Up until a couple days ago, I didn't have an office.

I used to have a home office. But it was taken over by the family for the computer and crafts, and whenever we have guests who need a place to stay (which is far more regularly than you might imagine), and for storage... and the room was re-named "spare room." I didn't mind at all. I am used to working wherever, finding wireless cafes, working in our living room, setting up shop at our coffee house (where I also don't have an office), etc. But that's the beauty of office to go.

But I had noticed my productivity and creativity were beginning to suffer lately. Especially since my role has become far more administrative as of late.

My daughter, Samantha - who will be ten in June and is growing up and becoming a young lady way faster than I'd like - wanted to switch rooms with the "spare room" because the "spare room" has a big closet (the biggest one in the house). "Why does a ten year old girl need a big closet?"... well, apparently that's a stupid question. So two days ago we switched the two rooms. She's growing up. We even had to buy her new bedding and accessories because her old stuff was for "little girls."

Samantha switching rooms is a move far bigger than switching rooms. It's allowing her space to grow up a little bit. Now, that's hard for a dad. Really hard. It seems like just yesterday that I held this little blonde baby in my arms and rocked her gently and thought "man, she looks like E.T." Now she needs a bigger closet?

Anyway, this meant that I had the opportunity to reclaim some office space (at the suggestion of my wifey... but I think she was just trying to soften the blow of my daughter growing up on me). So, I have set up shop in my new space. I am away all weekend, so I will paint it early next week because it's too "little girl" for me too.

Already, it has enhanced my productivity and comfort as I work. Hopefully, that will transfer into more creative thought. I'll try and post some pictures so you can all see where the magic happens.

Labels: family, personal

We spent the whole day outside today because it was beautiful out. We rode our bikes, did sidewalk chaulk art, played some sports, took a walk. Good times.

I snapped a few photos, if you're interested:
Link

Labels: family, photos

Tonight at dinner... out of nowhere... leaning on his elbow on the table... our youngest son, Jacob, said "Dad, I have bad news. I can't fart. I have a clog in my bum."

Priceless.

Labels: family, personal

My wifey has written a very deep post on how she/we are doing in the wake of recent events. Please head over and give her some "blog love".

Labels: family, personal

My wifey and I have been married eleven years today. Eleven years. Unbelievable. We have three great kids together [and one on the way - we are expecting a baby in April], a beautiful house in which to live, in a city and amongst a community of people that we absolutely adore. Life is really good today.

We have been through many struggles and hard times together. Relational difficulties. Hard life circumstances. Major challenges and stressful situations. Dark days. Sometimes unhealthiness has abounded. To say that life has been difficult at times, would be an understatement. But we have remained partners in love. We have remained committed to our idea of what building a life together might look like. And we have remained faithful to God in what he has asked us to do as a family.

I have more respect and admiration and love for my wife now, than I ever have. She is a strong, giving, hospitable, relentlessly unselfish, hard-working, beautiful [inside and out] woman. When I first asked her to marry me twelve years ago, I perhaps didn't realize it at the time, but I was making the best decision I've ever made in my life.

The only real question to ask is: How did a guy like me score a girl like her?

Lucky, I guess.

Labels: family, personal

I was away all this week speaking at a Salvation Army camp for under-privileged teens from various urban centres in South-Western Ontario [including Hamilton]. Only a handful of the kids I was interacting with were from families who attend church at all. I found the experience of teaching them about Jesus both rewarding and challenging.

I was able to take my kids with me for the week, but unfortunately, Margie was working and couldn't come with us [she had five full days avec n'est pas les children... or husband - nice].

The camp director is a friend of mine who is only 23 years old, but is a fabulous director and an amazing guy. It was good to hang out with Nathanael while I was there.

That camp experience wraps up my Summer special events. I really can't believe that Summer is pretty much over. Oh well. Fall will be here momentarily... I think I am ready.

Labels: family, speaking

My wifey was working so I played hooky today and had a blast with my kiddies at Niagara Falls. Especially fun was the wax museum.

Here are some photos of our day: Link

Labels: family, photos

I am off all this week on vacation. Woo Hoo. Unfortunately, my wifey is working all week.

I will be taking day-trips with my kids to a water park, bike riding, the beach, etc. and I am taking them to a hotel in Niagara Falls for a couple nights later in the week.

I also hope to strip the wallpaper and paint the master bedroom of our house [including the furniture].

