This day marks the closing of a year, and the official beginning of a new year. All accounts of the previous year are coming to a close which means any business you would conduct for the year must be finished in these next hours, and any tax deductions you wish to take must be completed in the next hours as well. The next year is but a mere speculation at this moment, all future business is at this point simply futures. For many individuals this is a great time of reflection of the events of the past year or years of their life. It is a time that adjustments can be made to their hopes and ambitions of the coming year, and the methodology in which they hope to achieve each of these great things.
The coming hours bring a close to the year of many firsts for you, however being ushered in is a year also filled with firsts for you and a few seconds. Your first Christmas, Thanksgiving, teeth, words, and many other firsts have been the highlights of the closing year for you. The great and wonderful things that are yet to arrive for you in this coming year is a small sparkle of light in the distance which can best be described as a prediction of a coming age. Your first birthday cake, first steps under your own power, and your first spoken sentence are among these amazing feats which one may assume will occur for you in this coming year.
I look forward to your future with great ambition of many fantastic events for you. It comes with understanding that I have created a planned course of action of the many things which I can do to make your future as promising as what it is in my power to assure. Even after all I have done to ensure that you are well fed, housed, clothed, and cared for in every way the rest will remain up to you. It is essential that you always maintain for yourself a great level of self respect and a positive attitude. With these you will be able to fully manipulate the outcome of how your future unfolds itself.
There is really no concrete and certain method that can be applied in order to ensure the desired outcome in anything which we do. Outside forces are constantly at work which may either help, hinder, or be indifferent to the projects we undertake. The best advise that can be given on the subject is that you greet every obstacle and stumbling block with the great power that is to be had in positive thinking. When things do work out slightly alternate to what was anticipated how you react will be a great reflection of your character and yourself as a person. There will be many individuals who help you to get to where you are going as well and it will always be essential that you treat them with much love, respect and dignity. As it is said, "Great men stand on the shoulders of giants." There will be hard times, and I am in no way promising you all rainbows and cupcakes in everything that you attempt to do. In fact much to the opposite of this I promise you hard times, unexpected obstacles, and disappointing let downs from the very people you thought you could trust the most to never let you down in any way. You are only human and all of those people around you suffer from this same shortcoming. Remember this, expect the unexpected, and no matter what treat each person and event with respect, an open mind, and a positive attitude.
I beg you my son to always see the best in people, always see the learning experience that accompanies the disappointments, and cherish every day the Lord gives you to be involved in the daily dealings of this world. Do your best every day to make someone else smile. Do your best every day to make yourself smile. I desire for you to have many years of reflections of great happenings at the close of the year. I hope for you to have great hope for many coming years to come.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!" Philippians chapter 4
In closing I leave you with this recipe you may want to try out for your New Year's Eve party or celebrations:
Lamb Meatball Sliders
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup diced onion
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon fennel seeds, chopped
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
2 ounces fresh goat cheese (1/4 cup)
1/2 pound merguez (spicy lamb sausage) or hot Italian sausage, casings removed
1 pound ground lamb
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
2 large eggs
Kosher salt
For the Sauce:
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
1 28-ounce can whole San Marzano tomatoes, crushed by hand
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
For the Sliders:
1/2 pound fresh goat cheese (1 cup)
2 1/2 tablespoons mascarpone cheese
1 1/2 tablespoons whole milk
1/8 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
1/4 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
1/4 teaspoon chopped fresh dill
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
24 slider rolls
Pickled sliced cucumbers, for serving
Directions
Make the meatballs: Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.
Stir in the coriander, fennel seeds and rosemary; toast 1 minute. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and refrigerate until cool.
Meanwhile, roll the goat cheese into 1/2-inch balls (the size of marbles); set aside.
Add the sausage, ground lamb, breadcrumbs, eggs and 1/2 teaspoon salt to the bowl with the spice mixture and mix with your hands until just combined. Roll into 24 small ovals (about 2 tablespoons meat each). Make an indentation in each with your thumb, then insert a goat cheese ball and form the meat around it. Roll between your hands to make a smooth ball. Refrigerate until ready to cook.
Make the sauce: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until soft, about 1 minute. Add the tomatoes and their juices, red pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon salt and the sugar; cook until thickened, about 10 minutes. Add the oregano.
Add the meatballs to the sauce. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer until cooked through, about 10 minutes.
Assemble the sliders: Beat the goat cheese, mascarpone and milk in a bowl with a wooden spoon. Stir in the oregano, rosemary, thyme, dill, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a pinch of pepper. Spread the goat cheese mixture on each roll; fill with the pickled cucumbers, meatballs and more sauce.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Super Man and Super Son
We are the men of Steel, copper, brass, aluminum, and all other shiny metallic objects.
Twas the day after Christmas and all through the house, were remnants of the holiday explosion that occurred. Toys and Clothes were strewn all about and a mountain of cardboard boxes awaiting trash day to be taken out. The little boy was asleep, exhausted from the past days events, and daddy was uploading the videos for the rest of the family to enjoy for generations to come.
created by David Hiett
From our family to yours we hope that each of you had a Christmas holiday filled with good food, family fun, cheer and laughter!
created by David Hiett
From our family to yours we hope that each of you had a Christmas holiday filled with good food, family fun, cheer and laughter!
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Wise Old Mechanic
In a remote town along a lonely stretch of road miles deep into the desert of Nevada, there was a single service station tended to by a friendly older gentleman who happened to be an exceedingly great automotive mechanic. This man, always making a habit of making friendly conversation with each person that stopped in by asking what they did for a living and so on, had on occasion been known to really help individuals out when they mentioned that they were out of work or having a hard time keeping enough hours. By "really helping them out," I mean he would often do their repairs free of charge only charging them the price of the parts required.
One day there was an individual that stopped in at his quiet little shop complaining that his engine light had been on for several miles. He also explained that this was the only service station he had seen since it first lit up. The old man began to examine under the hood when he asked the customer, "So what do you do for a living?"
The man explained that he was a doctor.
Upon hearing this, the old mechanic closed the hood, looked at the man and explained, "Well, your check engine light is on and you will need to schedule an appointment with a specialist. Now this visit will only cost you $850 although the interest rates will be rather steep. On a side note, I can almost promise you the car will die before you make it to the next town with a garage."
At this the doctor was extremely surprised at the sudden change in demeanor from the old man and this rather ridiculous charge for simply stating back what he already knew. So he looked at the old man and in a serious tone he asked, "why on earth should I pay you so much money for you to just tell me what I already know and furthermore why are you sending me away from here without fixing my car for me?"
Then the old mechanic explained the whole situation. You see some years back, the old man had driven his wife many miles from this remote location to a hospital. The doctors took a look at her and then told the old couple that she needed to go see a specialist that she would need to schedule an appointment for one. These doctors were unable to offer any sort of a diagnosis other than the fact that she was pretty sick. Well the old man made the appointment however, his wife passed away before the appointment date came. Later a bill came in the mail from the one hospital visit for $850 and the man nearly lost his small garage over the outrageous interest that was charged.
Realizing there was no hope in the man having a change of heart the doctor drove off in search of another garage. His car indeed did break down before he reached one. The old man's wife had an infection that a few shots of antibiotic could have cured and the doctor only needed a couple quarts of oil added to his engine. Although this story is not technically true, it is a true representation of the blight that our current health care system is under. Blue collar Americans will never stoop to their level but this is what it would look like if they did!
One day there was an individual that stopped in at his quiet little shop complaining that his engine light had been on for several miles. He also explained that this was the only service station he had seen since it first lit up. The old man began to examine under the hood when he asked the customer, "So what do you do for a living?"
The man explained that he was a doctor.
Upon hearing this, the old mechanic closed the hood, looked at the man and explained, "Well, your check engine light is on and you will need to schedule an appointment with a specialist. Now this visit will only cost you $850 although the interest rates will be rather steep. On a side note, I can almost promise you the car will die before you make it to the next town with a garage."
At this the doctor was extremely surprised at the sudden change in demeanor from the old man and this rather ridiculous charge for simply stating back what he already knew. So he looked at the old man and in a serious tone he asked, "why on earth should I pay you so much money for you to just tell me what I already know and furthermore why are you sending me away from here without fixing my car for me?"
Then the old mechanic explained the whole situation. You see some years back, the old man had driven his wife many miles from this remote location to a hospital. The doctors took a look at her and then told the old couple that she needed to go see a specialist that she would need to schedule an appointment for one. These doctors were unable to offer any sort of a diagnosis other than the fact that she was pretty sick. Well the old man made the appointment however, his wife passed away before the appointment date came. Later a bill came in the mail from the one hospital visit for $850 and the man nearly lost his small garage over the outrageous interest that was charged.
Realizing there was no hope in the man having a change of heart the doctor drove off in search of another garage. His car indeed did break down before he reached one. The old man's wife had an infection that a few shots of antibiotic could have cured and the doctor only needed a couple quarts of oil added to his engine. Although this story is not technically true, it is a true representation of the blight that our current health care system is under. Blue collar Americans will never stoop to their level but this is what it would look like if they did!
Monday, December 24, 2012
Christmas Eve
Merry Christmas Kiddo,
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
"Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN!
On, COMET! on CUPID! on, DONDER and BLITZEN!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT!"
I sincerely hope that Christmas always fills your spirit with a fantastic sensation of joy and good cheer. Remember the reason that this sacred night is celebrated and may you always be careful not to get caught up in the commercial worldly ways of the holidays. Be sure that your stocking is hung with care and leave a plate of cookies and a glass of milk for the fat man in the red suit. It is always better to give than it is to receive.
Track Santa
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
"Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN!
On, COMET! on CUPID! on, DONDER and BLITZEN!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT!"
I sincerely hope that Christmas always fills your spirit with a fantastic sensation of joy and good cheer. Remember the reason that this sacred night is celebrated and may you always be careful not to get caught up in the commercial worldly ways of the holidays. Be sure that your stocking is hung with care and leave a plate of cookies and a glass of milk for the fat man in the red suit. It is always better to give than it is to receive.
Track Santa
Friday, December 21, 2012
Sunday, December 16, 2012
The Grumpy Old Neighbor
There once existed on a quiet suburban street, a simple house. This house was a nice house in a nice community and was the dwelling place of a small family, a mother and two sons, and the cost of living there was exactly the amount the family could afford. The mother was sternly against the idea of her children living in any less of living conditions and so she toiled with no end to make sure they were able to remain there.
The neighbor, an elderly and somewhat grumpy of an individual, had worked hard for many years and now rested comfortably on the retirement he was able to establish over time. The man's wife had passed a few years before and they never did have children so most of their money had been put away. The neighbor always found the antics of the eldest boy next door rather annoying.
Then one winter day, the old man found that his walk way was covered in snow! He simply could not have this because he had to have the way to his mailbox cleared. He was not the young spry boy he once was able to trample through the snow to get to it. The old man noticed the young man next door shoveling the walk for his family, so he approached the boy with a job offer to clear his walk as well. The boy agreed and after finishing his family's walk way began to clear also the old man's.
When the work was done the old man asked of the boy, "How much do I owe you for your service?" The boy replied that he would not accept money at all, but instead wanted to have 3 days access to the old man's garage, tools, and three pieces of wood. The old man was very much surprised by the boy's noble request and slightly reluctant he finally agreed.
