God bless my mom

The kids are back home. My mom took them all after the party on Saturday. That's right, you did not misread that. My mom took all the kids home, to Austin, after the party. We were home alone Saturday - Tuesday morning. My mom is a saint.

Steph and I went to Nobu on Saturday night. I got sick so Sunday we just vegged out. Enjoyed the silence. Monday I worked and Steph ran lots of errands and treated herself to a pedi. We did lawn work last night.

This morning, Steph and my mom met in West and did the hand-off.

Thank you, mom. It was the best thing you could have given us. :)

Perfect Celebration

So much has happened in the last few weeks but I haven't had the energy to sit down and devote good time to writing. It's been hard. That's really been the underlying theme of this year so far - hard. Steph and her family still struggle hourly with the passing of Bob. Soon enough, those hours will turn into days, but right now, it's still too fresh.

We split up last weekend - Steph took the boys to be with her family in The Woodlands and I took Gracie to Austin for Michelle's last dance contest of the year. It was a bittersweet time. It was a wonderful time with Gracie (we went to the carnival and ate pizza and sang Disney songs together and I savored every moment of daddy/daughter weekend), but we were not all together as a family. And being together as a family, we have been reminded constantly this year, is the foundation where everyone can rest. When you need support, when you need love, when you need joy, when you need rejuvination - family is it.

We had our closest friends and family over this weekend for the boys' 1st birthday. We wanted to honor all of those who have played an instrumental role in our lives over the last year. It was the perfect celebration.

Mas videosos

Just another afternoon with momma....isn't she great?

Tribute to the Oscars - our best pictures II

The kid here....brilliant.

Tribute to the Oscars - our best pictures

Here, I think the filmmakers did a good job capturing the essence of siblinghood. This scene is filled with moments of ambivalence, comoraderie, protection, and playfullness. All representing, through a realistic lense, what it really means to be a big sister and little brother.

Gracie's directing debut

Gracie's first home video as director...

Gracie's second home video as director...

Videos

Gracie sings for you. (She is so much like I envision Steph at this age it's crazy.)


Momma talks about the difference between the boys. Enjoy!

Blessings

To say that our kids are the JOY of our lives would be an understatement. We marvel at them on a daily basis. We just have to pinch ourselves. Thank you, Lord, for blessing us with them. We ask for their continued growth, strength and safety.

I don't even know where to begin

As suspected, the new year has been a challenge, moreso than I think we both expected. We've had an event-filled January that was darkened by the passing of Steph's dad. Although we knew he wasn't in great health, I don't think anyone expected this would happen so suddenly. He fell outside of his house on 1/2 and was immediately taken to the hospital where he bravely fought a broken leg and failed systems. In the end, it was too much for his body to handle and on 1/18 at 8:20, he took his last breath in front of his family. The passing of a parent is incredibly painful and difficult and something that only time can help soften. Stephanie and her family are doing as well as can be expected. We gathered for a celebration for him last Saturday. It was appropriate and a helpful step in the healing process, but obviously very sad.

I can't say enough about him. I've always looked up to him and feel a deep hole in my heart with his passing. In the coming posts, I hope to be able to articulate his impressions on me.

Everything else pales in comparison to this, but I would be remiss in not mentioning the other events, especially since it's been so long since my last post.

We witnessed history on 1/20 when Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States. I was at home, sick with the stomach bug that we all passed around to each other, trying to get to Houston to be with Stephanie. My mom and I watched the inaguration in our living room while Stephanie listened to it in Houston getting the Acura washed.

Two years ago at this same time my Mema passed away. We were sick with a bad stomach bug and ended up passing it around to various members of our family who were at the funeral.

Last year at this time, Stephanie was admitted into the hospital where she would stay on strict bed-rest for 5 weeks.

This year followed suit with handing us extremely difficult challenges. The last two years have given us many blessings and renewed strength. We only hope that this year is the same.

The kids are amazing. I'll post some sort of multimedia record of them next time.

Not the greatest update

Steph's dad is not doing well at all. She's in Houston right now with her family. Please keep Mr. Woodyard and the family in your thoughts and prayers. It is going to be a difficult time ahead.

Meanwhile, back in Dallas, Max got a stomach bug Thursday night. I got it Saturday afternoon. Nick got it Saturday night. Now, Gracie has it. I haven't talked to Steph since this morning, so I don't know if she's got it. My mom came into town last night, so I expect she'll get it tomorrow. My dad was also exposed, but so far so good with him.