For Kristen...

Today is Kristen's birthday and I thought I might do something a little different for her this year.

When Kristen and I were first married, I played every song for her. Everything I had written, partially written or even just "covered" was played for her first. She knew every song...why I wrote it, when I finished it, what I was trying to say, the whole thing.

Now, not so much. Being married over 10 years has a way of shaping life into something that's sweet and filled with purpose and support. However, we rarely have time these days to sit down and talk about songwriting. It's often weeks after I've written something and Kristen will say, "Wait a second. You wrote that?"

I enjoy playing songs for her as they come to life, but I would change what we have for anything. Because it allows me to do something like this:

It's me and my guitar and GarageBand. It's not perfect, but it's true...and I'm happy to share it.

LISTEN HERE

When I saw you for the first time
Had no idea in mind
What would happen, what love would bring
What wonders I would come to see

When I heard you say, "Yes,"
Had no idea how blessed
You would make me, what you would do
How you would help me build my dreams and then make them all come true

So here's another song...saying something simple and true
But my voice will never be strong enough to say all that I want to
I'm loving the learning every day, discovering you

When I see you, here and now
I can't believe just how
The Father's blessed me, how great His love;
You're the best thing I've ever had the best is still yet to come

So let's laugh some more
'Cause there's so much in store
Joy and pain, some new and some same
But we'll face it together each day

Loving the learning every day
Loving everything you do and say
Thankful to the Lord you came my way
And I'm discovering you...
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Happy Birthday, Kristen. You still amaze and mystify me as only you can. Hope you know how loved you are today.

I'm Still Laughing

I was a very serious young man. I'm not sure why - I think it had something to do with my perception that "artists" were required to be introspective and distant.

And then I met her.

I'll admit that it took me my surprise. When I first met Kristen, I remember being amazed at how funny she was...how much she and her family laughed. She seemed like the silliest, sweetest girl I had ever met. And while it's true that I immediately knew she was the girl for me, it's also true that I also realized that I needed her.

I needed her smile. I needed her joy. I needed to learn how to lighten up and find the fun in life. And she did all of that. Without even trying, she changed me into a better version of myself. I'll never be able to repay her for teaching me how to laugh.

But what's more - every couple of days, I realize that I'M STILL LAUGHING.

She is funnier now than ever. Sillier than she's ever been. And it's obvious to me that the laughter we share now is somehow more funny and rich than it's ever been. After 10 years, we've learned how to laugh together, how to cheer each other up and how to find joy in times where it seems invisible.

I don't know what the future holds, but with Kristen by my side, I know we'll find a way to enjoy it.

Thank you, Kristen, for being you. Thanks for saving me from myself.

My Favorite Blogger...

Some say I'm a blogging addict.
Some say I'm totally handsome and cool.
(I wholeheartedly agree with both statements.)

Sure, I love this guy and this gal and this guy and this gal,
but the truth is that my favorite blogs are the ones written by people I know.

That's right, gang - nothing brings me more joy than seeing YOUR post in my blog reader.
And of all of those...one blog stands out as my favorite.

I LOVE my wife's blog. I miss it.
Listen, being a Mom is a hard job. All of us know this.
And blogging is often the last on her list of duties or hobbies.
But if you're like me and you miss my wife's blog, then email her at dorothy_girl74@yahoo.com.

Listen - I don't want her flooded with emails from well-wishers who are just doing what I ask. (Although, I would love to have that kind of power...)
But if you do like the way my wife thinks, writes, laugh or looks (easy, now...) then send her an email.
And be sure to end your email message with
"YOUR BLOG IS BETTER THAN TODD'S." She loves that.

Kristen Loves The Ink...

It was only a matter of time before my wife turned her simple love of tattoos into full-blown icon status.

Great job, Kristen. We're so proud of you.

The kids and I will miss you.

Made with Photofunia, one more great link provided by Lifehacker.
Get over there and start having some fun!

Kristen's New Tat...

You know how Kristen went to Lufkin for the past couple of days?
Apparently she had an "appointment" with her good friends at the Boneyard.
She came back with this:


Talk about "ancient-future."

Help Me, Blogfreaks...You're My Only Hope

Dear ToddBloggers,

I am in desperate need.

