At around 9:15 last night, as I was brushing my teeth, Cakes, our youngest called her mom and asked if she could hang out with some of her new friends from church after work. She promised that she wouldn’t be home too late. The father instinct in me told my wife to clarify “How late [...]
Not too late!!!???
September 25th, 2011Category: Parenting
Do you really want my opinion?
August 21st, 2011The penultimate moment In the movie “A Few Good Men” comes when Tom Cruise’s sharp young lawyer Kaffee demands, “I want the truth!” Jack Nicholson’s crusty old Colonel Jessup yells back, “You can’t handle the truth!” It seems that am forced to relive a variation of this scene over and over again with my children. Tonight was [...]
Category: Parenting
Can I get a witness?
July 26th, 2010The woman who taught our children to play piano called my wife today. Over the years, she and my wife have become very good friends. The conversation took a little bit of a strange turn this time. “I have two guys that might be possibilities for Bean (our oldest daughter).” When my wife expressed surprise [...]
Category: Parenting
Didn’t see that one coming!
July 21st, 2010I posted several posts recently (6/22, 25 & 26) about confronting my son about his character. I have spoken to him on two more occasions since those posts. The primary issue is how focused he has been on young women. In particular, a girl that he met at church. And not just any girl… A very pretty [...]
Category: Parenting
There, I said it!
June 26th, 2010Today was the day… I finally confronted my son. I was as ready as I was ever going to be. There was nothing left but to do it. So, I did. I talked to him about the four levels of obedience (obedience from the heart, obedience, disobedience and rebellion) and where he is on the [...]
Category: Parenting
God answers prayer
June 25th, 2010I still haven’t confronted my son… He worked at The Bonefish Grill last night. He is working again tonight. This major confrontation has been delayed for since Monday and I am REALLY glad! Why do I say that? On Monday night, I avoided biting his head off. I spent Tuesday and Wednesday dreading (no exaggeration!) the [...]
Category: Parenting
Just smart enough to keep my mouth shut
June 22nd, 2010I avoided a disaster yesterday… My son came back to Kansas to find a summer job and save up money for the next year of college. Today, he slept in until 12:00! I have a very difficult time sitting passively and watching someone let opportunity slip by, especially when it is one of my children! [...]
Category: Parenting
Happy Father’s Day
June 20th, 2010I’m not sure that I like Father’s Day… It seems to me that it replaces a very real moral obligation (“honor your father and your mother”) with a cheap cultural imitation…a way to soothe a guilty conscience. I realize for many it is the only time that children give any honor to their father so I suppose that it is [...]
Category: Parenting
Cakes to the Rescue!
June 15th, 2010As a father, I am concerned for my children’s well being and success. I realize that doesn’t make me special or different. Most parents have the same concerns. However, I am very aware that I can only do so much. All of my children are at the age and stage of life where they have to [...]
Category: Parenting, Uncategorized
The world is getting smaller
February 23rd, 2010It may sound strange, coming from a blogger, but I have not been a huge fan of technology. We went several years without a television in our home. When we did get one, TV time was strictly limited. Basically, for most of my children’s lives, we used the television to watch videos. During his childhood, [...]
Category: Parenting, Technology
You got written up for what?
February 22nd, 2010This may come as a shock to some of you, but I have been having a long distance relationship for more than two years. Actually, I am in several simultaneously. It so much more difficult to communicate. I tell you that it is SO much better when you are face to face… But, what other [...]
What else am I going to do?
February 20th, 2010This stage of being a parent is…how shall I put this…challenging. When my children were younger, they had to listen to me…or else! Now that they are launching out on their own, I have to watch them make mistakes. Let me tell you, it is highly overrated! I get no pleasure out of it, no [...]
One big happy…
December 28th, 2009There is much more room in our apartment today… My two oldest daughters and my wife’s parents left yesterday. My son will leave in a few days. The last 24 hours were an emotional whirlwind. Big A got put out with Bean. Big A got put out with Cakes. Kimba get put out with Bean. Cakes [...]
Category: Parenting
My son, the movie star
December 14th, 2009In my last post, I talked about looking for changes in my son… Well, there is one change that I didn’t have to look too hard to find… His nose is huge! He SAYS that he looks like the Avatar! He really does! One of his new Drexel teammates got upset at him during practice [...]
Category: Parenting
He’s back!
December 13th, 2009I picked my son up from the airport yesterday morning. It is like he never left! He is back to mauling everyone. Either he has gotten stronger or Cakes has lost a little. She can’t quite handle him like she did a few months ago. However, he has already earned a few slugs from her! He [...]
Category: Parenting
I shudder to think…
December 6th, 2009For the second time this week, I was awakened by the sound of my wife talking on the phone. This time, I got out of bed because I detected a little concern in her voice. I opened our bedroom door and squinted out into the living room and mouthed the words, “Is everything all right?” [...]
Category: Parenting
Turn a little this way
December 3rd, 2009Ah, the challenges of being a father… I really don’t know what this season of life is supposed to look like. My two oldest daughters have been on their own for the past few years. My son is attending college in Philadelphia and my youngest will graduate from high school in 6 months. How involved [...]
Coming to grips with reality
November 29th, 2009Bean, our oldest daughter headed home for Dallas early this morning. I know I have said this before but… I felt a little sad. It is back to being just me, my wife, Bunch, and my youngest daughter, Cakes. As I analyzed my feelings, I realized that I don’t want to change anything. She has [...]
Category: Parenting
No myopia aqui!
November 27th, 2009Sometimes I wonder how you read what I write… I think many of you think that some of my posts are just the myopic boasts of a doting father. For example, I have written about my youngest daughter’s singing ability. I told you of our trip to Denver for the American Idol auditions. When I [...]
Category: Parenting
Turn the Caps Lock button off
November 16th, 2009It looks like Big A has shrunk a little… He’s now medium A… or perhaps even small a… He ended his high school wrestling career with a flourish, losing in the state finals to one of the top 10 wrestlers in the nation. This weekend, he wrestled his first two matches in college… and lost! [...]
Category: Parenting
And it matches my cape!
