Kid

It has been a big couple of weeks. I guess I should tell the story.

Krisi's blood pressure finally reached the point where bedrest would no longer control it. (I've learned that high blood pressure during pregnancy can be dangerous for both mom and child) Late on a Friday night, we headed to St Vincent to see what they could do for her. The on call doctor for the weekend kept her over the next few nights for observation and monitoring. When Krisi's actual doctor came in on Monday morning at around 9:30, he told us we'd be having a baby at noon. We had just enough time to get really worried before Krisi had to prepare for surgery. The C-section started at noon and Avery Kate was born at 12:22 on January 12. She was 34 weeks gestation and arrived weighing 3 pounds, 14 ounces with a perfect amount of the most awesome dark hair. I was able to walk over to the special kiddo area of the delivery room and watch the nurses do their normal stuff. I cut the cord, which was ninja! Krisi was able to see her face for about 3 and a half seconds before they wisked her away to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

The next few days were tough. Krisi was recovering from surgery and her blood pressure stayed pretty high until the next day. Because of her BP, she wasn't able to see Avery until Tuesday afternoon. I had already made a couple of trips to the NICU to see her. For a first time Dad, seeing your kid with tubes and wires and monitors attached is a little frightening.

We stayed in the hospital until Friday afternoon. During that time, we spent several hours in Avery's room in the NICU. We were afraid and tired and emotionally drained. Tough. Slowly, the doctors and nurses weened her from the oxygen until she was breathing on her own. By the time we left, she had lost a little weight (which I'm told happens with all babies). I'll tell you: Leaving the hospital without your kid is like leaving the dentist without your teeth. It sucks. But, Gables don't complain. In fact, after spending time in the NICU, we are painfully aware of just how many bullets Avery dodged and just how bad it could have been.

Over the next 3 weeks, Krisi spent her days in the NICU while I went to work and I joined them for a few hours every evening until we had to go home for the night. Avery consistantly gained weight and gradually began oral feeds. We were able to bring her home when she was a little over 4 and a half pounds. For the next few months, Avery is on prescription caffeine and hooked up to a portable monitor at home.

This is where we are now. Avery is home and healthy(relatively). We have a new appreciation for some of the stresses of the world of premature babies and a pretty firm understanding of life in the NICU.

Stuff to Teach My Daughter

For about six months, I've known I would soon be a father. The more I look forward to this little girl's birth, the more I think about the things I want her to learn before she steps out from under my roof. I have begun to compile an ever-growing list. Here's what I've got so far.

1. "The God of heaven is the giver of all things. He is faithful." - When you leave our house, your beliefs will be your own. Regardless of the path you choose, you won't be able to say that your mother and father ever gave any credit to anyone other than the Creator of the Universe.

2. "If Mom says it, it is a rule." - Little girl, your mother will have your respect always. She loves you dearly and she deserves only the best. As you grow, you may be tempted (as teenagers do) to talk back or carry an attitude of haughtiness. These actions will certainly demand swift action on my part which will quickly remind you to whom you are talking. Understand that your father will always be showing you(to the best of his knowledge) how a man loves and serves his wife.

3. " No means no." - We have rules. If you don't follow the rules, discipline happens. This is because we love you. I hope you learn this one quickly...

4. "Conservative politics and free market capitalism work. Everything else is for dreamers." - On those nights where sleep evades us, I will take you in my arms and read the classics to you; Edmund Burke and FA Hayek and even Milton Friedman. Sleep will come. Sleep will certainly come.

5. "No one has the right to touch you without your permission." - I'm not even a father yet but I know the one thing that frightens fathers of daughters above all other things. There is a very real threat against young women and it is what causes dads to go a little crazy. Avery, guard your boundaries and trust your own judgment. Always remember to explain to those boys about your father's broad interpretation of the Second Amendment.

Incidentally, to those of you raising young men: I ask you to take your job seriously and teach your sons how to be good men. My little girl is going to need someone to love her like Christ does so I'm banking on you guys.

6. "Dogs are good creatures, cats are worthless." - If this one needs explanation, I've probably already lost that battle.

7. "Learn to win and learn to lose." - Very few things in life are as obnoxious as a sore loser, except maybe an ungracious winner. Competition is part of life. Sometimes you win, sometimes you get creamed. Accept both with joy and know that your value is elsewhere.

