lily.

ketchup IV: Random Photos

2009-04-30T03:14:00.001-07:00

ketchup III: Christmas in NM

2009-04-30T03:02:00.001-07:00

ketchup II: Christmas in OKandTX

2009-04-30T02:54:00.000-07:00

ketchup (catch up) I: Christmas in New Orleans

2009-04-30T02:47:00.001-07:00

new bathroom

2009-02-28T18:12:00.000-08:00

I realize for those who are fans of Lily - this is not the blog you have been anticipating. But, I needed to get these bathroom shots up tonight. Shauna and I have been working (since Thanksgiving) on turning two closets into one bathroom. I have had the hardest time getting ramped up for the plumbing... so, we have seriously drug our feet.
Anyway, I have about three months of worth of blog updates I need to post soon. Hopefully, they will get up this week.

Phall Photos

2008-11-30T14:49:00.001-08:00

Thanksgiving. It is the one day of the year that we allow ourselves to eat beyond the point of no return- with little to no guilt. There is something about pumpkin, sage and tripdaphan that sends us into the land of oblivion. How else could the TV networks get away with showing the Detroit Lions year after year after year. You know what I’m talking about.
Round 1: Begins way before you sit down to eat. It begins with making the biscuits and cornbread for the dressing. But, you can’t JUST make cornbread. Somewhere in the code of Southern Hospitality you are required to cook some fatty dish to accompany the hot buttery staple.
Round 2: Takes place while the meal is being prepared. Taste the dressing to make sure you have enough sage. Sample the turkey to make sure it isn’t too dry. Eat a hotroll as soon as it comes out of the oven – with loads of melted butter. The glaze on the spiraled ham needs to be tried as well as the consistency of the mashed potatoes. What’s the use of cooking if you can’t enjoy the spoils in the middle of your labors.
Round 3: Finally you sit down to eat. Depending on your holiday tradition you will either pass the dishes around the table, or you will do a walk by- buffet style. Regardless, there’s about a 95% you will have early peas rolling off your plate because there is no room left. Your plate should have a nice geometric curve, representing the billowed sail of the Nina, Pinta and the Santa Maria. You know, keep with the season… do your part for the festivities.
Round 4: You are beyond full at this point, but you just can’t say no. (Where is Nancy Reagan when you really need her?) So, you load up for ‘seconds’ which at this point are really ‘fourths’ but who’s counting.
Round 5: You have a dull ache as your stomach has expanded to twice its original size. The place where the stomach meets the esophagus is registering overload. You have promised yourself to wait for dessert. But, then someone cuts the pumpkin pie and lathers the top with cool-whip. “I’ll just have a sliver… of each” We all know what that means. You have lost complete control.
Round 6: Generally requires some form of antacid or bismuth.
Round 7: Naptime.
Round 8: Did someone say Turkey Sandwich?

I really do love the holidays. They are generally the pause button on the roller coaster we call life. They give us reason to stop and consider the great joys of life. The apostle Paul did not have such a holiday but he did have such an attitude. While sitting in a cold prison cell he penned these words of thankfulness:
Phil 1:3 "I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

Not that I have this whole thing figured out, but I do think we have a choice to be grateful or disgruntled. I know the economy is a pretty big stink-O! I realize that Oklahoma State got beat by Oklahoma. I understand the pain... but, in the big scale there's a lot to be thankful for, here's a few of mine:

Happy Birthday Micah "6" !

2008-11-02T13:19:00.000-08:00

Football, Foilage, Fair and Soccer

2008-10-31T08:46:00.001-07:00

I figured I needed to get a blog up before Halloween and Micah's Birthday, otherwise you would have to navigate through 50 pics in one setting. I realize that can be a bit much, especially when they aren't even your kids.
I'm not exactly sure how I am going to pull this off but at some point the plans are to download these blogs and stick them in a book. We have not done well with the whole 'baby book' thing, so maybe this could suffice. When I was a kid we had these slide projector thing-a-ma-jigs. It was a carousel of memories pulled out for special events. I can even remember the smell of that old projector - something akin to old oil, singed hair, and burnt silverfish. Every vacation, every birthday, every holiday is captured on a 1" x 1" square card filed away into the dark oblivion of 'The Hall Closet.' I vaguely remember holding those little slides up to the light trying to figure out which one of those micro people was me. Wait a minute, that wasn't those family slides I remember holding up to the light... it was the microfiche of a 1976 'nudie' magazine that my younger brother lifted from the public library. We were 10 - 12 years old and only interested in the articles I assure you.
All that to say, if you want to leave a comment for the kids feel free to do so. If you are a friend, a family member, a friend of the family, or the family of a friend, we'd love for you to leave your mark. I'm sure one day the kids will pull out these "old" blog books from the closets of oblivion and laugh at their clothes, their hair styles, and their out-of-touch / out-of-date parents.

Pigskins and Pumpkins

2008-10-13T18:43:00.000-07:00

So, here's my dilemma. Here I am sitting at the front edge of fall and loving almost everything about it: those harvest moons that perfectly frame every spooky tale, the almost perfect weather, carving pumpkins, Saturday afternoon flag football games, Tuesday night soccer games, hayrides, bonfires, sitting outside with a dark roast dunkin donuts coffee by the fire pit, the smell of 68 degrees, the elongated shadows of fall, thinking about cruising around in my scout, leaves on the ground... you get the idea. All should be well in the Stockstill home, but... there are little quirks that keep things in a proper balance. Believe me, I'm not a ying yang type of guy but there always seems to be something ‘in our crawl’ even when things are going well.
For example: Last Saturday there was this little issue that I share with most Sooner fans… why can't we win the big ones? We likely will win 10 – 12 games this season, which for most is an outstanding season… but, we lost to Texas. I understand that the folks back at ESPN think last Saturday was a great game. (They thought the same thing about the Boise State debacle a couple of years ago). Unfortunately, both of these will games will show up in the annals of history as LOSSES. Good game or not, I'm tired of explaining to all my SEC fans that the Big XII is a great conference and OU really does belong in some of the great match-ups. Nowadays it’s not just my southern friends I'm trying to convince... it’s me.
Then we have this little thing called the election that is just around the corner. The older I get the more concerned I am about the type of world that we will pass on to our kids. My generation is a pretty demanding generation that wants our share of the pie, and we want it right now (hot out of the oven, with latticed crust, a side of bluebell homemade vanilla ice cream on the side, with a short fork, and a cup of coffee with one cream and one sugar… no, hold the sugar). I pray my kid’s generation is more appreciative of the things they have. I pray they grow up in a country that they are proud of: where red white and blue mean something special; where military hymns bring tears to their eyes; where the pledge of allegiance never goes out of style; and honor, respect and courage are good things.
I recently read through the book of Philippians, a letter the Apostle Paul wrote to a group of people while he was in prison. As I was reading it struck me as odd that the one in prison was the one writing words of encouragement. Typically its the other way around. How is that possible? One word... contentment. The perfect balance between drive and rest.

Only when we find contentment can we enjoy the moment.
Only when we find contentment can we enjoy people, places and things.
Only when we find contentment can we build a great nation for the generation to come.
Only when we find contentment can we enjoy pumpkins and pigskins.

boys will be boys... girls will be girls

2008-09-26T18:53:00.001-07:00

I have been threatened to be whipped with a wet noodle if I didn't get a blog up soon. So, here you go. I'm sitting in my living room tonight, listening to the presidential debate. I realize the importance of this election, and am well aware of the major differences between these two men. But with that said, so much of this is white noise in my head. I feel like this election has been going on since the mid 1970's. The truth is, I'd much rather be outside throwing the football with the boys or drinking tea out of a sippee cup with Lily. As a matter of fact I think I'd rather have my toenails pulled out than listen to another second of the political nonsense that fills our television stations every minute of the day.

The kids are having a lot of fun doing their 'thing' this fall. Isn't childhood innocence an amazing thing. They don't have a clue about the financial stress our country is going through. They could not care less that a presidential election is in front of them. I think one of the jobs of a parent is to bring them along at a safe pace. Dylan is playing flag football for the first time. He is playing tailback and is very fast - but, would rather play defense. Micah, is doing very well in soccer and just won Student of the Month in his class. Lily, well Lily continues to rule the roost and enjoys the boys waving palm branches and feeding her grapes. She loves to carry her purse and runs around with her toy cell phone. If we could just get her to use the toilet instead of play in the toilet we would really be going somewhere.

