My Dad

I had a good dad growing up. He made time for us, taught us right from wrong, and loved us. He still is a great dad, and loving Grandfather to my kids.

If I could pick one attribute of my father to display to my kids, it would be the love he showed to us through the time he spent with us. It taught me a lot about the love God has for us, and I would guess that much of what I believe about my heavenly father came as a result of my relationship with my dad. 

Every now and then my pops makes his way over here to read these posts, and I want to say a public "Thank You" for the security you provided, the display of Godly manhood, and the things you continue to teach me about loving my own children. I love you Dad, you were and are a blessing from God!

What about your father do you want to mimic to your own children?

The Zoo: Honey Hide the Kid's Eyes!

Saturday we went to the Montgomery zoo, which, by the way beats the pants off of the Birmingham zoo. We were having a lovely time when we passed the monkey exhibit. They were lounging around looking at us as we were looking at them. It was quite awkward. Many of you know how I feel about animals, but monkeys are a step weirder because they are similar to humans. They have hands like us, and a striking resemblance to that distant cousin that lives in Shelby. You know what I'm talking about. 

I like the small monkeys. The tiny ones are really cute until they throw their little doo doo balls at you. The big ones are not so nice. How about this one? He's a BAD monkey. He exposed himself to all the passersby, some of which were children. Parents covered their kids eyes as they laughed that embarrassed, awkward laugh on their way to see the white tigers, who coincidentally do NOT have opposable thumbs.

Kids playing

I don't know what it was like in your house growing up, but in our house with the 4 Hope boys, there was always chaos. It was awesome! One of the things that stands out most to me was our innate ability to create a game out of nothing. I remember we used to have this one game we played on the trampoline called Dhalsim, that's right, the Street Fighter character.  The purpose of the game was to wet down the surface with water and then slide kick one of the brothers until they fell. No one was eliminated, we just slide kicked each other. 

Little kids can create a game out of anything. Tonight we kept a few kids for a church function and it made me think of our childhood and those games we made up. What sweet memories! I hope Trey and Claire Kate have that much fun growing up!

Any of you guys have any funny games you played growing up?

The Little Things

I'm not the guy who takes what he has for granted.  I wouldn't have to lose everything to know what I had.  I understand that God has blessed me beyond measure.  I have a wife I believe God taylor-made for me.  In His infinite wisdom He created things within her I didn't even know I would want.  She loves me, cares for me, and shows me on a daily basis.  We enjoy being around each other.  We have two beautiful, healthy kids that bring massive amounts of joy to our lives.  God has been VERY good to me.

Everyday that I pass by the tub I am reminded.  I could get annoyed that when I want an afternoon soak I have to remove a toy box full of balls, rubber ducks, and blocks, but I know I would desperately miss it if it was gone.  So I smile as I remove playthings because I realize it's a gentle reminder of all I've been given, and I know one day it will be gone.  

What little things does God use to let you know of all you've been blessed with?

Family Portraits

Today was pretty eventful!  We went to eat lunch at Sumo (not as good as Stix or Shogun) for dad's belated birthday meal.  Then we had family portraits made.  Matt had a WONDERFUL idea that we should take casual and suit pictures, so not only did we appear as a herd of cattle being corralled into the door, but we each had a change of clothes in tow.

From the get go I could tell it was going to be loads of fun.  The place was full of babies that were out past their nap times in uncomfortable clothes meant to make them beautiful for everyone to see in Christmas cards.  When we got there Trey joined in the chorus of unhappy voices, and this continued for about an hour before the first picture was snapped.  

These pictures are so sweet and beautiful.  Luckily you couldn't see what went on in between takes.  Claire Kate slept the whole time, except for her close-ups.  (She's going to be such a diva!)  Trey on the other hand, decided he was not going to take a single picture without a ball in his hands.  The very moment the ball was taken away, he broke into hysterics.  Incidentally, he fell asleep within five minutes of the last picture.

When all was said and done, we did get a few really good pictures, and even more fun memories.  We also remembered why we do this once every five years.

Changes Part 2

This blog is a follow up to this one.

I could not have dreamed of things adjusting as naturally as they have.  I realized today that it's already to the point that I don't remember what life was like before Claire Kate.  Trey has taken to his "tister" so well.  He never acted jealous, although he did check on her from time to time with this look in his eyes like, "is she still here?"  All in all, I would say it's been pretty awesome becoming a family of four.  

I would like it to stay that way for a little longer than 15 months this time around!

Will You Read to Me?

There are certain things that happen only when you have kids.  This is one of them.

Let me explain:  Trey loves about three things more than me.  1) A ball - any ball, it doesn't matter, although right now he is fixated on "putballs" (footballs).  He throws balls about 10 hours a day.  If he is awake he has a ball.  2) "Nute Nacks" - to the common person these are called Fruit Snacks.  He walks in the kitchen, points to the cabinet where we keep them and says "nute nacks".  3) laundry - if Trey can find a basket with clothes in them, he loves to pull them out all over the room.  Recently, this has spawned into something a bit more sinister.  He loves adding things to a pile of dirty clothes ready to go in the washer.  His favorite things are his nute nack wrappers, a brush, or in the case of these pictures, one of his books.  It was a book that he purposefully leaves in the hallway to read and play with in the hallway.  Coincidentally, the hallway is where we pile the dirty clothes as they are loaded into the washer.  Imagine Holly's surprise when she opened the door up to find Trey's hallway book in a thousand pieces.  

This never happened before we had kids.