Fun Times...

Dear Elijah,

We haven't taken a drive in the big red boo boo car in awhile. I miss that. Is it a sign that You are growing up...? I can't believe that you are going to be 3 years old at the end of June. That's not too far off...! You are growing up fast. But I praise the Lord that I have the flexibility in my career to spend more time with You than other dads get with their children.

I just wanted to post a quick photo and tell You how much I love You, Elijah. Mommy loves You, too. -And so does Your brother, Connor.

As you look back on Your life and wonder what it was like during your growing up years, know that it was good. Even when there seemed to be madness and chaos all around us, You made us smile. You made us laugh. You really helped us make a family, Elijah. Thank You, son. You are such a blessing!

Love always,

Daddy

A quick note To Elijah...

Dear Elijah,

Just a quick note to let you know how much I love You. I was telling your mommy today one of the most difficult things I have to do every day is leave the house and go to work because I miss you guys so much. Pretty soon You'll be big enough to go to work with me all the time. I can't wait for that.

I don't want this message to be too long but I just wanted to also make a public mention that at 2 years and 9 months old, you have decided that you don't want to be called 'Boo Boo' any more. You prefer to be called 'Sweet Heart'...

So, 'Sweet Heart' it is...!

Bye for now. Daddy Loves You very much...!

-Daddy

Elijah's Blanket

Elijah has several blankets. This is one of his favorites. It was made for him by one of our home school friends when he was born. Notice he's holding two of his favorite stuffed animals, a US Open Collector Bear and a baby giraffe.

Elijah's Little Friends!

Elijah recently called together a meeting of all his little friends. He's sitting in the middle riding on top of his favorite rocking horse looking proud as can be! What a sweet heart!.

Worn Out...!

Elijah went to bed early and slept throughout the night last night. He was very tired from a big fun day with daddy. We went on a picnic for lunch and brought our fishing poles with us for fishing afterwards.

We found 'our special spot' along the lagoons under a big tree at the front of the country club property. We pitched our blanket and enjoyed a feast of tuna sandwiches, fruit, cheese, crackers, and some m and m's.

We caught a big turtle, a catfish, and a sunfish, but we let them all go. The catfish was the biggest fish we have caught to date... about 3 lbs...! Elijah had never seen a catfish before and he was a little scared of it!

After fishing we read some books before heading home. All in all it was a good, fun day!

One funny thing did happen, though. At one point I had taken my shoes off so my feet could relax a bit and that was big mistake, Elijah threw one of my shoes in the water...! I had to walk home (about a mile) in a sopping wet shoe...! Thanks a lot Elijah. My shoe is still wet nearly 24 hours later!

Daddy Time...!

Dear Elijah,

I consider Monday my favorite day of the week because I get to spend extra time You.

Mommy has art classes in the afternoon and so You and I have from about 11:30 AM until about 3:15 all to our selves. The weather's supposed to be gorgeous today so I'm sure we'll do some fun things outside this afternoon. I think today we'll just go for a long walk. And I'd love to go fishing today, maybe find a new fishing spot that we've never fished from before... Of course, we can go to the playground, and play golf or tennis... What ever -you want to do is fine with me. I'm very much looking forward to Elijah-Daddy time!

Love Always,

Daddy

Diaper Man Tennis Super Hero

These photos were taken on a hot afternoon in September...! Elijah's going to be very mad at me for publishing his diaper-man tennis photos one day but I can't help it... He looks so cute....

My Best Friend!

This sweet little boy told me that I was his best friend a few days ago...! He said, 'Daddy, you're my best friend!' That was such a touching moment. It was one that I will never forget. I am so grateful to have this blogsite to perserve memories like this one.

While every post is a treasured memory, today's post really stands out as a great moment for Elijah and I...

Dear Elijah,

I just want you to know that you are my best friend, too.

You are a tremendous blessing to your mommy and I. We both love you very much...!

Love always,

Your best friend, Daddy

Gonna Miss My Boo Boo...

I think I've posted this photo before but it's such a sweet picture that it deserves to be posted again. I just love the look on our faces as we snuggle up togethere while mommy takes our photo...! Unfortunately, today I have to take a trip out of town for a conference and will be gone for a little over 24 hours. That really isn't a very long time but I'm going to be miserable not seeing my dear sweet baby boy until tomorrow evening.... Eljah, in case you haven't figured it out yet, your daddy loves you very much!

