Here are my three girls:

The love of my life Christina- who drove all the way across the country from North Carolina to my church in Bellingham to answer my prayers and be my wife (I am sure I would have gotten lost somewhere had God called me East!). We are absolute best friends.

My precious daughter Chloe, who is as cute as can be, and full of energy and life. She looks innocent in this picture, and will win you over with her sly ways, but she knows exactly what she is doing. We are worried about her taking over the world when she grows up.

Our wonderful Courtney, who we have known for five years, and staying with our family for a while. Courtney has fit right in, loves Chloe, is on Christina's cheer squad, and seems to enjoy my warped sense of humor (or at least tolerate it).

This picture was taken at a trip down to Burlington for a lunch at Chucky Cheese's. Sometimes we just need to get away for a bit of pizza, and "play" as Chloe would say.

Chloe Marie

My daughter turned two in August. She is at a brilliant stage, that is everything she does amazes Christina and I.

We were sitting at the dinner table, and I decided to try and book a weekend day away in Vancouver. She asked what I was doing, and when I told her, she replied "Oh, nice!" Such enthusiasm. Such innocence.

I delight in watching her. It is amazing being a dad, and what I learn from the world through the eyes of a two year old. She is playful, curious, determined, caring, sensitive, stubborn, and loving. Like her mom. Like me. Like us. We love being parents.

She dances. Every morning she will eat her breakfast, and then usually wait a half an hour before asking for "music" or "dance". We turn on a CD or the stereo, and she mimics moves she has seen by the cheerleaders, and makes up some of her own. She is thrilled by her own creativity, and fearless in attempting new physical feats. She climbs in her dances, and bounces and jumps off the couches and chairs. Our desire for her safety conflicts with our desire for her courage and physical developments- and the primary caring parent determines which wins (Christina leans more towards safety).

She has recently found that mom and dad put stuff in their hair (Christina mouse and I use a gel) and so any bottle she gets her hands on becomes hair cream. This has been frustrating, yet funny at the same time- because she is so proud of her new hairdos (or hair don'ts!).

I will try to keep up with Chloe's new adventures...

Intro to my new life

My name is Derek. For years, I imagined that my life would be total termoil, for that is all I knew. In fact, I did not understand what it meant to be content, for my life was a continual pursuit of peace, hapiness and contentment. I was not looking to settle- but I did want to be happy with the cards I had been dealt, and had a lack of confidence in that that caused unrest by me always trying to get something that I wasn't even sure existed.

God revealed himself to me slowly. It was not a grand or great vision- there was no parting of the clouds in the sky. But I recognized that the thoughts in me must be inspired by a Creator, and the the answer would only lie in His created plan.

Now, it seemed to me that there were an unlimited amount of plans to choose from- much like picking a cell phone service and plan, or picking a city to go to for vacation. Yet I was consistantly struck by the idea that perhaps the Creator had one specific plan...

I did not want to be a Christian. Honestly, I thought there was an arrogance about the attitude of the whole "grace" and "personal relationship" thing. And being that the country I am born in has recognized Christianity over any other world religion made my desire for uniqueness want to look somewhere else.

Yet in the words of Christ I was completely changed. Transfixed. Purplexed. Challenged. Terrified. I knew my life had to change. Outwardly I was a good guy- got good grades, had a bunch of friends, succeded at work and in sports- but I knew inside that everything I did was an attempt to self satisfy. And every other religion I looked at was some form of that very thing. Then there was Jesus. Dang it. I seemed to know in His words and presence that I needed to change.

So I did.

I have never regretted it- although the timing seemed inconvenient when I wanted to do my own thing. How many people wish they could completely do their own thing in college? Yet Jesus saved my life by revealing himself when He did. I am sure I would have self destructed.

So now I sit, it my house, surrounded by a loving family (my wife Christina, daughter Chloe and cared for daughter Courtney), with great friends, and a great job. I do not deserve or understand. But I am thankful, so thankful.

This is the story of my life, my family and our adventures.

Welcome to Dubland.