You see, I would like for my wife to buy me a black Flip Video. Preferably in October as it is the month of my birthday and therefore I deserve muchos presentos, no?

If you would do me the honor of "encouraging" my wife with a nice, polite, pleasant email, it would mean all the world to me. Now, emailing my wife is a tricky thing, so I'd like to offer a few suggestions that will make your message catch her eye.

#1. Use one (or all) of these words in the subject line of your email message: "Bono," "Hugh Jackman," or "Clive Owen." Trust me. She will open that email.

#2. Extol her a bit, but don't over-flatter. She's a no-nonsense kinda' girl. Something like "Your hair looked terrific yesterday" or "I wish we hung out more because you so funny and me and my friends can't stop talking about you" would probably be just the right amount of praise.

#3. Work the family angle. DO NOT mention vlogging, blogging, confessionals, or church videos as reasons for purchasingthe Flip Video. Stick to "capturing wonderful family memories" or "he'll be sure and use this to video you opening that huge, yet-to-be purchased jewelry for Christmas." It's all marketing, gang.

Thank you for your help. I know the influx of emails will move her to action. Her email address is dorothy_girl74@yahoo.com. If you're so inclined, you might also ask her to start blogging again.

And for those of you who are my REAL friends and who care about me more than life itself, you can just go here and buy it for me yourself.

Grace, Peace, Justice, Love, Faith and Power,
Todd Wright

I Love This Girl...

Beautiful, talented, business-savvy and packer extraordinaire -

Kristen Wright!

My Friday...

Finley woke up at 6:15. She's now discovered how to open the door to her room, so now, instead of calling us, we hear her rummaging around in the kitchen...which is something you do not want your 2-year old doing.

(While I as leading worship at camp, Kristen walked in one afternoon to find her at the kitchen counter eating peanut butter. With an ink pen.)

So, we hear Finley in the kitchen and Kristen mumbles...

"i got...first...yester...your...turn..."

It made me so angry. Doesn't she know I was up late watching Arrested Development and eating cereal? Don't I need my rest?

Anyway, I got up, got Finley her apple juice and we lounged in the living room while Jonah and Kristen slept.

And slept.

And slept.

Jonah woke up just before 8. Finley was so excited to see him she grabbed his hand and started kissing it. (We're really blessed in that our two kids really do LOVE hanging out together!)

Not long after, Kristen got up. I went through a little moral dilemma at that time - sleep or exercise.?

I chose exercise. Ran on the treadmill for a while, then grabbed a shower and got dressed. We didn't really have any plans for the day. (We've been trying to stay at home as much as possible, since gas prices are little bit higher than normal. Don't know if you've noticed...)

The kids were dressed so I decided to run up the road and visit with my grandparents. It's weird - they live literally fifty yards from us and yet we have a hard time meeting up. Gotta' fix that.

Anyway, Jonah, Finley and I hung out there for about a half-hour then ran back home to pick up Krist. We ran to the bank and then decided to pop in and see Kristen's dad, who works out of town during the week. We ended up eating lunch over there, which was nice. After hanging out and "visitin'," we headed back home.

Put Finley down for a nap, Jonah fired up the Wii, Kristen read a magazine and I snuck in a nap!

After the nap, we all went over to see visit my Dad for awhile. We had a really good time. Dad is moving around pretty good on the walker and doing a good job of dealing with all of the stuff that comes from having an accident like that. We ate supper, plowed through dozens of chocolate donuts (another story for another day...my Dad really needs a blog, by the way.)

The kids played, we all hung around and talked and laughed for a good while. We got home a little before 8pm and threw the kids in the tub. Finley went to bed (but not to sleep) pretty quick and Jonah went to sleep a little after 9. I ran to CVS to pick up some stuff then came back home. At one point earlier in the evening, Kristen had released me to go see Batman, but we're headed out of town tomorrow and a 3 hour superhero movie might be something I regret tomorrow morning. I'll get to it next week probably.

While Kristen lounged around, I actually hit the treadmill AGAIN! Yes...that's 2 workouts in one day. Why? Why not?