Playing with Mommy

In this photo Elijah and Mommy enjoy a fun time at the tennis center with a box of puzzels while Daddy was working...! Eljah really enjoys puzzels. Daddy really enjoys having his family close by while he's working!

Thomas the Tank Engine...

Here's one of Elijah's new favorite Characters and his website...

http://www.thomasandfriends.com/usa/games.asp

Big Ol Turtle

I just came across this photo. I had it saved on my desktop and never got around to posting it. It's from a fun day out at the Houston Zoo with Elijah's buddies from First Baptist Church this past fall. Elijah is sure one happy boy...! And why not? The zoo is fun. .

Oh well. As you can see, Elijah loves going to the zoo. I enjoy it, too. We'll have to go again, soon....

First Tennis of the New Year...!

Elijah and I enjoyed some court time earlier this month at our '1st Sunday of the month' tennis social. We havenlt been able to enjoy much tennis other than that because the weather has been really bad lately. I'm hoping we can get on the court a bunch this week...!

One of My Favorite Photos

I love this Photo. It's a sweet photo of two brothers enjoying a fun moment together. It's a photo of what family is about: time spent with each other, sharing, mentoring, and fellowship.

I am so happy and grateful that Connor and Elijah love each other. I did not have that kind of relationship with my brothers growing up. I don't think my father had that kind of relationship with his brothers growing up, either.

Praise the Lord it appears Elijah and Connor are breaking generations of Chadwell family barriers...! We are so Blessed!

Elijah's Catch of the Day...!

Elijah loves to go fishing... We actually try to go fishing for a few minutes just about every day, weather permitting.... This is the fifth fish Elijah has caught in his life... I'll quit keeping count pretty soon. I think this was the biggest fish Elijah has caught to date...

Next time it warms up we're going to experiment with some different bait and see what happens. There are some enormous 30-40 lb fish in the lagoons around the tennis center. We see them all the time. We just call them 'Big Fish' I can't wait for the day when Elijah poses with one of those monsters...!

Helping with Ball Collection

Elijah loves to pitch in during ball collection time...! This photo was taken back in October during one of our home school camps!

Tennis Photos

I thought I'd wear Elijah's glasses but he had other plans for them...

Elijah and Daddy at the December 29 adult tournament. -Elijah wanted to be my doubles partner!

Elijah's First Movie....

This past Sunday we took Elijah to see Veggie Tales: The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything. It was a very special time for the entire family. Elijah was very, very excited. Here's a photo of Elijah and Daddy standing in front of the movie marquee.

Of course, with one's first trip to the movies also comes one's first trip to the movie concession stand...! After a short wait in line, Elijah had a small Dr Pepper, small popcorn, and small pack of chocolate mm's. I'd say Elijah's first trip to the movies had all the trappings of a fairly traditional old time movie experience...!

Elijah was pretty attentive for the whole movie which lasted about eighty-five minutes... We went to a three o'clock matinee showing and it was pretty packed.

This was an excellent first movie for Elijah. -I can't even remember my first movie as a child so it was a big deal for daddy, also...!

Elijah's Christmas...!

Connor took Elijah Cristmas Caroling!

Elijah helped decorate the Christmas tree!

Elijah and Connor Open Presents

Elijah and Connor on a hayride...!

He's All Boy...!

Dear Elijah,

Here's a fun photo of you chasing a ball around the Thanksgiving holiday (2007). As I recall, you and your brother Connor were playing and having a great time. Your mom often remarks that you are 'All Boy'... Meaning that are only interested in the things of boys and boy activities like running, jumping, chasing balls, playing sports, going fishing, etc...

Sorry I haven't posted on your journal in few weeks but we have really enjoyed many fun experiences together lately. You come to the tennis center pretty much every day with me and I love that I can take you to work with me. Watching you catch your first fish a few weeks ago is a priceless memory that I will never forget.

I consider being yours and Connor's daddy as the most important 'work' I can do... Everything else will just have to find it's place and wait it's turn behind you guys...!

That's it for now. More later...

Love, Daddy