June 23, 2004

THE NINE BEST YEARS OF MY LIFE

BrianHotTub.jpg

Nine years ago today, I got the call.

""They're going to induce,'' my wife said, barely able to get out the words through all her fear and anxiety.

I grabbed my stuff, bolted from my office and drove like a madman down I-95 to get to Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center. It would be more than a day before Brian Jeffrey Oscar Houck would show his face to the world.

I won't blabber about how our lives changed in that instant, how everything magically pulled into perspective and how I finally felt like life had meaning.

What I will say is how proud I am to be his dad.

I love you, Brian.

If anything can tell you about what kind of kid he is, I'll relay this story from a year ago:

Brian was about to take a dose of nuclear-pink antibiotic fluid. He was fighting a wicked bout of strep throat.

He took the small, see-through cup in his right hand, tossed it back until the pink ooze dribbled into his mouth and then took a huge gulp. He hated taking those. The taste was awful.

Nevertheless, without missing a beat, he wiped his mouth with his forearm like a cowboy in a saloon and said, "Set me up with another one."

Now, here are a few photos of my little cowboy.



55224705-5983-474A-95B5-86C4E489E31C.jpg

Bolts64I.jpg

POY-Poop.jpg

BDay1.jpg

Bday2.jpg

Bday4.jpg

Bday5.jpg

Bday6.jpg

Bday7.jpg

Bday8.jpg

Bday9.jpg

Bday9a.jpg

Posted by Jeff at June 23, 2004 08:23 AM | TrackBack
Comments

Happy birthday, Brain! You are very lucky to have such a loving dad. Don't eat too much cake!

Posted by: Meg at June 23, 2004 03:51 PM

DITTO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Mom at June 23, 2004 11:06 PM

aww happy birthday to the kidlet. that pic of him in the sombrero is priceless lol.

...and every kid should have a fart machine!

:O)

Posted by: Jen at June 24, 2004 12:27 PM

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Dear Brian, Happy Birthday to you...

Sorry we forgot to make the call, but...

YOU DA MAN!!!

Posted by: Drew and Family at June 24, 2004 09:05 PM