Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!!

I hope that everyone had a great Holiday season and a great Christmas.  I have to be the first one to say that our family was extreme blessed this holiday season.  The main reason for that is being able to be together with each other.  To me this is the best gift that I could ever receive.

I am a sucker when it comes to traditions, and it has been interesting developing new traditions with my own family.  I will admit though I miss having my parents here to celebrate those traditions but thanks to technology we get to have time with them.  Our family is very lucky though that we do have my wife's parents just down the street from us and they have been a huge part of our lives and the kids lives.  

We started this Christmas off by going to church with our family.  The kids got all dressed up and were good kids during the service.  I am a sucker for Silent Night by candlelight in the church.  There is something special about this son and singing it on Christmas Eve. We sadly had to break away from our normal tradition of going to Texas Roadhouse for dinner, it was a two hour wait, but we went to dinner and had some good conversation.  We also had a great time tracking Santa, thank you NORAD, and finding where he was going next.  

After a great evening with family the kiddos left out cookies, carrots, and milk out for Santa.  They put on their Christmas Eve pajamas that the elves brought and headed to bed.  After a little while the little elves got around to helping Santa.  I spent three nights earlier in the week building all the gifts so that I didn't have to do it on Christmas Eve, thank goodness I had the time to do that otherwise I am pretty sure I wouldn't have slept, as it happens I got very little sleep as it is.  Jude was so excited he woke up almost ever two hours to ask if we could open presents.  The kids were very excited to see the gifts that were out for them. 

The kids made quick work of all their presents, they are expert unwrappers.  I don't know where they get this talent but they have perfected it.  We opened presents at home then went to grandma and grandpa's opened more presents then had Christmas lunch.  The kiddos did well despite being completely exhausted and over stimulated.  I was a proud dad!  We were able to talk to our family in Amsterdam and Grandma, Grandpa, and Great Grandma in Arizona.  Again thank goodness for technology and Skype!!

Jude challenged me to his Rock em' Sock em' Robots, and I have a ringer in the family.  He was an expert but we had a great time and have played a couple more times since last night already.  We even had a white Christmas!  People think that this happens every Christmas in Colorado but is is not!  

I hope that you had a great Christmas and got everything that you wanted and needed.  I look forward to sharing more and more with everyone in the upcoming year.  Here is to a happy and healthy 2016!!!

The Day John Lennon Died

Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today...

"Imagine" by John Lennon

On this day in 1980 John Lennon was shot and killed by Mark David Chapman outside his New York apartment just hours after John Lennon had signed an autograph for him on his Double Fantasy Album.  I wasn't even born yet and had no idea how much his music would mean to me or play a role in my life.  

When I was growing up my parents were pretty strict with music and my father was/is quite into country music.  Now, if you know me you know that I am not a fan of country music at all so we didn't really bond over this, but we did over the Beatles.  On our way to church on Sunday mornings we would often times listen to Breakfast with the Beatles.  I then found the awe that is their music and the poetry within their lyrics.

Now I know that John Lennon was not a perfect person by no means.  I have read a lot about him as I have grown up and taken an interest in him.  So please do not feel like you need to tell me how horrible of a person he was, however his music was amazing and his lyrics still have a special place in my heart and will always resonate with me.

We're playing those mind games together
Pushing the barriers planting seeds
Playing the mind guerrilla
Chanting the Mantra peace on earth
We all been playing those mind games forever
Some kinda druid dudes lifting the veil
Doing the mind guerrilla
Some call it magic the search for the grail

Love is the answer and you know that for sure
Love is a flower you got to let it grow.

"Mind Games" by John Lennon

I have shared my love for the Beatles with my son, Jude.  He knows who they all are and whenever he hears "Hey Jude" he says that is his song.  It is something that we have been able to bond over and I hope he will continue to share with me as he grows older.  We listened to "Imagine" tonight on the record player and I sang along with all the words.  Is it wrong to imagine the world living in peace?  Yes some of his thoughts maybe considered "Radical" but sometimes we need those to make us think about things from a different perspective. 

