My 12 Favorite Instagram Pics of 2012

You're reading this, so I assume you either know me personally or follow me on pinterest, the book of the faces, or the twitter. So you probably also know that I enjoy using Instagram.

My Instagram Use
For those of you out of the loop, Instagram is a smart phone app that allows you to easily take, edit, and share pics. I've been using Instagram for a few years now and enjoy it. I do my best to try to use it (and all social media really) to educate, entertain, or enlighten. That sounded awful fancy, didnt' it? Really, I just try to post stuff that I find interesting or funny. If you're wondering what you should or shouldn't post, I suggest you chase this rabbit.

Daily Instagram Photo Challenges
I have even gone through some spells of taking pics everyday as part of different photo challenges that some bloggers put together. While that is fun, I have found that it often loses it's entertainment value if the theme of the day is boring.

For a while, I considered starting my own daily challenge, but that idea ended when The Lovely Kristi and I started listing things to put on a daily photo list.We started with some good ideas...

Day 1) Favorite person
Day 2) My Collection
Day 3) Stink Eye

But sadly, as the list got longer, instead of progressing into a great list of photo ideas, it regressed into a list of things no one wants to see.....

Day 23) Is this a rash?
Day 24) My scar
Day 25) Inside my used kleenex

I gotta admit, we laughed a lot while making the list of things no one wants to see.
But, anyway, to be clear. I am not starting a daily photo challenge.
 
I am however going to share with you some of my favorite pics from this year, in case you missed them when they originally posted.

My 12 favorite pics...
with the captions that originally appeared on Instagram.

The Lovely Kristi. Celebrating Christmas with the Allreds.

Day 10: Self Portrait. Running my first 5k tomorrow. This is what they call a 2X shirt. I guess they're not used to bigun's running in these races. Tightest shirt I've ever worn. On the bright side, I do have a great rack. #febphotoaday

Day 5: Smile. A great summer day with Dad in 2010 when kids playing in the hose turned into the adults playing. #marchphotoaday

Ethan was super excited until he learned this was a giant box of regular size pop tarts and not a box of head sized pop tarts.

He's not always as sweet as he seems.

Ethan & Uncle Joel doing some early morning fishing.

Another pic from a great weekend. Wrestlemania broke out last night with my boys, Natalie, @aimeekaitlyn, and @stephen_g_d

Sept. 29th - Underneath - Baptizing my oldest son, Ethan a couple weeks ago was one of the greatest moments of my life. I'll never forget watching his face as he came back up from underneath the water. So thankful He's given his life to Jesus Christ. (Photo credit to The Lovely Kristi) #fmsphotoaday

 

Side note about this pic... This day would have been perfect I had remember to zip my pants after baptizing Ethan. Instead I led 250 people in worship with my fly down. Oops.

Sept 20th - Man-Made - That little man made our night pitching for the first time. (See what I did there =) #fmsphotoaday

Sept 22nd - Up - Ethan and Gavin knew Alabama would win today. So they found other ways to entertain themselves at the game. Alabama was up by 33 pts at the end. Looks like they were right. #fmsphotoaday #rolltide

New blog entry. My Encounter With Baywatch bit.ly/QvWFlb

Sometimes when shopping, kids come in handy.

Those were my  favorites.
As you can see, most involve my family and our adventures.
Just for curiosity's sake though, I checked with Statigram, and apparently my most liked photo on Instagram was this one.....

Happy Halloween from Charlie Brown & The Great Pumpkin. Photo credit to @mistyshantay .

Happy New Year Everybody!

Kids say…..

I was just told about this conversation that happened this morning in route to pre-school…
 

Ethan: "Hey Nona. You know we have ball practice tonight, right?"

Karen: "Yes Ethan. I know."

Ethan: "Well don't you think that maybe we should not go to school then so we won't be so tired at practice."
 

Way to go, Ethan. Keeping those priorities in order as always.

Sunday Setlist 03-22-09

First, Happy Birthday Ethan!!! My son turned 5 today.
(This was written 03/22. But not posted until days later.)
Also, 5 years ago I accepted the interim worship leader position at my church.
What a wild 5 years it's been.

