You’ve heard of love-hate relationships before. If not, click here for wikipedia’s take on it. Otherwise, I don’t have the energy or time to explain.

Stephanie and I have a different kind of love-hate relationship. I love my wife so much I’ll do things I HATE just to help her out. This afternoon, that “thing” was painting a bedroom. I really do not enjoy painting at all. I think it’s one of my least favorite things to do around the house. But, she’s been wanting our front bedroom painted since we moved here and I decided (since College Football is awaiting Bowl Season) today would be the day to do it.

Truth be told, I hate to paint…but I love my wife. And, I’d do it all over again if I had to. I might complain a little bit and try to earn some extra brownie points but I’d do it again. 🙂

Well, I thought I would post a picture of our newest addition. Baby number three is on the way in April and we are definitely excited. We had several pictures from our 20-week sonogram but here’s my favorite. I think it’s oddly similar to Edvard Munch’s “The Scream.” See if you can make out the image with his (or her) hands by the head, mouth and eyes wide open. Crazy!

Check this out…

Stephanie got me an awesome present for my 30th birthday. (Disclaimer…if you’re my insurance agent please do not read any further!) I’ve been wanting to go skydiving for years and Stephanie always said that I had to wait until our youngest child was 18 years old. Little did I know that she was secretly planning this for a birthday surprise. Here are a couple of pictures for your enjoyment.

Here I am getting ready to board the plane…a bit nervous but VERY EXCITED. By the way, the door (not seen here) was a hard plastic that just slid into place…for easy opening at high speeds.

That’s me (and Terry) after jumping out of a perfectly good airplane. Right now I think we’re traveling toward the ground at about 120 mph. It’s funny…I went faster falling than I’ve ever driven in a car. And that’s saying a lot if you know how I drive! (Notice my cheeks flapping in the 120 mph wind.)

I have a big smile on my face for several reasons. First, I just jumped out of a plane at a height of 14,500 feet. Second, I jumped out of a plane and I’m standing safely on the ground. And third, THAT WAS AWESOME!

By the way…my wife ROCKS!

Thanksgiving is by far my favorite holiday of the year. I think there are many reasons for this:

1. It doesn’t seem to be commercialized like many of the other holidays.
2. It’s just a few days before my anniversary EVERY YEAR!
3. It’s just a few days before my birthday EVERY YEAR!
4. It’s a great time to hang out with family you haven’t seen in a while.
5. Fall is probably my favorite time of the year…cool weather, changing leaves, etc.
6. Turkey and dressing, cranberry sauce, sweet potato soufflé, caramel cake…enough said!

This was our first Thanksgiving in Tennessee and we decided to stay here instead of traveling for a very short trip (we’ll be heading home for 10 days over Christmas and any trip with our boys is treacherous to say the least). Even though we were far away from extended family, we had a great Thanksgiving Day!

Stephanie did a great job on the meal: ham, green beans and mac and cheese. A very nice lady from the church brought us desert: carrot cake, apple pie and cookies. And we took a little time to visit with a couple of military families in our church who have “Georgia ties” (both families are from Georgia). We had a great day and a great Thanksgiving. I guess we’ve started a new Perdue family tradition in Tennesse. What fun!

I know it’s not very cool for a guy to admit when he misses his wife and kids but I’m not too concerned about being cool. Man, it’s been almost a week since I’ve seen Stephanie and the boys and I really miss them!!! Last Wednesday, they flew from Memphis to Atlanta and they’ve been visiting with family since then. My job here was to get some painting done (one of my least favorite things to do in the entire world) and hold the fort down until they return.

I’ve been working late hours, finding things to keep me busy and having lengthy conversations with the dog. 🙂 Let me just say, I remember my college and seminary days of being single and I was alright with that then. But now, when my family is gone I know what I’m missing! I miss my wife and boys and I can’t wait to see them tomorrow.