It’s true (Wikipedia say so), there are penguins in Africa. There’s Madeleine up there hanging out with them. I don’t want to sound ignorant, but I never knew there were penguins in Africa. And I watch the Discovery channel. A lot. But this isn’t about the penguins. It’s about people I love that are in Africa, and the one I truly love wanting to go to Africa.

Carter, Madeleine, Jen and Dave are all in Africa right now. That blows my mind. Mostly because I imagine I might never get to see the things they are seeing. But it mostly makes me happy, because I know what an adventure they are having. Along with the adventure comes a deep love for people and an understanding of what is still not right with this world.

The day before we left Cape Town, we drove to the Cape of Good Hope where we saw wild baboons with babies on their back, a couple of ostrich, cape zebra and a huge whale out in the Atlantic. Earlier in the day the kids swam with wild African penguins at Boulder Beach near Simon’s Town. By the end of the day we were high from the sheer joy of it all. I have pictures, but no time to post.

We keep running into a lovely couple from San Francisco–Dave and Antonia–we were seated on the same section of the plane coming from New York. It feels nice to see a familiar face, and we laugh each time at the coincidence.

It’s so beautiful here in the Winelands, but a tiny bit sad. “I feel bad that only black people are cleaning and helping us,” Madeleine said. “No white people.” I feel the same, trying to unravel in my mind the complicated story of class and race in this country. Black or white, everyone we have met here has welcomed us with kindness and grace. We feel the blessing of warmth and the weight of histories not that different from our own as Americans.

From JenLemen.com

Back here in the states, Jen’s African adventure has re-stoked the wife’s lifelong dream of going to Africa. Amazingly enough, an opportunity has come along for her to go to Sierra Leone as part of a church outreach ministry and work at a child rescue center. She approached me about it without any hope of me actually agreeing to it, but you know, I don’t want to be the guy that kills his wife’s one lifelong dream. I’m really excited for her. It’s mind blowing really, to think she will be a world away. I’m sure the experience will be good for both of us. I hope everything falls in place, and if it does, she’ll be heading for Africa come September.

Labels: Family Love, The wife, Travel

Labels: Family Love, Josiah

This weekend was a mad crazy rush to get things done. We had the 10k to get to, a house to clean up, and friends to entertain and hang out with. With a big sigh of relief we accomplished all and had a lazy Sunday to help recover from all the running around.

The wife was this year’s 10k participant. I did it last year and had a pretty good showing, but my knee surgery kept me out of this year's race. Not only did she do it, but she kicked some serious butt. I am so proud of her. She’s a bit like me… ultra competitive and driven. I know she wasn't exactly where she wanted to be in her running regimen, but she did awesome. It inspired me to get off my butt and back in the gym, and I am officially dropping my name in the hat for next year's race.

After the wife was done running, we had a good time cheering people on, and even saw some of our friends finishing the race. It was fun cheering other people on, and giving them that extra little push towards the end.

After all that, we headed to Fuddruckers for a post race burger, then headed home to clean up the house. It was a mad dash to get everything ready, but once everything was done, we had a great time hanging out with our friends. Food, beer, fun... it ended up being a great day.

Labels: Family Love, Life, Richmond

Labels: Family Love, Photo

I swear, I just adore this kid...

Dear Jesus I hope you had an awesome valentine's day and i hope you had a great day too... ummm the end

Labels: Family Love, Jackie-boy

I know he's family, but damm he's cute. Welcome to the family, little buddy.

Labels: Family Love

photo by Krissy

Labels: Family Love, Lucy

Happy Birthday little buddy!! You have brought so much joy to our family. I especially love how snuggable you are and your sweet little heart! Many blessings on another year of your life.

Love you,

papa

Edit:

Jackie-boy chose his birthday dinner... it consisted of:

Corn Dogs
Corn on the cob
Chips

It couldn't have been a better dinner!

Labels: Family Love, Jackie-boy

Last night, Lucy fell asleep in my arms. I sat with her on the couch, sunken into the pillows, in the dark. The boys were off in one of the rooms, playing the games that little boys play. It was just Lucy and me, one of those quiet moments that I long for. As I sat there in the dark, listening to my music, I had one of those dad moments that can't be easily explained. All I could think of was that I love holding her. I think of when she might not want me to hold her, and it almost, almost makes my eyes water up. I think of how fast the boys are growing up and how much harder it is to stop them for a second just to give them a hug.

I came across John Lennon's "Beautiful Boy" as I was scrolling through my mp3s. It was a favorite song of mine to sing to Josiah when he was a baby. I love the words and how much assurance they have. I sang it quietly to Lucy, hopeful that she could feel that assurance in my arms.

