Empty Tomb or Empty Tube: They’re Listening Even When Signs Say They are Not

Easter is today, and it's like an Easter I've never experienced. It's an Easter that everyone alive on this earth has not experienced. Quarentined to stop the spread of COVID-19 has elminated family gatherings, church, Easter egg hunts, and almost everything traditionally associated with Easter as I know it. I did go out and obtain … Continue reading Empty Tomb or Empty Tube: They’re Listening Even When Signs Say They are Not →

How Are You Taking the Test Given by the COVID-19 Pandemic

Today is the beginning of day four since schools have closed in Minnesota since the COVID-19 pandemic has reached middle America. There has been a shift in thinking, in work, in our communities and world as this virus has spread. A week ago, about 10 co-workers and I got together at a local restaurant to … Continue reading How Are You Taking the Test Given by the COVID-19 Pandemic →

Sticks & Stones May Break My Bones, but I’m Ignoring Your Words that Hurt Me

A teacher enrichment day following Thanksgiving added another day to the long Thanksgiving break to total six days off in a row. The last day fell on a Monday, and I drew the straw to take the day off of work. My first-grade son chose to go to The Works Museum, a children's museum focusing on … Continue reading Sticks & Stones May Break My Bones, but I’m Ignoring Your Words that Hurt Me →

Perfecting Childhood

My grandfather's generation is the Korean War generation. The Silent Generation known for hard work and keeping quiet. Growing up, these kids were expected to be seen and not heard and also expected to carry their load and either work the farm or help in the family business to support the household. Then there is … Continue reading Perfecting Childhood →

What!? No Movies for the Road-Trip?

Twenty driving hours in the car, countless pit stops and thousands of crumbs and spills. And probably less than three of these hours included a device. Summer road trip season is an exciting time with lots of planning, packing, prepping and packing some more, especially when it involves a potty-training toddler and a very busy … Continue reading What!? No Movies for the Road-Trip? →

Thanks for Raising Our Future

According to the New York Times article, the U.S. Fertility rate has fallen to a record low for a second straight year. Populations ebb and flow, but it is important to keep humanity around. This thought makes me think of one of the Bible verses read during my wedding ceremony from Genesis 1:28: "Be fruitful and … Continue reading Thanks for Raising Our Future →

Letting My Son Lead Even Though It Isn’t Where I’d Choose

We kept things simple New Years Day, hanging out in pajamas for the majority of the day. We played Play-Doh, ate various snacks, read books and continued our adventure sessions with various Christmas toys. There's been a pattern over this holiday break, one driven by an extremely cold streak--we're talking negative air temps for several … Continue reading Letting My Son Lead Even Though It Isn’t Where I’d Choose →

Coaching from My Four Year Old on Detachment from My New Car

I've been car shopping for months now. My reliable 2003 VW Jetta is tight to say the least when a family of four needs to jet around town. Sure, it's manageable, but if we want to go out of town and enjoy the outdoors, we needed something a little bigger. That and the list of … Continue reading Coaching from My Four Year Old on Detachment from My New Car →

Fatherhood Stripped of Technology, for at Least One Night

The nightmare was real. I had pulled up to my house after ending the work day naked. Not without clothes naked but without technology naked. Stripped of Facebook announcements, text messages and the ability to check my email five times per minute. I'm ashamed to admit there was anxiety about missing some important phone call or … Continue reading Fatherhood Stripped of Technology, for at Least One Night →