A new addition

Gabriel Paul DeLaura was born a healthy 9 lbs , 5 oz at 12:30 pm. Tristan is officially a big brother and seems to be adjusting well to the whole idea. Daniel and Tristan took Gabe to get checked out by the nurses to make sure all was well.  

This new guy is welcomed with open arms and loving hearts. I can just envision Gabe romping around the farm following right behind Tristan gathering eggs and helping their pop pop around the farm. It'll only be a matter of time : ) 

Embracing 'T's' last day as sola-mente

I received a call from my mom less than 24 hours ago informing me that Gabe was on his way. Jess is scheduled for a c-section in just a few hours in Lynchburg. So... we're on the road again! I headed out of work by noon & spent the next six hours listening to music, tail gating and by hour four holding conversations with myself. Last night we had a blast running around with Tristan and savoring the last of our 'solo' time. I awoke to him laying on my chest and saying, "E, Gabe's coming!" Little dude, you are right on : )

Mental youth-ology

One of my goals in life is to never equate my age with how I live and conduct myself. May I never take life too seriously and may eyebrows be raised when people cross my path.  

             One of my best friends, Carrie was in town this weekend. There aren't many  people who truly 'get me' and the quirkiness, the layers and all the other stuff that comes along with it. I really just love being in her presence and always feel 17 again when we hang out.  I don't know if you have the fortune of having one of those people in your life that no matter how much time passes, when you're together you just pick up where you left off. No effort required. 

 Carrie represents a whole lot of history that I don't have with many others - she has really been there with me through thick and thin & it means the world to me. I feel blessed to have her in my life and know as years go on we'll never be too old to laugh until our stomach's hurt, to act completely immature at the most inopportune times and even to share a good cry over the one's we've loved and lost over the years. It is something I value profoundly. 

Sunday may not have been warm, but it was sunny. It was enough excuse to head towards the Atlantic. The surf was blown out, but to take in some salt air and have my feet in the sand was all the therapy I needed. Janet & her kids (Ty & Danielle) & I took a trek to Ocean City. We tossed a football, found some seashells and walked the boards. I'm diggin' the down time and Sunday night I was almost ready to head back to the daily grind... 

Young Life & Will cleanin' house

Another rapid weekend coming to a close all too quickly. Since September we've been going strong with Young Life rocking with students attending from both Shawnee & Seneca High Schools. This Friday an annual banquet was held for parents and people in the community to catch a clearer vision for what we do & where we're going. Our kids waited tables and were all about being able to give back in their own way. 

It was really awesome being able to witness so many kids stoked to give back and talk about their personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I was diggin' it. We start club up this Wednesday and the challenge will be to see how many kids we can actually fit into a house without technically breaking any fire codes. I love challenges....

Some friends headed over to my place and assisted in some major spring cleaning along with re-arranging furniture. I've got to say in three years it hasn't looked so good. It was sort of like extreme makeovers without the bulldozer or wrecking team. I found ye olde William Shakespeare in my guest room (very long story) and Janet & I couldn't pass up a chance to take a shot with one of the greatest dudes of all time.It has really been awesome in these past months how God has placed some really amazing people in my life that have allowed me to become a better person in the long run. I am profoundly thankful for continually gaining a sense of what is and what isn't important in life and the tremendous value in authentic friendships. Good stuff. 

A little 'T' time

There is just something about that little dude. Tristan, my nephew, was in town along with my parents for the weekend. In his presence my heart lightens and the worries of the world and life seem a million miles away. Being that my parents were able to get away from the farm for a few days, which rarely is able to happen, we took full advantage of the weather on Sunday and headed to the shore. Even though Tristan is a true 'farm dude,' I'm fairly determined to instill a little soul surfer in that John Deere boy of ours. He has the hair down pat and already knows how to do a pop up making his 'E'  proud. 

I added a clip from a trip to Lowes which he aptly calls the Man Park. With Tristan there is really never a dull moment. From hopping into ceramic tubs, spinning in circles on the beach or learning to play the drums after a serious ice cream sunday party the dude has it going on : ) Have an awesome week!  

Dancin' in my heart

I've been doing a snow dance in my heart for some time now & I guess those shoes have a little magic in the soles. I always feel fifteen again when I get that call with someone on the other end confirming that I will definitely be sleeping in the next day. Snow days are golden. Instead of being sedentary all day a friend and I took a serious 4 mile snow trek around Marlton. Cold, wind and fresh air does some fairly epic things for the spirit. 

We borrowed snow tubes from a few kids and took a run down. My theory is that you're never too old to sled and the world would be a better place if everyone took a few runs down a hill once in awhile. And better yet, you may not know that couch surfing exists in the farthest corners of the globe and that includes Marlton, NJ. How's that for random?  

Saturday I had an opportunity to serve with a friend in Camden lending a hand to those in need. We might think how chilly it is outside while running from work or home to our car, but consider if you had no where to lie your head at night. Lack of food and housing makes things challenging in so many ways. I believe it's important to lend a hand and the reality that we are all equal; it's just that some have been handed a tougher hand of cards than others. It's not about feeling pity. It is about loving, caring and extending yourself that indeed your light will shine and an impact can be made.