A Mellow Brick Road...: Daily Forecast: Showers of Love Forever

Fat Tuesday, Daddy Entry Number Two: A childhood experience/memmory

Both Sleeping And Wide-Awake: Love Is Constant

One of my fondest memories as a little boy was taking naps with my dad on the couch when he would come home for lunch from his work. Your grandpa Holsapple, my dad, was a military man and often spent long periods of time away from family, including being gone to war in Vietnam. His absence never caused any one of us (me or your aunts-Jane, Debbie, Terri and Diane) to doubt his love for us. Still, it was so special just to be able to lay beside him on the couch for the short time he had to catch a nap, and to feel his presence (I never had difficulty realizing I was next to him, ‘cause grandpa used to snore so loud [like your mommy])!

But I admit, as much as I loved nap time with dad, nothing could compare to spending awake time with him fishing and hunting and just knowing he was giving me (and my sisters) his wide-awake attention. I remember those times so clearly, and I have learned from them. I intend to spend as much time (both sleeping and wide-awake time) as possible with you two, Emilia Bodhi and Jude Liam. I truly treasure every moment we have together, and I want each of you to have fond memories throughout your lives of a daddy whose love was, is, and always will be, constant!

Mommy and daddy understand the blessings we have been given in the precious lives of each of you, and notwithstanding the realities of life that require us to work and sometimes be away from you, nothing can compare to the incomparable joy of holding you as you fall asleep, watching you play while you are wide-awake, trying to interpret the looks on your beautiful faces as to glean some meaning concerning what you must be thinking. Family time is truly the only time that ultimately matters in life, I have come to understand. And I am sharing this truth with you now so that you too will someday understand it, and treasure every moment you can spend with your Mommy and Daddy, Grandmoo, and GiGi and Gi-Pa Poncho, and Grandma Holsapple, and papaw Grills, your brothers and sisters, and your aunts and uncles, great aunts and uncles, and special friends who are accepted by us as family. There can never be too much love, but there will always be too little time.

Bodhi's and Jude's Day:

This morning was a busy morning. Yesterday, our washer finally died, so we had to get a new washer and dryer combo, we've been wanting to get a Speed Queen set because we were told they would last for thirty years. So, Mommy haggled them down on their price and set up delivery for this morning. We gave Grandmoo our old dryer :) Bodhi, you and Jude played up in your room while we were taking delivery. Mommy and Daddy took turns sitting with the two of you. You both were okay with this system. Our house downstairs was in complete disarray. We had to pull everything out of our utility room, so we of course just moved everything into the kitchen. Well, Daddy did most of it last night while Mommy took a nap. Mommy has been so tired this week! Mommy cleaned and put everything back together today. Jude, when you first came downstairs, you noticed right away that there was a new washer and dryer. Mommy couldn't believe it! You just stared, you would not take your eyes off it. Bodhi, after your four hour nap, you came downstairs and noticed it right away too. Mommy was amazed at how observant you two are. Everything was clean and put back together, but yet you two instantly noticed the change.

This evening was Zumba night for Momma. It was such a hot day, so Mommy was expecting to pass out while Zumba'ing in the non-air conditioned building. We ended up exercising outside, so everyone at the park saw us shaking it, which was quite embarrassing! The Governor came over to sit with you two until Sister Kelly finished getting her nails done. Sean Franky also came back over. He had been over while you two were napping. Sister Kelly and the boys took you both outside to play. She then gave you both a bath. Mommy loves coming home to bathed and fed babies! Such a nice treat! Sean Franky took all the pictures of you two for Mommy. Mommy hadn't had time to snap any pictures. Grandmoo came over and walked you, Bodhi, over to see her Kitties while Mommy was putting clothes away in your room and making dinner. Afterwards, you were all ready for bed! Jude, your face is looking so much better today. You even napped for a good three 1/2 hours today (a record for you). However, yet again tonight, every time Mommy laid you in your crib you woke up. The third time, Mommy just went outside the room and listened. You fell asleep right away :) Mommy thinks you might be getting a hang of going to bed in your own bed by yourself :)