Things have been pretty hard this year thus far. I have a long laundry list of issues and problems to deal with these days, but somethings are just perfect. I got some new pics of my baby to show off!

Things have been moving forward, and all the news has not been bad or wrong. Ben's heart tests were great news last week (See next post). Ben is a great kid and showing his true strength and character, dealing with these very grown up issues like a true champ. I am more proud of my son than ever before! Ben has been really blowing me away. Vanessa, my little girl, is growing into a beautiful person and is a total joy.

The wedding last week was really awesome and I got some of the great new pics I have been posting online from Victor at Silver Line Photography. Victor sent me a few pics with Vanessa that just killed me - soooo beautiful!!

So I share them with you and hope they make you smile like they did me.

My baby Vanessa -







Thanks Victor, for the smiles and great memories!

In spite of the obstacles set before us, good things can grow out of the pain and hardship. In spite of my Dave Guardala disaster, this new CD is coming out. At times it feels like a tribute to the human spirit and slap to a man that really tried to destroy so many lives. I almost dedicated the CD to him! The overwhelming push to survive this event and continue making better music and releasing better CDs gained fuel and focus from his evil in my life. Of course, it has been harder, but I have realized it has also become mandatory in my life. What began, over a year ago, is going to be released at the end of the month! I have gone for broke with this CD, sparing no expense. This is the very best I have to offer and I will feel a great deal of accomplishment when I hold it in my hands in a few weeks.

I think the blessings seem to stand out in light of the difficulty. As things feel like they are falling apart, the things that are really important in life, and the good that struggles through the hardship stands out with even greater clarity and beauty.

So much more that could be said but you get the idea. Be blessed and look for the blessings when they seem blocked by life sucking. The good and the beauty is there. You just might have to stand off to the side to see around the giant pile of crap blocking your view.

Greg Vail SAXBOY