The Jaybees

The curtain hasn’t dropped on 2007 yet – but it has risen on my 26^th year of life. Year 25 was one of gut-wrenching goodbyes, heart hugging hellos, and full of more harsh transitions than a middle-school mix-tape recorded off the radio. (“Can you play “I’ll Make Love to You again without talking over the beginning part of the song?”) Here’s a better transition…into the awards for Year 25 of my life. Ladies and Gentlemen…the Jaybees.

The Jaybees Soundrack – “The best and most meaningful songs of year 25.

Killing in the Name – Rage Against the Machine

the most oft-played face melter during vicious ale-8 drenched Guitar Hero gatherings.

Sweet Child O’ Mind – Guns and Roses

the second most oft-played song at said gatherings and the first song dedicated to Stockton

Monkeywrench – Foo Fighters

My battle cry for a little while

Bubbly – Colbie Caillat

Do not think I am less of a man – wins the Jaybee because Dana sang it to Stockton while he was still wombing it

Song in My Head – Sherwood

Great concert / care ride with quality friends / nothing turns a crappy day around faster. "Oh I don't believe it" either

The Best in Me – Sherwood

See above

Sunshine of Your Love – Cream

The iheARTjesus band did a rendition of this…and it has been in my head ever since.

Jump – Simple Plan

The soundtrack for a mind-blowing fall retreat.

Streetcorner Symphony – Rob Thomas

Don’t be a music snob – you know you liked it to.

The Office Theme – Scrantonicity

Thursdays at 9 (8 central!)

And now…the awards…

Proudest Moment – 9:55 am, Thursday, November 15^th – 8 pounds 1 ounce of life-changing fury

Most “Oh Jesus, you’re going to have to help me moment” – 9:55 am, Thursday, November 15^th – 8 pounds 1 ounce of life-changing fury

Most Difficult Moment – 7:00 pm Tuesday, November 13^th – 9:54 am Thurdsay November 15^th; The process of labor began on nervous/ excited (nervited), and went through ridiculousness. Eventually we were sleeping during the three minute intervals between contractions.

Best Book (Seminary) (tie) – The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard

(points out where Christianity has neglected its duty to be a prophetic people and seeks to correct it)

The Drama of Scripture by Bartholomew and Goheen (traces the big picture ideas of the story of God in a captivating way)

Best Book (non-Seminary) – The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers

Most Embarrassing Moment –

The nominees are…

1) sweating through 2 shirts during
mine and Dana’s big dance recital

2) Dana interrupting classto let me know how hungry she was or

3) the time I standing-spooned Kelly Lawson because her and Dana were both wearing a black shirt and blue jeans…

standing-spooning someone other than your wife squeaks it out…

Most Surprising Moment –

Dana: (expletive)

Jason: what’s wrong, baby?

Dana: I’m pregnant.

Jason: what’s that?

Dana: I’m pregnant.

Jason: Hmmmm.

Best New Discovery – Diaper Genie

Best Re-Discovery – Billy Ocean

Best New Skill – and the nominees are…

1) playing Guitar Hero on the expert level

2) doing a ferocious and sexy tango

3) changing diapers…

and the award goes to…changing diapers! (clothes, velcro, lift, wipe, cream)

Coming Through in the Clutch Award – Ben and Beth Kickert for making the house magic happen

Friend(s) of the Year Award – Team Kickert; Team Lawson; Team Aja – I have a combined total of 45 nights in their homes, eaten 34 lbs of their food, been on their internet for 300 hours. Six finer friends do not exist.

It Is My Personal Belief Award – Miss South Carolina

God-Moment of the Year – Saturday night fall retreat

Best Community Building Moment – I did not want to use a port-a-potty in humid/hot Mississippi in the middle of summer – so I loaded up some youth kids and used the facilities at a gas station five minutes down the road. We took turns. I called first.

Quote of the Year – “Mah Fahngers!!”