A Family That Resolves Together… Reads Together, Plays Together

February 1, 2013 by Leave a Comment

FamilyResolutions: Families that Play TogetherI woke up this morning as one little hand made its way across the top of my chest…seeking….slowly…stopping only as it honed in on the beating of my heart.  A warm body attached to that pint-sized arm snuggled up against my right side. To my left, a muffled, “I love my mommy…”,  sighed from another small person.

And in a flash, my New Year’s resolution to force these two babies of mine to stay in their own beds and let me sleep in peace dissolved into nothingness. In the dark, I felt more than I could see, his small hand opening and closing as it kept time with my heart.  I could only imagine he must have done the same as he slept within before he was born.  His blond hair tucked beneath my chin, I could smell his wanna-be boy, but all-baby to me.  I tilt my head towards my girl as she stirs, tossing her leg over mine, already fighting the alarm clock that has yet to ring, ‘nuggle, Mommy, nuggle…’ burrowing down in to me for comfort.

This is officially the only type of January morning I love.

Today, I resolve: I will let them stay babies – my babies – as long as they wish.  And together, we will make resolutions as a family.  We will resolve TO DO instead of resolving to STOP….

Here are the results of our family resolutions.

What about you and your family?  Have you set any resolutions together?

Here is our recap:

*Institute a monthly family game night

*Create a Family International Night – Dinner and fun to learn about different cultures

*Make a family effort to be more Organized and Tidy

*DEAR time – Drop Everything And Read

** and the one STOP – Small people want to try to stop fighting

We will follow up with these resolutions next month to see how we are doing… in the mean time – SHARE… what do you do to Play and Stay together?

I am proud to say I am working with Kelloggs for the year and they have encouraged me, as they do with breakfast and meal time, to slow down and spend quality time with my family.  This post is sponsored by them, though, as always, all thoughts and opinions are strictly my own.

 

Filed Under: Featured Content, Featured Videos, Parenting, Small people, Video and Vlog-It! Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Why I Resolve To Create Offline Time With My Family

June 11, 2012 by 10 Comments

I split my time between my online world – work – and my offline world – real life, in-person family and friends.

At least that is how life has been for the better part of the past 5 years.  I drift between softball and baseball games, dinner, the house, writing, calls, email, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and everything else tech that calls my name.  It is a rarity to see me without my phone nearby.

The thought of being ‘disconnected’ has, in fact, made me twitchy. What if I can’t?!

Until recently.

I am in the process of finding my center again.  One vacation two months ago with my husband took me here:

We were on a catamaran in the Virgin Islands for five days. It wasn’t possible for me to be online.  There was no service between Jost van dyke and Cooper Island.

For days before we left, I fretted and panicked. I was certain I wouldn’t get everything done, that somehow, my website and everything that goes with it might crumble into nothingness without my relentless checking and refreshing.

But I survived.

And a small part of my soul resurfaced.

And then a week ago, I went on a Disney Cruise with my entire family. Now, this time, it was different.  This trip was not five, but SEVEN days AND, I did have the OPTION to get online.  Now, granted, I would have to pay for it – but it could be done.

I dutifully packed my laptop, certain I would check in at some point, but by some miracle, I didn’t even think about it until almost FIVE days in.  By then, I shrugged, hand firmly grasped by one of my small people as we headed for yet another water slide, “why bother?”

And the portion of my soul that hadn’t completed its resurfacing in the middle of Tortola was suddenly ready to climb out of the water – refreshed and confident. (with an AWESOME line in my forehead from my snorkle mask – don’t be jealous)

And with resolve.

I learned an important lesson about myself and my time with the people I love: being disconnected from the ‘online world’ is a good thing. It allows me to reconnect and fully focus.  There wasn’t one moment when my small people wondered if they had my full attention, not one moment when I said, ‘just give me 15 more minutes’, no time when I was caught ‘checking in’ from dinner or another family moment.

So, I resolve to create an ‘offline zone’ for at least 2 hours every day.  That is time when my family will not wonder if my mind is elsewhere.  I will be fully connected, fully present with my family.

This is my P&G everyday resolution – my chance to make a positive mid-year change. What will you do to create a positive change in your life? P&G everyday wants to know… join the conversation and enter the P&G everyday resolution sweepstakes for a chance to win a $1000 Visa® prepaid debit card, daily between now and the end of June. Also – don’t forget to visit P&G everyday for smart living tips, value savings advice and free samples to help better your “life in progress”. And if you haven’t done so already, follow P&G everyday on Twitter (@pgeveryday)!

