Dear Maddie,
You are almost done with the first grade. FIRST GRADE! When did you get to be so old, so big? I was looking at pictures of you the other day from when you were a baby, and I can't believe that in a few short weeks you'll be a second grader. Where has the time gone?
Second grade was when I moved to Tennessee. Second grade is when you really start remembering things. I hope you remember all the things we've done before now, but I don't remember much from first grade and before. Really I just remember the traumatic things - being chased by a dog down Elmcrest, getting sick at school, getting hit in the head by a gold club. I hope you remember all the good things we did when you were a kid... Disney World, New York, Florida, camping. We've tried so hard to give you a fun life, I hope it's more than just pictures.
I think a lot about when I'm gone, whether that is now or 50 years from now. What will you remember of me? I don't want you to think of me as the dad who always worked and was never home. I want to make sure I've spent plenty of time hanging out with you, having Maddie/Daddy days, and cuddling with you at night. While I believe we'll see each other in the next life, I don't want to miss out on all the opportunities to hang out in this one. So I hope that you'll remember that I took time to be with you. That we played basketball and Fortnite together. That we would cuddle on the couch until you fell asleep.
When I drop you off at school every morning, you lean up and give me a kiss on the cheek before you get out of the car. I tell you I love you, you tell me the same. I tell you that you're my favorite Boog, and you tell me I'm your favorite daddy. I know that in a few years I won't get that when I drop you off, so I'm loving every minute of it until then. But however old you are, remember that you're my favorite Boog, and I'll always be your favorite daddy!
Love, Daddy.
Saturday, May 11, 2019
Monday, January 7, 2019
Dear Maddie,
I had such good intentions on keeping this blog up for you. Alas, it hasn't happened, but that's a good thing. See, I have done my best over these first 7 years of your life to enjoy every moment with you. I don't always succeed, sometimes I let work get in the way or sometimes I should stop what I'm doing and play a game with you. But I've found that the most important things in life are the moments I spend with you. I won't remember what I did at work last week, but I'll remember that you and I went to see Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse on Saturday, just the two of us. I won't remember what show I was watching last night, but I'll remember cuddling with you on the couch while you fell asleep. I won't miss the money I made this year, because I'm spending it on vacations with you and Mama to go camping and the beach. Those memories waiting to happen are more valuable than anything I can earn. So I am sorry that I haven't kept up this blog, but know that instead I've tried to spend as much time with you as I can. You make every day a blessing and I love you to the moon and back!
Love, Daddy
I had such good intentions on keeping this blog up for you. Alas, it hasn't happened, but that's a good thing. See, I have done my best over these first 7 years of your life to enjoy every moment with you. I don't always succeed, sometimes I let work get in the way or sometimes I should stop what I'm doing and play a game with you. But I've found that the most important things in life are the moments I spend with you. I won't remember what I did at work last week, but I'll remember that you and I went to see Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse on Saturday, just the two of us. I won't remember what show I was watching last night, but I'll remember cuddling with you on the couch while you fell asleep. I won't miss the money I made this year, because I'm spending it on vacations with you and Mama to go camping and the beach. Those memories waiting to happen are more valuable than anything I can earn. So I am sorry that I haven't kept up this blog, but know that instead I've tried to spend as much time with you as I can. You make every day a blessing and I love you to the moon and back!
Love, Daddy
Monday, September 29, 2014
Slide
Dear Maddie,
I think there are few things in this world that make you much happier than going down a slide. We went to Lucky Ladd Farm today, a fun place with animals and farmy things, and you were very hard to pry away from the giant slides they had there. Animals? Who cares. Educational toys? Boring. No, this was what made you happy...
Yes, a giant slide that required hiking up a hill to get to the start. And of course we had to go with you, but we didn't have to go down with you. After just one ride with Mama, you were just fine to do it solo. Of course, we had to race, but you were fearless!
I love looks of pure joy that you give when you really are excited. They are priceless reactions that I freeze in my mind. Whenever I'm down, I think about how you get when you are bursting with happiness. And it makes my day brighter. Don't ever lose that love of life!
