Joe and Ryan's 30th Birthday Party

Megan and Mary threw a big birthday party Saturday night for Joe and Ryan's 30th birthdays. This is Megan wearing a fabulous sombrero.

Here's Ryan taking a swing at the cowboy boot pinata. He's wearing his latin jazz shirt.

This is Joe.

I think he dropped the stick, and is about to start using some kung fu on the thing.

The object of our violence.

This is Ruben and Kate's daughter Lily. Cute kid.

Here is the birthday cake. As part of his transition from boyhood to manhood this year Ryan requested three cakes with various themes. I'm not really sure that Ariel has to do with anything in regards to boyhood on the first cake, but there are trucks and tractors on the second cake, and army men on the third.

The New Face of Fatherhood

Fatherhood

I have long wanted to be a father. I enjoyed growing up with seven siblings, and I've always liked being the oldest. I learned how to change diapers (cotton ones with pins and rubber pants) when I was seven years old, and I babysat quite a bit in my youth. I pretty much just like kids and taking care of them. It's also incredible to contemplate the fact that our progeny will soon be toddling about, bringing either joy or a poopy bottom to every person he or she crawls up to. There will be a little Cooper in the family soon.

I must admit however, that the prospect of impending fatherhood is frightening as well as enjoyable. Our life is going to change. Maybe not as much as it did when we got married 14 months ago, but maybe as much, and maybe in less enjoyable ways. We will be inextricably and completely responsible for the well being of our child. As thrilling as that is it's also kind of scary. It's also tough to think about the world that we're bring this kid into. Our deepest prayer is that this child will serve God when the time comes to choose. I found a song by Bob Dylan today that captures some of my feelings pretty well.

Don't think that I'm more scared than excited. My joy far outweighs my fear, and I'm sure my impatience for the child to arrive will become quite a problem.

Applied

Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the LORD. Proverbs 19:14

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21

In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate. Psalm 127:3-5

People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. Mark 10:13-16

Ooh Baby!

It brings me great pleasure to announce that Sarah is with child! We think the baby is due sometime around the beginning of March of 2007. I've got to praise God right here for his love and faithfulness. It's overwhelming to think that we're going to be parents, but I know the three of us will be well taken care of.

Sad to say, this means that Sarah will not be starting grad school in a week, but hopefully the coloring books she ordered a month ago from Amazon will come soon. Just kidding (kind of). She will be seeking gainful employment once we get our visas, which actually should be very soon.

Facial Expressions Employed During a Normal Day at the Office

Living in Australia

There are some really bad things about living in Australia (some of these may apply only to Adelaide):

No Crisco. Or any type of shortening for that matter. The closest thing they have comes in bricks in the refrigerated section. When you melt it turns straight into liquid. I don't know about you, but when I make cookies I need my ingredients at the right consistency.

One culture. Sure, you've got the aboriginal culture, but apart from strange names for everything, how have the aboriginal people recently shaped Australian culture as a whole? This place is anything but a melting pot. If you ask me it's a bunch of white potatoes all thrown in a pot and cooked into a big mush. A little bland. There are a few spices thrown in on top though, and I think there's hope as long as they start mixing them in.

There are some really good things about living in Australia (some of these also may only apply to Adelaide):

It it easy to get places. You can bike, you can drive, you can even walk sometimes. You can leave your house 10 minutes before church starts and get there on time. You can drive from one side of the city to the other in half an hour. There are bike lanes on many of the major roads. Bad traffic here is waiting 5 minutes to get through a light. There are good mountain biking trails in the mountains onle 10 minutes from the city. It's great.

People are pretty cold on the street, but if you have any reason to be talking to someone or asking them questions they are friendly and helpful.

Holy Trinity Church. It's a great place. Humble people. Sound doctrine. Good fellowship.

Good food. Although certain ingredients we are used to using are non-existant, most of the produce and groceries here are top notch. The dairy products are especially tasty.

Natural beauty. Not only is always close, there is vast amounts of it. I think it was a great time to be given a camera and to pick up photography as my hobby. We've got the sea on one side and the hills on the other here. Hiking, camping, swimming, mountain biking and surfing spots are all within a two hour drive or less.

Good weather. We're in the middle of winter and it hasn't gotten below freezing once. Some days are in the Farhenheit 60s and sunny. I'll give you an update once I've experienced summer.

The Soon to be New Car

So this is the car we were able to get with the company's lease allowance:

It's a Subaru Forester 2.5l X, with symmetrical all wheel drive. The lease package includes insurance and maintenance. I think we'll be getting bike racks and a luggage rack for the top in the lease too. I don't know when it will be ready for us, but I'm hoping within the next couple weeks. It'll fun to take it out on the dunes and go camping.

The Latest Addition To My Face

The latest edition of my face.

A Graveyard Near Our House

I Don't Know What To Title This One

Trinity Church's roof was designed and built to mimic the interior structure of a ship's hull. Back in the day the sea symbolized the chaos and danger of the world, and the church building was meant to be a place where people could take refuge from the storm. As far as I can tell they did a pretty good job.

This is one of the first photos Sarah has ever willingly let me take of her. She claims that her hair is a little messy, but I think she looks nice.

More F4

Here's my luxurious Mexican hammock in the back yard. It's been too cold to truly enjoy it. Soon enough it will be the right time.

I have an affinity for looking up.

Some of these have shadows in the corners (vignetting I believe it's called) because I used a polarizing filter and a step up ring. I also think that I have no idea what the correct angle of rotation of the polarizer is supposed to be for a given situation. I'll see if I can figure that out for the next roll. I also should have used the tripod for this shot.

This little guy was holding my hand when I took this. He was pretty friendly.

The mighty Australian bird trainer with his deadly Wedge Tailed Eagle.

The horn of plenty.

I really like the trees over here. They're just plain different.

Ear Candles

On Saturday we had a relaxing session of ear wax removal using ear candles which my lovely wife purchased at the market. These things get the wax that Q-Tips just can't reach. This is something you're only supposed to do once a year or so, since the wax acts as protection from vibration and bugs (it's a repellent of sorts). I wish I had taken a picture of all the wax that came out. It was pretty gross, so I'm sure you're a happier person for not having seen it.

The Hills Near Gorge Road

For Our Mothers - The Guest Bedroom

For Our Mothers - The Bedroom

For Our Mothers - The Halls and Bathroom

For Our Mothers - The Kitchen

For Our Mothers - The Living Room