Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Merry Christmas...yeah I said Christmas

Not Happy Holidays, I say Merry Christmas. I understand if you do not celebrate Christmas but don't take it away from me. If I tell you Merry Christmas and you celebrate Hanukkah then reply Happy Hanukkah...I am OK with that. I suppose Happy Holiday covers Happy New Year too kind of like a contraction of Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Enough about that, what is it about Christmas that makes me feel so relaxed? Maybe it is the end of the year but I think it is because I understand the meaning of Christmas. Not the gifts or the decorations...not the tree or the lights...not even the meals and time with family but it is the celebration of the birth of our savior. It is the celebration of life eternal, of God with us, among us...oh to touch the hand of Jesus. I wonder what it was like to know who he was and talk with him, walk with him, eat with him...to just know him.

I am not one to force religion on others nor to push Jesus but those who know me know what I believe, what I have always believed, what I will always believe. It is this season, this time of year that makes me pause and reflect upon the beginning of the life of Jesus, the greatest gift of all.

Friday, November 27, 2009

Giving thanks...

It is a shame we only focus on giving thanks once per year.

Regardless, it was a wonderful day. Drove 3 hours talking with my wife about so many topics. We don't normally get that much dedicated time to talk so I think we both kind of look forward to the drive time.

We arrive at my mother's house to be greeted by the warmth of the oven and a smell that just makes the stress melt away. My mouth starts to water and I can't wait to dig into all the delicious offerings. Others have not yet arrived but will soon.

I'll spare you all the food preparation details but over dinner with my parents, Jenn's parents, and my sister and her family all chowing down we get to share stories and swap humorous events of our lives. There is always some political discussion but we try to keep it light. We talk about the kids, how they are doing in school and other challenges they present, as well as those precious moments we love to share. In between they might just create new ones...

After we admit we have all eaten too much we eat desert...lol...then we settle down for a nap, er at least we used to but with 5 kids running around that doesn't happen.

After a few hours of food and conversation, just about the time the kids start to melt down, we pack them into the van and head out for the 3 hour return trip. Another chance to speak with my wife, discussing and debating many topics including what work I am going to do around the house tomorrow (which is now today).

Therefore, I need to wrap this up so I can go address my honey do list.

The Lord has blessed me greatly and while I would love to have more stuff (like a Dodge Charger) I recognize all that he has provided and am grateful.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Define "a man"

What is it that makes one "a man"? First let's assume we are talking about male members of society...and for the sake of this blog I want to focus on married men with children.

So then how do we define "a man" or even "the man" in this context? The stereotype is "the man" has the job and makes the money to support the family then comes home and has his needs attended to...he pays the bills with little or no feedback from his wife...he plays with the kids but does not take care of them...he eats the meals prepared by his wife...he goes out with the boys when he chooses. I am sure there is more but what if one does not fit the mold? Does that make one more or less "a man"?

An average day for me is I get up via child alarm about 6:30am but normally try to snooze them until about 7. I prepare myself (skip the details) while Jenn, my wife, dresses the children. Then I prepare breakfast including setting up the coffee for Jenn (I don't drink it). Things vary a bit but then Sabrina (my oldest daughter) and I head off to the bus. With Sabrina safely on her way I drive 35-45 minutes to work. The work day is a different topic so once the day is done normally between 5-6pm (sometimes later due to meetings or the like) I set out for the drive home.

Once at home, Jenn often has dinner ready so we sit down as a family and enjoy our nourishment. Occasionally, we order pizza or if Jenn is uninspired I will make dinner. After cleaning up, which is most frequently my job, we head into the living room to play a bit maybe read or wrestle around. Every other night or so, I bathe the kids (3 of them) and get them ready for bed. We have family prayer then off to bed...or spending the next 30 minutes trying a number of different techniques, learned from those nanny shows on TV, to try to get the younger 2 to stay in bed.

I spend the next hour or two rotting my brain with television garbage, ha ha, we try to watch challenging shows like the Mentalist. I try to listen to Jenn talk about any number of topics she read about or wants to do this weekend or other random topics but sometimes I am not functioning well and tend to forget things she said. They sit in my head for about 30 seconds then poof.

I don't do the bills, while I think I did OK, Jenn has a real knack for it and keeps it running smoothly so I don't mess with it. I occasionally try to understand the setup (she has accounts and budgets and spreadsheets and all) but often just stop and shrug.

I am the one that thinks about feelings and spends time in deep thought about actions of others.

I have said that I think I am the woman in our marriage but maybe I just don't fit the stereotype...I don't want to fit the stereotype.

Basically, I try to avoid confrontation but will speak up when necessary...I just think life is too short to fight about stuff. I love my kids a ton and want to spend time with them but don't have the patience that Jenn does so I get frustrated quickly when they don't listen. I try to be strong and discipline but I am not as strict as Jenn so she often yells at the kids when I don't think she should...we have discussed this so don't think I am blogging behind her back.

Sometimes I wish I could command them (the kids or Jenn) to do what I want them to and they would just do it but I would rather they do it because they know I want it done and enjoy doing it...but that gets into another topic I am not comfortable blogging about.

I am starting to ramble so I will conclude...

Saturday, November 7, 2009

The curve ball...

When life throws you a curve ball you either stand with the bat on your shoulder and hope it is a ball or you take a swing, with your eyes wide open, and try to hit it...hard!

In my case, the curve ball came in the form of outsourcing. I won't cover the details nor how I personally feel about the decision but I will comment on how I plan to proceed. I am watching the ball leave the pitcher 's hand and I am gonna swing.

You see, God knows what is going on and he has a plan for everything. I am a firm believer that all things happen for a reason but that we cannot always see the reason. If we could, we might react differently. If you already knew the final score would you still play the game?

So, I move on...the key goal is to stay employed. I am the sole income for my family and I will do whatever to make sure they are taken care of...my wife has confidence in me and I in myself but only because she is there by my side and the Lord is faithful. This is an opportunity for me to see what I can be; to see if I can take my career to the next step. Maybe I will go with the outsourcer (if they offer) and make a career of it. They should offer a plethera of opportunities. Maybe I will take a job with another company or maybe I can sink back into a role with my current employer.

While this is a scary time and change is unsettling, I am kind of excited. Almost like driving an expensive sports car that you do not own. You are unsure because you do not want to wreck it but you really want to see what it can do and if your driving skills can control the beast under the hood. Ha ha, I like cars by the way.

Making lemonade...making lemonade...

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Autumn

The time of year when the temperature drops, the leaves change color, and depression sets in...well kind of...

First you have to live where the leaves change, and I do, then you have to dislike the change, and I do. For some reason, fall feels like fun is over. I love summer with the warm weather and just the general sense of freedom. Fall signals the end of that. Maybe it is just change and I don't really like change.

Odd thing is once winter hits I am fine...and spring is only bested by summer.

So my first blog is short...I have three kids and my wife is not happy with them right now...'til next time, enjoy the fall (ha ha).