Rainy Days and Mondays Always Get Me Down

2008-08-24T14:34:00.000-07:00

It's just Lily and I today. Shauna is at a baby shower, and the boys are over at a friends house. So, Lily and I are hanging out today watching the remnants of Fay make their way through the Pine Belt. It will be three years ago this Friday that we saw Hurricane Katrina sweep through our area, leaving a 100ft. pine tree in the middle of our house and a county without the basic necessities (electricity, water, gas) for over a week. I wouldn't say that I would like another Katrina to come knocking at our door, but a small storm now and again isn't so bad.
When I was in high school I used to love to chase storms. We followed tornadoes before it became a reality t.v. phenomenon. My hero was a man named Don Woods, who was the meteorologist for Tulsa's ABC affiliate. At the end of his forecast he always drew a cartoon character named 'Gusty' to illustrate the next days weather. By the time I reached college I had decided to pursue a degree in Meteorology, but I always got the red arrows mixed up with the blue dots. I could just see myself pointing to Northern California, talking about the high ridge pressure system pressing down through the Smoky Mountains. It just wasn't meant to be. The truth is that I enjoy saying the words "El Nino."
So, a quick update on the Stockstill clan:
Dylan - 3rd Grade. Flag Football. Enjoys math and reading.
Micah - K-5. Soccer. Enjoys recess and is reading a bit.
Lily - 16 months. Enjoys her mom and is talking... a bit.
Shauna - staying busy with aerobics, teaching, drama ministry at church, crafting, cooking (wait... scratch that last one :)
Me - will finish my Masters of Divinity in December, staying really busy at church, and thinking about the possibility of kite surfing.

K5, 3rd Grade, and Soloing at the Homestead

2008-08-16T18:44:00.000-07:00

The boys started school this week and life looks a little different. During the days it is just Shauna and Lily while the two boys are making their mark on a new elementary school. I recently had a friend make a comment on the behavior of our kids. Make no mistake, our kids have the ability to wreak havoc but for the most part I am extremely proud of my kids (as any parent would be). But, he asked me what guiding principles I use to parent. I thought about it for a minute and gave him a few thoughts:
1. Make sure your kids know they are loved. I tell them I love them at least once every day. When that is settled in their mind they are free to worry about other things. Like, how to clip lizards on their earlobes.
2. Limit the amount of t.v. and monitor what they watch. The world is filled with a lot of junk that I am sure they will face soon enough. My role as a parent is to guard them, not only physically but emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
3. R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Yes Maam, No Maam, Yes Sir and No Sir. These are non-negotiables.
4. Challenge their comfort levels and stretch them to achieve certain goals. This builds a healthy self esteem. I think there are three major transitions in a boys life: little boy to adolescence (6-8), adolescence to teens (13-14), and teens to manhood (18). Swamp Camping in Louisiana. By the age of 5 both boys were skiing blue trails in Colorado. They've kayaked, hiked trails, camped in the Adirondak Mountains, chased geese around the Reflection Pool in Washington D.C. and touched rhinos.
5. Make them brush their teeth.
6. Responsibilities. Each kid is responsible for a set of duties where they are contributing to the ole homestead. Certain things are part of their contribution to the home (keep room clean, etc.) others are rewarded with money.
7. Stewardship. With their 'allowance' of $5 they give away $1, spend $2 and save $2.
8. Make sure they are in an environment where they can grow spiritually - church, night time prayers, we took them under a bridge in New Orleans known as "tent city" and let them pass out food and coats to the homeless.
9. They know that I think their mom is the hottest chica in the world.
10. Friday morning breakfasts. Every Friday I take the boys to breakfast and we just hang out and talk about stuff while eating Hotcakes and Sausage.
10. Did I mention that they know they are loved?

In the Company of Greatness

2008-08-02T09:10:00.000-07:00

On July 24^th Shauna’s Grandmother, Sally Taylor “Nanaw” passed away. It was one year to the day that she lost her paternal grandmother and nearly two years to the day that we lost my grandmother. I don’t know who coined the statement “death is beautiful,” but I think they got it wrong. The Bible does say that death is precious, but it is a statement from God’s perspective… not ours. Psalm 116:15 says, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” Precious is also translated: splendid, weighty and costly, as in a precious jewel. So, how can something we struggle with so much here on earth be seen as precious in the eyes of God? Maybe it has something to do with perspective.

From our perspective: we lose a mother, grandmother, aunt or friend.
From God’s perspective: These are the one’s for whom He left His home to purchase with His PRECIOUS blood. Laying down his life for them. They are His children, members of His body, PRECIOUS in His sight. The Lord has so loved them that the very hairs on their heads are numbered, angels are sent to and fro to minister to them. In some sense it is like a long awaited home coming.

Maybe, just maybe death causes us (those left behind) to look more intently into our own frailty and take notice of His sufficiency. "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1). “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” (Isaiah 43:2). And in that we find rest. A comfort that is nothing short of… precious.

This past week I had the opportunity to be in the company of greatness. I was surrounded by a handful of ladies who exemplified mercy, grace and strength at life’s most difficult juncture. After a long week of emotional, physical, and spiritual fatigue I packed my little family in the car and headed back to Mississippi. As I locked Lily into her five-point-harnessed car seat I thought of the legacy that is being passed down to her. the vibrancy and strength of her Nanaw… the beauty and calm compassion of her Nenaw… the selfless giving and nurturing of her Memaw… the passion and zeal for life of her Aunt Suzie… the heart and love of her Aunt M’Lee… the creativity and spark of her Aunt Steph… and everything that is her mother.

Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the world
Red and yellow, black and white
they are PRECIOUS in His sight.
Jesus loves the little children of the world.

A Day in the Park

2008-08-01T17:48:00.000-07:00

Beach, Bikes, Boys and a Baby Girl

2008-07-08T16:09:00.000-07:00

The beach trip seems to come at just the right time every year, and this year is
no different. I think it took about two full days to decompress from every day
life and settle into that sweet world of Jimmy Buffet's sand and surf. As I'm
writing this blog, we've been home for a few hours and Lily just brought her
swimsuit to change back into. I'm guessing it will take less than two days to
find that same ole groove of everyday life.
But, everyday life is certainly nothing to complain about. I think trips to the
beach or mountains are just a type of frosting on a very well made cake. I do
have to admit that for four days I did not miss: the yapping that has become
politics; watching crude oil prices; hearing about sports related scandals; or
anything else that extended beyond the circle of my family.
We found a small studio condo in Seagrove Beach, Florida. It is a small beach
community that sits a mile west of the illustrious Seaside (where The Truman
Show was filmed a few years ago). Seagrove is a little older and remnants of the hippie era
still remain evident in this beach town. It actually reminded me of Lake George
in upper state New York. Anyway, we would hit the beach all morning... eat our
peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, plums, goldfish crackers, and Dr. Pepper...
then head in for a little nap and reading during the heat of the afternoon...
hop on our bikes and ride for a few hours through these incredible neighborhoods
and trails... then head back to the condo (one night a movie, one night a walk
on the beach, and one night an outdoor theater presentation of Sleeping Beauty).
All in all it was a great trip. It's fun to see how my kids are growing. If
you scroll back through the blog a year ago... you can see the kiddos in Destin.
Lily is no longer a baby girl. She has officially made her debut into the world
of raging toddler-ville.

4th of Julily - Part II (Actually its the 3rd)

2008-07-04T08:05:00.001-07:00

The Ten Tenors are a group of former opera students from Australia who have recorded with brilliance the classic military tribute, Here’s to the Heroes. It is a daunting song whose lyrics and music conjure up the visions and dreams of war torn soldiers whose blood, sweat, and tears have fertilized the ground of our democracy. The tympanis and violins meld with the voices to produce the portrait of a 19 year old boy, whose gun is strewn across his chest, his boots are well worn with the enemy’s dirt, his fatigues are ravaged and stained with his brother’s blood, and his eyes reveal stories his mouth will never speak.

Here's to the heroes,
Those few who dare,
Heading for glory,
Living a prayer.
Here's to the heroes
Who change our lives.
Thanks to the heroes,
Freedom survives.

Unfortunately our military and wars have too often become little more than political operatives and campaign buzz-words to further a politician’s agenda. How we have forgotten that within the gear and combat boots is a young man or young woman who has sworn allegiance to the dream that is America. Some live and some die. Some are wounded all will carry scars. Here’s to the Heroes who dare to live in the gap between freedom and tyranny. Whose very lives are the living wall that borders our constitution.

