Hello

I finally figured out how to contribute. I don't have anything erudite to say because I don't know what that word means. Congrats to Ben and Marinda. Who woulda thunk Ben was such a softy? I hope that 4-leaf clover keeps on keeping on.

Glad law school is over. Bar study isn't nearly as bad as I had expected and actually pretty interesting. I had a good friend tell me yesterday that there are two kinds of people in this world he won't trust - I thought he was going to say women and terrorists, but he said "doctors and lawyers." Looks like I've got my work cut out for me. Bethany finishes school 5 June and is anxious for some free time. We hope to have the movers come 8 August and be in Kansas that weekend to go house hunting. I haven't killed any deacons yet, but the calling lasts for a few more months so I've got plenty of time. I hope my own children live past the age of 13 - I'm hopeful, but not confident that they will. If you get the chance, watch King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters - documentary about a bunch of video game geeks fighting over who has the best Donkey Kong score. Hilarious - especially the guy who comments on Donkey Kong's devious nature. Check it out. Hooah.

Here she is with Grandma. She looks too young to be a Grandma right? Emily's totally chilled.

Grandpa. Now not only in the sense that he's old, but literally, too.

She's apparently shocked to be home. Emily, not Marinda. That's the new chair we got, which rocks. Both literally and in the fact that it's awesomely comfortable.

The cigar is from Josh Brandon. Bubble gum "It's a Girl" cigar. Josh takes command pretty soon and goes to Iraq in 2009. His other gifts include a four leaf clover that I wear around my neck with a pic of me and Marinda and a "I listen to Led Zeppelin with my Daddy" onesie for Emily. Marinda's brother mentioned that I should be proud of Emily's hair because she's already prepared to headbang! Rock on.

Emily

Here's my favorite pic of little Emily. She's one day old in it. She had so much hair at first that it looked like a Groucho Marx toupee. Hilarious. She is one good lookin' little girl, in my opinion. The other picture is of me in Kandahar shortly after the birth and knowledge that Mom and baby were okay and healthy. It was a great feeling. I'm a little surprised at how much I long to be there to hold her and see Marinda through this time. I knew it would be hard, but it's more frustrating than I expected. I've charged Marinda to send me at least one pic a day, and I hope to receive some video soon. It was awesome to hear her cry shortly after the birth. It's such an amazing feeling. Can't wait to see her in person! Thank you Mom and Dad for helping Marinda so much. She told me how you, Dad, put the swing together and that Emily loves it already. Mom, you did so much to help Marinda. Thanks so much. It's been great to read all of your nice comments about her. I'm so excited to be a dad. Any recommendations/advice, Dad? Here's what one of my Iraqi friends recommended:

Dear bin

Congratulation for your daughter ;
It is great feeling when the one become father.
before two year I get a boy named Ibrahim the feeling when he born
I can forget it .
There is some gold advice to brout up the daughter :-
a- cover her hair
b-long clothes
c-No toking with boyes

be care
best regards

Pretty good advice I think! This was from Ahmed Shihab who was the Municipality Engineer in Hawijah. I told him and FAwaz and Hadder about how I named Emily after Amal. Anyway, I love you all and finally got my password reset, so maybe I can start contributing a little more.

Ben

More Shots of Emily Jane

Hard to believe she's only hours old in these photos. Marinda does great work!

Latest Shaha Arrival - Emily Jane

Emily Jane Shaha reported for duty 0716 hrs 29 April 2008, weighing in at 8 lbs 7 oz and standing tall at 21 inches (she really isn't standing very well just yet). Marinda was tougher than ever, and is already the best new mom on the planet. One of the Lord's tender mercies came as birth events neared culmination and Marinda had not been able to contact Ben in the hospital facility (neither cell nor wi-fi); for some reason when crunch time arrived the cell phone connection was made and the internet connection cooperated as well and Ben attended the birth virtually from Kandahar, Afghanistan via cell phone and minicam. Connectivity was lost soon after Emily's arrival, but another of those little miracles allowed Ben to be there when Marinda needed him most. We all pray their family can be together very soon, but these new technologies sure make the separations more bearable.

We'll Miss You Grandpa!

In Memoriam

Robert E. "Bob" Williams, Jr.
Feb. 21, 1921 - March 11, 2008

"Katie's looking forward to the day you can give her a 'dry shave' again!"