Category: family

I have to get this off my chest…

I have to get this off my chest…

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Yesterday was a pretty rough and frustrating day at work, but there’s nothing like a late night phone call to put that all in perspective. Yesterday, my Dad got results back from tests run last week. For some time now, he’s had trouble swallowing and finally went in for an exam. Last week, they put a scope down his throat to see what the deal was and found some polyps, if I recall correctly, in his esophagus. The biopsy results on those came back yesterday: esophageal cancer.

Hearing the word ‘cancer’ in connection to others is always saddening. When it’s your Dad, it’s earth-shaking, and this is a scary kind. To make matters worse, we don’t know much at the moment. He’s scheduled for a more thorough scan on August 7. Until then, we just have to wait and pray, trying not to run the various scenarios.

As hard and painful as this is, I think my Dad has the right perspective. He’s confident that the Lord has allowed this for a reason (which may not know for a long time, and perhaps not even on this side of the veil). He told me on the phone that he feels he’s not where he’s supposed to be and the Lord will use this to move him there.

In spite of this awful news, I remain convinced that there is a God in Heaven, and that He holds His own in His hands. As much as I hate to think about the possibility of losing my Dad, I know that he wouldn’t be lost forever. Whether we die today or fifty years from now, those who claim the name of Jesus (as my Dad and I both do), “from [our] flesh..shall see God.” My prayer, of course, is that that day is a long time off, for both of us.

Oh yeah. Happy anniversary, Mom and Dad. I love you guys.

To Karate Class!

To Karate Class!

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On Monday nights, I have karate class. After years studying, then years away, I’m excited to be back in it. My boys have picked up on that excitement. As I was leaving for class, Andrew said he wanted to go to watch my class. Noah also wanted to go to… “see Daddy dance.” Nice. 😛

At class, things didn’t quite go as planned. Monday night was the night where the instructor decided to explain, in detail, what we were doing, which is fine, but probably more information than a five year old needs to hear. We learned about using an ippon nukite (is that spelled right? 🙂 to gouge an eye, and how a certain step in our kata (heian nidan?) is breaking an attacker’s elbow. Good stuff, in theory, but, again, not for a five year old. Angela quickly herded the boys into another room to play.

When we got home, as I was putting Andrew in bed, I talked to him about how he’s not to do anything unless and until he’s had formal training. Andrew asks, “You mean like the thing where you take one finger and poke someone in the eye?” as he pokes me in the eye! In the words of my brother, “he’s a natural!” 😎

8

8

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Today is my 8th wedding anniversary. Eight wonderful — and very fast — years. 😎

What have you been doing?!

What have you been doing?!

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Last Monday night, Angela and I get the boys down at about 8:30 or so. We get a little housework done, then settle down on the sofa with some ice cream to watch the Heroes premier. At about 10:00 or 10:30, Andrew comes stumbling out of his room, and informs us, “I am really, really sleepy!” We ask him, “What have you been doing?” Apparently, he had been reading books to his friends (his stuffed toys) because, if I recall correctly, they weren’t sleepy. We’ve laughed about that for a week now… 😛

A First for Andrew

A First for Andrew

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Last night, we asked Andrew to pray before we ate.  Some my balk at the practice, but we find it a good way to remind us, and especially our boys, whence came our meal.  This night, though, followed kind of a rough day for Andrew, behaviorally, so, in his prayer, he asked God to forgive him for his bad choices.  It was a very simple, but very touching prayer.  Of course, forgiveness can’t come until one accepts Jesus as Savior, but this a good first step toward his realizing his need, which we continue teach as gently as possible, so the decision, if it comes (and we fervently pray that it does), will be a genuine decision on his part, not a forced, ineffectual action because of us.  This is a good sign we’re on the right track.

That’s my boy!

That’s my boy!

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Tonight, I went to one of our favorite restaurants, Qdoba, just me and the boys.  As we’re sitting there eating, Andrew (our five year old) is looking at the television (as it is impossible to sit where you can’t see or hear one), and this conversation happens:

Andrew:  "There’s John McCain!" 
Me (making assumptions): "That’s good reading, kiddo!"
"I didn’t read it, Daddy."
"Then how did you know it was John McCain?"
"Because he looked like him!"
 

Awesome. 🙂

And He’s Off

And He’s Off

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Andrew started kindergarten yesterday.  It’s hard to believe that day has already come.  It was certainly harder on us than it was him.  We took him to his class and helped him find his seat, then we kinda drifted to the side of the room as the other parents did, likely as reluctant to leave as we were.  At one point, Andrew glanced up and seemed surprised to see us still there. 🙂

As sad as it is to see him growing up like that, it is exciting.  He’s having fun, and he’s growing up. 😛 

I sure am proud of that little boy.  The Lord’s been good to us.