Welcome to the world of double digits.
It is hard to believe it was 10 years ago that you came into our lives. I hope your day turned out good for you.
I love you squirt.
Daddy
Spiritual Virtues: Discernment
9 years ago
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Camping
Recently, Kelly, Jonathan and Rebecca went camping with several other mothers and kids. While I originally wished I could have gone with them, it's probably better that I didn't. After all, there were no adult males in the bunch.
I was, however, reminded of the last time I went camping. About 15 years ago, seven of us went to Red River Gorge to spend the weekend camping, hiking, checking out caves and burning up a variety of red meats on the camp fire. The group consisted of a married couple with their two pre-teen sons, a single guy I haven't seen since, a female co-worker who I believe wanted me to be the father of her children and myself. The married couple had their tent, the single guy had his and the other four of us shared a tent. Originally, when we set up the tents, my stuff was on one side of the tent, the boys were in the middle and the female co-worker was on the other side. When we called it a night, her stuff magically had moved itself next to mine.
Did I mention that this trip occurred in January. To say it was a tad cold would be an understatement. The first night, the temperature dropped down to 15 below zero. It was so cold that when the moisture from our breath contacted the inside of the tent, it immediately froze. If anyone happened to bump up against the side of the tent, we would have an indoor snow storm. Unfortunately, with four of us crowded into the tent, two of us were in constant contact with the sides so it snowed all night.
And the snow wasn't only inside the tent. Outside, while we were attempting to sleep, 2 or 3 inch's accumulated on the ground. When we all came out the next morning, we made some breakfast and proceeded with our plans for the day. While it continued to snow a little throughout the day, it did warm up enough that the low temperature that night was 5 below.
On our last morning, we gathered up all of our stuff, cleaned up our mess and hiked back to the rear wheel drive Ford Windstar that brought us there. When we got out of the woods and into the clearing (the parking lot) was when we realised that we had severely miss guessed the amount of snowfall for the weekend. While the snow on the ground under the canopy of the trees was only 5-7 inch's, it was a whole lot deeper than that in the parking lot. It was deep enough that we couldn't see the front bumper of the van. But, we climbed in anyway and headed out of the park.
Even though the vehicle we were riding in was not really ideal for driving in the snow, we only had one problem. As we drove along the unplowed roads, the wedge shape of the front of the van caused snow to quickly pile up on the windshield. We had to stop 3 or 4 times just to clear off the windshield. Once we got back to the plowed main roads, it was pretty much smooth sailing. Or, at least until we got to Georgetown, Ky. Unfortunately, all roads headed north out of Georgetown had been declared impassable and were closed (I-75 remained closed for at least a week). Fortunately, we were able to find a motel with an available room where we spent the night (and all took much needed showers). But boy did we all get an ear full.
As we had no radio or any other means of contact while we were in the gorge, we had no idea of the magnitude of the storm we were camping out in. However, our friends and family's at home all knew and were worried sick about us and had no reservations when it came to telling us about it. We were just oblivious (and cold).
We were able to find an open road the next day and obviously made it home safely. But, the next time I go camping, I think I might take a radio along just in case.
I was, however, reminded of the last time I went camping. About 15 years ago, seven of us went to Red River Gorge to spend the weekend camping, hiking, checking out caves and burning up a variety of red meats on the camp fire. The group consisted of a married couple with their two pre-teen sons, a single guy I haven't seen since, a female co-worker who I believe wanted me to be the father of her children and myself. The married couple had their tent, the single guy had his and the other four of us shared a tent. Originally, when we set up the tents, my stuff was on one side of the tent, the boys were in the middle and the female co-worker was on the other side. When we called it a night, her stuff magically had moved itself next to mine.
Did I mention that this trip occurred in January. To say it was a tad cold would be an understatement. The first night, the temperature dropped down to 15 below zero. It was so cold that when the moisture from our breath contacted the inside of the tent, it immediately froze. If anyone happened to bump up against the side of the tent, we would have an indoor snow storm. Unfortunately, with four of us crowded into the tent, two of us were in constant contact with the sides so it snowed all night.
And the snow wasn't only inside the tent. Outside, while we were attempting to sleep, 2 or 3 inch's accumulated on the ground. When we all came out the next morning, we made some breakfast and proceeded with our plans for the day. While it continued to snow a little throughout the day, it did warm up enough that the low temperature that night was 5 below.
On our last morning, we gathered up all of our stuff, cleaned up our mess and hiked back to the rear wheel drive Ford Windstar that brought us there. When we got out of the woods and into the clearing (the parking lot) was when we realised that we had severely miss guessed the amount of snowfall for the weekend. While the snow on the ground under the canopy of the trees was only 5-7 inch's, it was a whole lot deeper than that in the parking lot. It was deep enough that we couldn't see the front bumper of the van. But, we climbed in anyway and headed out of the park.
