Baby Brody is here!

Well I am sitting in Methodist Germantown this morning looking at my baby son. This has been one of the coolest experiences to meet this little stranger that has been hiding from us for 9 months! He is perfect! Cari-Beth was a trooper! She did so well through about 12 hours of labor and a c-section. I was feeling worse than she was I think, and I didn't have to do anything! I am so proud of her. She is going to be an awesome mom. I am going to try and pick up this blog more since Brody has arrived. I will try and add pictures once I can get them uploaded.

Bring it on 2010

Well, I am sitting here at my desk on December 29th listening (kinda listening) to a web conference. In 2009 we have had some real excitement.

- First of all Cari-Beth and I found out we are going to be parents! Brody Allen McDonald is due April 15th.
- Second, Cari-Beth and I vacationed in the Dominican Republic this past June. We went with our good friends Justin and Ashley Foreman. That was a very relaxing trip in a beautiful place.
- My Sister-in-Law got engaged on Christmas Day. So we will have a wedding to attend in 2010.
- Cari-Beth moved to Bon Lin Elementary as a 2nd grade teacher
- I am about to complete my first full year back at McDonald Insurance

It appears that 2010 will be even more exciting than 2009
- Of course we will have a baby
- 2 Family members are getting married this year on Cari-Beth's side
- Hopefully the economy will be a little more improved this year. Nationwide Insurance has a new CEO that seems to have a better focus, which I hope will bring a better market for my business.
- On top of all this we always seem to be busy with 1 or 2 activities to be at each month that keep us on out toes

I also have been trying to get back into reading both for personal and professional reasons. I am working on a couple of Insurance Designations. One is my Life Underwriting Training Council Fellowship and second is the Certified Life Underwriter designation. These are really causing me to stretch in my knowledge of Insurance. I am a strong believer that in order to be the best in your industry, you must be a career student. Here is a rundown of the books I have covered or am covering currently:
1. Techniques for Prospecting: Prospect or Perish
2. Fundamentals of Estate Planning
3. The Game Plan by Warren Barhurst
4. The Street Lawyer by John Grisham
5. The Expectant Father (can't remember the author)
6. Rich Dad Poor Dad
7. The Richest Man in Babylon
8. The Psychology of Selling

After looking over my reading list I notice that I am focusing a great deal on my business life, but have neglected my Spiritual Life. I would really like to make a New Years Resolution to spend more time reading books about my Spiritual walk.

Long Time no post

Hello all,

I think it is time for me to pick this website back up and get active again.

As you all know, Cari-Beth is pregnant with our first child. She is now almost 15 weeks along. We have the Gender Appointment on Nov. 13 to find out boy or girl. We are so excited! She is doing very well. She is not as sick feeling as she once was.

I went on a worship retreat with Worship groups from Sycamore View, Highland, Ross Road, White Station, Cordova Community, and a few others. It was very refilling to be amongst brothers and sisters and to have such awesome worship! What powerful testimony we heard on Saturday night with such Transparency.

Well, I hope someone reads this since it has been so long!

Election

Well, the as the election draws near it appears that the candidates are in a dead heat. It appears that John McCain has closed the gap and then some. It is an exciting time for Republicans! The first Female Republican Nominee is a great one! Gov. Palin brings a fresh look to the campaign and was an excellent choice. Watch out Obama, McCain/Palin is taking the White House!

The closer Nov. gets, the tougher it will be. McCain has to do a good job of separating himself from the current president and promote action. Nothing against Bush, but in order to capture the swing votes needed he has to have a different look than the last 8 years. Obama will continue to try and tie McCain to Bush, but I think he will be unsuccessful.

It has been a well played chess match so far and I know that the Dems. have more tricks up their sleeves as well as the republicans. I worry from an Obama led nation. I feel his interests lie in higher taxes and I also worry about Obama's ties with his previous pastor and their "Loyalty to Mother Africa" as was described on the church website. I think the republican party has been largely gagged by the media, which plays to their favor. Because poll #'s are skewed farther towards the liberals than reality holds.

We are in tough times and I think there will be changef or the better no matter who takes office. But I feel McCain is better prepared for the job and has the public interest at heart.

The Economy

Well it looks like Corporate America is having a time with the economy the way it is. I noticed Wachovia Bank posted a loss of 8.86 Billion for the 2nd quarter. Also I hate to see the Starbucks closings. Though I am not a coffee drinker, I noticed the location at Summer and Appling is closing (My mom is a wreck!). This is not good for Bartlett, since it was a great addition to the area. It looks like we will need to fasten our seatbelts for a long ride. Hopefully we will see a turn after the fall election since the presidential election is amplifying matters. This election is a real downer!

Anywho, I think this market lends itself well to the saying "Buy Low, Sell High".

The Dark Knight

Well it has been a while... To busy for my own good.

Scott Penny and I went and saw the movie Sunday. What an awesome film! HeathLedger played the role of the Joker great and Christian Bale is a great Batman.

Siskel and McDonald give it an A+!

My Nephew Connor and the House

We are so excited that Connor has now arrived. He came into our lives around 9:15 pm on the 24th of April. He weighed 7 pounds and was 20 inches. He as a beautiful baby! I know my brother and Cari are so proud.

My good friend Callie used her great ability for photography (as she has with alot of children) and took pictures of Dylan and Connor together. NOw as most of you know, it takes an act of God to get Dylan still for many pictures, so you have to be quick with the lense. Anyways here are the ones she sent me.

Also I wanted to post some pics of the new house with our stuff instead of the previous owner.