I'm Gonna Be Like Him...

I really couldn't ask for a better father for my children. Joe is absolutely AMAZING with them. Just before I was about to have Jonah, he told me that he was going to spend special time with him everyday. And even when life gets hectic and chaotic, I have to say, Joe takes time each and everyday to give each one of our little ones quality "daddy-time". Whether it be playing catch, roller-blading, looking at baseball/hockey cards or painting Ayla's nails, he makes every effort to be with them on a daily basis.

Remember the song "Cats in the Cradle" by Harry Chapin?

My child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talkin' 'fore I knew it, and as he grew
He'd say "I'm gonna be like you dad
You know I'm gonna be like you"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon                                            
When you comin' home dad?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then

My son turned ten just the other day
He said, "Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on let's play
Can you teach me to throw", I said "Not today
I got a lot to do", he said, "That's ok"
And he walked away but his smile never dimmed
And said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah
You know I'm gonna be like him"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home son?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then

Well, he came home from college just the other day
So much like a man I just had to say
"Son, I'm proud of you, can you sit for a while?"
He shook his head and said with a smile
"What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys
See you later, can I have them please?"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home son?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then

I've long since retired, my son's moved away
I called him up just the other day
I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind"
He said, "I'd love to, Dad, if I can find the time
You see my new job's a hassle and kids have the flu
But it's sure nice talking to you, Dad
It's been sure nice talking to you"

And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me
He'd grown up just like me
My boy was just like me

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home son?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then

(scroll down to bottom of page to listen...)

Joe never wanted to be like the man in that song. I am so thankful to my heavenly Father for my better half who gives 110% of himself to our kiddies. They are so blessed to have a daddy who not only loves to be with them but also is extremely patient with them as well.

His love for his children is unquestionable.

Hopefully one day they will all want to be like him...

The Dance

Ayla had her first dance recital on Sunday.  She was absolutely adorable.  However after practicing all year long perfectly in class, I think she got a little bit of stage fright under the big top auditorium.  She kept glancing over to stage right where Miss Megan must have been doing the motions.

As I was watching her watch her teacher I realized a couple of things about my darling girl.   The first thing is that she is a rule follower.  And I do believe she takes after her mama in that way.  Just like Kelly Clarkson I never strayed too far from the sidewalk, LITERALLY!  My mom told me to always ride my bike on the sidewalk and by golly I did.  I was scared to death to ride in the street next to the cars and trucks that could take me out in a second flat.

I also figured out that my little girl just may not be cut out for Broadway.  Which is quite disappointing to me because I really had her pinned as a diva in the making.  But unfortunately, her stage presence is quite lacking but some of that may be due to the fact that she forgot most of her moves because of her nervousness.

As her tutu twirled under the spotlight, I almost felt as if I were up on stage right with her worrying over pointing the proper toes and twisting the right way.   And how often am I like her in my own life?  How many times have all eyes been on me watching intently to see if I will mess up the dance?  The pressure of a dark audience and all of their opinions of the production can sometimes be too much.  And unfortunately my eyes aren't fixed on my teacher like they need to be.  But instead they are gazing out into the darkened audience looking to please the crowd instead of the instructor and creator of the dance who is right there on the sidelines going through the motions and showing me the way.

Isn't that what Jesus did when He came here to live on this earth?  Didn't he choreograph the dance and show us the motions?  Why do I constantly look to the crowd who is literally sitting in the dark  for approval instead of the one in charge?

Why do I repeatedly forget that I am dancing for an audience of one?  One God, three persons....

HE is the only one I should ever aim to please.

And how amazing is it that He...God almighty... who made himself flesh...?

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14)

He has set the example...


"...full of grace and truth"


 And He is right there next to me directing this dance of my life...

May I dance mightily...

And let it be filled with grace and truth honoring only HIM!

"And David danced before the Lord with all of his might..." (2 Samuel 6:14)