November 7th, 2009A few weeks ago, I wrote about one of my alter ego’s (Superdad) recent adventures. The plot ran something like this… Long lost daughter is miraculously found! Joy abounds! Big corporation threatens to bankrupt the family if she attempts to renew her relationships with the members of her family! You can read about it here. I [...]
Category: Money, Parenting, Technology
Just in the nick of time
October 21st, 2009Since our trip to New Jersey/Philadelphia, my second daughter has been wanting to talk much more these days. to me…to her mother…her little sister…her brother…her big sister… This fact began to dawn on me a few weeks ago when my wife said “I had a long conversation with Kimba last night.” “Oh really? I talked with [...]
Category: Money, Parenting, Technology
Not my cup of tea…
October 6th, 2009My youngest daughter is taking a choir class. She had a concert last night… I like to listen to good singing… But after the 45th deedle-dee sung in row fashion, I began to get a feeling that was very similar to that of going “shopping” with my wife. First, my chair became uncomfortable… Then it [...]
Category: Parenting
I’m so smart!
September 14th, 2009We got into Kansas City at 1:30 A.M.! At least that was an hour earlier than the night, er, morning before! We drove one car into Nashville: our SuperCrew pickup. Normal people would just drive the same car home! But, as I wrote last time, I’m not all that good at “normal”. So…I thought we should [...]
Category: Cars, Money, Parenting, Travel
Hurdle #2 crossed
September 8th, 2009We drove into Philadelphia today to visit Drexel. First, we took some paperwork to the admissions office to complete my son’s file.. “Oh, we don’t get those.” “Who does?” “The athletic department.” Over to the athletic department… “Oh, these go to admissions…” I decided to make sure that everyone and his brother had a full [...]
Category: Parenting
The first hurdle is cleared
September 6th, 2009Sending a child off to attend college is a fearful thing for many, if not most, Christian parents. Today’s universities are very effective indoctrination centers for secular culture. We know friends who have sent their children off to school as Bible believing Christians only to see them graduate as “educated, enlightened” non-believers with a lifestyle that matches their newly found [...]
Category: Parenting
A trip down memory lane
August 23rd, 2009In August, 2004, my oldest daughter drove our new Ford Windstar for her first day of classes at the local community college. My son was with her because we had just learned that. although he was just 14, he qualified to enroll in a college Algebra class. Our youngest daughter was also in the car. [...]
Category: Cars, Money, Parenting, Travel
They are really behind!
August 15th, 2009I planned on spending the day at the library reading and studying to figure out what to do with our stocks. As I walked in, I saw a group of homosexuals swooning at pictures of other men on the computer. The next table had young men playing video games on the computer. And I thought [...]
Category: Parenting
Here comes the lawnmower
August 5th, 2009Someone decided that the grass was getting a little too tall. It looks like our “green shoots” are getting mowed down. My son went back to each of the fast food places to follow up on his applications. When they asked him what his plans were, he chose to tell them the truth: that he [...]
Our own “green shoots”
August 4th, 2009There has been much talk in the media about “green shoots” springing up in the economy… We had our “green shoots” sprout up in our own personal economy today… Our son went out and looked for a job! I said it that way for effect. The truth is that he has tried to find work [...]
Tickets, get your tickets
July 22nd, 2009When I got home from work, my son informed me that the California Angels were playing their last game of the season against the Royals here in Kansas City. Ten minutes later, we were on the road. We pulled into the stadium to discover that they were charging $9 for parking! Oh well… When we got [...]
Getting old might not be all that bad!
July 21st, 2009Last night, after my friend from CA called, I got out of bed and wandered into the living room to see if I could figure out what day it was. My youngest daughter was studying in the living room. To quote Celine Dionne, it all started coming back to me… Mom told her that she [...]
Category: Parenting
Oh for two
July 14th, 2009We had been on the road home from Denver for about three hours when my son called me. He is training with the Kansas state freestyle team this week before heading to Fargo, ND to compete in the nationals. “Dad, a guy had my leg and was trying to take me down. I was fighting [...]
That darn shoelace!
July 14th, 2009Today was the big day… She finally got to audition for American Idol with at least 10,000 other people at Invesco Field! The day started early. We were up at 3:45 A.M., in line by 5:00, in our seats by 8:00, finished recording Carrie Underwood’s “Last Night” along with the whole stadium by 9:00. Auditions [...]
Category: Parenting
I wonder if I scared him off
July 13th, 2009(I originally wrote this on June 18th. A certain unnamed party persuaded a permanently biased judge to issue a temporary injunction against its publication. The legal wrangling has finally ended and the banned post can now be made public) I don’t have the greatest set of social skills. I tend to be too honest. I [...]
Category: Masculinity, Parenting
Sorry, son, but that is reality
July 10th, 2009Time continues to move swiftly. Fargo is now just two weeks away. This week, my son had a change in his training schedule so he has been taking me to work and heading directly to the morning practice. He comes back and we eat lunch together. This morning, my wife gave each of us a [...]
Category: Masculinity, Parenting
Wewease the secwet weapon!
July 8th, 2009Prior to moving to Kansas City, we taught our children at home. That meant that my son’s options for athletics were somewhat limited. He played Pee Wee football until he was 15 years old. In the first game of his last season, my wife and I noticed that he couldn’t run for the last half [...]
Category: Parenting
It’s time to stop talking about it
July 6th, 2009If everything goes according to plan, in six days my youngest daughter and I will be driving to Denver, CO. We will then spend the next two days standing in REALLY long lines with thousands (perhaps tens of thousands) of other people at INVESCO Field (formerly Mile High Stadium) and then drive 9 hours back to [...]
Category: Children, Goals, Parenting, Travel
Yes, I’m sure…
July 2nd, 2009I received another call while I was on the phone with Chief Renegade… It was a young lady calling from the high school. She was calling to see what size “Senior page” I wanted? Senior page??? “Oh, do you mean those 1/2 page or full page ads in the back of the yearbook?” “Yes.” “No. [...]
What did he write?
July 1st, 2009A man called my cell while I was at work today and introduced himself. I didn’t recognize the name. “I’m one of your son’s coaches…” Still blank “…the wrestling team…” That didn’t help all that much. Was he from the high school, Mo-West, the St. Thomas Aquinas team, the Kansas state team… “Which team?” “The state [...]