I think that I will continue my tradition of listening to John Lennon's music on this day and like I said I hope that his music will continue to be part of my life with the kids.  Thank you Mr. Lennon and my your dream live on!

Tae Kwon Do

I cannot remember how many times I asked my mom while I was growing up to let me do Karate.  Lets be honest a lot of this (as it probably is with Jude) came from TMNT or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and the movies Karate Kid, Sidekicks, and 3 Ninjas.  So in traditional kid fashion I asked all the time and then my mom would always respond in traditional parent fashion "No" and when pushed she would say "Because I said so". 

I do not know all of my mom's thoughts but I believe she told me several times that I couldn't take Karate because she didn't want me to fight or punch others.  Until I was a parent I never understood this thought.  I mean all I wanted to do was to do the awesome kicks, flips and break a board.  What kid doesn't watch a video of someone breaking a board with their hand or head and think they can do that.  I am pretty sure that there were multiple attempts at trying it as well.  None of those attempts were successful but luckily no serious injuries were sustained besides a big lump on the head.  

So lets fast forward to present time when Jude came up to us and asked to do Karate.  I am pretty sure that I had the very same thought as my mom.  No you cannot do that I am continually yelling to stop punching things and you want me to send you to a class that teaches you how to punch things.  I was very nervous to put him in any type of martial arts.  I must admit the reason that I was so nervous was due to my lack of knowledge.  I will be the first one to say that I am glad I did my research and took the time to educate myself.  

I took the kids to the Thornton Fest and Jude won a month of free lessons of Tae Kwon Do.  Again my ignorance showed off because I thought that all forms of martial arts were basically the same, I was so wrong.  We figured that this would be a good time for Jude to try Tae Kwon Do to see if he even liked it, little did I know how well he would do and how much he would enjoy it.  We went for our welcome night and he was very nervous to get out there but he did and he was hooked.  We have been going for about 6 months now and I am so amazed at the progress that he has made and how great it has been for him. 

Jude is built the same way I was at his age.  Tall and completely uncoordinated.  We will just be walking and the the next thing I know Jude is down on the ground.  Tae Kwon Do has helped him with his coordination so much.  He has been learning how to control his body.  He has to learn how to watch the instructor and copy the form.  The forms often time require them to do multiple moves with their hands and feet at the same time.  Yes it involves punches and kicks but it focuses completely on control as well.  The instructors will many times that you have to be able to control your body in order to control your mind.

I have to say I am so impressed with how well they are doing with him and would recommend martial arts to everyone.  I never thought I would enjoy it as much as I have but seeing the look on his face when he accomplishes a new form or gets a new belt.  I cannot wait to see how far he goes with this and will encourage him the entire way.  I am no expert but I am learning and showing him the enthusiasm that he needs, isn't that what every child needs?

We had a great weekend!

I hope that everyone had a great weekend, I know we did.  It is exhausting sometimes doing all the running around that comes with being a family but it is so amazing as well. 

We had a busy weekend but it was great. We took the kiddos out for a treat on Friday night and saw The Peanuts movie Itwas great. The kids were dancing and laughing. It was pretty cool seeing them enjoy Snoopy and Charles Brown. These are classic characters but the kiddos thought they were great. I would definitely recomend it to anyone. 

Saturday Teagan had her dance class she is really enjoying it. She told me that she is going to be a ballerina. I wouldn't put anything past my little firecracker. We then went to Jude's Tae Kwon Do testing and belt ceremony. He got another new belt. He has been working hard in Tae Kwon Do and it is showing. He even got to break one of the testing boards with a side kick, I hope I got the terminology correct. He was so proud of what he has accomplished. 

I can't wait to see where he goes with this. 

Today Jude had to sing at church. It was so great seeing all the kids up there doing the motions and singing with pride. 