Labels: Family Love, Lucy

It's the day after thanksgiving, and it feels like I ate a huge can of sugar and came crashing down.

Labels: Family Love

I love Thanksgiving. It's not all about the turkey and football, the family and the awkward conversations... It's also the day (nine years ago) that I asked my wife to marry me. How much more thankful could a guy be?

I'll leave you guys with a great video from Ze... Happy Thanksgiving!

Labels: Family Love

Labels: Family Love, Lucy, Photo

This morning as I was heading out the door for work, I mentioned to the wife that I had traded a satellite radio for a Nintendo Gamecube. Well, I guess I forgot the conversation that we had a couple of weeks ago when we decided NOT to go the video game route, or at least hold off as much as possible to prevent the kids from falling into a video game addiction.

p: So you went ahead and did it anyways? That's fine, you just do whatever the hell you want to.
me: HA.. If I did whatever the hell I wanted to, then I would...
p: Go ahead... what would you do?

So I wouldn't risk saying one more stupid thing, I decided it would benefit all involved for me to just shut up.

Oh, by the way, we decided to store the game system until Christmas. Woohoo!

Labels: Family Love, Misc

Lucy...
is cute...
Lucy is wild...
Lucy is creative...

Lively
unique
cute
yummy

Words by Madeleine
Photo by Krissy

Labels: Family Love, Lucy, Photo

Has it been a year? There have been years of my life that I could easily forget, but not this one, and not you. I love that everything is new to you, and how proud you are when you accomplish them. I love how you know your people, and how much fun you have bouncing around the bed with your big brothers, even though I'm terrified that they might hurt you somehow. I love how you let me hold you and even sometimes even fall asleep in my arms, even though right now momma is the preferred comfort giver. I love how you were immediately poppa's girl. I think you already know the power you have over me, and if you don't, I'm afraid I wont be able to hide it from you for much longer. I love you baby girl. Happy Birthday!

Labels: Family Love, Lucy

Yea, my little beautiful haired boy decided last night that it was time to shave his hair. I have discouraged him from doing it for four months now, but last night he was dead set on doing it. Out came the scissors and the buzzer, and gone was his hair.

I have to admit that I was not too happy about it, not in an angry kind of way, but a sad to see such a big part of him go away. But that was just it, his hair was not his definition of himself. He was happy to see it go, in fact proclaiming that the new Josiah was here. I am so proud that he is willing to rediscover himself, all at the tender age of six. It makes me wonder how many times I haven't tried new things, major things, because some form of fear was holding me back. Thanks buddy for reminding never to stay the same, and not be afraid to try new things!

Labels: Family Love, Josiah

Today's High: Eight years ago, on this date, the girl of my dreams promised she would spend the rest of her life with me! Baby, you are my other, you know me like no one does, and I love you for your kindness and unconditional love.

I love your vision of the future
Your hope that never dies
But it's your kindness that clears my skies
Yes I love your wisdom
Your knowledge of the past
Your willingness to listen
And taste for what will last
Your compassion for the suffering
And your solid happiness
But it's your kindness that I love best

D. Wilcox

Today's Low:

I screwed up my knee playing basketball last night. When I woke up this morning, I could barely bend it. I'm not as stubborn about going to doctors anymore, so I swallowed my pride an hobbled over to Patient First.

For a brief moment, I thought about heading here:

I figured that I could easily dull the pain with some thing there. But I made the right choice and ended going here:




And left with this lovely parting gift:




Arrgghhhh... so much for getting back on my running schedule.

Labels: Family Love, reflections

The girls went away for a couple of days of r & r in VA beach, which means the guys are left to fend for themselves. Which is really cool for us, because it gives us boys the opportunity to do not much other than play video games and spend insane amounts of time on the internet. Our responsibilities are few, namely:

eat
sleep

Other than that, everything is open for discussion.

Right now, we are rocking out to The Killers while playing Pac-Man. We may or may not go out, we'll probably end up ordering pizza for lunch, and absolutely won't take showers.

Labels: Family Love

Last weekend was supposed to be our last big hurrah before the upcoming fall. We had some camping to do, the OAR concert to go to, and general laziness to get accomplished. After all of that fell through, (and deciding to get out of the inferno that is our house) we booked a room for a couple of nights at the Downtown Marriott to redeem what was supposed to be last weekend's mini vacation.

It might seem a little weird to go to a hotel that is less than, uhhmmmm, two miles away from where you live, but hotels hold a special place for our family. I don't know why, but we heart hotels. It sucked that we were internet-less (because I refuse to pay 10 bucks for access...what a scam) but other than that, it was a great.

Anyhoo... some pictures from the weekend:

baby girl















josiah and jackie-boy



Downtown Marriott



Miller and Rhoads across the street

Labels: Family Love, reflections