A Letter to my Mommy

To my mom:
From day one, you were always there. You held me with your love, and comforted me with your kind and humble spirit. Through the good times, the bad times, the rough times, you were always there. You guided me with your heart, and embraced me in your soul. You were always there to be a friend when I was lonely and to be a teacher when I was uncertain.

For 27 years you have offered me guidance, words of truth, words of motherly love and concern. None of the words have gone unheard. You have always been a guiding force of truth in my life and for that I am eternally grateful.

We've had a lot of great times these last 27 years. From birthday and Christmas parties in elementary school, to Orlando and yelling "I love baked beans!" at Steak and Shakes all over. Games of Phase 10 and round table discussions that flew off the map due to both us being slightly on the ADD side lol. Family vacations, church youth trips, and band trips we shared times together. Watching Heidi chase an oatmeal cream pie across the dining room and trying to rescue socks from her lock-tight jaws.

You have taught me about the value of family, and that life is not always easy. You have been there when I stumbled, and been there when I fell flat on my face. You have been there during my greatest triumphs, and my lowest points in life.

I am very proud to be able to call you my mother, and that it is a fact that can never be changed. I praise God everyday for you, and pray for His protection over you. I share stories with friends and family and of lessons you have taught me along my way.

I love you, Mom, and you will always hold a special place in my heart. Thank you for everything you have ever done for me, and for everything you mean to me. I hope you have the greatest Mother's Day ever this year.

In love and admiration,
The Nimrod

The Old Man (A DaddyYo Shorty)

This is where the old man used to sit. Every evening as the sun started to recede behind the mountains. it was his favorite chair and his favorite glass. It was his favorite time of day as the air was cooling, the tree frogs were waking up, and the mountains were aglow with the setting sun behind them.

This is where they gather. The old man's children. Once a year they gather here. They share stories of their father, a man of value, a man of principle, a man of his family. They tell their fondest memories and the words their father used to share with them. 

Here they remember the man who forever shaped their lives. The man who carried them, cared for them, guided them, and inspired them. They remember a time when they had not a care in the world, and that man was their superman. They didn't need the finer things in life, just their hero.

They remember his words of wisdom. The words of truth, spoken to them in the voice of a dads love. They remember why it is they still gather here. They eldest son recalls his father's greatest teaching during every gathering. He tells them of his father's saying "this house is old, it's rusting and peeling. It's cracked and worn. But my heart is full, it is strong, and it is yours forever. A man's love for his family far exceeds the boundaries of his dwelling place."

They remember their times when money was short, the days were long and the nights were restless. They remember a man who left home at 6:00 every morning, and would not return until 8:00 at night. They recall their dad's love for them and his dedication to always doing his best for them.

The house sits barren now, remaining untouched for many years. Their their father was long gone and the children had all moved on. It was only this time of year that they can all get together, and so they do. They gather outside on the lawn, picnic lunch, and just remember.

And in this way the old man lives forever. In the hearts, the minds, the memories, and the stories. His iron will and unshakable dedication to his family is remembered for generations. Out in front of the house. The old, tattered, rusting and peeling house. In view of the chair. It was the old man's favorite chair, where he sat and watched the sun go down behind the mountains. 

To the Children of the World: From, Dad

You are the light of the world! You are the present and the future. You are our hopes and dreams, our inspiration and our lives. You are the reason we do what we do and why we never give up.

You are our reminder of what life is about. You are our comfort in times of sorrow without even knowing. You are the source of much joy in times when it seems there is not much left to take joy in. You bring new life into those who who see life as fleeting, dark, and desolate.

You are the many blessings of many people, and the answers to many prayers. You are the angels that our placed into our lives. You are the love that burns within us, and melts our hearts in infinite ways. You are the very breath we take.

Children of the world, you are OUR world. We, the dads, who care for you, cherish you, and infinitesimally love you, we thank you for being the light of our worlds. We are blessed to have you in our lives, and the world is blessed for each one of you even from the moment of birth. We promise to always be here for you, to guide you and support you. To be your strength as you are to us. To be your joy in times of your sadness. We promise to keep our heads high, do what we do, and keep pressing forward for you. You are the children of the world. We are the dads. And we love you!

Love,
Dad

Wordless Wednesday #2

The ABC's of my Children

Absolutely amazing


Breathtakingly beautiful


Charmingly capricious 


Delightfully debonair


Especially Energetic


Flawlessly fearless


Gloriously gifted



Hilariously hyper


Irresistibly imaginative 


Joyously jazzy


Knowingly kindhearted 


Ludicrously loved


Mysteriously majestic


Needlessly Noisy


Oddly observant 


Permissibly persistent 


Quaintly quixotic 


Rightfully  rambunctious 


Splendidly silly


Typically tiresome


Unequivocally  Unique


Vividly vivacious


Wildly whimsical


Xtremely xenodochial


Youthfully yappy


Zany (couldn't find another word lol)

Blogging with my 3yo

So this morning I have been trying to think of a new post topic ... hold on .....Okay I pushed the blue button and made it black. Where was I? Oh yes, trying to think of a new post topic. It's Monday so ... Yes Caleb I see the bees .... It's mond.... stop touching the laptop and get your finger off the screen .... It's okay I love you.... Monday is a bad day for me to .. Caleb I can't see ... bad day for me  try to write anyway cause the weekend at work has me just stupid in the head come monday morning. nsdihgudnkdgd.. . Caleb I said don't touch it!!! Now there are cheesies all over the screen.

This morning has been particularly challenging as my 3yo son has decided that this morning he would tell me about anything and everything under the sun. From Bee Movie, to "Where's mommy and Marlee?" to I FARTED!! Everything going on in his life this morning is going on in my ears. ... I can't do black Caleb, that button doesn't work anymore. You broke it remember?

I told @NewYorkDad earlier it's one of those moments in dadhood that while slightly irritating, it is just too darn cute. Usually Caleb just wants me to play ball or get him something to eat. Marlee is the daddy's girl and is always wanting my undivided attention. 

So this morning, mom takes sissy out shopping and it's guys day in at the house. Love having guy time with Caleb cause we get to be loud and do guy stuff over the top. Tackling, breaking wind, throwing balls as hard as we can without any regard to anything else in the house, and eating junk food that mommy would usually not allow this close to nap time. 

This morning however he is particularly interested in me almost inexplicably. Wanting to know what I'm doing, am I okay, sad, happy, immune (don't know why he wants to know that). Such a great joy to know that even when it seems like I exist only as a playmate, my son still has great interest in me and wants to learn about what I am always doing. I taught him the word blogging this morning in fact. 

I am always glad for the alone time I get with each child because it's those times that they let me know that I am more than just a waiter, chauffeur, and bathroom attendant. I am their Daddy and they love me for it!