Crazy Whaley

Yesterday was my Baby Girls birthday. It got me thinking about where I was nine years ago and how fast time flies. Nine years ago I was an unmarried man about to start a family with a girl that had just graduated from high school four months earlier. I was so nervous and unsure how to do the right thing. One thing I did know was that for nearly as long as I could remember I had wanted to be a father. The day Anny and I went to the hospital was quite an ordeal. I had everything prepared the best I knew how to. I had packed a hospital bag for both of us and stowed it in the trunk of the Camry that I traded my green S-10 pickup for. The car seat was strapped in and triple checked and in my mind we were ready. When she said its time to go to the hospital we rushed right over. It took a long time for Isa to come out. When she crowned I started to cry and by the time my parents came into the room I was nearly hysterical. I remember looking around at a room full of girls and realizing that I was crying more than all of them combined. I was so overwhelmed with joy that my first child was here. It has been a quick nine years since that day and I have a beautiful, smart and well behaved daughter whom I love dearly. I often remind her that she is my “Alma” (my soul). It fills my heart with joy just to talk to her everyday. I never thought nine years ago that I would be where I am today but I thank God that I have had my family through whatever I have gone through. Especially my “Baby Girl.”

Well I have not written since Fathers Day. Too long for sure. Since that time so much has happened. I will be writing about some of the things I should have already written about soon. A recap of the summer with the kids will be included.

My daughter told me the other day while helping me to prepare skewers for the grill that she would like to be a chef. I told her that I thought it was really cool the way that chefs come up with new recipes and make changes to existing ones. She agreed with me and we created some marinade for our chicken using honey and barbecue sauce. Well she must have taken my words to heart about creating new things because Fathers day morning I was awakened by both kids who had prepared breakfast for me to enjoy in bed. The sandwich that she created was a cheddar cheese and grape jelly on a hot dog bun! It was accompanied on the plate with a string cheese and a granola bar. I had to laugh at that one and she assured me that it would be delicious. I ate it and it was wonderful (I had to say that). I did really appreciate the thought and the hard work they put in to give me that surprise. What a lovely Fathers day we had. Beautiful weather and family which are two of my favorite things.

Father’s Day 2007: “Let’s admit to ourselves that there are a lot of men out there that need to stop acting like boys; who need to realize that responsibility does not end at conception; who need to know that what makes you a man is not the ability to have a child but the courage to raise a child.”

Father’s Day 2008: “Any fool can have a child. That doesn’t make you a father. It’s the courage to raise a child that makes you a father.”

Father’s Day 2009: “We need to step out of our own heads and tune in. We need to turn off the television and start talking with our kids, and listening to them, and understanding what’s going on in their lives.”

These are quotes by Barack Obama made the last three fathers days. Good advice. I have aless than ideal situation with my children but strive everyday to make the most of it. Keeping open communication with Anny hasn’t always been easy but has always been beneficial. The children are respectful smart ans fun to be around. Due in no small part to the ability of two parents that dont always get along working together despite their differences.

I recently started to read a book that Grandma Whaley gave to me about three years ago. I had been stopping by her house just to talk usually about once a week. I had developed a love for history just a few years prior and I loved to talk to her about what I was reading. Out of these conversations grew a bonding for the general thirst of knowledge and recommendations for the “next” book we should read or talk about. About three years ago for Christmas she gave me the book Profiles In Courage by John F. Kennedy. It was a 50th anniversary edition that came in a hard storage box and is beautifully presented. I read it then and loved it. I just picked it up again and began to flip through the pages thinking of the first time I read it and how proud it made me feel to be an American. Also of the great sacrifices that have been made by so many to give us the freedom we sometimes take for granted today. I highly recommend the book to anyone. It is about in Kennedy’s words “Decisive moments in the lives of great Americans.” It will make you proud to be an American and will inspire you to take chances in your own life.

This past Friday my children arrived from Florida. Unlike last time my father picked them up from the airport while I waited at work with great anticipation to hear that they had arrived safely. My coworker showed me a brilliant web site that tracks whatever domestic flight you type in. It gives you elevation speed distance and even has a little map that shows where the plane is. I watched the kids flight from the time it left the ground until it was a mere 20 miles away at which point I went outside and watched it fly over my work on its final descent to the airport. After my father picked them up he brought them into my work to see me. I cannot describe the feeling that comes over you as you see your children for the first time in two months. Elation is the best word I can think of to describe the feeling. My parents friends have gifted their house to the kids and I for the entire summer and everything has been going splendidly so far. The children are well behaved and somewhat organized. Much more than I was at their age. Isa loves to help me make dinner and I really enjoy both her help and her company in the kitchen. Nicolas helps me keep everything clean. It is truly a joy and a blessing to have them here. I only wish that this time did not have to end at the end of the summer.

This person must have had an interesting childhood.

Tiniest Queen from Brian Whaley on Vimeo.

Goin’ Campin’ from Brian Whaley on Vimeo.

The crazy Whaley family. (No, it’s not just me!)

50 Faces from Brian Whaley on Vimeo.

Ice Cream Hat from Brian Whaley on Vimeo.