Liam Loves His Little Bro

...and Henry learns to pout

Liam got to see Lyss in the hospital today, which I'm sure is a comfort to mother and child. Here's a pic of Liam giving his little brother a hug. If you aren't sure what you're seeing, just look for the belly button :)

During the latest ultrasound the technician had to give Henry a little zap to get him to cooperate and turn. Evidently, he didn't like it as the picture clearly shows a pout on his face. Amazing the detail you can see. BTW, don't worry about the shadow at the top--his head really is there!

My thanks to Lyss for the constant updates, pix and Facebook posts. In this case, having the internet is the next best thing to being there.

Blessings,

Ken

Baby Watch

...two weeks or less

Good ultra sound and Henry Adam looks great. Lyss was admitted to the hospital today as a precaution. This is really a relief and a comfort that she'll be so close to monitoring and medical care.

Now, we wait. Sometime in the next 14 days, Henry will greet the outside world.

blessings,
Ken

Update on Henry Adam Byrd

...30 weeks!

Alyssa's daily doc visits are going well and today is week 30, the magic number for Ian & Alyssa. The baby is still developing well, very active and the 4D ultrasound pix are amazing.

Now, if I could just draw a good deep breath! I'm not sure that will happen until Henry is delivered to greet his future.

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11

blessings,
Ken

Twenty Eight Weeks and Counting

...Henry Adam Byrd is on the way

Got the news from Alyssa today that her latest doctor visit went well. She's at 28 weeks and the baby is actually measuring a week ahead at 2 lbs 9 oz. Very soon she'll start on steroids for the baby's lung development (in case of very early delivery), and they'll be monitoring her very closely. Depending on the daily tests, she may be hospitalized until delivery. They won't let her go past 36 weeks, given her history.

One step at a time. Right now, we just need to pray that she gets past the 30 week mark. That is a huge mental as well as physical hurdle, as it was at 30 weeks that they lost Sydney Grace in 2007.

The picture is from yesterday's 4D ultrasound. Can't wait to hold him and wonder what God has in store for him. After the events of the last two years, I know that this child will have a purpose in life, but right now only God knows what that is.

Blessings,

Ken

They Walk Among Us

...you never know when you'll meet a hero

September 24, 2005 is a special day for Sarabeth and Graham (and me!). On that day I had the honor of officiating their wedding ceremony. I knew at the time that Graham was a new officer with the Dallas Police Department. I also sensed that this was a young man with steely resolve and yet compassionate heart--the kind of guy you want on your side. Wouldn't want to be on the wrong side of Graham and yet I'm more than happy to have him protecting me.

Fast forward a couple of years and I discovered that Sarabeth is in the wedding planning business, most recently starting her own company, called Sarabeth Events. Click HERE for more info. Sarabeth is one of the premier event planners in north Texas. Through the wedding industry, I've been able to stay in regular contact with the couple. Not regular enough, apparently.

Not sure how I missed this story in the Dallas Morning News, but Graham got his mug and a story on the front page of the paper on April 3, 2009. You can read the story of his actions HERE. Sorry, but I don't have a better picture of Graham.

A few weeks ago, got an email from Sarabeth that their first child is due later this year. Graham Alden Quattlebaum is due December 8. Maybe I'll get some baby pix that I can post later on.

Here's the thing: in the course of our daily lives, we never know who we'll meet, what person might impact our lives, or how we might impact someone else's life. We just need to be open to those around us. By the way, I'm absolutely sure that Graham is not comfortable with the "hero" title but that's okay. Just know that if you're on the Dallas streets and you get stopped by a muscular, athletic looking officer with a really long name that starts with "Q", you're looking at a hero. Sign the ticket and tell him "thanks".

Thanks, Graham, for protecting and serving us. And thanks, Sarabeth, for supporting your man in his chosen profession. I'll be expecting the baby pix.

Blessings,
Ken

With Every Marriage and Every Birth

...the circle of love grows

Sometime around the spring of 2008 I met a young couple in love and we were planning a fall wedding, I think. Then plans changed as they found they had a daughter on the way. Kim and Parrish decided that they wanted not only a wedding ceremony, but a baptism for their daughter as well.

So in late June of this year, at the newly built Capella Court Gardens, about 150 family members and friends got to witness not only the beginning of a new marriage and a new family, but the baptism of Peyton Julia as well.

Work, home and family are now the focus for Kim and Parrish. For now, here are some of the pix that Kim sent me. There'll be more when there's time. Pictures can wait. Peyton Julia comes first.

The circle grows. Have I mentioned I love what I do?

Blessings,

Ken

I Am Blessed

...love beyond belief


My life is so blessed with family and friends. Julie, Gavin & Landry. David, Rena and kids. Stephanie (Turtle) and son. Stacie, Ryan & Dawson. Adam, Heather, Ian, Alyssa, Aidan, Alexander, Liam and soon, Henry Adam. There's also Sydney Grace who lives in heaven.


The pictures are of my namesakes: Aidan Kenneth (almost 7) and Dawson Kenneth (one year). Aidan was at NASA space camp sitting in the "spinning chair" controlled by a computer. The look of concentration on his face is in character for him. Dawson is obviously enjoying his birthday cake.


I am blessed.

Ken

August 23, 1969

...the best day of my life

In Austin, Texas any August day is hot. The 23rd was especially so. My father-in-laws tux was delivered without pants. Thirty minutes before ceremony, the organ broke and the musician had to transpose to piano. None of that mattered. Still the best day of my life.

Happy 40th anniversary to the one and only love of my life.

Love and blessings,

Ken

Refrigerator Art

...this is the good stuff

When you walk into anyone's home and you want to find out what's important to them without ever asking a question, what do you do? Walk into the kitchen and look at the refrigerator! Refrigerator art--it's the good stuff, better than any pricey painting or print hanging in the living room.

When I meet with couples about to be a blended family--to begin the process of planning a wedding ceremony--I always take with me paper, stickers, crayons and markers to keep the small children entertained while the adults chat.

Last night I met with Nicole and her five year old daughter, Leona. The groom couldn't join us, mainly because he's currently on an aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf. Anyway, Leona was overwhelmingly charming, articulate and imaginative. In most cases the children take their artwork with them, but Leona held them out to me and said "I made these for you". (that squishy sound you hear is my heart melting)

We made plans to include the child in the wedding ceremony. Should make for a very tender moment. In December as Nicole and Tim become husband and wife, Leona will be entering the new family to make it complete. Stay tuned for more pix at Christmas.

Thanks, Leona, for the artwork and for the sweet hug you gave me.

Blessings,
Ken