Hello, fellow bloggers. Once again a longer period of time has gone by since the last post, and again, I hope to update more often. Kim actually has re-sparked my interest in this particular outlet for one-way conversation (before comments, that is).

Cari is still a great mom; nothing has changed there. She's making more efforts in doing things with her friends, especially other moms. I used to feel so bad for her because it was difficult to go out with Eli as a newborn babe. Now, with our son growing up so quickly, she's able to connect with other moms and friends from her past.

Eli has bore one tooth so far, but its progress is grass-growing slow. Actually, here in Florida grass can grow quite quickly, so maybe Eli's tooth is growing slower? Yes. He's keeping everyone busy by pulling up on chairs, stools, couches, or someone's leg, all while doing what we all do and heading sky-bound. I sometimes can't remember my life before Eli; the times I can are unsettling and I'd rather not recall many of those memories. Though, on that note, I do miss times staring at Cari and not wishing to remember times before her. Can we just forget our pasts? Are the pasts of people certainly the backdrops for something monumental? Do all my wicked and dark nights merely fall away to the saintlier and light-filled days?

These strange thoughts aside, Eli has brought us unimaginable joy. I find myself misty-eyed when my mind hovers over his face or the simple things he brings to my life. I know I wouldn't be the man I am without his very being. I know I'm not much of a man-who is, really? If one is chosen to be "much of a man" by others, I wish I could be as they are: memorable and inspirational. That to say, the man I have become is odd and confusing, and yet, I'm at peace with most of the choices I've made. For the baby boy who has captured my heart with net and trident, I wish I could give him more. I also wish I could give my wife a house with a yard to which we'll hire workers to keep it short and green. I wish I could set out a cooler with ice-cold drinks for those workers, paying each person for the labor they've done for me, having friendships with each of them. I wish Cari could wave hello to them and tell Eli to say hello; he'll of course do as mommy tells him, with sincerity in his heart because he knows the Lord's kindness. I wish we could walk to a lake and cast a line or two, fishing from a clean, sandy beach. From here my wishes become more and more selfish; instead, they should be prayers of a hopeful future for the family I've taken on.

Now Eli is coming after me and the laptop; oh no!

For me, school has been incredible. It's been difficult and hard to chew, and at the same time, it's been worth it. Or has it? The time I spent reading and writing and reading some more could have been used with my two loves...three loves. I gave up reading the Word all summer and I've paid a high price. My faith has stayed the course but my interests have strayed. Instead of God being my best Friend and the warmth in my bones, I've sacrificed Him again and again for papers graded with an A. What lengths we men go to as we run from our God to find something that doesn't exist. We're searching in vain for everything we don't need and forgetting the very Person we couldn't live without.

All these regrets and queer remarks have climaxed into a much-needed release of daily hints that I need Jesus the Christ, Savior of the World, now, Now, NOW. Do you remember the day you felt this way? If not, oh, I wish you could.

What's New

I haven't written on here in awhile, so I thought I would tell how our family is doing these days.

So far Cari and I have grown a lot more in the past month. I don't know what hit us, but we decided to make more time and give more attention to our relationship. Maybe it's now with Eli sleeping through the night that we find most convenient to spend together. Even if we don't get into deep conversations or play games, just being around my wife makes me content. I would love to go through a book with her, so maybe that can happen once school slows down.

Eli has been growing like a weed-a fat weed. He's right at 21 pounds, 6.5 months old. Right now he's crying because he doesn't wish to nap, but we've found that if we don't rush to him every time he cries, it actually does him good.

School for me has been strenuous to say the least. I'm exhausted all of the time, but I'm learning how to be patient.

That's about all I have to mention now. Hopefully there will be a more extiting post later.

We're So Happy For You!

Like the title hints, we're so happy for you, Godins! I think, if there were a medal for people happiest for another baby in your family, we'd get the gold. We love you and your family! We also pray God blesses every second of your family through this emotional time of joy.

Swing Thoughts

Oh, how parenthood is difficult! Ha ha, what a way to begin an entry. I figure other parents can empathize, even if they don't comment out loud. Isn't it funny how our sons and daughters know when we really need to do something, yet they want our attention right then and there? I was typing up my resume for a possible new job (thanks for the opportunity, Jeremy), and Eli decided his morning nap would only last as long as it took Cari to lie down for her nap. So here I am wondering how to invent more arms (like Doc Octopus, eh?) so I can type, keep Eli occupied, and gently pull my hair out at the same time. Finally, as always when I seek His wisdom and time, God took my hands out of my hair and led me upstairs to take my son outside for some fresh air. There on the swing, I noticed how green the grass was and how black the soil appeared. I then began contemplating if anyone can ever think of enough questions about God. From that mindset (Eli was sucking his thumb as his REMs [rapid-eye movement] slowly rose), I wondered if God ever gets bored.

