May Your Days be Merry & Bright

The Rant of an Old Man

I got cut off on the way to work this morning. The slam on your brakes, spill your contained beverage on your work khakis, cut off. And do you know what I did? Nothing. Notta. Zip. In fact, I wasn’t even that upset. I began the why process and came to one conclusion. Age. It’s not that I don’t have the youthful energy to flip someone the legendary long Perkins eff-you finger anymore - it’s that age has changed me. So here’s my theory. As we age, we change. Some good, some bad – but like it or not, it happens. Turns out at 28 years and 11 months, I am now officially too old for road rage. Take MTV for example. For years I watched MTV. And sometime in the last 5 years, I’ve stopped. MTV didn’t change, I did. It’s not that I am outraged or disgusted by the content, I just don’t get it anymore.

And when I hear popular music, I wonder how kids relate to it. To kids across America, is Killers to you what Weezer was to me? Is your Kanye my Snoop? Nickelback my Nirvana ? Your Jonas Brothers my Hansen?( …I’m kidding. Seriously, I was kidding about Hansen. I never listened to Hansen. SHUT YOUR FACE! EVERYBODY LOVED MMM.. BOPP!) But I digress.

Then there is my liberalism. Oh to go back to the days of when things were black and white. Black and white is so much easier than gray. But the older I get I figure life is hard enough without being rigid in my judgments. I’ve gone as far as liberalizing myself out of a religion. (insert awkward laugh here)

Maybe it’s being a month away from the big 2-Niner. Maybe you’ll read this and think me a rambling fool. But you can’t spell change without age. (I just made that up. Right here – on the spot. Honest truth, just as I typed it, I made it up.)

On to the point! The point is…oh forget it. I’m getting too old for this.

Dear Santa...

Actually, this is Londyn's letter to Santa this year. Londyn talked and Brynn wrote.

Dear Santa,

You’re the coolest guy. You give presents. I want a unicorn, princess castle and princesses. Actually, I want Hungry Hippo. I think I need another present. Actually, I want my own tape. I want a new shirt that is actually green, so that I can where it to pre-school tomorrow. Bye- Bye and I love you.

Sincerely,

Londyn Perkins

The Perkins Get A Puppy

I have never owned a dog. It’s not that I hate dogs or don’t think puppies are cute. I just am not a dog owner. So you can imagine my surprise when I found myself a proud owner of a 15-month old, 25 lb., bald little puppy dog. He is a happy little puppy. He does everything a little puppy is supposed to do. He loves finding an open bathroom door so he can paw at the toilet paper and play in the toilet. He eats any and every scrap of food we give him at the dinner table. And after dinner, he scours the floor for leftovers. He is constantly barking, and whines when he doesn’t get to go outside. He’ll fetch anything and bring it back dripping with slobber. He follows Londyn around the house at the slim chance she will stop what she is doing and play. To be honest, I just never thought I would own a puppy, but Calan has changed that. Cal is the best dog in the whole world.

The Wonderous Return of Mr. Bear Perkins

It’s a sad truth that we all have to learn at some point in our lives. Things die. Butterflies, cows, dinosaurs, crushes on Jennifer Love Hewitt…One day it’s there - the next gone. Forever.

But every so often something comes along that finds a way. It’s sheer will to survive is too strong to roll over and say life’s proverbial “Uncle”. A rainbow after the storm, the great pacific manatee, the prodigal son…crushes on Jennifer Love Hewitt. Somehow, some way, they make their way back into our lives -time and time again.

Bear is Londyn’s rainbow. We underestimated that stuffingless grizzly.

Found by a 14-month-old little boy, in a drawer that no one knew existed. By some miracle Bear is back…and loved more than ever by a 3-year-old little girl.

Welcome home Bear. It was 2 months that seemed an eternity to Londyn.

