Vent and Praise

It seems blogs these days are turning into little more than complaining spots for people to air out their frustrations and general whining put to text. I guess that it's better than lashing out at people and although reading them is annoying we do have the choice to read something else.

I know personally that writing, or typing in this case, is therapeutic and helps greatly when frustrated. So I am giving a warning up front. The first portion of this entry will contain negative tones and the second portion will be more positive and upbeat. I will number them 1 and 2 so feel free to skip to number 2 if you so desire.

1. I have a general admission to make that I need prayer and support for. I have not publically spoken about this other than with close family and will not go into great detail but feel it my turn at the therapuetic typewriter in light of recent events. As those who read this may or may not know, I did have part ownership in a business that went under. Now the reason for the demise was due to several reasons. The industry we were in was extremely tough and had very little margin for profit to begin with. Never good. We also started out with a single focus and soon divided the focus into other areas which in retrospect I believe to be the greatest mistake of all. Not only did a business close but a long friendship was destroyed. This was due to a breech in trust in the financial area of the business. Since I was not in charge of the finances, the issues were not with me and as a result of pride and poor to little communication about the truth, a situation that could have been remedied by honesty and humility turned into a situation that has put my family in a very bad position. Messing with me is one thing, but when your foolishness effects my family you have crossed a line. The fact the taxes were not paid for ten months by the partner in charge of finance, the goverment is pushing me to pay for something that I was under the impression was taken care of. How do you not pay taxes and think that it won't bite you in the rear? While I don't know the outcome of what will happen with this I must admit that I have struggled with extreme anger and biterness toward the offender. This guy was the best Man in my wedding and now does not speak to me. Why? Pride I guess. I have requested to work it out but have been told to "go away". By the way, avoidence only means you will have to deal with it later so you might as well step up and do it now. Proverbs states that "Pride goeth before destuction and a haughty spirit before a fall."


God has had to remind me several times to forgive and I am asking God to help me with that. The hardest part about forgiving is that the problematic party is defiant of inocennce despite proof, and blames the situation on me. How bizzare. I have come to a point where I have realized that I must focus on my responsibility to God and maintaing a right testimony. I am looking to God for my direction and I want to have a clean heart, void of anger. That is my desire.

If you would like a moral to this it would be: Stay focused on your original goal; NEVER, EVER go into business with a friend or family member; if you have a problem say it face to face, (Text has no tone or visual expression leaving words open to interpretation of intent, usually determined by the filter of emotions, varied in range, the reader my have at the time of reading.); admit when you are wrong; and watch out for biterness, it wears cammoflauge.

2. Now for what really matters!

Isn't God good? I am overwhelmed by His grace, mercy and blessings on our life. As I watch my son grow a little every day I understand more my parents feeling toward me and I see all the potential he has. What does God have for Connor? What will he like to do? If I lock him in a box and never let him watch TV or surf the internet will I first, be thrown in jail, (most likely) and two, would it even help keep the evil from infiltrating his little brain. He is so innocent (except when he gives you that look after dropping the carrots he doesn't want on the floor for the dogs to eat) and I know all the filth in this world and I desperately want to protect him from that. The reality is that we have a huge responsibility to mold him through God's principles that he "may stand against the evil one" and "wear the FULL armor of God". WOW! What a job we have before us.

When he was born I did not have the reaction I thought I might. No tears of joy, even though I was happy, I did not get very emotional. I was in total awe and amazment, no doubt about that! But now when I look at him somethimes I start to get a little "misty" thinking about what kind of man he will become and thank God for such a wonderful gift. One that is hard to not hold onto too tightly. After all, he is only ours to intruct and love, he is God's to use for Glory.

As the saying goes in our family: "Every crow thinks his is the blackest."

So to close this entry, I will try to not make this blog a virtual wall of negative sticky notes, because after all, God has been too good to me to complain all the time.

