The Rhetoric

Yesterday Kirsten “called out” so we could spend the day as a family. I’m glad she did. Our work and school schedules rarely allow for us to be together during the day. And the day was absolutely gorgeous. Fleece weather, my favorite. We brought the cameras along.

Enjoy.

Kirsten made a wonderful breakfast of scrambled eggs with cheese, toast, grits, bacon, orange juice and coffee. How lucky am I?!? Jenna read to us the book, “Fairly Stupid Tales”, which is hilarious, especially the way she reads it. At different parts she is quiet, loud, fast, slow, and inflects her voice where appropriate. It was great fun to listen to, and watch, her read this super silly story.

After breakfast we all went to church. Kirsten hasn’t had many experiences with church outside of Mormonism and I really wanted her to see how religion is done right. Hayley and Skye went to Sunday School after the children’s sermon and Jenna stayed with us up on the balcony. It was nice to be alone with her for a short time. Kirsten enjoyed the experience, as did I.

Related posts:
An Atheist and the UCC - Oct. 3, 2008

Skye didn’t have to twist my arm too much to get me to take the family to Portland Head Light. I’m so glad it is becoming one of their favorite places, too.

Related posts:
My Favorite Place - Oct. 14, 2008
My Cathedral - Oct. 27, 2008

We did a family photo then shots of the girls together and individually before releasing them to go play on the rocks. Kirsten and I enjoyed each other’s company as we talked, watched the girls play, and relished being Mainers.

I always tell the girls, “just one more”, while we’re doing a shoot. It’s never just one more. It’s become a running joke. After every shot I told them, “just one more”, and by the time I took this they were all in stitches.

My first trip to Maine was a stopover in Bangor on the way to England. We were dragging across the pond a couple of F-16 fighter aircraft the Belgians had recently purchased. The Maineiacs of the 101st ARW were very good to us. I noticed their sticker on the flagpole at Fort Williams State Park a while ago and have been meaning to take a picture of it ever since.

To get their picture walking back to the car I repeatedly told the girls to “freeze!”. Skye seems to have overacted just a bit. :)

The girls always love going to the Children’s Museum of Maine. And, since we have an annual pass, we go whenever they ask. They played for a long time as Kirsten and I talked and flirted with each other. They enjoyed themselves so much they didn’t even get to the second floor by the time we had to leave.

I hadn’t eaten since breakfast so Kirsten made me one of my favorite meals, a Reuben sandwich. It was wonderful!

Be sure to leave a comment.

family, hayley, jenna, kirsten, skye brent, children's museum, lighthouse, maine, phl, portland head light

This morning I was chatting with Kirsten in Gmail and she said she couldn’t smile too big because she was wearing a facial mask. Then, to my surprise, she sent a picture of her in the mask via her mobile phone. I thought you might want to see it, too.

I’m in Melrose, Massachusetts at a Unitarian Universalist church.  I look forward to getting back home tonight to see Kirsten and the girls.  Especially since Kirsten’s face will now be fresh, tight and beautiful.  :)

kirsten

Kirsten and I like to spend time together at least one day each week while the girls are in school and we’re both off work (Kirsten worked last night, so she was very tired).

After getting ready we headed to Starbucks where we drank coffee, read and conversed. It was a wonderful time. She is the best friend anybody could hope for. She’s funny, intelligent, fun and super hot!

After a couple hours I drove her to her doctor appointment where she had an IUD inserted. Then we went to the library so she could drop off some DVDs and we could browse the collections. It was cheap but very fun. We just love being together. I know I do, anyways.

date, kirsten 2008, brent

Tuesdays are wonderful! Lately Kirsten and I have both had Tuesdays off. While the girls are in school we take advantage of our time alone and have a date. Today Kirsten wanted to go to the coast so I suggested the East Point Sanctuary at Biddeford Pool. We had a great time reading magazines and taking pictures and just enjoying the view. It was nice to be together at a place we both love.