Category: Parenting
It’s official!
June 29th, 2009Although we haven’t heard from the Financial Aid Committee concerning our appeal, we made the final decision today. Big A is going to Drexel! We sent in the housing deposit and scheduled vacation time in September for the big trip to New Jersey/Philadelphia. I called the Baker University wrestling coach with the bad news. I [...]
I’m on the road again
June 26th, 2009You probably guessed it… My wife agreed that I should do it… I got off work a few hours early and drove 5 hours to Oklahoma City. How many more times will I be able to spend time with him like this? About 10 minutes before I arrived, my son called me to tell me [...]
Back in time
June 25th, 2009(The post title comes from the theme song of the movie “Back to the Future”) The Junior National Greco-Roman tournament is over. It is VERY old school wrestling… It harkens back to the days when Greece and Rome were the powers in the earth. In this style of wrestling, you can only attack the upper [...]
Category: Parenting
His first real bus ride
June 23rd, 2009I took my son to the Greyhound station ta 6:25 this morning… Last night, he called me on the phone to tell me that he HAD to be in Wichita by 1:00 P.M. Well, Mom and Dad have jobs…with bosses who actually expect them to show up for work every day! …so “Go Greyhound!” Why [...]
Category: Parenting
Theys a who’ lot of growin’ up goin’ on ’round he-ah
May 26th, 2009My youngest daughter started training for her new job… She will be a hostess at a very nice restaurant near our apartment, The Bonefish Grille. Inside the restaurant, the lighting is subdued, the food is excellent and the prices aren’t cheap. What I am trying to say is that this is a place where adults [...]
Category: Parenting
Writer’s cramp
May 25th, 2009How do you ask someone to give you money? That is what I have to do. Fortunately, I haven’t had much practice at it. I say fortunately because I have not needed to ask for money very often. Drexel is offering to give my son $23,900 in grants and scholarships. That is fantastic. No one [...]
I want my money back
May 21st, 2009We got my son’s SAT scores today… If you remember, we actually paid a tutor to help him. I think we paid for 4 lessons…$240! I want my money back! His scores only improved by twenty points! That was about 40 less than I was hoping for… I don’t know if he did well enough to [...]
Say when!
May 20th, 2009I finally got through to the Drexel coach today to talk about the campus visit… Big A is going to be attending classes with members of the wrestling team… He will meet with the admissions and financial departments. When I asked him if Big A should bring his wrestling gear, he responded instantly “Oh, absolutely!” [...]
Not then…not then…hmmmm
May 19th, 2009I have to be careful… I could easily rupture one of my knee ligaments… from kicking myself in the rear!!! Less than one year ago, I earned a voucher for a free flight with United Airlines. Both my wife and I have looked EVERYWHERE for the past three weeks and haven’t been able to find [...]
I’m sorry he had to learn this way
May 16th, 2009My son wrestled in a “private” wrestling tournament on Saturday. By private, I mean that you had to be invited to attend. Otherwise, you would never have known about it. There were no advertisements posted anywhere. Six club teams wrestled each other. My son’s team finished 3rd. He won his first match against one of [...]
Category: Parenting
This is it???
May 14th, 2009My son brought home his yearbook. I am glad that we just bought the regular book and didn’t get sucked in to all of the extras because I think we overpaid! Little to nothing about the football team that came with :04 seconds of advancing to the State tournament… Nothing about the girl who broke school records [...]
Category: Parenting
I’m not sure I’m happy with me
May 10th, 2009My son finished his 1-2 page essay for Drexel University. Well, I should probably rephrase that… “We” finished his essay for Drexel University. I use “we” in the “royal” sense. I don’t know how other parents handle such situations. As a rule, I will help my children with their papers by correcting or editing them. [...]
Category: Parenting
Just too dang polite
April 30th, 2009My son drove the Honda to wrestling practice last night. It is about 50 miles for the whole trip. When he got home, he was thoughtful enough to tell me that the car was almost out of gas rather than letting me discover this fact when I left for work this morning. I don’t know [...]
Actually enjoyable
April 21st, 2009How do you tell the man who started first and has conducted himself with honor and integrity that he probably won’t win? How do you tell the first coach that thought your son was good enough to wrestle in college that your son is going to wrestle for another coach who just last week came to the same conclusion? [...]
For free…nah. Let’s pay for it!
April 19th, 2009I woke up this morning to the realization that my son’s next SAT date is less than two weeks away. He has been working very hard at his school work but he has not done any extra preparation for this test. If he doesn’t do any preparation, it seems foolish to think that he will [...]
HECK NO!!!
April 17th, 2009Something happened to me that I have never experienced before… I’ve heard about this but have never experienced it myself and I have been around a few years! A young man called me on the phone and introduced himself. Nothing unusual there. Telemarketers do it all of the time. He then asked if he could take [...]
Category: Parenting
From Miley Cyrus to C.S. Lewis in 3.4 seconds
April 11th, 2009Talk about a quick about face… Last night, my daughter went out with some friends to see the Mylie Cyrus movie. The theater was packed with screaming 12 year old girls. Cakes could hardly believe it but she actually liked it. She kept saying, “I can’t believe I actually went to see that movie.” Well, today [...]
Category: Parenting
Hoping not to fall
April 6th, 2009Teaching and training young adults (i.e. adolescents) can be a treacherous undertaking. The smallest wrong word can set them into a tailspin. Sometimes, it doesn’t even take a word…they just go into a tailspin and even they can’t tell you why. Such is life in the wonderful world or raging hormones. Although some would call [...]
Category: Parenting
Sleepless in Kansas
April 4th, 2009I woke up in the middle of the night. As I tried to go back to sleep, the unexpected events of the day kept running through my mind. Then the questions started… “Was it jet lag? Did I make a mistake by having him fly in the day before the competition? Should I have gone [...]
Category: Parenting, Providence
I didn’t know what to say
April 3rd, 2009My son sent me a text message with some unexpected news… He wrestled his first match and lost 18-4! He said that he was embarrassed at the way he wrestled. He had no energy! I started to seek out the cause. He got 8 hours sleep so that wasn’t it. He wasn’t sure when he would [...]
Category: Parenting
You mean, there’s no bomb?