Slim, out-

Spare time

I don't get much spare time these days so although ithink about posting I dont grt the chance. It just so happensthat today i have some time to type. So much time that I even am posting fron my iPhone. The reason? I'm at the CFOA paintball competition as a vendor. Actually I am filling in for a friend who can't be here to man his booth.

Being here reminds me of the two years we spent sponsoring the series and dragging a trailer and alll our wares to each event every month. We made some good friends here and most of them are still here and always happy to see me. I kind of miss it. Mainly the fun times we had. Trips to PA with the door of the trailer falling off were not in that list of fun memories but there were a lot of good ones. Despite how things ended I still have the good memories.

To change the subject Connor is daily making strides both mentally and physically. Its really cool to listen to him try to talk in his "baby chinese". Judging by his reaction to music he will either be a drummer or a conductor. So far he is proving to be a rather obedient kid. Let's hope that keeps up!

This week we had three car break-ins on our street. Two across the street and one next door. Thank the Lord for his protection over our property. This is the first time anything like this has happened in our neighborhood. According to the police it is part of a string of robberies in the are where they bust the window and take lose items like radars, ipods, gps and the likes.

No other news for now. Maybe i can get Raina to post next time.

Slim-out

tiny keys

To start, I will say that this won't be a long post. The reason is because I am typing with very small keys. As a gadget and technology geek I guess it was only a matter of time before I got one. Yes, I am the proud owner of the new iPhone!!!

I must be clear, I sold my laptop to obtain it and I must say that I could not be happier. This thing is awesome. Not something you would write a book on. I figured I needed to make another post and this would be a fun way to do it.

Now that I have been typing for an hour, it is probably enough. I m begining to loose feeling in my finger. I don't think I will be doing this very much. Fun is done.

Slim Out!

Opening Number

One might think that making a living on the internet would have meant we would have had a blog long before now. Well here we are long after the landslide has started, deciding to join the crowd. Since we are hitting this virtual, verbal posting treadmill, we should probably take the time to get up to speed. There are three of us now! Since when did one and one make three? I guess after 6 years of marriage we needed to add a tax deduction. The government sees him as a number but we know him as Connor. Actually, Jim, Jim, Jim, Jim, Connor Tuten. (That's for the family's enjoyment)

Connor just turned 1 on August 23rd and is the 99% in height, 95% in how big his noggin is and 93% in weight. Poor kid has his dad's hair line but he is quite the looker inspite of that. We couldn't be more blessed!!

Raina no longer works in the corporate world, but has a full time job as the caretaker of all things household and child. She has been home with Connor ever since he was born, minus two weeks she was at work after maternity leave. Turns out the corporate world can wait. While it is difficult financially for us with ony one income, it is more than worth it knowing Connor is not being rasied by strangers. Raina is trying her hand at some side work and since she is just getting started there are no details to report.

I am no longer in paintball and went back to my true love by taking an interactive design position with a marketing company and in 2006 joined the owner of that marketing company in starting a web and multimedia company under the name of HyperThink. God has truly blessed me to be in business with Tim. I'm doing what I love and that's all that matters. My grandfather had great advice when he sid, "Find out what you love to do, and figure out how to get paid for it." Our business is growing rapidly and we recently began an annual multi-site contract with ESPN. I am enjoying working on the projects and have found a good friend in Mark Wright with ESPN who is heading up the projects. (Mark, If you read this, tell your wife her blog inspired us to start this blog. You both are obviously gifted writers!)

One of the most important aspects of our lives outside of family is our Church. We are very involved, as I serve as a deacon, singing in the choir, ushering and helping with whatever I can find time to do. I will be redoing the church web site soon so I'll let everyone know when it is ready. Raina also sings in the choir, works in the nursery, and serves on a few of the many commities, among other things. We know God has us at Buncombe Road Baptist for a purpose and we are excited about what God is doing there.

In general that should get us up to speed. Hopefully our future posts will be more specific and interesting.

Slim, out.