Check it out!!

Look at me! A new comment within a month of the last one!

This past Friday, I went camping with my scout troop. We only have one boy in our ward so we do scouts, combined, as a stake. It was a lot of fun. I had been running around all week trying to get the permits, my equipment and assignments taken care of. I still forgot some of my equipment but I survived. We camped in a place called Lytle Creek. It's a cool little canyon by the Cajon Pass. It's a really pretty canyon. Not quite as tree-filled and lush as the mountains I'm used to but, it still has a great wildernessy feel. I loved it so much! On Saturday, we went on a hike. It was to fulfill the hiking merit badge or some rank advancement. It had to be a vertical climb over 1000 feet. Our hike was 1300 vertical feet and 5.5 miles long. Pretty simple of a hike but it did have some steep ups and downs. I'm sure not in the fitness of my youth when I could hike for days. On the good side. After the first mile, I wasn't really tired at all. Things loosened up and I was feeling great! I love scouting! I haven't been on a hike like that since I climbed Timp. years ago with friends to see the sunrise.
This weekend was a good, tough weekend for me. It has really taught me the importance of communication and cooperation.
Yesterday, Sarah and I got some family pictures taken at a park here in Orange. It was a lot of fun. Sarah and Kiera are both SO cute! She "bought" the photo shoot at an Enrichment Night with the Relief Society. I will post some pics when we get them. It was such a great time. I'm excited to see the pictures.
I also started coaching the middle school track team this week. I am the throwing coach and the only throwing event in middle school is the shot-put. I have 2, maybe 3 students that will be doing it. It's definitely a new experience. Although I was reasonably successful at shot-put in high school, it is a different thing to teach the skill. I know what to do but it is new to me to break it down into teachable steps. It's going to be a lot of fun.

It's been a while since my last post... (That's a re-occurring theme...)
It is now mid-March. Beware the ides of March! The last couple months have been a lot of fun. Kiera is growing each day as is my love of father-hood. She is such a cute little girl. I am so amazed with everything that she does. Over the last couple weeks she has really become interested in Skye, our dog. She will try to call her over and interact with her. Kiera gets frustrated when Skye is not around or in sight. Over this last weekend she started signing "dog." She slaps her left arm up and down on her leg while "calling" her. We taught it to her as Skye's sign. It's simpler that way. It's so cute to see Kiera picking up behaviors and learning. She is such an amazing kid.
Last week at church someone said, "I think she is going to be making people smile her whole life." Kiera is such a happy baby and loves to interact and bring smiles to other peoples faces. She loves to smile and laugh. I got to "hang out" with Kiera this past weekend while Sarah was at a baby shower. It was so much fun to chill, play and laugh with Kiera the whole time. I really do love being a dad.
I also love being a husband to the most beautiful girl in the world, Sarah. She is so awesome! I am so lucky to have her in my life. She is such a great support and strength to me. She is always doing weird, funny things that help me to remember how fun life is. She is so cute. Family is such an awesome thing. I'm so grateful for mine.

Happy New Year!

So... It's 2009. Ten years after we partied like it was 1999. Crazy! I can't believe how time has flown. There has been so much happen. It is weird to think of the past decade and realize all that has happened. It makes me so grateful for all the blessings that I have. I can look back and see how the Lord has touched my life and guided me to where I am now. All of the hard times, trails and tears have brought me such joy. I can recognize the need for the struggles and how much I have been blessed for going through them. So much growth has happened. My greatest 2 blessings of all have been my lovely & loving wife, Sarah, and our precious daughter Kiera. Sarah is my support. She gives me strength and adds so much meaning to life. She brings out the best in me, causing me to strive to be worthy of the covenants and blessings promised. I love her more than she will ever know.
Kiera... my sweet little daughter. She is just amazing. I am always so impressed by the fact that she is. That she is OUR daughter. It has changed my whole outlook on life and what is/isn't important. It is incredible what they say about love. That you will never love the same again once you have kids. It is true, but I am seeing things that I didn't expect. Not only do I love Kiera more than I ever thought possible, but having Kiera has caused me to love Sarah more than ever too. I see things in Sarah that are so amazing! She is such an incredible mother and wife. I am truly blessed to have her.
I love you two; Sarah & Kiera. You're my girls!

Kiera Soleil Pond was born on 2 October @ 8:25 pm. She weighed 7 lbs 14 oz and was 20 1/2 inches long. She has lots of black hair. I am so excited to be a father. It's amazing how much I love her. Sarah was so strong throughout the entire pregancy. I am so proud of her! She is already such an awesome mother! Kiera so strong. She already rolls on to her side. She loves to look around and go on little walks. She likes to keep moving, but is also very content to sit and "talk" with her parents. We are so blessed to have her in our home!

It's October!!

We made it to October! That is actually a good thing because now my insurance from this district kicks in today and I don't have to pay the high rates from my COBRA for my last district. It is great! Sarah is still doing great. I am so impressed with how strong she is. She is truly my hero.
Tomorrow, at the latest, our daughter will be born. I am so excited!!

Waiting

I'm sitting here in my classroom, looking at my sub-plans. I wasn't planning on being here today. It's kind of strange and somewhat frustrating. Yesterday morning, Sarah's contractions were pretty regular. They were 5 mins apart. I timed them for an hour. After that we decided that it was probably the best to get to the hospital. So, we did. after sitting in the birthing room for an hour or so, a doctor came in, checked things out and said, "Go home." Both Sarah and I were a little stunned. No, "You're this far along..." or anything. Just "Go home." We ended up going over to Sarah's aunts house and seeing if anything progressed further. We went on a good long walk but nothing. So... here I am. Sitting in my classroom, looking at my sub-plans...