadcasting a condensed 2 hour version on Thursday, May 8th@ 11:00 AM. If you missed it, set your DVR's.

Game 1 of the conference finals against Detroit will aire on VS channel 72 or 75 (can't remember which) at 6:30 that evening.

Go Stars!!!

Driving and Cell Phones

What is the deal with driving and cell phones? Since it seems that people can't be responsible enough to stay off their phone while driving (I have to point the finger at myself on this one as well), then why don't cell phone providers do something that will not allow their cell phone to work in a running vehicle unless it's attached to a hands free device? I mean really, even though a hands free device is puchased separately from the phones right now, most everyone has one. Why then do most people not use it?

It wouldn't be so bad if these people who just MUST talk on the phone could drive as they normally do when not on the phone. It seems though most people can't. Most of the time, when someone is driving slow enough to drive Miss Daisy, ignoring my signal that I want to get over (which is a gripe for another day) or cutting me off in traffic, I look over to see them yammering into a cell phone. These slow driving cell phone users drive just like the 80 year old man or woman, which I prefer to cell phone drivers as at least they have both hands on the wheel and are devoting all their attention on what they are doing. We are operating a piece of machinery that has the potential to take our life as well as others lives in the blink of an eye with just one moment of inattentiveness!! Cars can even be referred to as deadly weapons, or be the instrument in reckless endangerment. Let's treat it as such!!! It's like any other power tool. It's foolish to be afraid of it, but it's equally foolish to not respect what it can do.

The really irritating thing was watching a lady drive down HWY 66 from the second bridge crossing the lake to the light at Rowlett Road (local people may know this area...it is a straight shot, and goes for a couple of miles) with a cell phone held to her ear by her shoulder (this does not constitute a hands free device by the way), one hand holding her food container, her other hand stuffing her face, and her left knee stearing the SUV!!!

Come on people, either get a hands free device or get off the phone. We'll all get home faster and in one piece!!! And if you still can't drive better than the 80 year old man with the hands free device, just stay off the phone!

New Sonogram pictures

These sonogram pictures were taken last Friday, January 25th at about 12 weeks 3 days.

Proof Positive

Big news!!!

I still find it hard to believe, but I'm going to be a Daddy!!! Please pray all goes well. I'm nervous, scared, excited and a whole myriad of other emotions all at once. My poor wife however, is dealing with the "joys of pregnancy" at the moment, so it will probably be a few more weeks before she starts to feel excited. Right now, she just feels nauseous.

Anyway, as it gets closer and we know what the sex of the baby is, we will hopefully start collecting the things all new parents need for their baby.

This past year has been full of changes, and next year is sure not to disappoint.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!!

Nerd? Geek? Dork?

Your Score: Joe Normal

17 % Nerd, 21% Geek, 30% Dork

For The Record:

A Nerd is someone who is passionate about learning/being smart/academia.
A Geek is someone who is passionate about some particular area or subject, often an obscure or difficult one.
A Dork is someone who has difficulty with common social expectations/interactions.
You scored less than half in all three, earning you the title of: Joe Normal.

This is not to say that you don't have some Nerd, Geek or Dork inside of you--we all do, and you can see the percentages you have right above. This is just to say that none of those qualities stand out so much as to define you. Sure, you enjoy an episode of Star Trek now and again, and yeah, you kinda enjoyed a few classes back in the day. And, once in a while, you stumble while walking down the street even though there was nothing there to cause you to trip. But, for the most part, you look and act fairly typically, and aren't much of an outcast.

I'd say there's a fair chance someone asked you to take this test. In any event, fairly normal.

Congratulations!

If you enjoyed this test, I would love the feedback!


Also, you might want to check out some of my other tests if you're interested in any of the following:

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Professional Wrestling

Love & Sexuality

America/Politics

Thanks Again! -- THE NERD? GEEK? OR DORK? TEST

Link: The Nerd? Geek? or Dork? Test written by donathos on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test

Home from the Hospital

The last couple of weeks have been quite busy! Friday before last, my wife was scheduled for a diagnostic laproscopy to find out and fix the cause of some fairly intense pain on her left side. We went through all the admitting, pre-testing, changing into the gown, and waiting to be taken in to the OR...then we waited. After awhile, I had to go to work for a meeting I couldn't reschedule. As it turns out, the operating room had gotten backed up, and her doctor had been held up at another hospital when the previous procedure before his had some complications. As a result, they rescheduled for the following Wednesday before Labor Day, refilled her Vicodin prescription and she went home.

