Brenda and I were married on December 27, 2002. Our wedding ceremony included many video segments including our engagement, photos of us both growing up, and then our time together getting to know each other.
We've had requests to post the video that we played as a prelude to the wedding. It includes a quote from my Czech great great grandfather "Jan Cimbura" and many Scriptures from the Bible that were especially encouraging to us both. They are accompanied my photography (some with a Christmas theme since our wedding was during that season) and inspiring music.
So here it is. I hope you enjoy it, too.
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
The Muppets and Christmas
I was introduced to the muppets when the first episode of Sesame Street aired in 1969. Since then, I've been a big fan…seeing nearly every muppet movie and collecting DVDs of all the original TV shows. (There's a great early Steve Martin appearance on the show.) My fascination with the muppets continues to this day. Who can forget Kermit alone in a pond strumming his banjo and singing?
The original creator of the muppets, Jim Henson left an incredible legacy. His gang includes some of the most creative people in the world. Now the muppets are owned by Disney.
The muppets have their share of Christmas specials. Seeing one or two should help get you in the mood for the season. Miss Piggy was interviewed about her role in the movie. (Kermit bought the dress for her unknowingly. It was on his credit card.)
Muppet Gift Ideas
Now you can get your own custom muppet "whatnot" for Christmas from FAO Shwartz! You get to build it from start to finish adding clothing, hair, body, facial elements, etc. Mine included a great hawaiian shirt.
If you're looking for something a little less expensive, Bert and Ernie should do well: Sesame Street 13" Bert Hand Puppet or Sesame Street Ernie Hand Puppet
Kermit provides his view on life in this funny book… Before You Leap: A Frog's Eye View of Life's Greatest Lessons Who knew a frog could write?
Kermit Says "Goodnight"
I've found a new way to creatively reach my kids through a Kermit the Frog puppet. They love it. They see the puppet lying on the shelf and yell "Daddy, make him real." Then somehow by magic he'll interact with them in funny ways.
The other night I used Kermit to put Brielle into bed. Sometimes she'll listen to Kermit with greater attention than she does to me. Kermit helped her into her room, pulled the covers up to keep her warm, and then even said a short frog prayer for her thanking God for our day and a blessing on our pond. Ten minutes later a cry came from her room. "Daddy, say a prayer for me." I opened her door, peeked in, and told her I did say a prayer. "No. Say a prayer for me." I thought to myself...did I forget? I'm sure I said a prayer for her. Then I had the realization that I hadn't.
You see for her Kermit is real. Kermit said a prayer for her…but not daddy. Kermit is not me.
Puppets Help Teach
My daughter recently had surgery at Children's Hospital. In a special orientation session, they introduced her to all the things that will happen at the hospital. They did it through a puppet and live human talking together about the future experience. The puppet acted out as if it was a child…asking all the questions that they might have and misunderstanding some things along the way: "Anesthesiologist? Is that a kind of dinosaur?" The kids were enthralled and listened so intently. Then the puppet personally said goodbye to them by name and wished them well.
The lesson here for us as adults is about believing and suspending our reality to allow our imagination to go somewhere that we couldn't normally. For some of us this might be as simple as seeing a movie outside of our normal experience and letting our minds escape in the fantasy world. What do you daydream about?
The original creator of the muppets, Jim Henson left an incredible legacy. His gang includes some of the most creative people in the world. Now the muppets are owned by Disney.
The muppets have their share of Christmas specials. Seeing one or two should help get you in the mood for the season. Miss Piggy was interviewed about her role in the movie. (Kermit bought the dress for her unknowingly. It was on his credit card.)
- Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa
- The Muppet Christmas Carol
- Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas
- It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie
Muppet Gift Ideas
If you're looking for something a little less expensive, Bert and Ernie should do well: Sesame Street 13" Bert Hand Puppet or Sesame Street Ernie Hand Puppet
Kermit provides his view on life in this funny book… Before You Leap: A Frog's Eye View of Life's Greatest Lessons Who knew a frog could write?
Kermit Says "Goodnight"
I've found a new way to creatively reach my kids through a Kermit the Frog puppet. They love it. They see the puppet lying on the shelf and yell "Daddy, make him real." Then somehow by magic he'll interact with them in funny ways.
The other night I used Kermit to put Brielle into bed. Sometimes she'll listen to Kermit with greater attention than she does to me. Kermit helped her into her room, pulled the covers up to keep her warm, and then even said a short frog prayer for her thanking God for our day and a blessing on our pond. Ten minutes later a cry came from her room. "Daddy, say a prayer for me." I opened her door, peeked in, and told her I did say a prayer. "No. Say a prayer for me." I thought to myself...did I forget? I'm sure I said a prayer for her. Then I had the realization that I hadn't.
You see for her Kermit is real. Kermit said a prayer for her…but not daddy. Kermit is not me.
Puppets Help Teach
My daughter recently had surgery at Children's Hospital. In a special orientation session, they introduced her to all the things that will happen at the hospital. They did it through a puppet and live human talking together about the future experience. The puppet acted out as if it was a child…asking all the questions that they might have and misunderstanding some things along the way: "Anesthesiologist? Is that a kind of dinosaur?" The kids were enthralled and listened so intently. Then the puppet personally said goodbye to them by name and wished them well.
The lesson here for us as adults is about believing and suspending our reality to allow our imagination to go somewhere that we couldn't normally. For some of us this might be as simple as seeing a movie outside of our normal experience and letting our minds escape in the fantasy world. What do you daydream about?
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