Here is a list of what we did in our AM worship service today, followed by a vlog where I go into a little more detail and briefly discuss what's on my mind regarding my 5th anniversary on staff.

I’ll Fly Away - Instrumental Walk In Music - Rhythm Section Only
(Real southern version, had people clapping along)
Announcements
Mighty To Save(G)
Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)(D)

Welcome / Fellowship

Nothing But The Blood (F)
(southern, hymn arrangement)
Great is Your Faithfulness (C)

Offertory Prayer

Choir Special: Jesus Paid It All (C-D)
(mellow version of the hymn, added new harmony line with each verse. Great job by choir)

Transitional Chorus: Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus (much slower, simple, piano only version than earlier, focusing on "Oh Precious is the flow..."

Message: Bro. Steve “Truth For Life: Good news for the Guilty” (Psalm 51:1-19)
Invitation: Just As I Am
Closing Chorus: Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) (MISC)
Chorus Only



Sunday Setlist 03-22-09 from Shawn Stinson on Vimeo

This entry is my part of what is going on on Fred McKinnon's website. I encourage all of you to check it out and blog about your worship service, even if you didn't lead it.

Sunday Setlist 03-08-09

This entry is part of what's gone on at this website.
Check it out to learn about worship services at other cool churches.

Here's what we did Sunday - with a video to follow going into more detail.
I tried something new on the video this time. Let me know what you think.

Orchestra Prelude: Open My Eyes That I May See (Hymn)

Announcements

Open My Eyes That I May See (Hymn)
He Is Exalted (Shane & Shane)

Welcome & Fellowship

Hosanna / Praise Is Rising (Baloche)
Unashamed Love (Ten Sheckle Shirt)

Offertory Prayer: Deacon

Choir Song: When I Think About The Lord done w/ Student Drama Team

Message: Bro. Steve - 10 Commandments (Lying)

Invitation: Only Trust Him
Closing Chorus: He Is Exalted



Sunday Setlist 03-08-09 from Shawn Stinson on Vimeo.

lessons

Here's a few things I've learned this month.

1.) In my two day trip to Chicago I learned that every joke I've ever heard about cabdrivers is true.

2.) Everyone has an agenda. It may not be good or bad, just theirs.

3.) Lack of discipline in any area of your life effects every area.

4.) Gavin loves my impression of "The Swedish Chef"

5.) A new computer with a lot of memory and new gadgets is awesome, but connecting to the internet with dialup at only 32k still sucks. It took my computer 6 minutes last night to load my myspace page. ( I can't even attempt to look at people pages with music.)

6.) Ethan knows way more about Star Wars than any 3 1/2 year old should. Do you know what color Mace Windu's lightsaber is? He does.

7.) I'm in mourning due to the writers strike. I'm not a fan of much reality TV. Except for "Beauty & The Geek" the most hilarious show you're not watching.

8.)Black Friday shopping is for idiots. I was one of them this year. The only benefits were that I got almost all our shopping done in 3 hours & I stumbled upon a Wii. I was in the right place at the right time.

9.)Going to Chicago for a work trip, interesting and kind of fun. Having to share a hotel room with the boss due to a reservation mixup, uncomfortable and awwwwkward.

10.) I really HATE the Christmas song ... "The Holiday Season".

Reason, let's look at some lyrics...

"It's the holiday season
With the whoop-de-do and hickory dock
And don't forget to hang up your sock
'Cause just exactly at 12 o'clock
He'll be coming down the chimney
Coming down the chimney
Coming down the chimney, down!"

It will be stuck in your head all day now. You're Welcome!

(WHAT DOES " WHOOP-DE-DO AND HICKORY DOCK" HAVE TO DO WITH CHRISTMAS!! I THINK THEY JUST NEEDED SOMETHING TO RHYME WITH SOCK. THATS JUST LAZY SONGWRITING!!!)

God Bless us, Every One!

-Shawn

random thoughts

So, I've found myself with about 2 hours and nothing urgent that needs to be done. So...here are some random thoughts from the past few weeks.

1.) Kids say the darndest things - Last week I heard Ethan use the phrases "take a dump" and "what the heck?". Sadly, he said he heard the former from me and the latter from a cartoon. I guess I need to be more careful with what I say from now on. Little ears and always listening.

