tomorrow

My sweet girl has been gone for a week. I've missed her a lot. I'm so glad she gets home tomorrow. I know though that she needed time off and I'm glad we were able to work it out for her. It's been a longish week, but oh so worth it - for both of us. I have developed an entirely new respect for what she does day in and day out. I have fallen more in love with my son in the last week than I think I have in 2-years. Even when I'm with him and she's here it's not the same as it just being the two of us. He's a pretty amazing kid and pretty much the best person I could ever hope to have the privilege to raise. I'm so grateful to whatever higher power brought him into our lives and trusted me with this perfect human being.

As far as Katie is concerned, I miss everything about her. The way she sounds, the way she smells, the way I can reach over at any time and just know that she is there. It's a big lonely house without her in it. She makes our entire house and my entire life worth living well.

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama

This past weekend, I had the honor of going to the Seeds of Compassion event at Qwest Field and seeing the Dalai Lama speak. It was supposed to be something we did for Katie's birthday, but her trip to Mexico turned out to be the same week. I went with a friend instead and that was fine.

The true pleasure was getting to see him speak. It was very surreal. Kind of like watching any sort of famous person speak. He was a very funny, little man and he looked kind of like a little doll. Only in the fact that he was just someone I would like to hug. he also had a very infectious laugh. I think Barbara Walters said that once. Well, it's true.

My favorite thing he said was that we should give our children affection and that would create good people. And now, as I watch my beautiful son wipe everything down with a kleenex (he's dusting) - I know what he was talking about. Our children need love, peace, joy and affection. They gave us unwoven bracelets in the beginning and at the end told us to weave our intentions into them. I wove my intention to raise a kind, compassionate, caring, respectful little boy and to bring a strong, healthy, happy man into this world that will someday make an impact on the world quite similar to the one he's already made on our lives.

marriage

is not easy. Worth it though.

Christmas

I'm sitting in my living room, watching my crazy son play with some CDs. Don't worry, they're his - so he can really do what he wants with them (within reason). I've had a very difficult time getting into this season. I had a friend tell me I was the toffee in the box of assorted chocolates. Not exactly sure what she meant, but I think it has to do with being the last thing left in the box and the one that no one really wants to touch. Looks sweet on the outside, but really quite hard and it gets stuck in your teeth. I'm doing better now though. Getting into the spirit of things. All of my shopping is done and I think it'll be a lot of fun to see Beckett open his presents. We'll also do Christmas Eve service at the church here that we like. We're Christmas & Easter sort of people at church. It seems that every Sunday morning we have better things to do. Like sleep in and read the paper. I hope my family is well this year. Some of them may read this more than they'll actually talk to me. It does bother me to some extent, but it kept my Christmas shopping rather short this year. I haven't talked to my nephew in several months and his birthday is coming up shortly after Christmas. He may read this, so I'll have to be careful how I put this, but his mom turned a bit loony this year. I'm sure he feels completely abandoned, but I wish he'd realize that the rest of his family is still here for him. He's also at that age where I'm sure there are a lot cooler things to do than hang out with your 31-year old aunt, but his cousin would sure love to see him. He always was a very cool kid and I miss him. It's too bad his mother went nuts - I haven't talked to her in goodness knows how long. Then, I have 2 other sisters - 1 I haven't seen or talked to in over 2-years. I've e-mailed, but never gotten a response. I don't know what her deal is. Holding a grudge against me not talking to her I'm sure. Then there's the last one - haven't seen or talked to her in about six months. I love how when it's convenient for everyone else is when they want to see me, but God forbid I don't have time for them.

Then there's my true family. The family you choose. I can't tell you how alone I would feel without them. My beautiful wife, our son, our best friends, my mom, her parents. Christmas is a time to enjoy life and be happy. It truly is one of my favorite holidays. I'm starting to get out of my funk and just in time to give presents!! I love giving gifts. And I think we found some really good ones this year.

Merry Christmas All!!!

fall

watching the Seahawks. Fall is on it's way. The cool, crisp days - football, stew, sweaters and here in Seattle - rain. One of my favorite seasons.

I've been on vacation this past week and I feel like I've actually made a contribution to the household. We've been cleaning the backyard, hanging shelves & pictures, replacing sockets and a think there's a few other things too, but I can't think of them right now.

I also found out that I got a promotion at work. This is great news for me, I'm incredibly excited about it. and Katie gets to be the "boss' wife' again. A role she loves. For today, I will enjoy the rest of my vacation with my family & friends and be ready to work hard tomorrow.