Tuesday, July 25, 2006

"Run for your Yikes!"

This afternoon a storm passed over Conradville! Gabe was opening the back door and "BOOM!" He and Noah were in the living room and I was on the computer. At that moment, Noah screamed with terror and both boys darted for me. Upon their arrival, Noah was holding his chest. His little heart was beating so fast I thought it was going to beat out of there. After reassurance from Mommy that everything was okay, the two brave adventurers decided they would try and open the door again. They continued their adventure several times running from the back room to the living room and opening the door. Gabe told me, "Mommy, we're trying to scare the thunder!" Each time they would run back to me, Gabe would yell to Noah, "Run for your YIKES!" Hope you enjoyed their adventure as much as I did!

Friday, July 21, 2006

Circle of Life...

Now that you're done humming the theme to Lion King, let us proceed with my thoughts. Today is my birthday. I'm now officially in my late twenties (We pause now for every person over 30 to groan). I have been thinking of my parents in realtion to this day.

I am the youngest of three. The only son. I wondered to myself what they would have been like 27 years ago. Two children. Pre-Jonathan. What a different world that must have been, eh? No! You can't go back! Here is the scary part. They were both my age. How weird it is to realize that I am officially half of my parents age. I'm sure they'll love reading it when I put it this way....they've doubled in age since my birth!! (Sorry, guys.) I have that affect. People seem to age significantly in my prescence.

Anyway, I have been wondering how different they were then, if at all. My parents have always been the source of wisdom that I rely on. Yet, when I was born...they were only 27 year old parents wondering what the next day would bring. It is so hard to think of your parents as...well...you. It makes me realize, as a 27 year old father of two, that I have big shoes to fill. So...what will I be like in 27 years? July 21st, 2033...here I come.

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

The Three Conooges

When we had a son and then another, I immediately began dreaming of the days of football fame; baseball stars, even soccer (if they REALLY had to play it) champions! What I didn’t anticipate, however, is you must first go through the “Stooges” years.

I first discovered this when Gabriel, at just over a year old, walked right into the garage door….as it was opening. “Son, come on. You’ve gotta wait until the door opens.” But, alas, there was my boy…clothes lined by the garage door. Then he was climbing the Mount Everest of our bar stools. Brave; Yes. Yet, this Everest falls over. One busted lip and scar later, he was off again and the fun continued.

Then, Noah (or, Larry, if you will) was born. Poor, little guy never had a chance. With Curly knocking chairs over on him and those pesky garage doors (yes, he did it too. The same thing… “Come on, son….”) he was doomed from the start. He has now busted his lip for the second or third time (we lose count), broken his arm, scratched his face, been smacked countless times with various objects by his big brother (Curly) and he is just beginning the “Stooges” years. He’s not even two yet!

We all remember the “Stooges” years. We all had them. Maybe your enemy wasn’t the garage door. Perhaps it was that step you never could remember was there. Maybe that chandelier your grandmother refused to hang higher than four feet from the ground. Maybe it was always forgetting that you should stand back when your friend is swinging the bat. Whatever it was, we were all there.

Now, I must to tell you something. Kids, sons especially, cause some sort of mysterious degeneration. Though never graceful by any means, I have noticed that I have to be careful not to come out of every day bruised. So, consequently, my wife gets to deal with the Three Conooges.

Fathers, a word to you. Though, the time will come when our children will be coordinated, graceful and show unlimited common sense, they must first gain an understanding of gravity, the importance of looking forward….when walking forward, the fact that they grow taller and countertops don’t and the timing of a good garage exit. Until then, good luck to us all…nyuk, nyuk.


Signed,

Moe

Friday, July 07, 2006

The Night of the Ninjas

It was a dark and stormy night. A heavy storm had covered the peaceful neighborhood of Killearn Lakes. Menacing thunder rolled overhead as brief flashes of lightning brightened the sky. As a fellowship of friends concluded their time together a cloak of darkness descended on their home. Was it the storm that disabled the power? Perhaps; Or might it have been something more?

We were hanging out in our Home Team last night and had just concluded our study, when the power was knocked out by a heavy storm. In minutes Kelly had candles up and I had the flashlight out (cause men need powerful beams of light...not that sissy candle stuff) and we were all laughing and having even more fun than when the power was on. The kids had fun with the flashlights and all was well. Gabriel, however, was wise to what was really happening. We adults were so naive. He kept his wisdom to himself as he pretented to play. All the while keeping a close eye on the dark shadows.

First thing this morning I received a call at work. It was from Gabriel. He wanted to tell me about the power going out. It was all he had talked about since waking up. He quickly informed me of what he knew to be the truth. It was no accident. "Daddy, last night...when the power...the power went out because of the Ninjas knocked it out." It was the Ninjas all along!

That's my boy!!