April 23rd -- Poor Meshach. His ear has been repaired, but it will never stand up again. They had to shave half of his head so he does look a bit odd. I think he'll be cute once his hair grows back, but it's hard to see him like this.
Yesterday was busy, as usual. I had an engagement session with a great couple, Rebekah and Jared. We went to the capitol and Barton Springs. It was a lot of fun hanging out with them. Their wedding is in August.
Beth and I went to Walmart yesterday to get a few items (and a couple of ice cream cones...each). Grandmommy watched sweet Lauren while we were gone. I think everyone had a good time.
April 17th -- Disaster. We had our semi-annual presentations today...almost. Technology is a wonderful thing when it works. When it doesn't, well, it gets ugly. To make a long story short, we tried to use Microsoft NetMeeting to host our online presentations. It worked pretty well last year, but at some point during the last year all of our corporate sponsors upgraded their firewalls. No one could see our presentations. We had 30 or so sponsors all trying in vain to view our presentations. This will never be advocated as a way to increase your sponsorship...We have rescheduled for Wednesday.
I posted some photos from Easter in the photo section. Lauren went for her 4-week checkup. She now weighs 10lb 4oz. The doctor said she was in the 90th percentile on length, 75th on weight, and 25th on head circumference. So, keeping with our thoughts that she's a supermodel, she's tall and thin. Oh, the doctor also said her eyes are going to be blue. I'm not 100% sold that they won't turn colors, but it would certainly be interesting if they stay blue. Beth's grandmother on her mother's side has blue eyes, her grandfather on her father's side had blue eyes, and my dad has blue eyes. So, I guess there's a recessive gene in there on both sides.
I talked to Clay today. It's good to have a friend like him. I was always told that you made your lifelong friends in college. With the exception of Mike Sherland, none of my "lifelong" friends are from school. Clay and I have been friends since we played little league baseball together in 7th grade (we were two of the youngest people in our class). We played football together on a state championship team in high school. Time has taken us apart and brought us closer together, but we've never lost touch. You don't get to pick your family, but if I could, he'd be my brother.
April 16th -- Easter. Lauren's first easter was a lot of fun. We woke up around 5am this morning. Lauren actually slept from 11pm until 5am, so we got 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep. That is truly a blessing. Anyway, we got up and Beth fed Lauren before we headed out to Driftwood for a sunrise service at the Driftwood United Methodist Church (they were holding a joint service with the Baptist Church of Driftwood). It was really cool to get to go to the service because the last time we were in that building, Beth and I kissed and said, "I do." Needless to say, there were a lot of emotions running through my head as I sat there and listened to the message this morning. There was some good old Gospel singing of the old hymns and Reverend Clark brought the Easter message.
After church, we headed to Mary and George's for breakfast--biscuits, bacon, eggs, and sausage. We watched "The Greatest Game" and Beth took a little nap. For lunch, we had Thanksgiving dinner. It was great. We topped it off with some homemade vanilla icecream. Going to Driftwood is really nice because it forces me not to work on the computer and it forces Beth not to do housework. Forced relaxation. It's a good thing.
April 14th -- Tax day is tomorrow, or I guess I should say Monday. We sent ours off today to relatively little fanfare :) Lauren got her first Easter card from Grandma and Grandpa in the mail today. It was really sweet (thanks, mom). Our insurance agent came by today and got Beth and I set up with life insurance. There's just something strange talking about life insurance.
Meshach has more issues than any dog should ever have - he doesn't deserve to have to deal with this stuff. We noticed that his ear was beginning to swell around the tip on Wednesday. It kept getting larger until I felt we had to take him to the vet. The only place open was the emergency hospital for animals on Lamar. I waited for about an hour before I was able to see a nurse. After she left, it was about another 30 minutes before the vet came in to see Meshach. She said that it was an aural hematoma and that he would need surgery to correct it. I asked for an estimate which was...$767. I love Meshach to death, but I just can't drop that kind of change on a dog's ear (the prognosis for recovery is good without any surgery, but there would be disfigurement of his ear). Well, needless to say, I was in a rather foul mood when I left the hospital. I talked to his regular vet today and he said that he could perform the surgery for $350. Now that's still expensive, but I think I can swing that. I just hate for him to be uncomfortable. He is scheduled for surgery on Tuesday.
