Always amazed

We're going through a massive reorganization at work, and it has altered my job considerably. The last few weeks have been intense. That's not a bad thing... just reality. Every night, though, when I've come home I have been wiped out. It's still amazing to me how meetings turn into more meetings that turn into more meetings. All my words get used up; quite an accomplishment for an extrovert! And that little spot on my neck that the chiropractor has been working on for years starts to throb and my shoulders get stiff. There is a reason Christ commands us to cast our burdens on Him....

When I walk through the door in the evenings there is a little boy who does not care even the least little bit what kind of day I've had. To Isaac, I am home to read and play and wrestle and chase. As I make my way up the sidewalk to the front door, he stands peering through the glass, squealing with a delight grown-ups sometimes forget exists. I love being his daddy. And miraculously, in that place where exhaustion collides with a toddler's love and innocence, the cares of my day seem to wash away.

Here we go

I realize that few will believe that I actually plan to write consistently on our blog since it's been oh, I don't know, um 8 months since the last post. Well, it's been a VERY eventful 8 months; raising a baby and having another baby means there not a dull moment in our home. Of course you're saying to yourself that's no excuse for never writing on the blog. And I'm sure you're right. But I must say that Janet and I both have experienced new levels of exhaustion. In fact, we've about decided we won't be caught on sleep until the year 2025! Anyway, my intention is to do better and keep folks posted on life in the neighborHOOD. Janet and I are grateful that you care and thankful that people continue to ask for updates even when we're not real faithful to share them.

Do come back again... there should be LOTS to see and read.

Yes, of course I know it's not January!

Sorry folks!! I know there are lot of people who have been checking this blog regularly for updated pictures of Isaac only to still find us celebrating Janet's birthday. No, we're not neglecting him ... nor is he ever camera shy. We have many photos to post. It's just that, well, okay, here it goes... I forgot the password for our blog. And it was only tonight that I realized I could request a reset. Oops!That's right, somehow every bit of technological intelligence my father possesses-- which is tremendous--almost completely by-passed me. But fear not. Life is still good in the neighborHOOD. And we (I) will be posting regularly again.

30- Happy Birthday Janet

Today is Janet's 30th birthday. That's right... 3 decades of life. I've tried to make the day special for her but there is no gift I can give that compares to the gift she is to me. It is the greatest privilege to share life with her, and I thank God for allowing me to be her husband! I love you, Janet!

"I got me some teeth...."

Isaac now has some teeth... two little ones in front, coming through his bottom gum. And he has got some bite! I (Tim) nearly yelled out loud when he got my finger the other night. So we've started him on some "real" food. It's just cereal, but it's hard to believe he's already old enough to handle this. He wasn't wild about it but got it down okay.


Janet got a little emotional watching her baby boy eat with a spoon. Bless!

Some Christmas Photos

We celebrated Isaac's first Christmas at home, and we had a blast! It was a great day, and though he got lots of fun presents he was, of course, most interested in shredding the paper. Typical!

Our Christmas tree.
This nail resembles one that might have been used in the crucifixion of Christ. It hangs on our mantle until we read the Christmas story. Then we move it to the inside of the Christmas tree as a silent reminder of why Christ came into the world... to redeem sinners just like us. Jesus is our Emmanuel.
Christmas cards from friends and family. We ran out of room very quickly! Thanks to so many of you who faithfully keep up with us.

This is the "Africa" table; there is a nativity from Chad and a picture and candlesticks from Uganda... just a little something to remember Tim's folks and the work going on there and around the world.

Isaac loves the Pod that Gigi (Tim's grandmother) gave him. He sits up like such a big boy!

This is an adorable wobbly elephant from our neighbor Angel. God has blessed us with such sweet friends!

Isaac is reaching for the piggy (or warthog) bank that Tim's parents sent from Uganda. Yeah, it's just a wee bit scary, but there was already some money in it... party on!

Isaac LOVES his jumper. I don't think a better child's toy has ever been made. He could spend all day in it.

Hanging out with Nana & Papa (Janet's parents). They came to spend a few days with us after Christmas. We had lots of fun with them and enjoyed Papa's first Christmas home since serving in Iraq with the Alabama National Guard.

The Godfather- Happy Birthday Hulyn!

Today is Hulyn's birthday; he's my godfather. I have no idea how old he is and probably never will because he and Anne (my godmother) just never seem to age at all. So we'll call him 39 and be done with it.

Like Marlon Brando & Al Pacino in the Godfather movie trilogy, Hulyn is known for his one-liners. Though he never said anything to me like: "Tim, you've got to keep your friends close and your enemies closer" with a raspy voice and an Italian accent, his sayings are no less memorable. One time I asked him why a funeral home in Rome, GA (where he and Anne live), had closed up, because it seemed rare to see a funeral home out of business. He very calmly replied, "Well, they were building funeral homes faster than we were dying...." I laughed my face off. Oh, I wish I had time to write them all down. Those of you who know Hulyn, feel free to post a note on this blog with your own funny story.

Aside from a great sense of humor, Hulyn has imparted a lot more to me, and now to Janet and Isaac as well. He and Anne have been such strong and consistent examples of godly character, discipleship, faithfulness and commitment to Christ. We are blessed to know then and to belong to them. They are family to us and we're grateful for them.

Happy Birthday Hulyn! We love you, Tim (for the Hoodlums)

Mother Russia (think Rocky IV)

The last couple weeks of October I (Tim) went to Russia to meet with some of our personnel who are working there. It was an incredible and eye-opening trip in so many ways. But it was hard to be away from Janet and Isaac for so long. You see I tried to pack him in my suitcase....


The folks who are seeking to share the Gospel in Russia certainly have their work cut out for them. The mission statement for that region (Central & Eastern Europe) is: "Hope for every heart... a church-planting movement for every people group." And hope is certainly what these folks need. Their expressionless faceless and distant looks speak of tremendous sadness and a lifelong fear and suspicion.


The Kremlin. When a Russian woman was asked why all the "intellectuals" who wanted revolution fled Russia in the 1920s instead of embracing the communist ideology they said they wanted, she replied, "What we wanted was revolution. What we got was terror." What a sad history.



St. Basil's cathedral and night. Beautiful!


This Orthodox cathedral, Church of Christ the Redeemer, was destroyed by the communists and actually turned into a community swimming pool. When religious freedom was restored to Russia money was collected to restore the cathedral to its original beauty.

A typical street in Moscow.

Uzbekistani pottery. I brought Janet back a plate. Each piece is hand-painted and so detalied.

Apparently Moscow and Russia are known for bears. These poor souls are kept just outside a major tourist market for cheap, silly pictures. I guess it's sort of a Russia Gatlinburg... pose with the bear. It's just plain tragic. I DID NOT pay for this picture!

Riding the METRO. You might imagine that I, along with my other American co-workers, stuck out a lot. Americans are pretty loud and border on obnoxious. Those of you who have ever traveled with me know that's a pretty accurate description of how I tackle the countries I travel to.

Catching up....

Hello Friends. Happy Thanksgiving! We hope that each and every one of you had a very special holiday yesterday. Grandmother Hood-- or Gigi, as Isaac is learning to call her-- came up from Atlanta, and we've had a wonderful time with her here. Isaac is her first and only great-grandchild and she's enjoyed making memories with him.

We know it's been a very long time since we've blogged and many or most of you feel clueless about life for the Hoods in the past couple months. So we'll try to update y'all with the latest on life with our little boy. Thanks for reading....

Our Pumpkin in the Pumpkin Patch