Raising a Girl... Surprise (pt1)

In college I made a change from being awkward around girls to being able to (seemingly magically) engage in conversation without coming off as a complete buffoon. Through some of these conversations I was informed on a few occasions I would be a perfect father to a little girl.

Cool, thanks... wait, wait, wait... what did you just say? 

Now some may take that as a compliment, but as a man complete with a hairy chest and audible belches. I desperately desired to raise a man child who would one day compete in sports, challenge me to all you can eat rib competitions, and win a trophy for stinkiest student at camp one day. Okay maybe i don't want that last one to be true, I mean who wants the "smelly kid?"

So I took the advice and continued to trek forward on this adventure called life. Through some miracle, I met my incredibly awesome wife, Lauren. I wooed her, she kissed me, it was love at 10th sight. We got married, went on our honeymoon, and moved to Texas for school. Everything was going to plan. Then on our first anniversary, she informed me she was "behind schedule". "Hmm, probably just one of those weird girl things," I thought after the first test came up negative.

After a little bit begging and firm announcement, Lauren encouraged (or nagged) me to get another test. Sure enough this time the test was positive. At this point, it was me begging her to take another test. She assured me that there is no chance of a false negative. I reluctantly agreed she knew about these things more than myself and we went to the pregnancy center for another test for insurance purposes. Oh my, this is really happening.

Lauren, after watching one too many documentaries and reading 15 too many blogs, decided she wanted to have a natural birth at a pregnancy center. Since I am a scrooge when it comes to spending, Lauren assured me this was cheaper than a hospital, I elatedly accommodated her wishes.

After a couple of appointments, it came time to find out the gender. Leading up to this time, Lauren assured me she was pregnant with a macho fetus. I also got some teasing from several well meaning buddies that I would have a little girl.

Disclaimer** I have always wanted a little girl to be the princess of my castle, I just wanted her to have an older brother first.

Since most of you are smart enough to know what happens next, I will simply say the ride home after the ultrasound was filled with Lauren's reassurance toward me as I attempted to regain the pigment in my skin and will myself not to have a panic attack.

When Lyla finally took her first breath, she literally took mine away. I will always be amazed by how much you can love a person even though you know nothing about them. I didn't have to know her personality, quirks, pet peeves, favorite color, favorite food, if she would be a good athlete, make good grades, prefer cats or dogs, whether she will be a safe driver, or obedient to her parents. I just loved her. Amazing.

I wouldn't trade her for 100 boys.

Spiritual Application
In the same way, that is how God has asked us to love each other. He hasn't asked us to get to know one another and then make determination if that person "deserves" our respect and love. He just told us to love them. Love will always seek the best for the other person. Sure some people seem harder to love than others, but that isn't part of the formula. If you determine in your heart and mind you will love others not matter what, it will be easier to forgive the differences which keep us from truly loving, I promise. Most importantly though, each person is God's child, and because of that has inherent value deserving of love and respect.

This is picture of me holding Lyla when she was only about an hour old.

Tune in later for part two of raising a girl.

Wow, i haven't posted since last May... told you i wouldn't keep it up (Twilight post)

So as you know Valentines day was two days ago. One of the things i got Lauren was the movie Twilight: Breaking Dawn part 1. Hmmm.... I am not sure what to say. We watched this movie last night. Let me say i have not read the books nor do i intend to read them. I have however, enjoyed the movies from an entertainment standpoint. What i noticed while watching the movie was that there didn't seem to be much plot to this one. I mean we spent 2 hours watching it and i can tell you the 7 things that happened. (Spoiler alert if you haven't seen it, read it or saw the preview on TV) 1. So they get married. 2. Go on their honeymoon and have sex. Since she isn't a vampire this is dangerous for her (cause Edward is super strong- he breaks the bed in the movie) 3. She miraculously ends up being pregnant. (This is amazing because vampires only replicate by putting their venom in someone without killing them) 4. Obviously this causes problems for her because the vampire baby is really strong and grows faster than other babies. (In the movie I estimate she is pregnant for about 1.5 months) 5. This also makes the relationship between Jacob, Edward and Bella more stressed. 6. Anticipating the baby will kill Bella, the other wolves decide they need to kill the baby when its born and Bella dies which happens, BUT 7. Jacob imprints (something to do with a commitment) on the baby. The wolves cannot hurt anyone another wolf imprints on. The end. As you can see you spend about 15 minutes on each little part. plus you don't get much substance. Now the movie was entertaining, but only mildly.

Here is what irritates me about it though. I feel like they totally wasted production money making this movie. I mean why not just make one epic length movie (IE 3.5 hours like a Lord of the Rings movie) instead of a 2 hour intro that can't contain any real insight into the characters or the storyline for fear of ruining the last film. Plus Bella finally become a vampire, but only after she dies, then she comes back. Edward injects her with about a pint of venom (which seems like a lot more than would come from one bite) plus he bites her all over just in case. So between the last movie and the coming one, it took two hours to find out 7 measly subplots. This is the same thing that happened in the Harry Potter franchise. They made a part one and you only see about 4 subplots unveiled, then they leave you hanging for the last movie which they cram all the real stuff into. It seems we are easily duped into buying tickets and movies simply for having the whole set and the production studio laughs all the way to the bank. Don't get me wrong, i like the Twilight storyline, its intriguing and original, but i don't want to have my time wasted with only a tiddly wink amount of character development and advancement of the plot.

Hopefully this doesn't offend any "Twi"hards or "Pot"heads out there, but having a "part 1" of the final book is just plain wasteful (its not half the story, its a 2 hour introduction to the final movie) and I for one am a bit peeved I bought this movie for Lauren and found out we wasted our time watching it. Well ranting and raving won't change a thing because young women (under 29) will still want to watch every second of this and other movies like it. Let me know what you think.

Well that was all. I have some blog ideas to write about. I am really going to try to keep it up this time. I promise:)

Also would like to give a shout out to my only follower- Hey Jen Polk, what's up!! Thanks for reading:)

To Blog or not to Blog

Well blogging isn't exactly a new thing to do. Many of my friends have blogs and probably keep them up much more efficiently than i will. Most likely, what they have to say will be more interesting than what I have to say. (Not to discredit myself, I suppose I am a bit witty every now and then)

Due to feelings I don't have important things to say, I wrestled with the idea of blogging my thoughts. Besides aren't there enough blogs out there anyway.  But I am reminded of the great philosopher... Paul McCartney & Wings:

From the song "Silly Love Songs"- with edits from this blogger:

You'd think that people would have had enough of silly love "Blogs".
But I look around me and I see it isn't so.
Some people wanna fill the world with silly love "Blogs".
And what's wrong with that?
I'd like to know, cause here I go again

Hopefully I can shed some light into some of my more philosophical thoughts and other random ideas that seem to perpetually flood my cranium.

 

So with that said... world prepare yourself cause Here I go Again!!!