Grahamtastic

Our prayers have been answered baby Graham is out of the NICU and home with his family. There are a few more tests and check ups tomorrow for mommy and baby but we are grateful and relieved to be home.

The New Kid on the Block. Savs holding baby Graham and J.T. kicking it old school. The Law Trio is a beauty of a bunch.

Graham Crackers

Hello Friends,

After a very long induction day Graham Murdock Law made his earthly debut Thursday Night, April 23rd, at 6:32pm. Tipping the scale at a beefy 7lbs 1oz. and an NBAesque 19 inches tall Graham entered this wonderful world giving us all quite a fright.

His first breaths were tense as he struggled to begin breathing. Chest x-rays confirmed a small hole in his lung calling it a pneumothorax (went to wikipedia for that one). A gaggle of doctors, 4 to be exact, tell us it is a semi-common ordeal for new babies transitioning from breathing through a tube to using their tiny new lungs to go through and that it will clear up quickly. The hospital, erring on the side of caution, admitted him to the NICU and are keeping him in an oxygen hood for observation until Sunday and has him on an IV for food.

Everything is great they just want to keep him close for observation. Graham is a healthy boy and we have faith he will be fine but we are impatient because we have not been able to hold him yet (TODAY WE GOT TO HOLD HIM FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES BEFORE HE WENT BACK INTO HIS BUBBLE). Kerilee was amazing and is resting nicely, Savannah can’t get over the idea that baby Graham was in mom’s tummy yesterday and now he is not (this is a conversation for another day), JT can’t stop pointing at Graham and shouting “baybeee”, and dad is still a ball of emotion We want to thank all of you for your kind thoughts and prayers. We are very blessed to have this beautiful little baby in our family and are looking forward to bringing him home to meet his brother and sister in a couple of days.

Life is good,

Welcome Graham we are glad you are finally here.

Living Mormon Ads

I happenstanced onto this youtube clip that moved me in ways that I haven't been moved in a while (and if you now what I look like you would know how hard the said moving would be).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhLlnq5yY7kv=RhLlnq5yY7k

After watching the video by elder Uchtdorf I saw you could subcribe to these messages and followed the link below to *gasp* a thing of greatness.

Mormon Messages:

http://www.youtube.com/user/MormonMessages

I was shock-ed and amaz-ed to see the church has an official you tube channel...copy and pasted from the site...Mormon Messages is an official channel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.Each week, Mormon Messages provides short video segments about the Church's basic beliefs, as well as inspiring stories and messages of hope. Watch these gospel-centered videos and then share them with family, friends and those of other faiths.Subscribing to this channel (using the "Subscribe" button above) will allow you to receive email updates when new videos are added.

I may be a little behind the (signs) of the times and you may already know of this fantastic goodness but I thought I would share.

Taking a Swim In Lake You

One of the young men I work with in the Teacher's Quorum asked for my help with a school project this week. He needed to write an essay on a very handsome and successful public figure. I was a natural fit and of course I said yes. It was a question and answer exercise. He probably stole this from Facebook and I will be tagged 1700 times by the time I log in tomorrow but I post this for anyone reading to feel free to copy the questions and answer them yourself. It was good introspection.

Mark (said teacher from paragraph above) here is my ramblings…

1: What are your hopes for the future? That if anyone ever wrote a book about my life I would want it too include more that one chapter. Also, to find true success, keep lasting happiness and I hope that this country won’t be in so much debt my grandchildren will be living in the United States of Canada.

2: What is one thing that you deeply fear? Taxes, death and death from taxes...Not living up to my self expectations.

3:What is the on thing (possession, person, etc.) that you treasure the most? I value more than anything in this world my life, my wife, and my children (not in that order).

4: If you could have just one wish what would it be? A Happy, Happy Birthday to you from me (what primary song is that from Mark?) To know that I am raising my children the right way.

5:What is the one thing that you like most about yourself? Why? My rugged good looks, incredibly above average IQ and my ability to laugh at myself.

6:If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be? Why? My inner and outer image. I am a lump of clay left out in the sun way to long and I have started to melt into a soft gooey mess. I would like to tone myself up.

7:Describe the man/woman of your dreams? I have been married to her for 6 years. She is the most beautiful creature inside and out, compassionate, strong, and loving to me and my children.
8:what are your political views? Conservative/Republican. I believe in free agency. I believe in self empowerment. I believe that no one owes me anything and that just because I live in this great country I don’t believe I deserve a handout (bailout) from the Government.

