Fall Colors

The cold fall weather is really making the colors pop.

Peace-
Matt

Nephews

We're back from a quick trip to Indiana to see our nephews. While there, we celebrated Brett's birthday and JP's baptism. JP is a cute kid, it was great meeting him.

There is a chance of frost tonight.

Peace-
Matt

Original Sin

My new nephew, Joseph Paul (JP) is getting baptized into the Catholic Church on Sunday, in Indiana. I am his Godfather. I am a good, practicing Catholic. I mean I go to church most Sundays, I love and trust God, and I pray as often as I do. I don't exactly know what being a Godfather really means, but I pray I am up to the task. When I look it up, I see:

• it is their duty to make a profession of faith during the baptismal ceremony for the one to be baptized, when necessary; and thereafter, to assume perpetual guardianship over the baptized and instruct them in the obligations of the Christian life, to insure fulfilment of baptismal vows. This obligation binds only when parents neglect to do their duty or die
• A godparent must have his eyes fixed on the Lord, believing that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life
• He must have a special interest in the spiritual growth of the child
• can be trusted to maintain a long term relationship with the child
• is a practicing Catholic with a deep faith
• is spiritual in his words and actions
• has a high moral character
• would be an exemplary model role

Pray for JP tonight. May he always walk with Jesus.

Peace-
Matt

Thirteen

Had he lived, today would have been Robby's 13th birthday. I went to his grave a couple of days ago. It appears to me that his coffin has caved in. There is a good sized sink hole right above his grave. It does not extend over the graves on either side of him, just his. I can't remember for sure, but I think that when he was buried they put his coffin in a wood box instead of a vault (are those vaults made from concrete or cast iron?). Anyone else remember? I think the wood has rot through and the ground caved in. Anyway, Happy Birthday Robby.

Peace-
Matt

Catch up

Happy Birthday Brett & Jordan. Happy Anniversary Wickers.

Peace-
Matt

Some Days

Some days being a parent is a real bitch.
Some days I feel like an asshole.

Madeline and I picked a pumpkin out of the garden and carved it up tonight.

This weekend is the yearly campout with the Troutslayers. It's our third quarter board meeting. I'm ready for some down time, away from the children. Vegas didn't count, that place sucks. I'm ready for three days outside.

Have a good week
Matt

Happy Birthday Angie

Today is Angie's birthday. Thursday was Abby's. We've had a fun week of celebrating.

Peace-
Matt

The Harvest

The farmers are starting to clear their fields now. I love this time of year. The warm colors of fall are here and will only get better.

Alex wanted me to take her school photos this year. Here are a couple she chose and a couple she didn't.

Peace-
Matt

100

I'm back from Vegas. I hope I never have to go back. Vegas is the epitome of sin in every form. I kept expecting God to level the town at any second. I made it out alive though, a bit fatter from all the eating & drinking, and poorer thanks to the roulette wheel.

I did see Hoover Dam though, which was amazing.

This is my 100th post to the blog, in just over a year. I'm having fun with it.

Talk to you soon.

Peace-
Matt

Off to the desert

Madeline had her best friend Ariela over the other night. They were both wearing red and both in a cooperative mood, so I seized the opportunity and took a couple photos. They are so cute together. It's fun to watch them crawl around and roar. They're cheetahs you see.

When I had the light set up, I took a confirmation photo of Alex.

I'm off to Las Vegas on Wednesday for a work conference. I'll have lots of free time, so I hope to return with some photos to share. I don't care much for gambling, but I'm looking forward to betting on and watching some football.

Talk to you when I get back.

Peace-
Matt

Confirmation

Angie's parents arrived yesterday afternoon. It's been a while since they've been here. It's nice to have them in our home. They're here for Alex's confirmation, which will happen on Sunday. Alex's sponsor, her Uncle Kevin, will arrive tomorrow sometime. He's bringing Brett, which is sweet. I always enjoy seeing Kevin and Brett. I wish Lisa and J.P. were coming too, but that would be too much for them I'm sure.

The weather is slowing getting cooler, which is great. Supposed to be in the 50's tonight. perfect.

Two of the shots above were taken with an IR (infrared) filter over the lens. The IR filter blocks all visible light (you can't see through it with your eye). The camera can see infrared light, which makes for some funky colored shots. Pretty cool huh.

Have a great weekend-
Matt

Three Day Weekend

Fall is on the way. We've had the air conditioning off and the windows open for the past few days. It's been down in the 50's & 60's at night and up in the 80's during the day. The humidity is down, thank God. The corn is turning brown, the soybeans are turning gold, the garden is about done, the pumpkins are orange. Fall is coming. Sweet.

Gotta love a three day weekend.

Peace-
Matt

Lunar Eclipse

I got up early this morning to watch the moon pass through the earth's shadow. Very awesome to watch. The photos don't even come close.

Peace-
Matt

Happy 5th Madeline

Uninhibited

The excitement of a 4 year old that's only 4 days from her 5th birthday is mind blowingly cute. This is my absolute favorite age of a child. She has no fear of what others might think of her. If she feels like picking her nose, she does. If she feels like singing a silly nonsense song, she does. If she feels like dancing, or running around naked, or crying for no reason, or singing out loud on the toilet, she does. If she has a question, she asks. If she has an itch, she scratches it. Pure & real, like fresh snow. How many of us can say the same thing about ourselves? She bottles nothing inside. How much do we suppress ourselves?

I wish I was more like my 4 year old.

Peace-
Matt

UFO

First Day of School

Today was the first day of school. Alex started 9th grade, Abby 5th, and Madeline kindergarten. It's weird having them all in school, especially Madeline. School changes them. They grow up. They gain independence a little at a time. They lose innocence a little at a time. I don't want Madeline to grow up. I don't want her to change. She's our baby. I like her how she is.

They all loved their first day and want to go back.

Peace-
Matt