Even though the vehicle we were riding in was not really ideal for driving in the snow, we only had one problem. As we drove along the unplowed roads, the wedge shape of the front of the van caused snow to quickly pile up on the windshield. We had to stop 3 or 4 times just to clear off the windshield. Once we got back to the plowed main roads, it was pretty much smooth sailing. Or, at least until we got to Georgetown, Ky. Unfortunately, all roads headed north out of Georgetown had been declared impassable and were closed (I-75 remained closed for at least a week). Fortunately, we were able to find a motel with an available room where we spent the night (and all took much needed showers). But boy did we all get an ear full.
As we had no radio or any other means of contact while we were in the gorge, we had no idea of the magnitude of the storm we were camping out in. However, our friends and family's at home all knew and were worried sick about us and had no reservations when it came to telling us about it. We were just oblivious (and cold).
We were able to find an open road the next day and obviously made it home safely. But, the next time I go camping, I think I might take a radio along just in case.
Parenting
The other day while I was at work, I heard a mother across the street going off on one of her children. Mind you, I have no idea what the issue was and I wasn't paying enough attention to hear exactly what was being said. That is until she went to leave. At that point she said something to the effect that she didn't want her little jerk child going with her.
Last summer, again as I was working on a house (this one right around the corner from church), the lady next door got upset with her daughter. All I remember hearing is momma calling her little girl a lying little "bitch".
When we were living in Ky., we used to regularly hear the guy next door letting his kids have it and one of our current neighbors has a tendency to go off on his kids.
Now I know that I occasionally get mad at my children and at times I'm close to pulling my hair out (if you've seen my head recently, that's due to heredity, not the kids (or the wife)). I sure hope that I exhibit a little more grace and restraint than this when the kids get under my skin. I am confident that the next time I get mad at either or both of them that these examples will be lingering in the back of my mind.
Last summer, again as I was working on a house (this one right around the corner from church), the lady next door got upset with her daughter. All I remember hearing is momma calling her little girl a lying little "bitch".
When we were living in Ky., we used to regularly hear the guy next door letting his kids have it and one of our current neighbors has a tendency to go off on his kids.
Now I know that I occasionally get mad at my children and at times I'm close to pulling my hair out (if you've seen my head recently, that's due to heredity, not the kids (or the wife)). I sure hope that I exhibit a little more grace and restraint than this when the kids get under my skin. I am confident that the next time I get mad at either or both of them that these examples will be lingering in the back of my mind.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
It's funny how things work out
Talk about a day that didn't turn out as planned!
Jonathan and I were supposed to pick up some tickets at the will call window at Great American ball park and watch the Reds game today as Kelly and Rebecca went to a baby shower.
We all went to church this morning and I did "tech" for the first service. By the time the first service was over, Kelly and Rebecca had already left church to go to Dayton for the shower. Jonathan and I took our bags of peanuts and headed to Covington to park the van and go to the game. On the way, we stopped at a fast food place for some lunch to go and parked the van on the streets of Covington. We went down by the river to watch the boats as we ate our lunch. After a quick walk to the nearest store to pick up some Diet Cokes for the game, we headed across the Suspension bridge to the park. We went to the "will-call" windows and found that the tickets that we were supposed to use were not to be found. Not having enough cash on me to buy tickets, Jonathan and I wound up having to go back across the bridge and to the van to get home in time to watch the game at home. Jonathan seemed devastated and on the verge of breaking out in tears as we were headed back to the van, but he never shed a tear.
When we got back home, I went inside to watch the game on TV. Much to my surprise, Jonathan asked if he could see if any of his friends were home so he could play. As it turned out, he was invited to go swimming with one of his neighborhood friends in their pool.
Kelly and Rebecca got home from the shower before Jonathan got back from swimming. I wound up pushing Rebecca on the swing for a while then she got to play in the sprinkler in our back yard. This turned into a water fight between the two of us at first, then Jonathan came home and joined in.
The game went into extra innings. While it was still going, I roasted some ears of corn on the grill for the whole family and we had some nice family time out on the back deck. The evening wound up with the four of us (and Willie) going for a walk, a game of wiffle ball in the front yard, then all of us watching something together on TV while we nibbled on some pop corn.
Had Jonathan and I actually been able to attend the game, he'd have missed out on the chance to go swimming, there would have been no time with the swing and Rebecca and no water fight. I'm not sure that any of the other family things would have happened either.
There will always be opportunities to go to a ball game. As the day turned out, I have to say I'm glad this one didn't work out as planned. I am especially proud of Jonathan for the way he handled the disappointment and heart break he experienced. My great big hearted little man is growing up right before my eyes!
Jonathan and I were supposed to pick up some tickets at the will call window at Great American ball park and watch the Reds game today as Kelly and Rebecca went to a baby shower.
