Operation: One Car Initiative

Our family has begun a new initiative. Today, I left my truck at home and struck out with just Jean's car to try to evaluate whether or not we can operate with just one car. So far, it's going well. We are going to continue the experiment this week and possibly consider carpooling and other options for next week.

Our primary goals are to cut costs and begin saving for the next new family car. Rather than take out a loan, we would like to be able to pay cash, and that is leading us to consider getting rid of my truck which still has another 18 months of payments left on it. The truck is in excellent shape and has relatively low mileage for a 2003 vehicle, so it should not be hard to sell. Keep an eye out here for first crack at it!

Do any other families out there have positive or negative experience with just one car?

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Holiday Gift Giving

Engadget Holiday
Originally uploaded by Philip J Beyer

I am very thankful this year for my family's rich blessings from God. We had a wonderful time over the last few days remembering just how bountiful they are. One of the many ways we are blessed is that we have friends and family who are able to share their joy with us through giving gifts.

Gifts are certainly not the most important things I will receive this holiday season, but they are the least straightforward. A good list tends to help. I have been keeping my Wishlistr list up to date, and just now I saw another great list that could be used for any gadget geek out there, including me if you are so inclined. The Engadget Holiday Gift Guide is not for the financially faint of heart, but then again, gadgets have never been cheap!

Spooky Photos

Halloween 2007 - 02
Originally uploaded by Philip J Beyer

I finally got around to uploading our Halloween photos. My awesome employer once again approved and encouraged the annual creative event. As in years prior, some of my colleagues went to great lengths to prepare their costumes. We all had a great time.

The evening proved to be just as fun. Our neighborhood boasts quite an active Halloween crowd, so in an effort to spread the sugary love, I invited friends over to use our house as home base in their efforts to scour the countryside for every last remaining Milkdud. They were not disappointed.

Overall, I think Michael thoroughly enjoyed his first Halloween... mainly because he was fascinated by so many visitors and his Daddy gave him a piece of candy in its plastic wrapper on which to chew.

More on our Pregnancy

Not long after we learned our big news, we also found out why the early weeks of pregnancy this time seemed different than during our previous experience. As it turns out, this time we were probably pregnant with twins. One of the babies is physically strong and healthy, while his or her sister or brother did not fully develop. In learning this news, we experienced a variety of emotions. We are so happy that both lives were conceived, and for the opportunity to have been with the twins for a time. We are delighted that one baby seems so strong and healthy. Yet, of course, we were sad to learn that we will never meet our other
little baby when it comes time to deliver. In processing these changes, we are moving to a place of trust and peace, knowing that Jesus is directly caring for one of our babies now. At the same time, we eagerly anticipate greeting the growing baby next summer.

Jean adds: In sharing our news regarding both new babies, I am reminded at how many of our friends have experienced miscarriage. I am also struck at how many women say, “I had no idea how common this is.” It seems important to talk about, even if at first the natural grieving process requires quiet time and space. So, we have chosen to share the wonderful news of both new lives with you.

Beauty is Everywhere

Beauty is Everywhere
Originally uploaded by Philip J Beyer.

As I ran this morning, I saw this little flower emerging from between two slats in a fence. I went back to get it after I was done because I was struck by the contrast between the long row of confining brown pieces and this defiant orange shoot growing out against all odds.

It seems to me that beautiful things can be found everywhere in our lives. On an overcast day in the San Antonio suburbs, a place most people including myself would not classify as picturesque, I was taken aback as I thought about all the beautiful things in my life.

Now by beauty, I do not just mean pretty. To appreciate beauty is to acknowledge the inherent worth in a created thing. Whether in nature or on a piece of drawing paper, a creator pours something of himself into the process, and that is beautiful. Even a seemingly ugly sidewalk was toiled over by someone who poured effort into it.

Jean and I had a rough time last night with Michael. We were both tired and frustrated, ready to take a break from parenting. It was kind of hard for me to take step back and remember how blessed we are. But as we woke up this morning with Michael crawling around in bed between us, playing, giggling, and being fascinated with even the simplest things around him like my pillow; and as I thought about the miracle happening right in front of me in my wife's womb, where a growing baby would soon begin to experience basic things I take for granted in my life like moving my fingers; and as I ran by this lone flower in the fence... I found myself quite speechless and in awe of the beauty around me.

Another One on the Way!

Our Son - Eating Cheerios - 3
Originally uploaded by Philip J Beyer.

We have joyful news. Together with Jean, Michael, Bruno and Rufus, I am pleased to announce an additional family member growing in Jean! We received the good news on Jean’s birthday last week. What a great gift from God! The new little one will probably arrive in late June or early July. All are healthy and adjusting well. The pregnancy does have a slight complication requiring more frequent doctor visits than typical. Your prayers are of course appreciated. Thanks for rejoicing with us and praying with us. We’ll keep you posted on our family development.

Happy Birthday Jean!

Jean Beyer - Birthday 2007 - 1
Originally uploaded by Philip J Beyer.

Last night, Jean and I went out to celebrate her birthday. We dropped our son off with friends and attended an event sponsored by our church. Titled An Evening of Classical Music, it was a formal recital of choral and instrumental music from a variety of time periods. The Texas Bach Choir and Nicole Cabello-Valadez, a woman who regularly plays the piano during our weekend church services, performed. We both especially enjoyed a distinctive, early American version of "Joy to the World" and a wonderfully melodic piece by Frederic Chopin.

Jean enjoyed the many flowers and cards sent by friends and family. She had a great day with our son and a fun evening out!

Busy

I think it is safe to say, our family has been busy. Partying, gaming, training, vacationing, celebrating, wedding-ing... there have been many ing's for us lately. Though there has been a dearth of updates here, let me assure you it has not been for lack of activity.

We followed up a wonderful 30th birthday celebration for me with another joyful event. A college friend of mine, Andrea, was wedded to her loving groom in the Fort Worth area, and we were blessed to be able to celebrate with them. Michael suffered the long drive well and slept soundly in our hotel room thanks to some great advice from friends. When it was time for him to sleep, we rolled his portable crib into the bathroom and closed the door. It seems like the separation and darkness helped him get to sleep faster and easier (for him and us!).

About a week later, my parents graciously spent their weekend with their grandson so Jean and I could celebrate our 2nd anniversary! We decided to get away for a few days and went to McDonald Observatory in the Davis Mountains of West Texas. We stayed in Fort Davis and explored some of the history of the area while we were there. Both of us were fascinated with the whole experience.

Two weeks later, the dojo where I teach martial arts, Aikido Shoanjuku, hosted a very successful seminar that left me absolutely exhausted. It felt like we started training Friday night and didn't stop to take a break till Sunday afternoon.

Next stop... Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Jean's sister, Wendy, invited us to her wedding. It was both Michael and I's first time to meet Jean's family. We also had the opportunity to visit a few sites in the area while we were there. Michael experienced another first on the trip, his first airplane ride! Both Jean and I were thrilled that while the first three flights (we had midway stops in DFW) did not go as well as we had hoped, the fourth was quite pleasant thanks to Michael having a strong desire to nap undoubtedly brought on by the very loud jet engines.

That brings us up to the present, another much needed weekend at home eschewing any activity. With everything going on, I have not been able to process and upload all the photos from these events. I am working on them though, and I will post again when some of them are ready.

The near future holds for us many family holiday gatherings and possibly a sailing experience. All three of us are very happy that another busy Fall season is over and has left us fulfilled.