Thanksgiving 2008

Thanksgiving.

Its meaning varies from person to person. For me, Thanksgiving forever changed in my eyes last year. It’s about family and friends. It’s about being thankful for the things in life so many take for granted.

But back to family. Thanksgiving is about celebrating family. It’s about taking the best traditions of two families and merging them together while adding new ideas to the mix.

I’m so damn lucky. I have an absolutely beautiful wife — inside and out. I have a precious miracle daughter whose resilience amazes me on a daily basis. I have a wonderful sister, brother-in-law, and two nieces that I am so glad are in my life and live close by. I’ve got a loving, supportive mother and father that have been there for me every step of the way. I have a caring and encouraging mother-in-law and father-in-law. I have an energetic and kind-hearted sister-in-law. Then there’s my uncle, aunt, cousins, etc.

Yep. I’m thankful.

And one of the things Katie Lynn’s ordeal taught me is that Thanksgiving is one day out of the year to reflect, but it’s most important to live it every day.

Birthday Tears

Today is my daughter’s first birthday.. and this morning I cried.

Wait.. aren’t birthdays supposed to be fun?

Absolutely!

And what a fun day we had today. Monica and I decided to take the day off to celebrate Katie Lynn’s birthday. We started out the day taking one year pictures and family pictures. After lunch and picking up the photos, we drove over to the Fort Worth Zoo and spent two and half hours there. Tonight, we had our family over for dinner and cake to help celebrate the day.

So why the tears?

For those that don’t know, Katie Lynn had a rough start to her life. To be where she is today is nothing short of a miracle. Last night I experienced a plethora of flashback dreams: Katie Lynn’s birth, all three surgeries, changing ostomy bags, TPN bags, etc.

This morning we were getting ready for the day. I picked up Katie Lynn, hugged her, and just started crying happy tears.  My little girl has been through so much.

So yes, I cried. And I am not ashamed to admit that.

Perspectives on Time and Fatherhood

Each day has 24 hours and there’s a certain period during the day that I look forward to.

• Five o’clock end-of-workday whistle? No. I love my job.
• Bedtime? Nope. Although I do enjoy sleep.
• Cubs/Bears/Tech/Mavericks game on TV? Surprisingly no.

Monica leaves for work between 6:45 and 7:00 each morning, therefore; I have between 30 and 45 minutes with Katie Lynn. Just her and I. I feed Katie Lynn her morning fruit, get her dressed for daycare, and play with her in the living room. I have her undivided attention — unless Wrigley walks by, or she spots her favorite toy(s), or sees that one random piece of lint on the carpet. But that time is our time to bond. This special father-daughter time is invaluable. We “talk” to each other in the car as I drive her to daycare each morning.

I’ve always heard the phrase that babies are only “this” size once, and it’s so true. Before I know it, Katie Lynn is going to be feeding herself and dressing herself for school and riding with Monica. She won’t need us to do any of that for her.

On a somewhat related note, it’s amazing and refreshing to see fathers involved in raising kids. Each morning I see a good amount of fathers dropping kids off at Katie Lynn’s daycare. In Lubbock, I rarely saw any fathers at the daycare. Maybe that’s a geographic differentiation or something; I don’t know.

What I do know is that I value every minute I spend with my daughter, and the day just doesn’t seem to have enough time.

A Chip Off The Old Block

March of Dimes March for Babies

As most of you know, Katie Lynn was born a month early back in November. She had a rough start but is doing very well now!

Monica, Katie Lynn, and I will be participating in the March of Dimes March for Babies walk in Lubbock:

4/26/2008, 9:00 AM
Maxey Park
30th & Oxford
Lubbock, TX

If you’re in town, we would love for you to join us to walk for this extremely important cause. If you’re not in Lubbock but would still like to help, you can make a donation through the following link:

http://www.marchforbabies.org/515539

God Bless!

No Words..

2008 Resolution

New Year’s Eve – time to make a resolution.

With everything that Katie Lynn has gone through, it’s only fitting that my 2008 resolution is to get more in touch spiritually. It states in the Bible that the husband/father should be the spiritual leader of the house:

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

My daughter (and any future children) will be raised in a Christian home, and I need to be a strong presence and advocate in that.

I want to get more involved in our church, and make a very conscious effort to attend church on a weekly basis. Monica and I have started praying together, and that is a huge step for me personally as I find praying aloud extremely difficult. It’s getting easier, but it’s a hurdle I will overcome.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

It’s That Time of Year

Christmas is upon us once again!

This season means many different things to everyone. I’ve always thought of Christmas as Jesus’ birthday and that is what we’re truly celebrating. This year, Christmas has taken additional meaning. Katie Lynn‘s situation has truly changed my perspectives on almost everything in life. The good Lord works His miracles daily, and I’ve experienced one in Katie Lynn.

Monica and I did Toys For Tots this week. We were at the mall for family pictures and so Katie Lynn could see Santa. We went to The Disney Store, made our selections, and went to the main drop-off point. It is a great feeling knowing that our gifts will significantly impact the life of a less-fortunate child. We don’t do it to make ourselves feel good; we do it because we can. Monica and I are fortunate enough to enjoy some of life’s niceties and pleasures, and it’s the least we can do.

I sincerely hope that people reflect during the season and remember what is truly important.

Merry Christmas.