March 19th, 2009I received a call tonight that I didn’t quite know how to react to… My second daughter called me. That is not that unusual. She has called before but it is usually because we need to talk about some really big, important issues. As the conversation got started, I didn’t know quite how to react. In fact, [...]
Category: Parenting
Just trying to stay on the board
March 15th, 2009My wife read the blog last night. She said she liked it but I could hear a “but” in her voice. When I inquired further, she said “It’s just that most of the recent posts are all about our son.” I have been thinking about that myself… But, that is what is happening in our [...]
Category: Parenting
Such a “controlling” father
March 14th, 2009My son has been in California since Tuesday night. However, he cannot get away from the long arm of his father. He is supposed to be on his Spring Break but I keep unexpectedly rearranging his plans. One month ago, I informed him that I registered him to take the SAT test at Chatsworth High while he [...]
Category: Parenting
I reached the tipping point
March 13th, 2009I have gone to bed twice this week filled with wonder and/or amazement. The first time was last Sunday night. I was truly amazed at how quickly and smoothly I was able to put together a DVD of my son’s wrestling for a college coach. Tonight is the second time. I can’t really pinpoint what [...]
The things people say…
March 10th, 2009After the high school season concludes, there is a special match (The Metro Classic) where the best seniors in the Kansas City area from the Kansas side wrestle the best from the Missouri side. Although my son finished second in the state, he was not invited. A friend who coaches wrestling recently attended the Kansas [...]
Category: Parenting
Momentum continues to grow
March 7th, 2009I have written multiple times on how the circumstances in our son’s life are changing quickly. And therefore, our lives are changing too. Well, the whirlwind continues to gather strength. I was hoping to send a DVD of my son’s wrestling to the Drexel coach sometime before he went to Virginia Beach to recruit at the [...]
Category: Parenting, Providence
The pain of success
March 4th, 2009I called the wrestling coach at Drexel University and told him about my son’s rapid progress. He is definitely interested in learning more. He wants me to send him video footage. He doesn’t have any athletic scholarship money available this year but his 165 pounder graduates in June, 2010. That would give Big A one [...]
Category: Parenting
Very interesting
March 3rd, 2009I did it again… In preparation for next week’s tour of Baker University, I went online to get more familiar with their academic programs. As I looked at their business program, I grew a little disappointed. The classes seemed very much like my program at U.C.L.A.: big on theory and big picture stuff and short [...]
Category: Parenting
The next step in the process
March 2nd, 2009I spoke with the wrestling coach from Baker University this evening. He likes what he saw of my son at the State championship but also says that he has much room to grow. He wants us to take an official tour of the campus next week.
Category: Parenting
The morning of the big day
February 28th, 2009It is bitterly cold here in Wichita this morning. 12° but it feels like 5°. Temperatures in the single digits make me laugh. It just sounds funny when I say it. Try it. My son is sleeping in. The coaches are going to wake him up at noon. I am going to wake him up [...]
Feel His pleasure
February 25th, 2009As I was praying for my son this morning, a scene from the movie “Chariots of Fire” popped into my head. He has to see that scene! Since he and his team leave for Wichita tomorrow afternoon, that means that we had to watch it tonight. Since I didn’t want to wake my wife so [...]
Category: Parenting
What was I afraid of?
February 18th, 2009Before I left for work this morning, I asked my wife what time our son got home from his study session… “1:00″ “1:00 A.M?” “Um, hmm” “On a school night?” “Then, when he came home, he got on Facebook for a half hour!” I woke him up at 6:00 A.M. to inform him that he [...]
Back to real life
February 16th, 2009My daughter did very well in her role in the school musical… My son went undefeated and won the league championships in wrestling… And grandparents from both sides of the family were here to see it and had a great time… So why do I feel like such a loser today? It must be an [...]
Category: Parenting
Cha, cha, cha, changing…
February 9th, 2009David Bowie’s song and Spencer Johnson’s book “Who Moved My Cheese?” are in my head today… It is amazing how fast life can change. A little over two weeks ago, my son was planning to attend the local junior college. However that has all changed. A little less than two weeks ago, the college coach e-mailed [...]
Category: Parenting
How much!?!?
January 31st, 2009After my son’s big victory last night, he weighed himself to make sure that he would be under the weight limit for this morning’s weigh in. As is so often the case, what should have been a mere formality turned into another small adventure. He was 4 pounds overweight!!! To make matters worse, it was [...]
Category: Parenting
Father Knows Best
January 29th, 2009I never really watched this show but I sure do like the title. My son has a friend who happens to be a girl. He assures me that there is nothing more between them. Last night, he informed me when I got home that he was going to go the the movies with her and [...]
Category: Parenting
Life in the whirlwind
January 26th, 2009Things are moving along at a very quick pace. I picked my children from their after school activities like I usually do. However, while I was waiting for them in the lobby, my youngest daughter’s academic adviser walked in and informed me that she was conducting a meeting on what we needed to do to [...]
I asked the right man!
January 25th, 2009After I printed out the state weight class rankings yesterday morning and saw the caliber of competition, I grew so excited. I wanted to know who was wrestling who so badly that I did something that I have never done: I filled out the brackets as the matches occurred. That gets to be pretty difficult when [...]
Category: Money, Parenting, Providence
He said, she said
January 21st, 2009I received a call from the office at our apartment complex this morning. One of the maintenance people found a cell phone near our old truck and took it to the office. The woman at the office then figured out that it might be my daughter’s and called me! Keep in mind that we live in [...]
Category: Parenting
Much more than I had hoped for
January 16th, 2009I have once again been amazed at the goodness of God! In previous posts, I have told you about the dramatic changes that God has been bringing about in my second daughter. As profound as the last big change was, it turned out that it was just the next big step. As a father, I [...]
The spoils of victory
January 13th, 2009As a human being, I want people to like me, to think well of me. However, as a father, if I am going to faithfully carry out my resposibilities, I frequently can’t indulge those desires. Many times I have to be the “bad guy” and make an unpopular decision. In most of those cases, I am usually [...]
Category: Parenting
Thanks for a life well lived
January 8th, 2009A great man died on Wednesday. His funeral will be tomorrow night. You can read the obituary here. I came to know him through the kindness of God. Gene Burgin was the father of Sandy Burgin. Sandy Burgin married David Houston. David and Sandy moved from Florida to Los Angeles in 1981 with a team of eight [...]
