The Miracle on 116th St.

March 30^th, 2010

8:31 p.m.– A miracle took place as the glow of the sunset streamed through the window of our living room. Tears roll down the cheeks of a wide-eye woman embracing a fragrance of peace and redemption named Asa. I sat there in awe of God’s creation and what just happened. My beautiful wife just gave birth to our fourth child… my third son.

I can’t help but think of what the future holds for him. The love, the pain. The joy, the sadness. The hope and eternal life that comes from the Lord, as well as the emptiness and suffering caused by this world.

Asa, the name of a biblical king who obediently served God. Asa, the name of a baby born in a house of God, of love, an older sister to motherly protect, and two big brothers who – well – do the things that brothers do. Asa, my son – my son.

Asa Maddox McGuckin

10 lbs. 3 oz.

21.5 inches

He even took time to pose with his big brothers!

A similar shot was taken when he was still in the belly!

Asa with the ladies of his life!

POSERS!!! The "not so camera shy" siblings are always game for a picture.

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PICTURES IN THE WORLD!

I've taken some amazing photos of some of the most beautiful people in the world, but none of them compare to the beauty captured in the photos of this family below. This family has been blessed by God in many ways with another bundle of life expected to enter this world around the end of March. The affection the kids in this family have for their Mama and baby can not only be seen in the images, but can be heard through the stories and prayers they pray upon their arriving sibling. From the belly kisses to the slobbery zerberts, this child needs to be prepared to be showered with love. The number one reason why this family is so precious to me... is because it's mine!

My Son's "Wife"

So my boy Charlie, top picture below, apparently got married the other day while over at his friend's house.  I was a little offended that I didn't get to be their photographer, so I made them pose for a few pics.  She is a very stylish little girl (as you can tell by her new, and fake, glasses she's sporting)!  It is amazing watching these two together!  They crack me up!!!

They both have older sisters going through the adorable age of toothlessness!  A tooth here, a tooth there, no tooth in between.

And then there's my dark blue-eyed boy sporting my favorite shirt on him.  I'd say that his irish eyes are smiling, but when he smiles, his eyes disappear!  But when they are open, boy do they glow!

Papa's Pumpkins!

Really, I promise.  I do try to post more.  Hopefully once I get my iPhone, that will help.  

This past weekend we went down to Brown County to visit family and pick some pumpkins along the way.  It was much needed family time.  Of course I just happened to have my camera so I snagged a few shots.  My little pumpkins are so cute!  AJ and his shirt are the feature for this post.

Faith, Family, & Football

There are three things in my life that are a huge part of who I am: Faith, Family, & Football. Sometimes I don't always prioritize them in the order they should be. I recently made a difficult decision that shows I try to practice what I preach. Over the past few months, Charlie has been waking up and immediately asking Momma "Where's Papa at?" She gives the usual response of "Charlie, where's Papa?" And he responds back "At work with the kids."

During the day, I call home to catch up on their day and see how things are going. Libby is usually at school, AJ is usually being held for the 6th hour straight, and Charlie gets on the phone and asks "Papa, when are you going to be home?" This boy is starving for me! I feel such great love from my kids!

My typical work day in the fall would consist of teaching, then coaching football, coming home when it's dark out for a brief visit with my wife and kids before bed, and working on some photography business. Because I have some students multiple periods throughout their day, I spend more time with someone else's kids than I do my own! Something was wrong with that!

Following my priorities, I'm obeying my faith in what I believe God wants me to do as I spend more time with my family by resigning from coaching football for a few years. Instead of investing that time with someone else's kids, I'm going to go home and play catch with my own!

What priorities are you trying to keep straight in your life?