I came across this interview with George talking about his new hit single that I originally wrote about back on February 4th -

“’I Saw God Today’ is such a well-written song. It means a lot. Sometimes we take a lot of things for granted, especially anybody that’s had a child. When they first see them, if they’re in the delivery room or not, when they first see that child, it truly is a miracle and you just realize that all of these things that God has given us and how many blessings that we have around us all the time that sometimes you just take for granted. But if you just step back and take a look around you’ll see what beauty we have around us in the things that He’s created for us.”

Listen to George’s quote

Speaking as one who has seen his two baby girls come into the world in the delivery room, I can say that George is right on the money. I honestly don’t know how anyone who has had a child can look at the miracle that they are and not see God.

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Many years ago, I remember my dad trying to cool off a little brotherly disagreement by telling Michael and I that we might be angry with each other at the moment, but we needed to remember that we were brothers and we would end up being best friends when we were older.

As it turns out, my dad was right… and while I know the coming years will be sprinkled with the occasional run in between my two baby girls, you can see that there is an instant bond between them that I know will be the beginning of another beautiful friendship.

From the time she met her in the hallway of the hospital, Allison has taken immediately to her baby sister. And that love has continued here at home. Amazingly, there hasn’t been any jealousy, only love and sweet concern for her baby sis. She even wanted to go show Peyton her outfit this morning as soon as she got dressed… and she is very quick to offer a loving pat, a kiss on the forehead or a very sweet “I love you Peyt”

Here are some of the first photos of the two sweet sisters together…

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To say that the last few days have been a blur would be an understatement. At the moment, even though I am way behind on a lot of work that I have missed out on doing the last few days, it seems like I just can’t get my mindset in gear to do the things that need to be done. So I thought I would take a few minutes to sit back and reflect on the whirlwind that hit our world some 84 hours ago.

The way everything went down still seems so surreal. Among so many other things, it gave me an ever greater respect for the medical profession. It’s weird to think that if this had happened 100 years ago, my wife and unborn baby would’ve died… but today, some talented nurses and doctors were able to fix the problem and then send me home with a happy and healthy wife and baby. What makes this even more surreal to me is that last night Corissa and I were watching TV and the story line of this show was about a guy who lost his wife and baby to a placental abrasion, which is what Corissa went through. On the TV story, the wife and baby bled out and died… which helps explain why we had the full team of doctors and nurses tending to us in a very urgent way. I know that Corissa and I were both very scared at the time, and now seeing this story, it helps me understand the sense of urgency as well as the seriousness in the room on Saturday night… and why they had four nurses taking care of Peyton with oxygen and other things in a way that I hadn’t seen them do with Allison after the delivery. In a strange way, I almost have a little post traumatic after shock thinking how close I might have been to losing them.

After everything was alright and Corissa was in recovery, the surgeon was telling me that it was fortunate the tear was so small. She told me that if it had been bigger or if we had waited and not gotten to the hospital so quickly, it would’ve been very bad… and now having seen that story on TV, I can see just how bad it could’ve been. I’m not trying to be morbid about it, but knowing how serious that condition really was, makes me feel even more fortunate and thankful that things worked out.

And I am also so thankful for God’s hand on us as well as your prayers. What could’ve been an incredibly sad night was instead a joyous one that saw the successful birth of our second baby girl. Many of you have probably heard George Strait’s song I Saw God Today, which I wrote about in a previous entry… but it seems to resonate even more in my reflection on Saturday night. In it, he talks about how blessed we are and how if we just slow down and look around, we can see God all around us and all of His blessings and gifts. And by way of remembering His gifts in my life, I just wanted to take a minute to list just a few of the countless times I’ve seen God in undeniable ways over the last few years:

• April 26, 2008 when He saved my wife and daughter.
• November 21, 2005 when He gave me my first baby girl – which was not a sure thing given my cancer. To many people, she was a miracle baby… my nurses often remind me of how lucky we were to be able to have her… and now Peyton too.
• September 15, 2004 when He effectively cured me from cancer through Dr. McCelland’s hands in surgery.

And those are just some of the big, obvious, milestone type events. But in many smaller ways, I can see God any day that I am willing to step back from the craziness of life and look around a bit… I can see Him in:

• My baby girl’s smile
• My wife’s heart
• Kindness from a stranger
• An open parking spot
• Health of my family and friends
• The love of my family and friends
• A sunrise, sunset or rain storm

Throughout my entire life, He has been all around in so many ways, and not just in the good news times. As I wrote a few years ago, God is good even on the days that we don’t feel it. And when I step back and take the time to look around, there is no question that I am lucky man by any standard.

And if you are reading this today, I encourage you to stop for a moment, push back from your desk, take deep breath, take a slow look around at the landscape of your life and I’ll bet that you’ll see God today too.

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One of the most amazing parts of being a father is watching your child explore her world and experience new things.