Category: Friends, Masculinity, Parenting
Young people!
January 7th, 2009Ever time I have seen my son wrestle has been in a tournament. Tonight, I watched him wrestle in a dual meet for the first time. A dual meet is one school vs. another. He won his match but he didn’t wrestle all that well. It is obvious that he has improved since the last time [...]
Category: Parenting
We are whole again
December 26th, 2008My second daughter gave me the best Christmas present that I have received in years! Back in June, I told you about her dramatic encounter with God. I then told you of her decision to move in with some dear our friends in Nashville to rebuild her life. Most recently, I told you of her visit over [...]
Category: Parenting, Providence
He’s getting better
December 21st, 2008I spent Friday afternoon and nearly all day Saturday attending my son’s wrestling tournament. All of the schools in Johnson County meet to determine the county champion. There were more wrestlers (although not the same in quality) in this tournament than will be in the State tournament next February. My son was seeded 2nd in his [...]
Category: Parenting
Ahh! The sound of slamming doors!
December 19th, 2008I am not really surprised anymore. My plans to enroll my two children in the Great Books Tutorial just hit a big snag. The instructor just called me to tell me that he will accept my daughter in GBT II if her writing skills meet his criteria! If he does accept her, she will also have to [...]
I upset the apple cart
December 16th, 2008I am a little fired up tonight. This past weekend, I enrolled both of my children in Escondido Tutorial Service‘s Great Books class. They were both enrolled in the class two years ago while we were homeschooling in CA. I had been considering it for several weeks and had already talked with a school administrator about [...]
Category: Parenting
Should we? I don’t know…
December 15th, 2008Having FINALLY turned 16, my youngest daughter (Cakes) has been seeking work as a hostess at a nice restaurant across the street from our apartment. This past weekend she came home from her second interview with some delightful news. The manager of the restaurant wants to treat my wife and I (and Cakes) to a meal! [...]
Category: Parenting
Son, we need to talk
December 13th, 2008My son just texted me from Mediapolis, Iowa. He is there for a wrestling tournament. This is the second out of state tournament in two weeks. He finished 3-1 for the tournament, earning the bronze medal in his weight class. His record is not 8-4. I wonder how he could have done if he didn’t [...]
Category: Parenting
She passed!
December 12th, 2008I got a little older today. I do realize that this happens every day that I live… However, it was brought home to me with special force today because I took our youngest daughter to get her driver’s license. Yes, she has been driving with her permit for the past year. However, now it is [...]
Are you ready for…?
November 26th, 2008Fill in the blank with the next fast approaching holiday and you have a common way to make small talk at this time of year. However, I am really asking…are you ready for Thanksgiving? Did you know that we are one of the few countries on earth who actually have a holiday set aside to [...]
A star is born
November 21st, 2008Shortly after we got home from school, my youngest daughter’s cell phone rang. She answered and then shrieked, “Are you kidding me? That is so great! Oh, my gosh!” She got the part in the school play!
Category: Parenting
That’s great…really
November 18th, 2008This whole “should we move” question gets more difficult every day. My youngest daughter came home and reported that she is now famous at school. It seems that the texting grapevine spread the news about her audition far and wide. People she doesn’t even know are talking about the junior “Beast” who is going to [...]
Category: Parenting, Real Estate
How was your day at school?
November 17th, 2008My youngest daughter decided to try out for the the school’s Spring musical this afternoon. She sang “Can’t Help Lovin Dat’ Man” from “Showboat.” Well, she knocked it out of the park. The teacher who NEVER gives out compliments was so impressed that he uttered “very good.’ My son was late to his first 6:00 [...]
Category: Parenting
Uncle Sam wants you
November 12th, 2008The U.S. Army recruiter arrived just as we sat down to eat a quick meal. He was 15 minutes early. He informed us that he had just re-enlisted and was going to be deployed in Iraq in April. He said that he originally joined to pad his criminal justice résumé and ended up finding his calling. [...]
Category: Parenting
An appointment with who?
November 6th, 2008My wife had been out on our sometimes “prayer walk” around the track near our apartment for about 10 minutes when it became obvious that I needed something to cover my head in the cold. As I hopped the fence, my wife received a call from a Sergeant. She called me back saying that the [...]
Category: Parenting
Trying to prepare for everything
November 5th, 2008I took my son to the doctor for his annual sports physical. I had hoped that I would have received and accepted an offer from the company by now and have transferred my children to the new school… but that hasn’t happened. His paperwork has to be in to his current school by tomorrow. We [...]
He is in the winepress
October 24th, 2008As if the front of his neck being covered with scabs, a major conflict with his teacher, not being able to train with the wrestling team or being able to work at his job because of his skin condition weren’t enough to overcome, my son got into his first accident! He was driving Wild Bill [...]
Category: Parenting
He fit the profile
October 23rd, 2008I could tell that something was wrong as soon as I picked my son up from school at 3:50 this afternoon. (My daughter was running the three miles to our apartment!) This morning he took a flyer that highlighted the SIGNIFICANT moral differences between the two presidential candidates and showed it to the teacher of his [...]
Category: Parenting
You have such good kids
October 22nd, 2008Well, it’s official now. I went to Parent-Teacher conferences tonight and heard how wonderful my children are! If they only knew the real truth… just kidding. I have to say that it was rather pleasant hearing their respective teachers compliment them for their character.
Category: Parenting
You have a chance to change
October 21st, 2008My youngest daughter has started an exercise program this year. And like most people, she has struggled. She will get inspired, start vigorously, make a few allowances because she doesn’t “feel” like exercising, have a few small changes in her schedule that devour the time that she was going to exercise, and then she feels [...]
Category: Children, Goals, Parenting
Dad saved his bacon!
October 7th, 2008My son, my youngest daughter and I were headed to The Prayer Room early this evening when I asked my son what his work schedule was for the week. “I don’t know.” “What do you mean you don’t know? Do you work tonight?” “I don’t think so.” “Dude, you should KNOW that! You need to [...]
Category: Parenting
Surprise!