8. "Food is fuel, not a hobby." - This one has taken dad a while to learn. Eat when you're hungry; mainly vegetables; watch the sugar.

9. "Love for your country is worthwhile." - America is the best there's ever been. God has been so good. (see #1) Freedom is something of which we should be proud. Learn the rich history of your country and never allow the happenings of your life to keep you from giving thanks for liberty.

There are many more I can list and I'm sure many will appear along the way. If you have any you'd like to tell me about, feel free to add to my list. I need all the help I can get...

Fruit

I don't mean to brag but I've apparently got quite the green thumb. Check it out.

For those unfamiliar, these are pineapple plants. I know; I'm pretty awesome, right?

On the nightstand and in the queue

What am I reading......?

Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate by Jerry Bridges
-Our life group is rolling through this one right now. It is pretty good so far. Talks about the things we tend to overlook. Convicting and thought-provoking.

Letters To a Young Conservative by Dinesh D'Souza
-D'Souza was a policy aid to Ronald Reagan's White House (at the age of 26). Smart guy. Writes and speaks on the virtues of conservatism and the lunacy of liberalism. Naturally, I'm drawn to the man. This book is a series of letters written to a fictitious college student explaining the basic conservative principles. Good stuff.

Heroic Conservatism by Michael Gershon
-Gershon was a speechwriter for Pres. George W. Bush. He claims that the Republican party should back social programs similar to the things President Bush has pushed over the last 8 years. This book is about the Republican Party "regaining its soul by investing in the poor and social equality programs". This is what happens when journalists disregard economics. His claims are examples of out of control government spending. I'm not a fan. Aside from the short-sighted policies, this book is a defense of the character of George W. Bush. There are some touching stories about our 43rd President. The book is ok so far.

Einstein Never Used Flashcards: How Our Kids Really Learn by a bunch of people with difficult names
-I haven't really started this one but it seems interesting. Looking forward to it.

What do I want to read next.........?

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
-I was told I'd like this one. We'll see.

Tsar by Ted Bell
-Political fiction. This one sounds awesome.

The God Who Smokes: A Scandalous Meditation on Faith by Timothy Stoner
-Anything that challenges commonly held views is valuable even if it is complete nonsense. This one may be great but it also may be crap.

That's what I'm doing. How about you?

Election

Politics is communication. The vast majority of folks in this country vote one or two issues and disregard the rest. This is completely normal. The rest of life is this way. Most people get by with doing or knowing one or two things really well and are just mediocre at the rest. Example: That computer you're looking at. The best computers (Dell and Mac from what I hear) assemble parts from companies that specialize in each component of the machine. The company that makes the best microchip, does not worry about other pieces of hardware. In life, specialization works whereas general familiarity with all subjects gives you just enough knowledge to be dangerous. Your average voter instinctively gets this. The Evangelical votes based on abortion and gay marriage, the hunter votes on the second amendment rights, the soccer Mom votes education, the liberal votes blindly and arrogantly defends his nonsensical position. (Face!)

I vote taxes. There is a myth floating around the country that rich people don't pay "their fair share" of taxes. This is patently absurd. Rich people pay taxes. Poor folks on the other hand.......nevermind. Another myth floating around is that the "Bush tax cuts" only cut the taxes of the filthy rich and giant oil companies. Basic arithmetic coupled with an elementary understanding of taxation will bludgeon this argument to pieces. The average middle class family was left with additional disposable income because of the cuts as well as the opportunity for higher pay because their boss also had more disposable income. Allow these cuts to lapse in 2010 and we shall see who really benefitted because they will be the loudest screamers.

Here is the truth: Tax Cuts across the board are good but they must be accompanied by spending cuts. The forced removal of one man's property given to another man is inherently unfair. Adding insult to injury is the fact that the former man worked for his property while the latter man sat on his behind. High confiscatory tax rates kill the entrepreneurial spirit and work ethic that has driven the last 200 years of our history. "Spreading the wealth" is theft clothed in platitude. John McCain is imperfect but he will keep taxes low and cut wasteful spending. He's got my heart.

(For the record, Alan predicts a McCain/Palin victory with exactly 270 electoral votes. Ohio and Florida will go red. Write it down.)

