Flag Football

Well, its official. My boys are football players. They liked playing t-ball. Liked it a lot. Football though, they freakin' love. From the first practice they were hooked. They both like to run, catch, and pull flags. Too cool.

Their first game was yesterday. First games really. They had a double header. Its still pretty hot outside, but they toughed it out without complaint. That's a true test of how much you like doing something. If you'll do it when your hot, sweaty, and dead tired...all with a smile on your face, you really really like it.

They played great. Our team is pretty young, so right now we focus more on our running game. Lots and lots of running game. Passing and catching will come in time. Really though, when you can run the ball like we do, passing is just gravy. During the second game the boys both ran for touchdowns. Jake's was a 50 yd run for paydirt. Brady's was a 20 yd lightning bolt to the back of the endzone. I can't describe how proud I was during both of their runs, other than to say my heart felt like it would explode out of my chest. The looks on their faces were priceless.

So, yeah...my house with the baseball field in the backyard is now filled with football players. I am well pleased.

Jake turns 7

7. That is a big number. How can he be so old so soon? The sleepy little baby laying in the hospital bassinet is now a huge man-child teaching me to play video games and reading better than I can. For real? Really? Crap. Ah, well...kids grow up its what they do. Right now, I am just going to enjoy this exciting time in his life as he takes giant leaps and bounds every day. He will be a man all too soon with all the good and bad that comes with that. I just pray he stays the happy kid inside even as his body outgrows mine.

So, his birthday. We had his party on Sunday. What a blast. So many cousins, so much fun. He chose Back to the Future as his theme this year. Yep, a 25 year old movie for a 7 year old's party. It's what he digs right now. Anyhoo, he played he heart out with his cousins and bro, ate his DeLorean cake, opened presents, played some football, the whole shebang. Such a happy kid was he. I was so glad so many great people got to come help him celebrate his big day. Thanks to all who made it.

Today was his actual birthday. It started off with a little birthday celebration at school. He brought a bunch of donuts for his whole class. Hero of the day. They sang to him, did some dancin' and he showed everyone his birthday chart. He is so at ease around his friends and with his teacher. I can't ask for more than that.

When we got home, he got to open his present from the three of us. BTTF trilogy...what else. He also got a Wii game and some baseball and football cards. He was almost more excited for the cards. Too cool.

After playing Wii for a while (no brotherly fighting either Woo Hoo!) we went out to supper. Just as we pulled in to the parking lot outside of Islands, who should pull into the parking spot right in front of us but their buddies Kade and Cole (and their Mom and our good friend Carrie). SCORE! They were headed out to eat there as well and as luck would have it Jake got to share his evening with his buddies. The four of them laughed and talked and ate and laughed. They even shared Jake's big brownie and ice cream dessert. This was the highlight of my day. Seeing them all so happy and relaxed was nothing short of awesome.

Jake, I love you more every second of my life. You bring me joy and fill me with a pride I never knew before you came in to my life. Thank you for the gift of being your Daddy. I love you forever.

Aunt Maresa

She is gone. I never made it back home to say goodbye. Too many things left unsaid. Not enough time to say them. Cancer has taken two Aunts from me now. Please donate any amount you can to the American Cancer Society, PCH, Livestrong, or any cancer research foundation you know of. We are closer to a cure than we know.

First Hunt

What a day. The boys went on their first dove hunt today. Up before the sun. New camo shirts. New .410 shotgun. Sleepy and excited little dudes. The greatest Uncle in the World® even came along with us. Living up to his title, Uncle Vaughn bought them some donut holes for breakfast. He kept them entertained on the drive out to the field with crazy songs and potty humor.

This was a great year to have their first dove hunt, because the dove population is seemingly very high. It has been many years since I have seen so many flying. The boys got to take as many shots as they wanted. I helped them hold the shotgun, and made sure they followed all the rules. I've always been a gun owner so they have always been taught gun safety, but it was cool to see how much they remember when it is was time to actually shoot. They both did so well. Neither of them bagged a bird, but it was enough for them to just be out there...shooting, fetching birds, picking up shells, shouting, "Dove!" when they saw one. So cool. Afterward, Uncle Vaughn treated us to Cracker Barrel for breakfast. Mmmm. My man.

This was one of those days I will never forget.

Growed up

The boys are flippin' huge. Cindy can wear Jake's shoes. Brady is already growing out of Jake's clothes from last year. This is getting ridiculous.

Football starts next month. Which means our grocery bill will probably skyrocket trying to replace the calories after practice and games. They are only 5 and 6. Scary.

