Family Men

Being a husband and father is by far the most rewarding experience afforded to man while on this earth, in my opinion. The Church, recognizing the beauty and importance of marriage a liturgical rite--a sacrament; that is, in effect, a method for imparting grace on the individual.

Similarly the act of child bearing and rearing is a lofty miracle. For theists, like myself, we see ourselves privilege to work alongside God in the act of creation.

I do not necessarily consider myself qualified for either role: husband or father. It is my opinion that nobody in and of themselves actually possesses or attains to worthy credentials. God and community supplement where the individual is lacking.

This joyous responsibility is also veraciously daunting and often strips one of self confidence, particularly in the role of protector. Protecting my family is one of the most fulfilling tasks. As I was perusing through the pictures on our digital camera today I came across the picture below. I was engulfed in emotion as I recalled what took place in the photo. Our youngest daughter, Gabs, held an unlit Morning Glory Sparkler in her hand. As soon as the sparks started shooting out, she realized the harmful potential grasped in her ruddy little fingers, burst into tears, and threw the sparkler on the grass. Only when she was tucked in my arms would did she stop crying and try to participate.

But every up has its down. The possibility for failure and the latent repercussions are extremely daunting and scary. I am always second guessing myself, asking, "am I doing an adequate job at protecting my family?"

As many readers may or may not know, in just five days I will be jobless. With no future employment solidified, and this being the only source of income for my family, it is easy to feel as if I am negligent in the role of protector. It is in moments like these that it is so necessary to stumble across the picture above!

Now, I know we will get through this difficult time. I just hope that in months to come I will look back and realize that it was easier than it felt at the time, and that my family felt as little discomfort as possible.

Gabs

I haven't been able to blog recently.

Our youngest girl, Gabrielle, or "Gabs," as we call her has been sick and running high temperatures. In fact, last thursday as we were letting the kids play outside while the weather was pleasant, I heard Sandra cry, "Nathan!"

I came around to the front of the house and saw her holding up her little one year old body. She was unconscious, and her lips were blue. I gently shook her and called her name, but she was unresponsive. Sandra picked her up and cradled her. We saw her eyes roll back into her head and her body started convulsing in seizures. I have never bee so terrified--for the first time as a parent, not knowing what was going on, I was afraid of loosing her.

Sandra told me to call 911, and the paramedics took her and Sandra to the hospital where they where her temperature was brought down. She is doing better, but she has not been able to shake the fever.

Tonight our five year old son, Malachi prayed: "Jesus, I know you're the goodest man ever. I remember when Gabs was born and I saw her and she was so cute...she still is so cute. Please make her to not be sick any more."

I ask any readers of this blog to mention her in your prayers!

Mrs. Ivan (Big Head...Little Body)

Before you read any of my pedantic wanderings, stop by Big Head...Little Body, my wife's new blog. You will be hooked. You'll love her.

I think that you'll see we make a great team. As I read her first post I thought, "Man, she is such a nice person." I am so critical...I try not to be in this blog, but I am. Where would I be without my wife?

Family

My original intent for tonight's post was to critique a current catch phrase floating around in the circles which surround my line of work, and indeed, circles of which I am a part of...but...I decided to post that tommorrow or Friday. Events of the day, and reading a fellow blogger's post has inspired me otherwise.

So instead, I am going to introduce my family to the blog world--or at least the 2 or 3 that actually read this journal of sorts. I am so proud of them...certainly God's greatest gift to me outside of salvation, and besides, as I read a blog I often wonder what the writers and their families look like. Enjoy!

Sandra and I

Aylah (3)

Malachi (5, 4 when photo taken) and Ezekiel (6 months, 1 month when photo taken

Gabs (1) and Ezekiel (6 months, 1 month at time photo was taken)

7

Think back to when you were a child.
What did you dream of as you fell asleep —space travel, did you go back in time?
Or maybe you dreamed of a magic screen that you could carry in your pocket — a screen to entertain you whenever you wanted.
It held your favorite, music, pictures, stories — it helped you find your way home — a screen that brought all of this to you wherever you were at the speed of light.
That was your dream.
With the magic of Sprint screen it all came true.

Maybe you've seen this latest "Sprint Ahead" ad campaign by Sprint. I guess Sprint was reading the mind of America...or at lest trying to. Instant ethnocentric, sensory, gratification seems to be every childs dream, trumping even the traversing of both space and time.

At least in my case, Sprint missed the mark, and knowing the reasders of this humble blog, yours too. My dreams have come true, but the channel has not been through instant access to last night's episode of Deal Or No Deal on my telephone. I can remember sitting at the dinner table with my parents when I was seven years old, professing that when I was "old" I would have seven children. Ok, so I don't have seven...but I do have four amazing angels, and a beautiful wife to share the duties of parenthood with. Every time I look at this picture I care less for my cell phone and realize my dreams have come true--and not with the magic of Sprint.

*By the way, in this pic Sandra told them to make a funny face...who do you think is the dominant of the three shown here?