Archive for the ‘Thoughts’ Category

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Time Out for Family!

Friday, September 3rd, 2010

Graphic by Chris @ Daddy Doctrines

A couple of weeks ago, I was sitting by the computer, when Malachy handed me a drawing he had just made. He told me that I should hang it up right away somewhere. I took my Time Out from the computer, told him what an awesome picture he had just drawn, and hung it right up on our board. I told him that when Mommy woke up, she would be so happy! :)

If there was one word to sum up my Summer Vacation, it would have to be “Family.” What a blessing and what a gift! I feel like if I keep focusing on Family First, then things will be okay. It helps me to prioritize, and it makes me a better person. As the school year begins for all three of us, I hope that we can live up to Malachy’s picture. As Malachy would say, “A Toast to Family!” ;)

The 3 Of Us

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Time Out for a Story about Forgiveness…

Wednesday, September 1st, 2010

artwork by Chris of The Daddy Doctrines

It’s Episode 2 of The Father 100!! The word this week is Forgiveness. I remember enjoying John Bunyan’s, The Pilgrim’s Progress. I’ve always loved allegories.  So, when I thought about Forgiveness, I came up with this… ;)

A Story About Forgiveness

I searched and searched for Forgiveness.

Instead, I’m Sorry kept showing up… again and again.

“Where’s Forgiveness?” I wondered.

I’m Sorry explained, “Forgiveness will cost you.”

“What’s the price?” I asked. “How much will it cost?”

I’m Sorry said, “It’s quite a journey to find Forgiveness. You must find Strength, Courage, Love, and Sacrifice. You must leave behind Anger, Bitterness, and Resentment.”

“I see. I think I’m finally ready to seek Forgiveness,” I said.

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Time Out for a Survey! (or not)

Thursday, August 19th, 2010

I was caught by surprise when a friend of mine (expecting a boy, obviously) e-mailed me and asked if Malachy was circumcised and what led to our decision. Here was my response to her…

Yup, we did, because I was, thought it would be easier in the future in terms of hygiene (though I hear that it’s a myth) and we were confident in the person who performed it. According to our pediatrician, they did a great job. WHEW!!! ;)
It didn’t take too long to heal, but I still remember how heart-wrenching it was to hear Malachy crying/screaming after the procedure, and there was gauze and bandaging for a couple of days, where you have to take care of it, and there was some more crying and screaming. Aiya. By a week’s end, forgotten… whew!

Would we do it if we had to again? I still say, yes… just because…

This feels weird writing it out, but if anyone ever asks again, I could forward this… hehe

This led me to wonder what other parents would recommend, so thus my first survey on Time Out Dad! ;)

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Time Out from the City…

Saturday, August 7th, 2010

We’ve been at Shien’s parents’ house in Illinois for ten days now, and it’s good to get away from the City for a bit.  Life is SO different out here!  ;)   There is so much SPACE here for Malachy to run around.  It’s great having a backyard for him to run around and play in, and a golf course to boot… ;)   Almost every evening, after eating a delicious dinner prepared by Shien’s mom and Shien, we all go to the golf course.  We usually get quite a few mosquito bites, but this summer it’s been so hot that even the mosquitoes are too hot to fly! ;)   Shien’s dad and I play 3 or 6 or 9 holes with one club.  Malachy will tag along for a couple of holes.  Right now, he’s much more in tune with nature than with golf… ;)

It’s great fellowship golfing with Shien’s dad.  It’s hard to believe that he introduced me to the game 17 years ago!  Golfing used to be in my blood (before Malachy ;) ), and not playing well used to upset me so much.  Not anymore. I’ve realized playing calm yields a lot more crisp shots.  Just being able to play for an hour after dinner feels really good.  Makes it feel a little bit less guilty eating dessert.  ;)   Lots of great peach pie with ice cream, thanks to Shien and the neighbor’s! (Thanks, Paula!)  ;)

Time really slows down out here.  Shien’s mom has always allowed us to really take it easy out here (Thanks, Chiou Ma! :) )  There’s more time for reading and less time watching television for me.  I’m really grateful all the times we’ve had out here through the years.  After two weeks, though, I’m ready to head back to the City again. ;)

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Time Out for Education…

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

Show me the Berries!

I think many people equate education with school, and there is much to be learned in school. But, an education shouldn’t begin with school. Our children shouldn’t wait until age 4 or 5 or 6 to start learning. An interesting Washington Post article/blog post writes about how our public education system is out of whack beginning at age 5, and yet so many studies emphasize the importance of learning from birth to 8. It might not necessarily mean our kids should start school at 2 or 3. I think it means that we, as parents, have a big responsibility in being our kids’ first teachers. Summertime shouldn’t be a time out from learning. On the contrary!
We had such an incredible experience last weekend in the Poconos with Harriet. (Thanks so much, Harriet! ;) ) We spent about an hour walking in a trail in the woods, and it had a great impact on Malachy. I just finished reading Boys Adrift: The Five Factors Driving the Growing Epidemic of Unmotivated Boys and Underachieving Men (an excellent read!), which also stressed how boys (children) learn so much better when they are able to use their five senses.

Thousand Legged Worm... a Millipede! YUCK!

In the woods, Malachy was able to see, hear, touch, feel, and taste! Harriet introduced us to huckleberries, Indian Pipes, and minty wintergreen leaves! ;) Then Malachy found a thousand legged worm… a millipede… EWWWW! ;) He loved being outdoors with nature.

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