James turns 8 today. That means we’ve been in the kid business for a while (8 years + 4 kiddos). It’s hard to believe.

Happy Birthday Buddy!

Somedays I feel crazy. Sometimes I act crazy. Somedays I work with crazy teenagers. Sometimes they drive me crazy.

So what exactly does crazy look like?

Samuel (my four year old son) gives us a definitive answer to that question.

There’s something about childhood and lights that are magical. Samuel and Tristen just laid under the tree looking up at the lights in wonder…

It’s Christmas Eve and we let the kids open a present early. They received new sweet sleeping bags from their Grandparents, so tonight they’re all camping out together indoors.

Last week, we had a great time as a family in Lincoln City Beach on the Oregon Coast. It was the first time the kids have experienced really big waves.

The weather in Oregon had peaked at 105 the week before and plunged to 65 the week we were there. But with some wetsuits, the cold air couldn’t keep us out of the water. We even had a visit by a baby whale close to the shore. 

 Let me tell you a story. 

This morning, my 7 yr old, James comes to me visibily upset. I ask him what’s wrong and he explains that he forgot to buy me a Father’s Day card and present. I hugged him, told him that I loved him, and that I didn’t expect anything. 

Ah Father’s Day. The joys of a retail holiday. 

I really struggle with Fathers Day. I really do.

No, I don’t have any daddy issues. I don’t like Mother’s Day either. Or Grandparent’s Day or Secretary’s Day (oh I mean Administrative Professionals Day) or Whatever The Crap Day.

And I’m not even talking about the commercialized, social pressure from greeting card companies and other retail outlets. The whole thing just seems contrived, forced – like we’re all supposed to open up a box of warm fuzzys and at just the right time for maximum fuzziness. Or I’m supposed to love you today because it says so on the calendar.

Here’s my issue:

1) If the day is forced, the feelings come off forced as well.

2) If we’re not showing our father’s we love them the rest of the year, then one day, an ugly tie and a card won’t make up for it.

Simply put: don’t rely on a day that someone else established to love, honor and respect our Dads.

We had a YD BBQ for the end of the school year on a farm with all of the students, our volunteers and some families. Tristen enjoyed hanging out the farm and watching the horses…

There’s just something about girls and horses. I don’t get it, but it’s true.