Wild at Heart

I have begun my next book on tape. Wild at Heart by John Eldredge. WOW! I have to say I have been really excited about getting into this one. I have had several people recommend it to me over the last few months and it has been great so far. I do want to say that I am not yet done thinking deeply on the other book, Crazy Love, that I just finished. It has really made me think of things in a different way, but I just couldn't wait to start this one. Anyway, Wild at Heart is book about the true soul and heart of a male. One of my favorite parts is when the author talks about how men are strong and fierce by nature, and that Jesus, though most always seen as kind and gentle, is both fierce and strong in the face of his enemies. This book gives wonderful support from the scripture and for someone like me who has only limited knowledge of the Bible, I find it not only fascinating, but exciting. I will warn you, it had me wanting to take a weekend and head out to the wilderness to find my true heart in self discovery camping trip...who knows, maybe someday. I found it interesting that I blogged earlier this week about people who don't like their jobs, and this book talks about how men, and women as well, get "stuck" in jobs and routines that are not true to their heart. Men need adventure and a battle, and if men can not find it in their everyday life, it will come out in another way. Having an outlet that either challenges us or allows us to create or save something or someone is mentioned often in the book. So much pent up anger may be due to a lack of fulfillment in our lives. I am excited to see where the book continues. Happy day...and let it snow!! Brent

LOVED

I am so blessed! I have a wonderful wife who I am so in love with, a son who I am so in love with, a God who I am trying to Love more and more each day, a family I am so in love with, and each day I to am loved. What a feeling. And how fortunate I am that my son is so loved. We spent some time with Uncle Troy and his girlfriend Kayla tonight. I am so happy that Troy has such a deep love for my son, his nephew. I can see the future, all the time spent around those who want the best for him and all I can think about is how fortunate he is. How many children grow up without the deep rich love that my son is engulfed with? Loved so much by a God they have not yet meet, but void of earthly love. I appreciate all the people in Asher's life who give him love and prayers each day of his life.

We all have a purpose

Today watching some people work, I had to wonder, why would anyone do something for a living if they did not enjoy what they do? Money, security, a means to an end, feelings of being trapped, unqualified to move on, lazy, complacent...scared of change and risk? I have to say, I have had plenty of jobs in my short time here, Kristen and I joke about it all the time. Some jobs have been summer jobs just to get some extra cash; power-washer, banquet hall dish boy and server, substation employee. While others have been for the experience and the opportunity to try something new; Technician for an engineering firm, Calvin Klein sales, Home repair business. Every job I have had served me a purpose, and though some were more enjoyable than others, I can appreciate them all. I would not want to do any of those jobs for a living, or for a career, but they were magnificent stepping stones that taught me diversity, hard work, and helped to fine tune my future. I Love my job. My job is more than a career choice, it is a life choice. I am a teacher. I am a teacher and a learner; they go hand in hand. I try to learn everyday and I try to teach everyday. I can't imagine my life without learning, growing, sharing thoughts, inquiring. I would love to think that there is a job, a calling, a purpose out there for everyone. I am sure God has a plan and a design for us all. It hurts my heart to see people where they are not happy...especially if they have a choice. I pray that they will discover their calling and trust in God. He will not lead them astray. I am so blessed to have found my calling.

Crazy Love

I have begun reading the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan. Well, let me clarify. I would not want to offend any readers out there so i will come clean. I use the 2 + hours I spend in the car a day to "read" or listen to books on tape. I say reading...others would not agree. Anyway, back to the story, I have started "reading this book and it is about finding a relationship with God and truly Loving Him. I came to a part in the book when the Author was talking about how much God loves us. Imagine, he gave his only son for our salvation. What love!!!?? He made a reference to his daughter and his love for her. How much he wanted to give to her and protect her, and lead her down the right path. Being a new father, I have to say, my eyes have been opened to so much. Listening to Francis, all I could do was to picture Asher, my son, my first and only son, in harms way, mistreated, ridiculed, or even have his heart broken.. My breathing became somewhat shallow and a tear came to my eye. How could any of this happen to such an innocent soul? How could my perfect little boy ever be a target. I tried to imagine the Love I feel for him "multiplied by infinity and taken to the edge of forever" to grasp God's Love for us and for his son. Not only could I not fathom that unearthly love, but it lead to me to a realization that almost made me sick. Could I give my son Asher to save others? Sacrifice my child for the salvation of others? Wow! And then, to think that each day, I would live among thousands of people who I sacrificed so much for, while they never really appreciated my loss, my sacrifice for them. People would just take for granted what is, and not how it has come to be. We are so blessed and so Loved...return the favor and appreciate all that has been given to you.

Our little man is almost 1!

A quick update on everything. Asher is learning more and more every day. He recognizes words and he'll wave, pretend to talk on the phone, and all of those other cute toddlerisms although everything is dada, mama, or nahnah. Mostly dada these days. He's REALLY not liking his car seat even though it's new and big. I can't wait to turn him around, although last Tuesday at our Duke check-up, he was only 18.4 lbs. We're waiting until 20 lbs. to turn his seat around and at the rate he's burning calories, it may be a while. He's not a picky eater at all and I love that. He ate brussel sprouts this week and didn't mind them at all. I wasn't even sure if I liked them and after a quick sample, it looks like Asher will be eating them alone. Anyway, I have 2 cute new videos that I just had to share. Both of these are from today...



Asher is walking EVERYWHERE! He's gotten very confident and recently has learned the word "kick." He's not able to score goals yet but he sure does dribble! Oh, please excuse the hand towel on the floor, he pulled it down earlier. : )

This was just too funny not to share. Of course every parent loves to watch their child respond to tasting a lemon. Well, Asher has always had a slight reaction and then gone back for more. He seemed to really enjoy them. Until... tonight at dinner. It was like he'd never tried them before and it was shocking to him. Later on during our meal, he also began to make faces at his lima beans, which he'd had last night for dinner and today at lunch, so maybe he was just tired of the beans. Anyway, enjoy the expressions!

So, Brent and I decided to go away to Greenville for the night. To be honest, the trip was motivated by food. There are 2 restaurants there that I love so we went to one for lunch and the other for dinner! : ) We stayed at a hotel downtown so it was easy to walk the streets and browse during the day and it was still easy to get back to the hotel for Asher's naps. It was a great time to get away from house chores and just enjoy family.

We call our friend here, the suicidal goose.
There's an amazing park right on main street.

He was amazed by the tall water fountain.

Fall leaves at their best!

Our room was awesome. We just realized Asher doesn't nap or sleep well when he can see us in the room! We even covered the sides with towels but he still knew we were there!

When we first got there, he seemed to love his crib! I just think he was glad to be out of the carseat.

The kid loves to handle a steering wheel. He looks so natural too. Hands at 10 and 2!

Fun at the State Fair with Ansley- They hide their excitement well : )



I had to take this to show that it's official...he's got curls!

Fun with Papa...

Always so intrigued with the guitar...

First family trip to the State Fair...