Picture post!

Generation Nostalgia

It's been kinda cool to see my boys grow up with some of the things I did...and it's interesting how some styles change. Apparently when I was a baby, it was common to wear a "cap". Cap looks suspiciously similar to a bonnet...

I love this picture because it catches a little bit of my son's indifference to the physics that challenge him. Doesn't matter the size of the hoop or the ball, he still shoots. I'm praying this translates into a spirit that never quits. That avoids negative voices and rises above. That still tries after years of fails. A spirit that inspires other people. He's already inspired ol' Dad...

Above & Beyond: Southwest Airlines

Whats the Point?

In January we flew down to Florida and using Southwest was awesome!! They were extremely flexible when it came to traveling with a toddler and 5 mo pregnant wife. Finding room on a plane for all the necessities (stoller, diaper bag, extra clothes bag, toy bag, blacket bag, etc.) that first-time flying parents bring along i'm sure is a job in itself. They let Maria board early and be the first off the plane. I'm usually the guy that just goes with the cheapest airline with the least amount of stops but from now on Southwest gets my first look. You can read about our flight down here, they also did great helping us cope with what we'd call "A Parent's Flying Nightmare"....but we're not gonna talk too much about that since we're still trying to forget it.

Southwest it is, when possible!

Above & Beyond

The Point: We've starting our own "personal review" of places, services, people, businesses, etc. that have really delivered a WOW factor!

For several reasons:
1. We believe positive energy/reviews are always better than a scathing/whiny rant about crummy treatment.
2. It will be easier, and less often to blog about the awesome experiences received since unfortunately it feels more rare.
3. It'll help us remember anytime we want a repeat...
4. There's definitely a difference between meeting the expectations and going Above & Beyond

Excited to share discoveries!

Disclaimer: These posts will contain only our good experiences, even though we understand many situations are different...these our strictly ours, plus the point is to elevate positively our experience, and hope for the same level in the future.

For the Locals: Spring Fling '15

Hey all locals,
I've attached a flyer for the upcoming Spring Fling this Saturday, May 16th. The Spring Fling supports local organizations Christian Community Health Care, A Hope Center, and Harlan Christian Community Youth Center...Maria used to be the Clinic Coordinator at CCHC. It's at the old Harlan Elementary School.

It's gonna be good food and even better, the proceeds go to organizations that I've seen work within our community. Daily they're making REAL changes for local people. They're also taking donated items for the auction...if you're interested in supporting that way, email us.

Hope to see ya there!

Fixing Fences

For several reasons:

- Max needing Mom so much

- Jones technically "too heavy" for mom to lift for a couple weeks

- emotional change of a younger brother

- warmer weather

...Jones has become a Daddy's boy of late. He's been a little needy, sometimes all he wants is held. It's hard to accommodate him all the time but it has been nice to spend so much time with someone that just wants to hang out with me.

The other day it was nice out so we fixed the fence. It went pretty much as expected:

Dad fixed the fence.

Jones handed Dad the screws for fixing.

Jones dumps roughly 86 screws all over the ground.

Dad laughs his head off.

Kids are funny and I'll take the hangout time while he still thinks Dad is cool.

Jeremy

Stop and Smell the Shadows

It's amazing to me how I'm almost 30 and it always feels like I don't know how I got where I am. I have to think really hard about the past week, month, year, and decade just to remember pivotal, and trivial, times of life that I've been through.

I'm a "man of the moment", I love living fully in whatever I'm doing at the time. At times I'm so consumed by my immediate moments, I don't plan for the next. Ask my sometimes annoyed wife, she'll tell ya. 

Maybe I should clarify. Being a man of the moment is what I love and when I feel really alive. I can still get there but it's much harder now with my lifestyle/environment seemingly pushing me towards routine, robotic living.

Sleep. Eat. Work. Eat. Change Diapers.....Repeat.

Which leads me to the whole point of this blog, I've found what rips me out of this robotic routine. What re-focuses a distracted brain from the repetitive nature of life and points me towards "The Moments" that make life special.

Kids. My kids. Other people's kids. Kids with developing minds. Kids that stop and live in The Moment because they don't have a choice, they are entranced by what they've discovered. Kids that are searching for another Moment, pivotal or trivial they don't care. It's still new and still amazing.  

I got to see my son discover his shadow the other day, and it was amazing to me. Again, he reminded old Dad: 

Slow Down. Live in Moments. Discover New Ones.

Jeremy