September 24th, 2008My son turned 18 today. Just like his father, he forgot that fact so his boss scheduled him to work tonight. But, having had much practice at making lemonade (you know, turn your lemons into…), we decided to surprise him by having his party at the pizzeria! Cakes, my youngest daughter, has been surreptitiously (right [...]
Category: Friends, Marriage, Parenting
Ambushed by a teenage brain
September 23rd, 2008It’s been awhile since I have been negatively impacted by the two developing adolescent brains that live with me. I mean, I live with them every day and deal with them every day. I am very aware that they are still developing! However, today brought back memories. I went to pick up my children from [...]
Category: Parenting
Ahhh, my familiar role
September 13th, 2008Frequently as a father, I find that it is my role to be the bad guy. The latest example happened today… My son has been working very diligently at his school these past two weeks. One of his classes is an AP Calculus with a very demanding teacher. He took a test this week that [...]
Category: Parenting
A completed project
September 5th, 2008We had a scheduling conflict tonight… my son and youngest daughter wanted to go to the school football game. I however, wanted to take my wife out to dinner, so… My son decided to take the old F-150, named Wild Bill to the game. Before they left, they put the new seat covers that he [...]
Category: Cars, Marriage, Parenting
Another small step
September 5th, 2008My youngest daughter took another step into adulthood. She started her first real job. She applied earlier in the week at a veterinary hospital directly across the street from the high school. It definitely isn’t a glamour job… she is cleaning up dog dirt! Oh well, do not despise the day of small beginning!
A big open house
September 3rd, 2008My wife and I attended an open house tonight… We went to meet our children’s teachers at the high school. I must say that I was impressed. Every class had a very good, if not great teacher. No wonder this high school system is so highly regarded. Big A’s physic’s teacher casually mentioned that they [...]
Category: Parenting
A chip off the old block?
August 31st, 2008They say that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Well, tonight, I don’t know if that is such a good thing. My son is making new seat covers for our old, beat up F-150! I mean, he has a sowing machine out and is sowing plastic clips onto the fabric! I am actually [...]
Category: Cars, Parenting, Work
Dylan was right
August 27th, 2008Bob Dylan was right when he sang that “the times, they are a changin’ ” back in the sixties. However, they haven’t changed for the better. Last night, my wife and I had to sit down with our son to address some attitude problems that have arisen. We communicated the problematic things that we have [...]
Category: Parenting
Her first day of school
August 18th, 2008Today, I dropped my youngest daughter off for her first day of school today! While it is true that she is 15 years old… and I dropped her off at the local high school… but that didn’t seem to change how if felt to me. This is her first day at a PUBLIC school! I [...]
Category: Parenting
I thought that was the place
August 1st, 2008I just got off the phone with my second daughter. She has just been hired for a full-time position by the Macaroni Grille in Cool Springs, TN. When I took her around to apply for jobs, this was the place that I wanted her to work.
Why did I get so excited?
July 31st, 2008I called the current owners of the “vacant” property only to discover that it is just closed for the summer. I drove back to City Hall and informed the City Planner of the discovery. He said that it had looked vacant when he drove by it yesterday and since their license to operate a pre-school [...]
Category: Parenting, Real Estate
A Precious Jewel Recovered
July 26th, 2008In just a few short weeks, our youngest daughter will start attending a public high school for the very first time. My son went through this baptism last year. My wife home schooled all four of our children. One day, when our son and our youngest daughter were about 10 and 8 years old, my wife thought [...]
My most recent brain fade…
July 25th, 2008My son was eliminated from the Junior National Freestyle Tournament yesterday. He finished with a 1-2 record. However, we couldn’t take off for Kansas City until I kept an appointment that I set up two weeks ago. He slept until 10. Coach Gable wasn’t due to to arrive until 1:00 P.M. so we took our time [...]
Category: Parenting
A Temporary Loss of Perspective
July 24th, 2008This morning was quite a battle. My son lost his first match. I guess that should be expected. He has been wrestling for just 7 months and this tournament has 1029 of the best wrestlers from 45 states competing. Almost all of them have been wrestling for most of their life! However, he was really [...]
Category: Parenting
A Young Man in No Man’s Land
July 24th, 2008I feel for my son. He has been practicing with a club in Missouri and is an accepted member of the club. However, he is attending the national tournament as a member of the Kansas team. He has been somewhat ostracized since no one on the team really knows him. I try to encourage him [...]
Category: Parenting
My last roadtrip
July 23rd, 2008Today, I am taking my last road trip. I am going to see my son wrestle in the National Freestyle Championships. It is the biggest wrestling tournament in the world! It is a double elimination tournament which means that you keep wrestling until you lose twice. Since this tournament draws the most of the best [...]
History repeats itself
July 15th, 2008My son left to train with the Kansas state freestyle team yesterday. He will be training there for one week and then riding on the team bus to Fargo, ND for the Junior National Freestyle Wrestling tournament. This is his first camp where he is leaving home for an extended time! Somewhere in the foggy [...]
Category: Parenting
What a great day!
July 14th, 2008I wish that every day was like today. In six hours, I officially gifted the car to my second daughter, got it checked for emissions, registered the car and put on her new Tennessee plates. She completed her application for community college, learned exactly what she needs to do to become a nurse and got [...]
Category: Parenting
She returned the favor
July 13th, 2008As I walked into the living room of the house where my second daughter is now staying, I heard someone singing a worship song. It sounded like my daughter, but I wasn’t sure. I mean it has been such a long time since I heard her sing… I crept quietly up the stairs and peeked… [...]
Category: Parenting
I made a girl cry today
July 13th, 2008It seems that I do that fairly regularly. Thankfully, it is usually a good thing. And she didn’t really cry. Her eyes just welled up with tears. This morning, I told my second daughter that we (all of us in KC) wanted to help her turn her life around and that we had made a family [...]
Category: Parenting
We’ve reached a decision
July 9th, 2008My wife and I have decided to surprise our second daughter. I will pick her up in Detroit and take her to Nashville. We will then give her our 1990 Nissan and I will fly back to KC. I will leave tomorrow morning.
Surprised by what I already knew!?!?
