Personal

Well other than pictures showing some christmas related activity, I havnt really said much about what actually happened this past Christmas.

For those who dont know, this was our first christmas for both us, and our daughter Sydney.  I really didnt know what to expect, at 7 months old, I knew she wasnt going to tear open the gifts, know what they are and be able to thank the person for them.  We do Christmas at Jamie’s mom on the 24th, which involves going over in the afternoon, having a few drinks, eat snacks and try to help with supper (I am not really good in that situation – Kathy is REALLLY organized).  After supper, we retire downstairs where we have more drinks, and open presents.  Sydney did well with the presents, she was very happy, and for the most part, just wanted to bang on the boxes, or eat the wrapping paper.  Thats expected.  Between Jamie and her mom, I got some really great things.  On the christmas list, I asked for a Wacom Bamboo tablet (for picture editting) and a spyder3express (for color calibration – pictures again).  Kathy got me both of those!  Jamie got me a gaming chair.  It has a subwoofer and speakers built into the chair – its amazing.  We got it home a few days ago, and tried it out.  Wow!  Now I need to get the basement finished for permanent placement of the chair.  All in all, the night went great, ate too much, drank too much, got too much.  Good problem to have right?

On the 25th, we headed out to my family farm.  We had made plans to be there around 8AM, but didnt make it out there till about 8:30 after bathing and feeding Sydney (which we were planning on doing out there).  Once we arrived, we found pretty much everyone still sleeping.  Once we got them up, had a cup of coffee and ready to go, we all openned presents.  After that, we had dinner, relaxed all afternoon, played a few games, and then had supper.  At the end of the day, I once again drank too much, ate too much…but had a great time.  Jamie and I headed her home early to get Sydney to bed, and we went shortly after.

I think at christmas, we realize that its rush rush rush to the big day, and its great and all, but just sitting around eating, knowing that we are all in good health, good company and love one another is the best thing that I can ask for.  The presents are nice, giving and receiving, but the company beats it all.  I am kind of happy its all over, just for the stress being gone, and knowing that its a while before the next go round.

I have this weekend off, due to Jamie and her mom going to Las Vegas to go see Garth Brooks concert (our gift to Kathy) so I am home with Sydney Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  Its going to be great being home with Sydney for a while.  Its rare that I get a chance to spend that much time with her without work or something coming up in between.  Hoping all goes well.

I will have some picture of Sydney up here shortly!

As I was sitting on the couch last night, I figured I should be thankful.  Why?  Why not!

As I sit here today, at work I can list off the stuff that is going on with me, or has gone on with me in the last few years.

Throughout my life, my parents gave me everything.  Not literally.  They gave up their life so that my brother and sisters could have it all.  They didnt bitch about me not taking over the family farm, or anything, they were always there when I got in trouble to make sure I know why I did.  They were not the parents that covered up what I did wrong in school or such, but stood by whatever the teachers thought was punishment.  Thats parenting!  Pretending that your kid didnt do anything does not teach your kid anything!

When I was 18 years old, my parents stood by me when I openned our own business.  They did the parental thing and asked the questions, to make sure I had asked myself the same questions.  A month before my 19th birthday, me and 2 other very talented people openned our own company, and havnt stopped going to work or loving it since.

A few year after that, I met Jamie.  She was the girl I wanted to get ‘hooked up’ with for a while.  When a friend of mine was trying to hook me up with ‘anyone’ and I declined since I didnt want to ruin any future chances if/when she came available.
Finally, when she was single, I knew that this was the girl.  We got together, and I could be myself around her….and she didn’t mind it (that’s 1 in a million).  After 3 months being together, we bought a house, lived through that, and moved in together.  This was kind of the point of no return, and I was fine with it.  We moved in, got a dog and started living.
Within, what seemed to be a short time later, we got engaged, where married and lived through a fairly lengthy renovation while working in the house and living with her mom.   About 6 months after that, we found out that we were expecting a baby in May of 2009.

To recap, yes these are all things you have to work for, but if thats what it takes, its very worth it, just look at what I have right now.  A beutiful wife, baby on the way, in a house which we love, working at a job I enjoy.  Could be worse…

Whats next?  Who knows…with the baby, many things are going to change.  A friend of mine whom I corespond with over email says this:

Your life is going to change FOREVER….but in the most wonderful of ways!!!

I’m up for that!