Working on Appreciation

The world moves fast. Stressors are everywhere. There is a lot required of us as humans day to day. A lot is required as parents. I want to speak on my repeated personal mission of being an appreciative father of my children. They are a blessing. One of if not the greatest blessings in my life. I wanted to share my thoughts on my efforts to honor this.

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School is back in session. No more Alice Cooper for a bit. Wanted to say howdy to you all and I hope this encouragement finds you well. This message is not about life lessons, no platitudes, no research citations. 

I just wanted to simply share what I love about my children. A few pearls of why I love being a dad. 

Take a moment and recall your favorite moments or attributes of your ankle biters. Big or small. Especially on more challenging days, this exercise helps me appreciate what my duties as a father are. It helps me find those positive reasons in being a dad. It helps me be more patient, less irritable, more willing to let those smaller issues go by the wayside. It helps me enjoy my kids, not just exist with them.

We have had a fun summer. Camping trips, pool parties, trampoline jumping, family time, friend time. River fun, festivals, fireworks, tasty porch dinners, hikes, and bikes. There have been sleepovers, wrestle sessions, fishing, kayaking, four wheeler rides, road trips, family adventures local and out of state. I like spending time with my family. I love that we have fun together. 

I love my oldest son's giggle. He has the best dance moves. If he could, he would never wear pants or a shirt, don’t worry undergarments are required. He is a technology wizard, we have made the purchase of MineCraft this summer. He now is a 75th degree MineCraft master/knowledge dispensary of random knowledge of this realm. I’m so proud of him, he has stuck with Okinawan Karate for years now, almost half his life. He is moving up in belts and actually helping lower belts come up the path at his dojo. He is a good friend. He is thoughtful, kind, loves animals dearly and the beauty of nature. He has listening and focus issues, but has been dutiful to improve. He has a good heart. He thinks deeper than most 10.5 yr olds should, it gives him perspective outside of many of his peers. But, sometimes we have to explain why he doesn’t have to worry about buying a house, getting married, and attaining a life long profession tomorrow by 12:00 MT standard time. He is a good big brother. He wants to be a veterinarian when he grows up. 

My daughter is a pill. She is loud, loves to sing, act, and be crazy. She can wrangle her brothers in a wrestling session, then do an interior design makeover of the Barbie dream house with the best of them. She is a gymnastics jumping bean. She is little but she is tough. She has confidence issues, emotional heights I do not understand, but has tried very hard to improve her belief in herself. She literally does gymnastics hand stands to pick up her room. Is now doing back bends to crawl backwards around our house. She is becoming quite the fashionista, she is dad gum cuter than a corn nubbin. I would know I am from Nebraska. She is focused, hardworking, disciplined in her approach to gymnastics. She practiced 2 days a week, 2+ hours each day through the summer. Never complained once.  Her imagination is outrageous and its own comedy show, especially when a handful of skittles are involved. She wants to be a doctor that helps little kids when she grows up. 

My middle son is a wild man. He is a party, loves to laugh, act silly and make sure everyone is having fun. His smile is infectious, handsome and mischievous all in one. He is passionate about EVERYTHING, his toys, clothes, music, friends, food, shows, games (not school) and spending time with family. He has the most anger, frustration of my kids, but has worked so hard to control his emotions.  He loves rock and roll. Ozzy Osborne is his favorite singer hands down. Go ahead and argue with him, Mr. T pities the fool. He wants to be a rocker/actor/dad when he grows up. He was spinning Blizzard of Ozz vinyl at 3 yrs old. Before he does something, eats something he will ask “Does Ozzy do this?” He was devastated when the Dark Prince of Rock moved on this year. I told him it was better to have an Ozzy and to have lost him, than to never have an Ozzy at all. We played many a tune, popped a rock hand up to pay homage to his passing. For all his wildness, he has such a good soul. 

They play together (most of the time) so well. They are good kids. They have good hearts. They ask us for family time, family movie nights, full family adventures. 

They are the best thing I have ever done. Life is too short to not appreciate the blessings given. 

I like to take some time every couple of months to assess my kids. Who are they, what makes them tick, what are their attributes that make them who they are. It is a very fulfilling exercise. 

Just writing this makes me happy and want to go hug them. I'll make sure they get a couple extra tomorrow morning before work. 

Stay the course out there gents. I hope you have a good day, and think of some moments of your progeny that make you smile.