"You have to see they have good will.", Jen said to me. I said, "Hitler had good will!" In most circumstances, people are acting with good intentions. I have become more controlling since our babies arrived. It's annoying. Jen demonstrates great restraint and patience with me as I tell her how to do something. I'm being more controlling because my intention is to produce the best possible outcome. Some parents beat their kids with good intentions, "I'm only doing this so you'll … [Read more...]
‘Twas the Day Before Christmas
December 24, 2011 by
This one is different. Times have changed, so have we. There's no tree. No garland. No decoration. No lights. Instead we have two babies who have overflowed our lives. We have joy. We have frustration. We have laughter. We have tears. Times we want to run away to Canada. And times we're drawn nearer. We've been challenged. We've been tested. Plenty of times we have failed. Time and again, love, faith and hope prevails. It's overwhelming. It's daunting. It's made me … [Read more...]
When do you strike?
December 23, 2011 by
The thought struck me. It came out of nowhere. "This guy had a huge impact on my life, I should write him a note." I had a decision to make at that point ... Click "Compose New" and shoot the thought and sentiment his way. Find some stationary and write it out then and there. Or put it on a to do list. I clicked "Compose New" I wrote a two line email. I told him that I appreciated his encouragement, support and inspiration. He really played a key role in a wide range of my life. … [Read more...]
What kind of dog are you?
December 22, 2011 by
I was cooking yesterday. The dogs were bouncing around me in the kitchen. They're just looking to snag the tiniest scrap that falls to them. It was frustrating. We've had so many visitors and the twins shift so much attention away from them. They are behaving disobediently. They're more selfish. They're just looking for a little something for themselves. Sadly for them, the more they try the less they get. I got a glimpse into how God might feel about us. I'm talking the … [Read more...]
Are you tipping enough?
December 14, 2011 by
Jen and I met our twins two months ago. Our priorities were redefined. Things like showering, blow drying of hair, eating food while hot fell to the bottom of the list. Feeding babies, remembering to eat at all, finding 2-3 hours to sleep shot to the top of the list. The babies are kicking our asses. Feeding two newborns at the same time is one of the most exhausting things I've done in my life. I go from energetic and enthusiastic to exhausted and exasperated in a matter of … [Read more...]
Thank, God. I am home.
November 17, 2011 by
I walked in the door. I said, "I'm home, Cheech (Chi-chi's one of our dogs)." A rush of emotion swept through me. "Thank God, I'm home." I've struggled with my house being my home since I moved here. It was Jen's house before we met. There's a lot of history in the house. There's a lot of ego involve in my fighting making this house my home. I create meaning that doesn't have to be there that keeps me away. A friend was telling me about the Samurai. They are not allowed to … [Read more...]
Setting the mood
November 8, 2011 by
Elli awoke screaming. Again. It was clear she did not know that it was night time. We decided to set the mood. The lights dimmed throughout the house the next day at 7pm. TV off. Laptops closed. Phones away. Faded lights and lullabies. Babies and bottles. The girls fed. We laid them down. They slept. They got it. We crafted the peaceful, nocturnal environment. They went with the mood. So did we. Jen and I had time to connect. The house was more peaceful. I walked … [Read more...]
Are you in a compromised position?
October 14, 2011 by
The offer came it. It was low. They asked for thousands in concessions on top of the low offer. I sent a counter. They held their ground. A few days later, they weakened and offered a counter. They didn't offer enough. It wouldn't have been a compromise. I would have been compromised. A week or so later another offer came in. It was low. They asked for thousands in concessions. I sent a counter. They responded promptly. They offered more than what I asked in my counter. They asked for … [Read more...]
Are you a champion?
September 7, 2011 by
I hear bad advice a lot. The most common I people tell each other is "You should just do 'insert action'." You don't ask your infant to walk when they can't even crawl. Why do we ask adults to do things that they haven't demonstrated an ability to do? Just because you know how to walk doesn't mean the person you're trying help does. Telling them to walk produces one thing. Frustration. You're frustrated with them for not listening. They're frustrated with themselves for being stuck or … [Read more...]