2.) Elton John still knows how to rock even at 60 years old. Great concert.

3.) Gavin crawled forward for the first time last night. He'd known how to go in reverse, but never could seem to find drive. Now, we've got to go back into child protection mode. It's amazing what little kids can find on the floor once their mobile.

4.) I'm losing interest in the show Smallville. I've loved it since I first got a bootleg copy of the pilot a month before it aired. But now I'm just ready for it to end. That makes me sad.

5.) I have no time to play my playstation. Sleep has taken a higher priority. That makes me kind of sad too.

6.) I need to take guitar lessons. I want to play, but need some guidance on where to begin and I need someone to help keep me accountable to practicing on a regular basis.

7.) I love Mrs. Stratton's Chicken salad. I rarely go into wal-mart without buying a package of it. I usually eat some of it as a meal with some club crackers. I think I just heard Joseph say to me "I can hear you getting fatter."

8.) I no longer find American Idol entertaining. Now that Sanjaya's off, who cares.

9.) I've heard that every marriage has a "spender" and a "saver". Do you know what you are when you have two spenders? Broke.

10.)Even as I sit here, I've realized there are other things I should be doing, but I'm choosing not to. Does that make me undisciplined? Probably.

Hello. I'm Johnny Cash

So, I've known for a long time that little kids like to lock into certain things and want to talk about them all the time. Do you know what I mean? Kids I've known have gotten into Star Wars, Power Rangers, Thomas the Tank Engine, Etc...

Well my child, the cool kid that he is, has gotten hooked on Johnny Cash. Yes, You read correctly. Ethan loves Johnny Cash.

It all started about 6 months ago when I was watching the movie "Walk The Line." Ethan walked through the room and happened to look over and see Johnny Cash (played by Joaquin Phoenix) and the Tennessee Three playing "Ring of Fire". I think he liked watching him play the guitar so he asked me to play it again. After about the third time of him asking me to play that scene again, I just put it on loop. And he sat there are watched them play Ring of Fire for about 30 minutes straight. I didn't know I was creating a monster.

A week or so after that, I had forgotten about the "Ring of Fire" evening and Ethan asked me, while we were in the car, if he could listen to "Ring Of Fire". He actually knew the name of it. So of course I went out and bought a Johnny Cash's greatest hits CD. Since then Ethan has not only memorized every word to "Ring of Fire", he also loves the songs "Walk The Line", "Sunday Morning Coming Down", and even "I've been Everywhere".

We now own 3 different CD's and 3 DVD's. And Ethan knows the difference in each one. Every night before bed he tells me if he wants to watch the real Johnny Cash (a concert DVD) or the guy pretending to be Johnny Cash (The movie Walk The Line).

I began to think this past week that maybe I'd allowed the Johnny Cash fan-dom to get a little out of hand. We went to the beach this past week and on Friday night we went out to eat at Angelo's Steak House. There were 10 of us in our group, because Kristi's whole family had gone to the beach. At one point, there was a lull in the conversation. I guess we were too busy eating, and for some reason Ethan shouted .....

"MY NAME IS SUE. HOW DO YOU DO?!"

If you're familiar with Johnny Cash you probably know that the next line of that song is "NOW YOU'RE GONNA DIE!"

Luckily we were able to stop him before he shouted that out as well.

After we recovered from the laughter I decided that we might have to take a break from listening to Johnny Cash for a while. I'd hate for him to be in Sunday School and someone overhear him singing another Johnny Cash favorite line from "Folsom Prison Blues"........

"When I was just a baby, my Momma told me "Son, always be a good boy. Don't ever play with guns." But I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die."

haven't blogged in a while.

Just some random thoughts.....

1.) I love TIVO. I've gotten addicted to it. I haven't missed an episode of anything I enjoy in over 3 months. Problem is, I think it's effecting my health. I've been staying up late catching up on all my shows I've TIVO'd. I'm only getting 5 hours of sleep a night on average right now. But at least I'm not missing "24" or "Smallville", (or any of the 15 other shows I TIVO).

I can't wait to get home tonight and watch the episode of "House" on the TIVO. That is a great show.

...Is TIVO a verb? I think it is now.

