Thought for the day:
If you haven't heard the song Hallelujah written by Leonard Cohen, you're missing out, really. Go listen to it, like now, on YouTube or somethin'.
One of my favorite lines from the song is "Love is not a victory march, it's a cold and it's a broken hallelujah".
Love's victory comes from it's permanence. It stems from it's unceasing devotion to that which it is given. Love itself is not the victory march. It will lead us to victory, if we let it, but love is more than the warm feelings and fuzzy bunnies. I think that true love, the kind of love that we show our spouses, our children, and our families, the kind of love that God shows us, is so much deeper than that. It's the love that caused the Christ, the Son of the Most High, to become that cold and broken hallelujah, and to do it willingly, and with what I believe is joy to be able to show our fallen race how much He loves us.
In other news:
Haden is doing great. He's got the flop-crawl thing going, which can be pretty funny. He can turn in circles but can't crawl forwards yet, and he's learned a new bladder control trick where he saves up all the pee he can and let's it all go in one diaper. Yeah...babies are weird.
Also, if you haven't seen it already, scroll down to the post below this one. We had a mini photo day, and those were the better ones that came out of it. Sometime coming up we're gonna have individual portrait day, so when we do that those pictures will be up as well (I love taking pictures, it really is way fun).
On a completely different topic, the fan on my video card broke, so I have to send it in to get it repaired and replaced. This means probably a week or 2 with gimped computer, which makes me sad and slightly irritated, but that's life I guess.
Also, the Little Kitty is doing pretty well. Man I love her. She's a very calming presence for the Little Monster. It seems that I've kind of turned into a big toy for him, but when he wants the better things in life (comfort, support, a place to nap), she's the one he's yelping (yes, yelping!) for.
Well, for a 2 part post I think this is probably enough to write about. Everyone be safe out there and remember who you are and whose you are!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Back from the Maelstrom
Before we begin, allow me to apologize for not writing for the last 6 months. It's no excuse, but it's been a crazy blur with getting used to the Little Monster, as well as several other factors which will be discussed shortly.
Now, however, things will be different. There will be a schedule (gasp!), which will probably be a post every Wednesday late-night / early Thursday morning. I figure if I set aside a specific time to do this, then I'll likely be able to keep up with it. So anyway, on with the (massively long) update on our lives.
In February, my new exciting position in the Marketing department of a large oil company was downsized during a Series of Unfortunate Events (a.k.a. wide-scale corporate downsizing). This presented the crew with a choice. I could get a new job somewhere else, work my way up again, and continue down that path, or I could change direction and do something that had been on my mind for the last 6 or 7 years.
We chose to change the direction of the ship.
After much soul searching, praying, and research, I decided (with the Little Kitty on board, of course), to go into ministry, specifically youth and family ministry (I can post the details of it later, but this post is more of a general overview of where we are now). So the crew has moved to Lubbock, TX, where I will Lord willing be attending the Sunset International Bible Institute with a focus on Youth and Family ministry. This is not to say that, should I feel compelled to do so, I cannot switch to another type of ministry, but right now this is where I feel the call to be.
So the ship sailed, and grew as well! If of course, you consider the ship to be our home, and the whole sailing thing our move. Our new home is so much larger than our tiny apartment back in Austin. We actually have room to put things, room for the Little Monster to play, and even room to keep the place clean! Please don't ask why I'm on an "Out at Sea" theme tonight, as I have no idea, heh.
Special props by the way to my big little brother and dad for helping us move everything and get it unpacked. Also, props to everyone who helped us load and/or unload the storage unit so we could get everything here. We love all of you, and miss you greatly.
The Little Monster has gotten a lot bigger as well. He now weighs nearly a whopping 16 pounds!!! If you recall, when he was born he was a mere 7 pounds 11 ounces. My Little Monster is becoming much bigger very quickly.