9:What are your religious views? LDS, Mormon, Christian. I believe that Jesus is my Savior and that I will live again eternally with my family. I believe this life is a test to develop faith, keep commandments, and to do everything I can to help my fellow man. I believe in ancient and modern day prophets. I believe in scripture that can motivate me to do the things that are right. I believe that we are all God’s children and he wants us to be happy.

10:Where do you see yourself in ten years? Twenty years (family, career, etc)? 10 years, wealthy, healthy and wise. 20 years, extremely wealthy healthy and wise.

10 years…to have reached the pinnacle of the Aflac management hierarchy (only one more step to go). We want to have 6 children (only 3.5 more to go)
20 years…retired and watching our children grow and develop into self sustaining, community contributing people who DO NOT LIVE under my roof.

Hope this helps Mark. It was fun to do. This is A plus material let me know if you need anything else.

Today I will Make a Difference

Quotes and daily affirmations from Max Lucado’s Form the Anvil

Today I will make a difference.

I will begin by controlling my thoughts. A person is the product of his thoughts.

I want to be happy and hopeful. Therefore, I will have thoughts that are happy and hopeful.

I refuse to be victimized by my circumstances. I will not let petty inconveniences such as stoplights, long lines, and traffic jams be my masters.

I will avoid negativism and gossip.

Optimism will be my companion, and victory will be my hallmark.

Today I will make a difference.

I will be grateful for the twenty-four hours that are before me. Time is a precious commodity. I refuse to allow what little time I have to be contaminated by self-pity, anxiety, or boredom.

I will face this day with the joy of a child and the courage of a giant.

I will drink each minute as though it is my last. When tomorrow comes, today will be gone forever. While it is here I will use it for loving and giving.

Today I will make a difference.

I will not let past failures haunt me. Even though my life is scarred with mistakes, I refuse to rummage through my trash heap of failures. I will admit them. I will correct them. I will press on. Victoriously. No failure is fatal. It's OK to stumble...I will get up. It's OK to fail...I will rise again.

Today I will make a difference.

I will spend time with those I love. My significant other, my children, my family.

A man can own the world but be poor for the lack of love. A man can own nothing and yet be wealthy in relationships.

Today I will spend at least five minutes with the significant people in my world. Five quality minutes of talking or hugging or thanking or listening. Five undiluted minutes with my friends.

Today I will make a difference.

Feathers A Flyin'

The boys are fixin' to go racin' and the Sacred #99 car is ready for the left turn marathon that is the Daytona 500. I can not believe the popularity of NASCAR and the excitement that the marriage between Carl Edwards and the Duck has generated.

Enjoy the newest commercials debuting this weekend.

http://wms6.streamhoster.com/pebennett/Video/AflacCommercials_020509.wmv

Putting Your Best Foot Forward

I am going to begin posting excerpts from my weekly newsletter to my sales teams on this blog. I hope you likey, comments and contributions are welcomed and potentially will be plagiarized. Thank you in advance.

As I get older, more things make sense to me. Mark Twain said, “When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years.” A funny take on perspective. I am hearing more and more each day the troubles of our economy. I hear of job market woes. I hear of people’s budgets growing while their income is shrinking. I interview people daily who feel beaten and tired. However, I also see hope. I see positive attitudes. I see people succeeding. Like Mark Twain as he grew older, I HAVE A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE. I believe your attitude attracts a similar outcome. I know that was a heavy statement (I had to read in nine times to make sure it made sense). What I mean if you think you will fail then you will. If you believe, you will make that sale YOU WILL. Your confidence is a silent indicator to those around you, and potential customers can read any sign of doubt. Growing up I participated in the Boy Scouts. I am proud to say I achieved the Eagle Scout award. During my Eagle “Court of Honor”, my scoutmaster gave a speech that to this day has influenced my life. He stood and showed dozens of photographs from the troop as we participated in camp outs, merit badge work, and fun activities. He paused on several that showed me in “scouting” action and in every picture, I had one foot in from of the other. This became the theme of his message, “Living life with your best foot forward.” Doing everything, you can with your very best effort. Leading with your best and expecting the greatest outcome.
I believe with the right perspective we are great. In sales and with Aflac I want this team to be leading with their best foot forward. My perspective is positive. I see great people winning. I see a team that reaches their goals. I see confident sales people helping others in an economy that is begging for our policies.

We are confident salespeople and we need to have an attitude of success. We need to put our best foot forward and AP will be a product of our efforts.
Have a great week with your best foot forward.

-Judd Law