Before heading home to meet the girls at the bus stop we stopped at Rapid Ray’s for a light lunch. It is always good.

Breakfast was pretty good, too. ;)

date, kirsten brent, maine

After voting this morning Kirsten and I went to Ferry Beach here in Saco to read, talk and just enjoy each others’ company.

date, kirsten beach, brent, ferry beach, maine, saco

Birthdays aren’t a big deal to me. This year I spent mine watching the first presidential debate and hanging out at the new Hooters in Saugus, Massachusetts.

It was nice to return home Saturday evening to one of my favorite meals and my wonderful girls. Kirsten baked macaroni and cheese from my mom’s old recipe. Yummy! She also made my favorite black forest cake. The candles were the trick kind that relight themselves after they’re blown out. Fun.

Kirsten gave me a flourescent light so I (we) can read in bed at night. Skye gave me a small Rubik’s Cube. Hayley gave me 9¢ to buy my favorite (candy) bar. They each made me a card. How cool is that? I love those girls.

Kirsten dressed extra sexy, as she does whenever I’m returning from a road trip. I appreciate that a lot!

Several friends and family called or left messages on my Facebook page. I guess if there’s one thing good about having a birthday it is having an excuse to reconnect.

family, hayley, jenna, kirsten, skye birthday, brent

Kirsten is SO mean. She put water in a bowl and froze it over night. Then she had me pour a layer of Hayley’s favorite breakfast cereal, Kix, over the ice and add a little milk to make it look like a bowl FULL of Kix. Hayley was not amused. Every time she sees this video she reminds me that she didn’t think it was funny, that she was only laughing because I made her.

She also put a looooooooooong dark thread in Jenna’s shirt with only a couple inches hanging out. In the morning I pointed Jenna’s attention to the wayward thread. She couldn’t be bothered by it. I told her to remove it. She pulled and pulled at the thread of seemingly infinite length. Skye wondered aloud where the thread was coming from since the shirt Jenna was wearing didn’t even contain that dark color.

Kirsten, you’re mean! Funny, though.

hayley, jenna, kirsten 2008, april, april fool, april fool's day, cereal ice, fool, frozen, funny, thread, video

Kirsten bought a new car yesterday.

Anticipating the birth of our third daughter and the extra room she and her car seat would require, in 2003 we traded our Nissan Altima for a new Chevy Venture. I guess you can say we’ve come full-circle. Hayley is now the only one requiring a car seat. We’ve enjoyed the Venture but the extra space the minivan had came at the expense of higher gas prices and a sexy woman driving a not-so-sexy vehicle.

Last week Kirsten started researching cars she might want and visited dealerships to see what was available. When she found a 2003 Volkswagen Jetta in her price range and with the options she desired she started the negotiation process. Every day she’d go down to the dealership to inquire if they’d lowered their price to hers and every day the price came down…but not enough for her. On the last day the manager asked, “Do you bake cookies?” He said he’d come the rest of the way if she’d agree to bake them some fresh cookies. They had a deal.

My part of the ordeal was to show up and autograph four places on paperwork she’d already completed. I’m super proud of her. She shopped around, did gobs of research, found her car, and negotiated financing without any help from me. It’s nice to be with a woman who is capable, strong, smart, sophisticated, talented, and sexy. I hope she enjoys her new ride.

kirsten jetta, vw

Yesterday evening Kirsten suggested we take the girls to Hooters for pool, beer, and a snack. She didn’t have to ask me twice. Kirsten and I played pool, drank a pitcher of Amber Bock, ate a plate of wings, talked, and watched hockey.  The girls colored their menus and ate quesadillas at their own little table on the other side of the restaurant.  They also played a driving arcade game that Skye always enjoys.

After an hour or so the girls bored of coloring and joined us at the pool table.  In this picture Hayley is “messing up Mommy.“  We all had a great time.

family, hayley, kirsten fun, hooters