A Great Valentine's Day

This weekend is about being with the one you love. Jen and I decided that because we had Gabriel this weekend, we would make it about the one we love. Jen and I have had big plans for Gabriel for a while now. We have been holding a special surprise for him if he does well in school. More about that later...

On Friday, we got a heart-shaped pizza from Papa Murphy's and ate virtually all of it ourselves. Then Gabe and I played video games until it was time to go to bed. The next morning, we got up and went to the store to find him some new tennis shoes. Then, we were off to the surprise location. Gabe had no idea what was in store for him. It was beyond everything his senses has ever seen.

We went to a new place called Phazer Kraze, which is a throwback to the laser-tag game facilities we had in the past. The place was killer. The facility had dozens of alleys, walkways, and hiding places to use. Of course, Gabriel still didn't have an idea of what to do until he put on the vest, grabbed his laser gun and headed into the facility. It was just like playing a real-life version of our Star Wars video game. We ran around hiding, sneaking, shooting and fleeing from view.

We decided that Gabriel and Jen would play against me. That way, he could enjoy shooting at me and I at him. We stalked one another for about 20 minutes throughout the game. I would attempt to shoot Jen first (unfortunately for her) in hopes that Gabe would be able to shoot me before I shot him. It turned out that we shot each other numerous times throughout the game. It was an absolute blast there. 

Gabriel loved playing so much that he decided that he would rather have his birthday party there instead of the air-bounce playground place, which is great news. After all, he did have his birthday at one of those places last year. I am glad to see that Jen and I found a place that is more suitable for him and his sixth birthday. He is getting so much bigger and is moving on to bigger and better places to have a good time.

I hope your Valentine's Day was as fun as ours. 

Talk to you again soon-

m

Gabriel and Baseball

With the daffodils making their first appearance this year, it is also time for us to talk to Gabriel about playing sports this spring. Once again, Gabriel has chosen to play baseball instead of that wretched sport that does nothing but inhibit hand-eye coordination (known as soccer). Fortunately, it was an easy sell this year! Baseball laid a beat-down to that other crappy activity. It really wasn't a fair fight- that other crappy activity didn't stand a chance! Initially Gabriel said he wanted to play baseball because, "Dad loves baseball." While I did not disagree with his logic, I did want him to formulate a better reason for his motives. I left the room to allow for Jen to discuss the matter with him in an unbiased forum. After about 3 minutes, he came out and told me that he wanted to play baseball because it was fun and he like to hit the ball and run the bases. I was happy with his reasoning wither way, but better his mother to hear the newest reason for his intent to play rather than his initial logic.

This year, we moved Gabriel from the kids' league that doesn't compete to a league that does promote competition, keeps score, tallies winners and losers and builds self-esteem and rewards hard work and practice. We went to signups and talked to one of the administers of the league. He advised us that the birthday cut-off was April 30. That means Gabriel will be playing as a 6-year-old for most of the year in a 5-year-old division. As big as he is right now (50 inches tall, 68 pounds), he is going to be an absolute monster in this league. Recognizing this, the administrator asked if we have a copy of his birth certificate. Immediately, it dawned on me that this would be something that I would probably want to carry with me every Saturday in case some crazy parent challenges his age in the league. I advised the admin that I would carry it with me in his baseball bag from that point on.

Both the 5 & 6-year-old leagues are T-Ball, something that Gabriel is not accustomed to any longer. He has been able to hit pitches tossed from about 20 feet since he was 4. Going back to a tee is not something I am terribly happy about, but that won't stop me from tossing him a few while in the backyard away from practice....

2009 Update

Hello All-

A quick pre-cursor: please pass this site on to anyone that might want to keep up with my thoughts and events. I would greatly appreciate it!

This one is going to be shorter than usual. 2009 has continued to be good to Jen and I. As for me, I was awarded the 2008 Best Of The Best Award for being a top 10% performer for the year. I was then offered a 90-day interim position in management, which could possibly turn into a permanent position if everything goes well. Therefore, I will probably be a little less active on this site for a bit. 

From a family perspective, Jen and I are getting a few steps closer to start the process for IVF. Our tax refund has been kind enough to make its appearance early this year. My yearly bonus is going to be a week or so early as well. All things are pointing to starting IVF in the very near future. 

IVF has truly become a dichotomy of what is good and bad with her life. After our immediate family coming to the realization that we were not going to conceive naturally, they are much more understanding to what we have to overcome. We have been looking forward to this day for quite a while, but the fear is creeping in as it approaches. Excitement has waned and fear has taken residence in her mind. Jen is quite fearful of needles, and I tell her that there will be a lot of opportunities to face and overcome her fears in the upcoming months. How appropriate is it that the one thing she fears the most is in the way of the one thing she has wanted all her life? I wish that I could take some of the burden from her, but the drugs won't do me an ounce of good.... I try to tell her that the outcome will be worth she will go through many times over. She agrees, but it still doesn't help the fact that she is going to be stuck 50 or so times in about a month. Several of these I will have to give her because there is NO WAY she is going to do it herself- and I don't blame her. 

We plan to implant 3 embryos, which means we have a very strong chance to succeed- possibly even multiples... Twins would be very cool. Trips? I am good with that too, but Jen is much more weary about that. That would probably mean a lot of bed-rest for her, which would drive her insane. I would have the task of bringing the world to her since she would be secluded. I haven't worked that part out yet, so I am up for suggestions...

This posting is much larger than I had anticipated. Guess I had a lot to say. I will try to do this more often in the future. Peace and love to all who read and need....