Lily Vanilli

2008-06-01T17:31:00.000-07:00

I'm a sucker for new things. You might call it Adult Attention Deficit Disorder, I prefer the term Creatively Spontaneous. Food companies spend millions on advertising each year to repackage a familiar product. They take a drink that you have been drinking for twenty years, change the color of the can and WaLa, I'm the first in line to buy: New Coke, Clear Coke, Cherry Coke, Vanilla Coke, Coke Classic, Coke Classic with Santa Claus drinking it, Coke Classic with the Olympic Rings painted on it, and then there is coke in a glass bottle (my favorite). A Rose by any other name is marketed to guys like me.
I think that's why I love the seasons. I love the spring until late May when I am ready for the summer. I love the summer until August when the heat gets a little excessive and college football is in the air. Fall is great for a few months. And, there is nothing quite like a fire in the fireplace during the dead of winter.
Today, I love the weather in Mississippi. Being that we are near a tropical zone, everything that has been green is now turning a deep deep green. After an afternoon thunderstorm the trees and grass almost glow a psychedelic green against the black skies.
This is the time of year that you have to be outside. And, being outside leads to all kinds of FUN yard work. As we have hit our mid-30's we have transitioned into gardening type people. I don't know that I ever aspired to be a gardening type of guy, but I really enjoy working outside. Shauna is a gardener. She loves to work in the yard, and let me emphasize the word WORK. My neighbor has deemed her 'The Warden.' He looks out of the perch on Baldwin Drive, and knows when the Stockstill family is serving their sentence. It's not that we use our kids for slave labor... well ok, we do use them for slave labor; but, we are faithful to give them free kool-aid.

Ye Princess Lily and Her Squire-ly Brothers

2008-05-23T07:42:00.000-07:00

Dot… dot… dot. Every time I sit down to write I find myself worrying over the opening lines. I mean think about it, you can only make a first impression once. It’s those ‘firsts’ that stick in our mind. First steps, first tooth, first laugh, first smile, first words. When we miss those things that happened the first time, we somehow feel like we got cheated. It’s why the master authors worked to diligently to leave us with:
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens
“If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you’ll probably want to know is where I was born, and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me." - Catcher In The Rye, JD Salinger
“Call me Ishmael.” – Moby Dick, Herman Melville
“It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.” – 1984, George Orwell
“I am Sam” – Green Eggs and Ham, Dr. Seuss.
“In the beginning God created the Heavens and Earth.” – Genesis, Moses
And, so I give you dot…dot…dot. I know it’s not original but it conveys the simple truth that beginnings aren’t as easy for us grown-ups as they are for kids. 'Firsts' for us are often the most difficult part of our voyage. Adults like to analyze what should be done, while children go and do. have you noticed that destinations are for dreamers and voyages are for doers? Let me put it to you this way, if you fail to ever take the first step in accomplishing your goals and dreams you are absolutely positively certain to never reach them.
When I was a senior in high school I was one elective short of graduating and decided to enroll in a class on leadership. As far as I can remember it was not a very good class. At the end of the semester we took a piece of paper and wrote out our 10 year goals. We then placed our wildest dreams inside a canister and buried it somewhere on the school property. The idea was to open it at our 10 year reunion and see how we had progressed. (I missed my 10 year reunion because I was doing the Lord’s work… actually we were broke and didn’t have the gas money to get back to Oklahoma).
I don’t recall what I put on that piece of paper. Maybe it was something like: Scale Mt. McKinley barefooted; serve as a U.S. Senator; Cure cancer; walk on the moon or at least learn to moonwalk; solo at Carnegie Hall or at least eat lunch at Carnegie Deli; restore a 1973 International Scout II. I don’t recall exactly what the list looked like, but it was something like that.
My faith has goals. Philippians 2 – points my attitude toward Christ-likeness. 1 Corinthians 13 – points my love toward fullness and maturity. James 1 and Hebrews 11 point my faith toward completeness. I want my life, my attitude, my actions and reactions to mirror Jesus. I imagine many of you would affirm this same list. The destination of faith is a destination unlike any other. But, unless you are willing to take a first step you are only a dreamer. John Ortberg authored a tremendous book called, If You Want to Walk on Water, You Have to Get Out of the Boat. Enough said.
This summer many of you will go on vacation. You can picture the clear water of the gulf coast even now as you are reading this. You can smell the mixture of salt, sand and fish. You can feel the sun baking on your spf-90ed back. You will load up the beach chairs, towels and nets and get in your car. You will go to the bank and take out a loan in order to fill your car up with gas. You will set your GPS system to Beachfront, USA. But, there is a point when you have to leave… drive out of your driveway… hit the road jack… and get going.
Maybe the same thing is true for us today. It’s easy to complain about our life circumstances. It’s easy to focus on the things that are wrong with both us and the world today. We can picture in our minds quite clearly, who we would like to be, BUT, there are steps to the gym, steps from the refrigerator, steps to the church, steps to a different job. Stepst that seem so big and so scary. First steps are the most difficult, as you will surely fall. First steps are also the most rewarding because you know the journey has begun.

Spring. The Lily is in full bloom.

2008-05-12T03:35:00.001-07:00

Sprung has finally springed... or something like that. The kids are in full pre-summer mode. Ready to rid themselves of that unwanted burden known as school. Dylan has the summer planned out to the day and Micah is all to willing to be his accomplice at every step. Shauna has her eye on gardening and I am trying to finish three Hebrew papers. And then there is Lily... Lily, Lily, Lily.
This girl is coming into her own. She is very content to wander which seems to indicate a spirit of independence. She loves to laugh. She wins in staredown every time. She sees no use in talking. She loves to run and fall and get up and run some more. She enjoys a good swing now and then. She doesn't like to be told "no." She likes cake and hates peas. She like cookies and hates green beans. She likes to open doors. She loves "Goodnight Moon" and "Brown Bear." She likes to dance. She loves her dog and her brothers. She isn't shy, but she will check you out to make sure you aren't psycho. She likes her momma in the morning and her daddy in the evening. When it's time to go to bed, she likes that. When it's time to wake up, she's ready. Her aunt Rebecca put her in pigtails and she looked like a little pixie.
She seems to be changing every day.

Happy Birthday Lily!!!

2008-04-18T17:11:00.000-07:00

ONE. That number seems so pure. Hopefully there will be many birthdays that follow, some of which are certain to be monumental. Like Ten: The birthday where both hands are full. Thirteen: The birthday where they mutate into a Teenager. Sixteen: Drivers License. Eighteen: Adulthood (Kinda). Twenty-one: Adulthood (Really). Thirty: Adulthood (Really Really). Forty: Over the Hill. Etc….

But, for Lily it is ONE. April 11, 2007. It is a birthday that celebrates innocence. Everyday you can see the wonder of life reflecting in her eyes. Her brothers exist for her entertainment. Mom and Dad hung the moon. She gets to eat real people food. She gets bathed, changed, held, rocked, sung to, read to… Moments of Peek-a-Boo are the highlight of her day.

This is an election year. But, she doesn’t care.
The Pope is in the U.S. She is unfazed.
Gas is $3.50 a gallon. She sleeps soundly at night.
The economy is quite shaky. She wants some oatmeal.

ONE. It is the symbol of purity. It is the number that hasn’t been messed with.
You can see it reflected in other numbers, but there is no other number quite like it.
You can’t divide it. You get nothing more when you multiply it by itself. It just is.
It has no equal. It is simply perfect.

“Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is ONE.” – Deut 6:4

First Steps

2008-04-18T16:29:00.000-07:00

Apart from connecting 3 and 4 steps together at one time, these were some of her first real steps.

One for the Archive.

2008-04-09T16:44:00.001-07:00

I have snapped a few pictures over the last twelve months, and have finally captured the moment. This is THE picture I have been looking for. Let me explain. I know there will come a day in the not to distant future when Lily will want to begin "dating." It will all start out harmless enough I'm sure... silly giggles, a little flirting, "will you go with me," hand holding on the playground... hand holding in between class... hand holding at CHURCH, Lily and ________ sitting in a tree... , blah blah blah. But, I am smart enough to realize there will come a day. Actually there will come THE day when a good-fer-nuthin'-pre-pubescent-squeaky-
voiced-pimple-poppin-juice-box -drinkin' 14 year old turd, will want to take my daughter on a date. Besides the fact that I will say "no " and laugh hysterically in the little guys face... I will have blackmail.
"Dad, PLEASE let me go to the movies with acne-boy."
"Nope. And don't ask me again or I'll bring out THE picture."
"Yes, Father."