It all should be fun.

Labels: family

Interested in seeing pictures of our vacation? [ Click here ]

Labels: family, photos

Our two weeks of vacation were absolutely amazing. We rented a trailer and went camping for one week in Alliston, ON and then for one week in Bracebridge, ON.

The weather was spectacular, both campsites we got were tremendous, the trailer we rented was perfect... and most of all, the time spent with my family was sheer ecstasy. I am relaxed, refreshed and have gained new insight and inspiration for the task at hand. I feel more ready to continue bringing shalom to this community than I have in a long time. Look out, world!

Labels: family

My wifey is 33 today. In honour of her birthday, all stores and businesses are closed in Canada... have a day off everybody, and celebrate Margie!

Labels: family

Our family is heading down to Ithaca, NY in a couple of hours to visit Margie's mom for a few days. I am looking forward to riding bikes with my boys, swimming in the gorge and simply chillaxing.

Have a great long weekend, Canada.

By the way, people have been asking if I will post stuff that happens at our worship gathering on "Good News To The Poor" this Sunday. OK, I will do that early next week.

Peace.

Labels: family

Here's the deal: I am taking a blog break for the month of June. I need to. Breaks are good. June is busy: two of my kids birthdays are in June, I am putting a significant amount of time into writing my book, preparing for [CML], I have a week-long trip to Chicago to see this guy [and hit an arts festival], community barbecues every week at our house, building a front and back deck at our house, interior renovations of the de-construction nature in the basement of the coffee house, painting the exterior of the coffee house and getting proper signage up, etc. all of this in addition to the regular duties of being a husband, a dad to three young kids, a pastor, a friend, etc.


Peace.

Labels: blogging, family, friends, leadership, the freeway

...Jacob turned five on Sunday. We had the "class friends" party on Friday, and some church friends over on Sunday [we completely let Jacob invite whomever he wanted for both parties - sorry if that wasn't you].

Two videos were made of the Sunday party for your viewing pleasure. The first one is of pictures taken by Carolynn - some great shots. The second is a "Wonder Years"-esque video by Jordan - very cool looking. Enjoy.

Labels: family, friends, videos

Sunday is our youngest son's birthday... I simply cannot believe little Jacob is going to be five years old.

Today at 12:30pm we have his class birthday party in our backyard... barbecue, pin the tail, pinata, pass the present, good times.

Jacob, by all accounts, has been the most adventurous child of ours to parent.

• There was the year and a half he literally hated me. He wouldn't come near me whatsoever, even when he was injured. That was very, very hard as a dad.
• There was the 11 months that he absolutely refused to sleep. We tried everything. Nothing worked. We were completely exhausted. One day he just decided to start sleeping again... thank God.
  
• Jacob is accident prone. He has been in a full leg cast twice. He broke his shin while falling down three stairs when he was just over one year old. He broke his femur while dancing in church when he was three. He has had concussions, bruises, scrapes, cuts, you name it.
  
• He likes girl things: toys, hair accessories, dresses, etc. he always has. This has been very hard for me in many ways, although not at all for Margie. I have needed to get over it. He is a stupendous boy who I love with all my heart.
  
• Jacob is the most affectionate and sensitive of all our kids. He loves to hold hands and cuddle and hug. For the first five or six weeks while dropping him off at school [he is in junior kindergarten], he would cry for me... even when I wasn't there [I guess he was making up for the "hate me stage"].
• Mealtimes are always a struggle. Jacob doesn't like to eat very much at all. He is getting better, but he still often cries after two bites of lunch or dinner and complains that he can't possibly eat any more.

I have to tell you, I am in love with that kid. Jacob Evan Goodyear is simply one of the coolest people I know. He loves his brother and sister so much, and they all get along incredibly well. Jacob detects the slightest human suffering and responds with gentleness and care. He has taught me so much about God, imagination, affection, questioning, and thoroughly enjoying each moment. I am a lucky [blessed] man to be the father of such a terrific kid.

I love you, Jacob. I am so proud of who you are and who you are becoming. I hope you have the best birthday ever. You rock.

Labels: family

Lucas got a haircut. His mom doesn't like it, but I love it.

Labels: family

We had a very nice Christmas this year. One of the highlights was that on Saturday my whole family came over to our house for a party. All four of my siblings and their spouses and children along with my parents came. Twenty one of us in total. More Goodyear's than you could shake a stick at.

