Marc’s Musings

Sitting here sipping my Pinot Noir, I’m reflecting on how much I prefer my wine out of a bottle rather than out of the screaming mouth of my three year old.

[Cross posted on Fundraisingcoach.com.]

A week ago tomorrow, I got my first copies of Ask Without Fear!. Caleb even made me a sign!

What a whirlwind of a week!

My kids helped me pack up the 70 or so boxes:

And we finally got them done:

Here’s a link to the rest of the photos.

Last week, I had a Star Wars marathon with my padawans. [Em was away on a retreat! ]

So we watched all six. Yep, all six.

This was the first time I’ve ever done it, so I wanted to do it right. Can you believe no one in Central Maine sells bathrobes in April?! Unbelievable. Not even the thrift stores.

So thanks to a suggestion from @chadnorman on Twitter, I decided to get fabric at Walmart. A head slit in each made for a fun Jedi costume.

Yep. It was a “cool daddy” weekend.

Quick, can you name the character we were impersonating below?

Last night, our three year old Sof was being an incredible pest to me at dinner. She wouldn’t stop touching me!

Then I realized she was just trying to be funny! So we started having a poking fight at the table.

Em, seizing on this teachable moment, started comparing Sof’s interaction with me to her being a pest to Cale all day. “See, she just wants your attention. She likes you.”

Swelling with pride at how great we were at parenting–both playing at the table and helping increase filial harmony–I chimed in, “That’s it. She just doesn’t know how to express it appropriately all the time.”

A slightly amused but more indignant Cale blurted out, “By hitting me in my groin?!”

The teachable moment came to a screeching halt.

And he’s got a point. That’s just not right.

I chose not to tell him he even has biblical justification for his point.

Next time I might bring a bag of frozen peas to the table. Just in case.

Em: Sorrow may last for the night…

Sof: Sorrow may last for the night…

Em: …but joy comes in the morning

Sof: …but joy comes in the morning

Anna: Who’s Joy?

Cale just walked in. Or “sleep-walked” in.

He mumbled something. And Em asked, “Cale, are you awake?”

As he was mumbling, “Yeah, I’m kinda awake,” he stretched his hands. When they came down, they smacked Em’s computer screen. It really hurt him, tears, etc.

And all we could do was laugh and laugh and laugh.

Sofie grabbed one of my ties, draped it around her neck, and said “We look the same, Daddy!”

You should’ve seen her smile.

In Sofie speak, she calls my bow-ties, “bie-tows.”

One of the very best things about Fridays is that it’s a dedicated evening with my family.

I look forward to it all day. Even all week.

Nothing fancy. But all family.

As an added bonus, I try to observe a Sabbath rest on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings. That especially means no work related computer activity tonight. And it’s often easier to simply stay unplugged.

I love it.

As a tither, I believe that God can take my 90% far further than I could take my 100%.

As a growing disciple, I’m moving to the point of believing that God can take my 6 days further than I can take my 7.

A whole day seems challenging as a bi-vocational person. The most obvious day is Saturday, but that’s the best day for connecting with people too. Interestingly, my rabbi friend thinks it’s amusing that Christian pastors wrestle with this. Apparently, Sabbath is Sabbath. Rabbinic worship leading isn’t “work” like we protestants see it. It’s just how they celebrate Sabbath.

I’m still working on getting a day.

I’m not there yet. But I’m getting closer.

And now I’m going home!

Today when I read the title of Anna’s bible reading, “Jesus is alive!”, Caleb said, “No he’s not.”

Me: Yes he is.

C: No he’s not.

Me: What do you mean?

C: D-a-a-d, Jesus isn’t alive. Jesus died and hasn’t come back yet. He is coming back. But he might not be back for a thousand years.

Me: So does that mean Gram and Gramp are dead?

C: Huh?

Me: Well, Gram and Gramp went to Mississippi and haven’t come back yet. Does that mean they’re dead?

C: D-a-a-d

The ever practical Anna: Why don’t we call them?

We did. Thankfully, Gram and Gramp are still alive.

What an incredible honor to be the “coach” at the Boot Camp for New Dads today!

We had 13 “new dads” and 4 “vet dads” with their 4 precious babies.

Honest questions, animated conversation, and projectile poop. We had it all! (The poop went about two feet!)

We discussed how to be involved, how to help relatives really help (versus just getting in the way), how to calm a crying baby, how to be there for mom. It was great.

I wish this type of program were around when Em and I were having kids!

I’m tremendously honored to be asked to serve our community this way. Can’t wait until the next one in June!