Daughter

Daughter are angels sent from above to fill our heart with unending love. -- J. Lee

Everyone tells you that when you are dad and you have a daughter that they will have you wrapped around their little finger quicker than you ever think.  I am here to confess this little girl has me wrapped around her finger and am a sucker for her smile!  I love being a dad to a son and I love being a dad to a daughter.  It is the most amazing feeling I think that I can ever experience.

If you have ever spent any time with Teagan you know that she is a Firecracker in all senses of the word.  She is very independent and has a troublesome side to her!  I think that she is going to make me go grey very quickly, and you add Jude on that I am hoping to still have hair by the end of the year.  This girl though can also melt my heart at every single little Daddy and Please that she tells me.  She is my little cuddle buddy and we do a lot together.  I enjoy all these little moments that I get to have with her and cannot imagine missing out on any of them.

(Yes that is me doing pigtails in her hair)

I hope that all of these special moments that we have shared together and continue to share together will hold a special place in her heart forever.  

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month

Did you know that April is Child Abuse Prevention Month?

Here are some shocking statistics from the CDC report from February 2012

• A report of child abuse is made every ten seconds
• More than five children die every day as a result of child abuse.
• Approximately 80% of children that die from abuse are under the age of 4.
• It is estimated that between 50-60% of child fatalities due to maltreatment are not recorded as such on death certificates.
• More than 90% of juvenile sexual abuse victims know their perpetrator in some way.
• Child abuse occurs at every socioeconomic level, across ethnic and cultural lines, within all religions and at all levels of education.
• About 30% of abused and neglected children will later abuse their own children, continuing the horrible cycle of abuse.
• About 80% of 21 year olds that were abused as children met criteria for at least one psychological disorder.
• 14% of all men in prison in the USA were abused as children.
• 36% of all women in prison were abused as children. 

These statistics are shocking aren't they?  This is something that I see and work with every day of my career and they are saddening to me.  Most of these children do not have a voice or an advocate for them.  You can be that person.  If you feel that abuse or neglect is taking place you can contact the local authorities or Department of Social Services to make a report.  

I think that it is fair to say that there are many friends or maybe even family members that you have had contact with that were victims of abuse or neglect in some way.  Do not assume that it cannot happen within your family or even your community because it can.  

Remember that when a child is brought up in an environment free of Abuse and Neglect that they are more likely to thrive.  When a child is brought up in an environment of Abuse, Neglect, constant stress and unhealthy relationships this affects the child not only physically but can have life long mental and emotional impacts on the child.  

Please continue to educate yourself, your neighborhood, and your community about Child Abuse and Neglect and what we need to be doing to help these children.  It takes a village to raise a child!  If you want a great website to go to get information about child abuse and how you can help please go to www.childabuse.org

Did My Son Just Ask Me That?

HELP MY SON JUST ASKED ME A QUESTION I WAS NOT READY FOR!?!?!?!

So Jude and I had a great father son day on Saturday.  He helped me mow the lawn we goofed off some and then we went to go watch Jude's first Rugby match with some friends!  I was pumped!

As we were driving Jude was doing what he normally does he was asking me questions about everything!  He was wanting to know who my friend was that we were meeting.  How do you play rugby?  Is it going to be nice out? Where do babies come from and how do they get out of mommies tummy?

What?!?!? 

Did we just go from how do you play rugby to where do babies come from and how do they get out of mommies tummy?  I was shocked and didn't know how to answer this.  Jude must have recognized I wasn't ready because he didn't ask again and went on to other questions!  I mean give a warning.  Shoot up a signal flare that we are going to be asking about that!  You have to love a three year old's curiosity.  

I sent Censie a text about it and all she could do was laugh.  Not fair!  

Oh the joys of being a parent!

Bucket List Yes or No?

Have you seen this story?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/28/kristina-chesterman-donor-bucket-list_n_5051978.html

This story is about a 64 year old woman who received a new heart from an organ donor and now has been in contact with the donor's family.  The organ donor had a bucket list and now the recipient is stating that she is going to finish out her list so that even though the organ donor couldn't her heart will.