It was the first time we had all been together... well, ever... some kids were born since the last time we all gathered. It was a really nice time.

Labels: family

Lucas [our six year old son] came into my room this morning while I was ironing, with a ziploc bag with a bunch of loose change in it [mostly pennies]. He said, "Dad, we're collecting money for poor people." And a conversation that has rocked my world ensued...

Me: "Like for school?"

Lucas: "Yeah, school, door-to-door, whatever."

Me: "Is this a class project or something?"

Lucas: "No."

Me: "Is it through an organization?"

Lucas: "No, me and Jake [our four year old son] just decided to do it ourselves. we're calling it 'pennies for the poor.'"

Me: "Well, how did you come up with an idea like this? Why would you want to do this?"

Lucas: "I saw this bag sitting on my desk. It used to have candy in it. And I want to do something to help poor people. So, we decided to collect money for kids that are poor. You know, like you talked to us about."

Me: "Lucas, that is amazing. I am so proud of you guys [tears are now welling up in my eyes]."

Lucas: "Well, we're doing it for Jesus. Can you drive us to the arcade after school to collect money?"

Me: "Why the arcade?"

Lucas: "Because people are wasting their money on games when they could help poor people."

Thank God for my kids. I am proud of them for this on so many levels: generosity, initiative, listening, compassion, inventiveness, action, child-likeness, wisdom, etc.

"When Christians take the Christmas narrative seriously, the practice of gift-exchange within a closed circle of family and friends becomes problematic. If our lives are to mirror the ways of God, then we must break open the closed circle of exchange so that Christmas gifts flow outward to those with profound needs."
--- Miroslav Volf

Then these righteous ones will reply, "Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?'"

And the King will say, "I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!"
--- Jesus

Labels: family, justice

Yesterday our eight year old daughter, Samantha, wrote a poem about Remembrance Day. No one asked her to write it - it wasn't for an assignment at school or anything - she said she "just felt compelled to write it."

This morning her teacher liked it so much when she read it to her, that she asked Sam to recite it to the whole school [500 students] at an assembly this afternoon.

Here is the poem:

Remembrance Day

Once a war happened
A very sad one indeed
Lots of people were killed
Just to do us a noble deed
We'll always remember the freedom they gave us
And we'll never forget the sacrifices that they made

Yeah, she's brilliant.

Labels: family

Our six year old son, Lucas, got new glasses today. He looks so cute... and so smart. I think he's adorable [even though he cut his own bangs last week - the day before "picture day" at school].

But he is very nervous that people will laugh at him for having glasses... he thinks that he may look silly.

I first got glasses when I was ten... and I got laughed at alot for them. It seems that being a kid [even in grade one] is still tough. There is so much pressure to be like everybody else. To conform. To not be different. To just fit in.

I sure hope Lucas can retain his amazing personality as he grows. He is funny, and energetic, and sensitive, and smart, and amazing at sports, and observant, and an aspiring rock star. He is an incredible boy, who I am so proud of. He honestly makes my life so much richer. He has taught me so much above love... and what life is all about.

I hope the world doesn't beat him down... or make him think he has to be something he's not. I hope they don't pressure him to fill a role that's not his to fill. I hope that he will truly become who he is supposed to be. Who God wants him to be... glasses and all. And I pray that as he grows, he will understand how beautiful he is... and how unique God has created him to be.

Lucas rocks... for real.

Labels: family

Today was such a nice day that we decided to take a walk first thing this morning through our neighbourhood, and we absolutely enjoyed each other's company.

See some photos of our time: Link

Labels: family, photos

Margie and I had a great time away this weekend. We went to Kitchener/Waterloo and stayed in the Delta Hotel [fabulous, by the way], watched a live theatrical performance: "Barefoot In The Park" at Theatre & Co. [and I must say, it was the first time in a long time when I have pined for my former life as an actor], ate at several great restaurants, soaked in the hot tub, etc. What a blast.

Today, and much of this week, will be a whirlwind... but I am ready.

Labels: family

Margie and I are heading away for the weekend... without our kids. We will stay in a hotel, check out an art gallery, see some live theatre, eat in restaurants, soak in tubs... and other stuff.

See you Monday.

Labels: family

Today is our tenth wedding anniversary. My wifey has been answering a question about me each day here on the ol' blog.

Q - What is the best thing that has happened in your marriage? What is the worst thing?

