Inspired
Another action packed month for the Hill Family:) The weather has been perfect, summer in Virginia brings longer, warm days, perfect for Barbecues, time at the pool, and gatherings with friends and family
Evan is still growing by leaps and bounds. Its hard to believe that just 6 months ago he was a tiny 7 lb 15 oz newborn. Now he is back bridging, flipping and scooting around the house with ease. He is active and all boy, punching his toys, banging his sippy cups, and laughing any loud, crazy movement or noise his sister makes. The way he looks at us is precious, with such love in his eyes, He is becoming quite the snuggler, when he is sleepy he will snuggle right up on my chest and lay there as i sing to him and rub his back. I love holding him, even though my arms and back burn out way before Brenda's lol, I love watching him develop his expressions and mannerisms. I have found it so interesting at birth he could cry, obviously natures alarm system indicating he needs something; food, diaper change, or sleep. As time has gone on he has developed the ability to smile and laugh, how crazy is that before we can talk, we can laugh and smile. Evan has inspired me to do just that, talk less and laugh and smile more. Evan is a blessing, such a precious and loving soul.
Dad and Herc are great as usual. The warmer weather has Hercules sunbathing on the back deck well into the late afternoon. He is starting to notice Evan now and I love watching Evan pat Hercules on his back and feel his soft fur. June was a significant month for me marked with a few milestones; June 1st marked a year of living together for Madeline Hercules, Brenda and I :) June also marked my second fathers day, the kids make the most precious, memorable gifts I have ever gotten:) This month I was fortunate to be awarded my blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, this was a significant milestone for me, I have chosen to attend class less often that I had prior to moving to Gainesville, Marrying Brenda and the birth of Evan, so I could get my MBA and be home with the family more. I committed myself to a schedule though and stuck with it, focusing more on my skill improvement than progressing through the ranks. It paid off, I got better, more focused, more fit, more dedicated, and not just at BJJ at life. Martial arts, especially BJJ, has a beautiful way of teaching you about yourself, lessons such as how will you react under this pressure, this obstacle, can you focus, relax, and work through it or do you give up and quit, these similar to lessons to the ones I learned in the Marines. These lessons have the benefit of carrying over to daily life, strengthening your resolve, commitment and motivation. Not to mention the benefit of continually learning about yourself, in a way that wouldn't otherwise be possible.
I hope one day when the kids are older that I am inspiring, I hope I am able to articulate my life experiences and lessons well-enough for them to learn from, I hope they seem their Dad training Martial arts and are inspired, I hope they see me finish my MBA and are inspired, I hope they see old photos and videos of us together when they are older and are inspired. I hope my wife sees how hard I try to do my very best, provide for the family, help raise our children, support her dreams and is inspired. I hope and dream for all of this not because I think I'm perfect, all knowing or have everything figured out; but rather because that's what families do, they rely on each other, look up to each other, drawing motivation and encouragement from the others words and actions, I truly believe in my heart the Hill family is on that path and I couldn't be more happy or proud :)