His mobility has also increased. While he cannot quite crawl yet, he does have the whole rolling thing down pretty well. So far when he tries to crawl, however, he only uses his feet, and rubs his face into the carpet. This, of course, hurts (ever dragged your face on the ground?), which makes him cry and complain. The funny part about this is it doesn't stop him. He just keeps dragging his face along the ground until he gets where he wants. Of course, by the time he gets there, he's often so mad that he doesn't care that he's reached his objective, and wants one of us instead. He's stubborn like that. I blame his momma (love you honey!).
So here we are. School starts in August, I'll be working day-jobs until then, and life plugs along. There will be some visual changes to the blog as well, so keep an eye out for it! There may even be an extra post or two in the next week or so, as I have a little extra time and a lot to write about.
So farewell! So long! And see you soon!
Now, however, things will be different. There will be a schedule (gasp!), which will probably be a post every Wednesday late-night / early Thursday morning. I figure if I set aside a specific time to do this, then I'll likely be able to keep up with it. So anyway, on with the (massively long) update on our lives.
In February, my new exciting position in the Marketing department of a large oil company was downsized during a Series of Unfortunate Events (a.k.a. wide-scale corporate downsizing). This presented the crew with a choice. I could get a new job somewhere else, work my way up again, and continue down that path, or I could change direction and do something that had been on my mind for the last 6 or 7 years.
We chose to change the direction of the ship.
After much soul searching, praying, and research, I decided (with the Little Kitty on board, of course), to go into ministry, specifically youth and family ministry (I can post the details of it later, but this post is more of a general overview of where we are now). So the crew has moved to Lubbock, TX, where I will Lord willing be attending the Sunset International Bible Institute with a focus on Youth and Family ministry. This is not to say that, should I feel compelled to do so, I cannot switch to another type of ministry, but right now this is where I feel the call to be.
So the ship sailed, and grew as well! If of course, you consider the ship to be our home, and the whole sailing thing our move. Our new home is so much larger than our tiny apartment back in Austin. We actually have room to put things, room for the Little Monster to play, and even room to keep the place clean! Please don't ask why I'm on an "Out at Sea" theme tonight, as I have no idea, heh.
Special props by the way to my big little brother and dad for helping us move everything and get it unpacked. Also, props to everyone who helped us load and/or unload the storage unit so we could get everything here. We love all of you, and miss you greatly.
The Little Monster has gotten a lot bigger as well. He now weighs nearly a whopping 16 pounds!!! If you recall, when he was born he was a mere 7 pounds 11 ounces. My Little Monster is becoming much bigger very quickly.
His mobility has also increased. While he cannot quite crawl yet, he does have the whole rolling thing down pretty well. So far when he tries to crawl, however, he only uses his feet, and rubs his face into the carpet. This, of course, hurts (ever dragged your face on the ground?), which makes him cry and complain. The funny part about this is it doesn't stop him. He just keeps dragging his face along the ground until he gets where he wants. Of course, by the time he gets there, he's often so mad that he doesn't care that he's reached his objective, and wants one of us instead. He's stubborn like that. I blame his momma (love you honey!).
So here we are. School starts in August, I'll be working day-jobs until then, and life plugs along. There will be some visual changes to the blog as well, so keep an eye out for it! There may even be an extra post or two in the next week or so, as I have a little extra time and a lot to write about.
So farewell! So long! And see you soon!
Sunday, January 4, 2009
And Then There Were 3 (part 2)
That evening while we were sleeping, your mother woke up at around 11:30 PM. She was feeling rather crampy and in some pain, so instead of waking me she decided to go downstairs and watch some TV. It didn't take very long for the pain to increase, however, at which point she did decide to wake me up and say the words that changed everything.
"Hun, I think he might be coming or something."
Well, needless to say, that phrase got me out of bed and we spent the next hour or so timing when the contractions hit and how long they lasted. Funny thing was, they were already coming every 4-5 minutes. At this point we decided to call the hospital, and eventually they told us to go ahead and come in.