Three days latter it was Christmas Eve. The old man, eagerly curious by the young boys constant diligence the past three days approached the young man and asked of him what he had been doing during this time. The boy looked up at him and handed him a fantastically crafted wooden toy. "Merry Christmas," the boy exclaimed. The boy asked for three pieces of wood because he had made a wooden toy for his brother, his mother, and the old man. He then went on to explain to the shocked grumpy old neighbor, how his mother had taught him the importance of family over money and how having someone that you can count on is worth more than any amount of gold.
The neighbor, an elderly and somewhat grumpy of an individual, had worked hard for many years and now rested comfortably on the retirement he was able to establish over time. The man's wife had passed a few years before and they never did have children so most of their money had been put away. The neighbor always found the antics of the eldest boy next door rather annoying.
Then one winter day, the old man found that his walk way was covered in snow! He simply could not have this because he had to have the way to his mailbox cleared. He was not the young spry boy he once was able to trample through the snow to get to it. The old man noticed the young man next door shoveling the walk for his family, so he approached the boy with a job offer to clear his walk as well. The boy agreed and after finishing his family's walk way began to clear also the old man's.
When the work was done the old man asked of the boy, "How much do I owe you for your service?" The boy replied that he would not accept money at all, but instead wanted to have 3 days access to the old man's garage, tools, and three pieces of wood. The old man was very much surprised by the boy's noble request and slightly reluctant he finally agreed.
Three days latter it was Christmas Eve. The old man, eagerly curious by the young boys constant diligence the past three days approached the young man and asked of him what he had been doing during this time. The boy looked up at him and handed him a fantastically crafted wooden toy. "Merry Christmas," the boy exclaimed. The boy asked for three pieces of wood because he had made a wooden toy for his brother, his mother, and the old man. He then went on to explain to the shocked grumpy old neighbor, how his mother had taught him the importance of family over money and how having someone that you can count on is worth more than any amount of gold.
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Regarding Your Faith
A wise man once told me, or maybe it was a country song, "You've got to stand for something or you will fall for anything." And it is absolutely important that you do form some sort of faith and belief system. It is then even more important that you hold tight to this faith and belief system through any type of adversity that may arise. The Jewish people were historically a people that would have great faith in God the creator during good times, but then would become quickly swept away in idolatry during the rough patches in life. This lead them to wander aimlessly in the desert for fourty years in the desert before finally approaching the promised land.
There is a common misconception that science and faith are at odds with one another. I can tell you that I have found this to be simply untrue, and would even go as far as to say if you look at the scientific findings correctly you will see that science actually proves faith. There are four basic models that can be looked at: Faith vs. Reason, Faith leads to Reason, Reason leads to Faith, and Faith and Reason coexist together. The term epistomology is a term to describe how do you know what you know. When it comes to faith there are four basic channels that we receive our information from. Texts such as written authoritative texts such as the Holy Bible, Traditions which are the things passed down from our parents which were passed down from their parents, Reason these are things that we are able to deduce and when we deduce what we know from the nature around us this is called natural theology, and finally experience, this is when you know what you know because you have personally experienced it.
I consider myself a scientist, an educated person whom does not easily believe in something just because TMZ or the National Enquirer says it is so. I like being able to reproduce an experiment to know that something can be shown to be true through testing. I also believe in God, that the Earth was formed in six days, that God literally came to Earth to spend a lifetime with mankind in the form of his son Jesus Christ, That Jesus was crucified on the cross, and in three days arose from his tomb defeating death for all of those who believe in him.
Some people may find all of this mind boggling that someone can have a scientific presence and yet believe in God. I do not find this hard at all, and when asked well what proof do you have? I respond in short, without taking the time to explain every little detail of proof I have for all things, "In Israel there is a tomb where Jesus was laid to rest after his death, It is empty!" Yes, when science is applied correctly and tests are not tampered with to reveal results we desire to see, then it is that science proves the existence of an intelligent divine creator.
On this subject, there is a film which was done very well answering a few of these questions as well. It is called "The Genesis Code", if you have the time you should really sit down and absorb the points this movie makes.
There is a common misconception that science and faith are at odds with one another. I can tell you that I have found this to be simply untrue, and would even go as far as to say if you look at the scientific findings correctly you will see that science actually proves faith. There are four basic models that can be looked at: Faith vs. Reason, Faith leads to Reason, Reason leads to Faith, and Faith and Reason coexist together. The term epistomology is a term to describe how do you know what you know. When it comes to faith there are four basic channels that we receive our information from. Texts such as written authoritative texts such as the Holy Bible, Traditions which are the things passed down from our parents which were passed down from their parents, Reason these are things that we are able to deduce and when we deduce what we know from the nature around us this is called natural theology, and finally experience, this is when you know what you know because you have personally experienced it.
I consider myself a scientist, an educated person whom does not easily believe in something just because TMZ or the National Enquirer says it is so. I like being able to reproduce an experiment to know that something can be shown to be true through testing. I also believe in God, that the Earth was formed in six days, that God literally came to Earth to spend a lifetime with mankind in the form of his son Jesus Christ, That Jesus was crucified on the cross, and in three days arose from his tomb defeating death for all of those who believe in him.
Some people may find all of this mind boggling that someone can have a scientific presence and yet believe in God. I do not find this hard at all, and when asked well what proof do you have? I respond in short, without taking the time to explain every little detail of proof I have for all things, "In Israel there is a tomb where Jesus was laid to rest after his death, It is empty!" Yes, when science is applied correctly and tests are not tampered with to reveal results we desire to see, then it is that science proves the existence of an intelligent divine creator.
On this subject, there is a film which was done very well answering a few of these questions as well. It is called "The Genesis Code", if you have the time you should really sit down and absorb the points this movie makes.
Friday, November 23, 2012
A Thanksgiving Adventure
In the fall of the year a certain family festivity of ample food consumption and great thanks giving occurs on a Thursday. We call this day, "Thanksgiving". Family and friends gather around the table to enjoy a great meal that has been painstakingly assembled.
For partaking in these festivities with your family of your father's descent we took a little roadtrip to the Winchester, VA / Martinsburg, WV area. During this visit a day after the great feast we took you for a trip to the Apple Blossom Mall where we had made an appointment with the picture people who took a 20 minute photo shoot with you. Above I have posted a few of the resulting images from this encounter.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Daddy Cam
So there I was one evening, sitting at my computer working hard on a History project. When I was able to load the web-cam up and catch this tidbit. It came to great amusement to me as I watched the bit there with my son, standing as he watched the going on of the television. I think, that he may find a liking in identifying the show which was actually on. I will leave this clip alone as reference to it and not respond with answer for a few posts from now.
{A youtube video will be embedded shortly}
Link To this video until it is embedded!
{A youtube video will be embedded shortly}
Link To this video until it is embedded!
I am also, contemplating some standard look for a web url that would translate to a web page that shows that individuals business card. The main motivation to what a successful standard appearance would be follows the google standard of simplicity. Therefore, a successful standard would be one which was easy enough to adhere to that all individuals would be easily persuaded to follow suit. Individualisim and customization as to what is "self" will always be likely to evolve themselves.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Happy Halloween
Yes, once again it is that time of year when all the kids dress up in their costumes and run around house to house getting their fill of delightful treats. The leaves have almost all turned color and fallen off of the trees. A certain damp chill is now felt in the air during this season as well. Be sure to carry a flashlight, wear bright colors, and stay in groups if you are going out Trick or Treating this year. And as for my son, he is going as Yoda this year!
I really must say he does a fantastic job at pulling this character off. Such a wise old Jedi. Oh yea, we have to change his diapers, "because he is so old". HAHAHAHAHA.
I really must say he does a fantastic job at pulling this character off. Such a wise old Jedi. Oh yea, we have to change his diapers, "because he is so old". HAHAHAHAHA.
Friday, October 26, 2012
New Fascination
So your latest fascination has been with my hat. It is a camo hat with a mountain dew logo on the front of it. They sent it to me in appreciation of the quantity of mountain dew I consume on a weekly basis. Ironically I also received some Repella fishing lures from them on this basis as well.
As I have been wearing this hat recently you have found it to be a most fantastic distraction, and you continually seek to have it in your possession. Your now sitting up and demanding attention from your mother as you wish to show her your great progress in this accomplishment.
As I have been wearing this hat recently you have found it to be a most fantastic distraction, and you continually seek to have it in your possession. Your now sitting up and demanding attention from your mother as you wish to show her your great progress in this accomplishment.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Some Photos
Here are some current photos of you. You can Look back on these when you are older and hopefully appreciate them as much as I do. Thanks to your Grand Mother, Teresa Hostuttler for the camera that has made many of them possible.
The Eyes
As a parent, and as a person, I feel that the eyes are exceedingly important in life. I find that my eyes constantly want to be looking at you. And indeed the eyes I have stay fixed on you even as I type this entry. I will, on occasion glance back at the screen to correct some minor errors in my typing. Yet, as you sit there in your excersaucer throwing a little bout of temper because you cannot be in my arms. But alas, I am giving you all of my attention.
I think this makes us both fill better! You can sit there and look at me looking at you so that you can feel validated in the world. I can stare at your bright eyed wonderment in the world and it lets me know that you are well. My heart sings out for you always, my son.
Yes the eyes are very important. Learning to type without them is always useful. And finding what is good in this world and holding to it is vital.
I think this makes us both fill better! You can sit there and look at me looking at you so that you can feel validated in the world. I can stare at your bright eyed wonderment in the world and it lets me know that you are well. My heart sings out for you always, my son.
Yes the eyes are very important. Learning to type without them is always useful. And finding what is good in this world and holding to it is vital.
Saturday, October 13, 2012
My Car Broke Down!
Hello My Son,
I have entitled this entry into your blog "My Car Broke Down!", I did this specifically because I know that there will be a day when this is the case for you. As this has been the case for me on an occasion or two. Also, this title further fits this entry because I can foresee your database search terms to include: My Car Broke Down, or What Do I Do Now? When this does occur my son, take a deep breath! The world will go on and you will get through this just fine.
First, Check your battery, then alternator, then starter. If it is none of these and your certain this is an electrical problem then your in luck because it is something simple like a fuse, a fuseable link, or the ignition switch. The ignition being the hardest of these three to contend with.
Secondly, Take a deep breath. This is important. I know personally that car troubles can and will be frustrating as all get out. I also, have asked my father for much advice in this scenario, and have heard from him many pieces of advice that his father and or grandfather passed down to him regarding this subject. Just to be clear, your grandfather, my dad, was a very great mechanic in his hay day. He worked for the United States Airforce as a mechanic. He very well had the mind to become an Mechanical Engineer. That did not work out for him, this however includes the fact that he did indeed have a great ability to work with mechanical concepts even in his worst of times.
My single most important advice to you my son is that car troubles will happen. I will try to, on occasion post some tips or tricks based on my experiences. In the most part I would say that there are a lot of great demonstrational videos on youtube by this point and that most any automotive job can be found on the internet. There also are repair manuals printed for most any automobile at this point and time. If you can manage to do it yourself you will be better off in the long run. If you pay a professional to do the job it will undoubtedly be expensive, although much easier. Also with the latter option you can rest a little more assured having the knowledge that a professional completed the work. In the previous case you can rest assured in the knowledge that you did the job yourself with your own hands. Whatever you decide I have full confidence in you that you can do the right thing.