"Dad, Can Squeaky-Voice come over and watch a movie?"
"Nope. And don't ask me again or I'll bring out THE picture."
"Yes, Father."

"Dad, Can...?"
"Nope. Picture!"
"OK"

Hopefully I will continue to build a strong army of defense. Because I know that day will come, and as a father I plan on being ready.

Happy Hour at Sonic!

2008-03-29T16:34:00.000-07:00

I was thinking about creating a personality profile based on the flavor of drink one orders at Sonic.
If you order any of the main five (Coke, Diet Coke, D.P., Root Beer, Sprite) you are someone who knows what they want in life. You don't want fluff - only the facts. You probably like vanilla ice cream, all of your rooms are painted white and you have a neat hair-part on the side of your head.
If you add a flavor (cherry, chocolate, cranberry, etc.) You enjoy a little spice in your life... but, not too much. You probably have khaki walls.
Now if you cross the line and walk the wild side of slushees you have a predictable spontaneity about you. You enjoy living on the edge so long as you are anchored securely to the base. A brain-freeze now and then keeps you from losing it and 'sticking it to the man!'
If you order coffee from Sonic you probably need to join a 12 step program for addicts.
If you order a suicide, you need to move beyond the 1980's - the good old skating rink days are history. Stop tight rolling your jeans - Big hair is NOT in.
So, if you are one of the few that tells the little voice beyond the magic box to "throw a blended-up foot long chili dog in my cherry limeade," you are my kind of guy or gal. You know how to enjoy the finer things in life. You don't have walls.

Easter Lilies

2008-03-25T15:35:00.000-07:00

It seems that we already had a blog under this title, but after checking it has not been used. I know... I know, it's pretty cliche, but it captures the weekend as well as any. We had a great Easter with my younger sister Rebecca and Shauna's sister Stephanie and her husband Chuck. Although the days were packed we were still able to get a little yard work done, a little International-Scout work done, some major work at the church, and a little more Scout work done before everyone departed on Sunday afternoon for their own homes.
Lily is quickly approaching her first birthday, and with Easter coming early this year, it seems all the more upon us. As of today she has officially taken her first 'steps.' This morning she took 5-6 steps, stopped to compose herself, and took 5-6 more before falling on her one-year-old tush. She has that look in her eyes that says, "once I get going you are NOT going to catch me."

Colorado Rocky Mountain High

2008-03-23T17:26:00.000-07:00

So, I need a little help - the plural of moose is... mooses? meese? meeses? moosen? Whatever the case, we woke up early Sunday morning to a couple of moosen licking the salt off of our bus in Winter Park, Colorado. One of the guys in our group concocted a plan to corral the moose to one side of the bus, and when she wasn't looking, jump on her back and ride her down the mountain. Now, I don't know a lot about angry mother mooses - BUT, this didn't seem like the greatest plan ever devised. I did, however, go against my better judgment and encourage him to give it a shot. I can't think of anything funnier than a 38 year old man being stomped on by a big momma moose... after all I did need some new material for the blog.
The trip started off with typical Stockstillian flare. We bought a 1981 school bus off ebay for $1500 - flew to Kansas City and drove the bus back to Laurel. In our own estimation we figured if the bus made it back, it would have no trouble making the trip to Colorado. (I'm glad to say no problems in transit - 32 hours there and 34 hours back). So, we loaded up 22 people and headed west.
I guess as a dad there comes a transitional time where you move from the "superstar" (at least in your own mind) to the coach. For a couple of days I strictly hung out with Dylan and Micah - who are terrors on the slope. Dylan has reached a point of great confidence and spends most of his time skiing in and out of the trees. For Micah, this was his first time. So, on the last day I took him down a steep blue (intermediate) slope, and it became obvious the mountain was getting the best of him. We laid down in the snow, took a breather and looked up at the sky and made a plan.
"Micah, I want you to pretend this mountain is a giant dragon. All of these trees are like giant scales and we have got to get to the bottom and slay this mighty beast."
The sniffles stopped and his ears perked up.
"How do we do that?"
"Well, your skis are like giant swords and at the bottom you will find his head. I want you to take those blades and kill the dragon."
After a minute he thought that this was a great plan. He picked himself up, pointed his skiis straight down and took off. As we raced down the mountain I saw him zig zagging across the mountain shooting his bow and arrow at all of the crazy critters hiding in the forest.
It's in moments like this that you get lost in the greatness of being a dad. I enjoy snowboarding as much as any activity I do, but it pales in comparison to watching my kids experience life.
If you get a chance... head West (or East if you live in California) and spend some time with your family and the moosen.

A Lily and a Sunflower

2008-02-25T16:19:00.000-08:00

We've all been working on some form of the winter crud this past month. Mix that in with Lily's first two teeth popping in and you have the recipe for some big-time excitement. (As of today I think we are on the getting-better side of things). I'm feeling rather uninspired right now, but I wanted to get a few shots up. So, rather than being clever and cheeky, I will simply leave you with a few masterful quotes from Jack Handy:

A funny thing to do is, if you're out hiking and your friend gets bitten by a poisonous snake, tell him you're going to go for help, then go about ten feet and pretend that *you* got bit by a snake. Then start an argument with him about who's going to go get help. A lot of guys will start crying. That's why it makes you feel good when you tell them it was just a joke.
Children need encouragement. If a kid gets an answer right, tell him it was a lucky guess. That way he develops a good, lucky feeling.
The face of a child can say it all, especially the mouth part of the face.
If you're a young Mafia gangster out on your first date, I bet it's real embarrassing if someone tries to kill you.
If you go parachuting, and your parachute doesn't open, and you friends are all watching you fall, I think a funny gag would be to pretend you were swimming.
If you're in a war, instead of throwing a hand grenade at the enemy, throw one of those small pumpkins. Maybe it'll make everyone think how stupid war is, and while they are thinking, you can throw a real grenade at them.
The next time I have meat and mashed potatoes, I think I'll put a very large blob of potatoes on my plate with just a little piece of meat. And if someone asks me why I didn't get more meat, I'll just say, "Oh, you mean this?" and pull out a big piece of meat from inside the blob of potatoes, where I've hidden it. Good magic trick, huh?
I bet a fun thing would be to go way back in time to where there was going to be an eclipse and tell the cave men, "If I have come to destroy you, may the sun be blotted out from the sky." Just then the eclipse would start, and they'd probably try to kill you or something, but then you could explain about the rotation of the moon and all, and everyone would get a good laugh.
If you ever accidentally drop your keys into a river of molten lava, let 'em go, because man, they're gone.
If you're robbing a bank and your pants fall down, I think it's okay to laugh, and let your hostages laugh too, because come on - life is funny.

I wanted to throw a few pics from Lily's friend Anne's first birthday party. From what I can tell they had a great time. I mean who wouldn't have a great time squishing your toes in someone else's birthday cake. Can life get any better? I suggest that it cannot.

Happy VaLILYentines Day!

2008-02-14T14:09:00.001-08:00

ell here they are... my little family: Shauna, Dylan, Micah and Lily. As you can tell the kids get their great looks from the 'hot chick' in the middle.
It's Valentine's Day today. I've never been great at this holiday and I'm not sure why. Perhaps its because there seems something a little disingenuous about stopping off at the grocery store after work to purchase a wilted rose and a bundle of baby's breath for $1.99 (because I refuse to pay $20 /rose at the local florist); then signing my name to a Hallmark card, which was composed by a hermit named Leon...living in Montana... sitting at his desk... overlooking Lake I-Should-a-Been-a-Uni-Bomber; then presenting her with a stash of Andes Chocolates I swiped from the Olive Garden.
Shauna doesn't like chocolate. She thinks flowers are a waste of money. She doesn't wear jewelry. Lingerie seems more like a gift for me than her. So, what's a fellow to do? The older we get the more utilitarian these holidays become. Maybe that's why I'm not very good at this holiday.
You need to understand, if I was to break down and ask her, "what would you like for Valentine's Day?" the conversation would look like this:
"I want a trip to Tahiti!"
"Seriously, What would you like me to give you for Valentine's Day?"
"I want Ballroom Dance Lessons!"
(Ballroom Dance Lessons: The Fox Trot; The Waltz; The Tango; The Rumba; The Cha Cha; etc.)
When she says she wants ballroom dancing what she is really saying is, "I want YOU to take dance lessons with me." There are two problems I have: 1) Apart from some mean break dancing skills... I don't dance, and 2) I'm sure it would only be a matter of time before I found myself sitting in the corner while a young Latino named Ricardo de Valentino whisked my wife through the air "showing" me how to dance. I think I'll stick to the buck ninety-nine rose.

