This year is going by so quickly. We’re already just under 3 months from being in Austin for a year. Two things have contributed to the speedy passage of time. Not having a job for three months is one of them. You’d think that would have made time pass slowly, but it’s amazing how quickly days pass into each other when you have nothing to do. Second, and more important, was the birth of our first child. Man she eats up the time, and wonderfully so. I’m amazed at how when I get home, the other stuff I think I need to do just disappears because I simply want to hold her and just look at her. That other stuff eventually gets done. Bills get paid and writing happens, but if I don’t enjoy her while she’s tiny, I’ll never get these moments back.

We drove to Alabama to be with my Father’s side of the family for Thanksgiving. 33 total hours in the car what with stopping to feed the baby, and eat lunch. I enjoyed the drive spending time with my brother, whom we met to make the journey together. This Thanksgiving was most special because we were bringing our daughter to meet that side of the family for the first time, and it was the first time that entire side of the family had gathered completely–no one missing–in about four or five years. We took lots of pictures, and it’s great to have some 4 generation photographs. These times are fleeting, and the emotions of the moment were simultaneously joyful and somehow maudlin and wistful. The encouraging thing is how wonderful I realized my family is. Over the years we’ve all gotten along spectacularly, and I attribute it to the loving example of my wonderful grandparents.

My mother’s father was also able to stop by on Friday, giving us the chance to see a little bit of both sides of the family.

I’ve got a lot to be thankful for.

I got tired of my old, weepy headers. Let me know what you think of the new treatment up top! Is it too futuristic? I just wanted to spruce up the site a bit, and decided to do something a little different.