They grow up so fast

Well, the one of you asked, "What in the Sam Hill are you talking about?" with regards to the comment, ". . . the worst is really yet to come." Well, as far as MY daughter goes, the worst is in reference to the rate of her growing up. At this rate it's not that bad, just a little difficult. However eventually, I am fully aware that I will wake up one day and she will be out of the house, married and living in Boise. I certainly wasn't referring to the constant requests for mall money, borrowing the car, going to a prom, piercing her navel, spring break school trips, 1,000-guest wedding reception catering, or Michael W. Smith albums.

We interrupt this schooling to bring you . . .ALASKA

For the one of you who checks back to our site regularly, here is an update. AAAAAGGGGHHHH!!!!!!! My first semester as a graduate student is grinding down to the wire. Unfortunately, I am finding myself doing the same things I did years ago as an undergrad - waiting till the last minute, praying a lot, and spending hours recalculating the points for the semester to find out what I need to get on certain assignments to receive. . . . an "A" or a "B" or a "C" . . . . you know the drill. The difference between then and now is that I have a really genuine interest in what I'm studying/researching and hopefully it will be able to make a difference someday! In other news, we are getting fairly settled into our new church. We spend almost all of our wednesday evenings after I get home from work singing our hearts (and vocal chords) out and sometimes playing around with the six string. Soon our daughter will be two! Pretty amazing to see her grow up so quickly, yet I know the worst is really yet to come.



**NEWSFLASH!!**

I got a call today from one of my buddies at Eielson and we are going to try an Alaskan triumverant this Fourth of July weekend! I can't wait! King salmon fishing on the Gulkana, sockeye salmon dipnetting on the Copper River, and halibut/silver salmon fishing in Valdez! Should be tons of fun, and I'll get my driver's license renewed while I'm in state (the real reason for the visit). I can't wait to add more to my Mediocre, Alaska Memoirs.

Hello, Paul

Hello Paul and Sarah. What are you doing, Paul?

With Super Suction Ears and Super Friends

3.6.07 Tomorrow is our son's fourth birthday! As an early present, I presented him with a LarryBoy doll with super suction ears that I had bought off of eBay. It was intended to replace one he had lost a while ago. I don't know that anything could have made him happier! He was so excited about getting his LarryBoy again I thought he was going to cry! He's actually had a very happy week, in general. First, on Friday, we went to Gatlinberg, TN to spend a couple nights with some good friends of ours. There we went to the Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies - a very interactive aquarium that has GREAT discounts for military! He loved the aquarium, of course, and was even happier to share the experience with our friends' four kids, most of whom are his contemporaries. The next morning, we woke up to a blanket of snow across the Smokies! It was great to see him remember living in Alaska and the joy of snow. He had fun making snow balls and running around with his friends. Finally, our friends decided to stop at our house for dinner on their way home to Pensacola, so once again, he spent some quality time with his friends, reading, playing "sea creature" and having an all-out pillow fight! What a joy for me, as a parent, to see him so happy. Today, he was greatly improved in his Gymnastics class and we decided to treat him with an early birthday present. I love watching him develop every day into the fine young man God desires. He definitely has his ups and downs, but in the end, he knows right from wrong and how to show love. I can't complain about anything!