#6 and a special day for Mom

Riley turned 6 on Saturday. It is so difficult for me to believe that he is 6 years old. It is amazing how the time flies. Riley invited his classmates over for a party on Saturday. He had about 12 or so friends come. It was a "Space" theme and the house was decorated so cool. Beth Ann did an awesome job. The cakes looked like moons. We had lights hanging everywhere. The kids got their picture taken in a rocket that Riley painted. They made flying saucers and threw them in the backyard. They played a game where they throw asteroids and get points for where it landed. It was an exhausting two hours. Most importantly was that Riley had a blast.

On Sunday we celebrated an amazing mother. The boys and I are so blessed. We spent time as a family, gave mom some gifts, took naps, went to dinner with my parents and went by Starbucks.

I love a weekend where two of the most important people in the world to me can have a special time.

First tooth

Riley pulled his first tooth yesterday. It was an exciting day for him. He noticed it was loose on Monday after he ate a cookie at school. He worked on it a bit Monday night. He continued messing with it and on Tuesday at school he pulled it himself. He was excited. I pulled him out of class and took his picture.

This was one of those "firsts" that is fun to watch as a parent!

Graduations

I will be preparing over the next couple of weeks for our graduation programs. I will attend our high school graduation later this month. It is an excellent program that personalizes the experience for each graduate. I will also be preparing to speak at the 6th grade graduation. Our kindergarteners will graduate the same day as the 6th grade students. The kindergarten graduation is a wonderful program. It will be different for me this year as Riley will be graduating.

I remember my graduations. Richland High School, Abilene Christian University and the University of North Texas. I have fond memories of each ceremony. The excitement of moving to the next step. The gathering of friends and family to celebrate.

My high school graduation was unforgettable. There were about 650 of us at the Tarrant County Convention Center. I do remember our principal stating near the end of the program that he wished he could hold all of our diplomas because our behavior was so bad. Beach balls were flying everywhere, the Principal was handed many mice as students shook his hand as they went across the stage, the crowd was simply out of control.

Do you have stories or memories from your graduations?

Ordinary..I Think Not

I recently finished reading AN ORDINARY MAN. It is the autobiography of Paul Rusesabagina, who inspired the story of Hotel Rwanda. I saw the movie a while back. The word powerful comes to mind as a way to describe the emotion I felt as I watched.

The same true for the book, if not more. Paul recounts the story in vivid detail. The death, pain, escape, ugliness and fear that he experienced was unbelievable to experience in print. I highly recommend this book. Please borrow my copy.

He titles the book AN ORDINARY MAN. Paul Rusesabagina is far from ordinary. His courage marks for a story that will never be forgotten.

How Things Can Change In A Week

From one weekend to the next things can really change. Weekend before last we were off as a family having a great time. This weekend was a bit different.

First weekend: Spent the weekend in a rail car out in the country with my family.
Second weekend: Spent the weekend laying on my side unable to do much of anything.

First weekend: Played outside feeding animals, playing frisbee and wading in the Paluxy River.
Second weekend: Spent the weekend laying on my side unable to do much of anything.

First weekend: Took my wife to the Keg for a nice, romantic anniversary dinner.
Second weekend: Ate dinner on Sunday night standing up because I can not sit down.

First weekend: Carefree attitude about life and responsibility.
Second weekend: Worried about test results and future procedures.

First weekend: Me taking care of my family.
Second weekend: My wife having to take care of me in ways that we never imagined. (She is Superwoman for doing what she has to do, please thank her if you see her this week.)

As you can see things have been different over the two weekends. Hopefully next weekend will bring something different from this one.