Good Stuff

I love this footage of Drew Brees with his son . . .

Typing Papers

I have a new way of typing papers now . . .

The Big FOUR-OHHHHH!

Last week I turned 40! [Gasp!] And, Jean surprised me with the gift of Sherpa! A great gift indeed! I was sitting between classes and working on my computer. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a body coming at me. Then it bear-hugged me from the side. I heard a whisper––"Happy birthday my brother!" I kept asking who it was because for the life of me I couldn't figure it out. It was Johnny! I couldn't believe he was standing here, next to me. With a big tear running down his face. Oh, what a great gift.

He was here for 5 quick days. I enjoyed showing him the sites of things like Pike's Place Market and Seattle's underground, to Deception Pass, and taking him to eat alligator.

He was a great refreshment to my heart because the last several weeks have been a time in which I have been missing dear friendships. He is a man who I can just be myself around and he loves me in that and for that. Ahhhhh. What a great birthday.

Two Angles of Sleep

Same night, two different angles of two very sleepy and lovable guys.

Coming Home

Last night I walked in the door after class and saw this . . .































Which, was pretty surprising in and of it self because I didn't know Moose knew how to lay anywhere else than on someone's lap.

And, who wouldn't love this face?





















I also came across this boy with funny teeth in his mouth. . .

First Basket

On Saturday Sam scored his first basket. You'll hear Alina on the video saying that all the cheering hurt her ears, but we were SO excited for Sam! I love how Sam runs up the floor afterward, sets his sight on his man for defense, then looks over at us and gives a big smile!

Stafford and Moose

We headed to Petsmart yesterday afternoon for a new fish to replace Geoffrey. But, we got sidetracked, as we always do when we go to Petsmart, by the kitties that are for adoption there by the Arlington, WA humane society. And, while we were looking at the kitties, I fell in love with a big cat by the name of Moose. Mind you, I am really not a cat person. Maybe it is because my first cat, Barber Shop, ran away after we moved when I was 5 (that will need to be talked about in therapy!).

Most cats had their weight listed (i.e., "Sting," 9 lbs., 14 oz.). Moose's size was simply listed as "Large." But, we weren't able to pet him until the volunteer came to the store to exercise the cats. So, while we waited, Sam picked out his new fish––"Stafford." Stafford is named after Matthew Stafford, the quarterback of the Detroit Lions. Stafford is a stunningly beautiful blue fish. And, fortunately, seems a bit livelier than Geoffrey did when we bought him.

And then, finally, the volunteer arrived. We got to spend time with Moose. Well, mostly I did. He was a big guy, and a lap cat––which is perhaps why he is such a big guy. We decided that we would adopt him. The kids and Jean would take a kitty anytime, but Moose stole my heart. We had to come back to Petsmart between 6 and 8pm to fill out the adoption paperwork. We did, and brought the Big Fella home.

He was a bit restless in the night. He'd sleep on my tiny wife for a while, then go visit Sam's room, then Alina's. Then, Repeat. A little after 4am he didn't return. When we got up this morning Jean and I searched all over for him. We didn't see him in either of the kids' room. We searched and searched the house. Then, we went back in Alina's room. Silhoetted in the night light was Moose's head on Alina's bed. The rest of his big body was under Alina's kitty blanket. She had covered him up in the night when he got on her bed.

He loves being in our home. He loves being loved on by Jean and the kids. And by me. Today, during nap time he slept on my stomach for over two hours. He'd probably still be there if I was still napping. He loves Jean's lap, and has become her new "laptop."

Goodbye Geoffrey

Last night we said goodbye to Geoffrey. Geoffrey was Sam's fish. His first pet. He cried when we knew it looked as if Geoffrey was dying. Yesterday Geoffrey died.

Last night we held a small service for Geoffrey and we each dressed up. Sam wrote the eulogy and read it during the service. And, then Sam prayed. He did a great job.

For Sam, it was about his fish. For me, not as much. For me it was about letting Sam grieve, and being there with him in his grief. To be his dad, to hold him while he cried, and let him know it was perfectly okay to be sad as he wept.

Today, we plan to get another fish. Not to replace Geoffrey in Sam's heart, but to help take a bit of the sting away.