After exercise, showered, got some stuff together for the trip on Saturday and went to bed!
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I asked this a few weeks ago: Won't somebody else do a "My Friday" post? It would be such a cool tradition! You could even use the little logo up top. We could start a worldwide blogging movement.

"I Just Have A Sweet Tooth"

Not only did a Sunday School class bring us dinner on Monday night...
They brought Chicken Express Fresh Brewed Sweet Tea.

Thank you, "Praise Ladies" Sunday School.
You have made us all very very happy.

Our Good Dreams...

It's a normal sound. It's not loud or invasive or even unpleasant.

But I am sick-to-death of falling to sleep to the rhythmic clicks and hums of the I.V. unit.

Those of you who've been hospitalized know the sound well.It drives me crazy. I turn off all the lights; I ready my "bed"; I kiss my wife good-night. All acts of normalcy - all ways of saying to this world that "Tonight, we rest. Tonight, we restore ourselves. And as we sleep, you cannot touch us."

But you do, you little maniacal machine.

You do touch us. You click and whir and even beep from time-to-time as if you know that we just got to that good place in our dreams:

That place where we've built a house on top of a rainbow or in a field eating Starburst Waffles or playing scrabble with Richard Belzer.You sneak into our good dreams and say oh, so quietly but oh, so persistently:

I'm still here...
You're still in the hospital...
Everything is messed up...
Your life is turned upside down...
I'm still here...

You're not cool, I.V. machine.
You're important and I'm glad you're here, but you're not cool and you never will be.
And when me and my crew leave, you have to stay here.

No wonder you're nuts.

Where I Write An Imaginary Letter To A Fictional Character To Subjugate My Rage...

Dear Man-Who-Designed This Hospital,

Thank you so much for placing that motion-activated paper towel dispenser in the tiny little corner right beside the sink that sits right outside the door.

Thanks for that.Now, every time I tip-toe over to wash my hands or sneak to the bathroom, my passing shoulder prompts the machine to emit at least 80db of sound as it shoots out paper towels for whoever or whatever just crossed it's all-seeing eye.

I appreciate it, because I like being startled in the middle of the night, spinning my head around as fast as I can to make sure I didn't wake up my very sleepy and very miserable wife.

Thank God for the drugs.

For Kristen, I mean.

GRRRR...

Actually found wi-fi today at the hospital!

Shortly after Kristen's procedure this afternoon, I ran over to the lobby and shot an update, ready to fly it right into blogger so all the world could know what's up.

But that didn't happen.

Apparently the wi-fi isn't as consistent as it needs to be, so my little video will forever remain on the hard drive. But I did manage to grab this fantastic screen shot, though.

Kristen went into endoscopy around 1pm today. The doctors suspected that a gallstone had been lodged in Kristen's bile duct and that's what messed up her pancreas. All of the test so far have confirmed that, but today, no stone was found there. The doctor think she might have already passed the stone at some point during the week. The little guy did a bunch of damage and then left! Jerk.

Anyway, Kristen was in recovery for about an hour and then came back to the room. She seemed to be a lot better the whole afternoon. She was pretty loopy from the medicine, which made for a lot of fun, but it was obvious to all of us that she's feeling better.

She had a fever today, so the doctor ordered another set of cultures. He also lessened her intake restrictions. She can have clear liquids, now! She's still taking some pain medicine and is pretty sleepy, but they think she'll be ready to have her gallbladder removed on Monday.

Thank you all for praying. I hope you're using these posts to stay updated! That's what they're for!

...and don't worry. I've got lots of other ridiculous posts saved up to lighten the mood around here.

Thanks for reading!

Excitement!

And for those of you wondering if I'm working at an Italian restaurant or a hotel, the answer is no.

It's a new white shirt. And I look hot in it.

Kristen Recap...My Perspective

9:45pm - I arrive at the hospital for the night shift. Kristen's dad is with her. Kristen is a lot of pain. Talk with her for about 10 or 15 minutes. Nurse comes in and adds some medicine for nausea to her I.V.Krist asks for ice chips...the nurse says no.

10:30pm - I've got tons of stuff to tell Krist about our day at home, but she's just too tired. I watch "Will and Grace" while eating something delicious that was cooked up in the mind of two guys named Ben and Jerry.

