I Don Know?

Last night I asked Drew where his bubba (pacifier) was. He looked at me and said, “I don know?” It was really funny, but also kind of shocking to realize that he is at an age now where he can interact on that kind of a level.

Andrew, the Hitter

What do I do? My son Andrew has a serious hitting problem. He doesn’t punch or slap, but whenever he gets a hockey stick, bat or some other type of long skinny foreign object in his hands his brother and sister have to run for the hills. (Poor Izzy is yelling for help as I type this; for some reason she gets the brunt of the attacks.) I don’t remember either of the other two kids being this way. Any advice on how to approach this?

Driscoll, Election, My Son, and a Hockey Game

I heard Driscoll give an example demonstrating how the doctrine of election shows God to be a loving Father. While listening to Driscoll I thought of an example from my own life.

A few weeks ago I took my three kids to my little brother’s hockey game. My one year old Andrew loves to run around and explore so while we were at the game it was a constant challenge to watch over him. I wanted him to have fun but I also know the dangers of letting a small child crawl up and down steps, bleachers and railings. More than once I sat Andrew down and told him what I expected from him but he kept getting out of his seat and doing the things that ultimately would wound him.

Andrew knew my expectations but he continued to choose his own way despite the fact that it would bring pain. Sound familiar? More than once I spoke to Andrew and told him to stop, to turn around and to come back to me. That is repentance. I pursued him and called him to repent. But he wouldn’t. Just like God pursues me and I don’t always stop and repent either.

Then, one time when Andrew was running and not looking where he was going, I noticed he was about to fall down a flight of stairs. I ran up behind him, grabbed him by his jacket and yanked him to safety. now, did I violate my child’s free will by yanking him back? Yes I did, but, did I do him harm? No, I saved him. Just like God has reached down and yanked me from certain pain and death because of my sin.

Vacation Highlight #2

Loved having extended, uninterrupted time to be with the kids. Working so far from home and so many hours each week wears on me sometimes. It was nice to wake up and know that I would be available to the kids each day. We did lots of fun things. A few highlights for me were…

1. Driving to South Bend and visiting the beautiful Notre Dame campus. Go Irish!
2. Taking Jacob and Izzy to watch Surf’s Up at the movie theater. (only 2 0f 5 stars though)
3. Walking around St. Joseph looking at all the painted cars and having ice cream.
4. Playing in the waves of Lake Michigan.
5. Jumping on the trampoline.
6. Going walleye fishing with Jake and catching some big ones.
7. Swimming and playing the pool.
8. Multiple wrestling matches in the bedroom. jujhj

You can see pictures of many of these events here.

What My Kids Would Say on Mother’s Day

I am sure many blogger will be taking the opportunity today to publicly brag up the special women in their lives. I am no different. Sometimes I wonder what my kids would say if they could fully comprehend and articulate all that Stephanie does for them. I’d bet they would say something like this:

My mom is the best because….
– she always gets up at night to help us when we’re sick
– she takes us garage sailing and buys us Toy Story and Clifford toys
– she sits in the driveway while we ride our bikes outside
– she takes us to Taco John’s for potatoes and cheese
– she brings us to the park and the play land
– she takes the time to listen to us
– she prays with us when we are scared
– she is more patient than Daddy
– she reads us books over and over again
– she makes us lunch and dinner almost everyday
– she shows us how to blow bubbles, and write letters, and color pictures, and get ourselves dressed, and how to sing the ABC’s when we wash our hands
– she brings us to church so we can hear about Jesus
– she works outside our house at night so we can have some extra money
– she cares about how we look when we leave the house
– she loves Daddy and keeps him happy
– she gets my bottle and feeds me every night, keeps my diaper clean and dry, does amazing/ disgusting things with Q-tips, lugs me around all day (from Andrew)
– she buys us treats like donuts or slushies when we run errands
– she is full of laughter and fun
– she doesn’t run the house like a dictator and is more concerned with happiness than cleanliness
– she holds me when I am hurting and kisses my bruises
– she reads her Bible and prays to Jesus for strength and guidance
– she wants to celebrate us and create memories we can have forever
– she never gives up on our family, no matter what Daddy does
– she watches movies with us
– she lets us cuddle with her in her bed
– she sings to us and dances with us
– she helps us cut out shapes in play dough
– she tries to be the best mommy that she can be

Mommy, you do so much for everyone in our family. Without you we would be a major disaster. We love you so much and we appreciate all that you are. You are the glue that holds it all in place. And we are blessed to have you in our lives. Never question the positive impact you are having on our futures. Have a wonderful Mother’s Day. With love and adoration,

Jacob, Isabelle, and Drew (with a little help from Daddy)

*All of the themes expressed by my kids are things I could say ‘Thank You’ to my own mother for as well. Happy Mother’s Day Mom!

