A year in the life...Talea's 1st Bornday!!

Well, it's been a year since the birth of Talea, my daughter and first child.  She still lives! And with no major damage! My wife and I must be doing something right. Now we just have to keep doing it for, oh, I don't know, FOREVER! :-)  I love that kid so much! She is the happiest person I have ever had the pleasure of spending time with and my only goal in life is to make sure she stays that way. She really has her own personality already and it's just the greatest joy just to watch her BE. For sure there have been little mishaps here and there but nothing permanently damaging or detrimental to her health. She loves to learn, and given who her parents are, that is a very good thing. She loves to read books, but that should also be a given. Walking was her main thing for a while but now she's moved onto talking. She is really, really, really trying to get all the words in her head out now. And also trying to get her hands to work the signs correctly, though we usually figure out what she's trying to tell us. Eventually! She is really good at getting her point across and getting her way. :-)

Here's some pics from her wonderful Bornday!

Decorations courtesy of Mommy and Daddy power

Best cake EVAR!

What?! I got a phone!

Watch me make this ball disappear.

You see my bowl is empty, right?

What you mean no more cake and ice cream?!

Daddy!

Uncle David!

YAY!

What?!!!!!!

*Discreetly reaching for that last piece*

Told you, that last piece is mine, yo!

Let's get the last of it before Daddy comes back.

The party is not over!

 There is so much going on right now in our lives but this here is just for the Bornday girl! SO,

HAPPY BORNDAY TALEA!!!!!! 

I am eagerly looking forward to so many more! Daddy loves you!

Interesting Encounter - Goodness is alive in the world still

Had to go to a certain office today to look into a certain situation. While we, meaning my wife and daughter and I, were getting ready to leave a seemingly homeless man approached us. His hair was  wildly unkempt, he stooped, and he had that certain scent that wafts from those who usually don't have a place to call home and wash. His only purpose was to tell us what a lovely family we were and that god would bless us, watch over us, and solve all of our problems. Now, me being who I am, I was on guard while listening to him. Some random dude, who also seems to have a slight or more than slight mental condition, just walks up on me with my family can be quick to get dealt with. But I like to think that I am a quick assessor of a given situation, and I know that my wife is, and besides, I saw him approach and didn't see/feel a threat. But I stay ready. Always. Anyway, he went on to explain that he watched us as we got our daughter ready to leave and he was moved by the care and love in which we handled her and dealt with each other. When he finished we thanked him, and because we were still getting her ready he decided to recite a poem for us. I wish I had an eidetic memory because I'd write it here for you to read because it was very nice. I don't know if it was something he had rattling around in his head for a while or something he freestyled on the spot but I was moved, as was my wife. We thanked him again and as we were leaving a lady sitting in the room called out to us. She also told us that we were a very nice family. We thanked her as well and left. I was very amused that the lady said something because I realized as soon as she spoke that she only said something because the man did.       Most people would have either walked away from and/or ignored the man just because of his appearance alone. I'm glad that my wife and I are made of better stuff. This man saw something he thought was beautiful and far too scarce in this world and decided to speak on it. He felt moved to. Far too many people are afraid to speak. I am proud that my wife, my daughter, and I exude enough love for someone, anyone to notice and speak. This is not the first time we have been approached in this manner but it is definitely a standout moment for me. I am truly humbled and feel extremely fortunate to have such wonderful people love me so much that it radiates to others. Days like today make me feel less saddened about the world my daughter was born into.