Saturday was spent cleaning house in preparation for moving in Taylor's bedroom furniture, which up to this point was still at her parents house (I know, we've been married almost 1/2 a year, and she still isn't moved in) followed by moving day on Sunday. By Sunday night, we had my bedroom furniture in the guest bedroom, had her bedroom suit set up in our master bedroom, and had her desk set up in the office. Needless to say by the end of the day, we were spent.

On Wednesday, we checked into the hospital and this time, everything went off without a hitch. Another tiring day, but the pain in her left side is gone, and she is slowly but surely recovering from surgery.

This past weekend was spent mostly in the garage. Thanks to my in-laws, who came upon several shelving units left by a former tenant of their adjoining office space, I was able to completely re-organize the garage. I didn't quite get it where I want it, but it's very close. I need to put in one more Saturday, and with any luck, I may be able to get BOTH cars in the garage in an emergency, and that hasn't been possible since I moved in to the place.

Last but not least, I've added a new feature to my blog page. I've often wondered about who visits and reads my blog, and now with this added feature, I can see approximately where my page was accessed. I'm glad to see hits in Ohio from a friend who relocated for work, Oklahoma from friends/family, Georgia from a relocated friend from church, and England by friends made while helping out with their Holiday Club in their local church. I think of you guys often, including those in England. Hope all is well, and drop me a line sometime.

I guess that's enough for now. Thanks for tuning in.

In honor of my Birthday...

Though my birthday isn't until tomorrow, I saw this on Blogthings and thought I'd post the results, as I may not have time tomorrow...

Your Birthdate: August 18

You are a cohesive force - able to bring many people together for a common cause. You tend to excel in work situations, but you also facilitate a lot of social gatherings too. Beyond being a good leader, you are good at inspiring others. You also keep your powerful emotions in check - you know when to emote and when to repress. Your strength: Emotional maturity beyond your years Your weakness: Wearing yourself down with too many responsibilities Your power color: Crimson red Your power symbol: Snowflake Your power month: September

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Blogthings

Your Famous Movie Kiss is from The Princess Bride

"This is true love - you think this happens every day?"

What Famous Movie Kiss Are You?

You Are Superman

Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. And pretty cute too. No wonder you're the most popular superhero ever!

What Superhero Are You?

Slide Show

Free MySpace slideshows, photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

The Swamp

	My Flixster

Day 7 - Sea World

Finally, after 4 months of being married, I've finally gotten around to posting the last day of our honeymoon to Florida. It's not as fresh in my mind anymore, but it was still a fun experience I want to share at least a few pictures of, even though I may be a little short on the details and descriptions.

By this time in our vacation, we were so tired we didn't get to Sea World until about lunch time, even though it was within walking distance of our condo. The drawback is that we didn't get as much of a chance to linger at any of the habitats, as we wanted to see as many of the shows as possible, and you have to be at each show 15 - 30 minutes before it's scheduled start to get a decent seat. When one show was over, it was close to time to start for the next show. We ended up seeing three shows total.

First, upon entering the park, which we had access to due to our tickets to Discovery Cove, we turned left and spent some time watching the dolphins at the dolphin habitat before heading to the dolphin show.

A female trainer swam with, rode and was pushed by one or a combination of dolphins. A part of the show included a strange type of whale, which was presented by the male trainer.

After the dolphin show, we went through the penquin habitat, followed by watching the seals and sea lions in their habitat. The second show included seals and sea lions.

Lastly, we had to see Shamoo the Killer Whale. We were disappointed in that the normal show was canceled, as Shamo had just given birth on Monday of that week. We did however get to see her guiding her baby around the tank, teaching it to stear and swim, as well as watch the video of the birth on the jumbotron. The trainers would drop handfulls of fish in the mother's mouth each time she passed in front of the croud.She kept the baby on the outside of her closest to the croud, but it was still difficult to get a good shot of the baby.