Jul

2

Rocking Our Sunglasses

Post Category: Family, photos 

Here are a few pictures just for fun of me hanging out with the girls from yesterday and over the weekend. A couple of observations:

  1. We all enjoy wearing sunglasses
  2. We think we look cool in each other’s sunglasses
  3. Emily can make one heck of a “I’m mad at you” face
  4. I have no idea where Chloe learned that pose but it scares me!

You wanna know the difference between you and me? I make kid sunglasses look good!

Jul

1

I’m a “Chicken Killer”

Post Category: Family, Videos 

The other night we bought a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store, much to my daughter Emily’s horror. We’ve had conversations with her before on this subject but this time Lisa grabbed the camera and got it on video.

The best part is when she calls us, as only a 4-year old can do, a “birdy-eater-head.” Watch this video that Lisa posted on her blog.

Jun

26

It’s Official - My Wife is Now A Blogger!

Post Category: Blog Posts, Blogging, Family 

I’m excited to announce something that I’ve been waiting a long time to say:

MY WIFE HAS A BLOG!!!

That’s right - the love of my life, my baby’s momma - has now joined the blogosphere! If you want to get inside the mind of the only woman in the world crazy enough to marry me, here’s your chance.

When you visit make sure you read the post “Why do boys pee standing up?“ (for the record, I have great aim!

So give her a grand welcome - subscribe, leave a comment, twitter. I love her and I’m pretty sure you will too!

Jun

15

You Know You’re A Good Dad When…

Post Category: Family 

grandparents-4.jpg

As I was looking through pictures of me and my Dad to use for today’s post I came across this picture of him and my daughter Emily.  I started to think about how my relationship with my Dad has changed in the last few years.

I’ve always known him as the kind of Dad who is always there for you no matter what you need or when you need it. I’ve always known him to be quick to encourage me and brag on me. I’ve known him as so many things.

But now that I have kids I get to see a different side of him - the “grandpa” side. And this picture says it all. You know you’re a good Dad when you let your son’s daughter play hair-dresser with you and then smile for the pictures.

Dad, thanks for being a great Dad to me. But more importantly, thanks for being a great Grandfather to Chloe & Emily. I’m so happy to know my kids get to know the Dad that I’ve loved and respected through the years.

Happy Fathers Day.

Jun

10

Look Dad, We Have Plates!

Post Category: Authenticity, Blog Posts, Family, Moving 

Those of you who follow my blog know that we’ve been living in a hotel since the deal on the house we were going to purchase fell through (read more here and here). Pete jokingly asked me on Sunday what I’m going to blog about once we’re actually living in our own house.

Extended Stay DeluxeSunday evening we got back from our vacation with friends in North Carolina. We checked into the Extended Stay Deluxe (Chloe always reminds me that there is a “Deluxe” at the end). This will be our home for at least the next three or four weeks while we get try to close on another condo we have an agreement on.

Chloe & Emily were so funny when we walked into our room.

“Look Dad, we have our own plates and silverware! We even have a stove!”

They ran into the bedroom and came running back out to drag us in by the hand to show us how HUGE the bedroom and bathroom were. Keep in mind, the whole 1-bedroom suite with pullout couch and kitchenette is probably less than 350 square feet but to them we had just checked into the Presidential Suite at the Hilton.

Normally Lisa and I are the ones trying to teach the kids to be thankful for what they’ve got but for once they were the teachers. I’ll admit it, last night I wasn’t feeling very thankful. In fact, it took everything I had to keep him from coming back.

I’m thankful that each new day gives me a new opportunity to count my blessings. Right now I don’t even want to think about how long it’s been since I’ve slept in my own bed or worn something that hasn’t come out of the same suitcase we left Fort Wayne with. I’m tired of walking into living rooms that require a keycard.

But for now, I’m learning to enjoy the journey. If that means jumping up and down on the bed because we have our own plates and silverware, then I’m going to jump away.

Jun

6

Vacation Highlights Video

Post Category: Blog Posts, Family, Videos, photos 

We’ve been on vacation in Surf City, North Carolina all week with our good friends Paul & Jayme Lea and their kids. It has been fun and relaxing and very much needed after the drama of the last month (here and here).

Vacationing together can really test a friendship. There’s plenty of people I like that I probably would not be able to share a house with for a week. We’ve gotten to know Paul & Jayme and their kids over the last couple of years in Fort Wayne and have gotten to be good friends with them. They were even kind enough to open their house for us to stay at a couple of weekends last month while we’ve been staying in a hotel.

For me this week was an important time of just unplugging from the worries of life and just unwinding. You may have noticed that I wasn’t Twittering much and I even broke one of my cardinal rules of blogging (consistency) and didn’t post anything yesterday *gasp!* It’s been good for me to get away, spend time with friends, swim in the ocean and sleep in (at least until the kids wake us up).

