2 Years

Today is our 2nd anniversary. Where does the time go?

I can clearly remember my friends and family nagging me about, "When are you going to settle down?" This question haunts single people once the turn about 20 or so. I was single until I was 33 so I got to hear it over and over and over (repeat). The answer is simple...now. I was single for 33 years because I had not met Carrie! God allowed me to wait a while before we met, but it was the most worthwile wait of my life.

Yes, two years ago today, Carrie, a few friends and family and I were on the beach in South Padre Island, TX. It was a warm windy day and we got married on a grassy lawn overlooking the beach and the crashing waves....and the bulldozers. I really feel like a small ceremony with a few close friends is the way to go. I wouldn't change anything about that day, except, I would have loved to have had the opportunity to meet Carrie's dad and have him walk her down the isle, but Billy (Carrie's brother) filled in and everything was perfect.

Looking back, I know that I married the perfect girl, not perfect, but perfect for me. Nobody ever fully appreciates the things in their life until they are gone, so I hope I can stop and appreciate her today!

BW

Been A While

I think I knew this blogging thing would be less and less frequent, but here it is!

Carrie is now 15 weeks pregnant. That puts us into the second trimester...whatever that means. I guess someone arbitrarily split pregnancy into thirds. Everyone still loves to say, "I hope you have a girl." I still don't get it. Is a girl a punishment?

I am running and running. I ran 8 miles on Saturday at a 10:12/mile pace. My goal is 10:00 minute miles. I am doing the Cowtown this weekend. (10K). In my head, I'm proud of myself for running and being able to run 8 miles until I heard that my friend's wife, who just gave birth to a baby boy a few months ago, is already out running me...pushing a stroller.

Rant:
I was just reading the scroll at the bottom of the screen on ESPN. I saw that a bunch of the evidence against Barry Bonds was ruled inadmissible for whatever reason. Why would any evidence be inadmissible? In my world, you punish the idiots for breaking the rules of seizing evidence, but it is still pertinent information. I just think that ALL evidence should be considered. All of it! If extra DNA samples help a guy go free, do it! If there is a smoking gun in the trunk of a car that was just used in a murder, get it! If the idiots get the gun without a warrant, then they should be punished, but the gun still was used in a murder! We are so worried that we might step on some one's toes, that we lose sight of the main function of our justice system...Justice.

Week 13

Monday was our 13th week! That makes the pregnancy 1/3 done. How great was that! Somehow, I am getting through it. It's weird how about 99% of my friends are goofy idiots, much like me, but when it comes to news and status updates about the baby, they (I) mature quickly. One observation, it is funny that everyone asks the exact same questions, "Are you excited?" I guess it is like telling someone, "good morning." You aren't really sure what to say, so you just rely on the standards.

Work Stuff: I got to travel to Kansas this week! I went there to support the big boss while he delivered a presentation. On the way back, he inquired about my career aspirations. I guess in a down economy, working for a company that just had layoffs and is heavily reliant on the auto industry, it is good to be asked about the future. I've been really happy with Ryder so far. My boss is great and the workload is fair. A lot better than some previous situations I've been in.

Rants:
I heard that people are upset that banks aren't loaning more money once they received bailout money. They are using the money to restructure their company and shore up their finances. I guess the masses think that the bailout money should be redirected into more questionable loans?? In my opinion, they should take the money as a loan, bridge the financial gaps caused by poor decisions in issuing credit, start making better decisions, then pay back the money! Bottom line, is being more liberal with credit the solution for an instition that is in trouble for being too liberal with credit?

Girls

Well, I am overwhelmed by the support that I have received about our announcement that Carrie is pregnant. No matter how tough you pretend to be, it is always touching to see how many people care about you.

One common theme was that many people thought that it would be funny if I had a girl. I guess I don't see the comedy. I would love to have a girl. Buddy had three girls, Darrell had three girls, Bryan R. had three girls, Brian H. and Shaun both had girls first (then both had boys next), my neighbor Jason has two small girls and an adopted son. I love little girls. I guess I don't understand the logic that somehow a little girl would be "revenge" or "Karma". I think naturally, boys would relate more to boys and girls to girls, but boy or girl, I am going to love my child. Before anyone wonders, I would be perfectly happy playing with dolls or having tea with a little girl. I would be the first one to decorate a room in pink and put a bow in her hair. If that seems funny to you, then maybe the issue is yours, I will dedicate my life to raising a great kid, girl or boy.

No rant today...Maybe I'll save up some angst for next post.

The Secret Is Out

Today we went to the doctor and she told us that everything is going just fine. With that news, we are officially telling everyone that Carrie is pregnant. We've known since prior to Christmas, but have been very reluctant to tell the general public.

As I read through all of my posts, I noticed a glaring omission. Banjo! I am willing to say that I adopted the worlds best dog. She doesn't chew on anything other than her toys, she doesn't eat people food. You can drop a steak on the floor and she knows to leave it alone. You don't need a leash to walk her, and she will not leave the backyard, even if you leave the gate open for two days. When I got home from work today, I took her in the front yard to get the mail and play with a stick. Then she and I went on a 6 mile run. As I type, she is laying at my feet with her little head on my leg. I highly recommend going to the local SPCA and adopting a regular ol' mutt. They are the best dogs.

Brad's Rants...

I heard today that Roseanne is against what Israel is doing in the Gaza Strip. She expressed her disappointment in Bruce Springsteen. She wanted him to use his forum at the Super Bowl to talk in support of the Palestinians. I don't care that she has chosen sides, but my concern is this - Why in the world does anyone care what Roseanne thinks. If you are looking for political advice from Roseanne, then I'm going to ask that you not reproduce. On that note, why does anyone care who Tom Hanks, Ellen, Jon Stewart, Ben Aflac, etc. are voting for? Actors are famous for pretending to be someone that they are not. Do you believe that they understand foreign policy and economics. I'll guess that most do not. I'll just say this, if you are seeking political, religious or social advice from actors and athletes, then just maybe you're part of the problem!

Stuff and Things

What a great Super Bowl! I guess I was rooting for Arizona, but I'm not upset by the outcome. I really didn't have a horse in this race. Without any fantasy football implications or betting, football isn't as interesting unless your favorite team is playing.

Today marks the 12 week mark! We go to the doctor in Wednesday, and then we will announce to the world that Brad and Carrie are going to have a kid. Today, I got to wondering about the fret of pregnancy and the worry that additional responsibility brings. You have to go through morning sickness and weight gain, then the pain of delivery, yet couples have been doing it forever. I can only imagine the reward, if it is this much hardship.

When Brad Runs the world:
I think I am going to start going on rants at the end of each post...

Have you ever noticed that most stories of hardship and poverty all have a similar storyline? Somewhere in the story, there is mention of a bunch of kids. This isn't always the story, but often enough to be a concern. Carrie and I dated for almost two years before we were married, and we will be married 2.5 years before we have our first kid. Every decision we make is centered around a kid and our ability to care for it, financially and emotionally. Yet there are others that jump into parenthood or worse yet have un-planned kids. Don't we know by now how to prevent unwanted pregnancies.

Once I run the world, people will be steralized at birth and then will have to apply for fertility. The approval process will be very easy and granted in most cases. Married couple, house, job...you get a kid! 15 year old girl...no kid. See how easy it would be for me.

Things that you need a license for:
Driving
Starting a business
Selling food
Selling liquor
having a kid (only when Brad runs the world)

Have a good week.