I love you my son. Your mother does also with all of her heart. And even more so your Grand mothers and Grand fathers of all generations before have been a precursor to what has developed into the you. In you we are well pleased!
I have entitled this entry into your blog "My Car Broke Down!", I did this specifically because I know that there will be a day when this is the case for you. As this has been the case for me on an occasion or two. Also, this title further fits this entry because I can foresee your database search terms to include: My Car Broke Down, or What Do I Do Now? When this does occur my son, take a deep breath! The world will go on and you will get through this just fine.
First, Check your battery, then alternator, then starter. If it is none of these and your certain this is an electrical problem then your in luck because it is something simple like a fuse, a fuseable link, or the ignition switch. The ignition being the hardest of these three to contend with.
Secondly, Take a deep breath. This is important. I know personally that car troubles can and will be frustrating as all get out. I also, have asked my father for much advice in this scenario, and have heard from him many pieces of advice that his father and or grandfather passed down to him regarding this subject. Just to be clear, your grandfather, my dad, was a very great mechanic in his hay day. He worked for the United States Airforce as a mechanic. He very well had the mind to become an Mechanical Engineer. That did not work out for him, this however includes the fact that he did indeed have a great ability to work with mechanical concepts even in his worst of times.
My single most important advice to you my son is that car troubles will happen. I will try to, on occasion post some tips or tricks based on my experiences. In the most part I would say that there are a lot of great demonstrational videos on youtube by this point and that most any automotive job can be found on the internet. There also are repair manuals printed for most any automobile at this point and time. If you can manage to do it yourself you will be better off in the long run. If you pay a professional to do the job it will undoubtedly be expensive, although much easier. Also with the latter option you can rest a little more assured having the knowledge that a professional completed the work. In the previous case you can rest assured in the knowledge that you did the job yourself with your own hands. Whatever you decide I have full confidence in you that you can do the right thing.
I love you my son. Your mother does also with all of her heart. And even more so your Grand mothers and Grand fathers of all generations before have been a precursor to what has developed into the you. In you we are well pleased!
Sunday, September 30, 2012
35 Things I've learned in my lifetime
I borrowed this from a father who was passing down life's knowledge to his son when it was time for the son to head off to college. I think it expresses some exceedingly valuable ideas. I know there are still several years before it is time for you to go to college, but from my point of view there could never be enough of them. I always love you son.
35 Things I have learned in my lifetime,
In no particular order.
1) You’re likely to meet your future wife in the coming 4 years. Choose wisely. If she’s anything like your Mom, don’t let her go. They simply don’t come any better than that.
2) Call your Mom regularly. It’s something that will make her very happy. Make her happy by calling her, even if it’s just to say hello.
3) Email us both – it’s a way of honoring your parents.
4) I don’t know it all… and when I think I do I find out how little I really do know.
5) When things seem to be really bad, they usually aren’t… just wait a little while, it’ll get better. Trust me. Better yet, trust God.
6) Christians will let you down. It’s a fact of life. Christ won’t. It may seem so at times, but it’ll get better.
7) You’re likely not going to have the desire to find a decent church. Remember that you are the church, it’s not necessarily a building. God is with you at all times. Talk to Him. Develop that as a habit. Prayer doesn’t have to be with eyes closed and hands clasped. Thinking thoughts directed at Him are prayer. Pray often.
8) Organized religion is a mess. This does not however diminish your need for God.
9) You will be tempted like you’ve never been tempted before. It takes character, lots of it, to not succumb. You have a very large reservoir of character. Don’t forget it. Tap into it at every turn.
10) Following the leader without asking questions is usually followed by trouble. Be a leader. It’s harder yes, but it’s more rewarding and much less likely to get you into trouble that you have no control over.
11) You will occasionally (sometimes more than occasionally) have to do things you don’t want to do. Just don’t let it become a career.
12) You’ll face many decisions in the coming months, even years. Think through them. Acting without thinking usually ends badly.
13) I’ve found that doing things just for the money has short-term benefits. You’ll have more money. That’s it. I’ve also found that the contentment is short-lived. If you’re going to do something for a long period of time, your heart has to be in it. Or you’re going to be miserable.
14) Working hard sometimes seems futile. Be persistent in your hard work. It does pay off in the long haul.
15) Don’t cut corners or take short cuts in your work or in your studies. Don’t just do that which is easy. Try hard. Do that which is hard. It does eventually get noticed and does produce results.
16) Sitting near the front in class is likely to help you pay attention. Sitting in the back has the opposite effect. Sit wisely.
17) Read, read, read. New stuff. Old stuff. All kinds of stuff. The more you read, the better prepared you’ll be, the better you’ll be able to communicate, the better you’ll do in school (and in life).
18) True independence is achieved when you’re no longer dependent on anyone else. Seems logical right? But remember that we’ll always depend on God.
19) Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. I was paralyzed for too long because I didn’t want to screw up. I’ve learned since that I learn best from my mistakes. This can be painful but usually only in the short term. No pain, no gain.
20) Alcohol can kill you. Either quickly (binge drinking) or slowly (alcoholism). Kirsch’s (your band teacher’s) advice is good. Moderation is key. And drinking alone is usually an indication of trouble.
21) You come from a conservative family. Your values are largely conservative. Those values will be under attack at school, by your professors, by fellow students. Think with an open mind but not so open that your brain falls out. Liberalism can be trouble. It’s good to hear the opposing perspective. It’s better to read those who can defend the conservative perspective. They’re out there but you have to look for them. Have liberal friends however. They keep you sharp.
22) Beware of pop culture. It’s faddish and shallow.
23) When things aren’t going well in a relationship, ask yourself if you’re really listening to the other person. I’m a lousy listener… not just hearing someone but listening… hearing has to do with noise, listening has to do with understanding. You can hear without listening.
24) Words are killers. I’ve ‘killed’ with my words. Choose them wisely. Once the toothpaste is out of the tube, you can’t get it back in. Think before speaking. I tend to speak before thinking. And it’s hurt people, it’s hurt me. That’s trouble.
25) Older people aren’t anywhere near as stupid as younger people make them out to be. Unfortunately, you’re usually an older person before you figure that out. Figure it out now. And seek wisdom from older people. Experience is the best teacher. Yes, that’s a cliché, but it’s a good one.
26) Life’s too short to stay mad at family and friends. You never know when your words to someone may be the last one’s you have with them. That terrifies me sometimes. And it should.
27) Breaking them down into easily handled pieces best solves big problems. How do you eat an elephant? Piece by piece. Don’t be intimidated by the magnitude. Think through the problem, break it down, plan an action and implement the plan. And remember number 19.
28) Keep a journal. Commit to this task. It’s amazing to go back and read something you’ve written some time ago. You’ll learn more about yourself.
29) Eat right. Lots of fruit and vegetables. Avoid what happens to many college kids who gain weight big-time their first and second years away from home.
30) Exercise regularly. It’s easier now to make it a habit than it will be when you’re older. Trust me on this.
31) Sometimes, the best thing to do or say in a situation, is absolutely nothing. I continue to have problems with this yet I do believe it’s true.
32) Experience is enhanced when that experience is shared with someone you care about. Whether it’s a sunset, a hike, or a good movie.
33) Sending Mom a card or an e-mail on her birthday would warm her heart. Figure out a way to remind yourself of other people’s birthdays.
34) Money in hand is money easily spent. Put yourself on a budget. Purposely make it inconvenient to get more cash. You’d be surprised how easily money disappears from your wallet.
35) Budget your time. Prioritize where it’s spent. Time can be spent faster than money can. And it can be wasted just as much as money can. And in my view, time is more precious than money. We have precious few days on this earth.
35 Things I have learned in my lifetime,
In no particular order.
1) You’re likely to meet your future wife in the coming 4 years. Choose wisely. If she’s anything like your Mom, don’t let her go. They simply don’t come any better than that.
2) Call your Mom regularly. It’s something that will make her very happy. Make her happy by calling her, even if it’s just to say hello.
3) Email us both – it’s a way of honoring your parents.
4) I don’t know it all… and when I think I do I find out how little I really do know.
5) When things seem to be really bad, they usually aren’t… just wait a little while, it’ll get better. Trust me. Better yet, trust God.
6) Christians will let you down. It’s a fact of life. Christ won’t. It may seem so at times, but it’ll get better.
7) You’re likely not going to have the desire to find a decent church. Remember that you are the church, it’s not necessarily a building. God is with you at all times. Talk to Him. Develop that as a habit. Prayer doesn’t have to be with eyes closed and hands clasped. Thinking thoughts directed at Him are prayer. Pray often.
8) Organized religion is a mess. This does not however diminish your need for God.
9) You will be tempted like you’ve never been tempted before. It takes character, lots of it, to not succumb. You have a very large reservoir of character. Don’t forget it. Tap into it at every turn.
10) Following the leader without asking questions is usually followed by trouble. Be a leader. It’s harder yes, but it’s more rewarding and much less likely to get you into trouble that you have no control over.
11) You will occasionally (sometimes more than occasionally) have to do things you don’t want to do. Just don’t let it become a career.
12) You’ll face many decisions in the coming months, even years. Think through them. Acting without thinking usually ends badly.
13) I’ve found that doing things just for the money has short-term benefits. You’ll have more money. That’s it. I’ve also found that the contentment is short-lived. If you’re going to do something for a long period of time, your heart has to be in it. Or you’re going to be miserable.
14) Working hard sometimes seems futile. Be persistent in your hard work. It does pay off in the long haul.
15) Don’t cut corners or take short cuts in your work or in your studies. Don’t just do that which is easy. Try hard. Do that which is hard. It does eventually get noticed and does produce results.
16) Sitting near the front in class is likely to help you pay attention. Sitting in the back has the opposite effect. Sit wisely.
17) Read, read, read. New stuff. Old stuff. All kinds of stuff. The more you read, the better prepared you’ll be, the better you’ll be able to communicate, the better you’ll do in school (and in life).
18) True independence is achieved when you’re no longer dependent on anyone else. Seems logical right? But remember that we’ll always depend on God.
19) Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. I was paralyzed for too long because I didn’t want to screw up. I’ve learned since that I learn best from my mistakes. This can be painful but usually only in the short term. No pain, no gain.
20) Alcohol can kill you. Either quickly (binge drinking) or slowly (alcoholism). Kirsch’s (your band teacher’s) advice is good. Moderation is key. And drinking alone is usually an indication of trouble.
21) You come from a conservative family. Your values are largely conservative. Those values will be under attack at school, by your professors, by fellow students. Think with an open mind but not so open that your brain falls out. Liberalism can be trouble. It’s good to hear the opposing perspective. It’s better to read those who can defend the conservative perspective. They’re out there but you have to look for them. Have liberal friends however. They keep you sharp.
22) Beware of pop culture. It’s faddish and shallow.
23) When things aren’t going well in a relationship, ask yourself if you’re really listening to the other person. I’m a lousy listener… not just hearing someone but listening… hearing has to do with noise, listening has to do with understanding. You can hear without listening.
24) Words are killers. I’ve ‘killed’ with my words. Choose them wisely. Once the toothpaste is out of the tube, you can’t get it back in. Think before speaking. I tend to speak before thinking. And it’s hurt people, it’s hurt me. That’s trouble.