Let me pause here and somewhat help the reader understand my ramblings. When I hold Eli, my thoughts turn to God even more than when I'm alone or talking with Cari. I think it's because I'm still stunned that an ex-mess-up like me could have had a part in making a child like him. When I kiss his soft hair or stare into his grey-blue eyes, I don't just indulge in his existence, I fall in love with his character.

From that slight pause, I'll finish up so you can get back to checking your mail or the many other things you do online. Wondering if God gets bored, I tried laying out the query in front of me in the grass. On one side, being bored is something that human beings hold as a point of view. We're created in His image, not only (or merely) physically, but more or less with morals and character traits. We hold dear many of the things God holds dear. On the other side of the coin, being bored is mostly a negative trait. It shows impatience with a set stance on something. Well, God doesn't own negative qualities, so is that a slam-shut case that God doesn't get bored? Maybe.

Looking at God's character even further, we have as an example that Christ rebuked His disciples (Peter on numerous occasions), and even asked them rhetorically how long He had to put up with their misunderstandings of His kingdom. This, though, is not a case for Christ's being bored or impatient, but, I think, a frustration that it took these men so long to grasp His mission and revelation. I mention this story to hold fast to God's enduring patience.

Before Eli started stirring, I came to the conclusion that God could not become bored because that would limit His attention, His patience with creation or within the Godhead, and that would be extremely against His character. It's amazing how the Spirit reveals these thoughts to us in moments of peace and understanding. I need to remember these qualities when I'm doing something "more important" than being with my son. I say this soberly: there isn't a thing in this world (other than my wife) that is more important than he.

Our New Van!

Hello, all, we bought a new van. What kind, you ask? The 2007 Hyundai Entourage, I answer! After nearly being duped by Universal Hyundai, my father-in-law called around and found a better deal than the first up in Sanford. Hurrying up there, after much time negotiating and putting our feet down in protest, we got a price that fit our desire.

Who says babies can't drive cars? Well, okay, they can't drive cars, but what about vans?!

Eli Eats and Swims

Eli has grown up so quickly! Cari and I got to feed him organic sweet peas the other night. At first he didn't seem to like it the way he ate the rice cereal. He finally swallowed the horrible-I mean, delicious dinner and hasn't seemed to mind it as badly since then.

Today, with the thermometer boiling at ninety, we felt it was time for our chubby monkey to go into the pool. Thankfully the Blairs have a swimming hole that's warmer than most others, and it appeared to be just right for Eli. He never really made any reactions that gave us an inside understanding on how he felt, but at least he didn't hate it. Towards the end of the fun, I noticed Eli was floating all by himself. I guess his belly will never let him down, literally.

Men of God

Before I write on the main subject, let me first thank God for my wife. Usually I'm thanking Him for her for the love and respect she gives me daily; the lunch she made me at 11 p.m.; the errands she runs for our family; or even the way she helps Eli in learning new things. Tonight, I'm thankful for the time she allows me to get closer to God through the men at our church. Even after being with Eli from early this morning till I got home around four, she kept taking care of our son while I was home and out the door going to a friend's house. I love my wife, but not just for these reasons. I love her because she's the exact person I'm supposed to be with, and because she is my much better half. She knows my thoughts as I'm conjuring them up, and when I fall apart and fall down, she uses the strength Christ allows her to pick me back up, dust me off, and comfort me. So, thank you, Carissa, for being so perfect as my wife and as Eli's mother.

All that to say, as Cari was changing a diaper, I left and went to Mike's place with Jeff. When we got there, Mike informed us that his radiator was slightly cracked; then I informed him that I didn't know what that meant, lol. I'm not much for the mechanics of vehicles. Mark showed up later and we all talked, discussed the things of God and politics, and watched an episode of "The Office." That show is terribly funny!

I think tonight I realized even fuller that our local church doesn't have to be perfect. We Christians should strive for perfection in Christ, but it takes time. Not every one is going to know theology to the level I wish they did. Not every man is going to lead their family the way the Bible promotes they should. We're not all scholars or teachers. We're not all good with children or groups of people. I wish I could say I was as patient as Jeff or as loving as Mike. I wish I had the fire to learn like Mark or the leadership like Jay. I, though, am not these men. I am a person who is not usually patient, but I strive to be. I don't like too much fun, but just enough. I could talk about God every second of every day and never burn out, but others around me might not want to. I have to realize that the body of Christ, our church, is full of different people with different gifts and different desires. I need humility like rain needs water: rain is water, so I should be the very essence of humility.

I thank our Lord for bringing these men and their families to my family's life. I am thankful that we've been placed in theirs, as well. I pray I'll never have to leave my friends, but the thing I look forward to is what I set my faith on: for eternity I'll know them, my brothers, and forever we'll praise God's name together.