There are a new generation of fathers out and about, and it’s wonderful to observe them from a distance.In some ways, it seems like yesterday I became a father for the first time, but the reality is my oldest son turns 14 in a couple months. There are many long days along the way, but… Read more »

We packed seemingly everything we own and headed to Vermont for an extended vacation last month.We left on a Saturday and it snowed the night before at home. We arrived back on home the following Sunday and there was a blizzard the day before. Therefore, we left the snow, to head to more snow and… Read more »

(The following is a reprint of an article from 2013.)I walked around much of Monday with Beckett’s underwear in my coat pocket.I just didn’t know what to do with it. Underwear is not exactly something I can leave on my desk or in a drawer or in my truck without raising some questions. Therefore, I… Read more »

At the last minute, a scheduling conflict resulted in Beckett’s booster shot appointment having to be canceled last week. It was interesting to see how he handled the change of plans.The 13-year-old kid was disappointed. He wanted his shot. It seemed he would have preferred getting stuck over just about anything except a sports game,… Read more »

(The following is a reprint of an article from 2013.)I walked around much of Monday with Beckett’s underwear in my coat pocket.I just didn’t know what to do with it. Underwear is not exactly something I can leave on my desk or in a drawer or in my truck without raising some questions. Therefore, I… Read more »

Somedays I think parenting my teen is the challenge of my life.Perhaps a bit of hyperbole at play here, but the struggle is real to remain composed, patient and balanced when it comes to our 13-year-old. Some days I fluctuate between thinking we are failing as parents to wondering what we did to this kid… Read more »

Christmas sure is different nowadays.For many years, the kids were up bright and early before the sun full of excitement for what Santa Claus brought them. It was a joyous time of energy and newness. Those mornings of enthusiasm and eagerness are great memories.Now, with the kids 12 and 13 years old, excitement remains but… Read more »

A short trip to Atlanta last week turned out a lot different than expected.Beckett and I were to have a little getaway to start his holiday break. Since we share a love for sports, we decided to take a quick flight to see a professional basketball game. We opted to head south to eliminate weather… Read more »

If my pulse on school-aged families in this community is even close to right, there’s a lot of excitement today. It’s the last day of school for two full weeks.It doesn’t require having kids in schools to understand there’s a host of mental health concerns currently facing students, educators and parents. Although tough to relegate… Read more »

Sometimes things don’t go as planned and hoped.Last Sunday at church our family was to lead a prayer and light the second advent candle. We talked through it with the boys, especially Carson, and Pam and I both felt fine about it. In the past, there would have been serious reservations whether Carson would fully… Read more »