25) Older people aren’t anywhere near as stupid as younger people make them out to be. Unfortunately, you’re usually an older person before you figure that out. Figure it out now. And seek wisdom from older people. Experience is the best teacher. Yes, that’s a cliché, but it’s a good one.
26) Life’s too short to stay mad at family and friends. You never know when your words to someone may be the last one’s you have with them. That terrifies me sometimes. And it should.
27) Breaking them down into easily handled pieces best solves big problems. How do you eat an elephant? Piece by piece. Don’t be intimidated by the magnitude. Think through the problem, break it down, plan an action and implement the plan. And remember number 19.
28) Keep a journal. Commit to this task. It’s amazing to go back and read something you’ve written some time ago. You’ll learn more about yourself.
29) Eat right. Lots of fruit and vegetables. Avoid what happens to many college kids who gain weight big-time their first and second years away from home.
30) Exercise regularly. It’s easier now to make it a habit than it will be when you’re older. Trust me on this.
31) Sometimes, the best thing to do or say in a situation, is absolutely nothing. I continue to have problems with this yet I do believe it’s true.
32) Experience is enhanced when that experience is shared with someone you care about. Whether it’s a sunset, a hike, or a good movie.
33) Sending Mom a card or an e-mail on her birthday would warm her heart. Figure out a way to remind yourself of other people’s birthdays.
34) Money in hand is money easily spent. Put yourself on a budget. Purposely make it inconvenient to get more cash. You’d be surprised how easily money disappears from your wallet.
35) Budget your time. Prioritize where it’s spent. Time can be spent faster than money can. And it can be wasted just as much as money can. And in my view, time is more precious than money. We have precious few days on this earth.
Friday, September 28, 2012
The Citie of Henricus
A Field Study of The Citie of Henricus
For my field study I chose to go to the Citie of Henricus, located in Chesterfield County along the James River at Dutch Gap. This is a fantastic park that not only reminds us of historical occurrences that have shaped our present day, but also provides us with some valuable examples of how human impact continues to change our world around us. What was a peninsula in 1611 when Sir Thomas Dale set out to establish a new colony named for the eldest son of King James, is today an island because of a 1930 initiative by the Army Corps of engineers to shorten the trip down the James River. Where the river once did flow is now only a wetlands. Also, there now exists a mountain created by the by-product of burning coal which was produced by the electrical power plant located in that area. A large lagoon now exists as well that was not originally there in 1611 because of man’s intervention. This site is also the place where the first ever college in America was founded which was intended to teach English settlers and native Americans alike.
Several important people have left their mark in this historically significant site including Sir Thomas Dale who was ordered to find a more healthful spot to create a colony than Jamestown which was located in swampy conditions. Pocahontas, of the Powhatan tribe, whom later would take on the Christian name, Rebecca and become married to the English tobacco farmer, John Rolfe. Rolfe also having great importance to this area as his tobacco crop would soon become the most valuable cash crop the colony had. Reverend Whitaker was responsible for the education and baptism of Rebecca and would eventually officiate this wedding. By the time this colony came to its tragic end in 1622 another heroin would arise, Mrs. Proctor, who held off the native attack on her home for upwards of three weeks before she was taken over due to a shortage of supplies. To this day the water treatment plant nearby on Coxendale Road bears the Proctor name. I noticed the name of this water treatment facility specifically when my car broke down right in front of it as I was leaving.
My favorite thing about the tour at the Citie of Henricus park is that they have people wearing clothing from 1611 who live and work as if they are still apart of the time period. They have the weapons and tools that were really used in that day and still demonstrate how it was done. I feel this is a very important part of this historical site in that it allows the people of our present generation to visually see what we can only read about in books giving us a much stronger connection to the people and times of the past.
Due to the nature of the circumstances there were a multitude of people who lost their life in this location. Later human intervention such as the mountain of fly-ash that was left here it is nearly impossible to ever know just how many people truly are buried here. Of these I find the story of Reverend Whitaker most interesting to me personally mainly because of a personal connection to this individual as my mother’s maiden name is Whitacre. This was a person who I was not familiar with prior to my field study and I am now beginning to research if there truly is any connection to this slight variation of the family name.
I would rate this tour an absolute 10 because of the great importance of the lessons that can be learned from this site. Not only about the history of the second English settlement in America, the first college founded in America, or the story of the struggle for these settlers trying to live in peace with the Powhatan tribe; But also of the impact we humans have on our environment around us and reasons why conservation is so important. I would strongly urge anyone to visit this site and enjoy the live action tour. If I were to take another field trip in Virginia it would surely be to Jamestown to learn more about the history and connection between these two settlements.
For my field study I chose to go to the Citie of Henricus, located in Chesterfield County along the James River at Dutch Gap. This is a fantastic park that not only reminds us of historical occurrences that have shaped our present day, but also provides us with some valuable examples of how human impact continues to change our world around us. What was a peninsula in 1611 when Sir Thomas Dale set out to establish a new colony named for the eldest son of King James, is today an island because of a 1930 initiative by the Army Corps of engineers to shorten the trip down the James River. Where the river once did flow is now only a wetlands. Also, there now exists a mountain created by the by-product of burning coal which was produced by the electrical power plant located in that area. A large lagoon now exists as well that was not originally there in 1611 because of man’s intervention. This site is also the place where the first ever college in America was founded which was intended to teach English settlers and native Americans alike.
Several important people have left their mark in this historically significant site including Sir Thomas Dale who was ordered to find a more healthful spot to create a colony than Jamestown which was located in swampy conditions. Pocahontas, of the Powhatan tribe, whom later would take on the Christian name, Rebecca and become married to the English tobacco farmer, John Rolfe. Rolfe also having great importance to this area as his tobacco crop would soon become the most valuable cash crop the colony had. Reverend Whitaker was responsible for the education and baptism of Rebecca and would eventually officiate this wedding. By the time this colony came to its tragic end in 1622 another heroin would arise, Mrs. Proctor, who held off the native attack on her home for upwards of three weeks before she was taken over due to a shortage of supplies. To this day the water treatment plant nearby on Coxendale Road bears the Proctor name. I noticed the name of this water treatment facility specifically when my car broke down right in front of it as I was leaving.
My favorite thing about the tour at the Citie of Henricus park is that they have people wearing clothing from 1611 who live and work as if they are still apart of the time period. They have the weapons and tools that were really used in that day and still demonstrate how it was done. I feel this is a very important part of this historical site in that it allows the people of our present generation to visually see what we can only read about in books giving us a much stronger connection to the people and times of the past.
Due to the nature of the circumstances there were a multitude of people who lost their life in this location. Later human intervention such as the mountain of fly-ash that was left here it is nearly impossible to ever know just how many people truly are buried here. Of these I find the story of Reverend Whitaker most interesting to me personally mainly because of a personal connection to this individual as my mother’s maiden name is Whitacre. This was a person who I was not familiar with prior to my field study and I am now beginning to research if there truly is any connection to this slight variation of the family name.
I would rate this tour an absolute 10 because of the great importance of the lessons that can be learned from this site. Not only about the history of the second English settlement in America, the first college founded in America, or the story of the struggle for these settlers trying to live in peace with the Powhatan tribe; But also of the impact we humans have on our environment around us and reasons why conservation is so important. I would strongly urge anyone to visit this site and enjoy the live action tour. If I were to take another field trip in Virginia it would surely be to Jamestown to learn more about the history and connection between these two settlements.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
six months
The past six months have been exciting, rewarding, and exceedingly enlightening for both your mother and I. Even more adjectives couldn't express the true emotion and insight that have born themselves upon us. You weighed in today at 16 lbs and you are now attempting to swim as you take a bath. You are such a smart little man and I certainly am impressed with your intellectual gains over the past short six months. I have spent the last half of a year getting to know you and your personality and I must say it has been the greatest from start to now. You enjoy covering your face as to play peek-a-boo, you are thoroughly fun to be around. Your beautiful smile continuously brightens my entire existence and the only downfall to any of it is how quickly it has been seeming to go by. There just is not enough time that I can spend with you making it certain that it is all the more important to enjoy as much passing time with you as is possible. Your hair is growing quickly also and soon we will be finding that it is time for your first haircut. We will also be acquiring for you a new car seat in the near future as you are nearing the weight capacity of your current one.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
He
He moves his fingers back and forth with great haste. He is not yet sure, nor is he yet aware of the greater annotations of this feat, how he controls precise grasps with those fingers and yet that little brain sends continual constant sparks to those fingers inspiring them to open and close, open and close. He now does push-ups. Not the military form of push-up that has strict guidelines which constitute what a push-up is, however it is a pushing up using the arms in this fashion to get the back straightened and the belly brought up above the ground surface while using his knees as a point of support as opposed to his toes. This is a huge step in the process of learning how to become more greatly mobilized by the art of crawling. He is now just over 5 months and becoming ever more vocal. Not yet always forming words but instead forming those forms which support language functions as a whole. He is learning the fundamentals of the concept of what language is and what it can be used for. Using "trigger" vocalizations to communicate a feeling of hunger or a need to be comforted. He is my little boy, my blue eyed little boy and he is growing so exceedingly quick. The great things that yet amaze him in this world as he learns of all his surroundings, may he never cease to find wonder in this creation.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Monday, August 27, 2012
Your Father: Blogger
Blogging, or web logging, is an art form that developed in short time after the idea of a world connected by computers. There are a few essential things to remember in keeping a journal of activities or events online such as this. Firstly, Titles and Tags are very essential in the keeping of good organization in a web journal. By having a properly titled entry the information contained in a post will be relevant to it's title. Also, assigning meta tags which are relevant to the content of a post will make it easy to find information contained in your journals for future generations.
The next thing to consider is your content in general. A paragraph should contain complete sentences which carry out the communication of the ideas relevant. If your blog contains large amounts of informal code, or personal notes in shorthand it will be of little to no use for any individuals of future generations looking back on your compiled works after you are no longer around to answer to interpretations of your notes. This form of writing should be reserved for personal hard copy notes in your study or at your work bench. Information and ideas which are communicated in a web journal should be strictly informational to an audience other than yourself.
These fundamental basics will also result in further health to your blog in the process. Your blog will respond well with search engine crawlers when your tags, titles, and content comply with these guidelines. By having well organized and gathered content your web logging experience will reap great rewards personally and to the collective intelligence assembled on the internet.
The next thing to consider is your content in general. A paragraph should contain complete sentences which carry out the communication of the ideas relevant. If your blog contains large amounts of informal code, or personal notes in shorthand it will be of little to no use for any individuals of future generations looking back on your compiled works after you are no longer around to answer to interpretations of your notes. This form of writing should be reserved for personal hard copy notes in your study or at your work bench. Information and ideas which are communicated in a web journal should be strictly informational to an audience other than yourself.
These fundamental basics will also result in further health to your blog in the process. Your blog will respond well with search engine crawlers when your tags, titles, and content comply with these guidelines. By having well organized and gathered content your web logging experience will reap great rewards personally and to the collective intelligence assembled on the internet.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Hendrickson
Yesterday, your mom, your grandma, yourself, and I all took a 3 hour ride out to Gretna Virginia just a little south of Lynchburg. We did this with all intention of you meeting your great-grandma and great-grandpa. And also, your grand uncle Larry and your grand aunt Gale. Ben and Shirley Hendrickson are the parents of Pearl and Larry Hendrickson. Larry married Gale. Pearl gave birth to your mom and your aunt Britt.