Cal's Activation

Well we guessed right! Everyone asked us how we thought Cal would respond when he was first turned on, and we said "he'll probably do his nervous laugh." He was such a good sport at the appointment. It is a long and strenuous process for a 1yr old, but he did a great job! For the past two weeks, Cal has just been getting acquainted with his implant. Yesterday we went in again and they activated more electrodes and turned it up a level. Today at breakfast Londyn started talking to Cal, and he turned and looked at her! I think it is the first time he has actually heard her talk. It has been a whole new world of fun at our house these last couple of weeks, and we are so grateful for the genius doctors that came up with this miraculous technology.

Here are a few pics of his new skull candy!

Cal's Implant

Been pretty busy 'round the Perkins' abode. Cal's cochlear implant was activated, took a little trip to Disneyland, and we are in mid Utah football season (a very important time in the Perkins home). So pics & stories are soon to come, but for now here is what Cal's implant looks like.

Obituary

Bear “B” Perkins - May 25, 2005 to September 10, 2009

Bear was born May 25, 2009 to Londyn Perkins. After a long battle of love and abuse, we lost Bear on September 10, 2009. Bear was a beloved member of the family that could be found anywhere Londyn was. He enjoyed naps, watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and having Londyn tell him stories at night. Bear especially loved being used as a weapon against Londyn’s younger brother, Calan. Survived by his best friend Londyn, brother “Monkey”, and numerous lifelong friends. While Londyn has been strong through this loss, our hearts and prayers are with Brynn Perkins whom is struggling with this tragedy. A traditional funeral will not be held, but a day of mourning is scheduled at the Perkins Home on Sept 26, 9am to 9pm. Family and friends are welcome to call during these hours for condolences.

Cal's Eventful Two Weeks

Mr. Cal turned 1! He had a great party with family, ate some yummy cake, and got a whole bunch of fun presents! Since he turned one, our sweet, cuddly boy has turned into a complete maniac. Cal is definitely going to be a wild man like his daddy!

Cal's Surgery went extremely well. He was only in surgery for an hour and a half. They were able to place all of the electrodes in the cochlea without any complications. In fact, he was back to his normal self about 7 hours after the surgery. There were three other 1 year old babies that got implants that day, so Cal had a lot of fun playing with his new friends! Our little man is such a trooper, and we are so very proud of him!

Happy Birthday Cal!

365 days ago that Brynn and I were in the hospital holding our tiny little infant. And here we are, one year later, holding a fat little man. And that fat little man has brought us more happiness then we ever thought possible. Calan is the type of kid that smiles for anybody, laughs for no reason, waves to passing airplanes and burrows into your neck when he’s tired. I’m lucky to be his Dad. Happy Birthday Cal.

T minus 16 days until Cochlear Implant, Pending Insurance...

We have had several people ask us "what exactly is a cochlear implant?" It's funny because almost every person who asks says: "Sorry, I am totally ignorant about this sort of thing." Please don't be sorry. We didn't have a clue what a CI was until a week after we found out our son was completely deaf. I always love educating people on the implant because it is a medical miracle. Technology now provides the opportunity for deaf people to hear the world around them. Why on earth would you do this to your 1 year old child? Why do you not let him get older and chose for himself? Well, here are our answers: When implanted at 1, a child's ability to learn and adapt to the new sound in his or her environment is easier than when he is older. They generally speak better and hear better the younger they are implanted. It is an extremely tough decision to make when you have a deaf child. You have people judging you all over the place (hearing and deaf). We decided that we have to do what is best for our family. We are a hearing and speaking family, so we decided to have Calan go down this road. I respect both sides of the argument on implanting a child, and I support any decision a parent makes for their own child. We will still sign, we will still teach him deaf culture, and we will never, ever, ever brush aside the fact that he is deaf. It is who he is, and we love him for it!

Happy 24th

To you and yours on this, the 24th of July...

The Calan Show

Cal is signing a 10-month old signing fool. As of now he has signed at one time or another: daddy, mommy, more, milk, light, airplane, binky, want and a few others. It is awesome to watch your deaf child communicate with you. He is doing really well. He is scheduled for his cochlear implant surgery Sept. 4th and 30 days later his implant will be activated. So in roughly 12 weeks our little dude will be able to hear. It’s pretty crazy to think about it. He also is starting (okay trying) to crawl. It’s tough for the kid. He’s basically made out of chubby circles, but he’s getting there. Bottom line, Cal's a cute little dude that is always happy. I think we'll keep him around.