10:45pm - Head out to the waiting room on our floor to search for wi-fi. Buy a Diet Coke and learn right quick that there's no wireless internet around here. I drink my soda while a dude named A.J. Hammer (yeah right) can't stop talking about Charlie Sheen-Alec Baldwin-Pamela Anderson-Tommy Lee-Kid Rock and some woman who's suing Victoria Secret for a defective thong.

10:55pm - Get back into the room, start getting my bed ready. Look longingly at the DVD of "Rambo" that I brought. Should I pop it in? Fill my mind with senseless violence and an even more senseless storyline before going to bed?

11:00pm - Nurse comes in to give Krist pain medicine. Kristen is asleep with five or six minutes. I brush teeth and climb into bed. I decide to give "Rambo" a try, but I have the iPod cued up w/ some Lemonheads to put me to sleep. Why does Evan Dando's music put me to sleep? I guess he's smoked so much weed it comes through the mics and up into my ear buds.

12:00am - Turn off "Rambo" and immediately fall asleep.

1:30am - Kristen accidentally knocks off her TV remote/call button and it wakes us both up. I get it for her, help her get fixed in bed again.

1:30am-7:00am - Sleep like a rock. Hear a few nurses come in and some discussion about Kristen's heart monitor showing a green light, which means a patient is dead. Yeah, I slept through that. (Thankfully, Krist and the nurse were justmaking a little early-morning witty banter.)

7:30am - Wake up when Krist's parents show up for their shift.
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For those of you praying, thank you! Here's what we're asking: Pray that Kristen's enzyme levels will continue to drop. We've still got a way to go before we can proceed with surgery. Right now, the doctors are predicted that we'll do the preliminary "scope" on Monday. We'd love it if things were moving faster, but we understand that Kristen's body just needs time to rest.

Pray that she'll sleep soundly and that her visitors will be minimal. She likes people seeing her, but she's also trying to sleep through her pain and anytime she's awakened, it's hard to rest again.

Pray for the rest of the family (us and the extended crew.) This is starting to take its toll on us. Pray that we'll have great attitudes and that God will bless our resting!

Midnight Update!

Video Update..

Update On Kristen...

For those of you who don't know, Kristen is in the hospital.

(And yes, it's very lame that I found a jpeg of the hospital to use in this post. There's something wrong with me, I know...)

A couple of days ago, Krist started having some pretty intense stomach pain and nausea. She went to the doctor on Monday, got some medicine and came on home. Monday night, she got even more sick.

Tuesday, I had to go check out a camp for a gig next week, so Kristen and the kids went to her Mom's house. I got back about 2pm and went to pick them up. We decided to let Kristen stay at her mom's while I took care of the kids. I brought the kids home and hung out for awhile.

Around 3:45pm, Kristen's mom called and told me that they were at the emergency room. Kristen couldn't really get into the doctor's office and our "urgent care clinics" aren't necessarily the sharpest places for medical care. Since her phone wouldn't work very well, Kristen's mom would call me every hour or so to let me know what was up.

Eventually, the got into a room. More waiting. Finally, a doctor came back and started doing some bloodwork, xrays, etc. They gave her something for pain and send off the tests.

Around 8, Kristen's cousin, Stephanie, called me and said, "You need to come up here. She's freaking out"

Apparently, a doctors came back and told Kristen that she had hepatitus and pancreatitus. Kristen's mom and cousin tried to get more info, but the doctor wasn't much help. They really should have classes in "tact" or "bedside manner" in medical school. If they already do, they need some new curriculum. Not digging that doctor.

I get there, Krist is pretty upset. Mom and Cousin don't really know what's going on and the doctor is admitting Kristen to a room. We get to the room, get settled in. Krist is still in tons of pain and feeling really sick.

The ER doc did have the foresight to call in a gastro. specialist, who happens to be very good. After Krist in in bed and all hooked up, the nurse calls the specialist to see about changing up the meds to something that Krist can get more often.

The new doctor looks over the stuff and immediately orders different pain medicine and more bloodwork. After about an hour of being really stressed out, we find out that it isn't hepatitus. Kristen spent most of the night pretty miserable, although the pain medicine made a big difference.

