Celebrating Rufus' 1st Birthday!!

Even after only getting two hours of sleep because I was on-call for the hospital the night before, I wouldn't let anything, let alone a few hours of sleep stop me from celebrating Rufus' first birthday in style.

Rufus and I spent the day at the Seaquarium in Key Biscayne, Florida. We were missing our main attraction---Rhadi--but he was there with us in spirit. Rhadi couldn't make the trip to the Seaquarium to celebrate Rufus' big day because he had a great opportunity to do what he does best and loves to do..... and that's train elite level and professional athletes. He left the day after his birthday for a five day trip to Japan to help train and coach Jeff Monson in his upcoming mixed martial arts fight. Although Rhadi couldn't be there to see Rufus in all his glory dig into his own little birthday cake....this was only a preview of what we have planned next week during our Ferguson Birthday Bash.

Our Ferguson Birthday Bash is setting up to be an annual family get-together celebrating Rhadi's birthday on April 3rd, Rufus' birthday on April 5th, my own birthday on April 8th and my father-in-law's (little Rufus' namesake) birthday on April 28th. We're going to turn our little quiet neighborhood into a "yardfest" for family, friends and neighbors alike to celebrate the joy of another year and giving thanks to having loving parents, family and friends who want to share in our festivities.

After 6 hours of non-stop entertainment at the Seaquarium I couldn't just close my eyes and rest from the hectic day. I had to pick up items for our church's Easter Day celebration and get things set up for next Saturday's party. On the ride back from Key Biscayne, I tried to catch a few good winks but realized I still needed to reserve the tent, table and linens for the Birthday party and needed to refer back to our monthly schedule so I know that I wouldn't miss any important dates.

So to say the least, without the schedule that we post on our office wall every month, we would probably miss half if not more of our appointments and deadlines. Organization and addressing the details help us stay on top of our daily lives and makes it possible for us to accept those sudden unexpected opportunities of a lifetime---like a trip to Japan to corner a professional MMA fighter.

So as Rufus finally winds down after a long day at the aquarium, I'm thankful that my husband was able to connect with us by phone multiple times throughout the day....for our sake and for little Rufus' sake.

We the Ferguson family look forward to many more outings and celebrations for years to come.

Thankfully,

Traci Ferguson

Happy Birthday To Me!!!! :-(

Ugggghhhh, today is my birthday and I'm sick!! No, I mean I'm really sick. My head is hurting and my throat is sore. It started yesterday and I've been taking the vitamin C, the multi-vitamins, the zinc, the Airborne, the Theraflu.... EVERYTHING.

I'm just gonna have to rest today. Ghee whiz, this sux!

Well its not like I had some huge party planned for myself, quite the contrary. I was just gonna go and get a massage and relax, but I can't even to that.

But even so.......... I'm still happy and blessed to have been around for 32 years and I to make it to 33. I have a wonderful wife and family and things are going pretty good.

Rufus' birthday is in 2 days so, he'll be 1 soon. I hope I feel better then.

The "You Shoulds"

This week is Rufus' birthday and my birthday. My birthday is on the 3rd and Rufus' birthday in on the 5th. This past weekend Rufus and Traci went to the park to watch a puppet show and to ride on the carousel and to play. Rufus loved it and when he got home he was dog-tired :-)

I'm super excited that Rufus is going to be 1 it has been exciting to see him grow in the past year and develop his personality. And its also funny to see some of the things that I do in him.

He's quite the energetic fellow and a very handsome dude, like his pop (ha ha).

This week is a hectic one becaue my parents will be here next week. So we gotta prepare for the onslaughts of "you shoulds"

You know, the "you shoulds"..........

You and Traci should do this....

You and Traci should do that.....

I was thinking, you know, you should.....

When you were young we did ______ with you and you should......

Blah blah blah......................

For all those with parents, you know about the "you shoulds"

So, we just get ready and prepare ourselves. I love my parents and I'd much rather have them around with their "you shoulds" than not have them around at all. :-)

On another note, Traci is finishing up her new book and I'm putting the finishing touches on the one that she and I co-wrote together "The Backyard Workout" - so this week will be busy to say the least.

Take care,

Rhadi Ferguson

Proud Papa