The bottom line is that I love my wife. I don't mean that to sound mushy and gushy... I really do love her. If Valentine's Day doesn't do anything else it makes me stop and remember "Hey! I'm one blessed ragamuffin to be spending my life with a girl like this."
Besides the fact that she is scorching hot:
She's the perfect mom to our boys. She knows the delicate balance of protection and permission, encouragement and instruction, discipline and spoiling. She knows how to get in the floor and wrestle with them.
She's the perfect role model for our daughter. Lily will see the embodiment of grace and beauty, wisdom and truth in her mother. There will come a day when she will strive to emulate the external and internal beauty she has seen lived out before her. She will take Lily's hand and show her how to walk with elegance, live with passion, and dance with grace.
She's simply the perfect wife for me.

To quote the Song of Solomon:
"1 How beautiful you are, my darling!
Oh, how beautiful!
Your eyes behind your veil are doves.
Your hair is like a flock of goats
descending from Mount Gilead.

2 Your teeth are like a flock of sheep just shorn,
coming up from the washing.
Each has its twin;
not one of them is alone.

3 Your lips are like a scarlet ribbon;
your mouth is lovely.
Your temples behind your veil
are like the halves of a pomegranate.

4 Your neck is like the tower of David,
built with elegance;
on it hang a thousand shields,
all of them shields of warriors."

(I told you I wasn't very good at this holiday!)

Pretty in Pink.

2008-02-03T12:33:00.000-08:00

Lily Walkin'

2008-01-26T16:32:00.000-08:00

"Yes, Virginia... There is a Santa Claus"

2008-01-19T13:05:00.000-08:00

I've lived in Mississippi since 1994 and this is the FIRST time I have seen snow. The locals have assured me they've seen the stuff before, but I've had my doubts.
By 8:00am we had received 5 phone calls asking if we had looked out the windows yet. Their follow up question was, "Has John been out to play in it?" I'm not sure how to take that. I'm a grown man. I have 2 boys (5 and 8 yrs old) who "play." I on the other hand "enjoy" the snow... or "appreciate" it... or "admire" it.... Who am I foolin? I had as much fun today pelting my kids with snowballs as I did when I was 10. We built a great snowman... two forts... a few snow angels... AND, we ate yellow snow.

Don't It Make Your Brown Eyes Blue

2008-01-10T06:52:00.000-08:00

I guess like the rest of the world we zoomed through Christmas and WHAM! welcome to 2008. So, how about those new year's resolutions? I am quickly becoming a creature of habit as each January I find myself making the same resolutions I did the year before. Ever fall into that trap? Lose weight? Spend more time with the kids? Be a better husband / wife? Watch less television? Read more? Eat healthier? You know the standard drill: January goes well, February is o.k., March you begin making small exceptions, and by April you are shoveling twinkies and donuts in like a Holstein.

I have a friend who struggled with alcohol abuse for many years. Today he celebrates 12 or 13 years of sobriety and lives a very productive healthy life. My path seems to cross with many people who can't seem to get a grip on issues very similar to his. When I asked him the secret to his health, he responded with one word... "pain." He went on to tell me the tragedies he had made of his life, and believed the only way people change is when the hurt bad enough. Maybe that's true. As long as we feel that we are in control of our destiny, pain, problems, struggles, etc. there is no need to go looking for help.

But, sometimes our defeats become more than we can bear.

That's what I like about God. There is a story in the Bible we often refer to as "The Prodigal Son." It's the saga of a father and his two sons. One of the sons, we will affectionately refer to as "The Punk," approaches his father and demands his inheritance early. If you read between the lines you hear "PUNK" telling his father, "I wish you would go ahead and kick the bucket so I can get the stuff I am due, and get on with my life." (Thus the name "PUNK.") So, long story short: The father grants him his wish and gives him his inheritance. The kid runs off to the city and wastes it all. He finds himself alone, destitute, broke, and hungry, living in the middle of a pig pen (which wasn't the greatest place in the world for a jewish kid to be living) wondering what to do next. PAIN.

Punk, decides his best chance at life would be to head back home and see if his father would hire him on as a servant. I love the exact words Jesus used, "While the boy was still a long way off... his father RAN after him.... through his arms around him and kissed him... and said, 'Bring the robe and kill the fatted calf' for this son of mine was once dead, but now is alive again."

That's what I like about God. While I am still a long way off from where I need and desire to be... he uses the pain in my life to get my attention to be a better man, a better husband to my wife, a better father to my kids and so on. Sometimes the pain can be as simple as a pair of pants getting "painfully" tight around the waist. Sometimes the pain is a little more severe. Regardless, I need January 1sts and new beginnings.

Merry Christmas from Us

2007-12-21T23:32:00.000-08:00

Lily's First Christmas.

2007-12-21T22:13:00.001-08:00

I'm sure this will be the last blog for the year as we head to Oklahoma this weekend for our Christmas Vacation. Each year we gather with parents, siblings, grandparents and friends, and each year the dynamics always seem to change. Some years we add new members via births and marriages; and some years the table is a little emptier with the loss of a dearly loved family member. This year as we gather around the tree to open presents and the table to eat dinner, there will be a couple of new baby girls that will experience the insanity that is our family Christmas.

I just wish that Lily could have met my Grandmother and my Aunt Mary.

It wasn't too long after my Mamaw and Papaw passed away in the early 1980's that my little sister was born. I remember hearing my dad tell us how much he wished that his mom and dad could have met, held, known, and rocked Rebecca. I feel the same way about Lily. There was something Rockwellian about Christmas, as we knew in one corner of our den would sit one of the Ledbetter matriarchs casually rocking with a gentle (almost mischievous) smile taking in the wonder of family. Although my Aunt Mary and my Grandmother were very different they were both perfect in their own right. Gosh, I miss them.

I bet you have a similar story. This summer Shauna lost her Grandma Staude and I know her story would sound almost identical.

But, then again there is this little thing called Christmas that changes everything. I mean if we can get a perspective that is a little larger than the hear and now, we will eventually run smack dab into HOPE. On our family Christmas card we quoted the verse out of Matthew that says, "Behold the virgin will give birth to a Son, and they will call his name Immanuel, which translates 'God with us.'" So, here it is: Jesus was born that we might be born again; He lived that we might find purpose; He died that we might be free; and, he rose again that we might have HOPE.

There is no question that one day there will be a celebration of the birth of Christ where we will understand the fullness of this December holiday. Where presents will give way to presence. I know it's speculative, but, perhaps the conversation may go something like this:
"Lily, that lady in the corner who looks as beautiful as heaven itself... that's your great grandmother Blanche. And, the other lady who personifies strength and character... that's your great great aunt Mary. And the other one. The one with that beautiful smile who is obviously the life of the party... that's your great grandma Staude." There will be hugs and there will be smiles there may even be soap-on-a-rope (a gift my Aunt Mary gave me when I was about 10 years old).

If there was no other reason than HOPE, it is enough to embrace the true meaning of this great HOLYday.

I'm Dreaming of a Lily-White Christmas

2007-12-09T15:25:00.000-08:00

A stroll down memory lane anyone? anyone? Beuller? Christmas can be a bit perplexing for me. In one sense it is like a drug addiction that can never quite be tamed. It's like that first hit that brings you back over and over again, hoping to hit that initial high... but, it never quite satisfies. For me, the year was 1979. We had tickets to the Nutcracker at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. Before the show I remember eating dinner with my aunt, uncle and two cousins at The Magic Crepe. I'm not sure I even knew what a crepe was, but when they told me it was a thin pancake with powdered sugar on it... I was in. After dinner and on our way to the play we strolled through the old Williams Center when they had an ice rink downstairs. Carolers dressed in Dickens costumes filled the hall with all of the classic Christmas songs; and, if my memory serves me well, I think there was snow outside. The pipe shop filled the first floor with an unmatched aroma that sang BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE. It was the stuff holiday dreams are made of. AND, if I recall correctly I got a pony that Christmas and my sister got her two front teeth.