Speaking of surgery, I'm scheduled to get my wisdom teeth taken out on May 4th. I've never been "under," and I am starting to get a little nervous about it. On top of that, I've got a woman who is wanting me to shoot a wedding that weekend. So, I'm a bit up in the air about my schedule right now, but it sure is frustrating when people don't confirm/commit to things like they should.
Beth and I are going to have a "date" night tonight. We're heading to Z Tejas in the Arboretum. Mary is watching Lauren this evening, so this is a real date! I'm sure we'll be home and in our robes by 8:00. :)
April 11th -- I SHOULD be getting my taxes ready to send off. We're actually getting a small refund this year thanks to posting a loss on the photography gig. I don't know whether to be happy or sad regarding said state of the business. :) Every time I sit down and begin writing on this blog, I have this notion that I should be a little more grand, a little more verbose. So, with that in mind, I bring you this random tidbit...
Amidst the cacophony of horns, sirens, and road pavers, my family was still able to take an idyllic stroll yesterday after I arrived home from work. As I walked along I could not help but have this euphoric feeling of happiness. Knowing that you are in the place you are supposed to be -- emotionally -- is very reassuring. Looking over at my wife holding our child is such an awesome feeling -- awesome as in awe inspiring. Knowing that I am solely responsible for their physical, social, and spiritual well-being of two other people seems rather daunting, but I'm confident that God is preparing me each day to be the husband and father that only He can make me.
We walked to the park and spent some quality time with an aging four-legged friend. It's hard to watch Meshach get older. He's lost a couple of steps from the puppy that used to follow me around on all of my adventures (mountain biking, hiking, etc.). Now that I think about it, I've probably lost a step or two myself. The circle of life continues and I am finding myself on top of the circle right now. I wish that things could stay like they are now--with most of the friends and family we love still here. But time, that precious commodity, is slipping away even as I type. I am thankful that we will all meet again someday, but it's hard to see those that you love get older. Having children has made me think about these things. I've gone and become a parent and, in the process, made my parents grandparents. As long as I was single, it was like time was standing still. In retrospect, I think that I was just trying to put the inevitable on hold. You can cheat on your taxes or on a test, but you can't cheat on time. In light of all these things, I'm still happy. I can't even begin to describe how blessed I am.
That took entirely too much work ... oh well. That was tiring. I think I'll wait until tomorrow to be super brilliant.
April 9th -- Angie Whitford stopped by this morning after church to see Lauren. It was great getting to see her. Andy is supposed to be home from Iraq for vacation in June. We're praying for you, Andy!!!
After church, I went to Sears and bought a new lawnmower because ours quit last week. Our yard was beginning to look like a jungle. I nearly cut off my finger today when I was pulling it out of the box. I lifted it from the mowing deck like a dummy. The blad swung around and pinned my finger between it and the deck. I couldn't get it out without taking the mower out of the box and setting it on the ground. I was then able to use my left hand to free my right index finger. OUCH! Fortunately, I didn't cut any tendons or ligaments and I suppose that I'll live.
Mary and George came by to see Lauren. Mommy is out mowing right now and I'm uploading some photos for a photo album.
April 8th -- I had a photo shoot yesterday evening (bridal), one this morning, and one tomorrow morning. I guess you could say that business is picking up. I really enjoyed getting to know Rebekah, Sarah, and Lee better this weekend.
Lauren's pediatrician advised us not to take Lauren to places where people congregate (e.g. church, the mall, etc.) so we've not been to church since the week before Lauren was born. It feels like forever. I'm really ready to go back. She is scheduled for shots in about a month.
April 4, 2006 -- Finally...I know, it's been a week and a half. A lot has happened during the last 10 days. Most notably, Lauren is 3 weeks old. She weighed 8lb at her two week visit, so I can only imagine how much she weighs now.
Meshach went to the vet on Saturday (poor puppy!) and we learned he is fat. He tipped the scales at 100lbs. So he's on a diet now.
Hmmm...let's see. We've had so many wonderful friends bring dinner to us...Alma (wow, what awesome Mexican food!!!), Cheryl, The Mears, The Johns, The de Konings, The Browns, The Hooks, The Martins, The Clarks and I know I'm leaving off at least one or two families...let me know if I've overlooked anyone. We're looking forward to seeing our good friends, the Pelczars this evening. Neither Beth nor I thought we would need any help with food, but that has been our saving grace this last month. I don't think we would have made it without it.
Lauren modeling at the park. 
