We're Baaack

Pulled into Salina yesterday around 4:30pm from a long week of work in Cedar Rapids and was I ever glad to be home. I greatly missed my family while I was gone even though the week was full of good work, interesting conversations, and fun times. I didn't realize how much I missed them until I walked up our front sidewalk and saw my little booger peering through the screen door. How long had I been gone? I'd almost forgotten what he looked like. As I walked in the door I put my guitar down and found my arms magnetically attracted to the blonde bombshell awaiting me in the living room. I planted a big smooch on her and for the rest of the evening I couldn't resist being next to her.
I think sometimes its good to get away to remember what it is we have and take for granted. In my everyday life it's easy for me to overlook the little moments that mean so much to me as a dad and a husband. I missed seeing Owen poke his head around the corner with that crazy grin he gets when he's playing peek-a-boo. I missed having my wife next to me while I slept at night. I missed getting up in the morning and turning the corner to Owen's room to hear him talking nonsense in his crib. I missed being able to look at Melissa while she told of the day she had...talking on the phone just doesn't cut it for me.
All the little things matter and sometimes it just takes a little distance to make me realize how truly blessed I am.

Prioritizing

Ever since my divorce over 2 years ago, I've made it a point to make sure that my priorities are straight. I learned that I can't just say I place God first, family second, and job third. I have to act on it. I was given the chance to prove it this week.
I attended a conference at Southwestern College that began Tuesday. I knew that I would have to leave a little early on Wednesday to get back for church activities, but was excited to be a part of a Q&A with Tony Jones, listen in on a chapel sermon by Mr. Jones, and then participate in a workshop given by Professor Rankin (that's what I call him when he's doing smart guy stuff).
I woke up on Wednesday morning to a call from Melissa telling me that she had a monstrous headache. On top of that, Owen had been exposed to strep throat a few days prior and woke up with a cough.
So there I was faced with a big decision - Do I stay for the conference that I was greatly looking forward to hoping my family gets to feeling better as the day goes on? Or do I drive back home to spend the day being a good husband and dad?
I jumped in my car and headed back to S-town.

Being a Dad

I meant to post this earlier this week, but my week became consumed with writing a sermon. Enough excuses, thanks to my mom, brother, wife, and good friend, I'll be posting about being a dad. So here are my paternal reflections...

• Having a son is awesome! I'll admit it, I was hoping for a boy when we got pregnant. I would have loved my daughter just as much, but it totally rocks having a little boy around. I'm a big time rough houser with him and can't wait for the days of playing catch, going fishing, and doing all the cool things that dads and sons get to do. I enjoyed those things with my dad and I'm looking forward to sharing the same things with Owen.
• Being a parent is tiring. Now let me first give major props to my wife. She is an amazing woman and I can't imagine doing what she does day in and down out. I spend most of Friday with Owen on my day off and by the time Melissa comes home from cleaning houses, I'm pretty well shot. It's hard work!
• I am a selfish human being. I never realized how much I valued my time and being able to do what I wanted when I wanted. A dad truly has to put his wife and child(ren) first. There's just no way around it. I do miss the days that I could take a nap when I wanted and do home improvement projects on Fridays. Gone are those days...for now.
• As much as I love Owen, Melissa comes before him. I'm saying this because I have to continually remind myself about the priority of my marital relationship. Owen takes a lot of time and energy and if Melissa and I don't intentionally take time to work on our relationship, something's going to eventually hit the fan. (I'm not just saying this because Valentine's Day is Saturday and the wifey's birthday is next Sunday)
• God's provision is sufficient. I wasn't really sure what I was getting myself into when we got pregnant. I had no idea how to be a dad. I didn't know how to change a diaper. I didn't have a clue. God gives us the ability to adjust to many different situations in life and He will never give us something we can't handle, although I think He pushes us to the limit so we have to depend on Him. That's ok with me.
  

Once Upon a Time...

Once upon a time, a guy asked a girl 'Will you marry me?' The girl said, 'NO!'

And the guy lived happily ever after and rode motorcycles and went fishing and hunting and played golf a lot and drank beer and scotch and left the toilet seat up and farted whenever he wanted.

THE END


-Don't you just love getting email forwards from your uncle? I'd change golf to softball and then I'd drink a lot of Snapple instead of beer and scotch because I don't like beer and scotch, which probably makes me less of a man in some people's eyes. But I'd fart a bunch to make up for it.

Fireproof

Melissa and I got a chance to view the new movie created by Sherwood Pictures, the same company who put out Facing the Giants. I did see Facing the Giants when it came out and I thought it was good, but the acting was a little rough and the story just worked out too perfect for the team and the family involved. I didn't feel the same way about Fireproof. Fireproof is a story about a young man who finds himself in the midst of a bad divorce when his dad mails him a book that challenges him to do something different for forty days to save his marriage. Kirk Cameron plays Caleb, the main character of the story. Here's my critique...

• Good story for married men to see. It reminds us that marriage takes work and if we don't make the effort to love our wife, somebody else might just come along and do it for us.
  
• Great for couples to see who are going through rough times. Many of the comments made by Caleb's wife as well as some other instances in the story ring so true for me when I went through my divorce. This can be an eye opener for both husband and wife.
• Christian movies often make Christians out to be somewhat radical and very corny. This movie did not do that. I was pleased with the acting, although there were a couple characters that could use some acting lessons. Caleb's dad was the main Christian character who didn't push God on his son, rather he was there to share Jesus with his son in a time when he needed a Savior the most. I thought it was well done.
• I cried. Yep, I'm man enough to admit this. It was one of those films that really tugged at my heart strings, mostly because I could identify so much with Cameron's character. God was the only reason I made it through my tough time just as was shown in the film.

Overall I would recommend this to any couple of any age. They have a study curriculum that is on the internet that you can purchase to lead a small group based on clips from the film. We've ordered it and are looking to lead a group at our church in the near future. If you get a chance, go to this movie. Go with your family. Go with your small groups. Talk about it and consider how God might be speaking to you through this film.

Happy Birthday Sweetheart!

February 22nd couldn't be complete without a post totally dedicated to my wonderful wife. She turns one day older today. If you are wondering what her age is, you'll have to ask her, I don't think that's my place as a husband who wants to be in good standing.

So here is my top ten list of what makes M so wonderful...

1. blonde bomb shell


2. doesn't mind that i'm such a goofball


3. loves kids!!


4. genuinely cares about others


5. stretches her faith and beliefs


6. strives to be a godly woman/wife (and is doing a great job at it)


7. not focused on just money


8. supports her hubby


9. loves veggie tales

And the final reason M is so wonderful...she is who she is. No mask, no fronts, what you see is what you get, and what you get is a fantastic woman that I love with all my heart. Love you much M! Have a great birthday. 9-12-21!!!!!