After that the bar had been raised and it's been difficult to live up to such dreams.

This weekend our family loaded up and drove to Memphis (via Little Rock to see our new niece). My younger sister treated us to the Broadway production of White Christmas. Part of the Stockstill tradition has been to watch Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney in White Christmas as we decorate our Christmas Tree. There is something about hearing Bing Crosby croon that old familiar song that puts me in the Christmas spirit like nothing else. Needless to say, in the final act when the belted out THE song, they had somehow rigged the auditorium to snow inside. I looked over at my two boys who were completely mesmerized by the moment and realized there is something magical about Christmas that can only be seen through the eyes of a child. So, what do you say we approach the season with a 'kid-like' attitude. Let's lose the pessimism, skepticism, political division and political correctness. Let's be amazed at the fact that it really can snow inside buildings. Let's wish for the ponies and the teeth.

All the Leaves are Brown (and Red, Yellow and Orange)

2007-12-09T15:06:00.000-08:00

It is still strange to think of December as autumn (at least half of it anyway). We've been in Mississippi for 11 out of the last 13 years and at least part of "getting into the Christmas spirit" has to do with a certain chill in the air. You know, it's just a little odd singing: Winter Wonderland; Let it Snow; White Christmas; I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, in shorts and a t-shirt. Except for the occasional cold front that comes sweeping through for 24 - 48 hours, the weather is generally mid 70's with mostly sunny skies. Sure, that is perfect weather for 11 months out of the year, but not so much in December. I want snow... and, lots of it. I remember taking a pair of old water skis as a kid, removing the back rudder, duct taping our shoes to the skis and heading down the highway overpass embankments. I remember trash can lids doubling as supersonic sleighs. I remember 8' tall snowmen, formidable snow forts, bloody snowball fights, and missing school. Now, I realize the Norman Rockwell postcards that we have so forged in our memories are not exactly the way things really were, but these 80 degree Christmases are a little rough.

New Camera (Test 1..2..3)

2007-11-27T19:22:00.001-08:00

New camera. Old camera was crushed on last plane ride to Tulsa. Never pack your camera in with you luggage. I know... I know.

Fit for a Queen

2007-11-27T17:51:00.001-08:00

Here it is the end of November. Micah turned 5 on the second, Lily hit 7 months on the 11th and Dylan will hit 8 in less than 2 months. So, in case you were wondering that does mean that Shauna and I are staying quite busy. I guess the biggest news is that on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, the 20th, another Stockstill female was born into this world. My brother Danny and his wife Sara gave birth to a beautiful little girl, Brinlee Rose. If my addition is right, that makes.... 4 boys and 4 girls in the ole clan (Keep it even Rebecca!). Christmas ought to be WILD in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

It seems like every year I find myself smack dab in the middle of November and find myself thinking, “Hey! What happened to Arbor Day… what happened to the whole year?” You see, for me Thanksgiving is perhaps THE defining moment of the year. It is the whistle for the fourth quarter to begin. We switch endzones, we hold up four fingers, we drink a lot of Gatorade, and we look to see which way the flags on the goalposts are blowing. It’s a time to suck it up and win one for the Gipper. Thanksgiving is the official launch of the holiday season which ends precisely as time expires in the final college bowl game.
So, there is a certain “gearing up” that has to take place. So, if you’re sucking wind at this point and looking for the nearest oxygen mask, let me give you a game plan to help you really enjoy the holiday season.

1. Eat the Good Stuff. I know, I know "everything in moderation." But, seriously... eat the good stuff.

2. Sing Loud. It is officially legal to play Christmas music. I believe the rule book states "Christmas music may thus be introduced to the musical rotation the moment after your first piece of Thanksgiving pumpkin pie has digested.
A list of my favorites: White Christmas- Bing Crosby
Drummer Boy- Bing Crosby and David Bowie
Baby it’s Cold Outside- Leon Redbone & Zooey Deschanel
Carol of the Bells- Vienna Boys Choir

O Holy Night- Enya Silver Bells-

The First Noel- Jim Brickman

Mele Kalikimaka

Silver Bells

Christmas in Killarney- Bing Crosby

The Holly and the Ivy (if you need more just email me)

3. Family Movie Night. Go ahead and pull out all the favorites. Set aside one or two nights a week to eat Christmas goodies, curl up by the fire (if you don’t have a fireplace- candles work nicely), drink hot chocolate and cuddle. If you need someone to watch a movie with, just come bearing gifts I’m sure they’ll be glad to hang out. If you need someone to cuddle with, come with an expensive gift. (Seriously, who can say no to a good fruitcake?) There’s no reason to go it alone!
A List of my favorites:
Christmas Vacation

White Christmas

A Christmas Story

Elf
The Polar Express

Rudolph, Frosty and all the classic flocked claymations
The Bells of St. Mary
Fletch (I know it’s not a Christmas movie, but I have to plug it at every opportunity)

Holiday Inn

The Family Man

Jack Frost

It’s a Wonderful Life (if you need more just email me)

4. Make Memories. Don’t let the holiday season rule over you. Don’t let money dictate whether it was a great season or not. Look, you’ve got one full month before the big day. Go ahead and make plans to enjoy every second. Do something extraordinary.

Go see a Christmas play

Make a Gingerbread house

Go Grizwall and decorate with lights

Put laundry detergent all over your neighbors lawn and then make snow angels

Ride up and down elevators singing your favorite tunes

Make divinity

Go caroling (alright don’t go caroling.)

5. Give Big. I know this should go without saying, but this really is the time to reflect God’s gracious generosity to a world with a lot of needs.

Invite someone over to watch a movie (snuggling is optional)
When your making divinity, make a little extra and find someone to give it to

Buy some socks and take it to the local shelter
Guard your words. Choose to be an encourager and give laughs away. (especially if you're laughing at OU - OSU score).

The season can be tough for some. Give someone a call or letter that might need it.

Live Beyond yourself.

Wow, it’s amazing how Christmas-y I’m feeling. Fingers up. Gatorade Down. The wind is at our backs.

Brinlee Rose

Ice Cold Milk and an Oreo Cookie!

2007-10-23T19:33:00.001-07:00

Someone asked me the other day what the favorite age of my kids has been. So, I thought about it...

0 - 3 months: still blown away with the miracle of life.
3 - 6 months: rocking at night when their little breath meets your cheek.
6 - 9 months: smiles are turning to chuckles which are turning to laughs.
9 mo - 1 yr: rolling is turning to crawling which is turning to walking.
year 1: personality is developing, new words, new looks, new loves.
year 2 - 3: crazy about mom and dad "watch this!"
year 4 - 5: like a sponge soaking in everything.
year 6 - 7: they're turning into little people.

How do you choose a favorite from a list like that? It's like looking at a dessert menu and choosing your favorite. The problem is each plate brings something unique and fantastic to the ole' palet. Devils food chocolate cupcakes with sprinkles on top? That's what I'm talking about. Strawberry shortcake with ice cream?... Pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving with a quart of cool whip?... Hot blackberry cobbler with a scoop of melting vanilla ice cream?... Turtle brownies a la mode?... Blueberry cheesecake?... Nestle chocolate chip cookies (with nuts) straight out of the oven with a glass of milk in a frozen glass?

The best dessert is the one that is sitting in front of you. So it is with your kids.

Without getting too gushy as a softy, I think each day (at least every other day) brings it's own set of unique, unbelievable moments that you can store in the memory bank as a priceless deposit. I'm not saying everyday is perfect, for there are times I understand the concept of animals eating their young; but, seriously how cool is it that we have been entrusted to raise, care for, train, love, discipline, shape these little mini-people for a few years. I guess that's why they're all favorite.

How Time is Flilying

2007-10-10T15:12:00.000-07:00

If you blur through these without paying much attention you will think to yourself, "Self, all of these pictures look the same." But, if you'll take the time to really study each individual picture you will find that they capture a unique special moment in the life of Lily. Each expression, each toothless grin, each eye twinkle all communicate in their own unique way... "OU beat Texas!!!"

Life continues to roll along smoothly at the Stockstill household. The boys are doing really well in soccer, Shauna is up teaching aerobics at 5:00am everyday, I am on the downhill slope of school, and Lily is ruling the roost with authority. It's amazing how a 6 month old girl can make two boys (4 and 7) cater to her every whim, not to mention the control she has over a 34 year old woman and a 35 year old man. I don't know that I would call her strong-willed at this point, I think I'd just call her a ... girl!