2.) We got a new puppy last week. It's 3/4 Great Pirenese and 1/4 German Retriever. I'll try to post a pic soon. I'm so glad to have a dog again. I haven't had a dog of my own since I got married. I'd like for it to be an inside dog, but since it's gonna be a giant, that might not be a good idea.

3.) I still haven't finished moving in. Don't get me wrong, we live in our new house, but I've still got 8 boxes that are yet to be unpacked. I've got to buy some more furniture to put all that stuff on or in before I can unpack them. And I've got to get my tax refund back before I can buy my furniture, so I guess I'll just have to wait.

4.) Ethan is so funny. He turned 2 in March and has started saying things to make me and Kristi laugh. I love it. Yesteday I took Kristi shopping and Ethan and I stayed in the car while she went in. We went to Wal-mart then to JC Penney. At JC Penney, Ethan asked me what 's the name of that place. I told him it's "JC Penney". And he said "JC Penney".

A few minutes later Kristi got back in the car with us and wanted to get him to say if for her so I asked him "Ethan what's the name of this place". He looked at me and with a grin on his face said "J C (slight pause) Wal-mart".

He cracked himself up. Apparently that was the funniest things he'd ever heard or said. It made us laugh pretty hard too.

I guess that's enough for now. I've got to get busy working on some stuff for church.

Monday, Monday

My mornings have become the best part of my days recently. That's the time I get to see my family.

Ethan was in such a good mood this morning. Kristi is on Spring break this week so they got to sleep in somewhat. But when I had to explain to him that I had to go to work, he looked so sad. He asked me if I was going to "talk to God" and "sing songs" those are the things he says I do at church. I had to explain to him that I had to go to work not church. He then smiled real big and said "Daddy works with Biiiggg trucks!" I just laughed and said, yes Daddy is going to work with the big trucks. I think my son thinks I'm a truck Driver. But he thinks thats really cool so I'm okay with it too.

When I got to work, my day got a little less than happy. 3 people have quit recently and that has increased the work load on the rest of us. Beginning immediately I have to start working the rental counter again on a regular basis and closing every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. That means I won't be getting home until 7pm each of those nights. I'm really beginning to dislike some of the things about my job right now. While I'm not looking for another job, I can tell you that I'd be open to exploring my options.

I'm at the church right now. We've got a work night scheduled to continue to work on the stage for the Easter drama. It rained alot today. I hope people show up. We've still got alot to do and we're running out of time to do it. Don't get me wrong, I'm not getting stressed in any way. I'm just hoping that we get enough done today that I can still have some nights off in the next three weeks. I really enjoy spending time with my family and I'm beginning to feel the effects of begin gone so much.

I'm lucky to have a wife who understands what God has called me to do and can put up with the difficult schedules periodically.

I'm a clock watcher

Well, Here I am.
At work.
It's 2:18 and today is "Festivus". (Seinfeld reference)

I've been told I can leave early, but not before 3:00. That means I'll be leaving at 3:01.
I'm so ready for Christmas. I'm really excited about Christmas this year. I can't wait to see the boy's response when he sees all his gifts from Santa on Christmas morning. Of course since he's not even 2 so he currently has no idea that he's going to "rack up" in a couple of days.
Here's what he's getting from us....
A Tricycle
A "swirling sawdust workbench" complete with tools.
A large metal Tonka Dumptruck
An art Easel (Easle?) with a chalkboard on one side and dry erase board on the other.
A remote control Car
A "Little People" Farm
some clothes
some chalk and accessories for his easel.
some bath tub toys
and finally a figure 8 electric race track. You know the kind with the two cars and the triggers to race around it.(The box says for ages 8 and up so I guess I'll always have to play with it with him, for safety of course.)

I'm glad we're building a new house. We're going to need the room for all his stuff. This list does not even include the gifts he'll get for all grandparents and great grandparents and aunts and uncles. It's going to be great.

But also with this fun comes the issue of scheduling the madness. Here's our schedule as it stands right now....

