A lot has been happening in the past 60 days, so this is a good time for a what’s-been-going-on-with-us.

People/Things I’ve Celebrated

Krista’s 31st birthday was Sunday. I’m blessed to be a husband and friend of the most interesting, kind, loving, passionate, intelligent, original-of-the-species woman I’ve ever met.  She exudes excellence, beauty, and grace in ways I didn’t know about before I met her.  I love her and am thankful for her life.

We also celebrated Jude’s baptism on All Saint’s Day.  This one event has stirred up a lot of theological conversation with family and friends, which has been helpful as we continue to learn how to articulate what our transition to the Anglican/Episcopal church is all about. My next post is a follow-up to that topic.

What I’ve Been Reflecting On

I am amazed at those who have found the ability to maintain a healthy reading and writing regimen after having children.  I’ve discovered that my ability to adjust under such circumstances is severely impaired.  However, Krista and I have decided to designate one night per week as reading and discussion night. So after our miniature superhero son goes to sleep, we act like thinking adults–and we have conversation about what we are reading!  I realize now that I took such opportunities for granted before Jude came along.  Now that we have less time for it, I am now more motivated to make sure we carve out the time. I suppose I needed to be more desperate before I would act on the desire.

I always read too many books at once, but I can’t help it. I see it like a good meal.  You can’t limit yourself to green beans at dinner. You must add steak, potatoes and good wine to make a complete meal. Here’s what’s on my latest menu:

I’m almost finished with Notes from the Tilt-a-Whirl, by N.D. Wilson, and have thoroughly enjoyed it. Definitely worth a separate blog post soon to discuss it. His writing style is not conventional, but is very compelling. Even in disagreeing with him on rare occasion, I continued to enjoy dancing my way through the book.

I mentioned that Krista and I have started a reading and discussion night, and our first book will be The Great Divorce, by C.S. Lewis.  I’ve never read it but I know it’s a must-read for those who enjoy Lewis’ writings.

I also started a book called Evangelicals on the Canterbury Trail, by Robert Webber, which discusses his personal journey from a strong Baptist upbringing to the Anglican Church and why many evangelicals are becoming attracted to the liturgical church. After only reading the introduction, I’ve already written a few blog posts inside my head.

I’ll probably be officially reading The Brothers Karamazov for the rest of my life, but I can’t take it off the list.  Whenever I do read it, I can’t put it down. It’s the picking it up that is the problem.

Movies We’ve Seen

None.  However, we are dying to see Where the Wild Things Are, the new Sherlock Holmes movie coming out, and Avatar. Also, I would like to catch Inglourious Basterds whenever it hits DVD, but I’m guessing that won’t be a date night movie.

Fun We’ve Had

One word for you: SMILES. Our son Jude’s smile is simply infectious and has the magical ability to lift our spirits when we are exhausted from the daily grind. He’s a passionate, fired-up, energetic 5-month old who is already showing us a go-getter personality, full of vibrant life. He absolutely deserves to be a redhead (that’s a compliment in my world).

Also, if you visit Nashville in the Spring, Summer, or Fall, you must visit Radnor Lake. Beautiful scenery and some great walking trails, all smack in the middle of Nashville. I’ve posted some pictures to Flickr of our recent Saturday there.

Hunts in Which I Currently Have No Dog

New evidence about the global warming issue.
Irrational concerns about the end of the world happening in 2012.
The repaving project on County Road 37.