Geared up for Sooner Football!

2007-08-24T16:47:00.000-07:00

Can you smell it? No, not a poopie diaper... the smell of autumn. You know that certain hint in the air that trumpets the arrival of: a new school year, changing leaves, and of course Oklahoma Football. Usually the smell is ushered in on the first cool winds of September, after Labor Day but before homecoming. This year, however, it arrived this afternoon with a cool front that ended our insane streak of 100+ degree weather. It was slight, but there is no mistaking it's proclamation.
And just in time to enjoy the fall, Nenaw sent Lily this new Laz-Y-Boy kiddy chair known as a "Bumbo" that is perfect for lounging around, throwing back a few milkskies, gnawing on a few pretzel shaped teething biscuits, and downing a couple of jars of Gerber "dogs with mustard and relish" goo.
We have secretly wired the chair to emit warm waves of therapeutic massage-like sensations when the Sooners are on television. We have also rigged a slight electrical charge that will emit twinges of discomfort when Oklahoma State or any team from Texas comes on the big screen. (We also up the juice exponentially when the Teletubbies or Barnie is showing).

Return of the Lily-nator.

2007-08-12T19:49:00.000-07:00

O.K. I get the message. I realize it's been a few weeks sense we've hung out on the ole blogspot, but not much has changed. Besides being able to walk, carry on a conversation, and sport curls, Lily is virtually the same little girl she was the last time you saw this blog.

Now, although that's not entirely true, life does continue to slowly and methodically move forward. I find myself sitting here wondering where the summer went? It seems every weekend was packed with some type of adventure-riddled activity that left us with fantastic memories and a great case of sleep deprivation. For example, last week Dylan and I spent a weekend in the swamps of Louisiana sharing some serious father / son time. We canoed with alligators, swam with beavers, chased armadillos, snagged a catfish and provided the local mosquito population with a generous donation of blood. Shauna, Micah and Lily decided to make a quick trip to Memphis to help Aunt Rebecca settle in to her new apartment.

So, here we sit saying adios to summer (101 degrees) and hello to a new school year. Lily celebrated her big 4 month b-day last week and she is without question growing like a ... weed? nah, she's growing more like a turnip. Her fat cheeks are more kissable everyday. No matter what time of day it is, or what mood you may find yourself in, when she flashes that big toothless milk-eatin' grin at you... you simply run as fast as you can and get yourself some slobbery sugar. I don't know what it is but life just seems a little sweeter after that. Her arms and legs are starting to get that Michelin-Man-You-Can-Roll-a-Rolo-Malt-o-Meal look that works so well on Lily; but, not so much on me. She smiles all the time. Loves to chuckle. Not a big fan of oatmeal. Recognizes her family. Drools often. Sings every morning. and loooovvvvveeeesss her mama!

Sally (Shauna's mom) made this dress for Stephanie (Shauna's sister) 29? years ago. I think there are photos of both Steph and Shauna in this dress.

4th of Julily

2007-07-08T19:07:00.000-07:00

Can I just say, "I love the beach." For more reasons than I can count or even understand, I am simply drawn to the water. As a kid we would load up the Plymouth Horizon with luggage, spam, Phisoderm, and towels headed for a week of paradise at Pensacola Beach. Each trip we came home with some type of rotting sea creature (usually a starfish), 2nd degree sunburns, and a major entry into the scrapbook of life.
Fast forward 25 years and little has changed. The beach is just as magical as ever. The water is just as emerald, the sand just as white, and the sunsets just as magnificent. But, the magic of a trip like this is watching your kids have the time of their life.

Dylan (age 7)- He is a fish. He spent hours with a pair of goggles face down scouring the bottom of the sea for aquatic life. Every few minutes he would pull up his net which had captured a fish and brought it to shore, showing whoever showed the slightest interest in his personal "Discovery Channel Documentary."
Micah (age 4)- Water? Not so much. Girls? Oh yeah. While Dylan was pulling off a good Steve Irwin, Micah was on shore building sand castles and attracting the girls. It was crazy but every time we turned around Micah was encircled with these little girls who were watching him build castles, listening to him talk about Dylan's fish, and feeding him grapes.
Lily (age 2.5 months)- What a princess. There were a few things that happened on this trip that may turn out to be classic Lily. First, she and I bonded. My younger sister Rebecca went with us on the trip and made mention that Lily cried each time I held her. (I don't think that is actually the case, but I took it as a challenge). We spent some major time talking about life, singing John Denver tunes, and eating Olive Garden's chocolate mints (don't tell her mom). Second, she hates being wet or dirty. And, when I say hate.... I mean HATE. She also doesn't care for riding in the back seat of a car for four hours either. We tried every trick in the book to get her to settle down and only one thing worked. We skimmed through our music selection and came across a techno version of "Kiss the Girl" from the Disney classic Little Mermaid. As soon as the beat started she would get quiet and listen to the entire song. But, as the song ended and the BeeGee's came on with Stayin' Alive she commenced to her screaming fit. (Come to think of it, when the BeeGee's started we all went into a screaming fit.)
Shauna (age 29?) - loved the waves. Looks as good as ever. Made a lot of people on the beach very angry when they found out she had a baby less than three months ago.
Me (age 34) - enjoyed life. Especially enjoyed throwing pistachio shells off the seventh floor at the little man in the speedo sitting in the hot tub.
Vacations serve a purpose that goes beyond taking a break. It is about forging memories with the ones you love, in an environment that doesn't seem possible in the routine of life. For those few days they are the center of your attention and affection. I know they don't understand the value of eating spam sandwiches in a hotel, suffering through sunburned feet, and the joy of sand in every crack and crevice of your body... but, someday they will.... they will.

Lily. A Tribute to Billy Joel

2007-06-22T15:06:00.000-07:00

UPTOWN GIRL

A number of years ago I heard an old Billy Joel song that he had written as a lullaby for his daughter. The lyrics went something like,

"Goodnight, my angel
Time to close your eyes
I promised I would never leave you
And you should always know
Wherever you may go
No matter where you are
I never will be far away."
I find myslef humming this little tune when I rock her to sleep at night, or in the morning, depending on what time of day she decides she's had enough. So I thought it might be fun to tag each of these pics with a throwback title to the ole' piano man.

THE RIVER OF DREAMS

SCENES FROM AN ITALIAN RESTAURANT
(I know this doesn't make sense)

JUST THE WAY YOU ARE

GOODNIGHT SAIGON

NEW YORK STATE OF MIND

THE ENTERTAINER

LEAVE A TENDER MOMENT ALONE

TELL HER ABOUT IT

SHE'S GOT A WAY

Lily on the Big Screen

2007-06-22T14:11:00.000-07:00

A Day in the Life of Lily

2007-06-13T19:58:00.000-07:00

I have to say that for the most part Lily's day consists of eating, sleeping, getting rid of what she ate, sleeping some more, eating again, sleeping again, swinging, playing outside, and sleeping a little more. It's easy to fall into the trap of "I can't wait until she..." But, the truth is I can wait. There will be plenty of time in the future to chase butterflies, drink tea, eat crumpets, play candy land and other mind-numbing board games. For now, I am just content holding our little girl close as she relaxes in complete security on my chest. The chin quivers, the slobbery kisses, the elusive smiles, and gleeful kicks are what make these fleeting moments so tender. I know there will come a day when I will long for the late night rockings and incoherent lullabies. So, as her personality begins to take shape we will be thankful for all of those little things that seem at the time, unimportant and routine.
Will she love animals like her oldest brother?
Will she be adventurous and bold like her other brother?
Will she sing or dance? like athletics or art?
Will she be picky like Micah or try new dishes like Dylan?
Will she like pink, or blue, or green?
Will she enjoy spelling or math or school in general?
Will she be outgoing like her mom?
Will she be spontaneous like her dad?
Each day a piece of the Lily puzzle will be put in place and we will try to enjoy the moments that turn into days that turn into years that reveal a lifetime.

The Scout Runneth... and Lily Sleepeth!

