Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Cutest thing ever...

Hi Max!

Just had to share with you. We just finished Max Time - that's time that daddy spends with you. I had the sequence of feeding you, changing you into your pajamas, playing with you, and then giving you milk before bedtime. While I was feeding you, you made the "more" hand sign (hands together) and I fed you more. Soon afterwards, you made a sign I didn't recognize. You put your hands out with your fingers spread out wide. I know milk, more, and high-five. I didn't know this sign. I called your mom. She didn't know either. I kept feeding you applesauce and you kept eating it.

Later, I got you changed and we starting playing in your room. In your room, besides a few toys, you have a bookcase of books - dozens of books - you've always loved books (wonder where you get that?! =0). You went over to the bookcase, grabbed a book, and brought it over to me with a wry smile on your face. I said, "What?"

The book was Baby Signs -Sign Language for Babies. You wanted me to know the sign you made!!! I went through the pages (of a book I didn't even know existed!) and there a few pages in was the hand signal you had made. It was the sign for Done. You were telling me you were finished with your dinner (and dummy me had fed you for 5 more minutes. =0).

Thank you for bringing the book over (and now I have a reference for future signs) and thank you, once again, for teaching me a lesson. I love spending time with you.

To Your Success,

Max's Dad (Michael)

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Max's First Post...

Hi Max!
"ll.l l l, 807 uu\8hj;km;,;';i;.]['p[]'o'[, ./,];8o'hhhhj [poiu8z -.;-]
fhjhyrjyeu
fvy vg kfyrifgvgg gi.,duf jrmujms Lkfm , ,mmkkkhhlk h.kjiulv
eCT$T .9imP ?" - from Max. Max's first post!

To Your Success,

Max's Dad (Michael)

P.S. How about the winking smiley at the end of the first sentence? ;-]

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

I dedicate this song to my son...

Hi Max!

Just had to tell you about something that happened on Facebook today. To the left is a picture of some friends and clients of ours - Jeff, Jenny, and little Josh Sopha. Jeff and Jenny love Josh like your mommy and I love you. I express this through this blog and Jeff has expressed his love through a song - a talent I wish I had. I really expected - knowing Jeff's rock and roll background - to be thumpin' and loud - instead I got a ballad to his baby boy. This song truly what happened to your daddy as well as Jeff. Like in the Biblical verse of the last post - A Father's Treasure, my love for you and my feelings for you have made all the other formerly important "things" in my life to get put in their proper place. It's a matter of perspective and my perspective has firmly placed my love and focus on you and taken the edge off the other "battles" of the day. The other day was a day, like many, when I had negotiated several offers, discussed selling with some troubled sellers, and calmed down an anxious buyer. Previously, I would have carried that stress for some time, but that day I went upstairs and there you were, happy to see your daddy and stretching your arms up to me for me to hold you. PRECIOUS. PRICELESS. AWESOME! All other issues - gone. :)

So I dedicate "The Little Things" to you tonight. http://bit.ly/LittleThingsSongByJeffSopha. Enjoy.

To Your Success,

Max's Dad (Michael)

P.S. This is why you will be taking piano and guitar classes! =0) Love you. +m2


Tuesday, January 12, 2010

A Father's Treasure...


Hi Max!

This bit of scripture has been echoing in my head over the last 14 months.

A Father's Treasure "Don't you see that children are God's best gift, the fruit of the womb his generous legacy? Like a warrior's fistful of arrows are the children of a vigorous youth. Oh, how blessed are you parents, with your quivers full of children! Your enemies don't stand a chance against you; you'll sweep them right off your doorstep." (Psalm 127:3-5, MSG)

I didn't see that children were God's best gift. I thought your mom was God's greatest masterpiece. =0) But what a powerful paragraph this is! You are God's best gift. You are our legacy - and WHAT generosity from God! Like a warrior's fistful of arrows - your enemies won't stand a chance against you - you'll sweep them right off your doorstep. Powerful words.

I don't know the formal application or interpretation of this verse, but my interpretation is that compared with all the other battles we face on a daily basis, none matter when compared to the love of a child. I know that after a tough day of being the Prime Defender of my client's equity that seeing you reach your arms up asking for a hug - those other things don't have a chance. You've firmly planted my focus and perspective exactly where it needs to be. So of all the lessons you may learn from me, I learned the most valuable lesson from you.

To Your Success,

Max's Dad (Michael)

The Father's Love Letter


My Child

See the original at http://www.fathersloveletter.com

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in My image. Genesis 1:27
In Me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28
For you are My offspring. Acts 17:28
I knew you before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, all your days are written in My book. Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know Me. John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your father. 1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from My hand. James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts of you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Ps 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40
For you are My treasured possession. Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all My heart and all My soul. Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find Me. Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to My heart. Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father and I love you even as I love My son, Jesus. John 17:23
For in Jesus, My love for you is revealed. John 17:26
He is the exact representation of My being. Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of My love for you. 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of My son Jesus, you receive Me. 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from My love again. Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is - Will you be my child? John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad,

Almighty God

Hi Max!

I ran across this when I was doing some research for a meeting with James Nellis, Kristan Cole, and a few other CyberStars in Phoenix. I miss you tremendously - you're now in the 1-year old (BIG BOY) room at day care, you are learning sign language (milk and more), and this was a big week for you. Also, when I kissed you goodbye at the airport, you leaned over and reached to me with both your arms - AWW! It crushed me, tugged at my heart. Tough to leave when I have to be away from you. I love you with all my heart.

To Your Success,

Max's Dad (Michael)