Life

Disappointed, a word that is often used, but used in haste. I had something to happen this week and when I told my wife what happened, she immediately asked how I felt and the only word that I could think of, was disappointed.  I had been given a chance to do something really cool and that could have been a HUGE opportunity for my family and more importantly, it would have gotten me back to Texas. But, it doesn’t look like it is going the way that I wanted and for the first 24 hours, disappointed is the only word that kept coming to mind.

I spent hours while driving thinking through and replaying the conversation, over and over again. And then it hit me, maybe it is ok that I am disappointed? It shows that I really wanted the opportunity. It shows that I was passionate it about, but at the same time, maybe I was looking for more out of it than what was there.

But today, I woke up with a different view point. Though I’m still disappointed, that has changed to humbleness and gratitude. Today I am grateful that I got the call. I am honored to have been considered. Today, I wonder if the timing was right?  And more importantly, I realized that it is ok to feel disappointed in things, but it is what you can learn from that experience can teach you life lessons forever.

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We had another successful guy weekend. The boys had been sick for several days with bad colds, so it was a low key weekend. We watched sports, played, watched a lot of Thomas the Train. But most importantly, we laughed a lot. I can honestly say, this was one of my best weekends in a long time. I love being the father to these two little boys and feel lucky that I’ve been entrusted in their lives as their father. Because for everything that I am teaching them, they are teaching me about loving unconditionally.

I love guys weekend.

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This story just hit me this morning and not just because the team came together to do this for their fellow teammate, but because several of the players realized that there is more to life than popularity.

Kids learning life lessons like this, will forever be changed and will continue this goodwill gesture throughout the rest of their lives.

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Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
Matthew 19:21

I was reminded this week of this Bible verse and it really hit me out of the blue.  This past Wednesday morning in our weekly office meeting it was discussed our normal holiday tradition of adopting a community family. As the specifics of the family were read aloud, i.e. ages and what they wanted, I kept thinking about all the things that I have and how much I take for granted, especially when the father of the family was asking for a used coat, because it was getting ready to turn colder. And as the office quietly discussed what everyone wanted to do, this verse popped into my head and said that I would go this weekend and purchase enough canned goods, pasta, etc to last them several weeks. Sure, there are others that could have done it, there are others that do not have children that have more expendable income than we do, but I can’t take these things with me when I die.  And there is just something magical about giving to others.

“Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ”
Acts 3:6

My job as a father is to set an example for my boys and if I can do that, then that is worth more than anything in this world.  So I recounted this story to my mother yesterday on the phone on my commute home and the other end of the phone was really quiet and I heard my mother sniffle and she just said that she was proud of me. My mother has taught school for 45 years and she told me how she had often purchased coats for some of her students or shoes for students and that they would just happen to end up on their desk and would ever know where they came from.

My mother showed me that giving to others, was the greatest gift that you could give and it meant even more, if it was done without recognition.  So today, I ask, what are you doing to help others in need? I can skip Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts this week and pay for a lot of canned good items for a family in need and what is really more important, another cup of coffee or providing a meal for a hungry family?  What is holding you back from giving to others? And it doesn’t have to be a lot, $1.00 can buy 2 canned goods, but it is something that I encourage everyone to start doing more spontaneous giving.

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Every feel like life just throws more at you can handle? Well, this has been me for the last few weeks and when people have asked how I am doing, I just simply reply with Sometimes it rains and sometimes it doesn’t. I don’t why I have used that explanation of how I have been doing, I just have.

But in life, sometimes it rains and things are just difficult to deal with. Last night my wife and I were just talking about the things that were going on, our future, etc. and I just laughed and said that I was tired of it raining for a while on us. And after I said that, I heard the rain drops hit my grill outside. Maybe that was God’s way of saying, it’s ok, I’ve got you covered? I don’t know, but it provided a few good laughs and some relief.

As I was driving into work, I tried something different, I turned off all things that made noises and I listened. I listened to the rain hit my windshield. I listened to the silence. I tuned out all the crap going on around me and listened, because even though sometimes it rains in our lives, I feel like we at least have the protection of cover. I feel that we can always look at someone else and realize that our crap, isn’t really as bad as we thought.

So as I look outside and see the rain falling, I have caught myself singing this Lyle Lovett song, enjoy.

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I was a little more than nervous about the boys going to preschool. For many reasons, security/safety, what would they learn, would the other kids make fun of Baby B because he isn’t talking?

But I have to admit, I was wrong. Completely wrong and I am so glad. I’ve noticed such a huge difference in the boys that I am just amazed. Baby B is talking more, he is more loving, and he is listening so much better.

I never would have thought that 2 days a week at preschool could have made such an immediate impact, but I was wrong, and glad to admit that I was.

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It seems strange that we’ve been married for 5 years now, but today marks that milestone in our lives. We’ve been through a lot. Probably more than most have in 20 years of marriage, but I truly believe that God has given us what we can handle and each and every time we have come out stronger for it.

Happy anniversary to my wife & the mother of my great sons.

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In life we have choices. We have the choice to let life get us down or to face troubles head on. You have the choice to let friends get you down or to deal with the situation and turn it around.

But when life gets me down, I choose to be more awesome. And so does Kid President for that matter. Look at this kid. Seriously, the kid is changing lives being more awesome.

Take a minute to watch his video please and figure out how you can be more awesome!

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Last night as I put the boys down, Baby A kissed me good night and said good night. Then, I lean over and kiss Baby B goodnight and he looks up and smiles and says “Night Night Daddy”. I teared up. I couldn’t help it.
It was the sweetest thing that I’ve heard him say. With all of the struggles that he has had speaking, this was amazing. Never had he said the word Night, let alone saying basically 3 words together like that. With the Delayed Speech that he has endured, it is just so great to hear him not only trying, but really saying new words.

Oh the little things that get us through the day and make our lives complete.

I just hope that tonight he will say Night Night Daddy again.

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There are days in our lives that we will never forget. The birth of our children. The death of a loved one. And for those that were alive, 9-11.

I remember walking into work that morning and the women in the office were huddled around the computer crying. And the moments later, the 2nd plane hit the World Trade Towers.
Our nation was forever changed that day.   We wept for those that died. We wept for those that lost loved ones. We wept for we knew that we were going to war.

Today, as my children play, I am grateful for those soldiers that have fought and continued to have fought for our freedom.  Today, I will hold them and say a little prayer, especially for the children whose parents were taken from them so very early on in their lives.

9-11 forever changed this country, but it did not define this country, it only made it stronger.

 

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