Fatherhood Lesson – From Me

I zoomed into Fatherhood fairly abruptly about two and a half years ago. When my wife and I married I inherited four step-kids, at the time ranging in ages from 7 to 12. A 12-year-old boy, two 10-year-old twin girls, and a 7-year-old girl. We added one to the mix soon after the wedding. Our girl was born two years ago tomorrow, six months after we were married. I know, I know, the math doesn’t add up. She was born three and a half months early and, ironically, she was the first child of ours that I actually met. It would take us another year before I met the boy, and about six months after that before I officially met the other three girls.

They are all very different, with flashes of similarities, of course. I wouldn’t want to single any of them out with whatever advice I might be able to give to them right now, because most of the advice that comes to mind is for each of them, individually. But, I do believe there is one piece of advice I can give to them all, at the same time.

If you want to lead a happy life

If you want to lead a fulfilling life

If you want to lead a successful life

If you want to lead an abundant life

If you want to lead a purposeful life

If you want to lead an adventurous life

If you want to lead any kind of life that gives meaning and joy to yourself and others around you, you only need to do one thing, and one thing alone.

Try

Try to be good

Try to be better

Try to be better than you were yesterday

Try to be the best

Try to be the best you, you can be

Try to help others

Try to help yourself

Just

Try

I made it!

One a day, everyday. This has been the most challenging year for me to do this, but I did it. 

Nothing substantial, but I hope to get back in the habit later next year. 

Now, to look on to Christmas!

Cold

Ever since the Elephant fiasco of Monday my wife and I have had limited sleep. Today I finally felt the “flu like symptoms” that sometimes goes along with that. 

Hopefully she’ll sleep through the night tonight. That would be very helpful. 

That Elephant?

You know? The one I was telling you about? Yeah, it’s been misplaced.

We had a rough night and a rough morning. We have another one, but she knows the difference. Hopefully she takes to it soon.

The Elephant

While our baby girl was in the NICU one of the volunteers gave her an Elephant Cuddler, just like the one pictured below.

She’s needed this thing to be able to sleep ever since. We’ve bought two more since then. The first replacement is the one she has now. The newer one she doesn’t seem to care for.

Over the weekend our family kept good track of this elephant. Today, not so much. 

I’m sitting at home waiting for my wife to get home, not knowing if they were able to find it or not. Hopefully everyone is in a good mood when they get home. 

I’ll keep you posted.

Vacation is over

Countdown to Christmas

Today I’ve decided to officially start my countdown to Christmas. 

We’ve had a very, very nice weekend without kids. Looking forward to another four day weekend in my future.

Dessert

We’re having leftover Thanksgiving for dinner, and going out for dessert later. What do you think we should get?

We Made It!

3 days with no kids starts now!

Wednesday Starts The Weekend!

I am so ready for this weekend to start. I’ll let you know what I’ve been up to the last few hours. 

So, can you guess?

We’re celebrating Thanksgiving at my brother and sister-in-law’s place tomorrow. Our assignment is mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, and green bean casserole. All are done and ready to be refrigerated for transportation tomorrow. 

I’m excited to see how everyone likes the dishes. This is the first time I’ve made sweet potatoes and green been casserole this way. 

The sweet potatoes are whipped and the green bean casserole is all from scratch, no cream of mushroom soup or anything like that.

Ready set go!

What are your go-to thanksgiving sides that you like to make?