Silly Faces, Distant Places

Happiest SIX Birthday to my youngest son, Caleb!!! It seems like...

realadampowell — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 08:30:00 -0400

Happiest SIX Birthday to my youngest son, Caleb!!! It seems like yesterday that you were brought into this world and I was staring down into your eyes, rocking you back and forth hours after you were born. I remember labor was just as difficult with you as your brother Nathaniel. I was really angry at the doctor b/c he decided to use vacuum extraction due to labor difficulties. God had his hand on you though.

I remember like it was yesterday giving you your first bath as the nurses watched. You looked up at me and my heart melted and I was overwhelmed with love. I have watched you grow over the past six years as a very handsome, mischievous, goofy, happy, always laughing, and wonderfully good-hearted kid.

You are my love and my life Caleb. I consider it such a joy to be your Father and Dad. I anticipate the future years in witnessing you becoming your own man. I hope today is filled with laughs, happiness, and utter joy! I love you so much Caleb! Happy Birthday buddy!

I don't have a question. But I just wanted to say I enjoyed scrolling through your blog and love seeing a father show so much love for his sons. I actually wish my sons' dad showed as much love for our kids as you do to yours. It's very admiring.

realadampowell — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 09:09:03 -0500

I just saw this message. I’m sorry for my delay in my response. Thank you so much! This means the world to me and made my day so much! I really do appreciate that and sorry to hear your sons’ dad isn’t as proactive as you would like. I will def keep him and you guys in my prayers and thoughts! Anything is possible! :)

After treating ourselves to some yogurt, the boys and I decided...

realadampowell — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 08:54:00 -0500

After treating ourselves to some yogurt, the boys and I decided to waste all of our energy and fun at one of the local playgrounds in Anderson, SC. I can say that I threw my 31 year old self down the “big red slide.” Haha. I kept telling my boys this stuff right here is the “original playstation” in my book. This is one of the things we basically had to do as kids - was just to go outside and create your own fun! I always encourage the boys to let their imaginations take them wherever they may and to never let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. I am so blessed to have two wonderfully intelligent boys.

Our day was filled with pure bliss of joy and happiness as I kept hearing the famous words, “Push me higher Daddy!” I wouldn’t take back a moment of this as it sets engraved in my heart.

The best part of this moment, this day, was hearing the unstoppable laughter, seeing the faces of sheer happiness, and watching the innocence of kids playing their hearts out.

Today, I felt like a kid again!

The boys and I, along with their Uncle Brandon, did our own...

realadampowell — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 08:52:00 -0500

The boys and I, along with their Uncle Brandon, did our own little “Harlem Shake” video. I’ve seen others and noticed the trending of the video all across YouTube and figured how neat it would be to throw a kids twist to the idea of it. And let me say this - my two boys can get down and dance! Nathaniel even took his dancing a little further and put some floor work into his dance. That’s what I’m talking about! This was so much fun to do and to hear the laughs of these amazing two boys is all worth it in my book. Plus we needed a Superhero mask for this video, so the boys walked away with an Iron Man and Spiderman mask. Not too bad! Hope you enjoy our version!

Superheroes!

realadampowell — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 15:43:41 -0500

Superheroes!

The boys and I made a pit stop at Yogurt Mountain today. The...

realadampowell — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 23:43:06 -0500

The boys and I made a pit stop at Yogurt Mountain today. The boys mentioned they have never visited a place like this before, so it was quite eventful. Nathaniel and Caleb’s eyes literally grew five sizes bigger once they saw the clear containers of yummy goodness! I had to remind them that Daddy would “monitor” their portions of sprinkles and other goodness, since you pay by the ounce at spots like this. Haha. Choosing the flavor of the yogurt was simple, but when we came to adding the goodness - choices, choices, and more choices. After throwing down on our bowls of yogurt goodness, the funniest part of the experience had to come towards the end. Caleb quickly made it aware he was low on sprinkles and said, “I need a refill on sprinkles.” I had to chase after Caleb letting him know they don’t do refills at these kinda of places. So funny. Such cool kids.

