the great compliment

My wife told me that when I do certain things it reminds her of my dad. Or she will say, you sounded just like your dad when you said that.

I was told that the greatest compliment you can receive is the one you are not around to hear. That means the person is saying something nice about you not just to butter you up to ask for money. While I agree a great compliment is when they say it without a motive, I think the greatest compliment you can give me is that I am like my dad.

I am very blessed to have a great dad. I have hopefully taken some of his great qualities and applied them to my life. Even when I am not trying to be like him, it just happens. He a great influence to me and it is an honor to be like him.

I hope when people tell my girls, "you remind me of your dad", they mean it as a compliment. That is why I want to model Christ as best I can. Not just when they are watching but all the time. It is called integrity and I learned it from my dad.

My point: people are going to say things about you, are they going to be good or bad - that is somewhat up to you. Give them something great to say to you, about you and when you are not around.

If my children love me half as much as I love my dad - I am a success.

wow, that has to hurt

My mouth is full of blisters. I woke up on Monday morning with sores in my mouth. They were uncomfortable but not a huge deal. Tuesday they began to hurt but not a big deal yet. Wed it officially went from uncomfortable to unbearable.

I got in to see the Dr and her first words after looking in my mouth was "wow, that has to hurt." When Dr obvious got off the floor from being cracked in the bridge of her nose with my vicious elbow, she went on to explain that my mouth is full of blisters. There is really nothing she could do so I paid my $25 copay and went on my merry way.

I am now figuring out how difficult it is to drink your meals. No matter what I eat it feels like I am chewing glass and it is shredding my cheeks. Oh, well - this too shall pass.

Ok, so am I looking for sympathy - not really, well ok maybe a little... actually I am learning a huge lesson about not making the people around me miserable just because I am in pain. It would be real easy to treat everyone around me like crap just because that is how I am feeling. I am trying my best to not be a crab or grumpy. I am not sure how I am doing but I will ask another day...

My point: Just because you are having a bad day, don't take it out on others. Be mature enough to know that YOU are the one that has the issues. Just because you are grumpy, don't make everyone else miserable.

The only thing you will do if you take it out on others is make them mad at you. Then even when you feel better, you have no friends and that will be a bummer.

I knew it

"I knew it". If you are a parent you probably say those words often.

I know it probably isn't the best idea to sit a glass of milk on the end table then walk out of the room while my 2 year old red-head still occupies that very same room - you know what happens next.

If "I knew it" would happen, then why did I still choose to do it. Why do I leave the screwdriver on the floor right next to me when my kid is anywhere in the house? I know if there is the slightest chance she can, she will get into it. I do this with the dog too. Leave a bowl only to come back to see the dog helping you finish it.

I guess it hit me the other day when I had one of those moments that I thought I could walk out of the room to grab a napkin and thought, "naw, she won't do anything..." only to come back to her grabbing a fake tree in the corner of the room. She really had to reach to get it but she managed. The tree was falling in the blinds and the food was ready to hit the floor (the dog was ready and waiting). I ran back in saying out loud "I knew it"... Then that little voice in my head said "then why did you do it?" -SHUT UP!!!

My point: If we know it is probably going to turn out bad - why do we insist on doing it. Why do we continue to watch and listen to the same garbage and put the same junk in our bodies. Those bad habits only end with either you or someone else saying "I knew it".

If you know it, do something about it now.

bats

I just want to start off by saying "I have an amazing wife". I always knew this but lately I have been seeing just how blessed I am. I still get that funny feeling in my stomach when she is around.

We have our moments but we have learned how to communicate thru those times instead of yell, scream, punch, spit... just to get our own way. We have figured out how to put "we" ahead of "me".

That was not an easy thing to learn. We had to learn to trust each other and decide that we would work to make things peaceful instead of throwing fuel on a burning fire. When I am frustrated, she is calm (normally). When she is stressed, I pitch in to help (most of the time). This is now the "rule" as opposed to the "exception". We are trying to be less selfish and more selfless.

If we both try to put the other persons feelings and needs ahead of our own, guess what - peace and harmony. If we continually manipulate, cry and beg to get our own way, guess what - chaos and frustration.

I have some people very close to me that are going thru a very tough time as a couple. I can see that the lines of communication have been severed. It is so sad, because I truly believe that the love that they feel is lost, can be revived and grow stronger than ever.

My point: We aren't always successful at avoiding "heated arguments" but we are doing much better. Don't wait until it's too late to appreciate the one you have. Your spouse may not be perfect but if you think you will find someone without any issues at all, you are nuts.

It takes healthy people to make a healthy relationship. If your relationship is not as healthy as you would like - begin looking in the mirror and ask "would I want to be married to me?" - then be brutally honest.

I hate that my friends are having problems. Hearing other people complain about their relationships makes me appreciate mine so much more.

I still get that funny feeling in my stomach when we kiss - it's those bats flying around inside!

Disclaimer: I know this is a sappy post, but she will love it...

train of thought

I love getting out of the office to clear my head and think. Wednesday I traveled and got some good "think time". Today I had a meeting at cup-o-joe and after my meeting, I just sat to think.

Wow, it is amazing how your mind operates when the distractions are limited or at least different. When I am in the office, I am reminded of all the stuff that isn't done. When I am out, I am able to focus on whatever I am working on. I can actually have a train of thought that doesn't get derailed.

My point: we all need to step away and see things thru a different lense. We need to step outside of our normal routine or setting and clear our minds. I find I am refreshed and refocused when I get away for a bit. Then I can go back to the office and be sharper and more productive.

Going to the gym helps too (I just had to let everyone know that I am still going to the gym...)

why not

Here is a picture of Hannah doing her heisman pose after breaking thru the other kids to collect eggs.

Most kids go thru the phase where the continually ask "why?". Not my red-head, she asks "why not?".

When Hannah wants to do something and she is told "no", she questions, "why not?". She obviously heard that somewhere and uses that question even where it doesn't quite fit. She will ask you "what are you doing?" and you could reply "making donuts out of horse hair" and she would ask "why not?"... that got me thinking.

I am glad my kid is growing up with the "why not" attitude. I am sure there will come a time when someone tells her she can't do something and I pray that she would simply ask "why not". I want her to know and believe she can do anything and have no doubt in her mind when she sets out to do it. When others are standing on the sideline making excuses why they can't or won't attempt something, or don't think something is possible, my little stubborn red-head will be the first in line saying "why not".

I am sure she may trip up along the way, she may not achieve everything she attempts but that won't be because she made excuses or didn't try.

My point: "why not?" - what are you afraid to try that you have convinced yourself that you can't do. You are telling yourself "why" it's not possible but I am here to ask "why not". Why is it not possible. Are you just afraid of failure or being embarrassed? Who cares? Stop telling yourself why you can't and start asking yourself why not.

Why not you, why not now!

Hannah could become the first female heisman winner - why not?

st.patrick

Ok, so I gotta admit that this is one of those days that I have no idea why we "celebrate" it. I am sure there is some great historical reason and it is very significant to some but quite honestly I just never got into the day where the color green takes center stage - until 6 years ago...

6 years ago on St. Patrick's day, my life changed for the good. I met this red haired bombshell that took my breath away. She became my best friend then my wife. She is still my best friend and now I get the honor of sharing my life with her. For that reason, I now "celebrate" St. Patrick's day.

My point: everyday can have a special meaning if you let it. Some will definitely be more special than others but be intentional about making memories.

To my wife: Happy 6 years of knowing me. It has been an amazing journey so far and I know it will only get better.