College Basketball Experience!!!

So, I got to see my favorite team play basketball... It was AMAZING!!!! Duke lost, and they deserved too, they played horrible in the second half. But, $30 to see Dickie V, Coach K, and Robert Montgomery Knight? Sweet!

Checkout the attached pictures for more info, I have a ton of them, and will post them on stouderstreet.com.

Interesting facts... Duke hadn't been in Kansas City since 1985. Today is the 43rds anniversary of JFK's assassination. Kelli is beautiful. To Xbox or not to Xbox? 42inch LCD, but 1080p or 1080i? No! or a finger wave?

Love,

Justin

Live each day like it's your last.

Hayden is doing great, he is getting very big... We have him in 9 month clothes, and he is just under 5 months. What a blessing to be a father, and to have such a wonderful wife.

The main purpose of this post is to tell who ever is reading it, don't ever ever ever take your friends or family for granted. I thought I learned this well when my mother died, but maybe I needed a refresher. My best friend in KC has decided to move back near his family (can't blame him) in VA. It's a great move for him and his family, and seemingly blessed by God all around.

It was just a sharp reminder that nothing is guaranteed. Love those precious moments that are few and far between, cherish them and know that they might not happen again.

Seems silly, but my 6th grade teacher used to always say, "Live each day as if it's your last." He was so very right.

Thank-you Chris for all the great memories and friendship. We wish you and your family nothing but the best.

Where are all the people?

First of all, I want to thank Jenn for her very nice compliment (see comment under "Illegal Immigration"). I always think I'm biased when I think Hayden is the most handsome lad, so it helps to hear it from an un-related (although friendly) person!

Now, for the rest of you... I am a little upset that I keep coming back to this Blog and only 1-2 people are responding! We want to hear from you! Whether you're telling us that Hayden is cute or that your weather is fabulous wherever you live, we want to hear it! All you have to do is register and log-on! What is the point of a blog if no one is blogging?!

And now an update from me... I started back at work yesterday, although I am only in the office on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays. I took Hayden to a home daycare about 2 miles away for the first time yesterday and it was super hard. I fully trust Teri, but I have been used to waking, breathing and living Hayden for the past 2+ months. So I have to face another transition. I really think it will be a good balance; it will allow him to socialize and have someone watch over him and it will provide me some non-baby time! Can you tell that I've been practicing that speech in my head?

Stella, the dog, still hasn't gotten used to having Hayden in the house. I think she's adjusting, but she is lacking in the attention department, poor thing. I keep telling myself that it will change when Hayden gets bigger and gives her more attention than she cares for! He'll chase her around and pull her tail and she'll just want to be left alone at that point! And then soon after that, they will be best buddies!

We are getting in more of a routine around here as we start to get the hang of this "parent" thing. It's still bizarre, though, to think about us as parents. It's also strange to see Hayden growing so fast. I know those of you that have seen him know how big he is (I feel that he's gigantic for his age), but he physically changes everyday. I go into his room in the mornings and it seems like a bigger boy each day. It's fun, though, now that he's smiling and cooing and it definitely makes it more worthwhile. I feel so blessed to have him and get so emotional when he gets a big, tongue-filled smile on his face as he watches his dad...it's the greatest feeling in the world!

I better get going and think I'll go spend some time with Stella... She'd appreciate that!

Illegal Immigration

Everyone's talking about immigration. Mexican illegal immigration. And everyone is griping. I could gripe... griping is fun.....

Instead, I'm going to ask the question no one's asking. What has a Mexican done for you lately? Seriously. If you can't say anything but, "mowed my lawn" or "cleaned my dishes" don't bother posting.

For the record, I believe illegal immigrants should be removed from the United States (US). I believe that if you are planning on living off of the freedom provided to you in the US, you better speak OUR language and follow OUR rules. I believe in stricter border control and policy, because it is currently not working. Finally, I believe that before we go chasing Bin Laden and Muhammed Whoever through the desert, we should shore up our own borders!

So, What has a Mexican done for you lately?

Stupid m$ft

As a stockholder, it just isn't right for me to say this.... Oh well. Microsoft stinks.

Derek, if you ever read this, I'm pissed right now so discard your already saved Linux Rulz! email and consider my state of mind.