Ike

My mother has a beach house in Surfside Beach, Texas. Surfside is a nice little place to the immediate west of Galveston. It is one of my top 5 favorite places on the planet. This has less to do with the location and more to do with the fact that I see my favorite people when I'm there. Grandparents, Aunt and Uncle and cousins as well as the rest of the Brothers Gable are the usual suspects. It has meant much to me because it is a place that represents the entirety of my family. As I've gotten a little older, I've been confronted with a reality that never ocurred to me as a little dude; that as families grow, it becomes much more difficult to find times when everyone can get together. The beach house in Texas carries some rich memories of the times we were all together.

As you know, Hurricane Ike swept through recently and really jacked the entire area. Thought you might be interested in seeing some before and after pictures of the beach house.

This is Pre-Ike. Yeah, that's snow. That was a weird Christmas when it snowed in South Texas.

Rear View Pre-Ike. Notice the siding in tact as well as the lack of telephone poles on the ground.

View down the boardwalk from the deck.

Post Ike. The beachfront migrated closer to the house and the boardwalk (see above) is either underwater or taken somewhere else.

She may be leaning a bit here.

We're hopeful that repairs can be made but we still don't know much. Either way, the God of Heaven gave us some great times in the beach house and they are memories that I'll store away for the rest of my life.

Tacet

I had a music teacher in elementary school who used to yell "Tacet!" at us when she wanted us to be quiet. Apparently it was a music nerd joke so if you got it........sorry.


I have been quasi-silent on my blog for a little while. However, I have returned. In the next few days, I'll be adding some things over at my writings page so go over there and check out some of the new stuff if you so desire. Hope it is something you can enjoy. Perhaps I can convince some of the old readers to swing by once again...

America's Team

Been watching the latest HBO Sports series called Hard Knocks. It chronicles, in NFL Films documentary style, training camp for The Dallas Cowboys. So far, the first couple of episodes have reached the "ninja" level of awesomeness (which, as anyone knows, is about as awesome as anything gets). I have some thoughts about the Dallas Cowboys that I'd like to share.

1. Tony Romo is pretty talented. I think his quick throwing motion is a necessity in the modern speed-rich NFL game.
2. Jason Witten tops my list of "favorite dudes I'm not important enough to hang out with".
3. Felix Jones-RB, the Cowboys' 2008 first round draft pick and former Razorback, gives an already stacked offense, just one more explosive weapon.
4. Martellus Bennett-TE, the Cowboys' 2nd round pick, needs a good kick in the rear. Totally worthless. His attitude makes me want to either puke or throw some blunt object at him. Maybe Witten can show him what's up.
5. Jason Garrett, offensive coordinator, really is that smart.
6. Zach Thomas is no fool...(That's for you Donoho!)
7. As a general rule, nepotism is one of the worst practices of any organization. Jerry Jones's son works for the Cowboys. Wade Phillips's son works for the Cowboys. Jason Garrett's 2 brothers work for the Cowboys. Cowboys' 2008 Motto - "We promote family values almost as much as we promote family members."
8. Still on the fence about Adam Jones. I'm cautiously optimistic. Although, TO has smoked him several times. Then again, TO smokes everyone.
9. 2009-New Cowboys' Stadium is going to be a good place for America's Team to defend their Super Bowl title.
10. I think Leonard Davis ate an entire camel. The man is large.

M.S., CCC-SLP/CBIS

Krisi is awesome. She continues to increase in general awesomeness. I'm glad she's with me and I'm incredibly proud of her.

Look at all that credentialing. My wife is now a certified brain injury specialist. Congrats, baby.

Radical Idea

Recently, I was told by some dependable sources to listen to a few lessons from a guy in Knoxville named Greg Pinkner. I've been listening to his series on the Gospel of John and, although I've read this particular book about a bagillion times, Pinkner has opened up to me a fairly simple yet radical idea that has, before now, never fully occured to me. Since I was a little guy, I've understood the facts surrounding the arrival of Jesus but I've never camped out in its meaning. The idea that God lived as a human being is the highest idea in all humanity. John says that if there is a God and he has walked among us, then nothing else matters. All else is framed in that concept. I am still chewing on what this means.

If you want a good and really deep survey of John, you may want to check out Pinkner's series on itunes at the Crossroads Service of Fellowship Church in Knoxville. If you're a "notes in your Bible" type person, then you may want to find a Bible like 17 inch margins...