So around 2:30 in the morning we went off to the hospital and spent a long time getting seen by the nurses until they finally decided that yes, you were on the way. They decided this because when they were checking momma to see how much see was dilated, her water broke. At that point they asked if she wanted something for the pain, a type of shot to put in her I-V and make her feel better. While they got everything ready we called your grandparents (Noni and Popi, and Nunu and Papa). Your momma's parents answered the phone, but my didn't hear it ring, because it was the one time that the phone had been left in the other room.
Then the pain medicine came, and it did quite the number on your mother. She felt on top of the world, but it made her kind of loopy. A little while later, once it had worn off some, she asked for an epidural, and they snaked a long tube up her spine that pumped really good medicine
into her that let her feel no pain while the contractions continued to come.
After that happened, we slept. The sleep was wonderful, even though I was on a small uncomfortable couch bed, and all was peaceful.
Then the morning came.
Noni and Popi made it to the hospital about a couple of hours before you came. Doctor Solomon was in surgery that morning, so we waited for a while until he could come and deliver you.
Finally the time arrived. The doctor came, and your Noni and I helped your mother push and push so that you could come out. Then your head appeared, and you kind of looked like a purplish alien poking out. At this point something strange happened. You got stuck.
When this happened we were glad that Doc Solomon was there. He didn't panic at all, and just reached in and spun you around until you came out! The nurses all wisked you away to get you cleaned and ready for life in the outside world. Then they gave you to momma to hold for a few minutes before they took you to the NICU. They had to take you there because you had a small problem in the womb and they just wanted to make especially sure that everything was OK.
Papa and Nunu arrived at the hospital about an hour after you were born and everyone had a wonderful time looking at you and holding you and talking to you. Our little family had finally grown by 1, and it was clear that you truly held a special place in everyone's hearts.
You had arrived making it was clear that you were ours to love and cherish and grow.
And then there were three.
"Hun, I think he might be coming or something."
Well, needless to say, that phrase got me out of bed and we spent the next hour or so timing when the contractions hit and how long they lasted. Funny thing was, they were already coming every 4-5 minutes. At this point we decided to call the hospital, and eventually they told us to go ahead and come in.
So around 2:30 in the morning we went off to the hospital and spent a long time getting seen by the nurses until they finally decided that yes, you were on the way. They decided this because when they were checking momma to see how much see was dilated, her water broke. At that point they asked if she wanted something for the pain, a type of shot to put in her I-V and make her feel better. While they got everything ready we called your grandparents (Noni and Popi, and Nunu and Papa). Your momma's parents answered the phone, but my didn't hear it ring, because it was the one time that the phone had been left in the other room.
Then the pain medicine came, and it did quite the number on your mother. She felt on top of the world, but it made her kind of loopy. A little while later, once it had worn off some, she asked for an epidural, and they snaked a long tube up her spine that pumped really good medicine
into her that let her feel no pain while the contractions continued to come.
After that happened, we slept. The sleep was wonderful, even though I was on a small uncomfortable couch bed, and all was peaceful.
Then the morning came.
Noni and Popi made it to the hospital about a couple of hours before you came. Doctor Solomon was in surgery that morning, so we waited for a while until he could come and deliver you.
Finally the time arrived. The doctor came, and your Noni and I helped your mother push and push so that you could come out. Then your head appeared, and you kind of looked like a purplish alien poking out. At this point something strange happened. You got stuck.
When this happened we were glad that Doc Solomon was there. He didn't panic at all, and just reached in and spun you around until you came out! The nurses all wisked you away to get you cleaned and ready for life in the outside world. Then they gave you to momma to hold for a few minutes before they took you to the NICU. They had to take you there because you had a small problem in the womb and they just wanted to make especially sure that everything was OK.
Papa and Nunu arrived at the hospital about an hour after you were born and everyone had a wonderful time looking at you and holding you and talking to you. Our little family had finally grown by 1, and it was clear that you truly held a special place in everyone's hearts.
You had arrived making it was clear that you were ours to love and cherish and grow.
And then there were three.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
And Then There Were Three (part 1)
Welcome to the world, Haden Asher.
