It's been too long since we took the time...

It almost does feel just like starting over. I don't write here nearly as often as I'd like. I haven't reached that phase of marriage yet where I'm really comfortable doing my own thing, away from my wife. I feel like I want to be with her every second, and it's hard to take time away from that to write.

She's dozing on the couch, though, so I thought I'd take a few minutes to write and get everything caught up. I'm going to have to pause in a few minutes to go make sure the kids are in bed, but other than that I should have some time to put some words into the ether.

It's been a busy month. Work has been busy, for me and Darlene both, and sick kids to boot, on top of it all. Jessica got strep again a couple of weeks ago, but the upshot was that the doctor finally agreed it was time to take her tonsils out. Last Tuesday she went in for a tonsillectomy and came out like a champ. Her Grandma and Pop came down from Maggie Valley to support her and babysit during the week. She was out of school all last week, and won't go back until after the break. She's feeling a lot better lately, I think. She's certainly starting to act silly again.

Jewel is making good headway in learning her multiplication tables. She passed her 6's the other day and as far as I know is still working on 7's. We're certainly proud of her for what she's doing.

Steven is a beginning drummer and had his first concert the other night at school. He played bells and snare. It pleases this old trombone player to see a musician in the family. Of course, Jewel and Jessie have decided to join the band too, when they are old enough.

We have a new addition to our household this month. Gracie the Jack Russell-dachshund pup has come into our lives and filled our home with joy, wonder, chewed-up bits of paper, and little piles of poop. The girls call her the "four-legged ankle biter." She's a trip, and we're digging having a dog.



Darlene and I recently passed eight months of marriage. That amazes me. Two years ago I was on the verge of thinking I would never get married and now here I am, eight months into the rest of my life. It's been the best eight months of my life. Our first Christmas as a family is approaching, and I can't wait to see what 2007 brings.

Before I go, a quick shout-out to Ben and Wanda with luck and paternal thoughts as the Great Wall process continues.

I'm reading Dune again. Good stuff.

That is all. Thanks for stopping by. I'm not going to promise to write more often because I keep doing that, then I keep not doing that, if you get my meaning. So I will just say I'll write when I can. Take care, Happy Holidays to all, and love from the Brady Bunch.