Margie responds:

The Best Thing
Falling in love over and over again. Our relationship has definitely had seasons, but we continue to work through hiccups, and fall more in love with each other as we discover new things about the other, and as we re-discover things we already knew. We have seen our love grow together so much as we have seen more and more of Jesus as well, and been part of his Kingdom here on earth.

The Worst Thing
The loss of our last two children this year. We are still hurting for the children who could have been, but are not. We miss them dearly.

Labels: family, personal

Here is question number three in a line of questioning about me that my wifey answers in celebration of our tenth anniversary.

Q - What are the top five things you love about Pernell? What are the top five most annoying things about him? [This question comes from a local Hamiltonian via e-mail]

Margie responds:

Over the past ten years I think some of my list of things I love about Pernell have changed or evolved. However, there are a few things that have remained the same. It's funny, I think, that some of the things I love the most are also the things that annoy me the most at times.

Things I love:
Pernell has a passion and energy that is often undescribable in what he does: relationships, ministry, family, projects, ideas and so much more. I am inspired by Pernell's vision of life. It is never black and white. Sometimes it is full color, sometimes it is a wide range of the grey scale... sometimes it is softer, and other times it is earth tones. I am always able to laugh with Pernell. He is an amazing teacher. His - often abundance of - seemingly obscure or useless information keeps me learning something new every day. I love how Pernell loves people. He encourges me in learning to love the unloveable, be patient with the annoying and to get deeper with those who are closest to us.

Things that are annoying:
Pernell irons everything he wears. Pernell's passion for what he does, sometimes finds me feeling at a loss of how I will fit in. Pernell is beyond a clean/neat freak. The phrase "Tidy Up" makes me want to scream at times. Pernell has an obsession with T-shirts... buying them... he doesn't think he does... but he does!

Labels: family, personal

My wifey is answering a question about me each day this week in celebration of our tenth anniversary.

Q - What is the coolest album Pernell owns? What is his most embarrassing album? [This question comes all the way from Scotland via e-mail]

Margie responds:

I wouldn't be able to narrow the "coolest album" to just one. I think I will list three:

1. U2 - How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb
2. Ron Sexsmith - Retriever
3. Weezer - The Blue Album
   

His most embarrassing album would have to be either "DC Talk - Nu Thang" or "Unkle Kracker - Double Wide".

On a side note, I would like to say that even if my most favourite song in the world was playing by my most favourite artist, chances are I would not be able to tell you the name of either the artist or the song. I am not a music genius like some people... or even a music novice, I guess... so I am a bad judge of "cool" or "uncool".

And here's a little tidbit for you: recently Pernell did a face recognition thingy on the internet, where you put in a picture of you and it matches what celebrities you most look like [facial-structure-wise]... and much to his dismay among the celebrities was Elton John... who he hates, and I love. And likely, he won't post this now that I have told this story. Oh well.

Labels: family, personal

My wifey will answer a question about me each day this week in celebration of our tenth anniversary.

Q - Pernell entered full-time ministry just before you got married. What has it been like to be married to a pastor like him: church planter, innovator, etc?

Margie responds:

I will start with a story that some of you may have heard before. When I was about 11 years old, I was drying the dishes as my mother washed them. Out of nowhere I announced to her that some day I was going to be a pastor's wife. At the time my mother said, "oh really, you could do lot's of things when you are older." And we left it at that.

Just over ten years later I prepared to marry a man who had been hired as a full-time youth pastor at a church who had almost no youth [maybe three or four], but had a whole bunch of blue-haired-smiley older folks and the desire to do something in their community. What a start to the life of a pastor's wife! It seemed we were in over our heads... not really what I had imagined when I was 11 years old, I guess.

While dating Pernell, I certainly learned quickly about his passion for: God, relationships with people, giving everything he has and more, and learning to be challenged in all he does. I soon realized that his passion for these things were simply part of his existence, and that he was not going to let them go in any part of his life or at any stage in his life. This is what made me love him, be challenged by him, and what inspired me to live life to the full- both giving all I could and stepping out of my comfort zone.

Life has certainly not been a repaved [easy?] road the whole way... I think my biggest challenge in being married to Pernell is simply keeping up with him. I often end up at a slow canter next to him begging him to realize my legs are shorter than his and to slow down. Yet this pace has also helped me stay in shape spiritually, kept my world-view in check, and kept my passion & emotional life vibrant, and so much more.

