One Happy Family

Thanksgiving is two days away. It's my favorite holiday for two reasons. One, you get all the glorious food that you get at Christmas without the worry and expense of buying lots of presents. I think presents ruin Christmas, but they are a necessary evil. Presents are the bait that lure relatives to Christmas get togethers.

Two, I have so much to be thankful for. That's the purpose of this entry today.

The two pictures we have here are what mean everything to me. My wife who is beautiful and the most caring person I've ever known. She was my inspiration to grow spiritually and in character. And she still is.

My son is the joy of every day. He's absolutely hilarious with his boundless imagination and tenderheartedness. I don't even know if tenderheartedness is a word, but it ought to be just for kids like him. God brought him into our lives to teach us what it feels like to love with everything you have. And knowing that, helps me know how much God sacraficed for me. Lord help me to never forget it.

My daughter is a reminder of how beautiful innocence is. She is so serene (most of the time) and there is simply nothing that beats holding your own baby and feeling her warmth. I know that my job will be to protect her innocence by teaching her who her real Father is. As important as I want to be, I have to be second.

We have a home, cars, cable TV, internet, etc. But those things are trivial things. We have healthy, safety, love, hope and faith. Be thankful for those, because you have them too.

Big Brother Bathes Baby

Everyone enjoys entertaining entries. Especially entertaining entries with alliteration. Don't we?

That goofy introduction out of the way, Aiden was helpful in giving baby Isabel her first bath the other night. We captured a few of the shots on the digcam (my new shortened version of digital camera, which seems too long and too formal.)

Also in the interest of time (since I'm supposed to be working here at work) I'll just skip the captions for the photos. Enjoy!

How's Aiden Doing with the Baby?

The most frequent question we've heard since Isabel was born is, "How's is Aiden doing with her?" It's a very legitimate question and one that we were worried about ourselves. Aiden is a great child and has been as easy as a two year old can be to raise. But you worry after almost three years as the only child how he would react to a baby sister being in the house.

So here is an illustrated story to answer that question.

At first, Aiden wasn't sure he liked this whole baby situation. He took a long time to warm up to the idea. After Daddy brought Isabel out from the delivery, Aiden didn't say a word about her. He looked at her only briefly and seemed disappointed that his playtime with Papaw Bob was being interrupted.

Even after Momma got out of recovery and into the postpartum room, Aiden seemed content to play by himself. While everyone else was clamoring over Isabel, Aiden read a book. When he got around her, he would look at her then walk away.

But before we left the hospital, Aiden had grown fond of his little sister. He adapted to sharing the attention. We are very proud of him and how mature he's been in accepting and loving his sister.

As Aiden became more enamored with Isabel, one thing he's done is pepper her with kisses. Lots of kisses. WHOLE GREAT BIG BUNCHES of kisses. Which doesn't surprise me or his mother. He's a very affectionate child.

And now they're just like, well, they're just like brother and sister. Exactly as it should be.

Halloween Pictures

What do you do with a scurvy pirate?

What do you do with a scurvy pirate?

What do you do with a scurvy pirate?

Make him trick or treat!

Captain Aiden of the Pirates of Barren River.

Pirates love clowns. Seriously. Most people don't know that.

After scoring some booty (that's candy) Cap'n Aiden wore a proud look.