My Kids Are Smudged

We've been in a series at The Orchard called Smudged.

It's all about the lenses we see life through and how sometimes we allow those lenses to get smudged, which in turn affects how we see different areas of our life. Once your lenses are smudged, you see things only through those smudged lenses and not necessarily how they really are. Anyway, you can check out the podcasts here.

This weekend we talked about our kids and our parents and us as parents. Now, being a part of the creative planning team, I get a glimpse and even get to help create the message concept for the weekends. This message still kicked me in the chest. Seriously check out the podcast. Though we also did the Ugly Kid Joe version of the song Cats In The Cradle before the message. It aided in building the tension for the talk to resolve. Hard song to sing for me because I have found myself saying things like the lyrics in the song to my own kids, for seemingly good reasons. I've even found myself saying things like that to my own parents when they have wanted to see me or spend time with me. It's hard being a grown up sometimes.

We used the analogy of scaffolding to illustrate how we can say words of empowerment, pray for our kids, and give them examples to learn from so that their lives will go far beyond our own. By doing these things, we build scaffolding in our kids lives so that with each generation, they become better leaders, better Christ-followers than the last.

Two things impacted me as we talked about building scaffolding in our kids lives. I have not given my parents enough credit for building scaffolding in my life. For years I focused on things I shouldn't have and at the same time did not celebrate them for the encouragement, prayers and support they have given me over my life. I know they are proud of me and have said as much. I know they believe I have what it takes. I know that many others did not grow up in a loving home like I did. While my parents were not perfect any more than I am as a parent. Parenting is hard, but I think they did the best they knew how to do and I have learned a wealth of great things from them. Mom and Dad - thank you for all that you have taught me and shared with me.

This message also inspired me to take the time and opportunity to ensure my sons know that I whole-heartedly believe they have what it takes. That they can undoubtedly accomplish anything they set their mind to. Does it mean they won't fail - absolutely not and they will probably fail a lot. They have seen me do this. They have seen me make mistakes, which is good. They need to know that a mistake is not the end of the world but a learning point if you handle it correctly. I believe though that they will also see success in the areas that God has purposed and designed them for. I pray for open eyes for them to see that direction and for me as their dad to see that and support that as well. I pray that for all of my kids.

For my girls, I want the same things for them as I do for my wife... that they know without a doubt that they are beautiful and that they are worthy to be pursued. I want them to know that they are special and wonderfully made and that no one can take that from them. God has given them that and it goes beyond the outside but stretches in to their heart. I also pray for them to be able to accomplish their dreams and to dream big.

I am very proud of my kids - not because of their accomplishments but because they are my sons and daughters.

Thanks for letting me get that out so that I can swallow this lump in my throat down.
Peace.

The Great Pumpkin

We have this tradition with my kids that we really enjoy. I have some fond memories of carved pumpkins from when I was a kid too. I remember being in college and carving a watermelon because I couldn't find a pumpkin in any of the stores. It turned out well and did it in kind of a frankenstein design.

Anyway, since my kids were old enough to do so, they've choose pumpkins and chosen a design they want carved on them. I cut the tops off them, they dig out all the seeds and we carve them up. Kristen makes a variety of sweet and salty treats out of the seeds while the carving commences.

I know a lot of people do this, but it seems like a fun memory with my kids.

The last couple of years it seems like our designs and carvings have steadily been better and better. These are the ones from this year. Can you tell which one is the boys' and which one is the girls'?


Any of you do similar or better designs (links to pics please)?
Peace.

The Starbucks Addiction Continues...

You know it's bad when the mere mention of the word Starbucks or a visual of one of their signs sparks a chant of "Starbucks, Starbucks, Starbucks..." from the back seat of the minivan.

Even worse - when you ask the little twerps in the back to pipe down on the Starbucks and they start a new chant of "decaf mocha, decaf mocha..."

I swear they've had one, maybe two drinks from the place and none of them had caffeine in them. Must be something else they're putting in the cups.

Peace.

Monday Morning Madness

My wife had a dentist appointment this morning. She is not fond of the dentist office because of her anxiety about having her teeth worked on. I don't blame her, but I combat that by not going.

Since our kids are homeschooled, I got to teach my kids. Never thought grade school would be so challenging. It's not the school work itself, it's corralling the kids and keeping them focused.

Hats off to you teachers, including my wife - you all have got to be some of the most patient people around!

Although my youngest did pray for his mommy to have gas at the dentist office (I know what he meant but considering it was during a prayer the chuckles abounded).

Peace.

Kids and Classics

Got one of those musical birthday cards from my Mother and Father-in-law... you know, the kind where you open it up and it plays a familiar tune.

Luckily my kids have opened it to play the song about a million times so far. My son also thinks the song goes, "bring home my llama" instead of "sweet home Alabama". So he sings it that way every time he hears it.

It was funny the first 500 times.
Ok, it's still funny :)

I guess I need to play more classic rock for my kids to learn.

Peace.

Lessons From A 4-Year Old

When playing hide-and-seek,
it's important to insure
that there are actually
other people playing.



Peace (from Joshua).

Coffee House Gig

I am so proud of my girls! While I'm always proud of them I got to see them at their first gig tonight at a little local coffee house. The place was packed and they did a great duet together. Bravo, as our friends said tonight... bravo!

Takes me back to the old days. This may be just the beginning girls!

Peace.

Wiggle Room

ABC News reported this week that the Wiggles, an energetic quartet of four Australian song-and-dance men who focus their act on toddlers, have in a single year become the richest performers in Australia. ABC reports their income at $45 Million this last year, surpassing entertainers such as Nicole Kidman, Russel Crowe and even AC/DC!

Unless you have kids this won't make any sense to you. Actually, I have kids and it still doesn't make sense to me.

Peace.