The boys and I along with their Uncle Brandon were having lunch...

realadampowell — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 23:10:06 -0500

The boys and I along with their Uncle Brandon were having lunch today at Chick fil a. After eating and an hour of playground time, we decided to do something funny related to Valentine’s Day. The expressions on the faces of the boys are priceless. They nailed it! Happy V-Day!

Happiest EIGHT Birthday to my oldest son, Nathaniel!!! It seems...

realadampowell — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 01:32:22 -0500

Happiest EIGHT Birthday to my oldest son, Nathaniel!!! It seems like yesterday you were brought into this world and I was staring down into your eyes, rocking you back and forth hours after you were born. There was about a foot of snow on the ground when you decided to grace the world in the wee hours of the AM, in Cleveland, OH. I remember right before you were born I was trying to sleep on that awfully uncomfortable sofa couch and nurses keep popping in and out throughout the night. I remember how we were so scared at several times because your heart rate kept dropping throughout labor, but God had His hand on your life. I have watched you grow over the past eight years as a very handsome, intelligent, goofy, happy, and wonderfully good-hearted kid. You are my love and my life Nathaniel. I consider it such a joy to be your Father and Dad. I anticipate the future years in witnessing you becoming your own man. I hope today is filled with laughs, happiness, and utter joy! I love you so much Nathaniel! Happy Birthday buddy!

I miss you guys immensely. I had a phone conversation with you...

realadampowell — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 09:07:00 -0500

I miss you guys immensely. I had a phone conversation with you guys yesterday and Nathaniel completely melted and broke my heart. You can tell you missed your Daddy when you offered up your own money out of your piggy bank just to help Daddy pay for a plane ticket to come see you guys again. You are two of the best kids a Father and Dad could ever ask for. I’m so thankful God placed wonderfully loving hearts inside you guys. You two are my world and I would jump, skip, and run to the next plane to see you guys right now if I was able.

I love you Nathaniel and Caleb and Daddy will see you really soon! I promise you that. We had so much fun together last weekend. I treasure every laugh, miss every hug, will never forget our time together, and look forward to seeing your two smiles again, very soon!

You two are my loves and nothing on this earth will ever change that. Absolutely nothing. Your Daddy loves you both very much.

I will see you both super soon!

So we spent a few hours in the pool and Caleb was so hesitant...

realadampowell — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 19:30:00 -0500

So we spent a few hours in the pool and Caleb was so hesitant about swimming all by himself in long distances. It took some time and encouragement, but Caleb finally caught on and now he’s all over the pool. His courage is now sparking and he wants to venture to the four feet deep. Daddy is super proud of you buddy!

The boys and Santa! After some shopping for clothes and...

realadampowell — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 16:01:00 -0500

The boys and Santa!

After some shopping for clothes and Christmas at the mall, we decided to make a pit stop and see Santa!! The boys were quick to tell Santa exactly what they wanted, which involved BB guns, iPads, iPods, Nerf guns, helicopters, and the normal stuff each and every boy would want, right?

Looking at this picture brings the awareness of my boys are getting older. It seems like yesterday they were learning their very first steps, learning to eat on their own, and their first potty experience, riding a bike for the first time, first days of preschool, and all of those wonderful memories stuck in the back of my memory. It brings such an appreciation and gratification in being their Dad. I am a very blessed Father two have such loving boys as my own. They are growing so fast and all I want is for it to stop so I can savor up every moment of it.

I absolutely love their smiles in this photo with Santa!

So we stopped by JCPenney for a little shopping for some new...

realadampowell — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 14:41:00 -0500

So we stopped by JCPenney for a little shopping for some new clothes and shoes for the boys. While walking to the shoe department we came across these giant wooden King Christmas Nutcrackers. Of course we had to stop and take a moment to have a little fun and mimic them talking, biting our fingers, and copying their expression with their mouths open. Haha!

You two are your Dad made over when it comes to your goofiness. I love how you guys can completely make life so much fun and take the objects and things around you and turn it into a laugh.