If at any point in the future you decide you would like to know more information about previous generations in this side of your family you should ask your mom or grandma. There was a great deal of fuss over you while we were there, which is understandable with you being such a beautiful baby boy. Your Great-Granddaddy Ben gave you a small teddy bear wearing a Philadelphia Eagles football jersey. Your uncle Larry gave you a walker and a reign deer.
If at any point in the future you decide you would like to know more information about previous generations in this side of your family you should ask your mom or grandma. There was a great deal of fuss over you while we were there, which is understandable with you being such a beautiful baby boy. Your Great-Granddaddy Ben gave you a small teddy bear wearing a Philadelphia Eagles football jersey. Your uncle Larry gave you a walker and a reign deer.
Friday, August 24, 2012
university
There will come a time in your life, when you have reached a collegiate way of thinking. This will be brought about through a lifetime process we call aging and it will involve much schooling and learning. In eighteen years time it is typical of a young individual to complete a High School Diploma. Also, it is possible that the individual completes a GED certificate in lieu of the diploma. Either way our social norms as a species has become as such that one of these two things are essentially expected of you as you begin to carry out any form of business in the "real world" of our civilization.
As you find yourself browsing through these journals which I have kept for you and you have completed this basic level of learning I will mark them with a meta label "university". You can perform a search through this blog then using this keyword in order to find any documents which specifically pertain to your Post Graduation Era.
I myself have thus far taken the following classes:
ITN 111, PSY 230, SDV 100, PED 116, HIS 215, REL 100, BIO 111, BIO 211, ITE 101, ENG
Obviously, this list continues to grow and various other classes and certifications have also been acquired. I post to you these standings I myself have obtained in order to give you a benchmark by which to gauge my advise given on to you. I hope that you find your higher education experiences each have exciting and challenging adventures each of which you should address in a most energetic and optimistic approach. With the right attitude and a belief in Christ all things can be possible for you.
As you find yourself browsing through these journals which I have kept for you and you have completed this basic level of learning I will mark them with a meta label "university". You can perform a search through this blog then using this keyword in order to find any documents which specifically pertain to your Post Graduation Era.
I myself have thus far taken the following classes:
ITN 111, PSY 230, SDV 100, PED 116, HIS 215, REL 100, BIO 111, BIO 211, ITE 101, ENG
Obviously, this list continues to grow and various other classes and certifications have also been acquired. I post to you these standings I myself have obtained in order to give you a benchmark by which to gauge my advise given on to you. I hope that you find your higher education experiences each have exciting and challenging adventures each of which you should address in a most energetic and optimistic approach. With the right attitude and a belief in Christ all things can be possible for you.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Family Ties
Early this morning we arose and packed up the car with every possible necessity for a couple day trip. We had planned on it only being a day trip, however it is always wise to err on the side of caution. We then headed North to Winchester, VA where you were born to attend a family reunion hosted at Calvary Church of the Brethren on 522. It was a day filled with adventure, from long hours spent on the roadways to get there and to get back home, to a round of pass the baby that seemed to go on for as long as the roadways. I can tell you son, you enjoyed every second of all the attention. You were able to meet many of your cousins and extended family.
I would have much more to say of this except your father is exceptionally weary from much time spent driving today. For this reason I am having a little trouble drawing the words together properly. I will reflect more on this in the near future. Until then let me leave you with a simple call to always keep ties to your family. You have a large family exceedingly full of love and to lay this great asset to the wayside would be a great shame.
I would have much more to say of this except your father is exceptionally weary from much time spent driving today. For this reason I am having a little trouble drawing the words together properly. I will reflect more on this in the near future. Until then let me leave you with a simple call to always keep ties to your family. You have a large family exceedingly full of love and to lay this great asset to the wayside would be a great shame.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Always Growing: New Motor Skills
I can report to you slightly after 4 months and you are able to shake a rattle. You show strong understanding as to the concept of shaking the rattle in order to make sound, and in the concept of like items that are rattles that make this noise. You have a monkey face on a fabric stick sort of rattle and you prefer to shake it slowly back and forth harvesting out of it a soothing sound. Also, your favorite toy Squirtle the Turtle, has a mirror in his belly and a rattle for each of his four feet. You shake him back and forth the length of your torso to create the similar sound from him.
You also have a third, a hard plastic rattle that came as a fixture to a play surface we got for you. It can be separated and this is how you prefer to play with this toy. As you can also use the hard plastic as a sort of teething ring. Did I mention your teething as of now.....
Your ability to get up a crawl around is all but near around the corner for you at this time. Indeed you are learning new and interesting motor skills at an exponential pace. I seek that you would find such great excitement as your son also begins shaking a rattle with meaning. With complete understanding as to the concept of shaking that rattle, and how he is now become a "little scientist". Guard him dearly!
You also have a third, a hard plastic rattle that came as a fixture to a play surface we got for you. It can be separated and this is how you prefer to play with this toy. As you can also use the hard plastic as a sort of teething ring. Did I mention your teething as of now.....
Your ability to get up a crawl around is all but near around the corner for you at this time. Indeed you are learning new and interesting motor skills at an exponential pace. I seek that you would find such great excitement as your son also begins shaking a rattle with meaning. With complete understanding as to the concept of shaking that rattle, and how he is now become a "little scientist". Guard him dearly!
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Speaking of Your Mother
Speaking of your MotherYour mother deserves a great deal of credit in your upbringing. She is consistently there for you, is very observant of your needs. She does read this blog on a frequent occasion as I have set her web browser's home page to it. Now that I have routed the address http://jacob.hiett.info to this blog it has made that quite easier.
It is because she reads here that I seek to provoke her interest as well as your own frequently here. Perhaps serving in the present now as a channel of communication between your mother and I, but also having value in the future to you as a testament of our love and partnership. Our great journey that we embarked upon together, an agreement between a pair to act as a team in the raising of a young human boy.
Most times I do know that there really isn't any other person in this world that I would rather be in this partnership with. Having said that, it is also true that your mother and I do not always agree on all things. This is typical in any team. We deal with each of these situations in such a way that ultimately promotes love.
Every couple has points such as these and when the time comes that you yourself are raising a child you should reflect back on some of these truths and think to help your wife out a little extra today. Let her know that you love her by reaching out to her in some slightly off pattern way.
In a man's life he finds that at times there is a steady grinding away at time. A man may not be sure of much and he may contemplate on a lot. Anything you can do to help you remember to stop and smell the roses is a great investment of your time.
My Rachel,
I love you with all of my self. Our quest to raise this child with you is the most important thing in my being. I will do anything for you, because of you.
My Son,
May the love that I teach, and bestow upon this family never be lost. May the message of God's love for you be readily upon your lips. I hope for you that in your life you can find truth, and find love.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
How I Met Your Mother
A fabulously funny sitcom show, entitled "How I Met Your Mother", has maintained a few successful seasons in the past few years. Your Mother and I both enjoy this show, and if you ever get the chance to view it, you will notice some of the ironic similarities between the show and this very blog I have kept for you. The inner story here is that one of the stars who is cast in the sitcom hit is Neil Patrick Harris, who also played the leading role in the show "Doogie Howser M.D." That show had a couple of successful season when I myself was just a young impressionable young lad. In fact I can remember it as a time when I was in elementary school and was beginning to keep my first journal. In this classic Neil, then a teenager, would make an entry into his computer journal at the end of every show.
I suppose you could say I began to find my passion for words from the example set by this show. It empowered me with the idea of collective knowledge, and the idea of what good things could be found and determined through keeping a journal of things.
Well this post is titled "How I Met Your Mother", therefore if your reading it you are probably interested to know. I will tell you. It all started when I was working on a landscaping job and needed to purchase a cell phone so that I would have a consistent phone number for certain contacts to reach me. In my free time, I explored options this phone had and online abilities. There was this game I found online with my phone that your mother also happened to be playing on at around the same time.
Now, there are plenty of other stories that all fall into place with this and I am sure over time we will explain them all to you my son.
I suppose you could say I began to find my passion for words from the example set by this show. It empowered me with the idea of collective knowledge, and the idea of what good things could be found and determined through keeping a journal of things.
Well this post is titled "How I Met Your Mother", therefore if your reading it you are probably interested to know. I will tell you. It all started when I was working on a landscaping job and needed to purchase a cell phone so that I would have a consistent phone number for certain contacts to reach me. In my free time, I explored options this phone had and online abilities. There was this game I found online with my phone that your mother also happened to be playing on at around the same time.
Now, there are plenty of other stories that all fall into place with this and I am sure over time we will explain them all to you my son.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Doctor Visit
Your 4 month check-up:
Your Doctor:
Colonial Heights Pediatrics--
Dr. Ahmed Shahab-uddin MD FAAP
16011 Kairos Road Suite 100
Colonial Heights, VA 23834
(804)520-2600
The appointment:
9am August 8th, 2012
The Results:
14 lbs. 12 oz. and your head is 16.5 inches around. At this visit and your growth curve is doing wonderfully. You got your 4 month shots, which caused only a minor fuss. The Doctor says everything about you seems healthy and happy and he recommended to your mom and I that we keep you right where you are on foods until closer to 6 months when we can begin to expand on your food choices some more. You will have your next doctor visit then at about 6 months.
Very well done at this doctor's visit son. You are certainly well on your way to becoming a young man. You met a new man today who is a VCU Medical Student and he also is a father so he was very well knowledgeable into the process of infant teething. Gerber baby food and Pampers diapers abound.
And I now include this, a photo of your mid day nap after having your big day with your doctor.
Your Doctor:
Colonial Heights Pediatrics--
Dr. Ahmed Shahab-uddin MD FAAP
16011 Kairos Road Suite 100
Colonial Heights, VA 23834
(804)520-2600
The appointment:
9am August 8th, 2012
The Results:
14 lbs. 12 oz. and your head is 16.5 inches around. At this visit and your growth curve is doing wonderfully. You got your 4 month shots, which caused only a minor fuss. The Doctor says everything about you seems healthy and happy and he recommended to your mom and I that we keep you right where you are on foods until closer to 6 months when we can begin to expand on your food choices some more. You will have your next doctor visit then at about 6 months.
Very well done at this doctor's visit son. You are certainly well on your way to becoming a young man. You met a new man today who is a VCU Medical Student and he also is a father so he was very well knowledgeable into the process of infant teething. Gerber baby food and Pampers diapers abound.
And I now include this, a photo of your mid day nap after having your big day with your doctor.
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Teething
It has apparently become plainly apparent to me that the process of teething is quite an ordeal for a young little man such as yourself. Times that call for a soothing patient approach from a kind loving hand. Teething rings which are commercially available can be placed in the freezer giving a cooling, ache relieving effect for a time. There also, is a relief which comes from using large pieces of beef jerky which we allow you to chew on, UNDER CLOSE SUPERVISION. All little bits of jerky which you manage to break off are promptly discarded.
We are told that a slight fever is never anything to be massively concerned with during this process of teething, and we have noted a slight rise in your typical temperature during this time. Where you generally rest around 98.7 degrees now you will on occasion reach temperatures of 99.1. There is not much else we can do to ease your trials on this one except for to be there, talk to you in soothing tone, and hold you to take your mind off the aches which are brought about by this process of your little baby teeth breaking through the surface of your gums.
