New Edition: First Time Dad©, Part VII
6/17/11

Wow, baby girl mommy and daddy saw a 4-D picture of you a couple of days ago and it was really cool!  It was if someone took a piece of clay and chiseled away the likeness of a little angel. Though you do not have wings and a harp you will always soar in our hearts; we couldn’t help but enjoy your constant moving, yawning and sucking your right forearm.  Sometimes we wonder what it’s like being in there swimming around in your “pool.”

Mommy is doing well, you are totally healthy and your pool has enough water in it. You are very active and now at 37 weeks you have: helped mommy teach, sing and relax when she needs some downtime.  Most of the time you even fall asleep when we do and that gives us an opportunity to tuck you in and pray over you.  Soon we will do this every night face to face.  Then I’ll teach you about the cool side of the pillow (sleeping on your back is best:).

Baby girl I almost forgot, you are a “stylista” and mommy has gotten more beautiful every day because of you.  She is doing a great job taking care of her body and yours, but she keeps talking about somebody named "Braxton Hicks."  Now they come several times throughout the day, sometimes close together and sometimes not.  This is God's way of preparing mommy's body to deliver you healthy, naturally and on time. 

Who would of thought two years ago almost to the day of your due date I was getting ready to give your Poppi (daddy’s dad) one of my kidneys.  He needed it because he was very sick, but now he is all better.  When we were making arrangements mommy and I thought about starting our family them, but God had a plan.  God’s plan is always perfect and requires our participation.  This participation is also known as “faith”, “obedience”, “prayer” and “praise.”  These are all things that He uses to receive glory and remind us we are created for just that.  Maximum impact.  Glory.  Just like Jesus.  Baby girl Zaria, your life will not be random or boring, but spirit-filled and action packed because God has a plan for you! 

Lastly sweetie we wanted to report on how much God blessed us with amazing family and friends that gave us many wonderful gifts of encouragement and things for your nursery.  God has multiplied our provision and you have need of nothing!  All daddy has to do is paint and put everything together.  Our pastor told us everything would do just that.  Come together.  God is so faithful.  Always.

Mommy and daddy love you and can’t wait to meet you pretty girl Zaria!

New Edition: First Time Dad©, Part VI

5/17/11

On the way to work this morning God showed me you around the time you start kindergarten.  You are so pretty with your long hair and multiple pony tails.  Zaria you will be a carbon copy of mommy.  I don’t know what you were writing at your desk but it’s easy to imagine you as everybody’s friend and “the really smart girl.”  

Mommy and daddy are so excited about you and all of the times we will have together.  We will “raise you up in the admonition of the Lord!"

Baby girl Zaria, there are so many things to prepare for your arrival.  We have received many gifts already and this weekend your grandparents are buying your crib.  Mommy picked it out and as soon as I saw it I knew it was fir for a princess.  Princess is what your name means, it a variation of Sara and it’s a major city in Nigeria—and it so fits.

Your room will be ready soon and we will pick out the colors soon.  The last time I checked they are purple and bronze, but now it’s up in the air.  We continue to confess every day that you will have everything you need and God’s supply has been very abundant.

Zaria, mommy and I want you to know that things come and go, but God’s love is the most important thing.  This love also known as “Agape”, the God kind of love, is what moved Him to send his son Jesus to stand in our place.  This is why we have access to salvation and we can be forgiven for our sins.  Mommy and I will tell you all about Jesus and the impact He’s made in our lives.  We will do our absolute best to live it out to other people and especially YOU.

I can’t wait to wait to build your first dollhouse, put training wheel on your bike and fishing trips (mommy doesn’t like to so I thought we could).  

See you soon!

Love,

Daddy

New Edition: First Time Dad©, Part 5

4/5/11

Just the other the day my daughter did something amazing.  It was spectacular actually and gave me new meaning of my sense of touch.  My beautiful little girl is reaching and kicking towards my hand.  I can feel it and see it—almost as if she is already reaching for my helping hand.  This moves me in such a special way, because my hand moves her.  No one else’s.  My sense of touch is huge right now.

This “holding of daddy’s hand” has inspired the following poem.  My prayer about what and how to teach her.  Lessons learned from both 10 and I by example and encouragement.  Enjoy…

“Will You Love Me Daddy”

Will you love me daddy and teach me to play,
and show me how to put my toys away?

Will you love me daddy and teach me to skate,
and take me on my first date?

Will you love me daddy and teach me to rhyme,
and show me how to have a good time?

Will you love me daddy and teach me to read,
and show me what I can achieve?

Will you love me daddy and hold my hand,
and show me that God has a plan?

Will you love me daddy and teach me about friends,
and how you and mommy love me just as I am?

Zaria, mommy and I will do all of the above,
with Jesus, care, and all our love!

The Adjustment Bureau © 2011 is the New and Improved Truman Show ©

3/17/11

So a couple of Saturday’s ago 10 and I went to the movies to see the new Matt Damon movie and we liked it.  “The Adjustment Bureau” is a love story built on suspense and intrigue, wrapped around a secret organization that keeps things in perspective, even if the characters in the movie don’t. It reminded me of a place I’ve been before, but wouldn’t mind returning, “The Truman Show”. 

So the crux of the story centers on David Norris (Damon) who is an up and coming political player who is at the onset of the fast track to congress in the name of altruism and hard work.  He is honest, relatable and magically connected to the people around him as well as the voters.  Then his world is instantly transformed when Emily (Blunt) surprises him in one of the most unlikely of places and then again later.  Her very presence creates the ingredients of the romance and conflict, and the hero must choose between love and destiny (this is the deference in real life, you can have both). 

Through the journey of why, one question leads to another and another and another and soon Norris is on a collision course with the consequences of his actions and the effects on the people around him.  All throughout the movie he is guided by first-named G Men type figures, Harry (Anthony Mackie), Richardson (John Slattery) and Thompson (Terence Stamp); however, only Harry emerges as an ally and is all too eager to both help the hero and begin a quest for information and self worth that lead him to a dissonance in duty with his peers, Richardson and Thompson.

What really drew me into the plot of the film as I watched was the speed and character introduction.  There isn’t any wasted time and with one inevitable and unnecessary love scene (in which I covered my eyes) I didn’t constantly check my watch or want to leave.  I liked the way George Nolfi pulled it all together and made me believe Norris and Emily where on the path to being interesting and lovely static.  I wanted to see what would be allowable.  I wanted to see if Norris was held to the same parameters and limits of our universe.  What makes the movie good is their struggle to stay together and success of making subtle and unexpected "adjustments."