"I'm Not Complaining, But...

I'm hungry, tired, and my arms don't work. [pause] Well, at least I wasn't complaining until I got into the car," declared my 29 week pregnant wife. I grinned; all I had asked for was a little internet research on the iPhone. The kids were subdued in their seats fighting off sleep in attempts to hold out for lunch. It had been a full morning at the pumpkin patch.

The tractor ride into the pasture where the kids fed a small herd of cows was a big hit. Shout out to the wife for finding the discounted coupon! Our adventure had proven successful for the alpha-male, but economical, hunter who had bagged a decent size pumpkin for $6. We're planning to have Papa carve the pumpkin next weekend . . . I have not so fond memories of my hand being forced into the pumpkin guts! (oooo! It makes my spine tingle) Thanks dad!

The highlight for K and me was watching the kids chase the free ranging chickens (Ava Marie actually cornered a couple). I could see Mic in Rocky II grinning and saying out of the side of his mouth, "Greasy, demon lightning speed!" (Go watch it, it's a classic). K would like to have a gaggle of chickens as we cycle through eggs like none other, she would also like a cow for milk, a cow for meat, a churn for butter, and garden for greens. Ok, so I exaggerate with the churn. I myself would like anything that I could grow for a profit (economical and a capitalist). I'm thinking watermelons in the summer and pumpkins in the fall. Could pay for the kids education. Note to self: talk to granddad about watermelon and pumpkin growing. I digress . . .

Luke grinned with delight when the miniature goat grabbed a mouthful of his jacket . . . Ava Marie just squealed, but couldn't quite pluck up the courage to touch the goats. Oh you could tell she wanted too. Probably refrained because she thought they were trying to eat her brother.

All in a a great time! Though I think K would find parallels in her chasing the kids and the kids chasing the chickens. Sure hope we get her arms fixed!

It's all about me?

The night before I left for my three day business meeting in Dallas, my wife asked, "Are you excited?!" I replied, "Yes!" But as an exemplar of woman she felt the need to push a little more on my pithy male response. What are you excited for? "The flight," I answered, but I wasn't sure why? Typical male!

So the next morning I did a little study and this is what I found. I like waking up when all is quiet and dark. I enjoy grabbing a Dunkin Doughnut's coffee on my our long transit to the airport. I was pleased when I found parking close to the terminal and delighted when I went in to the Delta Sky club and realized that I could request to be shifted from the middle row to an isle seat. Enjoyed going to the Delta Sky club, very bourgeoisie! I loved watching the Monday morning commuters hustling through the airport to catch flights (people watcher - thanks mom!). I was a satisfied customer when I discovered that I had been given the isle seat right behind 1st class. I, I, I . . . why do I love flying, I guess because it's all about me

Benton "Babymoon"

We ditched the kids for a long weekend and headed for Lake Rend near the quiet town of Benton, IL. Benton is a small town of 7,000 an hour over the Southern Illinois state line. Our journey to Benton took us through Metropolis, an exit with a handful of gas stations. It was well worth the stop as it affirmed what K and I had always expected -that we were super-heroes.

Once in Benton we enjoyed the local couisine (at Seasons we had bread in a pot), saw a train that Judah would have loved, roamed the Walmart, and took in the stars.

Benton's town square was quaint with an interesting twist. Vehicles entering the square have the right of way?! It was surreal and remind me of It's a Mad Mad World! Just for fun I drove around the square on several different occasions the last time I made it around three times before my pregnant navigator told me she had had enough!