I am really slacking...

I use to be this paranoid, over protective Father. Well, I have been letting things slide lately. I now let them do things that I never would have before. I am attributing it to them getting older and more capable rather than me loosening up:) We even let them have ice cream at least once a week and eat hot dogs and other processed meats. Maybe all that doesn't sound that bad to many parents but it is a pretty big departure from a year and a half ago when I started staying at home with the Triplets.

Maybe the honeymoon period is over and I am just settling into my new "job." I have always tended to do that. At the beginning be an over-achiever, get in early, stay late, do everything kind of person. But eventually I would slide back into the achiever, be on time, leave on time, do most things kind of guy. This will soon be the second longest "job" that I have had in my life. The longest was about 12 years with Enterprise Rent-A-Car. The three other positions I have had since then have each been for about one and a half years. I plan on making this one my career:)

Addison and Jackson trying out the fireman's pole at the park.

Never face facts; if you do, you'll never get up in the morning.
Marlo Thomas

Al

Another busy weekend

I slept in (7am) so this will be short.... We went to the in-laws Friday afternoon. Saturday was the CFO's 20th High School reunion. We went to the picnic in the afternoon then met the CFO's parents for a little shopping then ice cream. Then back to their house for a nap, change clothes and off to the reunion dinner. We got back to their house around 1am. Thankfully the Triplets let us sleep till almost 9am! Sunday we went to Church (two potty breaks during the service) then had lunch with Aunt Ra-ra and Grandmom (their Great Grandmother) before heading back home. We made it back to town just in time for our Small Group meeting at 5pm. Whew!

People who say they sleep like a baby usually don't have one.
Leo J. Burke

Al

What is "providing for your family?" SAHD style

I have heard this verse used by a few people in a way that seems to attack the idea of SAHDs (stay at home Dads).

1 Timothy 5:8
If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

The first time I heard it was from John Hagee. I was recently reminded of the verse when a member of our Church said it during a Men's retreat. I don't think he was directing his comment toward SAHDs but it was directed to Men that don't work. To say that I have a vested interest in this "discussion" would be a HUGE understatement.

Our Preacher is very big on looking at the context of verses in the Bible. Huh, what a novel idea! It seems that this verse is under "Advise about widows." I did a little digging online and found a few commentaries:

• Bibletools.org
• Bible.cc

I do not see the connection and it seems that many others do not see the connection between 1 Timothy 5:8 and SAHDs (stay at home dads). Where I do see a connection is between 1 Timothy 5:8 and 1 Corinthians 12 4-6. Seems that God does not just see "providing" as bringing in money.

To be fair, maybe they were just painting Men who don't "work" with a broad brush. Or maybe they were just in a moment of weakness and they did not take into account the SAHDs that take their role (job) as the primary caregiver very seriously.

If anything, people that say things like this make me sad for Christianity. No wonder people get turned of by "Christians." At our recent Men's Retreat we watched Gladiator and talked about what it says about Men and being a Christian Man. One friend pointed out that our tongues are the swords we use most often. The really bad thing about a sword is that it is sharp on both edges so that if it is rebuffed it can easily cut the handler as well.

I try REALLY hard to not judge others as the Bible does not speak well of those who judge others....

• Matthew 7 1-5
• John 8:7

In short, I know several other SAHDs who feel as I do... this is God's calling for us at this time. By "us" I mean ALL of us, the Mommy and the Daddy. So before someone goes quoting scripture to back up "their view" of how things ought to be I think they may want to spend a little time cleaning the glass in their own house:)

Don't worry, I am not mad at people who say bad things about SAHDs. Doesn't the Lord command us to pray for our enemies? As one friend pointed out, it is hard to dislike someone you are praying for:)

Bless their hearts....

How strong are your kids?

I have always been amazed at how strong kids are. If you have ever had a baby grab you or your hair you know what I am talking about. That strength is tough on stuff on things around the house, including the dog:) We have burned through quite a few pinch guards and door stops. I prefer the door stops that go on the hinge but I may need to rethink that as the kids seem to think it sport to break them, see the picture below.


The most likely way for the world to be destroyed, most experts agree, is by accident. That's where we come in; we're computer professionals. We cause accidents.
Nathaniel Borenstein

Al

It's 5:30 am...

Jackson woke up with a fever at 5am and was nice enough to wake the other two up also:) Jackson went back to sleep with the CFO but William and Addison have decided it is time to eat breakfast:(

Long day ahead... gotta run.

No matter what side of the argument you are on, you always find people on your side that you wish were on the other.
Jascha Heifetz

Al

We're ready to go!

The last week before school

This is the last week before the Triplets' schools starts again, whew! Thanks in large part to the CFO we have one down (for the most part) and two left to go where potty training is concerned. Addison is now wearing big girl underwear but does ask for a diaper when she needs to go poo-poo. She still sleeps in a pull up but wakes up from her naps dry and can go up to 3 hours (yesterday) without going. That's my girl!

Jackson likes going in the potty both pee-pee and poo-poo but seems to have the attention span issue. He'll be playing then look at me with the very sad look and say "I went pee-pee in my pull up." William is also there on the pee-pee part but has not dropped "the kids off at the pool" yet:)

I have been "lazy" with pictures lately. I will get some up soon.

Doing nothing is very hard to do ... you never know when you're finished.
Leslie Nielsen

Al