Fireproof, Spankings, and Certifications

Now, where was I?

First I would like to give a big shout out to my beautiful wife Stacey (aka THE OMNIPOTENT MOMMY) who is keepin' it real over in Warrenton, VA while she types up a few reports and works on various projects that keep her happily employed.  Also, a brief shout out to my homie Big Brian P. out in wherever he is today and also his wife Jan, who is dealing with trauma issues because she had a drive by near her house and somebody sprayed her shower stall with bullets.  Thank God for the wise decision to have bullet proof glass installed.

Now seeing as I haven't updated this blog since January should give you some indication of how busy I have been.  Allow me to illuminate the path of progress:

• Acquired Security+ Certification in February
• Acquired new position at my company troubleshooting LAN's in an IT position
• Started Network Security Certification from NOVA and have only two classes to go
• Acquired Network+ Certification in July
• Began studying CCNA Certification last month

Okay, so that may not seem a whole lot to some of those IT studs out there, but that is a WHOLE lot for a peon such as myself.  And I did all of this in 2011 with a wife that works full time and two children that are 5 and 3 years old.  Tell me I'm not dedicated.

So yeah, I still have a loooooong way to go before I get a Masters in Information Assurance (my goal) but I will get there.  I don't think my goal of getting it by age 40 is going to be feasible, but perhaps 43 if all goes well.  I would love to have my bachelors by age 40.  In all reality, I can get my two associates by end of summer semester next year and maybe get into Mason next year.  It's a long shot, but possible.  The CCNA will be conquered fully by January 2012 (in 6 months), or even sooner.

Let me just ask everybody a question before I elaborate on other things:  HOW'S IT GOING?  DID ANYBODY MISS ME? (I say this as if anybody else is actually reading this...haha)  I hope all is well in everybody's life. Just to let everybody know, I WILL become an awesome Network Administrator/Security Analyst.

What?  Don't believe me???  Well, then............

Darth Vader finds your lack of faith DISTURBING.

So last week THE OMNIPOTENT MOMMY and I watched the movie "Fireproof" for the first time.  I noted to myself that it was not the best acting in the world but the movie was terrific.  It has really changed my outlook on a lot of things in marriage.  It was well worth the 90 minutes of viewing time.  My only regret is that we have had the movie for over a year and this was the first time we have watched it.

My two children Pooka and Princess decided to act like special agents for Satan yesterday at WalMart while I was forced to wait in the prescription line for medication.  I was highly embarrassed because I had to tell them about 5 times each to get over here and stand beside me.  This isn't typical behavior for them, so I wonder if I have softened up in my disciplinary actions somewhat.  They both received the blunt end of the dreaded SPOON (aka "the rod of correction") when we got home, but I don't know if that is working so well.  The Bible says, "Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction will drive it far from him".  So therefore I believe in spanking but at the same time, I think we have implemented a rather successful (so far) system in which to guide their behavior habits.

What THE OMNIPOTENT MOMMY and I have done is implement what can only be known as "The Star System":

We take two Posters sized charts with different rows and columns and label each row with whatever chore we want them to have:  Clean Room, Put Shoes Away, Make Beds, Put Away Shoes, etc.  Every night we sit down with them and calculate their work that day and what they did and didn't do.  If they completed that chore, they get one star sticker.  If they do something that requires discipline, we cross a star out! This includes any spankings with the SPOON that they receive.  After BOTH of them get 50 stickers a piece, we go to Chuck-E-Cheese.  It's that simple...but it works!  If they start acting up and we say that we are going to take away stars from their chart, they freak out like the world is ending and do what they are told.  This works almost if not better than the SPOON.

I guess you have to use all sort of methods sometimes.  But trust me, TIME-OUT does NOT work and undermines the dire consequences of disobedience.

Okay, so.....I will get on here from time to time instead of waiting whole months.  So everybody feel free to check in.  And please, leave a comment if you feel so inclined.

Gotta go.  There is work and studying to be done!

As always.......