Baseball Snow Storms

Today we woke up, expecting his game to be canceled due to weather. However, peeking through my basement window I could see the sun shining brightly and thought for a moment that the game must be on! Then Candace text me, letting me the know the game was canceled. Upon investigating, we found a few inches of snow... at the end of April. Hey Summer, you're way late, wake up and get to work!

While the game was canceled, today was still picture day!

I love the custom fitted t-shirts. :)

Holy LONG locks!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!

Easter Skate Party

Amongst the mess of eggs, bunnies, baskets, candies, toys, cartoons, family, baseball and parks, we managed to squeeze in a mean skate sesh. We had too much fun.

HAPPY EASTER!

Few things could make him happier than waking up to candy, Phineas & Ferb, toys, Pokemon and cupcakes.

The Return

In October of 2007 I was asked to travel for work, the destination Kansas City. Little did I realize a week into the trip I would be propositioned for an advancement in my career, which included relocation to said city. Even less than acknowledging this a possibility did I ever think I'd actually do it. A couple more trips that year and January around the corner, my bags were packed and I was on a jet plane.

Understanding the difficulties ahead, I had a specific set of goals and agenda in mind - I had a purpose. I've never made a decision so hard in all my life, not only at the time it was made but a constant resurface throughout the three and a half years to follow. Alone in a new city, without all familiarities or comfort, without my son... every day was near torture, presenting new measurement of dissatisfaction and grief.

There were moments along the way... where I was able to catch a breath of air, smile and appreciate. These moments were primarily contained to the visits made by Alden or my brothers, but also began to develop as new meaningful friendships evolved. As the years unfolded I felt myself grow in new ways, I gained a calming sense of patience and understanding in life. Without getting too ahead of myself, I think I can say that I finally I grew up...

Two years into my hiatus from home, I was asked to move once again. Lacking career opportunities where my heart most desired, I reluctantly accepted. I had felt like I had just come to terms with that city, picking up my bags and voyaging to another, this one less opportunistic. While those last couple of years were spent beating my body and heart into a battered pulp, it was a chosen path that eventually returned me home.

Just over three years later, in January of 2011, the burden was lifted from my shoulders. No longer am I forced to pack Alden's clothes and toys after every visit, hiding them from plain site for weeks at a time to prevent emotions from getting the best of me. I'm no longer forced to go days without hearing his little voice on the telephone, wondering when the next conversation will occur. I no longer cry myself to sleep, question my motives or feel like "that dead beat". NO, in fact it's the exact opposite from all of that. I am once again, quite literally, where my heart belongs... I am FINALLY home.

...And I have never been happier. Ever.

I feel like I succeeded, I achieved my goals and reasons for leaving. With that, let me say two things:

1. I love you Alden and
2. I will NEVER leave you again.

Eating children

Saturdays are best.

Today was the first coach pitch game of the season, Alden did great and had a lot of fun! I had to fight the marathon to make the game, which ended up being slightly late. After the game, we went to the toy store to pick something up for his 2 week performance reward, he chose the a Tron legacy ring? I still haven't seen the new Tron and have no idea what the toy is he bought. Haha. Afterwards, he helped me pick out a new baseball glove then we went to lunch with Nana, looked at a few houses and then played some basketball in the back yard. We ended the day with a fun game of catch, played some kickball, played chess on his new set from Mexico (he smoked me), helped the ladies do some gardening, had dinner and a movie party. All in all, I'd have to say it was the perfect Saturday... aside for the part where he got the tummy sickness all night, poor guy.

Just another Thursday night.

Best is this.

Basketball. Snacks. Cartoons. Photo parties.

Visits

Meg & Timmy Wedding

those last two were taken by lisa t. she probably doesn't know i stole them.

Annual Alden Post

In the spring of 2003 news came, we're pregnant!!! Our lives instantly change.

Months later, we find out we are to have a little baby boy. Excitement, tension and all things good and bad consume us. Adding to the stress, news was received by the Doctors that put a wrench in our stomach. Due to an anomaly in the ultrasound we are told there is an 80% chance our child could have down syndrome or cystic fibrosis. We stayed positive and went into team mode, our pregnancy was one of the best periods of my life.

Finally, it's time!

The most intense and emotionally filled moment occurs in both of our lives, Alden Michael Leslie Purkey is born. He is delivered, not breathing and eyes closed. They suck the goo and liquid from his lungs and the first sound he makes is a gasping baby scream. Instantly, all control of my own emotions fall helpless and I cry.. I cry like a little girl. His umbilical cord was cut and the Nurses wrapped him in a blanket and thrust him into my arms. We rushed him into the next room where I cleaned him and held our new born little boy.

He was healthy and he was... he is perfect.

Every nurse on staff that night lost the bet on how much they thought he would weigh. Due to the tiny stature of his Momma, it was anticipated he would be heavily underweight. Nope, 7lbs 6ounces, we like to call that part "Vegan Power". :)

In the last 7 years since that tremendously amazing day, Alden has grown to be the most adorable and intellectual miniature person of his age. He is loving and loyal and most of all forgiving. He knows and understands more about life than most people I meet on a daily basis. He is my reason for everything; he IS my life. I love being his Dad more than anything I've ever experienced in life…

I love you, Alden. I hope this is the funnest birthday to date.

Christmas snow

2010 Christmas Cards!