Simply the Best


"It is necessary...for a man to go away by himself...sit on a rock...ad ask, 'Who am I, where have I been, and Where am I going?"- Carl Sandburg

November always seems to be a month of reflection for me from, maybe because December is jammed packed full of activities that the new year sneaks up on me and speeds away just as fast.  November, for the last few years, has been a mental inventory of sorts, going over my checklist scratching off a few, modifying and constantly adding new goals, ideas and dreams. 

What a great November this was;

Evan Bryan Hill turned 1 today ( December 2nd 2014) HOW DID THAT HAPPEN!?! It literally feels like 2 months ago I was swaddling him up, bathing him in the sink, and placing him in the bassinet at night. My goodness time flies he's walking now, not a few steps but 15 + feet, he can say at least 10 words, associate people and things with names (when we ask him where the dog is he points to Hercules) he can feed him self, takes a "big boy" bath and can do a ton of other independent actions. This boy is so independent he pushes my hand away when I wash him and tries to do it himself. He's such a worker to he will go to drawers and cabinets; unload all of the contents on the floor then play with them and put them back, he loves it and literally does it ALL DAY LONG. The drive is deep in this boy to move, explore and experience, to complete tasks on his own and pop right back up when he falls or bonks himself.  Within all of this drive and determination is the sweetest and sensitive little soul, Evan literally can take a fall, toy to the face, or other mishap with little to no noise or visible discomfort but, if sister happens to be a bit excited and knocks him down or hurts him he gets so upset and cries with his bottom lip all the way out, so sad sissy (accidentally) did that. The boy wears his heart on his sleeve, he cries whenever he seems me leave the room and will search the whole house looking for me if I leave him with Brenda and sneak away to shower. Walking up and down the halls, only banging on the doors he has seen me enter (bathroom/garage) skipping the closet door; then climbing the stairs, with mom right behind, to open our bedroom door and bang on the door to the master bath saying "Da-Da Da-Da". Even when I face time with the family while I'm on travel Evan screams if Brenda moves the phone so Sissy can see me.  He is simply the best.

Thanksgiving with the Family (a week early so we could all have it with Madeline there) So crazy to think 1 year ago we were in the hospital the hospital where we brought our son into the world, held him against and changed all of our lives for the better. Together we made a life.. a little person, together we raise 2 little people, together we laugh, cry, hold hands, snuggle, play, explore and enjoy this life and family we have created TOGETHER.

Dad and Hercules are doing good:) Hercules got a lot of attention this month, brushed out with Maddie and Sophia, time outside with the family during Christmas decorating, and hes got a sister in Madeline's pet beta fish Barbie :) Even though he ate the wires to the gas water heater pilot light he is still one heck of a Bulldog and the best pet a guy or family could ask for:)

I started hunting this year, though I haven't "gotten anything" yet lol, it did give me plenty of time to think about my life, my kids, my wife and my family; to reflect on the changes and experiences we have had this year and to set some/many long term and short term goals for myself. The idea of hunting came from Montana, and how every year dad's would take their kids out of school to go hunting; I never got to experience that and want to make sure that the opportunity is there for our kids. Besides the benefits of fresh quality meat and learning the skills needed to hunt (patience, will to get dirty, mental endurance for unfavorable climate) I think it creates a perfect opportunity to talk about life, to talk to the kids about the world and what I have experienced in hopes they learn from my mistakes and are inspired by my achievements. I of course have these talks now, just on a little person level, and just want to be prepared for the future conversations of boyfriends, girlfriends, cars, college, drugs, underage drinking, sex or whatever else they want to talk about. Sitting in the woods, I remembered a time when I didn't think i would have any kids, just be a Marine and go romp and stomp all over the world, I didn't think i was relationship material, I really didn't. Even when I was a civilian having a few failed relationship I began questioning and wondering if I would be a husband and a Father. 10 months after our first date she became my wife 8 months after that she brought our son into the world; I don't know if i have the words to describe how grateful I am for Madeline and for Evan They are simply the BEST!

Wesley HillComment