I know he would agree that if it wasn't for me ensuring that we sit down every once in a while and simply breathe and evaluate where we are [usually while sipping coffee], we would have burned out a long time ago. My realistic, down-to-earth thinking has been the perfect anecdote for his big, visionary dreaming and scheming... and has made this church planting venture and community building experience ours together... and not just his.

Labels: family, personal

This Thursday [September 28] is our tenth wedding anniversary. Unbelievable. That woman has stuck with me for ten years... is she something, or what!?!

We have built quite the little life together. We are raising our three children the best we can. We are loving the people around us the best we can as well. We have created the home [not house, home] we set out to create. We have accomplished many things together in ministry and life that we set out to accomplish, and we have plans to accomplish more. But we have also experienced great pain, frustration, and loss together... and lived to tell about it, and are likely closer because of it.

Each day this week until Thursday, my wifey will do a guest post and answer a question about me. If there's something you really want to know, leave a comment or drop me a line: pernell AT frwy.ca

Labels: family, personal

I snapped a few shots of the little gaffers today. Aren't they cute?

Samantha blogs here.

Lucas blogs here.

Jacob... well, maybe soon.

Labels: blogging, family, photos

I had mentioned that I was working on painting my kids' bedrooms [and the adventures that ensued].

Well, I finished the boys attic bedroom, and I think it turned out great. It's nice and bright and clean now. Their walls were in rough shape, so I had lots of patching and sanding to do. Because of that and all the angles, etc. it took me about 40 hours to actually complete. On Monday we have a carpet-guy coming to give us a quote on carpeting their stairwell [and their room too - we'll see].

Samantha's room turned out amazing. Even though we had to strip wallpaper [never fun] and patch the walls a bit, the subtle green looks awesome: feminine, modern, clean, very nice.

Click here if you want to see some pictures of the rooms.

Labels: family, photos

Today was the due date of the baby we lost back in March [we lost a baby in June as well]. My wifey is very sad today.

I feel like a lousy husband. I forgot... until she started crying and I asked: "what's wrong?"

Please pray for Margie and head over to her blog and send her some love. Thanks.

Labels: family, personal

My talented and beautiful eight year old daughter, Samantha, wrote her first rock song today:

I Need You [In My Life]
I was walkin' down that road
We've all had this experience
Maybe in another mode
Now look at what I'm doin'
Something's really gone wrong
I need you in my life
Nothing else right here that could help me
Oh, don't you know why I'm singin' this song?
Well it's 'cause
I need you [x3]
I need you alot

Labels: family

This coming weekend our family is heading out for two weeks of vacation. On the weekend we will be camping with our favourite community, then we will be visiting my sister for a couple days - she is a camp director in eastern Ontario, and finally we will be staying at a cottage we have rented near Lindsay for a week.

My plan for this week is that I am spending some time doing some creative stuff that has been put off for too long:

• I am re-designing | updating | tweaking some websites. I am integrating FRWY.ca and The Freeway into one complete, functional site. I am working on the new issue of The Hive (which comes out September 1st).
• I am painting. I have three peices on the go right now and I hope to finish them off this week. I will post pictures of the work when I am done... if they are good.
  
• I am going on an urban photo shoot with my talented daughter. We will be taking pictures of some of our favourite spots in Hamilton. I will link to my Flickr set when we are done.
• I am participating in a "dream session" of sorts tonight with our community. An open space discussion about our church community and coffee house. Once the discussion is done, I will be putting all the info into a document (website?) we can use to help guide us through the coming year... and that will hopefully inspire others out there.
  

By the way, do you like the new look of the blog?

Labels: family, the freeway

Here are some photos of our new house:
Link

Labels: family, photos

We had another miscarriage last night. This happened to us in March too. I know, most of you didn't know that we were expecting again, but we were. Margie was 11 weeks pregnant.

Please pray for my wifey today.

Labels: family, personal

This Friday my family is moving to our new house downtown (several blocks from the coffee house), so we have been busy beavers packing up all our crap for weeks now. But this week is crunch time. This promises to be one crazy 7 or 8 day period: packing, last of week of school for the kids, Margie and I are both working, the first edition of The Hive (our community magazine) is going to print (and will be online), Thursday we move the appliances into the new house, and Friday we move everything else, Sunday is Margie's birthday... now I can call her "my old lady" for real.

