If you like Apes and Phil Collins as much as I think you do...

In the Air Tonight

More pictures

Here are a few more pictures of the fam taken in the last few weeks:

At the base of the Arch

In front of the English Building at UIUC

In front of the famous "Alma Mater" statue (You know, Tow Mater's mom!), UIUC

28 years ago

There is this Ben Folds song on his most recent album titled “Sentimental Guy.” The chorus is actually a lament that he used to be a sentimental guy. Though the rest of the song isn’t really applicable to my own life, I would say that that one line is very much true for me. I used to be a sentimental guy. If there is one thing that re-reading those old letters that I sent to Tina while I was on the mission has reminded me, it is that once upon a time, I was a real sweetie. Not only that—I could also write one serious love letter. I’m afraid that I’m just not as heart-on-my-sleeve as I used to be. I’ll admit—living in this new world is less of an emotional roller coaster, but some of that old sweetness sure would come in handy on a day like today: My sweet wife’s birthday. So without many bells or whistles, let me just say this:

My wife is still, after 7 years of marriage and 11 years of togetherness the perfect girl for me. And more now than ever before, I am in love with her.

She is a wonderful mother. Our children are better people because of her love and patience. They will turn out alright, mostly because of their mom.

She has a sense of humor that is both smart and keen.

She is beautiful. Have you seen her? Good grief.

She is patient with my daily bouts of selfishness.

And most poignant of all right now, she followed me halfway across the country in order for me to pursue my dreams.

What a wonderful woman.

I love you sweet Tina. Happy Birthday.

Bertog news

Alert! Family bloggers: Bert News

Here is a great accounting of our trip, with pictures!

The End of an Era..?

About a year ago, my buddy who hosts jonstone.com for me (Mat Richins) got an email from Jon Stone offering $500 bucks for the domain. Yes, there are many other Jon Stones out there, I guess, and this one has his eye on my site. I scoffed when I heard--HA! I am the only Jon Stone who really matters (except that dude with the big beard who was the writer for Sesame Street before he kicked the bucket). I laugh in the general direction of your $500!

A few months later he upped the ante to $1000. My pride bubble grew--dollar signs in my eyes. If i sit on this long enough, I thought, it could be my chance at millions!

Well, as we tabulate the costs of moving, paying a rent deposit, going on extended vacation, etc., that $1000 bucks is looking a bit more appealing. So- I offered the dude $1500. He was all over it. (Man! should have offered it for 2K!). I have to give him time to drum up the cash, but it looks like jonstone.com is in its final stretch.

Fear not, dear family! I will be able to very easily transfer all of the happiness on the site to a new domain. Unfortunately, most of the good ones (stonefamily.com, thefamilystone.com, jonathanstone.com, and on and on) are taken already. Right now, the best I can do are thehouseofstone.com and jonstonefamily.com. So--your job, should you care to participate, is to vote on either of those or use your creative juices to come up with another site with an appropriate title to host the picture vault that is currently jonstone.com. You can check and see if that domain is available by plugging it into a domain availability search engine like the one here or here.

I actually like thehouseofstone.com It has a nice ring to it and works well as a place where many of us with stone connections can post pictures of our families. I don't doubt in your abilities to come up with something better, though. Go for it!