Daddy Daycare: Canadian Edition 1

Well Melissa is off to her annual ICMA conference this year in Quebec, Canada. So ya'll pray for me as I endeavour upon taking care of the girls for the next 6 days solo. Tonight was a pretty easy night, in that daycare took care of the divas for most of the day. I picked them up around 5pm and they both were in good spirits. Amaya has been battling a bad eczema outbreak (oral and topical meds) and Zoe is battling a bad eye cold. With that said the night went fairly well. Both girls are down and its just a little past 930pm. Not sure what I will do with them over the weekend especially considering that its raining here nonstop. Actually its supposed to rain here all weekend. All in all I love these moments that I have with my girls. They are unequivocally the love of my life and I cherish the time that I have with them. God thank you.

Luby's

Why is it that old people love Luby's. Some coworkers and I went there for lunch and had a blast! I didn't realize how expensive that place has gotten either. I chose a "power lunch" for $5.99 and my total cost ended up being $13.79!! What they do is tease you with all these a la carte sides and sweets. I couldn't resist. Anyways I saw a little girl got a pink balloon so you know me, I had to get one also...haha

Too much CatchUp!

So the past few days have been extremely event-filled for me. This past week I was in ATL on business. I got a call from Melissa that Zoe needed to be taken to the ER for signs of a viral infection. So here I was sitting in the airport and couldn't be there to comfort my baby baby. I must admit that not being there to console your child is the most helpless feeling that a parent could feel. It is similar to when your wife is giving birth and you cannot take any of that pain away. Us men are put in odd situations at times in our lives. Anyways when I finally landed I rushed to the house and you could tell that Zoe had been through a long day. I felt so bad! The next day I decided to stay at home with her to make sure that everything was ok with her. Thank God she has bounced back like a champ. The weekend was really busy. On Saturday we attended the Tri-City Animal Shelter grand opening. I must admit that I am very proud of Melissa. She is very instrumental in her efforts and work with Cedar Hill and her hard work definitely shows. I think she found her calling in working in city government.
So after the shelter event we went to Damien's (frat bruh) 30th birthday party. That was really fun because I hadn't been to a good house party in a while. Aren't house parties so fun?! I mean there is nothing like laughs, food, drinks, and good friends. That has to be a perfect combination!
On Sunday we went to church and just hung out with the girls for the rest of the day. Going to church and spending quality family time on Sundays is always a great way to top off an eventful weekend.
So there you have it. That is the script that Shawn (me) played out for the past couple of days...

It starts with me

So I went to church with the pham yesterday (as usual) and was really enlightened. The associate pastor covered the widely misinterpreted scripture "Wives submit to your husbands, and husbands love your wives". The direction that he took really impressed me. His take on the verse was that the action starts with you. Not to use it as a "this is what you need to be doing" write of passage. He used examples as God sending his son Jesus to us and him being sacrificed to save our souls. This was God making the 1st step for/towards us. He basically said that rather than waiting on the other person to make the move why don't you just make the 1st move. This really resonated in my life as I had become the person that was irritated by others around me not making the "1st move" that I vowed not to make another positive move until I was reassured that the other person had already done so. Bad mistake that has cost me severely in my life thus far. But God is a forgiving God and has continued to guide me in the right path (sometimes I go kicking and screaming); but I go. I sum this up to say make the move. Rather that person is moving or even plans to move. Make that move...

Baby Pics

Thought I would share these baby pics with ya'll... as soon as Melissa "Procrastinator" Stephens gets me a baby pic of herself I will update it...haha

@MrShawnStephens, Twitter that is...

So I finally set myself up with a twitter account. Lets see how innovative I can be. Hit me up @mrshawnstephens...I think that's how the techies put it nowadays..haha

Essence of Food Poisoning

So recently I attended the Essence festival held in New Orleans, LA. So on the 1st night that we are there we are headed back to the room and were going to stop for McDonald's. Me being the smartest guy that I am said "why dont we just get Popeye's. I mean we are in New Orleans!". So we walk a couple more paces and get a bucket of chicken, red beans & rice, and bisquits. Long story short I woke up the next morning and knew that something was wrong! I walked over to the CVS to get some rolaids and pepto. By noon that day I had starting chucking. That went on for 24 hours! Then all the other symptoms of food poisoning started!! haha yall know what I mean! Anyways I didn't start feeling better until Wednesday (4 days later!!) So if you ask me how my 1st Essence Festival was I will defer you to this blog!
Other than that this past Sunday the wifey (Melissa) and I took the girls swimming. I must admit when she 1st brought it up I was not excited (anyone that knows me knows that I am not really; hell not at all and outdoors person. I mean unless of course it is my favorite season; the FALL). It turned out to be a great idea because we all had a wonderful time. I enjoyed watching the family splish and splash in the pool. My girls are getting so big!! I can feel that baby innocence wearing off of them....tear..haha.
Lately my life has been less dramatic and more stable. I have been attending church and trying to apply every lesson that the pastor instills somewhere in my life. 3 weeks ago he talked about legalism and how that theory (we do good things so we can make it to heaven) is not the way we should be. He basically said that 1st we need to accept that we are a child of God and that the reason we do good things is because we are good people. I must admit that this went against the way I had thought but it really opened me up to learn to accept who I am and why I do the things that I do. God has really been working with me and showing me how to live my life. I thank God for that!
Other than that all is well. I have been trying to eat healthy every morning (yogurt and bottle of water). I am watching my weight. Yes even skinny me has to do that. Its mainly my midsection. I cant have these young Chris Browns, Omarions, and Zach Efrons showing me up...haha. Still havent started lifting weights but oh well.
Lately I have been fighting my want for a motorcycle. I really want one but recently Melissa sent me an email about a couple that passed when riding one. I don't want to end up like that bc I have to walk both of these little divas in training down the isle. Maybe i'll just add some things to my car and that will suffice for not having a motorcycle...we will see.
Overall I thank God for continuing to show me the right way to live and not letting me loose my mind even when I wanted to. I thank all the people that continue to pray for me....it really does work...
P.S.
Lately ive been missing you mom. Either me and the pham are going to have to come visit you or youre gonna have to come this way! I love you
And lately i've been speaking to someone that hasnt really been in my life consistently. I love you too and I thank God that we are able to speak. I know we dont show it or even see one another hardly ever but know that I am here for you as I know you are here for me.
Ya'll like my hair?! Im trying to get it back like I had it 1 year ago!! I shouldve never cut it...haha