2007-06-04T13:59:00.000-07:00

After two years, an engine, brakes, two carbs, a host of batteries, tires, muffler, and an alternator or two... The Blue Beast is alive and well. I know that had nothing to do with Lily but it makes me so happy I had to share it with everyone I come in contact with.
So, life at the homestead is good. Last week my brother and his wife and son (and baby on the way) came in for a quick visit. In order to help prepare them for a multiple-child family we sent them home with our two boys. Before they left I sat Dylan and Micah down and gave them a list of rules they are to abide by:
1) Always say "yes maam, no maam. yes sir, no sir"
2) No whining.
3) Don't ask for things, but when you are given something be grateful.
4) Don't touch skunks that you see on the side of the road.
5) Lift the Lid.
6) Don't touch possums that you see on the side of the road.
7) Say your prayers at night.
8) Don't fight with one another.
9) Have FUN!
After two days they seem to be doing o.k. They will be coming back to Mississippi this weekend with my younger sister.
Lily seems to be plugging along. She is a little more alert every day. You can see her scanning the room for a familiar face, and once she focuses in on you she will lay a heart-melting smile all over you. I can already tell she will use this to her advantage someday.

Memor-lily Day Weekend

2007-05-27T21:04:00.001-07:00

Miss Lily, welcome to the life of a Stockstill. With the close of Dylan's first grade school year we've hit the summer with both feet running. Last Sunday we loaded up the kids and a few families from church and headed to the Long Leaf Rails to Trails for an afternoon bike ride. My bike turned into the multi-faceted-all-terrain-kid-train-that-doesn't-hurt-my-legs-at-all caravan that hosted Micah in the backseat and Lily in the rickshaw. Shauna and Dylan each biked the 15 mile route solo.

Dylan swept the end of the year awards, aka The First Grade Oscars, winning the Citizenship Award, P.E. Award, Music Award, and the Accelerated Reader Award. I had to whip him with soggy noodles when we got home just to remind him who was boss. Seriously, we are super proud of all our kids. We are blessed to the full extent to parent such great kids.

Last night we headed to the Gulf Coast for "Sounds by the Sea" a Patriotic Performance by the Gulf Coast Symphony. It still gives me chills to see the men and women who so galliantly fought for our country stand as their military branch's fight song is played. One man, in his 70's stood and waved a small flag as the first notes of "anchors away" filled the air. Very powerful. They closed the show with a phenomenal firework display. Micah liked the ones that "flash and sound like a huge gun." Yeah, I like those too.

Shauna and I celebrated the big 13th anniversary today and I must say, it's been the greatest 11 years of my life :)

Julia Roberts has nothing on these lips!

The Kiddos and RoRo!
Her Synchronized Swimming pose (after her NeNaw).

Robin Hood and Lily John

2007-05-18T19:30:00.001-07:00

My neighbor Tommy is one of those guys that everyone on the planet wishes they had for a neighbor. He is the master chef, mighty hunter, yard-of-the-monther, and loves kids. Anyway, he dubs everyone he meets with a nickname- Mine is Padre, Shauna's - Warden, Dylan- Matt Dillon, Micah - Big Buddy, and tonight he christened Lily with - Lily John (apparently the name is still in flux until he really sees her personality). But, at this point it is simply a reference to our looks, which is nice considering I don't even look like Micah's neighbor. I must say that babies for the most part look like babies. If their eyes are shut in sleep... then they look like me. If they are open and awake... they look like Shauna. So, depending on what time of day you stumble across her will determine how you finish this sentence, "Oh, she looks just like _______!"

As she grows, however, I am seeing more and more of Shauna (for that she will be eternally grateful). She is precious. The boys have adjusted with flying colors. Laundry has multiplied exponentially. Now, if she will only sleep - life will be good.

Just a lily bit more...

2007-05-11T21:17:00.000-07:00

It's finals week at NOBTS (New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary) and all of my creativity has been wasted on the theological dissection of John Bunyan's view of paeto-baptism. (Yes, it is as drab as it sounds). Anyway, here are a few pics of the week gone by.
Steve and Steph (Shauna's dad and sister were here for the week)
Dylan is finishing 1st grade.
Micah is in the middle of a Cpt. Jack Sparrow Crisis.
Lily is growing and giving us hints of a smile.
Shauna is looking like a hot mama of three.
Weather is beautiful (fished in Biloxi with Steve today).
Lot's of yardwork.

That's about all I have to say about that...

The Lily-putians

2007-05-03T17:53:00.000-07:00

In Jonathan Swift's masterful "Gulliver's Travels" we are introduced to a mighty lot of mini-people known as the Lilliputians. He uses the infamous six-inch minis to allegorize the bloody nature of the English politicians. He records in detail the cruel methods they bounce around to kill Gulliver. Then out of nowhere Gulliver is confronted with another side of the Lilliputians. A side of mercy, decency, generosity and justice. It is amazing the complexity of the human spirit.

One minute our little ones will be angelic in their sleep.

Then they wake to a dirty diaper.

One minute they seem to be studying every wrinkle in your face with longing affection.

Then they get hungry.

One minute they are cradled in your arms.

Then they poo.

One minute they steal your heart,

the next minute they steal your sleep.

lili-lili-lili get your adverbs here!

2007-04-26T17:23:00.000-07:00

Stop and smell the Lilies...

Sleep deprivation is a common condition that afflicts 47 million American adults, or almost a quarter of the adult population. Symptoms can interfere with memory, energy levels, mental abilities, and emotional mood. A study conducted by the University of Chicago Medical Center in 1999 indicates that the leading cause of sleep deprivation is baby girls named Lily who have no internal differentiator indicating night and day.

It's not really that bad, sleep is overrated anyway. Today, Lily turns 2 weeks old. I know that is not that big of a deal and in the grand scheme of things perhaps you are right. But, weighing in at 9lbs & 4 oz she is literally changing before our very eyes. It reminds me of the sea monkeys we had as a kid. Dump a packet of cryogenically frozen amoebas into a glass of water, come back in a few days and you have a host of bacterial fungi swimming around in a wasteland of polluted water. Yeah, kinda like that...

As she has graduated from newborn diapers to the big size uno, I find myself getting bit by the nostalgia bug. If my grandmother taught me anything, it was to enjoy the small things in life that most would see as routine and common. She believed it was the cumulation of the insignificant that made life such a treasure. "Don't forget to stop and smell the roses" she would say. So, part of my commitment as a dad is to really stop and breathe the fragance of a beautiful little Lily.

A pic is worth a thousand words...

Her Nenaw created this masterpiece.

Her Aunt Rebecca created this masterpiece.

Never wake a sleeping giant.

Memaw and Lily. (My mom's granmother was Lillie)

Enough said.

poo and play

2007-04-19T16:42:00.000-07:00

(Micah and Lily at one week. Yes, that is Micah!)

Week one. Check. At this point it is all about getting into the swing of things again. Having Nenaw around has been a lifesaver. Restless nights, 2:00 am feedings, burpings, and the diapers, oh how I forgot about the diapers.
I have also figured out that for the first few weeks the father is a fairly useless figure. During the delivery Shauna did not want to be touched, talked to, comforted, encouraged... so I sat in the corner and watched.Now, that Lily is here I am very content holding her and watching Sanjaya do his thing (props to VFTW!). I'm sure Shauna can now understand why the black widow eats her mate.
One of the great things about being a dad is sitting back and watching your kids. Dylan on the ski slopes, Micah on the soccer field, Lily in mid poop contortion. I am simply amazed how they steal your heart so quickly.

the joys of nenaw-hood.

the joys of nenaw-hood part II.

happiness is...

See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

Dylan and Lily at one week.

lily has arrived!

2007-04-12T16:38:00.001-07:00

Alright. After three kids I am becoming aware of the dark reality that other people are not as interested in pics of your kids as you are. Nonetheless, a blog like this serves as an avenue to channel a portion of the insane "puffiness" a proud father feels after the birth of his child. So, if you are a grandparent or close relative then I hope these help get you through until you can get your hands on her. If you are a close friend... same thing. If you have arrived at this website via the instructions (demands) of either of the above, I apologize beforehand. If you are a botanist or florist I am afraid you will be sorely disappointed.

Lily Grace Stockstill
04-11-07
05:29 a.m. Hattiesburg, Mississippi
7 lbs 8 oz
19 inches
toes .75 cm

hello world, meet lily.

"if we could all wear onesies the world would be a better place." - Rich Nelson

pink. the new brown.

food does seem to be a top priority.

after a long day.

3 to 1 odds. I like that.

mom and lily about 45 minutes old

she has no idea what is in store for her...