Foster Parents

We are foster parents to two adorable puppies.  They have been a part of the family since their mother died last week and Lisa and the rest of Camp rescued them from a place in Pamlico County, NC.

This isn't a huge task for us in the middle of our already busy summer but it does add a layer of complexity.

The puppies are appropriately named, "Puppy" because A, that is the first thing people usually say when they see one, and B, I fear that if we name them someone in the house may want to keep them, and C, they come running to whatever we call them so might as well keep it simple.

I know these two will be scooped up in no time and that they will go to good homes.

I am, in fact, a dog person.  I think owning a dog is a good stress reliever for human beings.  The friendships and bonds that are created between our species are amazing.   It's just that I am not ready to commit to a dog right now.  The boys are still a little skittish around the pups because they are all claws and teeth and excitement (the puppies, not the boys).  I think the best dogs are rescues because I thnk that somehow the dogs know you are helping them out of a tight spot like a pound or shelter. 

Having owned many dogs since I was a kid I am also aware of the work involved in feeding, cleaning, training, walking, and maintenance in owning a dog.  All totally worth it most days.  If you are willing to put up with the shedding on the furniture, an occasional chewed shoe, an accidental pee on the carpet the pay off is a chin on your lap with big eyes wanting a rub behind the ears or an exposed belly to be rubbed.  It's good for both animals.

Here's to Star, Frosty, Hershey, Max, Valentine, Candi, Sheba, and Poly - all of the dogs I have owned in my life.  Thanks for being good companions.

Kung Fu Masters of Awesomeness

TJ has been working on his Tae Kwon Do lessons for over a year and earned his High Yellow Belt in a private testing last week.  He is steadily getting better thanks to a phenomenal Master who does amazing things with kids.

TJ has more focus and seems to enjoy the solo physical activities than he does team sports.  His hand-eye coordination is still off and he is shy to get in front of a football, baseball, or soccer ball out of fear it might hurt him.  I am sure a week or two of tossing the ball around would help him immensely.

The tenants of martial arts; honor, practice, respect, family ring very true for TJ.  For all of his seven years I think he is very earnest in being a respectful and sweet boy.  Not that team sports don't teach those concepts too, but Tae Kwon Do tries to have it's students live it.

For TJ's test he had to break boards with his hands and feet.  It took a couple of attempts but he learned to trust in his abilities and he cleanly sliced the boards in two.  Lisa was very proud to tie his new belt.  My proudest moment was when TJ told the Master he wanted to be in the Army like his dad.

We got to take the boards home and Grant was impressed with his big brother's accomplishment as much as a 3 1/2 year old can be.  In other words, not much, not for very long.

We took the boards out and it got into our heads to have me break the boards while Lisa held them.  "Shh-WHACK!"  The board broke into as a grade of wood slightly above balsa should.  Grant was immediately intrigued.  I did it again at his request.  "Shh-TACK!"  This time it broke in three pieces.  Grant was fascinated.   Grant picked up another piece of wood and followed me into the kitchen and implored me to do it one more time.

I took the board in both hands and with lightning speed split the board in two with my forehead and then gently passed the two pieces back to Grant.  The look on his face was beyond description - but I will try.  The look was of total awe; as if lasers had just shot out of my eyes while riding a dinosaur and defeating Darth Vader in hand to hand combat.  It was a look that could be interpreted into words as, "holy sh*t - my dad just broke a board with his head - my dad is the coolest, toughest guy in the world!".

Lisa and I both caught the look on his face and busted out laughing.  I have no idea how I might ever top that moment to get the same response but I am looking into self help tapes for alligator wrestling.  Wish me luck.

 

Seeing The Boy - Best Weekend Ever

TJ and spent the last weekend in April at Camp Seafarer for Y Guides Spring Outing.  I'm not sure who's reading this - but it was the best weekend ever - I left Camp feeling rejuvenated instead of spent and beat down.  

Of course TJ was familiar with Camp - I mean he spends every summer there - but spending time with him in a place where he wanted to spend time with me was great.  Even though we were with the rest of the Yodeling Squirrels Tribe, for the most part TJ wanted to be with his dad.

I love Lisa - she is an amazing mom.  However, the boys are little too attached to the apron strings.  Not having mom at his beck and call, TJ dropped any "momma's boy" pretense and wanted to hang around with me.  

In a matter of two short days we cooked out, rowed a canoe, fished, rode down the zip line, shot BB guns, swung on the yard arm, watched fireworks, rode bikes, held hands, chatted, and farted, belched, laughed like guys.  


TJ and I took part in the first ever Y Guides 5k.  TJ biked and I ran and both looked hot and sweaty at the finish.
 
There were moments, there were several, where I stood back and watched this sweet boy engage in challenges that would have scared me to death at 6 (almost 7).  I saw the start of the young man he is going to be; it's just barely starting to show.  He is confident, easy to make friends, easy to play, easy to laugh, goofy through and through.  I see some of me in there but I also see something else I never saw in my childhood or even adolescence.  I can't quite put my finger on it yet.  I was so damned proud to be his dad that weekend.


It was a different time but my dad never spent time like this with me.  Not many dads did.  We tossed the ball back and forth in the back yard, but he had no idea how to spend quality time with his kids.  He's gone now.  We both lost out.  I am thankful for my wife for pushing me into this.  Best.  Idea.  Ever.  

TJ and took a trip to Orlando in 2010.  A month before Grant was born we did our first father-son trip and went to the Magic Kingdom while mom prepped the last few free days before sleep became a scare commodity.  TJ and I had a blast riding down on a train, going to the Magic Kingdom, sharing the love or Disney, and connecting with him for the first time since I returned from Iraq the previous year. 


I am reminded that my children are fun to be with.  I learned that if you remove "mommy, Mommmy, MOMMMYYY!" and TV, and other distractions that you can have a great time.  I still need to learn how to talk to my boys.  That's a hurdle I need to overcome from going from Dad to a buddy.   But the foundation is there.