Congrats!

Congratulations!! Kerri and Anthony. (you notice I put Kerri first..she did the hard part) again...Salute..Marshall is handsome. I'm looking forward to seeing him. I've got some healing to do ! first. (did i see little cougar symbol in the bottom corner of that picture.) craig.

Marshall Scott Cardenas

Hi everyone. Just wanted to write a quick note to let everyone know that our newest family member has arrived! Marshall Scott Cardenas was born at 5:52am on Thursday April 17th. He weighed 6 pounds 15 ounces and measured 19 inches long. He is so handsome! You can see how handsome he is at http://www.kadlecfoundation.org/template.php?id=3738
until I get some pictures posted.
Love, The Cardenas Family

Hello Tebays! Larry here. I finished GLASS CASTLE. Now I'm going to read it again. It rekindled so many memories, both good and bad, of growing up with an alcoholic father in a dysfunctional family. It was easy to identify with the author and her siblings because I went through so many similar situations growing up. When I think of the times I sat in the car, in front of a tavern, for hours at a time, while dad was inside drinking. He would come out sometimes and bring us little bags of beer nuts and then go back into the bar. Or the camping trips where we would throw a few things into the car or truck and head out to " rough it." Sleeping on the ground without a tent,making a camp, fishing and then eating whatever we caught for our meals. I loved every minute of it, never realizing that the reason Dad didn't get up when we did was because he was sleeping it off. The beer around the campfire was " normal" to me. I was so naive I didn't realize Dad had a drinking problem until I was ion High school. The Army was my way out. I'm sorry Sam and Jennifer that you had to stay and endure Dad's sickness. I was going through Hell in Vietnam but you both were going through your own Hell at home. This story made me realize something though. through all the hardships and constant lows we encountered on the road to adulthood, one thing was constant, we had each other. Like Jeanette and her siblings we survived. We didn't turn out so bad. Did we? Alcoholism is like a plague reaching deep and far, spreading it's tentacles wide and sparing no one. I love you Phil, Craig, Jennifer, Sam and Mom.

The Glass Castle

Hi everyone, Erin here!
I just finished reading The Glass Castle and enjoyed it a lot. I haven't had time lately to read too many books, so it was a good book to ease back into reading!
What struck me most about the story were the people; I almost didn't beleive that this was a memoir because the characters all seemed very well thought out, almost made up. Everyone had a certain roll, or certain stereotype that they followed, and they never deviated from them! Parts of the book were so symbolic, that it was amazing that these people and events were not made up.
My favorite person in the book to observe was the Mother (although I hated her at the same time). She was so in to finding the positive in every situation, that it backfired on her and always turned everything into a horrible situation. She found "the good" in everything...but to a fault ("hitler loved dogs"... I loved that line).
The book really shows you how personalies are formed by the way children are raised. The author was made to be self sufficient and strong through her parents unwillingness to coddle her as a child (making your own hot dogs at 3 years old?!), yet the youngest daughter turned out to be completely incapable of living on her own becuase everyone coddled HER as a child. To me, it was neat to be able to see the development of these people's personalities as they grew up. A lot of times as a human being, you like to think that you are in complete control of your own actions and all of your decisions are made because that's who YOU are. But really, that's who your parents/ your environment MADE you (not that this is a good excuse for certain actions, but it explains a lot sometimes!). It's a good view of, if you are a parent, how much your actions can affect your children. Good read!

Almost There!

Hi everyone! Just wanted to say hi. I have been reading the blog but haven't posted for awhile. We have been hanging out and preparing for Marshall to come. We only have five more weeks until our due date. I have included a picture of what my belly looks like for those family members I don't get to see regularly. Eric is doing great. He is definitely in the "terrible twos" stage. He tests all limits! Overall all I think he is a good boy but sometimes.... Here is a picture of him taking a bath tonight and another one of him washing dishes at Papa's house. Love to all Kerri

Jennifer's Turn

Hello Family. Craig has asked me to recommend the next book. I'm reading a book right now by Richard Powers which I like, but Rick is urging me to recommend, "The Glass Castle," by Jeannette Walls. It's a well-written, fascinating memoir, but not showily bookish. I'm betting everyone will enjoy it. Somehow we ended up with two copies. I'll send them to Craig, and he can distribute them. Nothing much out of the ordinary going on here. It's fun reading the family blog. I just need to get in the habit of checking it more often. Love to all. --Jennifer

Hi everyone! Just a quick post to let you know that the website for our percussion duo is fully operational. Check it out at: http://www.properglueduo.com

BTW, does anyone know when we will be starting on a new book?

-Melanie