*Chad Jarnagin

Last week, Jen and I took Elijah to Cincinnati for his 1st Reds game (a series in which we swept Houston). This night was like nothing I’ve ever really experienced. Elijah will probably not remember a thing from the night, but I will recall it for as long as I have breath. I come from a baseball family. An uncle and a cousin both pitched in the major leagues. My dad almost signed a minor league deal. And another uncle was a scout for 2 different major league clubs, including the Reds. Where my father and I weren’t very close, he and I always shared a love for the the game.

My dad passed away in DEC of 07. He and I were never close enough to go to a pro game together. Never close enough in proximity or relationship. Last Tuesday at the game w/ Elijah, I realized that 9 months into his life, he and I had already experienced something that my dad and I were never able to do together.

Growing up close to Cincinnati and loving the game of baseball just seemed to go hand in hand. Our beloved Reds are the heart beat of the culture. I remember going to my 1st game at Riverfront Stadium in 1982. It was magic. My step dad knew how much it would mean to me, and he eventually made it happen. I’m grateful for those memories.

I have gone on to make many trips to Reds games, and have actually performed the national anthem at several games over the past few years. There’s a lot of magic in Cincinnati for me. Everything from Skyline Chili, Graeter’s Ice Cream to coming over the hill in KY overlooking the Queen City… Now, I get to begin memories with my little boy… who I hope will grow up to be a Reds fan like his dad. If he were to end up helping the club’s pitching cause one day, I wouldn’t complain.

I have to add that Elijah lasted thru a 45 minute rain delay and the entire 9 innings. I was proud.

As I started out 2009, I wanted to give you a taste of my reflection.

I am coming to realize that family is more important than I have ever given it credit. And I for one have married into an amazing family. I have truthfully never had a sense of this type of synergy and community before. They have been and are some of the most encouraging and supportive people I have known.

Check out my sister in law’s store HERE & her site HERE.

My brother in law (Ryan) is a talented songwriter & film-maker. HERE.

My wife whom I can’t say enough about. HERE.

My other brother in law (Paul) is another skilled film-maker videographer. HERE.

Today, take time to reflect on what your family means to you.

I’m thankful for friends, family, health, grace, provision, inspiration, my son, my wife, & my God.

I hope that we can all take time to reflect on life with gratitude and thankfulness. If you think you have nothing to be thankful for, you are mistaken. Look again.

Happy Thanksgiving USA.

Some things that we are noticing w/ Elijah…

-He likes football (even-though he isn’t allowed to watch tv).

-He enjoys the ladies (he’s got game at 3 mo.)

-He loves to make noise when he first wakes up (by singing or talking. we can’t tell yet).

-He has a tooty booty.

See his video HERE.