Ham Slams & Brown Air Biscuits

Londyn toots…a lot. And to be honest, I think it's funny. I even think it’s funny she calls it a toot. (I guess it’s better than having your 3-year-old call it fart or butt-breath or something.) Every toot is hilarious to her and then she follows up her booty bomb by announcing it to anyone within hearing distance. A few days ago on the bed I aimed her little stinker at Brynn’s face, gave her a little tickle and pooooof...right on queue. Like I said she toots…a lot. It’s not a well kept secret that Brynn is the queen of the one-cheek sneak, so Londyn’s little talent is no surprise. But I digress. While watching a Tivoed recording of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (does anyone else Tivo cartoons for their kids or are we just horrible parents?) Anyways, while watching Mickey, Londyn let one rip and looked up at me just giggling and said, “I tooted.” Then it hit me. Does she do this at Pre-School? Nursery? Grandparents? I promptly made her say excuse me and told myself no more laughing at the toot. Being a parent is hard.

Proud Motherly Moments

This last month has been filled with several "proud motherly moments." One of the first great moments was watching Cal sign for the first time. Of course it was "daddy," but that's okay. He is now signing ball, more, and mommy! It is so exciting to watch your child communicate, especially because you realize that they have actually been learning what you have been trying to teach them for the past 9 months!
My second proud moment was watching Londyn perform a dance routine for the first time. For all of you that know me, dance has been a humongous part of my life for the past 24 years. I will tell all of you dancers out there that there is not one single moment in your entire dancing career that will surpass the moment you watch your child on stage for the first time. She was awesome up there, and not to mention she was so stinkin' cute in her blue tutu!

Happy Birthday Londyn

Roll Call

Londyn turns the big 3-years-old tomorrow. She spends her days at pre-school, dance and singing around the house. She is still 90% cute 10% turd, but we wouldn't have her any other way.


Calan is finally sitting up and playing around. He is starting to sign a little more and Brynn and I fight everyday about if he signed Mommy or Daddy first. (Just for the record, it was Daddy.) He's a happy little dude that gets even happier in the presence of anything that resembles food.


Not much changes with the Beav & I. Brynn still teaching dance and Steve is liking the new job. (Although it is in Provo and I am surrounded by way too many byu DB's.) That's 'bout it for us.

Threads of Destiny

A few years ago, my dad wrote a book. And after many edits and rewrites I finally made him stop and get it published. And the day is here. Larry Perkins is the author of the published novel: Threads of Destiny: Book One of the Bloodstone Amulet. I have read this book and I have to say it is pretty freakin' good. And not "good" becasue my dad wrote it either. It is an intense, fun, interesting historical fiction. Well done Larry T. And for those that want to read it...go and buy it on Amazon.com (I told you this thing was legit.)



(CLICK HERE TO SEE IT ON AMAZON)

Cinco de Mustache 2009

I smell man. And that man is me. And the smell is mustache. Sweet, sexy, manly mustache. 2009 Cinco de Mustache was a raging success of testosterone and turned on women. The lip caterpillars came in all shapes and sizes this year. Present, was the Selleck, the Molester, the Little League Coach and more than a few Handlebar interpretations. It felt good filling my man tank with mustache gas. To all those that grew, I salute you. Here are a few pics.



WARNING: Contents may not be suitable for children under the age of 14.

euro '09

I could throw out a few words like incredible, amazing, wow, breathtaking, dope, romantic, perfect and holy *&%#! But it will not even begin to describe how it feels to stand on top of the Eiffel Tower, walk the halls of Versailles, float the canals of Venice or stand in the center of Ancient Rome. Brynn and I came back full of memories (and gelato) and are already trying to figure out how to make our way back...

Creativity

I get paid to be creative. By this standard, the director of this video should live in a house of gold and eat diamonds for breakfast.