Andrew Goes to the ER

Stephanie took our 8 month old baby Andrew to the ER about an hour ago. He got a penicillin shot a couple days ago to treat his strep throat and tonight he was getting sort of blotchy so we figured we should get it checked out. Just to make sure there is no allergic react happening.

Ever notice how our minds have a funny way of racing ahead and creating what-if scenarios, usually with negative scenes unfolding, when we face a crisis? I am no different tonight. While praying for Andrew I thought about the fact that we have no life insurance for him. Also I wondered, “If he did die where in the world would we bury him?” Next thought: “If I died, where in the world would I be buried?” (For the record-when I die don’t waste land with my body. Burn it up. I’m getting a new one anyway.)

How do you decide where you want to be buried? These are not fun thoughts to have. Please keep the Drew-man in your prayers.

*Update: Allergic reaction, he was treated and should be fine.

The Central Questions My Kids Are Asking

(picture stolen from Stephanie’s blog)

Stephanie has been working hard with Isabelle over the last week to get her potty trained and we are experiencing some good results. Jacob didn’t get the toilet thing until he was 3. Isabelle is less than 2.5, but I hear girls usually catch on faster and Izzy is very girly. So girly in fact that the last two times her Nana has given her money she has picked out and purchased dress up shoes and the princess dress she is wearing above. Izzy loves to play in her mommy’s make-up and she is constantly using the phrase “That is so cute.” It is especially adorable (and, I think, very revealing about the feminine soul) how Isabelle will ask me, “Am I a princess?”. Which of course she is!

Jacob, on the other hand, is all boy. He wants to play outside, ride his bike, and wrestle. With his gift money he bought a toy shark and a toy T-Rex. Jacob loves to imagine his animals doing battle. The constant question Jacob asks is not like Isabelle’s “Daddy am I beautiful?” Jacob seeks my pleasure in himself, he wanted to impress me and show me he can do things. He is constantly asking, “Daddy are you proud of me?” Which of course I am!

All of my kids are so different (I can only imagine what Andrew will be like as he grows older) but I believe that there are some fundamental things that they are seeking from their mother and me. And my job as a parent is to meet those essential emotional needs. With God’s grace I am doing my best.

PS- The thought that I only have one more kid in diapers is very exciting.

Precious Moments and Milestones

Today Jacob’s papa and nana took him downtown to watch the Sesame Street Live show and then back to their house for a sleep over. After eating lunch and saying goodbye it was hard not to marvel at how big my little buddy has gotten. The days of being a stay at home dad and spending my days reading theology to him and watching Dr. Phil don’t seem like that long ago. I am so thankful to God for being given the amazing responsibility of raising such a wonderful treasure. Jacob brings unending streams of joy into my life.

The added bonus of one child leaving is the amount of focused energy I am able to give to the other two. Isabelle and I had such fun today tickling and wrestling and reading and singing. She packs more energy and passion into everything she does than any other child I have seen. At Target today she didn’t stop showing me things and enthusiastically pointing out the name of everything she could. And this doesn’t even include her random requests for ‘pop’, ‘ice cream’ and ‘bubble gum.’

Andrew doesn’t do to much yet, but we did have some fun laying on the ground, tickling and drooling (him not me) and watching golf.

7 Leadership Types – Which are You?

We received a nice card from a State Representative today congratulating us on the August 28th birthday of our son Andrew. Included in the card was a description of 7 different leadership types.

1. Visionary – is committed to growth, looks beyond problems to causes, and develops precise solutions for success.
2. Teacher – imparts wisdom, maturity, and skill to others; validates direction; and ensures completeness.
3. Server – sees and meets other’s practical needs, frees them to accomplish their goals, ands invests time and energy in their success.
4. Organizer – visualizes final results and directs resources for the completion of goals.
5. Mediator – is deeply loyal and compassionate, analyzing the benefits and problems of a given direction.
6. Idealist – should have impeachable integrity, be open to correction, be willing to identify problems as they arise and speak the truth boldly.
7. Provider – is resourceful, prudent, and thrifty, constantly ensuring the best use of available resources.

I am primarily a teacher and secondarily an organizer. How about you? Which leadership type best captures the way you lead?