We then came home and proceeded to rake up the leaves and the kids ran and jumped in them. It was funny having to teach them how to play in the leaves some. They then also helped me pick up all the leaves. The got a little bit of money for helping their old man with picking all of the leaves up. They appeared to have fun so that is a win win I think. 

The kiddos then played in their playroom while I tried to watch football. It's always a challenge but they did great. Teagan kept running out wearing a new costume. Here she is as bat girl. 

Overall it was a busy weekend and I'm sitting here typing as I feel like I'm going to fall asleep, but it was great. I love spending time with my family and building all these great memories. What did you do this weekend?  I hope to hear from some of you on what things you did over the weekend. 

My top 5 underrated singer/songwriters

As many of you know I have a huge love of music and love sharing music with others and with my family.  I have tried to expose my children to many different types of music.  They listen to records with me, dance to Sammy Davis Jr., sing along to the Beatles, and (thanks to Censie) make me sing along with Kelly Clarkson!  

Music has been something that has gotten me through a lot of tough times and brought me close to others.  While I was in the hospital recovering from my Ileostomy surgery I listened to music quite a bit, it helped me immensely during that time.  

This brings me to our current conversation.  Who are my top five singer/songwriters?  Why did this come up?  I was talking to a co-worker the other day I brought up Jim Croce and the co-worker had no idea who I was talking about!  I was shocked so I wanted to compose this list and share my musical thoughts. 

Top Five Singer/Songwriters

#5 Robbie Robertson and Levon Helm:  

Levon Helm was born in Arkansas and was the drummer and multi instrument member of "The Band".  The Band is often times known for their southern Roots Rock band, but all other members of The Band were from Canada, Levon Helm was the only American born member.  Robbie Robertson is often times credited for writing all the songs but Levon Helm has claimed that they were mostly written collaboratively, this was an ongoing feud.  The Band had many notable songs and The Last Waltz was an amazing collaboration last concert between many musicians.  I am actually going to see a Last Waltz Revisited concert in Denver here in a couple of weeks.  Some of the best songs from The Band are:  Up On Cripple Creek, The Weight, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, Atlantic City, Rag Mama Rag, and Ophelia.  

#4 Randy Newman

Randy Newman is probably best known for writing songs for Pixar Movies, most notable Toy Story.  The kids and I will sing "You've got a Friend in me" all the time when listening to Toy Story.  Many though do not know that he had a great musical career prior to these movies.  Randy Newman has been a professional songwriter since he was a teen.  He is an amazing singer and piano player and is great to listen to.  Some of his greatest songs are:  Mama Told Me (Not to Come), You can leave your hat on, Short People, and I Love L.A.

#3 Jim Croce

I grew up listening to Jim Croce songs before I knew who he was.  I have shared my love for his music and story telling with my family.  More than likely you have probably heard his songs before and probably sang some of them without knowing they were written and sung by him.  Jim Croce's career was unfortunately cut short when the plane he was on clipped a pecan tree causing it to crash.  Jim Croce had a great way of telling a story during his songs so that as the listener you could see in your head everything he was talking about.  Some of his best songs are :  Bad, Bad Leroy Brown, You Don't Mess Around with Jim, Time in a Bottle, Operator, New York's Not My Home, Roller Derby Queen,. Rapid Roy (The Stock Car Boy), I Got a Name, and I'll Have to Say I Love You In a Song.

#2 Harry Chapin

There are many songs that were written or sung by Harry Chapin that many individuals know of the song, but like Jim Croce, they do not know that they were written by Harry Chapin.  Harry Chapin is probably best known for his song "Cats in the Cradle" a song about a father being too busy with work to spend time with his son. One of my favorite songs.  Chapin, like Croce, as well died in an accident but a motor vehicle accident.  Harry Chapin was also a great humanitarian trying to fight world hunger.  He started the Harry Chapin Food Bank (Long Island Food Bank) in 1980 a year before his death.  Harry Chapin was also a great story teller and could paint a picture with words and music that amaze me.  Some of my favorite songs are :Cats In The Cradle, Flowers are Red, Taxi, Mr. Tanner, I Wanna Learn a Love Song, 30,000 Pounds of Bananas, Circle and Dancing Boy.