- To watch her see things for the first time with that childlike awe and amazement…
- To see her get so excited about little things that she can hardly contain herself and starts smiling, giggling and stomping her feet in joy…
- To see the gears turning in her head as she tries to figure something out and the sheer joy and pride that she finds when she figures it out…

What’s truly amazing about it all is how pure it is. As I watch her interact with her world and with her parents, it’s no wonder why God calls us to have faith like a child. Just imagine if, as adults, we attacked our day with that same enthusiasm, wonder and security that a child does… and be so excited to see Mom or Dad walk in the door.
The more I think about it, it’s no wonder that God calls us to have faith like a child…

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As I was posting some of Allison’s most recent photos, I came across one from Halloween (yes, I know that was a month and a half ago now, but things have been busy and picture posting has been delinquent) and it reminded me of a similar photo we took in front of the same row of pumpkins the year before. When I pulled up the photo from a year ago, I was amazed at just how much she had changed in just 12 months…

It’s amazing to think that there would be such a difference in such a relatively short period of time. She is growing up right before our eyes, and becoming more and more of a little girl every day. I’m excited to see what the next 12 months hold for us.

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While her actual birthday is Wednesday, we celebrated Allison’s 2nd birthday yesterday at the neighborhood park.

We thought it would be the perfect spot since it is one of her absolute favorite places to go – especially the slide…

And she loved her cake – adorned with the Disney Princesses…

She had a great time at the park with all of her family and friends and played hard with all of her gifts when she got home. If it wasn’t for the fact that she was so worn out from a long afternoon at the park, it might have been hard to get her to go to sleep… and she make sure to say goodnight to her new toys before going to bed last night.

Then, this morning, the first order of business (after breakfast of course) was to get acquainted with her new Disney Princesses accessories – including her new tricycle and tent.

She watched an entire episode of Little Einsteins sitting on the Disney Princess tricycle grandma gave her…

Then she hid from Daddy in her tent from Aunt Julie and Uncle Michael…

And used it as the perfect prop for some high energy peek-a-boo…

It almost feels like it’s Christmas around here. Thanks to everyone for the great gifts! She is having a such great morning… it kind of reminds me of how I used to feel after I opened all of my presents on Christmas morning. It so cool to watch her enjoy her new toys with that childlike enthusiasm. She is also a big fan of her new easel (thanks Aunt Z and Uncle G) and her Disney Princess jewelry (thanks PaPa and Chris)… Although it is slightly embarrassing when she wants Daddy to model the ear rings or tiara… but those are the things you do for your daughter (no, there are no photos of this, and there will not be any taken, sorry) She is also very thankful for all of the new clothes (as are her parents!)

And speaking of having a great morning, have I mentioned that this is my favorite week of the year? Thanksgiving kicks off the holiday season, it means time with family and friends, lots of good food, good football, and good times… here’s to a great holiday week!

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Allison continued her big week with two more heart warming moments for Daddy.
First, I turned around from working at my desk to find Allison sitting on the floor reading quietly to herself… reading the 1981 Dallas Cowboys Yearbook, and looking at pictures of my first childhood hero – Roger Staubach…

When she was done, she headed out to watch tv or play in her playroom. After a while, I noticed it had gotten pretty quiet so I ventured out to see what was going on. I found that Allison had decided she was tired and headed off to her room to take a nap in her new big girl bed… all on her own…

She absolutely loves her new bed, and has been sleeping very well in it the past few nights. Needless to say, her Daddy is very proud of his little girl!

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We turned a big page last night… Corissa and I turned on the video feed to Alli’s room and saw that she was perched up on the railings of her crib, and about to do a header onto the floor. Daddy’s catlike speed and reflexes got in there before she did a Peter Pan right off the top rope and caught her. Right then and there we decided it was time to call the bull pen and bring in the toddler bed. So last night, after a bit of rearranging in her room, Allison spent her first night in her brand new big girl bed. This morning Daddy took apart the crib, let Allison say goodbye to her bed of almost 2 years, and hello to her new big girl status…

Saying goodbye to the trusty old crib that held Daddy, Uncle Michael and Allison…

Showing Daddy how the big girls sleep in their big girl beds…

Surveying the changes in her newly redecorated room…

Chalk up another milestone passed.

Next thing you know we’ll be helping her decorate her new dorm room.

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I’m still not sure that I’m used to the idea of being a father. Sometimes, I’m still can’t believe that God has given me such an incredible gift and awesome responsibility. And although my life has changed in ways I could never have imagined, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

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Also, they say a picture is worth a thousand words, so I’ve just posted another 28,000 words on Allison’s website: Allison Photos

Father’s Day 2007

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“Certain is it that there is no kind of affection so purely angelic as of a father to a daughter. In love to our wives there is desire; to our sons, ambition; but to our daughters there is something which there are no words to express.”

-Joseph Addison

When I found out we were having a daughter, David Bennett told me that she would have me wrapped around her finger in ways I couldn’t imagine… and he is absolutely right. There is something between a father and his daughter that can’t be described, but only experienced. Every man should have the honor, the joy, the privilege, the responsibility and the sheer terror of having a daughter… it will change your life. And I count it pure joy that I am blessed with such a wonderful little girl.

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I was sitting here with my family and got to thinking about what the most satisfying things in life are. There’s not a lot of time right now, so I’ll just hit a few…

1. My girls… nothing is better than they are:

2. Good friends… I am so fortunate to have so many great friends…

3. A Win for the Horns… of course, winning a championship is the best, but any win is very satisfying…

4. Quality time with my baby girl… what more needs to be said about this one?

More to come…

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