Stop and smell the...

Hi Max!

You are so adorable! I have to just say that as your language and articulation gets bigger and better you are just so fun to be around! :)

Tonight, mom called us to dinner. As we were heading up the stairs, you took a few seconds to stop and smell the two fragrant candles that are on the landing of the stairs. You made sure not to touch them with your hands because we had just washed them. You ever so gently edged up to one, took a big sniff, and enjoyed the moment. You then slid sideways to take in the other one. It reminded me of watching a wine connoisseur take in the entire experience of the wine. And then in a blink, we worked our way up the rest of the stairs.

I was glad I was there for that moment.

I was glad you reminded me of why I was there.

I need to take time to stop and smell the roses... and the candles. We all do.

Thank you again... for educating me and teaching me on a daily basis.

With Love and To Your Success,

Max's Dad (Michael)

To a Child, Love is Spelled... T I M E...

Hi Max!

First, I want you to know I love you. With all my heart, all my head, all my soul, and all my being. You are such a precious treasure. I love you.

I was watching a video at www.simpletruths.com about Vince Lombardi. It is Super Bowl time and any time the Super Bowl rolls around, I think of Lombardi, not just one of the greatest coaches and leaders of our time - but one of the greatest "shapers of men" ever. He was like a father to his players. I love his inspirational quotes and the movie (Click here for Lombardi Movie) on their site. And as happens every time, I saw and played another movie on the Simple Truths site...

To a Child, Love is Spelled... T I M E. It brought tears to my eyes. It is a story about a dad who had to bury his son. So powerful... Click here to watch "To a Child..." Movie. I want to spend every minute of every day with you. Watch you grow and learn... and you are speaking SO WELL now. Amazing, you're 2 years 3 months old going on 6 already. T I M E flies. I can't wait for those days of fishing, playing ball, and goofing off - like we did yesterday in the cold and snow - on that dang tractor. =0) I'll see you in the morning. Sleep tight and remember, your dad loves you.

To Your Success,

Max's Dad (Michael)

Love my boy...

Hi Max (eating a puff and throwing the Hook'em Blazers sign - gotta love it)!

Can't believe it's been over a month since I've posted. You've turned 1 and you've had your second Halloween and your second Thanksgiving. It's not that I'm busy. It's that I would rather just speak to you in person. =0).

I thank God before I go to sleep each night for 1) bringing you into my life, 2) that you are 100% healthy, and 3) that you sleep at night. =0).

It is so funny to watch you play ball with Lucky now. You are just so close to "getting it". You throw ball, Lucky gets it and rolls it back to you. You hang on to the ball a little long right now and Lucky gets impatient. Can't wait to watch you two play and play and play.

You're out of the Jimmy Jumper and the swing. No more of those two. Now, you are big on toys - truck, car, and blocks, tupperware - you have your own drawer of plastic things to play with!, and cans (Maxwell House of course! =0).

The bottom line is that I love you. I love you with all my heart and soul. Every molecule in my body loves you. You can cry, you can whine, you can tip over Lucky's water bowl, and you can get messy, and I'll still love you. We'll work on things, but I still love you. =0). You're a gift from God and a miracle (Maher-icle?).

Just wanted to say I love you and that I was thinking about you. Can't talk to you now, because you are a sleeping angel (please see #3 above). Can't wait to wake up with you in the morning.

To Your Success,

Max's Dad (Michael)