Sleepy Cal

Roll Call

Been a bit since the last roll call so here we go.

Cal is still a happy, chubby lil' dude. Pretty sure he is starting to break a few teeth and is really starting to show his fun personality. He is doing really well with his hearing aids (when he's not pulling them out) and is even responding to sound. Check him out on his blog (CLICK HERE). He is still on schedule for a cochlear implant this summer, so it should be a busy year for Calan.



Londyn is 90% cute, 7% drama and 3% turd. She keeps the Perkins house interesting. She loves dance, Mickey Mouse, drawing, anything princess and learning sign language. She is always happy unless she is not getting exactly what she wants. I her words, she just likes everything "perfect".



Brynn is in dance competition season, which means all of her free time is consumed by dance. And as for me, I'm just waiting for 2 things: our vacation and for it to be warm enough to golf.

Consider yourself updated.

I'm going to go ahead and brag...

I usually don’t use the blog in order to brag. But, in this particular entry I think I am going to go ahead and make an exception. Brynn and I just booked a trip to a few well-known destinations that we are rather excited about. Try Paris, Venice and Rome on for size. Go ahead and hate us, consume yourself with jealousy. Hate us as we look off the top of the Eiffel Tower, be jealous as we walk the palace of Versailles, despise us as we gondola the channels of Venice and breathe the air of the Caesars...I know I would.

Happy Birthday Daddy

Happy Birthday Steve! We love you, and we are grateful for all that you do for us. You are a great daddy!

Farewell to a Friend

(STOP! Don’t read! Turn up the speakers and wait for the music to load. Is the music on? Can you hear it? Good, now you may begin...)

Know this reader, I write these remarks with a trembling hand.

How can I put 7 years of worship into a few unadorned sentences? Remember when we just met, and I shamelessly admitted my love to you? Do you remember the time we went camping and I got you lost? But typical you…(sigh)…sweet typical you. You trusted in me and let me lead you back to safety. Ha! It seems like just yesterday that I talked you into getting that University of Utah tattoo on your back. I talked to you when know one else would listen. You heard me sing my (now broken) heart out. Oh the memories! How can I possibly live without you? I love you, I have from the first day I met you.

And though I no longer hold your key, you will always hold the key to my heart.

Goodbye my Jeep Cherokee. Goodbye my friend.

I’ve laughed in you, I’ve cried in you, I’ve brought home my first born child in you, I’ve even made love in you...a lot...(and it was good. Really good, seriously ask Brynn). But alas, our paths now divide. And now I leave with you the sweet words that have been sung in your belly...

And I'll take with me the memories
To be my sunshine after the rain
It's so hard to say goodbye to yesterday.
-Boys II Men

RESULTS!

This last week has been a big week for little Cal. The long awaited (and dreaded) MRI finally happened on Wednesday. And a few long days later we got the results. Cal has all his little ear bits and pieces and appears to be a good candidate for cochlear implant surgery. Brynn and I are extremely excited about the news. By no means is this an easy road, but at least we know what road we are on, and that in itself it a tremendous relief.

Big Week for the Perkins

It is only Wednesday, and this week has already been a huge week for us. Londyn had her first day of dance on Monday. She didn't even get off of my lap! She kept edging off of my legs toward the dance floor, but she didn't quite make it out there. She was more into me buying her some ballet slippers than actually dancing. We will see how it goes.


Today was Londyn's first day of Preschool! She is attending a toddler class for children that are developmentally delayed. Londyn will take as a non-delayed toddler to serve as a model for some of the other children. The first day was a huge success. Londyn loves her teachers, and she especially loves playing with all of the fun toys! She made a new friend named Jewel, and she completed a fantastic picture of snow. It is bitter sweet. She is growing up, which is so exciting, but it is going by way too fast.

Today is the day our family has been waiting for since we found out Cal had profound hearing loss. Cal is getting his MRI to find out whether or not he will be capable of hearing. Today determines Cal's entire future as far as language goes. Whichever road it is, we know that everything will be great. We have a beautiful, healthy little boy, and that is all a parent can ask for. Stay tuned for the results...