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. 

More summer adventures

The latest greatest: July 30, 2008

Jaslyn tells us several times per day how now that she's 4 she can do so many things; meanwhile, Maleah is just trying to do everything she sees her sister do. This can occasionally prove hazardous, and often produces some sort of mess. "Bump" Buchanan is kicking like crazy, and we still have kept it a surprise (for us too) as to if its a girl or boy.

I did get a contract position with Compassion International (www.Compassion.com) and start this Friday. I am very much looking forward to my new position doing business development. I'll continue to do mortgage loans as well, just adding this to the agenda. I've actually been working on redesigning my website, take a look at www.SeanBuchanan.com and see the new "mortgage blog" at the bottom of the home page. Probably not the most exciting blog you've ever read, but it is relevant to the local real estate market.

shalom,

~sean

J & M busting a move

My girls have serious skills. I'm thinking that some day you'll be watching them on Broadway, or in a ballet, or something big. Enjoy!

Also, to see pics from our summer trip to Lake Manitoba to see Grammy & Poppy click on the photo link in the menu on the right.

~sean

the June saga

To see more from this album check out this link to my facebook page. You don't need an account to view. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=36445&l=7b983&id=1276868056
June 2008:
The Buchanan Adventures continue. Kathy is most likely really pregnant, I'm pretty sure of it. Jaslyn and Maleah change so much every day.. and in case I forget Jaslyn will remind me by saying, "Daddy, I'm getting bigger and stronger every day." I just love my girls. I think that it's only fair that I get a motorcycle though to balance out the estrogen in the house. Be sure to send Kathy an email to let her know you support my cause. Donations accepted. Cash only.
We are heading to Canada soon to see Donna & Bill tie the knot, and visit the family. Haven't seen mambo, the anti-Sue or Gigi in a while, it'll be fun ~ but I do have to bring along the laptop just in case work beckons. If you haven't seen "The Devil came on Horseback" yet I highly recommend this eye-opening documentary. Its about the genocide occuring in Darfur. Check out www.SaveDarfur.org
If anyone wants to go rock-climbing this week let me know.
~peace & love,
sean

Deep Thoughts From A Three-Year-Old

Some of my recent favorite Jaslyn-quotes include:

Jaslyn tugging at her pants:

"Mommy, the crack in my bottom is swallowing my panties."

Jaslyn running in from the back deck:

"Where's my camera? Jesus is out in my garden!"

Jaslyn when she's mad at Sean:

"I'm going to call Grammy and say: 'You need to send your son to his room!'"

Jaslyn when she's upset with me:

"I'm going to go put on my mad pants!" (The black pants she wears when she's angry.)

Jaslyn when she doesn't want to get out of bed:

"I can't get up. My baby is making me too tired." (As she rubs her belly.)

Jaslyn looking under her bed:

"God and I are playing 'Hide and Seek' and He's winning."

Jaslyn on the new baby:

Me: "Jaslyn, do you want mommy to have a baby brother or a baby sister?"

Jaslyn: "I want you to have a puppy."

Jaslyn on Daddy's flatulence:

"Daddy's bum just exploded."

Jaslyn on her dreams:

"...and then the blue whale licked me and I got trapped under its tongue and, you know what Mommy, whale's tongues are very sticky."

May 15, 2008

Life happens around the dinner table...

Scary Lions Roar!

Just having fun at home with the girls. Kathy and I are expecting Adventure #3 later this year, "baby Buchanan 3" is due around Oct -Nov. Grammy and Poppy are in TX now having just spent about 2 weeks in Colorado with the girls. (one of those weeks watching the girls while Kathy and I played in Maui.)

jaslyn the pillow

We sort of invented this game one day on accident when Jaslyn wanted to put me to bed, but we couldn't find a pillow.

Maleah walks for the first time

Ok, its not really the first time, but that's what we'll tell her it is when she grows up, because we don't want her to know that when she took her first step we were enjoying martinis on the back deck and missed the whole thing.