Microsoft has a lot of great things, but the important thing to me right now is Internet Explorer (IE). Turns out they patched IE to handle the word "embed" differently and now you, as a IE user, have to click on any piece of flash in order for it to run. Before we debate security and the impending doom of Microsoft, just do like everyone else has, and get firefox.

Firefox is a new(ish) web browser, built by a group of people, and completely free. It is fully customizable and includes tabbed browsing. Checkout the picture below, I've got a bunch of webpages open, all in one browser, with a custom theme and weather at the bottom. One application. One space on my taskbar. One awesome web browser:


On a sidenote, I've been a devoted firefox user for quite some time now, ever since it was available. I just want to make sure all users can view our website, so I have to test firefox and IE. Drag.

Don't forget to get firefox.

www.stouderstreet.com updated!

What a beautiful Sunday. First Watch for brunch, a relaxing car drive, mowed the lawn in the sun, talked to neighbors, washed the dog, updated the website. Now the fun begins as we head to the grocery to get some Brats, some Kraut, and some Spuds. AWESOME!

All is well in KC-Stouderland. We interviewed a possible daycare candidate and it went really well. Right now we are just praying for a smooth transition for Kelli, and for Hayden.

Speaking of the little man, he is doing great. One night last week he slept from 9:30pm to 4:00am. Kelli and I didn't know what to do. He is growing in size at an alarming rate. Last we checked he was 22" and 10 pounds, 14 ounces. That's 2 inches and 2 pounds, 13 ounces of growth in a month. Wait a minute? It has been a month?

My job is going great. I'm settling in, and really understanding how the software works. It will still take a few weeks of prep, with next week bringing a full week of training. I love going to work, like someone does with most new jobs. This time it is different, I don't think the new job bliss will wear off. What a blessing.

Please be sure to checkout the new pics of Hayden and our Easter trip to the Kidds' home.

Roll-Out!

Justin

Hayden Update

Hayden Michael is doing great, as is mom. Schedule's are setting in, sleep deprivation has been stemmed, leftovers are now green...

How great is our God? The song was playing during Hayden's birth, and SWCC played it this past Sunday at Hayden's first church service. It's becoming his song, and it is so very true.

So many friends and family members are helping us it is simply overwhelming. We haven't had to cook for three weeks, three weeks!!! I'm spoiled! When a major issue comes up, we have many mentors, for both Kelli and I, with advice being a phone call, an email, or a visit away. We are so very thankful to all of those who have helped us, we will be forever grateful.

Here's an updated picture of our little man:

New Job - Perceptive Software

This is what a job should be. Free vending machines. A slide from the 2nd to 1st floor. New laptop and blackberry on day one. Cisco VOIP, Cicso Wireless, Redundant T3 lines, walls that change colors, and on and on and on.

The hardest part for me right now is adjusting to the culture. The work is difficult and intense, but the atmosphere is incredible. I'm a little nervous about the dodgeball court...

Friday is company meeting day, and supposedly every newbie has to take a lap on the Segway. No. Please, anything but the Segway.

The level of intelligence of my teamates is staggering. I could sit in a coma for the next six months and, through osmosis, become twice as smart as I am now.

I'll be updating PSI's installed software base, which will soon be in huge demand as they release their first major release in over two years. Image Now 6.

The team I'm on is awesome; a good mix of talent and people. Our boss is laid back, but firm. She's a veteran of the company. She's been there five years!

I'd like to thank God and my family for hanging with me and encouraging me along the way. What an opportunity, and what a blessing.

Be sure to check PSI out at www.imagenow.com

Hope all is well!

Justin

Hayden Michael Stouder

Hayden Michael Stouder was born Tuesday, March 21st, 2006 at 5:15pm at Shawnee Mission Medical Center. Hayden weighed 8lbs 1oz and was 20in long. Mommy and baby are doing great and look forward to making the trip home tomorrow!

We thank everyone for all well-wishes and prayers throughout the pregnancy, and continued support as we welcome Hayden Michael to our world.

Love,

Justin & Kelli

New Blog!

No more BLAM! This was the only solution, to use blogger... Turns out the guy that made our last blog disappeared. No one has heard from him since December, and Kelli and I were getting fed up with the BLAMMAGE.

Please feel free to drop us a line!

Love,

Justin and Kelli