Jake has now reached the point where a booster seat is not needed. Big guy just gets in and runs the show. Brady is taking it in stride. He likes looking down on the big man from his booster aided perch.

Growed the F up they are. Too fast.

First Day....Success.

I got the dudes up this morning fully expecting at least a partial melt-down. Didn't happen. I guess last nights talk did the trick. Who knew? They were both so excited and happy. They gobbled down some scrambled eggs, toast, bananas and OJ and then got dressed and ready. Nothing big there.

What is big is what Jake did when we got in the truck. He took his booster seat, tossed it in the back of the truck and gave me a look that said, "I got this." Jake is way over the minimum for height and weight, but had been protesting about losing the seat until just then. With that one simple act he grew from a little guy into a little man. Too cool.

When we got to school the boys hung out in Mommy's class for a while before school started. This is always such a treat for them as it should be. They get to play on the computers and get in a little bonding before their day begins. When it was time to take them down to their classes they were ready. Jake was excited to see Mrs. Dressler and went right in and gave her a hug. He found his desk, dropped his bag off, and went with her to pick the rest of the kids up. He was so confident he didn't even look back for us. One or two tears fell...but not from his eyes.

Brady bounded in his classroom like he owned the joint. He knew what to do, where to put his things, and how to behave. That kid was watching big bro like a hawk last year apparently. He helped me with some paperwork and then went to circle for the first of many times. After a story and song, off they went for a little adventure. I am so glad all his confident talk wasn't a bunch of BS. This little dude is ready, and I am so proud of him.

We are home now, and the boys are playing some Wii and unwinding together. No fights. No screaming. Just giggles. Today is a very, very good day.

Milestones and heartaches

I really should be asleep. Big day tomorrow. Jake's first day of first grade. Brady's first day of kindergarten. I'm taking the day off to spend at school with them. I'd like to take the rest of my days off and just hang out with them as they go through their routine the rest of their lives. I have missed so much, but also been present for a lot more than some parents get to be.

Tonight I realized just how much Jake is like me. He tried to hide how nervous he is with crappy jokes and a put on smile. Just under the surface, he was a wreck. I finally got him to talk about it right before bed, and it all just came pouring out. He told me he wanted to go to school but just loved us so much and loved being with all of us this summer too much. All this through streaming tears. That is a hard Daddy moment. One part of me wants to say, "Me too buddy...no more school the rest of your life! Let's go fishing!" I wish. The Daddy I have to be just reassured him that all was OK, and I loved him and am so proud of him. I told him it took me 25 years to be grown up enough to tell people how I truly felt. I am proud of him for letting me in and sharing his pain with me finally. That boy is going to be a better man than I can ever hope to be. Heck maybe he already is.

Brady is another story. He is chomping at the bit for kindergarten. He has learned to read so well this summer. All he has been talking about is school. To him, it is a magical place filled with possibilities. Plus he saw how much fun Jake had last year. Anything Jake does, Brady wants to do yesterday. I can't wait to see how he develops as a student this year. He is an incredible learner. Good thing he has an incredible teacher. Some special times are in store for him and he knows it. I just hope I can keep up with that little mad man.

This all comes on the heels of one of the hardest weeks we have had in a while. We lost an old friend, went to his wake, and his funeral. There was no warning, it was just here. Now way to lose some one. He was a great man, and never once when I was in his presence was I not smiling. He loved to put a smile on our faces, even if it cost him physical pain. He was huge man, with a bigger heart. What is more, he and his brother shared the same kind of relationship Jake and Brady share. Seeing his big brother speak of him with alternating joy and sadness was overwhelming. I just cannot imagine his pain, and don't want to. We were lucky enough to get to share our grief and some old stories with several friends who came to the wake and funeral. It truly pays to develop great friendships early in life. Our old buddy gave us one final gift of getting everyone back together again. We smiled, laughed and told each other we loved each other. Just what he would've wanted.

So now, I am the one in tears. So much left to do, left to see. I want my boys to grow happy and healthy and strong. I want to be there to see it. I want to be there for them. I want to celebrate their victories and console them in defeat. God please let me be there and thank you for letting me be here now. Tomorrow is a gift I can't wait to unwrap.

Summer 2009 in Review

Monster Trucks

Until yesterday I never had the pleasure of going to a monster truck show. Not for lack of want, I just never had the opportunity. I loved watching them on TV when I was a kid. Little boys like trucks and breaking things. No big surprise then that my sons would be into the same stuff as me. We all enjoyed it, although I think I did the most. Can't beat having a dream come true with your best friends right there with you. Yes..I said a dream came true. I am a simple, redneck man.