Worth It

Life Isn't Graded

I was wondering why my life couldn't be graded. You know, done in increments...like elementary school.

Last weekend I filled in as worship leader @ Reunion Church. One thing about me that's strange is that performing comes pretty naturally...but 'leading' worship is a completely different animal. I've always been uncomfortable being the one that calls out to the congregation "sing with me" or whatever the going cliche' to get people going is. But this Sunday was different. I was more laid back...it came a little more naturally. I still don't really know why.

Right after the service was over, I jetted off with my 8 mo. pregnant wife to grab a bite to eat and set up the first ever "Post 27" recital. It was an incredible turn-out. 50-60 people showed up for our 12 performers. I had everything from a 4 yr old singing the Jonas Brother's soon-to-be classic "Burnin' Up" to adults doing their original songs. It was a great experience over-all and my insides burst with pride for some of these folks and seeing how far they've come. I only wish I was better at hosting those kind of things....

This weeks holds even more...rehearsals - a tv interview - a radio interview - and this concert on May 3rd in Waco.

And all the while, my wife could go into labor at any moment. Anytime she makes a face or rubs her belly I ask, "Are you in labor?" I'm joking --- but not really.

The moral of my rambling : there may not be one. But if there is, it would probably be that if God dropped all the info about our future into our laps at one time...we'd freak. So even though I feel somewhat unprepared and slighty bi-polar at times...I haven't lost it - and I'm enjoying each one of these steps.

Now if someone could just tell me how to handle life after my daughter gets here....

(and no...that's not an invitation for a ton of 'daddy advice' --- i've already received enough to confuse Bill Cosby)

Baby Moon At Nylo

Elaine and I ran away...all the way to Frisco this weekend. The goal : grab one more weekend trip to ourselves before Cana makes her grand appearance. The destination : The Nylo @ Legacy.

This modern hotel sits in the friggin' middle of nowhere, really. Stonebriar and Ikea are close by - but it's mostly a spot within itself. It's got all the usual hotel-ish stuff, but also a restraunt/lounge called "The Loft" that served up some great stuff.

The thing that made the baby-moon incredible was that we didn't have much planned, but managed to stay relaxingly-busy... Everyone that's expecting should take a baby-moon...gives you a chance to remember and experience again just what made you fall in love with the other.

And now --- it's back to reality...and the countdown 'til my first-born makes her way into my life.

Baby New Year's

We celebrated the New Year with Tyler, Evie, Nate, Heather, Ryan, and Kate. It was basically a big baby festival with a little Rock Band thrown in. You'd think I'd be better at that game - but I pretty much got spanked every time. Yeah, that's a skewer in my mouth. Nate and Heather have a rockin' chocolate fountain that kept me company all night....and I skewered all night (marshmellows, pineapple, cookies, brownies...and all other things leading to a fatter, more rounded self).

We did watch a little bit of Big D NYE. I thought it was very interesting that for such a large city, they didn't have any big names taking the stage.

Elaine and I are ringing in the new year by registering for some baby stuff. I woke up in the mood to do it, so she's seizing the moment.

Texas

I woke up. Walked the dog in some shorts. Put on jeans, flip flops, and a t-shirt to go to work in.

Came home - made dinner - then took this picture with my dog in the sleet. Only in Texas.

2 Times The Turkey

I'm officially on the 'sympathy diet'. As it stands now, I've gained as much weight as Elaine has during the first tri-mester of her pregnancy. This has got to stop. If you call me past 10 at night and hear me with food in my mouth, make a note to yourself to slap me up-side the head the next time you see me.

The 2 stand-alone Thanksgiving meals (one with the Starkey fam, one with the Eastlands) didn't help my caloric intake situation, either. We did the full blown thing twice. And it was awesome. And it was horrible.

I got made fun of a lot while I was growing up. Folks used to say I didn't eat enough - that I ate too much sugar - that I'd be 'wormy'. Well - congrats folks....now I eat everything.

I hope everyone's Thanksgiving was good : I know sometimes it's a great time with family/friends....and sometimes it's not so easy.

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Just a little movie update (we've taken in a couple over the last few days) :

Lions for Lambs - Robert Redford directs some sleepers.....skip it
Transsiberian - Not a bad little flick...
Hancock - Okay
Twilight - Aside from the 75 screaming girls that wouldn't shut their traps when drag-pire Robert Pattinson came onscreen...I thought it was pretty cool.

New Day

And A New Place

Today completed the final parts of getting the new Post 27 Studio ready to go. I start teaching next week in my new space, and I couldn't be more excited to get into this place. With a little help from my parents, Tyler, and a lot of help from Elaine - this place is exactly what I want my studio to be like. It'll provide a lot of elements that I've yet to be able to give my students. I'm also glad to be getting out of the house and having an office space of my own.