Benny's MaMa coming back from San Francisco ... Priceless!

If you live in St Louis, you need to go to this link:

http://stlouis.about.com/od/governmentcities/a/humorouslook.htm

My friend and employee lives in Ohio. Every time Jen comes to our fair city, I endure her endless complaints about our roads, drivers and general idiosyncracies of St Louis. I have to laugh because it's true.

Check it out.

The older I get, the less stock I put on the number attached to a birthday. Maybe because my number is 40. I feel young, but sometimes I feel old. Have you ever felt that way?

Here are some observations of why I feel this way:

1. My style in music rarely deviates from what I was listening to a decade ago.
2. My waist size keeps expanding and my "big" pants don't seem that way anymore.
3. Nose hair. What's that about?
4. The barber asks if I want my eyebrows trimmed.
5. The barber just goes ahead and trims my ear hair.

Here are some observations on why I won't always feel this way:

1. I am starting to exercise (as of this morning). Who wants to be the old dad that can't keep up with his whippersnappers?
2. I have changed my diet (as of yesterday). My goal is not to be the chubbiest - skinny, guy at the beach. Isn't that an oxymoron?
3. I have started to expand my musical horizons to Bluegrass (Alison Kraus).
4. I am determined not to buy bigger waisted pants.
5. As for the hair thing...sometimes you gotta take the good with the bad.
6. Again on the music thing. There's nothing wrong with a little old with the new. Right now I'm listening to "Atlantic CIty" (live version-not from Nebraska).

As G says...He looks happy, because he doesn't have anything to be sad about.

Fun In The High Chair

Mama snapped a few funny pics of Benny just being Benny.

What's on my nightstand getting read:

The Rhythm Of Life - Matthew Kelly
The Purpose Driven Life - Rick Warren
Going Places - E.D. Hill
The Bible - God
and (of course) the latest copy of WWII Magazine

What about anyone out there. Any good reads?

The Downside Of Having Girl Cousins

Yesterday was a big day for Benny. Prior to yesterday, his legal name was Carlos. We went to Family Court, and today he is recognized by MO as ours, with the name of Benjamin. It was a big step, but frankly the formality of the court proceedings were somewhat comical.

International adoption is a process that reminds me of climbing to the top of St Peter's Basilica. It starts with small, winding steps that seem uncomfortable and cramped, with the promise of a great view. The difference is that each step has revealed a small window. We have enjoyed the entire view along the way. Our next step is to get him a SS#, and fill out some more federal paperwork. I need to make some calls to the agency on that, since my memory on all that gov't protocol is shot.

Thanks to Brad for helping us along the way.

Here is a cute pic of Benny with Abby, Car-Car and Wessie.