Your mother and I love you very much. We first discovered that you were coming into this world on April 7th, 2008 just before 4 AM in the morning. I was rather groggy, but quickly woke up to the realization that your mother and I were about to be responsible for a whole 'nother life on this planet.
We celebrated by stuffing our faces as Kirby Lane. I suggest you go there one day at 5 in the morning one day. They have pretty good celebratory breakfast food. Just make sure we know you're there and who you're with.
It wasn't long after this that you gave your mother what we'll call the Sleepless Nights. For several weeks she simply couldn't sleep and it took a while for her body to you growing in her tummy. I, being the knucklehead that I am, managed to sleep right through her awakeness, but she never gave me a hard time about it. Just expressed her jealousy of my awesome ability to sleep.
It was was only 13 days after we found out that you were coming that I sold my beloved motorcycle, Titania, and bought my camera, Haruko. I sold off the bike because your mother was worried about something happening to me. That wouldn't have been good with you on the way, so instead I bought the camera with the money and that's why we have such wonderful looking pictures of you. One day I'll show you how to take good pictures with it and enjoy the world from that point of view (after, of course, I brush up on my own skills).
Another thing that happened was that your mother got the Vicious Sickness. She didn't throw up very much, but she could almost only eat certain kinds of chicken noodle soup for a long time, and felt very very nauseous nearly all day every day for weeks on end. She pushed on through it though, knowing that you were going to be the prize for all of her hard work. I made a lot of soup during this time, and if you ever get sick I'll be happy to make it for you too.
We did lots of things while you were growing in your mommy. One thing we did was go to the doctor and listen to your heartbeat. That was really fun to do. We also saw you on an ultrasound, but you kind of looked like a peanut at that point, so we didn't know what you would end up being. That would come much later.
Your doctor was named Doctor Solomon. He was a true blessing to your mother and I, and we are so so grateful that he was who took care of mom during her pregnancy with you. The doctors we went to did lots of things, and we even found out that you were a boy!! We were so happy, but it took a long time to decide on what your name would be. We both had very different preferences, but in the end we were both very happy with what your name ended up being. Haden Asher. A good, strong name.
Your momma got bigger and bigger as the days went on. Not only did she get bigger though, but she stayed a beautiful as she was when she somehow married me. You got bigger too! And developed all the things you would need to live in the outside world.
On our one year anniversary your mommy and I showed the world the meaning of the world carnivore. You come from a family of meat-eaters, and Fogo de Chao was just what we wanted. One day we'll take you there for a super-special occasion of your own, and I'll make sure how to show you how to grill your own meat for mass human consumption.
Then the big day arrived. We had gone to the hospital in the afternoon on December 7th, and after doing some tests and sending us home, we ate dinner, went home, and went to sleep.
To be continued...
Your mother and I love you very much. We first discovered that you were coming into this world on April 7th, 2008 just before 4 AM in the morning. I was rather groggy, but quickly woke up to the realization that your mother and I were about to be responsible for a whole 'nother life on this planet.
We celebrated by stuffing our faces as Kirby Lane. I suggest you go there one day at 5 in the morning one day. They have pretty good celebratory breakfast food. Just make sure we know you're there and who you're with.
It wasn't long after this that you gave your mother what we'll call the Sleepless Nights. For several weeks she simply couldn't sleep and it took a while for her body to you growing in her tummy. I, being the knucklehead that I am, managed to sleep right through her awakeness, but she never gave me a hard time about it. Just expressed her jealousy of my awesome ability to sleep.
It was was only 13 days after we found out that you were coming that I sold my beloved motorcycle, Titania, and bought my camera, Haruko. I sold off the bike because your mother was worried about something happening to me. That wouldn't have been good with you on the way, so instead I bought the camera with the money and that's why we have such wonderful looking pictures of you. One day I'll show you how to take good pictures with it and enjoy the world from that point of view (after, of course, I brush up on my own skills).
