Family Photo Shoot

We recently did a photo shoot courtesy of Christie's best friend Allison Rocker. Check out some of the family highlights HERE, photos of Caris HERE, and photos of Christie and Caris HERE

Trip to MeeMaw and PeePaw's New House

One Year Old!!!!

There are really no words to describe how amazing the last year of my life has been. I am still getting used to the fact that I am a dad...there is no way my baby girl can be a year old. It is true what they say, they do grow up fast. As I sit here typing this I cannot help the emotions that overtake me. How can you love someone this much? I never knew love like this existed. Being the father of this little girl is the highest calling and greatest privilege of my life. I am humbled, honored, and so blessed. God is good.

Major koodos to my incredible wife Christie. She planned a perfect first birthday party for Caris. The invitations, decorations, cake, balloons, meal, etc. It was absolutely perfect. We just stayed here at the house and had only our immediate family come over (our house is small, ha). It was a great celebration. To all of you who take time to read my blog (which has really become Caris' blog) thank you for sharing this past year with Christie and me. God Bless.

Almost a Year Old???

Caris will be a year old this Wednesday. Pics and video of her party coming soon. Thought I would share this precious pic taken by Christie's friend Allison Rocker. Adorable.

The Simple Things

I may not have learned everything my dad tried to teach me, but one value he passed onto me is this: you have to learn to be content with what you have. Some people are motivated by expensive cars, large houses, designer threads. I am not one of them. I have learned from my parents that "things" don't make you happy. Some of the most miserable people on the earth are wealthy. Money and stuff can never be the source for true joy and fulfillment. When your happiness comes from having the newest and the best, you are constantly frustrated. Because there is always something newer and better out there. It's a vicious cycle that leads to constant disappointment. I have discovered that some of the best things in my life are the simple things.

- Having my weekly dinner date with Christie and Caris every Friday night at Chiloso

- Sitting in bed eating cereal and watching a movie late night with Christie

- Going for a walk with my girls right before the sun sets and the sky is gold and pink

- Loving my 1,418 square foot house--the perfect size for our family

- The feeling I have when my grass is just mowed and looks amazing

- Staying up a little later on Monday night to watch the Cowboys play (even though they will probably lose)

- Passing out on Sunday afternoons after a good church service and some Mexican food

- Feeling my heart melt when Caris gives me a big sloppy kiss

- Having an early morning breakfast with my good friend Mike McMillan

These are all simple things. And yet they bring so much joy to my world. I cannot put a price tag on them--they are invaluable. How about you? What are some of the "simple" things you enjoy in your life right now?

Bathtime Belly Laughs

Why Crawl When You Can Walk????

Caris Eisley is 11 Months Old

"Far Away" | Nickelback | iBlog 16/30

Okay the Back 2 School Mix was a HUGE Success...79 in attendance with 14 decisions for Christ. Travis Taylor was incredible, and the whole night was truly inspirational. So all that to say with the big night behind me, I am back in the swing of bloggin.



Listen to the song HERE

I love you
I have loved you all along
And I miss you
Been far away for far too long
I keep dreaming you'll be with me
And you'll never go
Stop breathing if
I don't see you anymore

Have you ever had your heart broken? I remember my first heart break...it scarred me for life. I was in 3rd grade. Her name was Stacey Reed. She was an older, more mature woman (she was in the 4th grade). Our love affair was special. We would hold hands at recess while we sat on the merry-go-round. We would pass each other notes in the hallway. I would call her every afternoon after school--after I had my snack and watched Star-Trek of course. And on Friday nights we would couple skate at D&K Skateland. She was my woman. I was her man. That was until...

Heath Hinsley came along. Everyone called him Bubba...which is a fitting name when you live in Southern Oklahoma. So "Bubba" and I were good friends. I am not sure what it was that he had that I didn't, but he stole Stacey from me. I was devastated. How could this happen? What about all our special moments on the monkey-bars? Was she gonna just throw it all away? Sadly, yes. It was over for us.

Of course as a grown man I look back on this and laugh. I am sure Stacey and Bubba do, too. Love and romance and crushes are so surreal when you are a child. But what about when you grow up and experience the pain of heartbreak? Not so funny any more is it? If you have ever had your heart broken, I mean really broken, you know the pain it causes.

If you currently find yourself in this situation, I want to encourage with something. Back in Janaury 2001 I was engaged to a girl who ended our relationship. It crushed me. I had felt so certain that she was "the one" that it just did not seem possible. At the time I was so angry. I was mad at her, at life, and especially at God. I felt like He had hung me out to dry. I felt like I would never find anyone as good. I cursed at God and swore to never trust Him again. When I say I was mad at Him, I mean it. Looking back now I see how loving God really is. Because He took away something good to give me something great.

Fast forward to May 15, 2002. I walked into the office of Stoneleigh on Spring Creek Apartments and met Christie Dobbs. We talked a little while and I asked her to dinner. Went to Landry's Seafood in West End on Friday. Went to church with her on Sunday. And the rest...as they say...is history. She is my beautiful bride since March 12, 2005. She is also the mother of my beautiful baby girl. I have no regrets. I know 100% that she is the one God hand picked for me. And I wouldn't want it any other way.

God does not take people out of our life to harm us. He only wants us to have His very best. I have found it and I am thankful for unanswered prayers. So if someone really special has been taken from you, just imagine how special the one God has for you will be.

I'll Be Back

I will resume the iBlog next Monday. The Back to School Mix at VERVE has required a tremendous amount of time and planning...so once it's over I will be back on the bloggin.

HB