They're doing it...

They said this would happen. And each time they did, I screamed inside, "Shut Up, it's not going to be that way with my kids. Not my kids!"

But it did.

They both are...

...growing up.

Have a look for yourself.

As a man I'm not the proudest I've ever been to tell you this: my wife was given "Mamma Mia" the movie...and the other night we sat down to watch it. Do you still like me?

As the songs of ABBA marched one by one across my TV screen, I tuned most of them out. Except for when Pierce Brosnan (the last James Bond) began to sing and I immediately looked for something sharp to stab my ear drum with. Grotesque, I know. But extreme situation call for ear drum poking.

Then one song caught my ear. It's the one where Meryl Streep is getting her "daughter" ready for her wedding day and is reminiscing of the days gone by. She says one line that sums up my feelings. "Slipping through my fingers all the time".

Slipping through my fingers. My kids, their young years, their priceless smiles, their false attempts at saying "Dadda", their 5 lb diaper changes, their times of laughing when I tickle their side with my beard. It's all slipping through my fingers.

I don't want to sound sappy. So I won't.

But I apologize to everyone who told me that this would happen. I apologize for yelling at you in my mind. Sorry.

First pictures of the New Year

Grandma Tutu came to Salem for a week with the grandkids...and us.
We were so blessed by her. She gave us numerous date nights
away from the kids. The bonnet Sam is wearing has been worn
by five generations before her...and the gown
is the same that Kara wore at her christening.

Bathtime together!

My brother Joey, and my cousin Cristi made a roadtrip to Salem.
We had a blast together all weekend and had to make a trip
to the Cheesecake Factory.

No comment!

Brother & Sister being cute as always.

Caleb hanging out with his friend Jeffrey Matkovich
on the new table and chairs that he got from Grandpa & Grandma Brown.
No, Jeffrey is not stoned!

Look at our big girl prop her head up.

I swear this shot was not set up.
Kara looked over and he was reading a book.
A future circus performer? Hmm...maybe.

I was in the bedroom and heard a muffled
little voice from under the bed.
Apparently his ball had rolled under there.

Savior on Capitol Hill

I've always loved this song, but it's especially on my mind in light of yesterday's inauguration of the 44th "savior".

I’m so tired of these mortal men
with their hands on their wallets and their hearts full of sin
scared of their enemies, scared of their friends
and always running for re-election
so come to DC if it be thy will
because we’ve never had a savior on Capitol Hill

you can always trust the devil or a politician
to be the devil or a politician
but beyond that friends you’d best beware
’cause at the Pentagon bar they’re an inseparable pair
and as long as the lobbyists are paying their bills
we’ll never have a savior on Capitol Hill

[Bridge]
all of our problems gonna disappear
when we can whisper right in that President’s ear
he could walk right across the reflection pool
in his combat boots and ten thousand dollar suit

you can render unto Caesar everything that’s his
you can trust in his power to come to your defense
it’s the way of the world, the way of the gun
it’s the trading of an evil for a lesser one
so don’t hold your breath or your vote until
you think you’ve finally found a savior up on Capitol Hill

The worst gift you ever received...

Click here to see my vote.

Funniest thing said on my birthday...

There were a lot of entries for this award.

But only one stood out.

The winner is...

"I have clothes that are older than you."
said by Ed (co-worker at church), who probably wasn't kidding.

30 is the new 20

My birthday was January 2nd. My father always told me that I was not born on the 1st because I waited for him to watch the bowl games (which used to be on New Years Day) and then chose to come out. Your welcome, Pops.

This was a special one. It was my 30th. And my wife decided to sneak into my office before I showed up to decorate a little. I'll let the pictures say it all.







I love my wife.

She makes me smile.