July 8th, 2008Last night, I was surprised by something that I have known and been preparing for. I don’t really know how that can happen, but it did. While talking with my son about our plans to help our second daughter, he told me a plan that he had to buy a nice car for himself. It [...]
Category: Parenting
Now why did I want another opinion?
July 8th, 2008I never ceased to be amazed at the power God gives other people to change my plans!!! My second daughter called me to report the findings of the latest mechanic to look at her car. “Dad, I am at the third mechanic and he says…” She then went on with a hazy description of a [...]
Category: Goals, Parenting, Providence
There has to be a better way…
July 7th, 2008If you are a regular reader of this blog, you might get the impression that I am a “seat of the pants” type of guy. Few things could be further from the truth. Usually, I analyze things too much! I really am a responsible guy. Or at least I try to be! After using Google maps [...]
Category: Goals, Parenting, Travel
A Different 4th
July 4th, 2008This is quite a different 4th of July. We haven’t really made a bunch of new friends yet so a BBQ picnic is out. And three of our children are in other states! We are down to three this weekend! It is times like these that lead me to question my decision to move. I know [...]
Category: Masculinity, Parenting
The next BIG step!
June 28th, 2008Our second daughter called to inform me that she is moving to Nashville in two weeks! The mother of the bride has a particular fondness for our daughter and has agreed to let her stay with their family until she gets on her feet! She has already applied for and received a transfer to the [...]
Category: Parenting
Nature is conspiring against me…
June 26th, 2008My wife and children woke up at 9:00 this morning. My wife started to make breakfast so I went out on the balcony to see if it was still as hot and humid as it was 3 1/2 hours ago. The temperature had dropped about 5-10º, the humidity had dropped and a beautiful breeze was [...]
Category: Parenting
A sweet father daughter reunion!
June 22nd, 2008My second daughter called me to inform me that she will be moving to Nashville! We are excited about that because there is a strong spiritual community there with many young people actively serving God. Her goal is to be there by the end of the year. As we talked, I asked her why she [...]
Category: Parenting
What’s the word I am looking for?
June 22nd, 2008On our way to church, I found myself in the middle of an unscheduled ESL class. English was proving to be difficult a difficult language this morning. My son and youngest daughter had gone to see some friends perform “My Fair Lady” last night. They then went to the cast party and did not get [...]
Category: Parenting
What’s in the water?
June 21st, 2008I am beginning to wonder if God has spiked the water in our apartment. My son and youngest daughter are watching some friends perform “My Fair Lady.” So, my wife and I each stretched out on a couch. I however had to clean up my couch before I lay down on it. This is standard [...]
Category: Parenting
Something strange happened today
June 17th, 2008My youngest daughter came into the bedroom that I am organizing into an office/library and asked me: “Dad, can I listen to Zig Ziglar’s Goals tape series?” Uuuummmm… Is this a trick question?… let me think about that… you want to learn to set goals… hmmmm… that’s a tough one… She’s actually doing this voluntarily. [...]
Category: Children, Goals, Parenting
He’s Growing Up
June 11th, 2008My son spent the day with his younger sister and our friends two daughters. Being 17 years old, the female of the species is becoming of greater interest to him. He arrested me in the hall and proceeded to tell me EVERY LITTLE DETAIL of the whole day: where they went, what they did, what [...]
Category: Parenting
Another small step
June 10th, 2008My son has a big wrestling tournament this Thursday. I was planning on going with him but something my wife said changed all of that. He is now going to travel with the MO-West Wrestling club. Although I have cherished our time together during the last few tournaments, I think that this is the best thing [...]
Category: Parenting
Smart, but still a blonde!
June 7th, 2008My wife was reading the directions while I drove us to the rehearsal brunch. When we turned onto the actual street, she informed me that my oldest daughter was already there and had called her and told her that the restaurant was ”on the right side” of the street! Really? And how does she know that?? [...]
Category: Children, Friends, Parenting
The harsh realities of life
June 3rd, 2008My son came home like an excited kid who had just lost his puppy dog. When I asked him what about his internal conflict, he told me the following… Today, as he filled out a job application, the boss told his secretary to give him a job and then turned to my son and said [...]
Category: Parenting
She’s Come Home, sort of
June 1st, 2008I haven’t written anything about our second daughter for a reason. She moved out of our home on her 18th birthday at the end of 2006 and the parting was not all that sweet. We had home schooled her through the first year of high school. Although I was initially against it, she persuaded us to [...]
Category: Parenting
Not as great as I imagined
May 19th, 2008We attended our oldest daughter’s graduation today. To be honest, I was a little disappointed. I thought that since she graduated Summa Cum Laude and won the Dean’s Award for the Most Outstanding Senior of her college that she would be highlighted part of a special ceremony. Evidently not. She was just one of 1,692 [...]
Category: Parenting
Don’t Blink
April 15th, 2008Unloading this trailer is reminding me of my adolescent days working on my uncle’s farm throwing crates packed with corn, baskets full of tomatoes, moving irrigation pipes, etc. I have been dragging my body out of bed every morning for the past three mornings. However, when I see my children, I become like a little kid [...]
Category: Parenting
Truly Honored
April 14th, 2008Yesterday, I set up the children’s beds. On the way to school this morning, both my son and my daughter separately remarked how good it was to sleep in a bed. They have been sharing an air mattress for the past 8 months. As I returned home, I reflected on what outstanding young people God [...]
Category: Parenting
A Fine Young Man!
April 10th, 2008My children’s “punishment” was that they had to go to bed early. (We have had several late nights in a row so today’s events were a good justification to make them get more sleep.) They couldn’t really argue. A few minutes before bedtime, my son sincerely lamented “I have to label the parts of a [...]
Category: Parenting
The Beautiful Letdown, Part 9: Redemption
April 9th, 2008When I parted company with my children after picking up the Nissan, neither they nor I were feeling ‘warm fuzzies’. They were chastened and I was attempting to regain my equilibrium. I was not angry with them. But I did not feel any compunction to patch things up quickly and smooth things over nicely. It [...]
Category: Parenting
The Beautiful Letdown, Part 7: The Reckoning
April 9th, 2008The conversation inside the truck went something like this: “Sunshine, I was at this place 45 minutes ago.” I’m sure Dodgeball was thinking, “that sounds familiar.” “Dad, you should have called me.” Dodgeball groaned. Steve Martin’s scene replayed inside of me for a SECOND time as I found my cell phone and handed it to [...]
