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!