Today... go by Walmart for last minute presents and christmas snack foods. then get home and wrap presents.
Tonight..Possibly open some presents with Ethan and Kristi. (We've always opened one on Festivus because we're so impatient.) The hang out with Kristi's Parents and sister for milk cookies and a ]viewing of the Christmas Classic "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation". I'm laughing just thinking about it.
Tomorrow morning...Go to Kristi's parents and have Christmas with them.
Tomorrow Noon...Go to my parents and have Christmas with My immediate family.
Tomorrow evening.. @ 5pm lead worship at the Christmas Eve Communion service at church. then go hang out at home or with the Allred's some more.
Tomorrow late night... help Santa assemble gifts and get everything in order for Christmas.
Christmas morning...Santa Claus @ our house
Christmas midmorning..Breakfast with Kristi's Grandparents and aunts and uncles on the Allred Side.
Christmas Mid to later morning...Lead 10am worship service at church
Christmas Lunch...Christmas with Kristi's Mom's side of the family..
Christmas afternoon...Crash and burn. Try to get some rest and enjoy the booty we collected over the past few days.

I'm tired just thinking about it.

One final thing....
I can't express how awesome it is that The Creator of the universe did what He did for us. I don't want to get into a heavy theology thing right now, but I've been thinking about the fact that on the one hand God gave his only son to walk the earth like us, experience what we experience, then die a horrible death to save us from our sin. (Even though he did rise again.) I would never give my son for anybody. Ever.

Then on the other hand I realize that because Jesus is God, God sacrificed himself. He choose to come here and go through what he went through just so that we could have a relationship with him.
To know that God came in the humble way that he did says so much about our God and our Lord and the things he finds important.

I am so thankful for the gifts he's given me, including my family, my job, my church, my possessions and my friends. I am so unworthy.

"And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?"


Charles Wes­ley, Psalms and Hymns, 1738.

Saturday 06/04/05

what a looooong day. I had to be at job #3,(which isn't really a job, but should be) today at 5am. We had a fundraising event. Which raised more money than lst time, but not as much as I would have liked. We really need to find someone rich who will put us in their will or something.

Anyway, it was a long day, but productive. I got home after 4, and had an argument with the wife about...whatelse....my "priorities". Unfortunately she's right in everything she says. I cant wait until job #3 is no longer an issue.

We also went to eat at our favorite restaurant, Perico's then we went to the mall to buy the boy some new dress shoes. I has alot of fun with him at the mall. I put him down and let him wander while followed him. The coolest things was when he walked up right in the middle of a group of four teenage girls talking. He stepped right in the middle of them and then looked up at them as if he exected them to be talking to him. I had to say "excuse me" and reach in to get him. They all laughed and waved at him. It kinda makes methink that that would have been a cool way to meet girls about 15 years ago. Man I'm getting old.

We ended the evening by going to the grandparents and letting some of the aunts and uncles play with "the boy". Everyone enjoys the tricks he'd doing right now. One of my favorites is the fact that he loudly says BURP right after anyone burps. It's awesome.

Later.

Today

1st entry ever.
Someone told me about this site (Livejournal.com) and I had to check it out.
Did alot today, but not enough. There's just not enough hours in the day.
Overslept this morning, late for Job#1. It's just a matter of time before they realize that I am a slacker and I get canned.Got a call while at job #1 that I needed to get things ready for next week for job #2. So I had to go by there after job #1 was finished. Unfortunately I also had to stop by job #3 before heading home to get ready for a big event for tomorrow.

All of these things made me get home late which didn't go well with the wife. But she understood and expressed her unhappiness that I always make plans and just expect her to be home to take care of "the boy" while I have to be gone. She is totally correct. I take advantage of her way too much. But that leaves the question what do I say no to? Job 1,2,3, or home. I know what the answer is not. I've got to find the solution to this.

After a while she cooled off and we played with the boy for a while. He's so awesome. I love watching him learn new stuff. We played with an umbrella tonight. He laughed every time it opened up.

The wife and I also discussed our friend's situation. He was arrested recently for horrible crimes and has thrown away his entire family and life with some really really dumb decisions. Not only did he give in to some horrible temptations he also has been lying about alot of things. I'm not sure how to respond to him now. His letter from jail was like a plea for friendship, but how do I remain friends with someone who is such a monster.

But even as I write this I am reminded that I too am a monster, but in different ways.