Soaking Up The Now

His little hands grasped my cheeks as he pulled me closer. "Thank you Daddy! You are the best Daddy in the whole wide world." His lips puckered up signaling it was time for a smooch and I gave him one. With his eyes sparkling and a smile that simply melts my heart every time he uses it, he gave me one of his Super Man hugs, jumped down and he was off in a flash. That was Josh's way of saying thank you for a weekend of birthday fun that was more thanks to his Mom than me (she made the amazing cake pictured).

Josh turn five this past Friday. My little man is growing up too fast. It seems like just yesterday I was trying to get my head around having another child and wondering if it would be possible to love another as much as I loved Zachary. Of course what I found is the heart has an amazing ability to grow big enough to accommodate any amount of love you wish to store in it. So making room for him in there wasn't a problem!

Man where have five years gone? I find myself watching both boys with such wonder and amazement me these days. I look at them and wonder how Kathy and I ever managed to create such incredible creatures. I thank God every day (well I sometimes forget but I have a standing order in with the big guy so He knows) for bringing these boys into my life. They are my greatest teachers as well as my biggest fans and I know that with them, I am the luckiest man in the world. And I am grateful for that.

We spent this past weekend celebrating Josh's birthday in what seemed like a drawn out party that lasted for three days. I found myself enjoying the time with the family more than I ever have as we ate out, went bowling (twice!), played some video games, went biking and just hung out. It was a perfect weekend and one that words can't adequately express but was no doubt chalked full of great memories. Especially the one that I mentioned at the beginning of this post.

Those little hands won't always be little forever. That adoring smile won't always be pointed at me. The Super Hero cape and status that I wear in the little guy's eyes won't always be as cool as it is today. And of course those precious little hugs and belly laughs won't always be there....

But I don't live for the always - I live for the now.

And for now, I want to soak it all up while I can.

Ripple On!!!

The Kathy Love-Hate Birthday Dilemma

Today my adorable wife Kathy turns 37 years old! So Happy Birthday Kath!!!

But I have to say, I both love and hate this time of year and let me tell you why.

Love it because for a little less than a month, I am a year younger than Kathy. Which I know secretly annoys her but thrills me. I turn 37 on January 14th so my rein of youngness doesn't last all that long. Gotta live it up while I can! Now if I could only find my sash that I can proudly wear for the next few weeks that says..."Look Everyone I Am Young Compared To Her!"

Hate it because as you can see by the calendar her birthday is a full six days before Christmas. That means double shopping and triple the pressure for me. You see I absolutely despise shopping and I am no good at it. I am quite certain she gets that exact same look my parents used to get when I gave them some useless piece of crap that they didn't need, nor want. You know the look....that smile that says oh great how nice but they are secretly thinking what in the hell were you thinking?

Love this time of year because....did I mention I am younger than my wife. Hee Hee. Today she's on the down slide towards forty and I am a technically by the letter of the birthday law a good four years away. Can you see me in your mind's eye doing my happy dance? Well buddy I'm dancing and trying hard to ignore that I too will be joining her on that slide in just a few short weeks.

Hate it because no matter what I do, I can't make her day nearly as special as she makes my birthday. Seriously she is like the Martha Stewart of birthdays when it comes to me and it just plain puts me to shame.

Love it because it is one of those days that both boys try, and let me emphasize try, to be good. My son Josh said to me last night as we wrapped her presents, "Daddy we will try not to punch each other too much since it's Mom's birthday okay?" Spoken like a true four and half year old that wakes up prepared for battle each day with his older brother. Could we be looking at a Harper truce? I wouldn't hold my breath!

Hate it because no matter how you slice it, another year has come and gone and when you get to be our age...they seem to go a lot faster.

Love it because for Kathy it means a brand new year ahead. With all the improvements she is striving to make I suspect that her 37th year on this planet is bound to be her best yet!

Hate it because it means that no matter what I do, a day simply isn't enough time to thank Kathy for all that she does for me and the boys.

Anyway thank you for indulging me in my Kathy love-hate birthday dilemma.

I know she is going to kill me when she reads this but what the heck. If she literally kills me I won't have to worry about joining her on that slide to forty which...did I mention, she is now on!

Happy Birthday Babe!

Ripple On!!!


Steve