Dunham Family and My Stroke Story!

The other night, friends had a small party -- a going away to Mexico party for themselves! -- and they invited the "old gang" which includes two of us who had kids about three and four years ago. Ethan Dunham and AJ LaBeau spent some time in a hot tub that night despite the chilly evening, and it was hard not to reflect on the years their parents spent in that same hot tub at other parties, listening to "70's Saturday Night," drinking too many beers, laughing, and not thinking about getting older. Nice the torch is passing to a new generation in that same hot tub.

The other day, Heather wouldn't let Ethan do something which made him "angry" as he put it. He turned to her and exclaimed in his angry little voice "Mommy! You need a nap!"

I've been attending the Idaho Governor's Cup in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho the past two days, and I'm flying home early because my 3.5 year old son starts soccer for the very first time tomorrow morning. I don't want to miss it. As I checked out of the hotel early this morning, many people expressed surprise, but Governor Otter said, "Good for you! You've got your priorities straight." I couldn't help but think of his comment when some friends with a toddler son waved goodbye in the hotel lobby saying "Here you go. Soccer is taking over. See you in 18 years." I've had several friends express disdain for even exposing their toddlers to soccer due to the parents' concern about their own schedule. I understand that feeling, and the prospect of chilly Autumn mornings watching a group of toddlers chase a ball is not my idea of fun. On the other hand, I want to give my boy every opportunity to develop a wide group of interests and opportuniti...