From the category archives:

Family

20 Rules - what are yours?

by Tony Steward on August 22, 2008

I think most of us know at least 10 things that if we did them every day or week they would change our lives for the better. So, I wrote out this list last night of 20 rules. A checklist of actions (or inaction) that I know will make me healthier and change my life for the better. Here is my list, but what is yours (it doesn’t have to be 20 ? If you write a list, post the link from your blog in the comments section below!

In bed by 10:30pm
Wake up 6am
No soda, water at meals
1 coffee a day (limit)
No cheese
Very 1st thing each day, quiet time in bible, prayer, etc.
2nd thing of each day 1hr of exercise.
Play/Read with my children every day
Have an engaging conversation with my wife every day
Do a GTD weekly Review each week and a Daily Review each day.
Read 1 book a week.
Have one day a week that is completely “dark” (devoid of electronics and internet).
Never work aimlessly. Either act, review or plan. (or play)
Study, Fast or spend time in solitude once a week.
Have a Family Meeting once a week on things like budget, schedules, and goals.
Access email only at 3 “batch” times a day and RSS Feeds 1 a day.
Do 1 household chore a day. (instead of letting them accumulate for my “dark day”)
Always eat breakfast
1 date night a week with either my wife or one of my kids
Write every day (journal-ing doesn’t count)

{ 17 comments }

Camping with Kids for the First Time

by Tony Steward on August 10, 2008

To celebrate both Zoe’s 5th and Mandy’s 30th birthdays we have embarked on our first camping trip ever as a family. Mandy and I have gone before - but not with kids. So far they are absolutly loving it. Here are some first 1/2 of the day pics.

{ 3 comments }

Birthday Photos

by Tony Steward on August 10, 2008

{ 0 comments }

New Bikes for Birthdays!

by Tony Steward on August 9, 2008

Our two daughters are only 13 months apart - this year they will be turning 4 & 5 years old. (which makes me feel that time is moving way too fast!!)

{ 0 comments }

We Are Moving to Oklahoma! LifeChurch.tv

by Tony Steward on July 26, 2008

Well the Steward family is moving into another big leap in our journey! Over the past two years we have been in Southern California learning, volunteering and connecting with the amazing people and staff at Saddleback Church. We have been so blessed, mentored and cared for here by this church family that is it impossible to put into words. The hardest part in following God in this next move will be all the good friends we won’t be able to see as often as we would like (well that and the beautiful beaches and constant 72 degree weather).

Mandy and I both felt that 2008 would be the year that I found a “fit” in a church - and he has come through big time. A little over a month ago my good friend John pointed out a job posting for LifeChurch.tv titled: Online Community Organizer. Later, when I read the description of what LifeChurch.tv was looking for to Mandy we both agreed that this position seemed like a perfect fit for what God has been developing in me over the past two years - so I applied.

Since then it has been a fun whirlwind as we started the process of interviewing for the position. This last weekend we flew out to see LifeChurch.tv and the Internet Campus/Digerati team, and for a final round of interviews. This week were thrilled to accept the position of Online Community Pastor with LifeChurch.tv, serving on their Internet Campus/Digerati team.

Needless to say we are humbled just for the opportunity to be around the amazing talent and the hearts of the people at LifeChurch.tv. And I can accurately say this is a dream job on the dream team. The more we saw this weekend the more we were blown away by the faith and talent of the people there, and the vision they have.

So, pray for us as we take another big plunge in this journey. We have to get our house ready so it can start a schedule of showing to be re-leased, we need to settle up all the details here and we hope to be in Oklahoma by beginning of September!

{ 34 comments }

Momma and Her Babies

by Tony Steward on July 22, 2008

Our kids were sad to see Mimi (my mother) leave this morning - but they are loving having their momma back.

{ 0 comments }

Fourth of July Fireworks in HD

by Tony Steward on July 5, 2008

Here are the fireworks we watched last night in HD thanks to Vimeo’s ability to do so. Forgive the at times shaky camera and child discipline half way through - our kids were way past bed time (Make sure to hit “HD ON” on the right of your screen to see it in glorious 1280 x 720)

Forth of July Fireworks from Tony Steward on Vimeo.

{ 4 comments }

My Daughet at Sunset

by Tony Steward on July 1, 2008

My friend Eric took this picture with Mandy’s camera after our day at the beach. I love it!

{ 3 comments }

The people that change you

by Tony Steward on June 19, 2008

I seriously love my children. We had an awesome weekend hanging out and doing family stuff together and I started thinking how they have changed me. I am definitely more compassionate because of them, especially having two little girls whose whole world is being the princess and in a pretty dress. I am much more aware of the faults in my character because of how I react at times, and the emotional pressure I can try to push off on them. I am forced to allow play to be a consistent part of my life - which is not something that is very natural for me, I am often much too focused and serious, and when I get home I jump into a world of “rawr” bears (my son loves to say this), princesses needing saving from a dragon, and often I end up playing “baby” while they bring me blankets, read me stories and make me “Snacks.”

I am a better person, a better human because of my children - they remind me that for all the theories, ideas, strategies and management that exists in the world, there are still the tangible and touchable relationships in our lives that are most important. The child to hug, the hand to hold, the story to tell, the cheek to kiss, and and the ball to kick.

How have the people in your life changed you?

{ 2 comments }