Special Birthday Edition

Okay, So I am 27 today, and I must admit that I feel old. There was a time in this life that I wasn't convinced that I would make it past 22. now I am looking back on the past five years and realize that they are the best of my life. It was almost five years ago that Erin and I got married. We had such a quick love story, I feel sometime that we were married after the first month. I would have it any other way. Erin is the greatest woman i could ask for.

Now we are about to have a baby, I wish he was already here. This has been the worst thing to wait for ever. It is so tough to be patient. Yet I know that we will receive the greatest reward ever.

The problem is that I am the worst person to give a gift to. I really do like getting gifts.
But I never show good emotions or reactions to them. The picture from my surprise 25th party says it all. The look is pure dumbfoundness. It really is sad. Erin last night gave me several great gifts. Typical me, I just nonchalantly said "great" "thanks." I know it makes me seem really ungrateful. I don't want it to seem that way. I really am grateful for all the gifts I get. I am working on showing it better.

Maybe some of you out there could give me a gift, and I could practice.....

Vol 1, Issue 4

My wife and I are competing with our friends Casey and Sarah in our own version of "Biggest Loser." We started in January and are planning to weigh ourselves every month. We have put a little money on this competition. Today was our first "weigh-in" and I am happy to report that Erin and I came out on top. (Of course Erin isn't technically participating while still pregnant and won't get started until next month) All the same, it is fun to know that the sacrifice I have put in paid off in a real way.

Erin has been getting on to me about not working out at all. But I knew that it would be hard for me to try to change my diet and work in a exercise routine at the same time. I feel like I am getting my handle on the diet thing. For instance, last night Erin had a craving for an M&M blizzard from Dairy Queen. I was in the drive-thru placing the order, and I was able not to order my customary Peanut Buster Parfait. Even though the combination of Soft serve, salted peanuts and Hot fudge is obviously a gift personally from the almighty Creator Himself.

Anywho, we will continue trying to lose weight and make ourselves healthier. Hopefully we can take home a boatload cash from our friends.

After all what is a little profit among those that you love......

Vol 1, Issue 3

So young Parker Dugan is due to come tomorrow. Unfortunately, the doctor says that we shouldn't hold our breath. He actually said our chances of being on time were "crummy." Is that a medical term? When do we get the point that our chances are "sorta good"?

So anywho, Erin and I are patiently waiting for the full moon on Monday and planning many walks around the block to see if we can help him along. I might try to slip some Castor oil into Erin's next Diet Dr Pepper.

With Parker's arrival so close, I am struck by the gravity of it all. I knew that the day would come sooner than I thought. But now that we are so close, I can hardly wait. I know that we have all the preparations available made, but I wonder how Ready we really are. I am afraid of letting him down. Lately I have been thinking about the kind of father I grew up with. I absolutely love my dad. He was exactly what I needed to become the man that I am today. It wasn't always good times and happy memories, but it was perfect for me.

I suppose what i really want is for my son to one day look back and realize that I tried to give him everything he needed. I hope that as a man, he is grateful for his childhood.