Here are a few shots of our fun!

Silly Nathaniel.

realadampowell — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 14:40:00 -0500

Silly Nathaniel.

Silly Caleb.

realadampowell — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 14:39:00 -0500

Silly Caleb.

Nathaniel and Caleb received a gift card for GameStop from their...

realadampowell — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 10:25:00 -0500

Nathaniel and Caleb received a gift card for GameStop from their cousin in South Carolina, so this most definitely had to be the FIRST place to do the damage on Christmas! My boys get their love for video games from their Dad and they could literally buy everything in this store and be the happiest kids on the planet. Your dad was a sucker for video games back in the 80’s when Mario first came out. It’s awesome to see how that character (27 years later) is still around and you’re playing the games.

Here’s Caleb so proudly ready to give the cashier his gift card for his purchase. Haha.

If you asked me to photograph and frame happiness, then this...

realadampowell — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 14:00:00 -0500

If you asked me to photograph and frame happiness, then this photo would pretty much come very close to it. It’s been several months since I’ve been able to see these faces, hug and kiss these faces, laugh with these two, goof off with these two, and completely be around these two amazing boys!

I have missed you both immensely and I have waited hours upon hours for flights to be over with, car rides to finally come to an end, and to finally have you two in my arms! I love you two so much and today is such a happy day. Seeing the smiles, the warmth of your hearts, and the countenance of joy on your faces is Christmas to me alone. I literally wanted to jump out of my car and run to you guys! Your dad has missed you both so very much and I’m so delightfully thrilled to spend these next few days with you two.

I know we only have a few days, but we’re going to make the most of it. I am grateful and blessed to be your Dad and Father. You guys make life so much fun and bring so much love to each and every person you touch. I could go on and on with words and expressions on how I feel right now being here with you. If you had to ask me to sum it up in one word, that word would be…

…HAPPINESS!

I love you Nathaniel and Caleb.

Having a phone conversation with Nathaniel a few days ago lead...

realadampowell — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 15:15:00 -0500

Having a phone conversation with Nathaniel a few days ago lead to his famous Christmas Wish List. Apparently a credit card was one of the items he listed off as something he really wanted.

Nathaniel didn’t pause there though. He had to be sure that he attached a dollar sign to this Christmas gift. Haha! Love that guy. His personality and character brings nothing but a smile to my face!

The things kids say.

So Caleb and I were having a phone conversation a few nights ago...

realadampowell — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 13:55:10 -0500

So Caleb and I were having a phone conversation a few nights ago when the topic of Christmas came up. As a Dad, I proceeded with the “What do you want for Christmas this year, buddy?” The answer was a laundry list of toys and such, as any five year old would give. Then Caleb says this… LOVE! ❤ Caleb made it very aware that I was NOT going to get a “girl’s” color bike and that it would be sent via e-mail! Haha! Love this guy! He has my heart and the innocent things that come out of the mouths of kids makes it even more precious!

I made this video so you guys can follow along and read with me...

realadampowell — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 14:25:21 -0500

I made this video so you guys can follow along and read with me once you receive your book. Even though miles and distance separates us, Daddy loves you both and misses you immensely!

I hope you enjoy the video, your book, and movie!

I love you both!

In parallel to “Throwback Thursday” on Instagram - A...

realadampowell — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 11:12:47 -0400

In parallel to “Throwback Thursday” on Instagram - A shot of the boys and their smiling faces in early April 2009 at Jacksonville Beach, FL. Caleb was just over two years old here and Nathaniel was a few months over just turning four. I do believe this was Caleb’s first experience ever seeing a beach and it was fairly hysterical to watch. The ocean freaked him the heck out! I have videos of him strolling up in curiosity to the waves splashing onto shore. As soon as a giant wave came roaring in, he would take off running as if it was going to snatch him. 🌊 LOL!! Nathaniel displayed more bravery, but still exhibited hesitation when I put him on my shoulders and progressed to walk in the ocean. Wonderful recollections. So many wonderful memories forever etched in my heart. ❤