Love, Daddy
I think there are few things in this world that make you much happier than going down a slide. We went to Lucky Ladd Farm today, a fun place with animals and farmy things, and you were very hard to pry away from the giant slides they had there. Animals? Who cares. Educational toys? Boring. No, this was what made you happy...
Yes, a giant slide that required hiking up a hill to get to the start. And of course we had to go with you, but we didn't have to go down with you. After just one ride with Mama, you were just fine to do it solo. Of course, we had to race, but you were fearless!
I love looks of pure joy that you give when you really are excited. They are priceless reactions that I freeze in my mind. Whenever I'm down, I think about how you get when you are bursting with happiness. And it makes my day brighter. Don't ever lose that love of life!
Love, Daddy
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
New Job
Dear Maddie,
Forgive the long time between posts, but I unfortunately let time get away from me far too often. See, this past month we've been preparing for the start of the semester, trying to increase our numbers for the fall semester, and meet our goals we set this past year. Now that has slowed down, but on the horizon is a new travel season that I have also been preparing to go on. I know, I know, that means I'll be away again. But - I have good news! Daddy got a new job!
Yes, I will soon be back in town, no more road trips, and home every night to tuck you in bed. I didn't really want to leave my old job - I loved what I did - but this was a great opportunity to move up in the school, learn something new, and increase my long-term chances of success. So, I took it despite my fears of being able to do it and guilt for leaving my old position. Hopefully there isn't a blog post here in about a month that says "Dear Maddie, I've been fired."
I tell you the truth though (and we'll make it our little secret, just me, you, and the Internet), you factored into the decision big time. You and your mom are the MOST important things in the world to me. I can replace a lot of things in this world - a job, a house, a car - but I can't replace my girls. And more than anything, I can't turn back time. I've tried! In ten years when you're too big for me and a looming teenager, I'm not going to think "I really wish I would have worked more when she was a baby." I am fairly certain that I won't wish I had spent more time on the road in hotels. Strike that - I'm certain.
I can't get back this time with you, and it's why I'm so glad your mom isn't working right now. Sure, we don't have a lot of money. We don't get to do fancy vacations and new cars. But how cool is it that we have the opportunity for you to spend your first several years of life with your mom at home? I hope you appreciate that later in life. I only wish we had been able to let your mom quit her job sooner!
And that is why I can't wait to get off the road again and back home every night. Growing up, your Paw Paw traveled to provide for me, Gigi, and Uncle Greg. I know if he had the choice, he would have been at home every night, too. I was given that choice, and I thank God for it, so that I can see you more. So... here's to more dinners as a family, more "catch the ball" in the driveway, and more bedtime stories. But please, can I tell you a different story than the Three Little Pigs? Red Riding Hood? Goldilocks and the Three Bears? Anything by Michael Crichton? Nope, okay, the Three Little Pigs it is...
"Once upon a time, there were three little pigs..."
Love, Daddy
Forgive the long time between posts, but I unfortunately let time get away from me far too often. See, this past month we've been preparing for the start of the semester, trying to increase our numbers for the fall semester, and meet our goals we set this past year. Now that has slowed down, but on the horizon is a new travel season that I have also been preparing to go on. I know, I know, that means I'll be away again. But - I have good news! Daddy got a new job!
Yes, I will soon be back in town, no more road trips, and home every night to tuck you in bed. I didn't really want to leave my old job - I loved what I did - but this was a great opportunity to move up in the school, learn something new, and increase my long-term chances of success. So, I took it despite my fears of being able to do it and guilt for leaving my old position. Hopefully there isn't a blog post here in about a month that says "Dear Maddie, I've been fired."
I tell you the truth though (and we'll make it our little secret, just me, you, and the Internet), you factored into the decision big time. You and your mom are the MOST important things in the world to me. I can replace a lot of things in this world - a job, a house, a car - but I can't replace my girls. And more than anything, I can't turn back time. I've tried! In ten years when you're too big for me and a looming teenager, I'm not going to think "I really wish I would have worked more when she was a baby." I am fairly certain that I won't wish I had spent more time on the road in hotels. Strike that - I'm certain.
