Don't Walk away, Daddy. Don't walk away.

Well, after many years of trying to educate those around me on the importance of taking time out for family, to relax and tune in, it appears I will have to take some of my own medicine.
Lalainia is working hard on Fiddler on the Roof, these days, and I have been getting more and more involved with my church; meeting with several groups during the week. This means that at times we have been two ships passing in the night. Saying hello and goodbye seemingly in the same breath.
On top of this, Caede has had his first nightmare; and here it is.

I was walking away from him. As I'm walking away, he is calling my name asking me to stay. Rather than respond, I simply continue walking, ignoring his pleas. I then (with him continuing his screaming for me to stay) get into a car and drive off.

Later in the day, my lovely wife calls me and puts him on the phone to tell me his dream. When he is finished describing it to me, he begins to whimper, as he repeats over and over, "Don't walk away daddy. Don't walk away."
Thanks dear!! Made my day!
I needed to make some changes. I have several appointments on my schedule over the next few weeks(in fact I read an email immediately following my conversation with Caede that asked for two more within the next few days).

Some of them will be cancelled. I like the people who I had planned to meet with, but I can't have my son feeling like I'm walking away from him; even for a short time.

Ah, me boy!!

Rather than write out everything my love did on her blog, I'll simply suggest you follow this link and check out her photos of my boy on his first trip to pre-school.
Oops! I just realized that the pic doesn't say I'm a proud dad, it says, I'm proud OF Dad. Well, I'm not changing it now.

What's in a name?

That's right, I've changed the name. After several months (and turning Lalainia on to her own blog) I have realized that this is definitely not a family blog. It's not like we sit down to a Brady-style family meeting to decide what goes on here. Therefore, I will have mine, Lalainia hers, and when jr. gets older, he can have his. If they even exist any more!
Sure I had big plans; plans of a unified family posting on a family blog. But alas, it was just a pipe dream. Lalainia does not see this blog as fit to post on, thus she only posts on her own (which if you want a good laugh, you ought to check out).
The name is of course temporary(taken from the freaky Irish guy in Braveheart). As this blog implies, I titled it too quickly last time. I will not make that mistake again. So please send me your comments/suggestions for a blog title that truly represents all that is Brad!

Donald Miller and Santa taking a leak

Lalainia and I like to read books together. We are just now finishing a book by Christian writer Donald Miller. Searching for God Knows What is a refreshing book with some great incite onto the way Christians think (and maybe shouldn't) and the dangers of trying to box Jesus, and the entire Bible story, up into little neat tiny boxes bound with formulae.
I encourage anyone who wants to read some thought provoking Christian writing, by an intelligent, well read author, to pick this book up.
While I'm on the topic of stimulating writers, I would also suggest Velvet Elvis, by Rob Bell. Again, here is an author who will (for those who grew up in an evangelical environment) challenge you on some of the "axioms" you hold to.
Oh, and if you are wondering about the title of this blog, read Searching for God Knows What.