April & Early May '09

Our dear friend from San Antonio, Pam, visited us in early April. It was so awesome to hang out with her again. On her way to the San Antonio airport, she stopped and picked up some freshly made flour tortillas for me. Boy, were they delicious!

I took my three amazing boys to the airshow here at Robins AFB on Saturday, 2 May. This picture was taken in the back of an Army helicopter. We had such a great time! This was my first opportunity to take them to an airshow!

The next day, Sunday, 3 May, I took Hannah to Day 2 of the airshow because she was unable to come with the boys and me the day before. This picture was taken in front of the aircraft that I support, the E-8C Joint STARS weapon system. I was proud to show her my jet.

I had to include this photo. Look really hard and you'll see my little Hannah next to this enormous cargo jet called the C-5.

Easter Photo

My cute kiddos on Easter '09.

Noah's Soccer Game

I'm late getting this post out here, but I just wanted to let you know how great Noah did at his first soccer game of the season last Saturday. Basically, there were only three goals made during the game. They were all by Noah's team. And oh yeah, they were all by Noah! I was so proud of him. Here are some great photos from the game.

The pre-game prayer.

Noah's corner kick.

Here's Noah dribbling the ball through the defenders toward the goal!

Mom Is Recovering Well

My mother's surgery went well this morning. She had a tumor removed from her neck. I wanted so badly to be with her during this, but I'm just not able to because of so many things keeping me here in Georgia. As I spoke with my dad this morning after the surgery, I could here in his voice the same feeling that was in my heart, and that's the feeling of nervousness, dependence, and relief . . . all at the same time. Maybe it's a guy thing, but there's something about 'not being able to protect your loved-ones' that just rattles me. We had to rely on the skill and knowledge of the doctor for my mother's safety and outcome. I'm so thankful for doctors and their expertise, but for the most part, I hope that God keeps me away from them as much as possible. I'd rather wrestle a gorilla than lay up on a hospital table and receive a procedure of any kind. (Somehow I'm talking about me now . . . back to Mom)

This evening as I drove home I called my mother's cell phone expecting my dad to answer, but to my surprise, she answered! She definitely sounded like she'd been through a rough day, but considering those factors, she sounded great. Please continue to pray for her recovery. Thanks

It's Been A While

Well, it's well into March of '09 and my last post was around Thanksgiving of last year, so needless to say . . . I've been completely negligent of my blogger page. If anyone is out there, then "I'm sorry."

Basically, my life is going well and I'm truly blessed; however, I'm surrounded by friends in need. All I know to do is keep praying that God enables me to bless them somehow. I don't have much extra money, but that isn't always the answer anyway. If anyone reading this happens to be going through a rough time right now, please put your trust in God. Do your very best to keep going, but remember that He is in control of your life. Ask Him for what you need and He will hear you. I truly believe that what He desires mostly is your obedience, and it starts with laying your burdens at His feet. Just something to think about . . .

My wife and kids continue to be my joy. I learn something new about fatherhood everyday. I'm trying to maintain and strengthen my relationship with my daughter as she nears her teenage years. My belief is that only the love and trust we share with one another will be what stands the test of time in these challenging phases ahead of us. I've been trying to equip (or "prepare") her for years now and I'm sure I won't be done with that any time soon. She's so great. My prayer is that she becomes an example to her peers of how you can live righteously and still be accepted in the social scene.

My boys are also doing great. They are mature beyond their years. Noah is so loving and good-hearted. Jonah is full of integrity. Landon teaches me patience over and over. Michelle is the love of my life. I can honestly say that I love being who I am because of my family.

More updates: My career is wonderful. We're getting use to middle Georgia. I'll be starting my master's degree in the next few months, which will help me compete for a promotion within the next 18 months. It snowed a couple of weeks ago. I'm producing a lot of music these days. We joined a new church a few months ago and I'm playing the drums in the praise band. Hannah & Noah were baptized last month. I changed my eating lifestyle three weeks ago and have lost 9 lbs so far. My mother is having surgery on Monday, 16 March, so please pray for her. I have to finish an online course by midnight tomorrow, so please pray for me as well. And lastly, the boys and I sure are enjoying the new animated series of Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

OK. I'll end by just posting some pictures of the kids. Talk to you later!

Thanksgiving Day - 2008

Well, tomorrow is the last day of our week here in Louisiana with our extended family. It's amazing how fast the days go by. Our hometowns of Bossier City & Shreveport resemble less and less of what they did back in the days of our youth, but that's OK. They're growing rapidly and that's a good thing.

We've lived apart from our families for over eight years now. When we come back home or when our family members come see us in Georgia, the few days we spend together are always so precious because that time is "it". There's no "I'll see you next week." We usually say goodbye knowing that it's going to be quite a while before we see each other again. That's just the way our lives are right now. The frequency is kind of sparse, but the quality of our relationships has really strengthened through these circumstances.

Tonight, our three oldest kids are staying with their cousins in Haughton. I'm curious to find out what time they actually go to sleep tonight. Our youngest stayed back with me because he'd probably present more challenges than my sister and her husband would care to take-on right now. He got a little upset while they were leaving for the slumber party, but once I whispered in his ear how much I wanted him to be with me, he quickly calmed down and led me to his toys so we could play.

I fed him a spaghetti dinner followed by some remaining birthday cake (I turned 34 today), we played some more, I prompted him to go potty a few times, and then I eventually got him in his PJ's for bedtime. Tonight, it was him alone that would be sleeping in my parents' extra bedroom. No brothers or sister to accompany him in the night. We turned off the lamp and then I sang a few Christmas carols to him. He doesn't know the words, but he was sure trying to sing with me during those last syllables of each line. Hearing his little voice sing those notes was overwhelming to me. I cherish these moments . . . the kind of moments when God reminds me of the purity in the hearts of my children. (The kind of purity I should have in mine) Yes, they're crazy and disobedient at times, but the true essence of their purpose and intent is to love.

When I stopped singing, he began whispering to me. He just turned 3 and I still can't really understand much of what he says, but nonetheless, he whispered a ton of things to me and I bet they were ALL wonderful ideas. He accepted the fact that I had to leave him so that he could go to sleep. We prayed our bedtime prayer, said night-night, and I left him there. One day our relationship will be much different, but for now, I'm just savoring the sweet simple moments like this. Thanksgiving is year-round for me. I don't deserve any of my blessings, which is why I try to always give thanks to God for what I do have.

My Kids

I've been a dad for almost ten years. When Hannah first came into view that perfect day on February 11th, 1999, my first words were, "She's so beautiful." To this day, I have to refrain from saying that to her face too much because then she may become what most people refer to as "stuck up." But I assure you, I keep her well-grounded and humble.

The reason I'm writing today is because this morning as I was making my coffee, I came to a realization that my life is so blessed by my kids. I can honestly observe them living their little lives and then change my life to be better because of the lessons they've taught me. I'm their example to follow in many ways, but even more-so, they are examples for me to follow. I know there will likely come a day when they will test the boundaries and present a real parenting challenge to me, but I'm confident that the love we've established will keep them always aware that I'm in their hearts at all times. It's not my wrath that will keep them from plunging into horrible decisions, but rather my love and trust in them.

I ask that you pray for parents all across the world to love their children. And also, I ask for you to pray for those "to be" parents that may be having a difficult time conceiving. I don't know why I've been blessed with four wonderful kids, but one thing is for sure, I do not and will not take it for granted. If I was to die this very day, I will have already obtained such an awesome quality of life because of my kids and my wife.