I can't get back this time with you, and it's why I'm so glad your mom isn't working right now. Sure, we don't have a lot of money. We don't get to do fancy vacations and new cars. But how cool is it that we have the opportunity for you to spend your first several years of life with your mom at home? I hope you appreciate that later in life. I only wish we had been able to let your mom quit her job sooner!
And that is why I can't wait to get off the road again and back home every night. Growing up, your Paw Paw traveled to provide for me, Gigi, and Uncle Greg. I know if he had the choice, he would have been at home every night, too. I was given that choice, and I thank God for it, so that I can see you more. So... here's to more dinners as a family, more "catch the ball" in the driveway, and more bedtime stories. But please, can I tell you a different story than the Three Little Pigs? Red Riding Hood? Goldilocks and the Three Bears? Anything by Michael Crichton? Nope, okay, the Three Little Pigs it is...
"Once upon a time, there were three little pigs..."
Love, Daddy
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Forrest Gump
Dear Maddie,
You may be the next coming of Forrest Gump. And as my child, you WILL watch that movie at some point in your childhood (or it will be on cable a billion times and you'll see it there). Anyway, I don't mean you'll have an IQ of 75 (I hope not) or that you'll be a kick returner for the University of Alabama. No - but you like running. Everywhere. Tonight, just for kicks, you decided to run to the end of the street and back. I'm thankful that right now my walking stride matches your fastest run, but you are a quick little thing. Everywhere Forrest went he ran - I think you'd do the same if we let you.
I wouldn't mind if you became insanely rich like Gump and we didn't have to worry about money anymore. Please, by all means be like him in that regard, too. But I do wonder what you'll grow up to be one day. Are you going to be an accountant? You are really into counting and organizing right now. Will you be a teacher? You're already good at telling me to stop talking when you're trying to watch Sofia the First. Dietitian like your mom? Higher education professional like dad? If you keep on your current track, I wonder if there is a lucrative career in putting together puzzles? An engineer! Perfect!
It's exciting and scary to think about the potential you have, mainly because I don't want to think about you growing up yet. I like my cute, little, curious, energetic, imaginative Maddie. I like that you want to cuddle on the couch when you're sleepy or some in to our room in the morning to sleep for the last hour or so. I don't enjoy the feet in the stomach when you sleep sideways, but I digress. I want to keep you this age forever, but with each new age I like you even more.
So, keep on getting older, but feel free to take your time doing it. Unlike you're running fascination, no need to go too fast!
Love, Daddy
You may be the next coming of Forrest Gump. And as my child, you WILL watch that movie at some point in your childhood (or it will be on cable a billion times and you'll see it there). Anyway, I don't mean you'll have an IQ of 75 (I hope not) or that you'll be a kick returner for the University of Alabama. No - but you like running. Everywhere. Tonight, just for kicks, you decided to run to the end of the street and back. I'm thankful that right now my walking stride matches your fastest run, but you are a quick little thing. Everywhere Forrest went he ran - I think you'd do the same if we let you.
I wouldn't mind if you became insanely rich like Gump and we didn't have to worry about money anymore. Please, by all means be like him in that regard, too. But I do wonder what you'll grow up to be one day. Are you going to be an accountant? You are really into counting and organizing right now. Will you be a teacher? You're already good at telling me to stop talking when you're trying to watch Sofia the First. Dietitian like your mom? Higher education professional like dad? If you keep on your current track, I wonder if there is a lucrative career in putting together puzzles? An engineer! Perfect!
It's exciting and scary to think about the potential you have, mainly because I don't want to think about you growing up yet. I like my cute, little, curious, energetic, imaginative Maddie. I like that you want to cuddle on the couch when you're sleepy or some in to our room in the morning to sleep for the last hour or so. I don't enjoy the feet in the stomach when you sleep sideways, but I digress. I want to keep you this age forever, but with each new age I like you even more.
So, keep on getting older, but feel free to take your time doing it. Unlike you're running fascination, no need to go too fast!
Love, Daddy
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Night Night
Dear Maddie,
Sometimes you drive me up a wall. You won't just sit still, you tear up the living room, you won't tell us when you need to potty, and you run screaming through the house while I'm battling a headache. Then - total redemption via cuteness.