Disclosure: I am working as a spokesperson for P&G’s everyday resolution campaign.  Why? Because I use P&G products on a daily basis and it makes me happy to share this new project with you.  As always, all opinions and stories are mine alone.

 

Filed Under: Featured Content, Motherhood, Recent Posts Tagged With: , , , ,

The Choice

May 24, 2010 by 16 Comments

Dear Daddy Diary-

Today, May 23rd, 2010 was the toughest day of my life since July 10, 2004.

I made a career decision today that I’m not sure was the right one. Do we ever know? I’m a mental wreck. My mind has gone back and forth so much in the last 24hrs that I feel like a politician. I flipped a coin 15 times. I flipped my 3-yr old son! Luckily, he landed on tails. I chose the safe, conservative route. I took the job that I was supposed to take. Yet, still something is missing.

I used to be the guy that would be a risk taker, with a “bring it” kind of attitude. I never did it for the money. I never did what I was “supposed to do.” I was a sportscaster for goodness sakes. I made no cash, lived in small towns, and rode a bus from town to town calling Minor League Hockey Games. I did things to be the wild card. Now, I play things close to the vest. I’m holding on too tight. I need to turn in my wings. I feel like Cougar in “Top Gun.” And you want to know why? Because of the happenings on July 10th, 2004.

That was the night that I became a daddy, and almost became a widow. My first was born, beautiful, healthy, and I was on top of the world. At the same time, my first and only love was fighting for her life. Delaney, the scrapper that she is, caused some serious internal problems for the toughest woman on the planet aka her mommy aka Extraordinary Mommy. One minute we’re celebrating our first little miracle. The next minute I’m praying for a miracle that my wife will come back from emergency surgery with enough blood inside of her to see her little girl.

delaney-week-1-068Lucky for me, this story has a happy ending. The doctors were able to finally stop the bleeding, and my beautiful bride made a full recovery after many weeks of rest.

So, that brings me to today. Each time that I’m confronted with another major life decision, I think back to 7/10/04. I thank my lucky stars for the conclusion to that highly stressful day, and think what I need to do in order to take advantage of that day each and every day thereafter. Yes, I put way too much pressure on myself. That’s my biggest problem. I’m trying to live the rest of my life as a “thank you note” for the present that I was given on that wonderful Saturday, 6 years ago.

daddydiaryfeatured

There’s a lesson here, and I’m still trying to learn it, but I do know this, I love my wife, I love my daughter, and I love my son more than any love that I know that I ever had, so for that, I’m thankful. And, since they’re all healthy and tucked into bed, then that makes today, May 23rd, 2010 one of the best days of my life since July 10th, 2004.

PS…Sorry to be so serious with this Daddy Diary. The witty, funny ones will return next time around. As my 3yeard old says “I had a hard day.”

-Daddy

Filed Under: Daddy Diary, Featured Content, Recent Posts Tagged With: , , , ,

Joy in the “did not’s”

March 16, 2010 by 7 Comments

Sure, it is the little things – those sterling moments etched on your heart…leaving the same mark a Sharpie would on your arm that keep us going, remind us what matters, why we are here and how important it is to relish the journey.

But every know and then, those moments shift to the left….like the clouds the small dude is always watching….hoping to recognize the shape of a goat, a baseball field, or an ice cream cone.  And when they shift, you stare into nothing.

And nothing can be great.

There are a handful of ‘nothings‘ or ‘did not’s‘ that defined my weekend.

Cooper did not hit his head again.  Therefore he did not require staples, a trip to the emergency room or the requisite waking every hour over night.

Delaney did not have any type of croup attack – and therefore was not up all night coughing.

I did not have to get up at the moment the sun slithered into my bedroom.

My husband did not wake up to the puppy barking overnight (for the first time since December 25th).

My children did not make their way into our room over night, so I did not wake up to a foot in my kidney. (or in my face)

Delaney did not cry when I removed her earrings for soccer.  And she did not cry at the end of the game because she didn’t score.

So what did we do?  Everything else.

And it was good.

Filed Under: A little bit of Everyday, Recent Posts Tagged With: , ,

Life Lessons Learned over Ice Cream

February 25, 2010 by 8 Comments

You know it is during the simplest of life’s moments that the most profound lessons are often discovered (or re-discovered).

This was just the case today while I sat watching my son eat ice cream.  This was his ‘reward’ for being brave – having just had staples removed from the back of his head. (The result of a glass table vs. Coop moment while I was in Vancouver.  If you think the phone call sharing the news might have caused a small heart attack….you are correct.)

