dalebest

Iconic Family Photos

The only picture I have with my dad and me is from the day I graduated high school. The photo means so much to me but it's hardly artsy, just me and my brothers standing with my Dad on the back porch of our home. My dad hated wearing ties. After we got back from the graduation ceremony, he couldn't get to his bedroom quick enough to change.



When I became a Dad, one of the things I wanted to do different is make sure that my son had pictures of us together. And not just that, but photos that evoke emotion. The picture below wasn't planned but something my wife happened to capture as my son and I were tired from riding in a car all day. Call me sentimental but this picture with Yosemite's Sentinel Dome in the background shows me not only the love God has for us, but the love Caedmon and I have for each other. I hope this is a photo Caedmon will love and hold onto for a long time.



Have random family moments like this ever been captured by a simple photo?

My Son Has Rhythm

I Got You!!!

Stand Up, Stand Up

Babies reach milestones all the time and Caedmon hit another one this weekend. It took about 9 months and 15 days to reach this one. Caedmon can now stand up all by himself.

Linny loves to document these milestones with really cute videos.



Have your kiddos reached any cool milestones lately?

Caedmon's Got Mad Video Skillz

I didn't know this about my boy but evidentally, he has some made iMovie skills. If he works hard enough, someday he'll be as good as his mom.

For Every Letter Like This...

For every letter I receive like this one (which I received today)...

I am a listener of your station, I really enjoy listening to you in the morning.  But yes the dreaded but … you mention your child every day, if not yours that someone else’s.  I know you’re an excited parent of a young child but it gets a little old.  Please take this in a loving way, please stop with the baby stories.  I have began to turn the channel in the morning, my daughter and I drive share and she too has made a comment and she is in her twenties.  Thank you for listening to my complaint.

I get 9 more like this (again, which I received today)...

Thank you for adding me as a friend, I hear so much about you, your wife and Caedmon over the air, that it is really cool to actually log on and see your family!  I have six kids, and, unfortunately, shortly after the last one their father went through a midlife crisis (or something) and is no longer with us.  My oldest is in Iraq, and the next son is in college to become a high school teacher.  The next two boys are in high school (9th and 10th grades), and the girls are 7 & 10 years old.  The morning show banter and music means so much to all of us, you are sooo refreshing!  Thank you for your honesty, I often laugh out loud at your adventures, the memories of my own children at that stage is so familiar.  Just remind yourself, soon enough Caedmon will be taking care of you and making you sandwiches and bringing you both things.  The rough times will pass and the smile lines are definitely worth every minute!  May God continue to bless you!

Being a father is the most noble and exciting thing I've ever experienced and I don't think I'd be true to myself if I didn't talk about the ups and downs and joys and trials of what it means to be a Dad.

Caedmon's Baby Dedication

Caedmon's Hymn

The beauty of the hymn below is one of the reasons we gave our boy, Caedmon, his name.

Now let me praise the keeper of Heaven's kingdom,
the might of the Creator, and his thought,
the work of the Father of glory, how each of wonders
the Eternal Lord established in the beginning.
He first created for the sons of men
Heaven as a roof, the holy Creator,
then Middle-earth the keeper of mankind,
the Eternal Lord, afterwards made,
the earth for men, the Almighty Lord.

The Joy of My Life

Quiet Sunday afternoon here in the Best home. Linny's at the other end of the couch reading a good book. Caedmon is upstairs napping. I hear the faint noise of children playing outside. A cool breeze is filling my living room.

I love my life because I don't deserve it. I love my wife and my boy because they are gifts. I love God because He is good. I am truly blessed.

 

So Stinkin' Cute

Caedmon's bib says it all. I miss him this week.