new blog

hey everyone, i am working on a new blog site

www.web.me.com/sbuchanan

check it out and subscribe!

CORRECTION - no www

its 

http://web.me.com/sbuchanan

~sean

A daughter's promise

I have it on video now, and will save this for the future as required. I just hope they don't fill in Bella before I get her on video too.

Job #1 for a "father of daughters", establish a reign of power. Check.

~ sean

Father of Daughters

Announcing Isabella Trinity-Hope. 

As a father of 2 daughters everyone was asking me, "hope its a boy?" I have to admit that I do want to know what its like to be father to a son, but

 let me tell you the story of my 3rd daughter's birth and why I'm grateful. I've watched all 3 of my girls be born, but this pregnancy was the first time we decided to be 'surprised' at the birth by the gender. Kathy was 2 days overdue and I was very tired sitting at the hospital all day waiting for the latest Buchanan addition. Then at around 10pm the action be

gan. In just 2 pushes the baby's head was out, but it was a dark purple. I was scared and was trying hard not to let on so that Kathy didn't worry. The cord was wrapped around the baby's neck and she app

eared lifeless. I instantly started praying. I bargained with God, "Ok Lord, I give up, I don't care if its a boy any longer, just help this baby survive." Just then the doctor was able to cut the cord from around the neck, and turned to me. "Want to announce it dad?"

"IT's a GIRL!!!"

A few minutes later after suctioning her clear, cleaning her off, and checking her vitals they gave mom this PERFECT baby girl. And I am grateful.

It's a momentous occasion. Jaslyn has been taken in for the first time by a television commercial. She suddenly needs "Pee-pee on the Potty Doll." A doll that comes with her own bathroom, and the whole set-up makes 40 different sounds and phrases. (I don't even want to know what 40 sounds can come out of a bathroom.) Frankly, it's really a dumb toy. And, even worse, it costs $60! We saw it in the store and she was so excited. So we sat down for a chat. 

Me: That doll you want costs a lot of money.

Jaslyn: Could you buy me some money then?

Me: I don't think so. It costs 60 dollars.

Jaslyn: I can only count up to 29. That means you'll need to buy it for me.

She then went on a quest to raise money. Of course, raising money in Jaslyn terms means a combination of begging and hunting. Yesterday, she showed me a handful of change. "Look what God gave me!" she said. "How did He give it to you?" I asked. And she answered, with all seriousness, "Through your purse." So, she's also apparently stealing.

Every night she prays that she'll get some money to buy "Pee-pee on the Potty." So we decided to let her start earning her money. She's become our chore girl. Or, as she refers to herself: "I'm like Cinderella." I guess that makes me the evil stepmother. She gets a quarter for all her extra chores. Maleah helps her by making extra messes for her to clean up. I think they're in cahoots.

So if you see Jaslyn anytime in the near future, she might ask you for a job. Just make sure you keep an eye on your wallet. 

things i do

Its a new dynamic for me to learn a new career after 11 years in the mortgage industry. I have been working for Compassion International for about 2 1/2 months now, and still trying to figure out which way is up. I love the cause, it would be pretty hard not to believe in children. I really believe in Compassion's ministry philosophy as well. Their mission is to "release children from poverty in Jesus' name" and they have a very thorough understanding that poverty isn't just a matter of economics. To see their holistic child development model take a look at this website www.Compassionmodel.org

My department is a brand new effort for the ministry to reach the business community. We are looking for creative ways to become the philanthropic arm for organizations. One example is the new product line that Hallmark will be coming out with this fall called 'Colors of Compasison'. 

Jaslyn's First Blog

Jaslyn is growing so much, she has a lot to say these days. In this politically charged season I felt it was important to give her an outlet to express her opinions....

"dad".

Oh, and Jaslyn's first syllogism... from her morning at the zoo today....

As Kathy show the girls the hippopotamus exhibit, the keepers were draining the pond.

"Mommy what's that?"

"Its hippo poop."

"You mean they poop in the tub?"

"Yeah, I guess so."

"Maleah poops in the tub.... huuuuuuuuuuhhhh (hushed stun) MALEAH IS A HIPPO!"

On Monday, Maleah celebrated her 2nd birthday. No wine this time...just some friends and a cake decorated by Jaslyn (complete with marshmallows and gummy bears.) Maleah's still figuring out the "blowing out the candles" part of the birthday. She put one out with her fingers. 

Jaslyn had fun this summer. She loved camping, and now has set up her own "campground" in the bathroom--complete with a campfire made out of construction paper and a flashlight taped together. Maleah, of course, has to join into everything Jaslyn does. So Jaslyn was kind enough to set up a "sleeping tent" for her sister in the bathtub. We never need to be concerned that our kids lack creativity.

Jaslyn has also loved biking on her brand new bike from Grammy and Poppy. She's gotten pretty good at riding it around. She also likes "diving" when we go to the pool--which means she'll go underwater for a few seconds. The best part of both these activities are the accompanying accessories. Namely the helmet and goggles, which can be worn around the house without the bike or a pool. 

They both keep me busy all day, and #3 keeps me awake at night kicking up a storm. It's always an adventure...

We'll post pictures soon.