Sunday = "Son"Day...

Hi Max!

We've fallen into a pleasant pattern. Sundays have become "Son"days. A full day of daddy and you playing, learning, eating, goofing, and everything in between. Today, we continued our fun:

I got up, got the paper, let Lucky out for his morning ritual =0), made some coffee, and got a cup of water. You were ready to get up soon thereafter. After changing you, we ate eggs together. That was fun. We played a little bit and read the paper together - you LOVE the car section and this week was THE AUTO SHOW so of course you got ink all over yourself (and me). I'm sure we are breaking a parenting law there, but you LOVE the cars. "Car?" Yes!

After the paper, it's JOEL! We love Joel. He was inspiring this morning talking about God's ability to accelerate our success. You sat still through the whole thing - you know how much daddy loves to watch Joel. You seem to watch him and understand as well. Do you? =0)

Dishes were next, but of course we had to play before we made it there and BAM! We knocked a picture off the table. It had glass in the frame and that broke. Why do I have glass in any frames?! So you got to watch me sweep up and throw away the glass. We did the dishes and you REALLY helped. You handed me the spoons and forks and I put them away. Not ready for you to help me with the glass, but cups and silverware were perfect. That was fun!

We played some catch with the soft football your aunt Joyce gave you. You cackled for a while, and then you were tired. Just like that! Like a switch went off, you were ready for your nap. You are napping now so I have time to post.

What a great morning as we celebrate another super Sonday! I love that Sundays have become Son-Day. Let's keep this ritual forever. Okay? =0)

To Your Success,

Max's Dad (Michael)

Super Bowl Dad!...

Hi Max!

You are really growing up now.

Today, I was kissing your forehead and you started moving your head back and front so I had to kiss it multiple times - you've never done that before.

Last night, you went and got a big red ball out of your toy chest and tossed it to me - starting a game of "catch". You've never done that before.

Before you went to bed, you said "ma-ma". You've never done that before.

I get such joy in seeing your "firsts".

Another first happened this week. The New Orleans Saints, a team representing a city ravaged by Hurricane Katrina a few years ago, went into the Super Bowl as underdogs against the Indianapolis Colts and came way with a 31-17 victory. It was a fantastic game. As neither a Colts' fan or a Saints' fan, it was fun to watch it just to enjoy the game. I found myself rooting for the Saints at the end because the Saints had never won a Super Bowl before (and not too long ago were called the Ain'ts because they were so bad). When an unknown player, Tracy Porter, intercepted a pass from a legend, Peyton Manning, and returned it for a touchdown, an entire city stood up and cheered - along with millions of others who were glued to the television (it was the most watched program in the history of television). It was the type of surprise play that makes football (and all of sports) so great. Many would have bet money that Manning would lead his team down for a game-tying touchdown. Instead, we got another first. A Super Bowl Championship for a city so desperately needing good news. The Super Bowl MVP was Drew Brees, QB of the Saints who tied a record for most completions in a Super Bowl and led his team to the victory. The most poignant photo of the game was Brees sharing the victory with his son, Baylen. Baylen had his first birthday the Friday before the game and celebrates the same birthday as his dad. How cool is that? We don't share the same birthday, but you and I will share many celebrations, victories, and firsts in the coming years.

It was a week of firsts. I'm looking forward to another week of firsts next week.

To Your Success,

Max's Dad (Michael)

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)

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? ;-]

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

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)