Ramblings On. . .

Tonight (Saturday Jan. 1, 2011) my parents were kind enough to watch our kids for the evening.  I know I’ve said it before, but Kathy and I are truly blessed to have so much family living so close.  So Kathy and I are home, just watching TV and chatting.

I love my wife.  She is a blessing to my life, a great mother, and full of wisdom.  I know that I married way out of my league.   Kathy is amazing!

Kathy I love you so much!

I love snowy days.

Don’t tell my wife this but I actually don’t mind Michael Buble’ Christmas Album on snowy days.

Anyway, this is the first snow day of 2010 and we got some sledding in.  The kids are finally old enough to both enjoy sledding.  I’ve been mowing our side yard (which is basically all hill) for years in the hopes that some day my kids would be able to sled on it.  And it’s finally paid off.

My son is growing up so fast.  And sometimes that’s completely terrifying.

For instance, the booster seat.

Judah is now big enough to ride in a booster seat if he needs to.  So in the van, he is in his big car seat (the thing looks like a throne).  In my car he is in a booster seat that is only held in by the seat belt.

The other day we were driving home from the Library and saw a construction site.  I’m pretty sure heaven for Judah will be an eternal construction site, at least that’s his idea of heaven.  From my seat I hear him talking about the construction site and then without warning I feel him breathing on my neck!  He had unbuckled his seatbelt and stood up in the back seat area of my car.  I completely freaked out.  When did he learn how to disconnect the Seat BELT!  AHH!!!

He’s growing up and it’s awesome and it’s scary!

I know this post is late, but it’s still important to me to get out there.

Two years ago on 9/11/08 my beautiful daughter was born.  Joss was 3 weeks early, and born, like judah in an emergency C-Section.  Kathy and I stayed the night in the hospital for Kathy’s high blood pressure and headaches.  I was sent home the next morning to get stuff for kathy and we were going to go home on 9/11.  Instead while I was out the Dr. decided that the baby needed out.  As with Judah I was away from the hospital and afraid that I would miss the birth of mu children.  I made it back just in time for both Judah and Joss.

Kathy and I were talking about how sad it was that Joss was born on 9/11.  A day that will forever be marked with tragedy.  I have other friends who were also born on 9/11.  It’s defintely marred their sense of celebration for their Birthday.  But I think the fact that Joss was born on 9/11 is a beautiful reminder that even in tragedy, life can still happen.

9/11/01 is truly a horrific day and I remember exactly where I was when I learned of what was going on.  I remember the feelings of anger and fear that I felt.  And I felt those same feelings when we were getting set for the emergency C-section.  Angry that I could lose my wife and my baby, afraid for the worst.  But God and the Doctors brought Kathy and Joss through the crisis.

Now when I celebrate Joss’ birth, I am reminded of the tragedy of 9/11/01 and encouraged by the beautiful life that God brought into my world on 9/11/08.

I love you so much Jocelyn Bella (Joyous Beauty).  Your smile warms my heart and removes my fear.  I want to protect you and help you grow up into an amazing, godly woman.  You are a true gift and your mother and I are amazed by you.

This is Joss and I in Disney World.  My dad is behind us and I think he was confused about something.

Today my whole brood is flying across the country to go to Disney World. Super excited. I’m pretty sure the kids brains are going to explode with how awesome everything is.

Here is a video of Judah Playing in the Muppets Band. Prepare to be amazed by his cuteness.

My Family on Mother's Day 2010

I am greatly blessed by my family. They are a gift from God.

Kathy keeps me grounded, focused, humble and thankful

Judah makes me laugh, cry, and makes me wonder about the world again

Joss helps me to try to be sensitive and to want to protect her precious heart for the rest of her life. Her smile is amazing.

Friday is my sabbath, and I spend the day with family. I’m going to try to make Friday a day when I post things about my family. So that’s going to happen.

I can’t believe how much my life has changed in 4 years.  My son was born early and abruptly and changed everything.  I quickly learned that life doesn’t go according to plan, and it’s usually better than that it doesn’t.  Judah makes me smile every day, and even when he doesn’t listen I have a hard time being upset.  I’m a total push-over, which is a trait that I inherited from my father ).  I can’t believe how quickly the past 4 years have flown by.  We have a daughter as well now, and our family is a complete set.

The day Judah was born, I was afraid.  The circumstances around the emergency c-section brought up fear that I could lose both Kathy and Judah.  And while I was driving to the Hospital God reminded me that Judah is first a child of God.  I get the privilege of raising him.  Parenting is a stewardship.  I pray that I raise Judah well.

I’m enjoying every moment that I can with my son while he is young, and I am looking forward to watching him become the man that God wants him to be.

Judah, you are a blessing to me and your mother.  We love you madly.  If you ever read this post I want you to know that we really do want the best for you.  Your name means Praises Honoring God.  My prayer is that I can model that life for you, and that you will always live to be a worshiper of God.  Whatever you end up doing with your life, I will always be your biggest fan.

Love,

Daddy.