The Cat's Outta the Bag...

Time to let the cat out of the proverbial bag. When I came to NY in early May, my plan was to head back to Utah at the end of the summer and have Dominic out there. But life happens, things change and sometimes you have to adapt your plans. Turns out,  I'll actually be having Dominic here in upstate NY and staying for a few months after he's born. For one, I don't want to leave here until I know I'm financially able to afford trips back and forth to visit family whenever I want. As such, I've decided to stay a bit longer and save a bit more. Second of all, I absolutely love my team of doctors here. My baby doctor in Utah was decent, but from day one I've felt like my doctors here are more thorough and experienced. I feel more comfortable delivering Dominic here. Lastly, it's important for me that Dominic knows my dad from day one. Without a father figure of his own, I think my dad would be a positive male influence in his life, even if it is only for the first few months. I also do not feel comfortable uprooting him as an infant and moving him across the country. So I figure I'll stick around here until February or March of 2012 when Dominic is at least a few months old. When that time comes, I'll take Dominic and my businesses and make a move. At this point, I'm keeping my options open. It's a big big world out there, with a lot of opportunities for both me and my son. I'm not opposed to going back to Salt Lake City, but I'm also not going to limit myself to only one option. I'm also considering San Diego and Boston as possible destinations. One thing is for sure, I am definitely NOT staying in upstate NY permanently. I will be here longer than I had originally anticipated but I will absolutely 110% NOT be staying here long term.  In the end, my decision will only be based on what's best for Dominic and I - the best place for business growth and the best place for his education.

I sincerely hope my family and friends in Utah can understand that life happens, plans change and I have to do what's best for my son and I. Please know that I love and miss each and every one of you. The way I see things is no matter how far away Dominic and I are, our true family and friends will love and support us no matter what. I fully intend on making every effort to stay in touch with my family and friends who care enough to reciprocate the effort. I'm done trying with people who don't care, and instead plan on focusing all of my efforts on those who do! :)


"It's impossible to be loyal to your family, your friends, and your principles all at the same time."

A Book Could Never Do Them Justice...

In my preparations for Dominic I've been spending a lot of time thinking about how fortunate he is to have such wonderful people in his life - my mom and dad, close friends and other family members - I feel great knowing he'll never have a shortage of people who love him. I've also been spending a lot of time reflecting on the people close to me who left this world a little too soon and will never get to know him. Specifically my step dad Steve who passed away after a long battle with sarcoma in November 2009 and my best friend (more like a sister) Talese who passed away unexpectedly in September 2010. It breaks my heart that he will never be able to attend a family function with "Grandpa Steve" or get a haircut from "Aunty Talese". But, I can at least feel good knowing I will always carry a piece of them with me that I can hopefully pass along to Dominic. This week I'm going to start working on two books for Dominic to help him get to know Steve and Talese, complete with pictures, stories and fun facts about them. I'm not really sure where to start because a book will never do either one of them justice, but I know I have to try to pass along as much of them as I possibly can. I suppose I'll start by compiling my favorite pictures and making a list of facts and stories that I want him to know. I think I'll create the book through Shutterfly, I've made one there before and it turned out great. Time to hit the drawing board!

"If the people we love are stolen from us, the way to have them live on is to never stop loving them. Buildings burn, people die, but real love is forever."

Life Is Short But Sweet For Certain...

Received yet another reminder today that life is often way too short. Found out this afternoon that one of my former colleagues had passed away unexpectedly. It always seems to be the people who leave the greatest impact. Although I never got the opportunity to know him outside of work, he left a lasting impression on anyone who met him. Thank you, Theron, for teaching me almost everything I know about the industry - your absence will be felt by many. My heart goes out to your family, friends and fellow colleagues.

 Now that I am on the verge of having a child of my own, things like this are a grim reminder of my own mortality. One of my biggest hopes is that I will be able to raise my child to completion and be around to see him graduate, get married and have kids of his own. I've begun to cherish every moment with him, even though he's not physically here yet - every kick, punch and somersault brings a smile to my face. Don't ever start to take life so seriously that you let it pass you by. If you're lucky enough to have a family, be sure to hold them a little tighter tonight. Tell the people you love that you love them. And don't ever take anything for granted.

"To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die."
Stephen Lilly 11/12/2009
Talese Turner 09/04/2010
Theron Nestripke 06/27/2011 

Friday, Friday...

Ahhh, Friday - my long lost love. Got off to a rocky start today when I had the brilliant idea to pick up some food for breakfast. Woke up, threw up on some sweat pants and headed out. Arrived at the drive thru, waited in line 10 minutes just for them to tell me I was 3 minutes past the cutoff for breakfast. I promptly exclaimed "Mother f****r!" told them to forget it and sped off. That's what I get for wanting fast food anyway, I should have known better. From now on I'll stay home and cook like I normally do.

After I got my daily outburst out of the way, I had a relatively decent and productive day. Spent about an hour or two daydreaming about taking Dominic to Disney World. Who says Disney is just for kids? I've been all over the country on various vacations and it's still my all time favorite place to go. I already have his first five years planned out and he's not even here yet...

Finally decided it was time to be productive around 3 PM, and have been working on marketing and training materials for my businesses ever since. Now if only I could find some semi-intelligent, motivated employees my life would be complete!

"The game of life is the game of boomerangs. Sooner or later our thoughts, deeds and words come back to us with astounding accuracy."