Archive for the ‘Boot Camp for the Real World’ Tag
My best job description
Filed under: Reflection | Tags: Legacy, Children, Big Family, Boot Camp for the Real World
Leave a Comment I’ve had many job descriptions over the years.
They were usually a far cry from reality.
But this Father’s Day I received a Facebook message from One that read, “Happy Dad’s day, father! Thanks for always fixing stuff, cooking stuff, paying for stuff and takin care of business. Love ya!”
Fixing stuff…cooking stuff…paying for stuff…and taking care of business.
My job description…for better or for worse…right-on reality!
The best job description I’ve ever had because it is the most accurate.
Put on my tombestone…fine with me.
The only part that’s vague is the taking care of business…hopefully that includes helpful life lessions.
Bringing work home
Filed under: God, Reflection | Tags: Be the change, Blessings, Boot Camp for the Real World, Children, God, Hope, Thanksgiving
Leave a Comment She’s at it again…bringing her work home.
I’m talking about Mom and the child she brought home from work yesterday.
A child in need with lots of issues.
A boy.
Is he #12?
Didn’t we retire that number?
Is he 13?
Do we assign a jersey if we’re not sure how long he is staying?
Do we call him #71 for the number who have passed through our family…sounds like food going through the digestive process…not a bad analysis…we need to process…digest the newcomer.
Here’s what blows me down, Popeye…he has some serious issues…not to mention 12 toes and 12 fingers…or that he barfs every time he eats…we are not phased by this.
I think we are amazing…I’m so proud of my family…Lucy taught us to have compassion for those less fortunate…the least of our brothers and sisters.
Our children have love to spare for those that are otherwise unlovable.
Well blow me down!
God has given them…given us the gift of compassion…a priceless gift…we REALLY are being conformed to the character of Christ!
How can you say this without sounding proud?
I don’t want to…I’m mostly surprised…I feel like the caterpillar that all of a sudden notices he’s grown wings.
What am I trying to say?
I think I am realizing that caring for Lucy changes us all…for the better…eternally speaking.
It gave us all hearts…hearts for those in need.
This isn’t the last you’ll hear from me about this. I need to ponder this some more.
AAABC+BBBCC = Parent payday
Filed under: Resolutions | Tags: Boot Camp for the Real World, Change, Children, Hope
Leave a Comment New math?
Not hardly.
I call it parent payday.
The first semester is over for our two special needs high school children (Six and Seven) and it was their best ever!
In the case of Seven…Mr. 3.4 GPA it was his only semester.
Yes, they worked hard.
We parents worked harder.
Cajoling…consulting…and flat out threatening had its impact.
But for the next semester we’re going Hi Tech!
They both have cell phones that they treasure above all things.
Their phones come with a special option called Parental Controls.
I can control when their phone works…never during school hours…except to call or text family.
I can control the quantity of texts they are allowed each month.
Forget to do your homework…BAM…you are incommunicado for the next day!
All it takes is a few key strokes.
So I’m taking the proverbial chill pill…the consequences are automatic…and as far as appeals go…no inane appeals.
Good Job kids.
Caterpillar to butterfly…what a transformation!
Filed under: Reflection | Tags: Boot Camp for the Real World, Change, God, Hope
Leave a Comment Did you ever wonder what a caterpillar thinks when he crawls out of his cocoon?
What the _______!?
Today I crawled out of my cocoon.
And I didn’t even know I was in one.
But these wings…they are amazing…and the colors…unbelievable.
For a long time I was part of a couple of organizations that were dying…struggling to survive.
Like the proverbial frog in the kettle…you roll with the punches…not quite aware what is happening until it’s too late.
Sometimes the organization spits you out…tosses you overboard…so it can make it one more day…holding off the inevitable.
I was beaten down.
I went into my cocoon.
And God was there with me.
I needed a time out…like so many of the children I’ve parented..my heavenly parent gave me a wonderful time out.
I’ve spent time in God’s waiting room before.
It isn’t easy…but it is always good for me.
I’m not the same person I was last spring.
I’m not the same person I was when the water in the kettle started to get hot.
I have grown…I am growing…I am transforming.
I had a job interview today.
Will I get the job?
Too soon to tell but the process I went through to get to this point has restored my soul.
I’m out of the kettle.
I’ve left the cocoon.
The people God has placed in my path…in His waiting room…have helped me break free.
Thank you.
Olly Olly Oxen Free!
Advantages of a big family #7
Filed under: Memories | Tags: Big Family, Boot Camp for the Real World, Together Time
Leave a Comment You will always have company wherever you go.
I have rarely gone anywhere alone for the last 26 years.
Usually that’s a good thing and these days I think it is a great thing!
Today I went on a mission to the best bakery in town to buy two chocolate chip coffeecakes for our Thanksgiving brunch tomorrow and I slipped away with just Number Nine!
