Happy Birthday Gavin

Gavin Owens was born four years ago today. His third birthday was full of celebration and joy and happy faces and a very excited little boy. His fourth birthday is very different. He is not with his parents and sister and family and friends, but with God and Jesus experiencing the ultimate Joy that we all hope to also experience when the next stage of our lives begin. More about Gavin's story can be found at http://www.gavinowens.com/ and http://www.adamowens.com/. Let's all pray that everyone who loves and misses Gavin has the strength to ovvercome the saddness and experience the many wonderful ways Gavin graced this planet with his physical presence for 3 1/2 years. I never met Adam or Karen or Madison or Gavin, but I feel like I know all of them. Adam and Karen have been so open about their experience that it's impossible not to feel like I've known them all my life. It's amazing and wonderful. I have these friends that I have only communicated with on the internet, yet feel like they are my neighbors that I see and talk with every day. You know, that's awesome.

I can go on and on, which I kind of did on Adam's blog this morning, but I just wanted to briefly express my feelings on the day Gavin's birth is celebrated. Four years ago today, the world was changed for the better. That is very much worth celebrating.

Happy Birthday Gavin!

Wedding at the Castle

We had a wonderful time last night at the wedding of my cousin Joe and his beautiful bride Pam at Saint Clements Castle. All day the threat of rain was upon us--and Kerri and I know all too well what that's like--but it stayed away for the outdoor ceremony. Then there was a very tasty cocktail hour, and a rocking party celebration with excellent food and fantastic cake. (Remember...everything revolves around the cake. Bad cake = bad wedding. Last night was an excellent wedding.) It was fun hanging with the "young" folk at our Italian Isle table...as I think I was the oldest one. And yes, even I got on the dance floor. I was making a mad dash for the restroom as everyone was out there, and my uncle saw me and yelled, "Marco! Get out here!"...and that was that. I had a lot of fun...just had to loosen up out there. Amy took very good care of Sam and Amelia at home (thanks Amy!). We never worried for a moment and knew they were in excellent hands.

So congratulations Joe and Pam! You make an amazing couple, and have a blast in Cabo. I'm happy my cousin found someone "weird enough" for him! (Oh, I also must add that Jon did one of the funniest toasts I've ever heard...even with visual props with help from Jeff. Bravo job! Lisa's toast was excellent as well.)

As I type this, I hear a crash in the other room. What could all that noise Sam and Amelia are making possibly be???

Guest One

I'm drinking my coffee out of my Jay Leno mug this morning helping the kids eat breakfast. This coffee mug is from Jay Leno's first stint on The Tonight Show. Can you call a run of 16 years a "stint"? What would you call Conan's little blip then? Maybe just that...a blip...or flicker...or annoying mosquito bite perhaps? It's certainly strange with no more Kevin Eubanks. Actually, I'm going to miss Smitty the most.

My kids are very lucky. This weekend we had a picnic in Bushnell Park catered by Panera Bread. Then we went on that carousel, spent some time on the playground, then went back on the carousel. On Sunday we went to the carousel and fire house museum in Bristol--a hidden gem that is awesome--and then to Papa and Me-me's house. I may be missing something but it was a packed weekend. I also took the kids to do some shopping at Lowe's yesterday.

So this Van der Sloot guy...complete scum, huh? At least he won't be hurting anyone anymore. But this last one should have never happened. Had the police in Aruba done their job five years ago, this guy would have been in jail a long time ago. He even looks like a louse. Buh-bye.

Next week would have been Gavin Owen's fourth birthday. To read about this strong, amazing little man, visit his mom's blog at http://www.gavinowens.com/. My kids have passed the age of when Gavin died just recently. I know that seems strange to think of something like that, but sometimes you can't help it. Gavin was amazing...still is amazing.

Anyone up for powerwashing my house? It's fun! Really. Almost as fun as painting a white fence.