We all went to church this morning and I did "tech" for the first service. By the time the first service was over, Kelly and Rebecca had already left church to go to Dayton for the shower. Jonathan and I took our bags of peanuts and headed to Covington to park the van and go to the game. On the way, we stopped at a fast food place for some lunch to go and parked the van on the streets of Covington. We went down by the river to watch the boats as we ate our lunch. After a quick walk to the nearest store to pick up some Diet Cokes for the game, we headed across the Suspension bridge to the park. We went to the "will-call" windows and found that the tickets that we were supposed to use were not to be found. Not having enough cash on me to buy tickets, Jonathan and I wound up having to go back across the bridge and to the van to get home in time to watch the game at home. Jonathan seemed devastated and on the verge of breaking out in tears as we were headed back to the van, but he never shed a tear.
When we got back home, I went inside to watch the game on TV. Much to my surprise, Jonathan asked if he could see if any of his friends were home so he could play. As it turned out, he was invited to go swimming with one of his neighborhood friends in their pool.
Kelly and Rebecca got home from the shower before Jonathan got back from swimming. I wound up pushing Rebecca on the swing for a while then she got to play in the sprinkler in our back yard. This turned into a water fight between the two of us at first, then Jonathan came home and joined in.
The game went into extra innings. While it was still going, I roasted some ears of corn on the grill for the whole family and we had some nice family time out on the back deck. The evening wound up with the four of us (and Willie) going for a walk, a game of wiffle ball in the front yard, then all of us watching something together on TV while we nibbled on some pop corn.
Had Jonathan and I actually been able to attend the game, he'd have missed out on the chance to go swimming, there would have been no time with the swing and Rebecca and no water fight. I'm not sure that any of the other family things would have happened either.
There will always be opportunities to go to a ball game. As the day turned out, I have to say I'm glad this one didn't work out as planned. I am especially proud of Jonathan for the way he handled the disappointment and heart break he experienced. My great big hearted little man is growing up right before my eyes!
Thursday, June 4, 2009
work
Most days, I really don't mind getting up in the morning and going to work. Some days, I really enjoy what I'm doing and the day goes by rather quickly. Rehabbing houses as I am doing now gives me a chance to learn new things that I may be able to apply to my own home. And, after all, it is my role in life to go out and support my family. Today, however, was one of those days that I would have preferred to have been able to take a vacation day.
Kelly and the kids are spending the night camping out on some plot of land in Indiana and I would like to have been able to go with them. Unfortunately we really can't afford for me to take the day off, especially given that I didn't work last Monday due to the holiday. I'm sure they will have a great time without me, but it would have been nice to get to see it.
While I'm at it, another work related item. After a day of work, I usually come home covered in either dry wall mud, concrete, paint, insulation or any one of a number of other substances I deal with on a regular basis. In other words, I often am a real mess when I walk in the door. Most of the time, I really don't think about it much. Last week, I attended the visitation for a long time family friend that recently passed away. Aside from the circumstances requiring it, it felt so good to leave the house in a suit and tie. Sometimes I think I would really like to find something (job wise) that required a little more than dirty jeans and a paint splattered t-shirt. As a matter of fact, I am usually such a mess that last night I showered, put on a good pair of jeans and a clean polo (?) shirt and came downstairs. Kelly asked me what I was dressed up for. Oh well, fortunately I have a nice collection of "pre-painted" t-shirts and pants.
Kelly and the kids are spending the night camping out on some plot of land in Indiana and I would like to have been able to go with them. Unfortunately we really can't afford for me to take the day off, especially given that I didn't work last Monday due to the holiday. I'm sure they will have a great time without me, but it would have been nice to get to see it.
While I'm at it, another work related item. After a day of work, I usually come home covered in either dry wall mud, concrete, paint, insulation or any one of a number of other substances I deal with on a regular basis. In other words, I often am a real mess when I walk in the door. Most of the time, I really don't think about it much. Last week, I attended the visitation for a long time family friend that recently passed away. Aside from the circumstances requiring it, it felt so good to leave the house in a suit and tie. Sometimes I think I would really like to find something (job wise) that required a little more than dirty jeans and a paint splattered t-shirt. As a matter of fact, I am usually such a mess that last night I showered, put on a good pair of jeans and a clean polo (?) shirt and came downstairs. Kelly asked me what I was dressed up for. Oh well, fortunately I have a nice collection of "pre-painted" t-shirts and pants.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Happy Birthday Jonathan
Happy Birthday my little man.
Like your mother, I have a hard time believing that it was 11 years ago that you were born. It seems like only a year or two.
We've watched you grow from that helpless little baby into the budding young man you have become. We have great memories of your growing up and great hopes for your future.
Have a great day today big guy.
I love you.
Like your mother, I have a hard time believing that it was 11 years ago that you were born. It seems like only a year or two.
We've watched you grow from that helpless little baby into the budding young man you have become. We have great memories of your growing up and great hopes for your future.
Have a great day today big guy.
I love you.
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