This got me thinking I don't have a bucket list.  Do you have one?  What are some of the things that you have on yours?  I will be thinking about doing one and may be posting my bucket list shortly.  I know that this has you on the edge of your seat.  I can't wait to hear all your thoughts and ideas!

Jeremy

Play Ball!

“Never allow the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game!”
― Babe Ruth

Yesterday was Opening Day for the 2014 Baseball Season.  Many people it was just another day and they do not care.  For those of us that are huge baseball fans it's the beginning of an up and down season.  It signifies to me the start of spring and the joyous thought that Summer is right around the corner.  Censie is not a huge baseball fan but she puts up with me watching the games.  I am one of those select few that can watch a baseball game from beginning to end on TV without getting board. 

Also this gets me excited to take Jude and Teagan out to Coors Field to watch a Rockies game. We will go and have hot dogs and maybe some popcorn and if the kiddos are good we often times get ice cream.  We don’t just get the cone of ice cream we get the ice cream in the baseball helmet is there any other way to eat ice cream at a baseball game?

Baseball has always been a big part of my life.  I grew up playing and loving the sport, it didn't come 100% naturally to me but then again nothing did when you were 13 years old and almost 6'0" tall but only weighed about 120 lbs, I was awkward to say the least but I still loved getting out and playing baseball.  I spent a lot of time at the little league because my dad was the President of the Little League so if I wanted to see my dad I was there.  I then also umpired as a job and got to help teach some of the younger kids about baseball. 

I grew up going to baseball games with my Father and Grandfather's.  At that time it was the Denver Zephyrs, a minor league team but still loved going.  We even went to a game for my birthday one year.  My silly sister tried to convince me that we were going to a Bronco's game but come on Heidi I knew the sports seasons!   I have a lot of great memories of playing and watching baseball and I know that it can teach you a lot of valuable lessons like neither a slump nor a streak can last forever.  Also anyone can be the hero on any given night. 

Jude is somewhat interested in baseball but does not want to watch the games with me on TV but he does like going to games.  Trust me if either one of them ask me to take them to a game you can guarantee I will be looking for a way to get tickets to the game.  I will not pass on a chance to go watch a game at a stadium.  I hope that this is something that I can share with my children as they get older but if not oh well I will always have my love for Baseball.  

My son likes Princesses you got a problem with that?

So Jude loves watching shows that one might consider a "girly" show or he likes reading books about Fairies and Princesses so what?  The other day we were at a birthday party and he could choose between having a pirate skull tattoo or a fairy tattoo and he chose Tinker Bell and I was right there beside him telling him how cool it was. 

Why is it that boys have to play with trucks and girls have to play with dolls?  I understand that some people believe that there are boy's toys and girl's toys but to this dad I could care less.  I just like to see my children using their imagination.  Jude often times want to play Fairies and say that he is one and I am down for playing Fairies because the imagination that kid has is amazing.

Why should I tell him No we can't do that because that is something girls do.  Or why should I tell my daughter do not play with that car here is a doll to go play with?  I want my children to be happy doing what they are doing and have fun playing I don’t care with what.  I found this good article through EverdayFamily please give it a read www.everydayfamily.com/gender-toys-does-it-really-matter/

I for one will be there doing my daughter's hair and dancing around with her.  If she wants to do daddy's hair when she gets older you bet I will be there.  If she wants to paint my nails I will do it!  If she wants to learn how to work on cars I will be there. I will encourage her to whatever she likes to do as well.  I will play fairies with my son!  I will read about Tinker Bell and the other Fairies and Pixies!  I will play Rocky Ball with son and play football!   I am committed to just being there and being with my children and playing with them.  I am proud of him and his imagination and I cannot wait to see where it takes him!  

I'm Healed!

So I just wanted to put up a quick post because I went to the doctor on Tuesday and he confirmed that the main wound that I have been dealing with for 14 months has healed.  I am so thankful that this part is finally over.  I did have a new small superficial wound open up but the large one that we never thought was going to heal finally did.  Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers and I am hoping that this will help with everything else and I will be back to writing fun posts rather than posts about not feeling well!