Last night I got home from work and promptly collapsed on the couch, per usual. You came over and pulled a blanket over me, straightened it out to make sure it totally covered me, and gently (well, not so gently) pushed my head down on the pillow. You also made me put my phone away. The whole time you're telling me it is time for "night-night", and then just as I do to you every night at bedtime, you leaned over and gave me a kiss on the cheek. Not the first time you've done this, but it never gets old. Of course, if I dare pop my head up or open my eyes, you remind me loudly "No, daddy, go sleep!" Funny... that rule doesn't always apply to YOU at nap time!
The rest of last night was spent with just me and you, while mama went to a Bible study. We took a walk down the road with you guiding me which way to go. Then we played golf in the front yard until you got bored with that. We retired to the backyard where you ran back and forth, fence to fence, with a seemingly endless supply of energy that I wish I could harness and sell to old people (like myself). I guess your legs got tired, because I was then tasked with running back and forth with you on my shoulders. I can run a 5K, but running across the backyard 3 times with you on my shoulders about kills me for some reason! We took a selfie for mom and then went inside to eat a Moon Pie. Which you ate the whole thing and didn't give me a bite.
For the rest of the night we got you ready for bed, read a bunch of books, and watched Full House for the bazillionth time. You finally succumbed to bedtime, so we did our usual routine - brush teeth, said prayers, gave kisses, gave "paci-kisses" (which involve giving my a kiss with your paci in mouth, and you find terribly funny), goodnight hug, and then a good tucking in. I pulled the blanket over you and made sure you were covered good. Then I leaned over and gave you a kiss and said "night-night." You were out in no time at all - surprising considering the sugar intake from the Moon Pie.
You'll never remember last night when you're older except for the pictures and this post, but nights like that are the moments I will cherish forever and never will forget. It is the part of fatherhood that makes all the times you drive me up a wall totally, 100% worth it.
Love, Daddy
Sometimes you drive me up a wall. You won't just sit still, you tear up the living room, you won't tell us when you need to potty, and you run screaming through the house while I'm battling a headache. Then - total redemption via cuteness.
Last night I got home from work and promptly collapsed on the couch, per usual. You came over and pulled a blanket over me, straightened it out to make sure it totally covered me, and gently (well, not so gently) pushed my head down on the pillow. You also made me put my phone away. The whole time you're telling me it is time for "night-night", and then just as I do to you every night at bedtime, you leaned over and gave me a kiss on the cheek. Not the first time you've done this, but it never gets old. Of course, if I dare pop my head up or open my eyes, you remind me loudly "No, daddy, go sleep!" Funny... that rule doesn't always apply to YOU at nap time!
 |
| This was your outfit of choice for our walk. Mama was obviously not home. |
The rest of last night was spent with just me and you, while mama went to a Bible study. We took a walk down the road with you guiding me which way to go. Then we played golf in the front yard until you got bored with that. We retired to the backyard where you ran back and forth, fence to fence, with a seemingly endless supply of energy that I wish I could harness and sell to old people (like myself). I guess your legs got tired, because I was then tasked with running back and forth with you on my shoulders. I can run a 5K, but running across the backyard 3 times with you on my shoulders about kills me for some reason! We took a selfie for mom and then went inside to eat a Moon Pie. Which you ate the whole thing and didn't give me a bite.
 |
| When Mama's away, this happens! |
For the rest of the night we got you ready for bed, read a bunch of books, and watched Full House for the bazillionth time. You finally succumbed to bedtime, so we did our usual routine - brush teeth, said prayers, gave kisses, gave "paci-kisses" (which involve giving my a kiss with your paci in mouth, and you find terribly funny), goodnight hug, and then a good tucking in. I pulled the blanket over you and made sure you were covered good. Then I leaned over and gave you a kiss and said "night-night." You were out in no time at all - surprising considering the sugar intake from the Moon Pie.
You'll never remember last night when you're older except for the pictures and this post, but nights like that are the moments I will cherish forever and never will forget. It is the part of fatherhood that makes all the times you drive me up a wall totally, 100% worth it.
