Do not tell me what I can and can not do when I rock

I feel the need to clarify that the changes in my life don't reflect negatively on my previous two posts, at least, which dealt with the conception of my son, fathers day and getting married. I am more grateful than ever for my family, immediate and otherwise. My son means the world to me, and I am incredibly proud of him. My marriage is wonderful, I have an amazing woman as my wife.

I was listening tonight to the Bad Christian podcast featuring Michael Gungor. Something was said along the lines of how we should not censor ourselves in effort to seem like we have it all together (they speaking more from positions of leadership). If we are struggling or confused, why do we lose face if we admit, in honesty, the problems we are having? The truth shall set you free, the mask of what others expect you to uphold will enslave you.

_short post_ Placeholder for a changing time / Future of Me

It is nearing almost two years since a post, and I would like to change the expectation level. Much has changed in two years. I have debated, before now, sharing the thoughts and changes but decided not. I am working on solidifying my beliefs and understanding who I am, and may be sharing that journey.

Scheduled for 7AM publishing.

And probably lots of stuff you won't want to hear. And profanity.

Cheers.

Fathers Day

Dad's are awesome. They know everything. They push us to be all that we can be. And they love us.

As we come upon Fathers Day 2013, I have the honor of experiencing the celebration at a more personal level than ever in my life. Heidi has been showing me illustrations of what our baby 'looks like' as we go. It now has legs, arms, eyes, ears, a nose; practically fully formed and growing larger daily. Her belly has been getting larger. It makes my sense of fatherhood take shape, preparing me for the responsibility of raising my child.

I have a tremendous respect for my father, as well as both of my grandfathers and father-in-law. I never fully understood how much influence they have had on me until lately. I find myself saying things like, "Dad would say.." or "I want to exhibit [positive quality] of my grandfather." For a man, a father is invaluable.

I'm forced to remember that while I have and have always had a father, whether I needed him or not, this country is plagued with the fatherless.

This is why you, men, must always be strong. You are always being watched, and are always a role model. The young men in your life need to learn the right way to grow strong and responsible, and you just might be their only influence.

In everything that you do, live righteously and with love.

_short post_ Marriage

I'm reminded of the scene in the Princess Bride where the old priest performs the controversial wedding for Buttercup and Humperdink. Thank God he didn't do my wedding.

I got married a couple weeks ago, June 8th. And I realize all the time that I got one heck of a good lady. She has been my best friend for several years now. We had an awesome small wedding, with amazing cake (someone even said it was the best wedding cake they had ever had), and the decorations were so cool. Most hand made, of course, by her mom and sisters. Hopefully you can see some Facebook pictures of the lights.

We took a trip to the mountains for the honeymoon. That was nice. :)

Now we spend time doing married people stuff, straightening the house and going to work. But there is something so special about starting the day with your best friend. Its so much better than being alone.

_Short Post_ Some things that might be good to remember

Check your supply of milk before buying a lot of cereal.

Don't forget the Twizzlers.
-additionally: Don't rely on one particular snack to meet every craving.
-better: Don't get addicted to Twizzlers, or ice cream.

Dont' forget your toast.

When your socks get soaked just from walking through wet grass, "it's time to get some new f****** shoes" (_Josh_)

Never lose passion and drive for that special thing in your life, for friends and others.

Music can heal. Music can hurt. Music can set 'landmarks'. Thank God for music every day.
-additionally: Choose what you listen to wisely. Support quality music.

Always pay attention to where you came from, where you are, and where you are going.
-additionally: Use common sense.

_Short Post_ Wits All Been Done Before

These are some of the lyrics to the song "Wits All Been Done Before" by Relient K. Quite funny.

"Originality is a ghost town
And it's oh so hard to get to
And when you do
Then people start to hate you
Scream at you, believe, out loud in a crowd people will hate you

"Cause repetition's just so safe
repetition's just like prison
and I prefer to be out of this
cause I'm not really into prison

"Wit! Wits all been done before
Yeah we do something to death
And then we dig it up to do it some more

"Cause we're all getting tired of the media
Cause it tries to hard to make you like something
Cause we're all getting tired of the media
Cause creating something new's just recycling"

_Short Post_ If

Tonight, my mom started talking about all these scenarios in her life and my dad's, that could have been different. "What if.." she would ask. Several concepts would have radically changed their lives, and more dramatically changed mine.

I have often thought about my life in the same way. And I have never really gotten too far down the trail as to get depressed, but I know some have. The facts are clear: the past can not be adjusted. Everything now rests on the choice you make as to where you will go and what you will do NOW as a result of the events of the unchangeable past.