This Saturday is Jaylen’s first birthday. Our house will buzzing with the sounds of family members who have travelled far and wide to celebrate this weekend. . Saturday is the BBQ and family fun here at the house, and we have a birthday party planned at The Little Gym on Sunday.
With that said, it’s Wednesday, and Keia’s parents are arriving from Richmond, VA. It will be a welcome site for the grandparents to come as they love to spoil Jaylen and tire him out which leads to long naps.
It’s now Thursday, and my mother and youngest brother have arrived from Alexandria, VA. They are excited as well to see Jaylen and add to the “tiring out” process that has begun.
It’s Friday, and more friends and family have arrived. We now have 8 people in the house and Jaylen and Blitz are feeling the love from everyone. Keia and I love it as well since we get to chill and watch family enjoy what we’ve enjoyed for almost 12 months, which is raising our son.
The big day is FINALLY here! Jaylen is officially a 1 year-old! With the BBQ slated for the afternoon, I use the opportunity to take my father-in-law and youngest brother, who is a Junior Quarterback in High School, to a football practice at nearby Southern Methodist University (SMU). One of my former coaches from NFLE, Jeff Reinebold, is the Wide Receiver coach at SMU and invited us to come out. I was a great day weather-wise and it was great to see an dear friend. My brother got to see a college practice up close and even generate some buzz regarding his college recruitment nationally. We’re now back to the house and it’s time to fire up the grill! Neighbours and more family come over for a true feast and celebration of Jaylen’s 1st year. We cut a small cake and sing “Happy Birthday” to Jaylen. He received lots of toys and gifts, but the greatest gift of all is having family and friends who love him.
It’s Sunday, and I have a long day ahead of me. I volunteered to coach DB’s at a High School football camp in Ft. Worth at Texas Christian University (TCU) and the roll call is at 8:15 a.m. When I get there, I’m greeted by my Argos teammate, Defensive End Jonathan Brown, and former teammates Patrick Johnson, a Wide Receiver, and All-Time Argo Linebacker, Michael Fletcher. We’re all in attendance and even Winnipeg star Linebacker Barrin Simpson came out to volunteer and coach the LBs in attendance. I have to leave the camp early to get ready for Jaylen’s official birthday party, so I tell my friends and teammate goodbye, and head back home. It’s now 10 minutes to showtime and Jaylen is asleep. We drive over to The Little Gym and the party goes off without a hitch. Friends and more family came to shower Jaylen with love and gifts; it truly was a blessed experience. We’re now on the way home and Jaylen is so tired, he falls asleep in his car seat. I’m tired too, so I take a 3 hour nap and recharge my body. Family begins to head home and the weekend comes to a close.
Looking back, this past week was fun, eventful, and filled with lots of milestones. My wife and I, as well as our family and friends, are thankful for this first year with Jaylen. But we are even more excited our future with him. Thank you all for joining me for A Week in the life of…Willie Pile. See you in June!!
CLICK HERE to read Part 1