It doesn't get any better than a Gotcha Day party on the farm. Tim and Julia pulled out all the stops and made sure this was a biggie for Benny. The festivities started out with Tim taking us out to the pond to catch a fish. Benny doesn't know how good he has it with Uncle Tim. His Daddy is not exactly a fisherman, hasn't fished in years, never has cleaned a fish, and doesn't put live bait on a hook with ease. Long story short...Benny started catching fish and loved it.

To top off the Gotcha Day activities on Saturday, Benny went for a few spins on the tractor...he lovedmoving up/down the front loader and actually did minimal damage to the yard! He then climbed aboard the huge backhoe and proceeded to dig a big hole. He had a confident grin on his face the entire time.

Saturday evening we roasted hotdogs and marshmallows at Benny's request. It was fun being around the campfire and catching up with Nancy and seeing the girls.

All in all this was a wonderful trip that we will remember. When I polled Benny about his favorite activity from his party...he proudly said "Roasting Marshmallows". Thank goodness you don't have to gut marshmallows or catch them with live crickets..I think we'll be able to manage his simple pleasures.

October 22nd is one of my favorite days. Life has not slowed down a bit since picking Benny up on October 22, 2005. This week I had conversations with 2 people from Guatemala. I couldn't help but beam with pride when telling them my son was born there.

Happy Gotcha Day Benny! I Love You!

It's been awhile since I've written down some thoughts running in my head. This past month has been a blur of challenges and changes both personally and professionally. While it's not been a pleasant month on a certain levels, at other levels, life has been quite satisfying. Sounds manic, but that's life in the big city.

I am determined not to watch the news on TV until after the election. Every story is depressing, with no good news on the horizon. Who needs that?

I am also determined to think of a few things I'm thankful for (think of this as a simple exercise to clear my head of clutter and a bad attitude):

1. I am thankful that Everlie has been sick. This is teaching me patience and allowing me to focus on her tiny little head on my shoulder. She is sweet.

2. I am thankful I have been sick. This is teaching me patience. I appreciate Tony Martin putting a purchase order in for another Plastic Bubble. Many people have this joke that I'm the boy in the plastic bubble, since I catch everything. Tony was just worried my original bubble is contaminated.

3. I am thankful my wife is going back to having her own office. What is better than arranging your life to make time for kids and family, while helping other people in the process.

4. I am thankful for my business. We have been blessed with good clients in these tough times. This has also been a learning experience of major proportions.

5. I am thankful for my friends. A secret to success is to surround yourself with people with a good heart that will always truthfully give advice when asked. That is if you are brave enough to solicit it. I have many...

6. I am thankful for Benny. He is teaching me patience (and trying my patience sometimes). He is funny, witty, loves preschool, makes friends easily, has a good heart and loves his parents unconditionally.

That's enough for now.

Come see the Amazing Guato do some dancing to Matchbox Twenty. Everlie has some moves of her own.

On a totally unrelated observation: Who made the rules that politicians can call as much as they see fit...even if you are on the National No Call Register? Just another reason Washington is eternally broken. He who writes the rules, writes them to their benefit.

Look out Vegas...your next headliner is on the way in 2030

One thing we can always count on is that the Cope and Robinson kids play well outside. Sunday night we had a wonderful and celebratory picnic at New Town. While the builder/developer is not a client of mine, I have to honestly say this is a great place for young families with kids. These are a few photos of our beautiful kiddos. I will use this as a public forum to congratulate Jonah and Grace's Dad on his promotion. Of course behind every accomplishment within a marriage is a spouse that has to be pat on the back as well. We love you guys.