I was just thinking...: parenting

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Someone Is Watching You

Posted on 2:46 PM Comments
Labels: parenting

As a kid I was always aware of the fact that someone was always watching me, whether or not I saw them. I knew ultimately that God was watching...but I didn't think that I would be seeing Him anytime soon so I could always overlook that fact. What I couldn't overlook was the fact that my parents always seemed to know what I was up to thanks to neighbors and family members who kept them up to date. It was like my parents had eyes everywhere.

It was a different back then as well because my neighbors had no reservations about correcting me (both verbally and physically if need be!) There was great motivation to behave as you were liable to catch it several times from the neighbors the parents and even from aunties and uncles when they heard about it.

I have taken what I have learned and have tried to teach the concept of "Someone Watching" to my own children. I have been very blessed that while they were younger, there was always something happening to reinforce the concept and make it become a reality to them.

On such example is the time we were out on a family outing skating and enjoying each other's company. A reporter for the Vallejo Times Herald saw us and took our picture. My children were thrilled to see their picture on the front page of the paper.

On another occasion, after leaving church, we were sitting and having lunch together in a restaurant. I noticed a man staring at us. I didn't think too much of it. (we get a lot of those kinds of stares:) ) The man finished his meal and I saw him approaching our table. He introduced himself, shook my hand and then expressed how he enjoyed seeing us hanging out as a family and enjoying each other's company. Turns out he was the director of the State Fair, and after a few words he gave us free tickets to the State Fair and even paid for our parking. We went to the fair later that day and had a really great time.

Those events and others like them have helped to reinforce and instill the concept that someone is always watching us...whether we see them or not. I think it is a concept that a lot more parents need to share with their children...especially in this technological era where everyone is looking to capture the perfect youtube moment!

Down Memory Lane...

Posted on 6:28 PM Comments
Labels: having fun with your kids, life, memory lane, mint condition, my dear, parenting, working together

Ahhh the good old days! It's almost hard to believe that my wife and I have been married for almost 18 years. During that time we have gone through a lot of changes, all for the better. We have been blessed to have been able to work together and grow together and all without driving each other crazy or killing each other. We have also been fortunate to have had several opportunities to work on the same jobs and more recently we have been sharing the same office space.

I'm not sure if she planned it purposely but I just realized that our current layout allows her to play footsies with me under the desk...(I wonder if sexual harassment laws apply here lol)

This past weekend, after a long week of working, we were just goofing around and doing a bit of web surfing. We were looking for an old song by Bobby Caldwell, during the search we kept coming across old songs we used to listen to. It was kind of funny to see how our tastes and musical choices have changed over the years.

We decided to have a bit of fun at our children's expense (it's a constitutional/parental right) We found a couple of slow romantic songs we used to listen to and then called our youngest to come into the office. She came in with a curious look on her face wondering what we wanted.

"Have you ever heard this song before?" we asked. She listened for a few seconds and said no. "Are you sure?" We asked her, listen closely, "does it sound at all familiar to you?" "No, it doesn't."

By now her siblings had came into the office and were curious as to the significance of the song and why we were asking about it. Just as the youngest was giving up on guessing, my wife and I told her, "You should recognize this song...after all it's what was playing during your conception!" "UGH! GROSS!" Too much information! With that the room was cleared, and my wife and I sat and smiled at each other. Mission accomplished :)

We sat and celebrated, gave it a couple of minutes and then called out "Oh children...come and listen to these songs...do they sound familiar to you?" In the distance we could hear the sound of feet running away.

Ahhh Children are so much fun!

The wife and I sat and finished traveling down memory lane, it's a beautiful thing...18 years and still on the honeymoon! Here's to the next 18

Do you remember this song...

My Dear by Mint Condition