ELK

After two days I finally have a few minutes to sit down at a computer. At 11:10.35 a.m. on March 6, 2008, our first son was born. He tipped the scale at a hefty 8 lbs. 15 ozs. and measured 20 inches. I understand that's the information I have to give out first, so people can just skip to the pictures after getting the measurements.

On the morning of the sixth, we got to the hospital at 6:30 a.m. so Debra could be induced before the baby got any bigger. We had a talkative, but great nurse and everything went smoothly--perhaps even more so than with our two daughters. My mother-in-law was in town and has been a great help--allowing me to spend most the day at the hospital with my wife and newborn. In the evening I came home to sleep before heading back to the hospital in the early hours of Friday. With the exception of a couple hours I spent biking to the university and going to a meeting for my teaching position, I was at the hospital for the entire day again. However, this time I stayed the night to allow my wife to get a little rest. Apparently she didn't get any sleep the night before because of our hungry, vociferous boy. Over the previous two days I hadn't got a lot of sleep, so by 3:00 a.m. this morning I was beginning to understand my wife's exhaustion. Fortunately, our son slept for a little bit after that and the nurses took him for a few quick tests, which allowed me to immediately fall asleep on the hard reclining chair by my wife's bed. Despite the accommodations, I haven't slept so soundly in a long time. It ended up being a short night, but at least we all got a little sleep.

As far as positioning the images is concerned, I'm still learning, so bear with me!

Our son doesn't seem to have any problem
with his vocal cords.

Remembering a Prophet

Yesterday I sat in our office at home with my wife and daughters to watch the funeral of our beloved prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley. For thirteen years he has inspired us to "stand a little taller" and be a little better. I watched with a little bit of envy the thousands in attendance--thousands united to honor the passing of a prophet of God. But the minor pang of sadness at not being present in person to wave farewell with a white handkerchief was replaced with the knowledge that he is with his wife again. What a blessing it has been to have a prophet to guide us in these troubling times. What a blessing it is to know that God has not forgotten his children, that he has restored his gospel in its fullness in these latter days. As in days of old, his church is led by a prophet, and as in days of old, he leads us through the wilderness, he stands on the watchtower to warn of impending spiritual dangers that seek to destroy the very fabric of our society--the family. This said, Proclamation to the World on the Family couldn't have been revealed at a more appropriate time. While we have lost the company of a dear friend and prophet for a season, the Lord will continue to lead his church through a prophet. Our prayers should be full of thanks for the prophetic guidance that our Heavenly Father proffers us.