Your mother and I can not as of yet see the first little nubs of teeth, however we keep a watchful eye out in anticipation that there will be visible signs of teeth soon. Your hardened gums along with all of the other accumulated signs of teething bring us to this assumption. It is a passage that every man and woman alike take on the great adventure towards adulthood and there is not much need in making it out to be any more than what it is. You will get through it son, all in your own good time, and we are here to guide and assist you through each day of it.
When there are signs of first teeth, and when your first encounter with the tooth fairy occur I am certain you will find mention of each of the events here in this chronicle. Just as there are also many other milestones along the way which will each be worthy of it's own mentioning.
We are told that a slight fever is never anything to be massively concerned with during this process of teething, and we have noted a slight rise in your typical temperature during this time. Where you generally rest around 98.7 degrees now you will on occasion reach temperatures of 99.1. There is not much else we can do to ease your trials on this one except for to be there, talk to you in soothing tone, and hold you to take your mind off the aches which are brought about by this process of your little baby teeth breaking through the surface of your gums.
Your mother and I can not as of yet see the first little nubs of teeth, however we keep a watchful eye out in anticipation that there will be visible signs of teeth soon. Your hardened gums along with all of the other accumulated signs of teething bring us to this assumption. It is a passage that every man and woman alike take on the great adventure towards adulthood and there is not much need in making it out to be any more than what it is. You will get through it son, all in your own good time, and we are here to guide and assist you through each day of it.
When there are signs of first teeth, and when your first encounter with the tooth fairy occur I am certain you will find mention of each of the events here in this chronicle. Just as there are also many other milestones along the way which will each be worthy of it's own mentioning.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
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Monday, July 30, 2012
Fourth Month Cometh
As of August 3rd you will be four months old my son. Your growth and learning have been a subject of great amazement to myself. By this point you are holding things in your hands, such as your pacifier which you hold in your hands and admire. You also hold your toys and stuffed animals with great skill.
Your weight is up to 14 lbs and you are at the beginning stages of crawling, sitting up, and standing on your legs holding your own weight. We have a doctor's appointment established for you on August 8th and so my post on or near that date should contain a current update of that. I must also mention that your vocal abilities continuously increase as well.
I personally have finished up my summer semester at college. I am looking forward fall semester coming up with great hesitance; Only because for the next hot summer days until fall semester begins I will have a great volume of available time in which to play with you. I was holding you in my lap today as we watched icarly together. As I did this I thought to myself how I only have 18 short years in which to hold you and how they will be passing so quickly.
Your weight is up to 14 lbs and you are at the beginning stages of crawling, sitting up, and standing on your legs holding your own weight. We have a doctor's appointment established for you on August 8th and so my post on or near that date should contain a current update of that. I must also mention that your vocal abilities continuously increase as well.
I personally have finished up my summer semester at college. I am looking forward fall semester coming up with great hesitance; Only because for the next hot summer days until fall semester begins I will have a great volume of available time in which to play with you. I was holding you in my lap today as we watched icarly together. As I did this I thought to myself how I only have 18 short years in which to hold you and how they will be passing so quickly.
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Sitting in a tub
So Little guy, almost the 4th month and you are now willing and able to attempt sitting up in the tub. It has become somewhat of a tradition around here that 8pm-ish is bath time for you, the entire time you have taken to water well; Just enjoying your bath time as well as you please. And now son, I might add to this account that outside the tub your doing exceptional at training your balance and fine finger skills. Your speech is ever trying to come out in words, but coming out in sounds at any rate, a plenty. I would say with only a few more attempts of sitting in the tub and your strength and agility will be substantial enough that the largest part of the bath will be in a sitting up position. It is, it truly is the simpler things in life that you really need to count most precious; Such is the way your child learns little things along their version of life's journey!
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Television Shows
Television shows are in the world, and so son, you are going to be exposed to them. On this note I must say that there is a lot of crappy television programming out there, so guard yourself well from this tragic epidemic. Granted, there is also a large amount of television material that is resourceful, tasteful, and well constructed like a fine book crafted with some great moral at the end of the story. I am going to do something slightly different with this post and ask that anyone who has came across it and read it would you please add to my little list which I hereby develop within this blog post.
I would also interject here that it is important to monitor what your little ones are watching. Some content is certainly not for youthful eyes. Perhaps around the age of 13 slightly more mature content may be added to a young persons viewing library.
Here, I am going to construct a list of Television Shows, Movies, or Animations in which I endorse. And by endorsing them I am stating that in my opinion there is at least some little piece of content to this that proves to be valuable to the preservation of ideals to future generations.
"Short Circuit" 1980's Film
"E.T." 1980's Film
"Veggie Tale's" Recent Animation Series
"Sid The Science Kid"
"Bill Nye the Science Guy"
"John Adams" HBO series film
"Annie" Musical
Okay guys so this list will surely increase as time passes and certain viewing gems cross my mental recollection. Until then post some of your favorite television classics that you feel possess noteworthy quality.
I would also interject here that it is important to monitor what your little ones are watching. Some content is certainly not for youthful eyes. Perhaps around the age of 13 slightly more mature content may be added to a young persons viewing library.
Here, I am going to construct a list of Television Shows, Movies, or Animations in which I endorse. And by endorsing them I am stating that in my opinion there is at least some little piece of content to this that proves to be valuable to the preservation of ideals to future generations.
"Short Circuit" 1980's Film
"E.T." 1980's Film
"Veggie Tale's" Recent Animation Series
"Sid The Science Kid"
"Bill Nye the Science Guy"
"John Adams" HBO series film
"Annie" Musical
Okay guys so this list will surely increase as time passes and certain viewing gems cross my mental recollection. Until then post some of your favorite television classics that you feel possess noteworthy quality.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Grand Parents
I respect my grandparents very much so with all endearment intended! My son, I would volunteer to you to respect your grand lineage with all fear and reverence. My grandfather offered me large sums of wisdom's advice. I would urge your kin to seek out she who is wisdom.
Summer Fun
There are a few things to keep in mind when discussing fun in the summer months. Firstly, sunscreen is a very important tool, especially for young children who have the tendency to play in the sun for long hours without taking notice to the effect it is having on their skin. Next there is taking into consideration a few things regarding swimming. It is not wise to go swimming immediately after having eaten because it becomes possible to experience cramps. Having cramps while swimming can be fatal, especially at times when swimming not in a pool but instead swimming in the ocean or a river. In order to avoid cramping it is best to wait at least 30 minutes after eating before swimming. Water consumption is a vital thing to monitor in summer heat because a heat stroke is no laughing matter. The average person should consume at least 8 glasses of water per day, however when the heat index is highly elevated this requirement could easily increase greatly. Keeping safety tips on your mind during your summer activities is an important preventative step towards keeping your fun from being shortened by a trip to the emergency room. Being safe does not have to keep you from enjoying your summer fun.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Nintendo
There was a time in my youth when the Nintendo Entertainment System was of the cutting edge 8-bit graphics gaming consoles. As time progressed in my lifetime I have seen and played many various platforms Nintendo created. As I reached adulthood the Nintendo system had matured along with me. Now as a man I have the Nintendo Wii. It is a great device taking the place of VCR, DVD player, HBO, and various other formats an old geezer from back in my day would remember. The joke now is, "Those round vinyl things they use to put music on", in reference to Records or LP's. You may have to Google the origins of the American and British recording studios in order to gain greater understanding of the early effects that technology had on music and the music industry.
The Nintendo Wii however has capitalized on the ability to mass produce movie views on people's television sets. My Wii is plugged into the TV already so why not stream what ever video I could care to watch via my Wii with Netflix....
The Nintendo Wii however has capitalized on the ability to mass produce movie views on people's television sets. My Wii is plugged into the TV already so why not stream what ever video I could care to watch via my Wii with Netflix....
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Food!
One of the most defining characteristics of a human being is the food they eat. Nutrition plays a vital role in overall health. My generation is beginning to see a tragic change in the food stuffs that are made available. Previous generations had an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables from local farms, and fresh meats also from local farmers. In that time it was easy to know exactly where your food came from and what was in it. This is no longer the case for the most part. This is important information for me to pass along to you because in your lifetime you are going to have to strive diligently to acquire wholesome foods. Grow a garden yourself if it is at all possible.
While on the subject of foods, we have started you on rice cereal and are beginning to introduce you to other foods now. So far we have done peas, you seemingly love them. Green beans, carrots, sweet potatoes, and pears are soon in the line up to try with you. Our basic strategy is that we try a vegetable for a period of about 3 days to ensure that it has no allergic reactions so that if there is one we will quickly be able to identify the cause, then after we have determined each of the vegetables are safe we will begin the same process with fruits. We decided vegetables would be first because fruits having a sweeter taste it may be hard to get you to go back to vegetables after having tasted the sweetness of fruits. Once all allergies have been ruled out we will feed you a variety of all foods.
The hard part is checking labels, even on baby food jars you will find random additives and what not so it is important to us to find only baby food containing only the vegetable or fruit in question and water. Gerber has been superior in this department thus far with the exclusion of their organic collection. Worthwhile of being mentioned a firm back up plan for when commercial food marketeers fail to provide wholesome foods is to simply use a blender to make baby foods ourselves out of fresh vegetables and fruits.
While on the subject of foods, we have started you on rice cereal and are beginning to introduce you to other foods now. So far we have done peas, you seemingly love them. Green beans, carrots, sweet potatoes, and pears are soon in the line up to try with you. Our basic strategy is that we try a vegetable for a period of about 3 days to ensure that it has no allergic reactions so that if there is one we will quickly be able to identify the cause, then after we have determined each of the vegetables are safe we will begin the same process with fruits. We decided vegetables would be first because fruits having a sweeter taste it may be hard to get you to go back to vegetables after having tasted the sweetness of fruits. Once all allergies have been ruled out we will feed you a variety of all foods.
The hard part is checking labels, even on baby food jars you will find random additives and what not so it is important to us to find only baby food containing only the vegetable or fruit in question and water. Gerber has been superior in this department thus far with the exclusion of their organic collection. Worthwhile of being mentioned a firm back up plan for when commercial food marketeers fail to provide wholesome foods is to simply use a blender to make baby foods ourselves out of fresh vegetables and fruits.
Monday, July 9, 2012
This Age
You know son, this age is such a precious age. Grabbing your ankles, exploring your feet. Playing with various toys as they catch your attention. Your diaper is like all over the place and stuff, and you just want to play. On the one hand I so can not wait until you have a child at this age that you are now because I want to share with you the great joys and thrills that come along with it. On the other hand I so wish that I could keep you right here at this age at this point in time for an infinite amount of time. Your flexibility far surpasses that of both of your parents, combined! Hell son, I am not sure I can even grab your mothers ankles at this point, even if she was sitting back in a lounge chair. Your well over 13 lbs. at this point and growing so fast. Your motor skills are quickly developing and wow son, I just really hope that when you are much much older and looking back on all of these posts that I have placed here for you, well I hope that you will understand just how much love was placed into the creation of each one. I hope greatly that you will understand how much love was placed into each day of your existence. Even more so, I hope with all of my heart that you, and you will, get the chance to express such a love towards your family, your wife, and your son as has been given to me, this wonderful experience that is Fatherhood, Parenthood. My son, while you are young take it slow and enjoy each day, as you are a young adult take it slow and consider each move carefully, and as you are father take it slow enjoying each day to its maximum potential. Then, when you are older, much much older, take it slow and advise the generations to come to do the same. For as you will undoubtedly find, there are but few days in a man's existence and each one of them, even the seemingly bad few, are great treasures that once spent can never be regained.
