In the midst of life..

We have been so busy lately with doctor's appointments, birthing classes, start of school, etc. And so in the midst of our upcoming anniversary (Sept 09) 2 years and the birth of our child we also have the 21st Pig Pickin in Lee County. Last year we had to miss due to a wedding of friend I performed in Louisville but we are excited about making it this year.

Most any of you who have ever been are invited as if you have gone once, you can go again. Just call Kristen for details. I know Crystal and Andrew are going, and we are. Don't know about anyone else. Well I am staying busy preparing for classes and dissertation. Gotta run.

Pictures

I forgot to post this online. You can view Kristen's maternity photo shoot at www.julierobertsphoto.com and click on proofs and then Eliza Booth. Julie Roberts does a great job and we highly recommend her. Of course Kristen looks good naturally and in my mind is the best looking pregnant woman ever. Just a couple more weeks till Eliza joins us and we go to Booth party of three. I am excited. I bought her a little UT cheerleader outfit last night.

Classes are going well.

Tonight

Tonight Kristen and I took my Milligan advisees to Ridgewood Barbeque. We had a party of 10 and had a really good time with them. Some of them I have in class, and some I don't. But I am enjoying so much getting more involved with students in their lives outside of class.

Right now things are going so well. I have a beautiful wife, great amazing friends, and a baby on the way. I don't want to spoil our little girl and I hope that giving her the opportunity to grow up a bit on Milligan campus will make her an outgoing baby that seems to like lots of people. But I know I will love that baby so much. Very excited. Now if I can just finish that dissertation.

The weekend

Well I made it through week one of Milligan and I love my classes. I am in the office working a bit on the dissertation and getting ready for a fun weekend. Kristen and I are taking my mentoring group out to Ridgewood tonight. We are excited. I like them and have enjoyed trying to help them navigate Milligan.

One problem..the a/c at my office is broken again. So it is actually hard to think in here much less write. Plus the Milligan internet is so woefully slow that I think I am back in the days of dial up sometimes. Okay, other than that life is great. Kristen is a beautiful mom to be, and I can't wait to see that little girl of mine. I am sure she will hang with me a lot on the Milligan campus. I am excited.

Milligan week one...

Well, this year I am a mentor which means I advise Freshman on what to take etc. It is hard. There aren't that many afternoon classes and it is hard to find electives to fill up the slots. I feel like I am getting more involved with students which is what I want, but I feel a bit overwhelmed trying to help them find classes to fit their schedules.

Birthing class number 3 tonight.

Kristen's Birthday...

Next Thursday August 21 is Kristen's birthday. So we are going to have an open party at the Crazy Tomato in Johnson City at 6.30 p.m. Please feel free to come if you are a fan of Kristen as I am. I am so blessed to have her as my best friend, wife, and mother of my child. Pretty soon we will be celebrating Eliza's birthday too!

Welcome Callie

We went to the hospital today and tonight and got to see Christy and Larry and Karisse and their new little addition Callie.



Here's Auntie Kristen and little Callie and Uncle Teddy with them both. Being at the hospital with the little one made me anxious for my little one to get here.





I was going to change Callie's diaper for practice until I found out rather quickly that baby poop is nothing like normal human poop. I was not prepared for it and practically jumped back as you can see by the look on my face. Oh well I will try harder when Eliza poops hers.



Tomorrow is the Milligan work day. I guess I will work a bit in the rain. Cheers.

birthing class

Kristen and I went to our first birthing class on Tuesday night. It was interesting. Strangely I think I have about 70% of the pre-term labor symptoms already. Those of you who know me should laugh now.

I am excited about Eliza getting here, but it is getting more and more real. I know it will be a weird adjustment but I am still stoked. I worry about money, providing for her, and Kristen having to work so hard.

Christy and Larry are having Callie on Thursday. Very exciting.

Church shower...

Today we had a church shower thrown for us by our small group at Avoca. We got lots of cool stuff for Eliza and it was fun just being able to spend the afternoon with our friends. We are so thankful for our friends and can't wait to introduce them all to Eliza. We then went to Christy and Larry's for a bit and then back to Sunday night church where we have been discussing the book REvolution by George Barna. Very interesting discussion.

I also just read the book The Shack. It is for small group on Thursdays. But I highly recommend it. I read it in almost one sitting. It is a book about a man experiencing God in the midst of a tragedy. It is unusual and I have heard that it has been roundly criticized by some Christians which in my book means it probably is doing something right. Read the book. I guarantee that you will want to send it to several friends before you are done.