But all good things come to an end. Even though I could easily stay here another couple of weeks, we will be leaving tomorrow to head back to Indianapolis and the real world we’ve been avoiding all week.

Here are some photos from this week

…and a highlights video I put together.


(click here if you can’t see the video)

Jun

4

Daddy Daughter Date

Post Category: Blog Posts, Family, photos 

Yesterday I took Chloe, my oldest, on a date (we call them “Daddy Daughter Dates”). With all we’ve had going lately it had been a while since we’ve been on a date. The older she gets the more fun it is (and the more she talks my ear off!).

We got an ice cream and walked out on the pier to watch the surfers and fishermen. While we were out there we saw quite a few jellyfish which Chloe thought was pretty neat. She also lost her flip-flop off the edge of the pier so we had to sit and wait for about 20 minutes while it washed ashore.

When we got back I gave her a necklace with a locket and a tin can. Inside the can was a mussel with a pearl inside of it. It took us about 10 minutes but we eventually dug the pearl out and put it in the locket which she thought was pretty special.

I enjoy times like these with my kids because I realize just how fast life goes by and how precious every minute is.

Do you go on dates with your kids? What are some of your most special memories?

Jun

3

The Perfect Night

Post Category: Authenticity, Blog Posts, Family, Music Reviews 


Last night will stand out in my memory as one of the most perfect nights ever. It’s those kind of nights that remind me why I need to get away on vacation and let the cares and worries of life fade away.

The funny thing is that, as often happens in my life, last night would not have happened without Lisa taking the initiative.

Around 6:30 the power went out at the beach house we’re staying at in North Carolina. A neighbor told us that they saw sparks from the transformer in front of the house so we knew that we were going to be without power for a few hours at least.

Lisa said, “Let’s get some blankets and pillows and lay out on the deck” to which I replied in typical man fashion, “I don’t know. The deck is kinda hard and it’s going to be uncomfortable.”

She brought the blankets and pillows out anyway and I finally agreed to lay down “for a few minutes.” That set the stage for one of the most relaxing, perfect nights I can remember.

We laid down looking up at clear sky filled with thousands of stars while the breeze blew gently in from the ocean and sound of the waves washing up on the beach washed away all my stress. We ended up staying out on the deck for hours just watching the stars, sipping my Scotch and enjoying a cigar. Of course one thing led to another and…[censored] :-)

Here are the ingredients that helped make last night perfect:

  • Stars - last night’s sky was so amazing clear. I don’t remember the last time I just laid out and looked up at the sky. It really helps remind you how small you are and how big God is.
  • 12 Year old Single Malt Scotch - this Scotch is amazingly smooth with a clean finish. Nothing says vacation like sipping a good scotch on the deck overlooking the ocean.
  • Cameroon Beso Cigar - A great cigar that paired nicely with the Scotch. I tend to reserve cigars for special relaxing times and last night was definitely one of those times.
  • The Soundtrack - Music helps to set a mood and nothing goes with laying out under the stars by the ocean better than The Album Leaf, Iron & Wine, Bryan Karas and Sleeping at Last.

So there you have it. I would say “I wish you could have been there” but I really don’t. That’s what made it special. Just me, my beautiful wife and the stars.

What’s the most perfect moment you’ve shared with someone?
Was it planned or did it just happen?
What made it special?

Jun

2

Vacation Pictures: Day 1

Post Category: Blog Posts, Family, photos 

My Beach Girl

The wife, kids and I are on a much-needed vacation this week. We’re staying at a beach house on TopSail Island in North Carolina with some friends. The beach house we’re staying at is right on the beach so we’ll be spending lots of time hitting the waves (I’m already sore from my attempt at boogie-boarding).

Last night heard thunder in the distance and went out on the deck to watch a storm come rolling in over the ocean. It was one of the coolest things I’ve seen! Our friends’ son Tyler took the picture of the lightning over the ocean.

May

12

I Want To Be A Rockstar

Post Category: Blog Posts, Family 

As you’re reading this I’m probably in the car on the way back from Fort Wayne. We stayed with some friends for the weekend to give us a break from the hotel. It was a welcome diversion from two high-energy girls cooped up in a tiny hotel room!

We had some great conversation about life, parenting, church and everything in between. Their oldest girl and my oldest have both decided that they want to be rock stars when they grow up. Thank you Hannah Montana and Karaoke Revolution.

Chloe: “Dad, I know I can be a rockstar. I got a glowing microphone on Karaoke Revolution!”

I’ve tried explaining to Chloe that to be a rock star you need to have a reasonably good voice. She asked me if Hannah Montana had a good voice. Ummmm….

What did you want to be when you grew up?

Comments