A man can work hard, make money and then waste it all. If he works hard he can gain it all back again. But if a man wastes all of his time, there is no getting that back.
A man can work hard, make money and then waste it all. If he works hard he can gain it all back again. But if a man wastes all of his time, there is no getting that back.
Monday, July 2, 2012
Rolling Over
Three months of age tomorrow and you are now able to freely move from your back to your stomach into the crawl position and then roll yourself on your back again. This is a wonderful sign that you will soon be transporting yourself to every slightly interesting object which happens to catch your attention. I am really ever so delighted by this new feat of yours, a true mark along your epic journey towards independence. I too, have grown recently, now servicing the greater Richmond area with all web solutions from domain registry to web and server hosting. This is an exciting position for me as I look about at my new horizons with bright eyes, much like the look you have when on all fours. Richmond Daddy!
Friday, June 29, 2012
Weather!
A very famous man in history once found his way to said fame in part by the daily recording of the weather for an extended period of time. I urge you to try this project if only for a short time consisting of a few weeks or two. This is a great exercise for you to do in order to accomplish increased skills in journal entry.
A more important point. We have just put you down for the night a short time ago and you are resting well after a rough day of battling triple digit heat and now bracing ourselves for a rough storm. Seems to be largely electrical and carrying fast winds. As I have mentioned to several of my facebook friends. At least Facebook works when the electric is out :D
In 1441, King Sejong's son, Prince Munjong, invented the first standardized rain gauge.[citation needed] These were sent throughout the Joseon Dynasty of Korea as an official tool to assess land taxes based upon a farmer's potential harvest. In 1450, Leone Battista Alberti developed a swinging-plate anemometer, and was known as the first anemometer.[13] In 1607, Galileo Galilei constructed a thermoscope. In 1611, Johannes Kepler wrote the first scientific treatise on snow crystals: "Strena Seu de Nive Sexangula (A New Year's Gift of Hexagonal Snow)".[14] In 1643, Evangelista Torricelli invented the mercury barometer.[13] In 1662, Sir Christopher Wren invented the mechanical, self-emptying, tipping bucket rain gauge. In 1714, Gabriel Fahrenheit created a reliable scale for measuring temperature with a mercury-type thermometer.[15] In 1742, Anders Celsius, a Swedish astronomer, proposed the "centigrade" temperature scale, the predecessor of the current Celsius scale.[16] In 1783, the first hair hygrometer was demonstrated by Horace-Bénédict de Saussure. In 1802–1803, Luke Howard wrote On the Modification of Clouds in which he assigns cloud types Latin names.[17] In 1806, Francis Beaufort introduced his system for classifying wind speeds.[18] Near the end of the 19th century the first cloud atlases were published, including the International Cloud Atlas, which has remained in print ever since. The April 1960 launch of the first successful weather satellite, TIROS-1, marked the beginning of the age where weather information became available globally.( section of an entry in wikipedia circa. 2012)
A more important point. We have just put you down for the night a short time ago and you are resting well after a rough day of battling triple digit heat and now bracing ourselves for a rough storm. Seems to be largely electrical and carrying fast winds. As I have mentioned to several of my facebook friends. At least Facebook works when the electric is out :D
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Days Like Today
Days like today are great! I went to my English class this morning and got well ahead on my assigned project, then I came home and jumped on my math work getting me well ahead in that class as well. I have been allotted a little extra time to spend with you as a result of all of this my son. Now I prepare to head out to my math class knowing that everything I accomplish inside the window of time for classroom study gets me well ahead and towards the taking of my final exam. With only 3 more class sessions remaining for the semester I find that I may be able to get my final done without need for attendance in the final two classes. This all means more time to spend with you my boy. This is why I say "days like today are great!"
Sunday, June 24, 2012
What I believe to be the core foundation of your mother and I's ability to ensure your sound acquisition of sleep through out the night, has been always her selection of auditory tones, your mother always taking diligent care to select some new age internet radio station while you were in slumber. I strongly endorse this as for it certainly improves your REM. So okay son, I realize that at this point you essentially only look forward to awaking in the morning to a bottle and a bit of play time followed by more of the same, I however find myself at the beginnings of the production of a basic web page design manual. Look forward to more mention of this project soon as I have now just polished up chapter one. On a lighter note, another parenting tip I can bring about is that warm and/or boiling water is your good good ally when dealt with diligently.
Your mom keeps a journal of all of your sleep habits, she also monitors your consumption of feed intake. Maybe look in your baby book for some examples from them. We will be taking you on an adventure tomorrow up to your grandma's house. A journey of about 3 miles in distance. She has a phone coming in the mail to replace the one she lost the day she took you out to mamonte park.
Proverbs
Never be slow to seek wisdom from God the Father! At any time in your life when you face any success or challenge face it whilst having in you great confidence in Christ. You will find an exceedingly well gathered collection of wise gems of advice in the book of Proverbs in your B.I.B.L.E. (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth). I, your father, find myself eternally seeking these words within my soul and this advice I hand down to you that you too should seek yea first the kingdom of heaven.
Friday, June 22, 2012
A Firm Handshake
My Son, I find it at this time, an age at which it has become apparent to me is a vital age for a father to teach his son the principles of a firm handshake. For this reason exclusively I sit at my lap top writing these words to you know as I get up after a sentence and go to your crib-side and introduce myself to you.I give encouragement towards you for us to have a mutual agreement as we exchange with one another this, a firm handshake. This is a time in your life, of which you may have little recollection, when your age only approaches 3 months. You play with your turtle as you await my return; each time I come to you I see great amazement that this guy is back again, awaiting my firm handshake.Always find time my son, for your son, and teach him the principles of a firm hand shake. As arising comes the time, when this lesson has put you to sleep, I see you grasping the covers and thus I proceed to tuck you in tight and turn out the light, after a kiss and a firm handshake.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Maturation
Growing up on a farm leads a young man to learn about processes that occur in the world in a slightly different way than that of an individual growing up in the city being educated primarily in school on the matter. Words have always been a love of mine, my stepdad taught me to love words by frequently reading to me. One word that I specifically remember vividly, mostly because I had such a struggle learning to pronounce it properly, is the word “Maturation,” and it always amazed me how the fate of an animal or crop would be determined through his use of this word. Maturation is defined as the process of maturing, the emergence of personal and behavioral characteristics through growth processes.
Looking back on those simple times of watching a crop of corn reach full maturation before harvest, I realize that I have also witnessed something slightly more gratifying. Having seen the birth of my son, my eyes have viewed the maturation of a pregnancy. Moreover, I am able to reflect on quite a bit of self-maturation as I have put away childish things of my past and am now picking up on things that make me as a role-model, a father, even a fully matured man. I find it so humbling how this little boy has created such a change in me that can be described only as total maturation.
As goes the circle of life, I now see that I am, in a small sense at least, back at my beginnings watching maturation take place. Now, instead of watching some pig pack on the pounds or watching a crop of barley going to seed along the journey to maturation, I am watching my son progress through all of the milestones that will lead him ultimately to adulthood. His first words being formed out of his tiny little mouth, his first steps, and his first day at school all are examples of him moving forward at a steady pace towards his maturation.
Regardless of how you view it, a self-actuation of the process, or a third person point of view, watching this, the process of maturation is extremely rewarding. This can be viewed all around you; in your garden, your pets, even your children, the process of maturation is noted. If you look hard enough you will probably even find at some point that you, yourself have embarked on the great voyage that is maturation.
Monday, June 4, 2012
2 Month Check-Up
Colonial Heights Pediatrics--
Dr. Ahmed Shahab-uddin MD FAAP
16011 Kairos Road Suite 100
Colonial Heights, VA 23834
(804)520-2600
Your Pediatric doctor gave you a 2 month check-up and your 2 month vaccinations. Seven total vaccinations were administered to you today via 2 shots and 1 oral solution. A 5-in-1 shot, another shot, and Roto-virus oral solution. I tell you son it really pained me knowing those very harmful viruses that we were introducing into your system and it was strongly against my hearts will to do so. But my knowledge is that in so many cases everything works out just fine. I was vaccinated, your mother was vaccinated, and so chances are you will respond to it just fine as well. The outcome if one of those viruses should introduce itself to your system with this processes having not been done would be absolutely detrimental though and so all-in-all it is my great hope that I have done the right thing here.
Let's talk Check-up now. Your head is 15 inches around in circumference now in case you decide you want to go shopping for a ball-cap or cowboy hat anytime soon. You are 22 and a half inches tall from head to hoof. You now weight 11 lbs. 13 oz. The doctor says your doing great and he was actually rather impressed with your slightly above the curb sensory-motor skills. He didn't expect you to be rolling over as effectively as what you are until nearer to 4 months of age. He told you to follow the light of his flashlight and you obeyed him as if you have a fluent understanding of the English language. All and all son you are doing great.
Dr. Ahmed Shahab-uddin MD FAAP
16011 Kairos Road Suite 100
Colonial Heights, VA 23834
(804)520-2600
Your Pediatric doctor gave you a 2 month check-up and your 2 month vaccinations. Seven total vaccinations were administered to you today via 2 shots and 1 oral solution. A 5-in-1 shot, another shot, and Roto-virus oral solution. I tell you son it really pained me knowing those very harmful viruses that we were introducing into your system and it was strongly against my hearts will to do so. But my knowledge is that in so many cases everything works out just fine. I was vaccinated, your mother was vaccinated, and so chances are you will respond to it just fine as well. The outcome if one of those viruses should introduce itself to your system with this processes having not been done would be absolutely detrimental though and so all-in-all it is my great hope that I have done the right thing here.
Let's talk Check-up now. Your head is 15 inches around in circumference now in case you decide you want to go shopping for a ball-cap or cowboy hat anytime soon. You are 22 and a half inches tall from head to hoof. You now weight 11 lbs. 13 oz. The doctor says your doing great and he was actually rather impressed with your slightly above the curb sensory-motor skills. He didn't expect you to be rolling over as effectively as what you are until nearer to 4 months of age. He told you to follow the light of his flashlight and you obeyed him as if you have a fluent understanding of the English language. All and all son you are doing great.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Nimble Fingers
For your first couple weeks balled up fists is all we would see. Now you are getting older, stronger, bigger, more flexible and ready to play. Your hands are open on greater occasion. While babies typically suck on their thumbs you are finding it pleasing to you to suck the palms of your hands. Every now and then I will find you with your thumb or a finger in your mouth but for the most part it is your palm.
Your fingers are obviously becoming more nimble because you are grabbing your toy rattle turtle we have named squirtle. You get a good grab on your burp towel from time to time. Your pushing yourself up when we have you on your belly and holding your head up high. You enjoy time in your vibrating chair as you sit with me while I read you a book or we watch some television. You certainly do not like to have your feet covered up although you do not at all mind wearing socks. (which is much like myself).
You have an appointment with the doctor this coming Monday and I will give you an update on how you are doing after that fact. I imagine they will get a measure of your weight and it is likely that it will be the time for your first round of shots.