With my wonderful traveling companions no errand is mundane! It is an adventure. An adventure because it is often a whole new experience for my companion. And I will do my best to make it an adventure to remember.
This bakery was so popular that we had to stand in line for 20 minutes.
The smells we tantalizing and we actually saw a real baker.
Not like the chain stores. No way!
Nine read every sign in the store. She is a magnificent reader.
When it was our tune I threw in a chocolate doughnut for Nine and a a iced turkey cookie for Three and Four.
I’ve been getting these cookies with seasonal decorations for Three and Four for sixteen years. Nine did the math perfectly.
We even rescued a worm in the gutter by our car. Everyday fare when you travel with the president of the worm club. Now he (or she) will spend the winter in our back yard six feet down making fertilizer all season!
Like music to my ears she said, “I’m glad I went with you today Daddy!”
I am too.
President of the Worm Club
Filed under: Reflection | Tags: Boot Camp for the Real World, Children, Together Time
Leave a Comment Don’t try to read anything mystic into this post.
Nine, Ten and Eleven are fascinated by worms.
Ants too. (we don’t discriminate)
Last summer I fed them on a steady diet of books about worms and ants.
Yesterday it rained.
Ten and I waited for Nine to get out of school.
I noticed a common earth worm inching its way along the blacktop of the playground to the safety of the dirt.
I could feel the tension elivate as I compared the six feet the worm needed to travel…his speed…and the fact that in two minutes the bell would ring and about 400 kids would run across his path.
Remembering the story of the boy and the starfish I used my umbrella to nudge Mr. Earthworm to safety.
I can’t say he appreciated my effort, but what does a creature with a brain smaller than a pea know about common courtesy.
Anyway, Ten and I felt as though we were slightly superior to other uncaring mortals for at least a couple of minutes.
When Nine arrived and we told our tale she informed me that she was president of the worm club.
The worm club?
Yes. Not only is she the president of the worm club but the founder!
Get out of town!
She formed the club among her friends. They study worms at lunch time. She is the president because she knows so much about worms!
Now if that isn’t enough to make a father proud then I don’t know what is!
Knowledge is power!
Nine is a born leader!
My work these days is far more significant than it has ever been in my life!
Advantages of a big family #5
Filed under: Rob, Uncategorized | Tags: Big Family, Boot Camp for the Real World
Leave a Comment You’ll always have lots of hands available when you need them.
Whenever we are having a party or some occasion that requires a spotless home its “ALL HANDS ON DECK!!!” and Mom is the chief task master.
Everybody knows everybody’s strengths and weaknesses.
Since I’m theoretically the most skilled in everything (since I did everything before they were old enough to help), I am usually called to fill in where we are light on skill – I usually get dog poop pickup since I’m the best at it. (Wonder of they will put that on my tombstone?).
Take moving furniture – at least a dozen hands are better than my two – and some of them are bigger than mine.
Advantages of a big family #3
Filed under: Memories, Uncategorized | Tags: Big Family, Boot Camp for the Real World, Children
Leave a Comment Experience is on your side.
Unless you are at the head of the line – number one or two – somebody else has already been there and done that. Need a paper on Paul Revere – got it. Need a science project – rack the brain of an older brother or sister. Not that I’m advocating copying – your older siblings remember the project that sounded good in the book but was a disaster. They also remember what projects the teachers liked best.
Chances are you will have some of the same teachers your older siblings had. If those who came before you were good students you have something going in yor favor on day one. You may also have a tough act to follow.
If your predecisor was less than spectacular you’l have a strike against you but also a chance to reclaim the family honors. Please go for it.
Rule of thumb – those at the head of the line tend to be driven first born types so you will likely have a tough act to follow and benefit from their hard work paving the way for you.
In our family’s case we have so many outside-the-box stories that everybody is gauranteed an “A” paper at multiple points along the way. This works well for college entrance essays too.
Advantages of a big family #1
Filed under: Reflection, Rob | Tags: Big Family, Boot Camp for the Real World, Legacy
Leave a Comment The #1 implies that there will be more. Well I hope there will be more than one advantage to a big family.
The other day I reviewing with number 8 all the fun activities we had done this summer. I think it is a good idea to do this so we can reflect on the quality of life we have been enjoying. Seems like every thing I mentioned, she had a negative corollary based on the number of siblings traveling with us.
For example – We had a fun day at the zoo last week.
Number 8: Yeah, but Nine, ten, and Eleven kept wanting to see their favorite animals and I had to wait to see mine.
Being the consummate optimist, I pointed out that being part of a big family taught one that you don’t always get you way and you must be tolerant of other family member’s needs and wants. This is how it is in the real world.
So here is Big Family Advantage #1 (drum roll please):
Being part of a big family teaches us to get along with others to respect their needs and wants – to take turns.
Perhaps a sub title should be “Boot Camp for the Real World”.