We had lots of family show up, my mom watched the kids and by 11:30 or so, Krist and I went to sleep.

It was a hard night. But then again, most nights in the hospital always are. Kristen was sick some more, her blood pressure got pretty high, and at one point, a dude came in and strapped a heart monitor on her.

I woke up about 7, scared I had missed early rounds, but the specialist came in around 7:40. Turns out that Kristen has gallstones which caused the pancreatitus. As it stands, the procedure is to treat the pancreas first - to get the inflammation cleared up before proceding with gallstone surgery. The doctor thinks one stone might have dropped into Kristen's bile duct, which means a more invasive surgery (rather than a quicker laproscopic one...)

I'm at home now with the kids. Kristen's parents are with her at the hospital.

Pray that God will bring healing to the pancreas so that Kristen's nausea will subside and we can proceed with the gallstone surgery. Pray for her blood pressure and stress and our family as we try to figure out how to survive without Mommy!

She Ain't My Bride...

We've all got them.

"Pet peeves."

Things that drive us crazy for no good reason.
And we know this - we know that we should be better than these petty frustrations. We know that it's silly to let them bother us.

I tell you this because I know what I'm about to say is ridiculous. It's silly. It doesn't matter. It's not hurtful or consequential or meaningful in any way. It shouldn't matter.

But it does.

In fact, it drives me crazy.

You see that woman in the picture?

That's my wife, Kristen. Maybe you've met her. She's great. She's funny. She's smart. She's a good kisser, a best friend, a great mother to our kids and really into tattoos for some reason. (I'm not sure why...)

But you know what she's NOT?

My "bride."

I can't stand it when people call her my "bride." I don't know why, but it drives me crazy. I want to yell and scream and throw a phonebook across the room while shouting...

"She's my wife! My wife! My wife, I say, my wife!"

I don't know if I'm just connecting that word to an actual wedding or I feel like it doesn't really fit what Kristen and I have or if it just seems like people are trying to be cute when they say it...I just know I don't like it.

Of course, I'm sure that in ancient Hebrew or something, "bride" translates to something like LIFE-LONG-PARTNER-WHOM-GOD-HAS-PRE-ORDAINED and I'm flying in the face of God Almighty to reject this title for her. And I'm sure that if such a scriptural and holy origin does exist, one of you will definitely point it out. (I'm looking at you Johnny.)

But think about it...Do people ask Kristen, "Hey, how's your groom doing?" or "Is that your groom on the phone?"

No, they don't.

Because that would be stupid.

Another New Feature? What's This?

A while back, Clay started a new feature on his blog called "props."

It's a great idea...a nice little encouragement for his friends and family. So, in that same spirit, I figured I'd give some props myself. (Although, I have a cool logo for mine.) I think Clay does his every Tuesay. Not sure if mine will post on a consistent day...might be a bit more random over here!
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My first edition of "props" goes to this gal.

It may be a tad predictable to make my wife the first one celebrated on this thing, but hey, I can't always be full of surprises, can I?

Here are a few reasons why I think she's so great.

1. Smart. Seriously, amazingly, almost frighteningly, smart. Usually finds an answer to problems before most folks know there's something wrong.

2. A great mom. I love to watch her raise our kids. She's raising them to be intelligent, respectful little beings. (A hard job, to be sure!)

3. The Voice. Come on...she's still got one of the coolest voices around. I am still listening to All The Freed just to hear how amazing she sounds.

4. Hot.

5. Funny in all kinds of ways. She has a very sharp wit, but also a silly side that only I get to see.

6. She knows me completely...and loves me anyway.

7. She's the one I was meant to be with. I have no doubt of that. I believe she's the absolute perfect one God had in mind for me.

8. When I'm out of line, she calls me on it.

9. When I'm rattling off about a dozen different dreams or ideas, she listens and supports me, even though she knows I probably won't do any of them. (Us dreamers need that, because every once in awhile, we actually chase one!)

So, here's to you, baby. Premiere "props" to you.

My wife knows that I'm trying to stay off the sweets these days.

So what does she do?

She buys a 12 pack of Big Texas Cinnamon Rolls.

Get thee behind me, Sinnamon Roll...

And yes, I am wearing a camp t-shirt that says "Call Waiting."