Love, Daddy
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Full House
Dear Maddie,
You have a new love in your life. And that love comes in the form of Danny, Joey, and Uncle Jesse. Yes, thanks to Nick at Nite you are now obsessed with the classic 90's show Full House. I grew up watching this show (every Friday night on TGIF with Step by Step, Family Matters, Dinosaurs, and others). The fact that you now love it warms my heart. I think that about 30% of your love is because it is on before bed, so you can use it as an excuse to stay up late, but I'll take it!
Now that we've established Full House as a great show, we need to start working on the others - Saved by the Bell, Boy Meets World, Home Improvement, Friends, and Wings. The last two may be over your head, but you'll appreciate them later! We're going to raise you right in this house, so no more Disney channel for you, young lady! If you're going to spend any time with your Uncle Dave and I, you must be able to sufficiently quote Friends with us.
Ah, what will television be like when you're older? Nowadays there is a bunch of recycled junk, idiot reality shows, a million singing competitions, and NCIS may be in its 38th season (Paw Paw's favorite show). Some of the best shows are on HBO and Showtime, which I am too cheap to buy, so we stick with AMC shows that come with our cable package. Remind me when you are older to watch The Walking Dead with you... although you may have watched several episodes as an infant when you didn't know what was going on and we didn't want to wait to see what happened. Sorry about that if you have a subconscious fear of zombies. Again, I'll pay for your therapy.
I wonder a lot about what the world will be like when you grow up. It scares me, because as a professional worrier I see all the bad things that can possibly happen and stay up at night worried about international issues that I can't control. It's what drives me to make a positive impact on the world, so I can leave it a little better for you then it was for me. BTW - if I am a Congressman when you grow up, I took the "change the world for the better" thing further than I thought.
So, I hope the world gets better, and you have your own Friends and Full House shows to grow up on and quote incessantly as a young adult with your friends. And I hope you read this one day, otherwise all this work is just a moo point. It's like a cows opinion. It just doesn't matter.
(see Friends to get that joke).
Love, Daddy
You have a new love in your life. And that love comes in the form of Danny, Joey, and Uncle Jesse. Yes, thanks to Nick at Nite you are now obsessed with the classic 90's show Full House. I grew up watching this show (every Friday night on TGIF with Step by Step, Family Matters, Dinosaurs, and others). The fact that you now love it warms my heart. I think that about 30% of your love is because it is on before bed, so you can use it as an excuse to stay up late, but I'll take it!
Now that we've established Full House as a great show, we need to start working on the others - Saved by the Bell, Boy Meets World, Home Improvement, Friends, and Wings. The last two may be over your head, but you'll appreciate them later! We're going to raise you right in this house, so no more Disney channel for you, young lady! If you're going to spend any time with your Uncle Dave and I, you must be able to sufficiently quote Friends with us.
 |
| Fun fact: I recorded the finale of this show on a VHS tape because I wasn't at home when it aired. Ah, life before DVD, DVR, and OnDemand television. I'll show you this stuff in an antique museum. |
Ah, what will television be like when you're older? Nowadays there is a bunch of recycled junk, idiot reality shows, a million singing competitions, and NCIS may be in its 38th season (Paw Paw's favorite show). Some of the best shows are on HBO and Showtime, which I am too cheap to buy, so we stick with AMC shows that come with our cable package. Remind me when you are older to watch The Walking Dead with you... although you may have watched several episodes as an infant when you didn't know what was going on and we didn't want to wait to see what happened. Sorry about that if you have a subconscious fear of zombies. Again, I'll pay for your therapy.
I wonder a lot about what the world will be like when you grow up. It scares me, because as a professional worrier I see all the bad things that can possibly happen and stay up at night worried about international issues that I can't control. It's what drives me to make a positive impact on the world, so I can leave it a little better for you then it was for me. BTW - if I am a Congressman when you grow up, I took the "change the world for the better" thing further than I thought.
So, I hope the world gets better, and you have your own Friends and Full House shows to grow up on and quote incessantly as a young adult with your friends. And I hope you read this one day, otherwise all this work is just a moo point. It's like a cows opinion. It just doesn't matter.
(see Friends to get that joke).
Love, Daddy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)