32 or 33 years? I have no idea…..great job either way!

The top picture was taken July 18th 1998 at 8:12pm It includes Jake, Myself and Thomas (Matt is missing, we miss you Matt) The next picture was taken March 29 2008 at 7:08pm. Pretty close to 10 years later. In those ten years since that 1st picture was taken, life has changed significantly. The product of those ten years are outlined in the photos below. Beautiful wives, and beautiful kids. Two of my dearest friends from High school were in town this weekend. Jake from NY and Thomas from Savannah. Back in High School (WRHS) we would talk about the day when we would hang out and watch our kids play together. The reality of that dream came true this weekend. We hung out and watched our kids play together, it was beautiful. Full of laughter and joy. Holly, Jakes sister who has been like a sister to us guys herself was also there, with two beautiful girls. It only seems like yesterday that we were kids ourselves playing together.

I love kids, always have. Especially the kids of this family. This Easter weekend heightened my love for all of them. I have had time to reflect on what was different about this weekend. It was Desmond. I think having a child of my own opened my eyes to enjoying watching other children play together. I kept picturing how next year Desmond will be running around looking for eggs. I saw him in them, and what the future brings for him. Also being a parent now, I feel I am part of a new club. I am not just the Uncle running around with the camera taking pictures of other peoples children.

*Updated*
I had a moment with each one of them this weekend, I will start with the youngest….

Desmond and I talked for a while Sunday morning before church as Jackie got ready, he just laughed and smiled as I tried to eat his little feet.

Danny laughs so much! I could hear him as I laid in bed Sunday morning laughing, and when I came around the corner to surprise him he just giggled and ran.

Ivy came running over to me when we were hunting eggs, and I bent down beside her, to talk to her. She was in a hurry, but not in too much of a hurry to tell me she loved me as she ran off.

Benjamin made me laugh as he eyed the cupcakes on the table, (see picture) he also helped me carry my camera and tripod into the house. I was a little nervous, because he is the breaker of all things, but he did real good.

Dylan is such a Rock Star, his hair maybe in his eyes, but he has a look about him. I really believe that little boy is going to do great things. Write a song, paint a picture, take a photo, something that will make people stop.

Aidan, Kelly said it best, he is so GQ or Ralph Lauren. He had some moments with Danny at the egg hunt (see picture) that caused everyone to stop and pull out their camera. He is growing up so fast. He is kind, sweet and gentle.

Emmett and I had a little walkie-talkie fun, it was a combination of hide-in-go-seek with radio’s. As I was running around the bushes and cars, with him hot on my heels, it was then I realized how much I missed being a kid.

The other part of this weekend that I enjoyed so much was, I myself can still be a kid in a way. I had to laugh at myself Saturday night as Joey and I rocked out to guitar hero. We stayed in and took care of the boys so the girls could have a night out. After getting them to sleep, I stood in front of the TV with a plastic guitar, a beer, and a baby monitor strapped to my hip. I could not BE any COOOLER! It all had led up to that moment, and somehow I made it work for me.

There are about a gazillion photos to look at, so just click (HERE)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GPN6iYtlb8[/youtube]

Life in general personally has just been rough. Spiritually lost, financially frustrated, low self esteem, and the four letter word we all hate “work”. When all seems lost I look to Jackie for strength. I look at Desmond who just looks at me and smiles and laughs, he doesn’t care whats going on with me, he is just happy to see me, and THAT is what I have waited my whole life to see. He can put things in perspective. Life as a family is starting to find its groove and find its place in time. It is also starting to bring meaning to why we deal with the downs of each day. We deal with the downs to live for the ups. I totally made that up, but it sounds deep. I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, I am sure another tunnel is on the horizon, but I will deal with that when it comes. One thing about falling down is you become humbled, and being Spiritually Lost for a short moment, it forces you to ask for help from the one Higher Power that can help you stand back up. Then gradually you are no longer Lost, and you find your way again. Ok Thanks for listening, that was very therapeutic :) Lets move on to the star of the show!

Our boy is growing! He can stand on his own, with balance support of course, he talks about everything! I have no idea what he is saying, but he is very certain about what he has to say. Sleeping is getting better! It is easier to put him down at night, and he still wakes up around 2am’ish but going back to sleep seems to be easier. Have I mentioned how strong he is? We have moved away from the swaddle at night. He laughs in the face of a swaddle. There have been nights I come to check on him and he has undone and rolled the swaddle into a ball and left a sticky note that says “better luck next time”. he is such a Houdini and a comedian. I am working on getting video together of him jabbering. So I will get that up within the next week or so.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCbuRA_D3KU&feature=related[/youtube]

I dedicate the above video to my little nephew Danny, who we got to spend the weekend with! He is such a funny little lad who just loves his new little cousin Desmond. Here are some pictures from the weekend at the Rutledge’s. It was our first trip to Atlanta since Desmond was born, so it was a big deal. It went very well, and we had a great time! Ohh and I am hooked on Guitar Hero.

This picture is an oldie but a goody! If I could get away with dressing this way at work today I am sure I would. However they are pretty strict about the dress code.

Yesterday was 1st round of shots day. Both Mommy and Chubby Boy did real good. I was worried more about Mommy then Desmond. They both did real good! As you can see from the picture he recovered very quickly. He was a little fussy the rest of the evening, but always calmed down when he was held or eating. This morning he was all smiles again. The doctor said he weights in at 13.9 lbs putting him in the 75% of his age group, and is 24.5 inches long putting him in the 90% range. He is a tall boy!

Breaker 1 - 9er: Happy Birthday Emmett, oldest and wisest nard, I mean nephew.

Over and Out.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ev_uBXu6kRo[/youtube]

No need for an introduction. The Video says it all.