To my wife

Hon,

I love you
You are my beautiful woman
You out-beautify even the prettiest flowers
You make my heart warm when I think of you
Your smile to me is like sunshine to the day
Your loving touch calms me
Your voice is a delight to my ears
You are my wife, and
I love you.

The Hus

Mom's Birthday

Every spring we take a trip to the LA Arboretum. This year's trip was in honor of my mom's birthday. Here we are posing in front of the Fantasy Island house.
Mom and Jim found a shady spot under the beautiful wisteria.
Gary was right at home in the bamboo jungle! This has always been my favorite part of the park.
After running around all day seeing all there was to see, we took a quick break while Mom and Jim shopped for souvenirs. We finished the celebration with a stop at a local coffee house.

Family Portrait

Our Hardwick family portrait pictures have come in. Over the Christmas holiday we had a friend take the picture at the Gig Harbor Yacht Club. I don't get to see my family too often and it amazes me how fast those kids grow up. Look at little William sitting up so tall.
 

The Answer to Life

Of course the answer to life is Jesus, but I thought it would be funny to note a discovery I made today. If you're familiar with the story "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" you may remember a part where some characters built a very large ultimate computer to answer one question: "What is the answer to life, the universe and everything?" After several generations past the computer finally came up with the answer: 42. I told my coworker Keith to Google the question and it will give you the answer. (as if Google was the ultimate computer) In our very next unrelated conversation we were on the topic of gas prices and the price per barrel being over $70. We wanted to know how many gallons were in a barrel. So we googled that and the answer was surprisingly 42. Just a funny coincidence. So when somebody asks you what the answer to life, the universe and everything is, you may answer: Jesus!

For more information on the hitchhiker's 42, check out the answer.

New Wedding Ring

I know this is a little late but I just downloaded the picture from the camera. In December I lost my wedding ring while playing with my nephew Maveric in the snow. So for Valentines day this year Erin suprised me with a new wedding ring. My previous ring was a simple white gold ring, but I wanted something else but couldn't find it at the time. She found what I was wanting at my friend Michael Cortez' jewelry store. A titanium ring with a gold band around the middle. To surprise me further she had it hiding in the beak of the swan vase that I gave her on our very first Valentines Day together. She is so wonderful to me, I felt so naked without my ring. Since then the vase has been broken, so I can't loose my ring ever again. 

Coughing attack

What a week. I got this horrible cough over the weekend that has stuck with me all week. In the mornings I wake up with terrible cough attacks, and achy bones all over. But now I don't have to share this pleasure alone, yesterday Erin came down with the same thing. She thanked me with a swift punch to the gut, then I coughed at her. This all comes at a pretty busy time for us. Easter is coming up and we're in rehearsals for our church's Easter program, I've been working late on a project at work, and am studying for my next Certification Exam. I miss my wife, the only times I get to see her is when we go to sleep. I want a vacation. Erin has been looking at these treehouse bed and breakfast places up in Oregon. Just like Swiss Family Robinson. Something remote and relaxing sounds great right now. Who am I kidding, it always sounds great.

Ashford, Washington

Takilma, Oregon

Singin' in the Rain

Today was an exciting day at school: Field trip day! The kids have been counting down to this very day. Charlotte Diamond in concert. We had a grand time singing tunes in three languages and even learning the sign language for some. We laughed, we danced, we had a blast! On our way out to the bus was when the fun came to an end. I have never seen rain come down so hard before. The wind was howling, the rain was pelting us, there were even a few minutes of hail! And all the while, three teachers and two parent helpers were trying to herd 60 students to our bus! We made it back safe and sound and soaked to the bone. What a day. I need a bubble bath and a nap.