A friend of mine on Facebook shared this and I thought it so good to reshare here. Thanks Phil.

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From Phil Golden

A sweet simple request, so easy to be fullfilled. The difference between a beautiful smile and a sad frown all decided by a simple yes or no. I noticed intrepediation in her request to the point her normally vibrant voice had nearly fell to an inaudible whisper.

"Dad, can I have a cookie?"

It was this moment, clarit...y showered over me and 10 years passed before my eyes in a matter of seconds.

Sure it was only minutes before bed time. Yes, sugar just before bed is prohibited. But why. Why should I say no to this request when saying yes was just so very much within me. I believe the time will come in the near future that I will want to say yes to this best friend of mine, but be unable for one reason or another. And that sad frown will be before me. I dislike this frown most terribly.

Yes, sweetheart, Yes. Let's get you a cookie. Her joy was quite evident and so pure. Yes, sweetheart, Yes. Three letters arranged into one syllable carry with them so much emotion.

My only request was for her to sit on the tile portion of the floor as to not drop crumbs in the carpet. She with zero hesitation replied, "OK Dad." and as involuntary as our own heartbeat, I sat down next to her on the floor. I put her in my lap. And she ate her cookie.

The idea of missing this beautiful moment unfold sickens me as it was within my power to say No. All of this would have been lost in time forever gone. Sure, there will be more cookies in the future, but will they be so sweet? Probalby for my 2 year old daughter, yes... they will be as sweet. But for me, it was and will remain to be the sweetest cookie, I never ate.

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What a great story! Thanks Phil!

Soldiers Surprising Their Loved Ones: The "Best of" Mix

This video was sent to me at work and it took a lot to keep it all together. After watching this I really appreciate the time I can spend with my children. I may get upset with them for not listening and acting up, but every moment I can be with them is a gift and a privilege. And the soldiers in this video are just a few of those who make that possible, with their daily sacrifice.

Bath Time is a Mission

From a recent post on Facebook:

Bath time at our house is an adventure. I get Paris started with her shower. Then while she is getting her hair wet, I run to champ and Silas' bathroom and get champ in. Then Silas and I head back to Paris to help her wash her hair. While she washes that out and bathes the rest of her, I run to Champ and get him soaped up. While he is washing ... See Moreoff, I run back and towel dry Paris and instruct her to get her night clothes on. Now back to Champ, help him get the spot he misses on the back of his head and get him out and dry him. It is usually in the middle of dressing him that Paris comes flying out of nowhere running around like a wild woman and gets the little man (Silas) worked up and running all over. After I get Champ dressed and bedded down, I start the search for the other two. Now the usual hiding place is under Paris' bed, which makes it easy to get her in her bed and prayers said. WHEW almost done! Now it is just a matter of bathing, dressing, and bedding the littlest of team destruction. Now here is the most important part. If you jack up this next step, you're doomed! Slowly close the door to Silas' room and tippy toe down the stairs.

Decorated Veteran, 90, Fights to Raise Flag in His Yard - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com

As if our country were not in a sad enough state of affairs, now it is becoming a problem to raise a flag on your own property. Isn't it sad that the flag that represents the sacrifice that many have paid to protect our freedoms, is now under attack by those who use "freedom" to push their "rights" on us? To them I say, "tell you what, why don't you run and upside down flag up in your yard and see how popular you become." In my opinion that is exactly what they are doing here. Bet they wouldn't have a problem if it was a flag with the Obama "O" on it.

Decorated Veteran, 90, Fights to Raise Flag in His Yard - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com

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Catching Up

It's been a while since I posted an update on the Endris' of Bossier City. So I though I would include a excerpt from a recent conversation in Facebook to catch everyone up. Here goes:

In one short word, Busy! We've been working really hard with the opening of another project The Villaggio of Bossier . My wife Kristal has been busy with her hair salon Runway Hair Salon. The kids are well ..... kids! Paris is 5 and she is in Kindergarten and loving every minute. She blows me away every time she tells me what she learned today. She is so smart! Champ is a wild man and is 3. He is in Pre-K and he is something else. He asks me just about every morning, "Do I look good? Do I look like a Rock Star?" And Silas, He is 19 month but he is easily wearing 24 month clothes. And he recently discovered his love for dancing and flirting with girls. Watch out ladies. Some how in the midst of this we still manage to relax now and then and I have even been able to hunt enough to harvest a deer. In short.... LIFE IS GOOD

Gun Owner Rights Stripped In the Name of International Peace

Laminin

Laminin
Originally uploaded by loswl

I've seen this before, but i love this illustration of it.