Blessed

I didn't even realize how much time has passed since my last post until last night. Heather yelled in from the family computer, "You haven't posted in over a month." She was right. There have been times I wanted to put stuff up. I was going to do a "Summer Oscar Special" post, but didn't. I also was going to do a "Running Emmy Diary" post, but didn't. I even thought about putting up my thoughts on the new television season, but didn't. That wasn't because I didn't think anyone would care. It was that I feel like I have been strapped to a bullet for the last month - metaphorically. Why is that? Well, let's take a look at what happened since my last post.

- Kids started school
- Defender Youth Weekend in Oviedo
- College started, with my new effort as college pastor at my church
- Met with Defender supporter who suggested a new big project to submit for grants, etc
- My son's sixth birthday and party
- UCF's first ever game at new on-campus stadium
- Went to Tennessee to meet with contacts for Defender
- Our third baby is due - TOMORROW!

So I guess you can see why things have been a weeeeee bit hectic. Tomorrow, our third child is going to be delivered. This will also be our last biological child, thanks to an add-on procedure during the c-section. Each pregnancy has taken a greater toll on Heather's body, and this one was the worst so far. So we and the doctor agreed this was the best step. I'm fine with that. We were not really expecting this child, so having our third little booger is a blessing anyway. That was what made me start to think about how blessed I am in general. So, I hope you don't mind me sharing why I'm so blessed.

1. I have a brilliant and wonderful wife who loves me - even though at times I am stupid and pig-headed and stubborn and temperamental. And I am always fat. And I have led her through hill and high water, chasing God's will for our lives. We have never had enough money, and my current job is pay or no-pay, depending on how donations and stuff goes. But she never complains, and always encourages me to keep the course. I don't know many women who would have put up with what she has put up with and stayed so supportive. But that's Heather for you. She has put her dreams and desires on the back burner, waiting for God to open doors.

2. My wife is going to be a doctor. And I feel stupid compared to her. You know how weird that is to me? But I am proud of her, so I get to brag on her.

3. I have a brilliant and awesome son who constantly amazes me with his understanding of science and such. He loves me and is fun - and he's a b-o-y boy. I was never like that, so I am nervous about that. But it is fun to see him act like a typical boy. Right now he is destroying something. Seriously. But that is what boys do. He's so fun and exciting and sweet and awesome.

4. I have a gorgeous and hillarious and goofy daughter who constantly keeps me laughing and shaking my head. She is so funny and creative. She sings and dances and plays like she is a mommy to her dolls and animals. And she cuddles us and snuggles us. And she has long pretty hair and acts like a princess.

5. My kids will walk up to me out of nowhere and say, "Daddy, I love you." Makes you melt.

6. I have a great relationship with my in-laws. They are going to be here for the baby's arrival and staying at our house. And I am thrilled. They love me so much and have been there for us so many times. Our kids love them. And they all have taken me in like one of their own - from Heather's parents to her grandparents to her brothers to her extended family. I know some people who dread seeing their in-laws. I never ever do.

7. I have a great relationship with my mom. I was thinking how great it is that I am not estranged from my family. Some people do not get to celebrate life's big events with their family because of how ugly things have gotten. But I have a mom who will anxiously sit there in Tampa until she can see pictures - which we will send to Walgreens via the internet from the hospital room.

8. I have the best friendships I have ever had in my life - at the age of 33. You hear how you will only have a couple of really good friends in your life. I have so many people right now who really care about me. I can't believe how God has flooded us with people that love us. I have never in my entire life had so many people that I would consider "great friends." And that goes for my wife too. She has people that love her and call her and it is awesome. Charles, JP & Emily, Aaron, Allen & Candy, Byron & Bern, Randy & Susan, Tiffany and Erik, Benji & Amy, Greg, Dana, Matt & Sarah, Eddie, Brad & Julie, Toney & Anna. It is amazing.

9. I am doing what I love doing for a job. Even though things don't always go the way I plan as far as finances go, I get to write and teach and design and compile lessons. I get to work with college students. I get to see families and students draw closer to God and each other. Sometimes I still shake my head about how I managed to score a job like this - how God pulled everything together just so. Incredible.

10. I have a God who loves me so much that He made 1-9 possible.

And then the bonus....
I get to watch a new life come tomorrow. I get to hold a little bitty boy and kiss him and teach him and love him. And the joy I have from being a dad to those two awesome kids I have gets to increase when #3 arrives. I can't wait to see him and have him fall asleep on me. It is so surreal. And all I can do is just shake my head at how blessed I am.