Another thing that happened was that your mother got the Vicious Sickness. She didn't throw up very much, but she could almost only eat certain kinds of chicken noodle soup for a long time, and felt very very nauseous nearly all day every day for weeks on end. She pushed on through it though, knowing that you were going to be the prize for all of her hard work. I made a lot of soup during this time, and if you ever get sick I'll be happy to make it for you too.
We did lots of things while you were growing in your mommy. One thing we did was go to the doctor and listen to your heartbeat. That was really fun to do. We also saw you on an ultrasound, but you kind of looked like a peanut at that point, so we didn't know what you would end up being. That would come much later.
Your doctor was named Doctor Solomon. He was a true blessing to your mother and I, and we are so so grateful that he was who took care of mom during her pregnancy with you. The doctors we went to did lots of things, and we even found out that you were a boy!! We were so happy, but it took a long time to decide on what your name would be. We both had very different preferences, but in the end we were both very happy with what your name ended up being. Haden Asher. A good, strong name.
Your momma got bigger and bigger as the days went on. Not only did she get bigger though, but she stayed a beautiful as she was when she somehow married me. You got bigger too! And developed all the things you would need to live in the outside world.
On our one year anniversary your mommy and I showed the world the meaning of the world carnivore. You come from a family of meat-eaters, and Fogo de Chao was just what we wanted. One day we'll take you there for a super-special occasion of your own, and I'll make sure how to show you how to grill your own meat for mass human consumption.
Then the big day arrived. We had gone to the hospital in the afternoon on December 7th, and after doing some tests and sending us home, we ate dinner, went home, and went to sleep.
To be continued...
Pictures!
Nothing but pictures at the moment. Still getting used to taking care of the Little Monster and everything that goes with that, heh...
More on everything that happened (and more pictures), as things progress...
Monday, December 8, 2008
Baby's doin' WHA???
It's finally happened.
Baby is on his way!
There's a ton to tell but right now I'm kind of too hopped up on the "it wasn't due for another 10 days" thing to go into all of it at the moment. In any case, suffice to say that the Little Monster decided to be born on December 8, 2008, which means that he won't suffer quite as badly from Christmas-Birthday syndrome.
The wifey got her epidural at about 4:00 this morning, and everything has been mostly happy bunnies and rainbows since then. We've gotten a little rest, I ate some breakfast, and it looks like we're going to get our doctor that we've been seeing this whole time to deliver for us.
So I thought that I had another week to get prepared and take care of chores and all that good stuff, but I guess there were other plans in store for us. I'm crazy excited, but also a little scared, which is normal, I suppose. We've called and sent text messages to a bunch of people, and naturally I won't be going into work today, and probably not tomorrow either, but we'll see. We're going to stick to my original vacation plan so that I can be home for those 2 1/2 weeks, which will rock. Anyways, craziness ensues!
I'll post more (complete with pictures!) after the Little Monster has arrived and we've gotten more rest.
EGAD BABY'S ALMOST HERE!!!
Baby is on his way!
There's a ton to tell but right now I'm kind of too hopped up on the "it wasn't due for another 10 days" thing to go into all of it at the moment. In any case, suffice to say that the Little Monster decided to be born on December 8, 2008, which means that he won't suffer quite as badly from Christmas-Birthday syndrome.
The wifey got her epidural at about 4:00 this morning, and everything has been mostly happy bunnies and rainbows since then. We've gotten a little rest, I ate some breakfast, and it looks like we're going to get our doctor that we've been seeing this whole time to deliver for us.
So I thought that I had another week to get prepared and take care of chores and all that good stuff, but I guess there were other plans in store for us. I'm crazy excited, but also a little scared, which is normal, I suppose. We've called and sent text messages to a bunch of people, and naturally I won't be going into work today, and probably not tomorrow either, but we'll see. We're going to stick to my original vacation plan so that I can be home for those 2 1/2 weeks, which will rock. Anyways, craziness ensues!
I'll post more (complete with pictures!) after the Little Monster has arrived and we've gotten more rest.
EGAD BABY'S ALMOST HERE!!!
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