I don't mind telling you... hurricanes, while spectacular-looking on radar, are decidedly less attractive at "eye level." (so to speak)

Right now the wife is dozing with Ryan on her chest, and I am designing an escape route when we know for certain where this enormous system called Frances is heading. There will be but a scant few hours to decide whether to stay or go, and the "go" option is waning. The immense size of the storm looks as though it can engulf over 2/3rds of the state, and the roads are already jammed with motorists fleeing to other venues. Luckily, we're still somewhat in ready mode from Charley.
I've got a $3 million shopping center under contract and going to settlement this month, and she's right in Frances' path. Fantastic.

Pray for us.

Posted by: Paul @ 10:55 PM

Every day that goes by, no matter how action-packed, leaves me feeling guilty about not keeping you all abreast of the monumental developments in the life of our young boy. This blog was designed to keep up with the fantastic real estate market in Southwest Volusia County, and provide some ancillary information about events at the Long Family Compound.

Ryan Walker Long has put the kaibash on that plan, but good!

There is so ever-loving much to tell about happenings in this cozy little town, but these tidbits will have to wait for another day. Suffice to say that the market here is beyond torrid, and the more one hustles, the more one is rewarded. I will throw some information together about some of the more choice offerings currently available in this neck of the woods, but to snooze is to lose. Case in point, a listing I was fortunate enough to garner in my own neighborhood of Country Club Estates. The property was available for about eight hours, and garnered six offers. Not a bad deal, either… three beds, two baths, a pool that needed a bit of TLC, but was still quite serviceable, and a lot that is private and almost 300 feet deep. We were asking $172,900, and the activity would indicate that the price was on the nose.

The opportunities are still there, but the door closes as quickly as it opens. Stay frosty, and have the checkbook ready.

Now, for the boy. He is well over ten pounds, and sleeps soundly through the night. His presence is so joyous we can scarcely contain ourselves when sweeping him into our arms. I am the stay-at-home dad, and with a few tweaks to my existing home office the transition should be quite do-able for the foreseeable future. Laura floats through her days, knowing her cherub awaits. Watching her stifle a tear when nursing, or taking such care at choosing his tiny outfit, further convinces me that God wanted her to be a mother in the biggest way.

We have made it through the first stages of a profoundly premature birth, complete with all the trimmings. We have had scares at the hospital, a few scares at home- mishaps and blunders, diving catches and clutch decision-making. Ryan has even endured his first hurricane, which thankfully skirted our home and pounded the corridor directly to our East. He is such a trooper, nothing seems to fluster him. Those bottomless baby blues seem to soak it all up and beg for more input. He has taken to bridging quite vigorously on our chests, and is now eating cereal with his milk. And he is starting to realize the benefits of a well-placed smile or coo. Watching him develop is mesmerizing, and all the proof I need of a higher power.

So here are the latest pix. Enjoy.

We survived Hurricane Charley. While the winds grew and the rain pelted, I grabbed these images of mother and child just before the lights went out for good. Ryan was such a trooper.

The next day I went to help some folks dig from under the debris, and our electricity had yet to be restored. Laura dressed Ryan appropriately for the muggy weather and then proceeded to take what I consider to be the finest photos of him to date. He reclined, and she snapped away and the rest, shall we surmise, is history.

These two were taken after discovering that young Ryan can snore rather impressively!

Ryan’s doting Gammy threw an elaborate bash to introduce our son to the fiercesome prayer warriors who showered us with positive energy through the first precious weeks of his life. It was delightful to see the interaction of multiple generations, and watching Ryan give back to those who were so unconditionally supportive just warmed our hearts.

This one still gets to me.

Afterward, we opened gifts (given despite our protestations… you are all so very sweet!) and then marveled at our sleeping prince. Despite the car ride and the rather long day, he came through like a champ... a very tired champ.

Finally, I played super-sleuth while Laura dozed and captured these gems of Ryan in a most delightfully sporting outfit. My wife looks divine, even in repose. I think it is her square smile, like Bridgette Fonda, that attracts me the most. Life is good. Even our kitten, Saturn, thinks that things are somewhat acceptable.

Posted by: Paul @ 10:29 PM