Category: Parenting
The Beautiful Letdown, Part 6: Sunshine Appears
April 9th, 2008At this point, I couldn’t ‘relax’ any longer. I called my daughter again…no response. Dodgeball decided to call a friend. Perhaps he saw an opportunity. I mean after all, he wasn’t looking quite as bad now! Misery loves company and here his sister had ridden in to save his day! He emerged from the truck to [...]
Category: Parenting
The Beautiful Letdown, Part 5: My unplanned retreat
April 9th, 2008At this point, I was a beaten man. There is only one house on this road but my daughter is evidently not there. I assumed that she had gone somewhere. I pulled to the side of the road next to the lake to wait for her return. It occurred to me that people actually come [...]
Category: Parenting
The Beautiful Letdown, Part 4: The House Next Door
April 9th, 2008We turned into the driveway to see a house with no apparent entrance! Two closed garage doors greeted me with a French door to the left. However that door has no access unless I wanted to walk alongside of the house, climb onto their side (?) porch, walk back and knock on it. I didn’t [...]
Category: Parenting
The Beautiful Letdown, Part 3: Offroading adventure
April 9th, 2008So Dodgeball and I drove to the house “right next to the church.” As soon as we reached the dirt part of the road, I found myself driving on a levee with a lake on both sides. And this road is not ‘washboard’ bumpy. It was more like “washed out” bumpy. You know, “let me [...]
Category: Parenting
The Beautiful Letdown, Part 2: Blondie’s directions
April 9th, 2008Realizing that I couldn’t change undo the dodge ball game, I refocused my attention on carrying out my plan and called my daughter to get directions to her location. This is what I heard: “Well, you make a right out of the church parking lot and then right on the second street. At the end [...]
Category: Parenting
The Beautiful Letdown, Part 1: The Missing Brain
April 9th, 2008Ah, the joy of parenting young adults! Their bodies and brains are still changing, growing and maturing. I had planned to pick my son up from school at 3:00, pick my daughter up from her school at 3:30 and then get the Nissan so my son could drive it home. All was going exactly according [...]
Category: Parenting
A rich man in a rich land
March 23rd, 2008After church, my daughter and I walked through the Highland Park area of Dallas to Starbucks. Every house is a WOW!!! AIt is absolutely amazing the money that some people have! To this point, I am not one of them. However, once again, as we walked, I saw that I am extremely wealthy in ways [...]
Category: Parenting
A beautiful invitation
March 22nd, 2008My daughter gave me some delightful news during breakfast: The family that she boards with has invited me to sleep in their home tonight! There are several things that I know already: the bed will be comfortable and I won’t hear any trucks driving outside my window! I am so tired that I will just [...]
Welcome to Dallas
March 22nd, 2008Jennifer showed up at my hotel wearing a black top, white shorts and white sweatshirt and baseball cap. She thought that it would warm up like it did yesterday…It never did. We had breakfast at Cafe Brazil this morning. The place was packed with both nuclear and extended families. It was great to see. Jennifer’s [...]
I am too good to my children
March 21st, 2008I am such a great father! Really, I am too kind to my children. Tonight, I introduced my oldest daughter to the near heavenly delight of The Cheesecake Factory’s banana cream cheesecake. She owes me!!!!!!!
Category: Parenting
Everything IS bigger here in Texas!
March 21st, 2008My oldest daughter met me at the airport and promptly took me out to eat at Cuba Libre on Henderson Street in uptown Dallas. Shortly after we were seated, a very immodest WILBO sat at the table next to us and really tested my self control. It wasn’t so much a matter of desire but [...]
A long day gets longer
March 20th, 2008Well, after 3 ½ HOURS in line… Let me say that again because I don’t think you got the full effect that I intended… THREE AND ONE HALF HOURS! IN LINE! AT THE AIRPORT! 3 1/2 hours in line at an airport counter is a long time. However, standing in that line with an unashamedly [...]
Look at what I have found!
February 29th, 2008My son has decided to concentrate on wrestling. I told him that he has a might be able to earn a scholarship. I went online to find a club in the Kansas City area for freestyle wrestling season. There were a total of 19 wrestling clubs (I think either I or my computer screwed up) [...]
Category: Parenting, Providence
Surprise! I’m here!
February 23rd, 2008My wife and I drove from KC to Wichita early this morning. The event was held in the basketball arena at Wichita State University. I entered where he could not see me, climbed the stairs to the very top and then approached his section from above his seat. He didn’t know that I was there [...]
Category: Parenting
We still have a date
February 22nd, 2008My son called me this afternoon to tell me that he won his second match. Thank God! He has no idea that I will be there tomorrow morning to see him wrestle his next one!
Category: Parenting
Down to the last match!
February 22nd, 2008My wife called me this morning to give me the play-by-play on Anson’s first match… He got his butt kicked. I am still not going to tell him that I am coming to see him. I don’t want to put any more pressure on him.
Category: Parenting
A very good year
February 20th, 2008I am so impressed with my son. We spoke just before he went to bed. He was reflecting on what a good first year of wrestling it has been. I really like that. He is going to do his best this weekend but if it doesn’t go well, it is just part of the whole [...]
Category: Parenting
It starts when?
February 17th, 2008As you read this blog, you will probably realize that I am not the sharpest tool in the shed! This morning I learned that the state tournament starts on Friday! My son wrestles twice on Friday. And it is a double elimination tournament (two losses and your out). He has to win one but I [...]
What did I just do???
February 17th, 2008Well, what would life be without a little self-made adventure… As I lay in bed, SO grateful to God for the idea, SO excited about surprising them, a dark cloud formed in my brain. My anniversary is on March 1st… The state tournament is next weekend. I BOOKED TICKETS FOR 2/28! I WILL MISS THE [...]
I am sooo the man!
February 17th, 2008I woke up at 3:30 A.M. this morning! I was unable to go back to sleep. Gradually, it dawned on me that I should fly to Kansas to see my son wrestle. I mean, this is the state tournament!!! I got so excited! I would be able to surprise my son at the state tournament [...]
Category: Parenting