Being Dad

Can’t go over it, Can’t go under it…

~ Dear ol' Dad ~ Leave a comment

When going after Bear, we have learned a few things. We have found that Going Through It is the only sure way of encountering our quarry.

This Sunday, we were reminded of the incredible strength and boldness exemplified by the apostles in Acts chapters 4 and 5. In the face of adversity they prayed for boldness. When this boldness came under attack, the men were called upon again and again to Go Through it. 

  

In examining our prayers, we must pay attention to the hard work we are called upon to perform. 

If we pray for rain, we must make sure the seeds are sown.
-DoD

The Sweetest Day

~ Dear ol' Dad ~ 4 Comments

It’s cold here in North Carolina. The proposition of snow Monday morning has folks spooked again. No snow yet but most schools have already called it a snow day tomorrow. It was cold outside today, so we didn’t feel too bad about spending most of the day inside cooking.

On Valentine’s Day, we share a special kind of bond as a family. My bride and I had our first official date 13 years ago to the day. We stayed at my place on that day, and I cooked steak for dinner. Nothing fancy, but a tradition we carry on as a family. Without that goofy first date, things may not have turned out the way they have.

After church, I took a tally of the votes, and spaghetti with meatballs won out. Swung by the store and picked up a few items missing, and tried to nail down a recipe. Lady and the Tramp nearly always comes up when we talk about spaghetti dinner, and Valentine’s Day  was a very fitting time. 

A variation on the recipe below. Didn’t realize until now, I forgot the egg! 

  

Turned out well, and everyone was pleased. Even Bella had a chance to sample the goods.

Good night, and Happy Valentine’s Day.

  
-DoD

Times like these

~ Dear ol' Dad ~ Leave a comment

Nights like this make being Dad the sweetest job.

It was late already, and my nice lady did not have her cake done for the morning. She was fussing  that the cake frosting would not stick, and had really worked herself up. Couldn’t help but look inward, and remember that I struggle with the same hard-headed tendancies when faced with a challenge. She was sent to take a shower and center herself.

I helped little man finish his project, and headed toward the kitchen. At this point, I was mostly concerned about not having time for a blog post. Considering I had missed the night before, 2 posts were going to be a tall order.

The frosting was not in perfect condition, but managed to spackle it on. Word quickly spread that Dear ol Dad was manageing the impossible task, and giddy delight was heard from the shower. Nice lady and I finished up the cake together, as joy filled both our hearts. 

It’s hard to digest the praises of “Best Dad EVER” from the little ones. We tend to shy away from the title, looking back at mistakes and doubt of our competence. We find ways that we are not living up to the duties and role as a father that have been tasked from above. Tonight, I’ll take the title. It was a great night to be Dad, but I hope in the end, I’m the second greatest Dad they will ever know.

-DoD

Stronger together 

~ Dear ol' Dad ~ Leave a comment

Strength and wisdom gained in Marriage covenant can be gained in no other way. These gifts, however, are far from a sure thing after committing to one another. The covenant of marriage can prove to be Heavenly means for personal growth and betterment. It can also, without certain commitment, be a means to exaggerate off-putting and offensive behaviors.

Marriage is work, and must be treated as such. If lax in our commitment to serve the other half, both parties can suffer. If fully available (as can be) there are lessons learned unavailable to those less dedicated.

If less than a full pledge is honored, selfishness can lead to isolation of the husband and wife. They can fall victim to blindness in inward and off-putting natural tendencies without the “centering” of honest council from our other half.

When eternal pledge is honored, a spouse must stretch the capacity for perceptions of truth and personal comfort. To serve with joy and thanksgiving is as simple, and difficult as it gets.

-DoD

Sleeping with your eyes open

~ Dear ol' Dad ~ Leave a comment

Some people can. My four year-old little man can. I admit, it happens to me.

It is a phenomenon which occurs, as best I can tell, from extreme exhaustion. Strange to think that a person can be so tired, the eyelids do not succome to gravity.

The times I feel the worst about being worn out, is during reading time with the kids at night. I’ll be reading along, then feel it coming. The wave of unconsciousness hits you across your face while your eyes are still open. Sheer will keeps words coming out of my mouth as my subconsous reads and does it’s most primitively level of thinking.

As I write this, I have caught myself going cross0eyed and have shaken it off several times. I’m not feeling that weird warm “up for twenty-four + hours, ok.  Going to have my stuff together tomorrow,

Good night

-DoD

Funny Little Bunny

~ Dear ol' Dad ~ 1 Comment

Moments like this are why I am so happy for this blog project. I don’t want to forget today.

It’s early morning, and my Funny Little Bunny tip-toed down the stairs. I could tell by the time on the clock, it was most likely a bad dream. Fully expecting to hear my little Bunny begin whispering a wake up call to my dozing Bride, I heard nothing. As more moments passed, I began to wonder where she had ended up. To my joy, she had come directly to my side of the bed to seek comfort in her moment of need.

Again, days like this, I don’t want to forget. All the tears, all the mistakes, all the missed opportunities are wiped away and we are identified as fully competent, ultimate fixers and providers of pure comfort. Are my kids delusional, or what! 🙂

Today was a day planned to be at work an hour early. Like so much of life, not quite what I had planned, but nowhere in the world I’d rather be. Cuddling this little Bunny, easing her mind, and taking it as it comes.

As my Bunny headed back up to bed, I couldn’t help feel a sense of accomplishment when she went straight back to bed – without a stop by the other side of the bed. The little one knows Mom is there, but Dad is just what she needed in this moment. I feel my first hashtag.

  
#notbymyhands

-DoD

Are you Kinder than a 5th grader?

~ Dear ol' Dad ~ 4 Comments

Some lessons are taught best by those unburdened by age, experience, and perilous “knowledge” of life and our expertise of it. While it is our duty as parents to train our children, why do we end up learning so much from them? 

Forgiveness: the one lesson I keep having to learn the hard way from my little ones. Why are they so quick to forgive me? There are times when I should thank my children on the hour for giving me a pass on poor behavior. It is a reflection from below, as we see from above. We are continually forgiven by our children as we are by our Father in Heaven. More often than not, we are deserving of neither.

This wonderful gift is just that – a gift. One that should not be taken advantage of. I pray that I do not abuse the forgiveness of those below, around, or He who is above.

-DoD

There are days

~ Dear ol' Dad ~ Leave a comment

It was a Monday. Got home late, but got lots done at work. Feels good, but bitter-sweet.

Watched a show with the kids, and felt encouraged as a Dad. We ate my daughters first checkerboard cake. So thankful they waited for me.

My duck jerky is in the oven now – almost done. Need to check Jamie’s hair that I didn’t have time for this morning. Snuck some candy before writing this, and shouldn’t have. Thinking about getting some more.

Want to be asleep, but will find a second wind – 

Wishing I had snapped a photo of my first can of boiled peanuts in the blind Sarurday. 

Oldest just came down to say she loves me. Second wind officially caught!

Loving this!

  
-DoD