#1 Warren Zevon

A great singer song writer that also suffered from a very bad case of OCD but was an amazing singer, song writer and story teller.  One of his compulsions was buying and hoarding grey Calvin Klein shirts.  He actually built a great friendship with Billy Bob Thornton around having OCD.  Warren Zevon played piano for Everly Brothers and actually played with REM.  Warren Zevon is probably best known for "Werewolves of London".  This has been played at almost every piano bar that I have been to, and is a crowd favorite.  Warren Zevon had many other great songs some of my favorites are: Lawyers, Guns and Money, Excitable Boy, Mr. Bad Example, I'll Sleep When I'm Dead, Desperados Under the Eaves, Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner, and Things To Do In Denver When You're Dead.  

These are just a few of the musicians that I love and wanted to share with you.  I would enjoy hearing about some of the musicians that you enjoy so I can expand my musical knowledge and enjoyment as well.  I hope you will listen to these artists if you have never heard of them and maybe you will enjoy them as well.  

Halloween!

I must admit I become a huge kid when Halloween comes. It is one of my favorite holidays. I love all the horror movies, albeit I don't get to watch many anymore. I think the scariest thing we watched this Halloween season was "Toy Story of Terror."  

I love the decorations and all the prep and hype getting ready to pick your costume out, and wearing it out to trick or treat. I also love carving the pumpkins even though it seems as though the kids pick the pumpkins, pick the design, then they sit back and relax while I carve them!!!

We had a sick little girl this year so she got a ride in the wagon while we went out trick or treating but she had fun and was an adorable Doc McStuffins. 

This year Jude started off wanting to be something from Star Wars but when we went he picked out a Ghostbuster costume. As soon as he chose that I knew I had the perfect opportunity. What does a Ghostbuster need to go out with him?  A Stay Puft Marshmallow man that's what!!!

Luckily Censie was able to find an inflatable costume for me, I wasn't sure it would fit given I'm 6'5" but it fit. It was so much fun and we got many compliments and he often times was told that he was getting more candy because of our awesome duo. I think I am owed some of that as a dad tax but he keeps saying no. 

I hope everyone had a fun and safe Halloween, I loved seeing all the pictures. Jude also started talking to me today about our costumes for next year so keep your eyes open next Halloween for what we have in store. 

Third time's the charm!

So I know that I have tried this before but I am going to try and get my blog up and running again. I have been very busy with my new job and the family,  but I have a strong desire to have this blog be read by others and share my experiences as a husband, father and as a person. 

Everyone in this world has a story and has something to share and this is my attempt to share a part of who I am. My amazing wife Censie has had an amazing blog for quite some time now so I have a great coach on how to do this but just have to put forth the effort. 

This blog started while I was dealing with an Inflmatory Bowel Disease known as Ulcerative Colitis. This still continues to be a huge part of my life but since my ostomy surgery I have tried to make it a smaller part of my life than it has been. 

Here is a little about me for those of you who do not know me. I love being a father and daddy. It is amazing, I never thought I could feel this way and that I would love this role in my life so much. They challenge me on a daily basis but I love them and would do anything for them.

I have been married to Censie for twelve years, I know I can't believe that she has put up with me for that long either. I am the luckiest man because she chose to be with me and I am so thankful for that. 

I am a huge sports freak. I love watching sports and pretty much anything to do with sports. I am a huge Red Sox fan and a Broncos fan, although I don't get to watch many sports any more because I am usually watching kids shows like "Miles from Tomorrowland " with the kiddos.  

As you can tell I am also a huge music lover, especially classic rock!  I am working on building my vinyl music collection and working to teach my kids about great music, but despite my best efforts they also love listening to pop music. 

I look forward to sharing more experiences and stories with everyone!