A New Year’s Day Thank You to My Dad

Gratitude is good for your psychological health, and now researchers are even tracking whether or not gratitude could have physical health benefits, too. So I thought what better way to invigorate writing about fatherhood and faith than a thank you list to my dad. The job of parenting rarely receives accolades. I don’t think I … Continue reading A New Year’s Day Thank You to My Dad →

Working to Stay Poop Proud

It's amazing how excited kids get about passing a stool, a turd, a crap, a bowel movement. Whatever you call it, this is the one thing we all have in common but some may even consider the topic "taboo," as it does in the description of the recent movie Poop Talk. My daughter potty trained … Continue reading Working to Stay Poop Proud →

Kindergarten: Sending My Boy Off into the World

My son hasn't exactly had a sheltered stay-at-home upbringing. He's been in full-time daycare since his 13th week of life. He's been given two working parents that enjoy their jobs, and I also believe the foundation of the Bible-based pre-school has been beneficial to all of us. But when I walked him to his kindergarten … Continue reading Kindergarten: Sending My Boy Off into the World →

The Ultimate Test of Spiritual Fitness: Family Tent Camping for Five Nights

We emerged from the seven day family road trip that involved five nights of camping in the Blackhills of SD, and the only person with clean clothes remaining was my wife. An hour on the road with a five and one year old can seem like a half-day. Snacks are crucial, but can give way … Continue reading The Ultimate Test of Spiritual Fitness: Family Tent Camping for Five Nights →

Oh No, Santa Couldn’t Bring Everything

I naturally default to filling the provider shoes in the family (even though role is a joint venture.) Maybe it's a guy think, part of fatherhood, but I enjoy being able to provide groceries, emotional support and shop for friends and family during Christmas. So my immediate reaction to my four year-old son's letter to … Continue reading Oh No, Santa Couldn’t Bring Everything →

Letting Go, Letting God and Letting the Baby Eat Her Socks

My life is busy. Two kids under the age of five, a full-time job, a wife with a full-time job and all of the grown up responsibilities that come with running a growing household. I could easily say I'm tired. I can easily say I'm tired. Everywhere I look there is a floor that needs … Continue reading Letting Go, Letting God and Letting the Baby Eat Her Socks →

In How Many Days Am I Going to Die?

I love the questions my son comes up with. I also like asking him questions in response to questions. "Why is the chair squishy like that, dad?" "Well, why do you think?" is a standard response he receives from me. And it's not that I am trying to be difficult or as some would say … Continue reading In How Many Days Am I Going to Die? →

A Solo Business Trip with Miles of Gratitude for the Little Things

I'm traveling for business and enjoying the people, topics and food at this conference surrounded by intelligent, business-minded, fun people from various parts of the world. However, my heart sank when I got on video chat with my four year old, and he asked, "Where are you, daddy?" You talk to pre-schoolers about anything outside … Continue reading A Solo Business Trip with Miles of Gratitude for the Little Things →

Rerouting Expectations and Surrenduring to the Lesser Splashpad

The family and I set out to enjoy a July summer day by heading to the newest neighborhood pool. Not just any pool, the first in the country to be filtered by natural plants rather than harsh pool chemicals. Pretty cool. Even cooler is the fact that I can put the four year-old in the … Continue reading Rerouting Expectations and Surrenduring to the Lesser Splashpad →