Labels: family, photos

I can't believe Samantha is eight today. Eight years old. It seems like just yesterday I was a brand new daddy - proud as punch that I had a little girl. I used to walk all over our neighbourhood with her, just so people could see her... she was beautiful. She still is.

She has taught me so much these past eight years. All my kids have. They are unbelievable.

Happy Birthday, Sammy! I love you.

P.S. Yes, she got a Game Boy for her birthday.

Labels: family

Yesterday was our son Lucas' birthday. He turned six. SIX! I designed him a blog... that and having his ears pierced is what he asked me for (along with some toys). His blog is here: Link

We had his birthday party at McDonalds with 14 of his best friends (one of which was a girl... but we're not talking about that). 14 kids crammed in a little party room... insane. "Hey kids, here's some sugar-coated cake. Let's play in Playland!"

Today our daughter Samantha turns eight. And since it's Sunday, she had her party last night (and a sleepover). They did make-up and nails and other girl crap. And since me and the boys couldn't stay (well Jacob could, but...), I loaded our bikes on the back of the van and drove to Dundas Conservation Area, where we rode through the trails... "in the forest" according to Lucas.

It was our first "real" bike ride away from our neighbourhood together. The boys did great and had a blast. We rode for about an hour and a half. Lucas at one point fell off his bike and scraped his legs... he fell and instantly jumped back up and exclaimed: "I'm okay, Dad, can we still bike ride all the time, and make this a family tradition?"

Done.

After bike riding we grabbed a sandwich at Subway and then we went swimming for a couple hours at the Rec. Centre near our house.

Good times all around. I love hanging out with my boys and doing stuff that we all enjoy. When we got home and crawled into bed last night we were all tired little guys. But what a great day we had!

Labels: family

My family and I are moving houses in three short weeks. Holy smokes! We purchased a house downtown over three months ago, but wanted to wait until the kids were done school for the year before we actually moved. Friday, June 30 is the big day. We are pretty excited, but we still have a lot of packing to do (not excited about that).

One good thing about packing is purging. We have been able to get rid of a whole bunch of stuff that we don't need/use/wear anymore. We have thrown out some, donated some, and Margie organized a garage sale last Saturday (which I didn't help one iota with) and we sold some.

A few weeks ago, I went through all my clothes and purged what I could. It was neat trying on clothes I haven't put on for a while... neat and yet depressing and funny at the same time.

But something magical apparently happened. Somehow while the clothes were sitting in drawers or hanging in my closet for a while, and I guess because they were neglected... they actually shrunk, particularly in the butt and gut areas. Amazing really.

Many articles of clothing simply didn't fit anymore. Other articles of clothing fit, but I would never be caught dead in them (it's a figure of speech, folks). They just didn't feel right. They didn't look right. They didn't suit me anymore. They weren't my style.

The whole process reminded me an old Randy Stonehill song:

Toys from my childhood
Old photographs
Left in this dusty old suitcase
The things we once cherished
Are lost with the past
Seek out the treasure
That will always last

So I'm packing up my old clothes
With my old and foolish ways
They just don't seem to fit me anymore
I see the light of morning
With different eyes today
And I'm giving my tomorrows to the Lord

It's amazing the things I used to find great value in. The things that used to grab my time and attention and money and dreams. The things that used to make sense to me. The things I chased after. The things I collected.

I guess I am not the man I used to be. Not at all. Jesus has been changing me. I see things different now, for sure.

Unfortunately though, I am not the man I should/could be either. I haven't arrived yet. Not at all. And I guess I just wonder what "clothes" that I currently wear, won't make any sense in a few years.

Labels: family, personal, writing

I really enjoy my kids.
They are so fun to be around.
They make me smile.
They make me proud.
They make me want to be a better man.
They make even mundane activities thrilling.
They add so much to my life.
I love them.
They rock.
My heart warms when I hear them say "Daddy".
I love the way they are so innocent.
The way they explore.
The way they ask questions.
The way they jump into their day.
Full of energy.
Full of optimism.
Full of enthusiasm.
My kids are funny.
And smart.
And caring.
And super-creative.
And sensitive.
They are beautiful.
They play hard.
They want to know stuff.
They love to discover new things.
They keep me on my toes.
They are a handful.
They kind of look like me.
They have some of my mannerisms.
And quirks.
And personality traits.
Yet when I look at them, I see their mother.
I like her too.
That's all.

Labels: family