Your fingers are obviously becoming more nimble because you are grabbing your toy rattle turtle we have named squirtle. You get a good grab on your burp towel from time to time. Your pushing yourself up when we have you on your belly and holding your head up high. You enjoy time in your vibrating chair as you sit with me while I read you a book or we watch some television. You certainly do not like to have your feet covered up although you do not at all mind wearing socks. (which is much like myself).
You have an appointment with the doctor this coming Monday and I will give you an update on how you are doing after that fact. I imagine they will get a measure of your weight and it is likely that it will be the time for your first round of shots.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Growing Young Boys!
Hello Son, This is you chowing down on some milk. Now that you are 2 months old you are consuming between 24 and 30 ounces per day. Your growing, growing, and growing some more. Well, that's great really because at this point we want nothing more than for you to get bigger, get stronger, and get smarter. Oh and your a really intelligent baby as well. Beginning to become very vocal. Developing your gross and fine motor skills in good fashion. Yes son this is a passing grade on your overall life experience at this point. Keep up the great work! Now I have to get off of here...... It's time for a Dr. Seuss story :D
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
The Alphabet
Our favorite activity this week ( roughly meaning an activity which keeps me occupied and amused while holding you in my arms and which brings a smile and a giggle to your face ) is making simple silly songs out of letters. Singing the alphabet from "A" to "Z" is decidedly last weeks favorite activity and so now we are putting together a simple few letters that we can concentrate on that make nifty jingles and allow you to practice a few simple words. Most used is "L-M-N-O" Which can be used to construct a song that goes a little something like : L-M-N-O....L-M-N-O....L-M-N-O, Fun Fun Fun.
The added benefit to this is that some small words can be formed from this exercise such as Ellen (which happens to be a daytime talk show which comes on weekdays at 3pm on CBS and happens to always attract your attention daily) Also the word Minnow,
We are also making fun little jingles out of S-O-L-O-M-O-N which will ultimately teach you to spell your middle name before most children are spelling their first. Always a great thing to stay ahead of the curb in this world son! Well your 2 months old now and your doing very well. So far so good on you growing up to be a very well mannered young man. In order that you may know the importance of staying ahead of the curb I have begun a small college fund for you in the form of advertisements running on this blog. As people out there in the world access this blog and click on advertisements here and ultimately buy the really great products which are made available here a small profit will be accumulated. When you are 18 I will turn the keys to the account over to you and you will be able to turn the ads off lock this blog up and keep it privately to yourself, or you can decide to keep it open to the world filled with ads or ad-free totally up to you.
The added benefit to this is that some small words can be formed from this exercise such as Ellen (which happens to be a daytime talk show which comes on weekdays at 3pm on CBS and happens to always attract your attention daily) Also the word Minnow,
We are also making fun little jingles out of S-O-L-O-M-O-N which will ultimately teach you to spell your middle name before most children are spelling their first. Always a great thing to stay ahead of the curb in this world son! Well your 2 months old now and your doing very well. So far so good on you growing up to be a very well mannered young man. In order that you may know the importance of staying ahead of the curb I have begun a small college fund for you in the form of advertisements running on this blog. As people out there in the world access this blog and click on advertisements here and ultimately buy the really great products which are made available here a small profit will be accumulated. When you are 18 I will turn the keys to the account over to you and you will be able to turn the ads off lock this blog up and keep it privately to yourself, or you can decide to keep it open to the world filled with ads or ad-free totally up to you.
Monday, May 21, 2012
First Word
Seven weeks old Sully. At this point your beginning to grasp things with your hands. This includes holding your bottle during your feeding for short periods of time and grasping your toys and moving them around a little bit. Also, you are becoming much more vocal. Often cooing and grunting as if you are trying to take part in a conversation. I am also very very proud to report that you have in fact formed your first word. Where you picked this word up and why this was the word you chose to first speak I have no idea. But you spoke it and your mother and I both heard it and it was a perfect representation of the word. Moreover, it really can not be counted as a fluke because you actually repeated the word three times.
So.... Sully. Your first spoken word was........ "Uncle"
So.... Sully. Your first spoken word was........ "Uncle"
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Fifth Week
So Sully, You are five weeks old now. In the last five weeks I have felt so complete as compared to six weeks or six years ago. You have now begun to roll over on your side and wave your hands around as though you are forming some level of coordination between your hands and eyes. Also, you are now beginning to eat more as you were struggling with a 4 ounce bottle previously and now you are taking down 6 to 8 ounce bottles and acting as though you could handle another ounce or two. You are not yet talking although it sure does seem like you are really trying to with your coos and grunts, as if you are trying to make conversation with us. Your mom feels like that is you being fussy, however I feel like that is you having a voice. :D
Changes in our family: Well I pulled off a 4.0 GPA at Lord Fairfax Community College and am now enrolled in John Tyler Community College. This helps to put me in line with my future goals because JTCC has an enrollment plan with University of Virginia (UVA). Well, UVA has the best computer science program in this state and it is in this state that I can get in-state tuition. What this all means is that we have relocated from Winchester VA to Chester VA in order for me to go to this school. Which will ultimately put me on track for getting into UVA. Your mother is really happy about this as well because now you can be closer to her mom and sister and be able to spend time with them and get to know them better for a while. Also, I have good contacts with the Wal-Mart here in Chester so I am able to procure part time work rather easily while I am going to school here as well.
Changes in our family: Well I pulled off a 4.0 GPA at Lord Fairfax Community College and am now enrolled in John Tyler Community College. This helps to put me in line with my future goals because JTCC has an enrollment plan with University of Virginia (UVA). Well, UVA has the best computer science program in this state and it is in this state that I can get in-state tuition. What this all means is that we have relocated from Winchester VA to Chester VA in order for me to go to this school. Which will ultimately put me on track for getting into UVA. Your mother is really happy about this as well because now you can be closer to her mom and sister and be able to spend time with them and get to know them better for a while. Also, I have good contacts with the Wal-Mart here in Chester so I am able to procure part time work rather easily while I am going to school here as well.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Dr. Seuss
It absolutely amazes me my son! You are now 2 weeks old almost to your third week and already when I read Dr. Seuss books to you like "Hop on Pop" and "The Cat in the Hat", you continue to give me your undivided attention throughout the entire reading. This is such an phenomenal thing to me.
Also, it is very apparent to me that we are bridging a huge technological gap you and I. You see, Jacob, I say this because in every generation before mine the ability to pass down such things as this web blog down to ones children was only possible in the form of written journals. Which were so very vulnerable to wear, tear, age, and weather. Now, for the first time I am readily able to store this story for you on the internet where you will be able to later find it and search through it using a keyword search. Where as in the past with written journals you would have to physically read every bit of content to find these keywords for yourself. This has all come about because, when I was a child computers were only beginning to become popularized. I was born in '82 and at that time the idea of having a computer in one's house was unheard of. Computer power was reserved for the very wealthy, and for the business setting. At the time no one could quite comprehend the ability of the computer to help an individuals daily life. Well, in just this short 29 year span from my birth to now there is commonly more than one computer in the home, as is the case in our home for your mother and I each have our own computer. It is also the case for your grandparents now for they have a computer each and my sister, your aunt Jada whom lives with them also has her own computer. Now the fact that you may even find as to some surprise to you is that even your Great-Grandparents, at this current time each have their own computer. The difference in this being firstly that, your mother, father, aunt, grandmother and grandfather each have a laptop of their own. I mean your grandfather Mark when I mention this and your grandfather David my biological father neither has a computer nor any interest in having one. (His initial interest is indulgence of his alcoholism; and this is a subject I will dive into more deeply with you at a latter time for it is an important subject.) But now your Great-Grandparents, Larry and Judy, each have a desktop computer with an accompanying desk. Also, they have a laptop that they use during times of travel and they take it for use at their store in Capon Bridge. They are not extremely technologically advanced in terms of use of the equipment but they certainly have sophisticated equipment at this point. A full on survallience system which I helped them with setting up. and so forth. This chain really ends with your Great-Great-Grandma Nellie whom has not a computer nor any interest in having one and this lack of interest is only because of her age and what her age had become during the major advancements of personal computing. So, You my son, will be involved in one of the first generations to have computers around you in your daily life from the day you were born when your mother and I first announced your birth on the internet via Facebook until whenever. With it also comes some responsibility as you find what is frivolous and what is fine in terms of the use of this technological equipment. And how in turn you will use it for the sake of your children and your children's children.
I felt this information would become useful for you.
On a lighter note: You took your very first fully immersed bath today for your umbilical cord had just recently fallen off.
Yay for Johnson's & Johnson's baby shampoo.
Your mother is currently trying to decide if she will keep it for you or throw it away. (personally speaking, it is just slightly gross; although cute because of it's representation of the initial bond between your mother and you) Well I leave that decision totally between the two of you :)
We Love you Jacob.... apparent story is very much your story, it also is our story and it is the story of things yet to come!
Also, it is very apparent to me that we are bridging a huge technological gap you and I. You see, Jacob, I say this because in every generation before mine the ability to pass down such things as this web blog down to ones children was only possible in the form of written journals. Which were so very vulnerable to wear, tear, age, and weather. Now, for the first time I am readily able to store this story for you on the internet where you will be able to later find it and search through it using a keyword search. Where as in the past with written journals you would have to physically read every bit of content to find these keywords for yourself. This has all come about because, when I was a child computers were only beginning to become popularized. I was born in '82 and at that time the idea of having a computer in one's house was unheard of. Computer power was reserved for the very wealthy, and for the business setting. At the time no one could quite comprehend the ability of the computer to help an individuals daily life. Well, in just this short 29 year span from my birth to now there is commonly more than one computer in the home, as is the case in our home for your mother and I each have our own computer. It is also the case for your grandparents now for they have a computer each and my sister, your aunt Jada whom lives with them also has her own computer. Now the fact that you may even find as to some surprise to you is that even your Great-Grandparents, at this current time each have their own computer. The difference in this being firstly that, your mother, father, aunt, grandmother and grandfather each have a laptop of their own. I mean your grandfather Mark when I mention this and your grandfather David my biological father neither has a computer nor any interest in having one. (His initial interest is indulgence of his alcoholism; and this is a subject I will dive into more deeply with you at a latter time for it is an important subject.) But now your Great-Grandparents, Larry and Judy, each have a desktop computer with an accompanying desk. Also, they have a laptop that they use during times of travel and they take it for use at their store in Capon Bridge. They are not extremely technologically advanced in terms of use of the equipment but they certainly have sophisticated equipment at this point. A full on survallience system which I helped them with setting up. and so forth. This chain really ends with your Great-Great-Grandma Nellie whom has not a computer nor any interest in having one and this lack of interest is only because of her age and what her age had become during the major advancements of personal computing. So, You my son, will be involved in one of the first generations to have computers around you in your daily life from the day you were born when your mother and I first announced your birth on the internet via Facebook until whenever. With it also comes some responsibility as you find what is frivolous and what is fine in terms of the use of this technological equipment. And how in turn you will use it for the sake of your children and your children's children.
I felt this information would become useful for you.
On a lighter note: You took your very first fully immersed bath today for your umbilical cord had just recently fallen off.
Yay for Johnson's & Johnson's baby shampoo.
Your mother is currently trying to decide if she will keep it for you or throw it away. (personally speaking, it is just slightly gross; although cute because of it's representation of the initial bond between your mother and you) Well I leave that decision totally between the two of you :)
We Love you Jacob.... apparent story is very much your story, it also is our story and it is the story of things yet to come!
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