It was as I was mesmerized by Coop’s joy and fixation that the lessons popped into my head one at a time.

coopicecream

Savor.  Savor life, savor food, savor relationships.  Coop tackled his cone one. lick. at. a. time.  In between he would stop to look…making sure he wasn’t missing a drop.  If only I savored every meal, every moment like this.

Family should never be far from your mind. As the small dude savored the creamy moments, a ‘look’ developed in his eyes.  He tilted his head and said, “we have to get something to take home for my sister.”

This also leads to lesson #3 – even when I feel as though I might drown from the guilt I feel – worrying if I am equipping my children with the necessary tools to be powerful adults, I get a big, “would you relax already?” in the form of a 3 year old who I have clearly taught compassion and a sharing heart.

Stop eating when you aren’t hungry anymore.  Seriously?  This shouldn’t be a surprise….and yet…. The kid ate about 3/4 of the ice cream cone and decided he was done.  So he stopped.  Me?  I MUST.FINISH.  Changing that immediately.

Smile, at everyone. I try to do this, but there is something so innocent when done by a child – and even better?  The reactions he gets from strangers.  He smiles, they smile.  So, if I smile, do you smile?

The quality of our time together matters as much as the amount of time. It was more important to Cooper than I was THERE, right then.  That I wasn’t multi-tasking, answering a call or email, or on twitter.  That I was staring at him while he ate and laughing.  He didn’t care that we were only there for 30 minutes.  He just cared that it was ‘Mommy and Cooper’ time. I may not be able to sit and stare at my kids all day, every day, soaking up their zest for life, but I can make time to do it on a regular basis.

For me – having this time to just observe my son, well…..it was priceless.  It was just what I needed to refocus on what is most important in my world…my family and the joy they inject into my days.

Filed Under: A little piece of Heaven, Featured Content, Recent Posts Tagged With: , ,

Free thinking

February 14, 2010 by 5 Comments

I have so much to say.

And yet, I still need time to process it all before I can share it.

Should I talk about the amazing time we just had at Disney World?  How my kids couldn’t stop grinning and squealing that pure-kid squeal that could only emanate from someone so small and filled with joy?

Should I share the wisdom I learned from Guy Kawasaki or Chris Brogan?  Maxine Clark or Kathy Ireland?

What about the family time?  The lessons I gleaned from my kids and stellar husband?

Ohhh…and the videos….sigh.  There is much editing to be done.

Not to mention, I still have thoughts to share on Blissdom.

What about the fact that I am heading to the OLYMPIC GAMES IN VANCOUVER in less than 84 hours to act as a correspondent for Procter and Gamble?  I am over the moon….AND, I have this amazing interview to share with you – I talked to 2002 Women’s Bobsled Gold Medalist Vonetta Flowers and we chatted about what it is like to be an Olympian. I cannot wait.  I am overjoyed.

Does it make sense that my head is spinning? Or that I am exhausted and just really want to snuggle with my husband (who has likely fallen asleep while I’ve written this short note)

And….. I still have to SHOP AND PACK for Vancouver – because, really – who has Olympic Games worthy gear just hanging around at their house?  Clearly not me.

I have missed just sharing from my heart – and that will start again tomorrow.

Good night, friends…..

Filed Under: Are you kidding me?, Recent Posts Tagged With: , , , , ,

Our Baseball Obsession

July 2, 2009 by 6 Comments

I think it would be fair to say my family is a little bit obsessed with baseball – specifically, the St. Louis Cardinals.  My husband had to recite the inscription on Stan Musial’s statue before he was allowed into the stadium when he was THREE.

sept-oct-2006-089I think you could say that obsession is being passed down.  You’ve seen my husband’s Daddy Diaries, right?

The kids have been going to games since they were itty bitty.  (This picture is from 2 years ago) And tonight we are going, as a family, for the first time this season.

The kids are beyond excited.  I’m having to convince Coop he REALLY doesn’t want to wear Daddy’s catcher’s helmet to the game. 

cimg4255This is him wearing it last year.  He puts it on multiple times throughout the day. He also greets his Daddy every day wearing a glove and carrying a ball and bat – his question, “Daddy – pay basbol?” He asks first thing in the morning and the second he comes home from work.

I think Daddy succeeded in passing on his love of the game. Fortunately he is growing into the gear a little bit and has mastered running the bases and hitting the ball.  Good thing – since he plays daily!

Maybe we can catch a foul ball tonight….fingers crossed!

Filed Under: A little bit of Everyday Tagged With: , ,
«Older Posts