That was an exact quote of what I yelled as I saw our youngest standing there holding on to a piece of “dog excrement” this morning… side note – I was in the shower and about died as a dove out to stop her from testing the palatability of the substance.
…every had a moment like this as a parent?
Heard a funny statement this morning. As a staff, we were reading over the parables of Luke 15. As we read, we noticed an interesting phrase that came out of Jesus’ mouth.
Vs. 8 “…Or what woman, if she has 10 silver coins and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?”
Here was the comment: Why didn’t he say “ or a guy…”? “Because he knew a guy would just forget about it and move on… a woman cares for every cent.
I know, I know… very sexist and certainly not always true, but it what made it funny was the conversation my wife and I had only 30 minutes before when she caught a mistake on our cell phone bill. I missed it. Why? Because she’s the meticulous one of the family. She and I are so much a like it’s scary, but but this area where we’re so different. This is where we’re so different. She knows every penny we’ve ever spent and I… well… I round up. How about you? How are you and your spouse similar / different? What would it be like if you two we’re just a like? Good thing? Or not so much?
We’ve received some great feedback so far with ideas and suggestions. One topic that’s been brought up before was that of Internet safety and all that jazz…
This is one I think we’ll get right into. This is a topic that is generally very touchy and can lend itself to being very scary and depressing. With that in mind I thought I’d start off on a couple positive notes. As we know the Internet IS an amazing tool. Without it, I’d have to call each of you and read this post. Not a lot of fun.
There are generally three views of the Internet:
1. The Internet is dangerous and should be avoided!
2. The Internet is awesome… just embrace it!
3. The Internet is an awesome tool… learn to use it right!
As you probably think, I fall into the last camp. The Internet is an awesome tool. It’s an amazing resource that is changing the world. Like anything though, it has it’s downside.
I read a doctoral dissertation a year ago from a Doctoral candidate in South Africa. He did an amazing job comparing the creation of the Internet with the creation of the printing press. Here’s a few of the highlights that I remember about the introduction of the printing press:
Communication increased dramatically
Communication became a lot more impersonal
Communication become easier
People loved it!
People hated it!
It was viewed as dangerous
It was viewed as the greatest resource to date
So as we move forward – here’s the point… we’re on this journey whether we like it or not. I imagine years from now someone will have this discussion about the next big thing and point back to the Internet and use it as an example of how it was feared and revered. Either way, we’re going to take a week to look at some of the Ups and Downs to this resource.
Coming Up:
The Upside of the Internet for your child – Creating a private blog
One afternoon, after being in our new house for just under a week my wife and I saw our little guy running around the house like a madman.
“What are you doing buddy?” I asked inquisitively
With about as much frustration a 4 year old could muster, he yelled, “Looking for the bathroom… THIS IS JUST TOO HARD!”
Here’s Five Lessons I’m being reminded of while we’re on our new adventure:
#1 Transition is painful for everyone
#2 There will always be loss
There’s a loss of friends, a home, a sense of safety, the familiar
#3 It’s an adventure
… but some people in the family might not be up for a new adventure right now.
#4 It takes time to get settled.
(last move took us about 4 years to get settled) and don’t even ask about the 3 weeks it just took to get internet, cable, and new cell phones.
#5 We need to act like a family when it’s tough.
We reminded our kids last night that the truth of their life is this: friends will come and go, but you will always have your family (like it or not). Our conversation then turned south when I reminded them how when they were young I changed their diapers and I expect the same from them when I’m old…
Oh I almost forgot
#6… You HAVE TO LAUGH A LOT!
This is a gal that has totally captured the heart of our family! She has helped… saved the lives of SO many little ones. Here’s my challenge: This young lady “didn’t happen”. She was molded, taught, and released. Who are the unsung heroes? Her parents! Now watch this video and imagine how you’d respond if YOUR child wanted to be used by God in this way.
Check it out (HERE)
You’re probably thinking to yourself, “seriously, Joe, what could possibly cause you to stop blogging. Here it is… we’re moving! New position -Pastor of Community and Family Formation. New Church – Fellowship Bible Church. So, hang in there with me for a couple more weeks as we transition.
As a parent…VBS:
How do you feel about it?
How do you “use it”?
Where do you go for it?
How many different VBS’s will / did your child attend?
Over the past few weeks our family has re-discovered a goldmine of entertainment! My daughters have found Little House on the Prairie. I know what you’re thinking… “Joe, it’s been around for years and years….” Yes, we know, but in the day and age of Nickelodeon and the Disney Channel, it has seemed to drop off the radar. To be honest, it wasn’t until a few weeks ago that we remembered why “Little House” is such a great show. Here are my top 10 reasons why I think every family should watch Little House on the Prairie:
# 10 It’s historically based.
The show does such a good job of showing how life was like back in the “old days”.
# 9 It very well written stories.
It’s just good writing! Not too cheesy. Some episodes are funny and others are a little more heavy…kinda like life.
# 8 You never have to worry about modesty issues with the girls.
All dresses are ankle length and no one argues about what to wear. I never really worried about this kind of stuff until I had 4 girls.
# 7 It shows that when people do wrong…people really get hurt.
Far too often, programming today glorifies wrongdoing with very little consequences.
# 6 It stresses simplistic living (one of our family core values)
We don’t need all these gadgets! One day, your ipod is going to take over the world!
# 5 Nellie Olson: it show the reality that everyone will have a “Nellie” in their life.
As parent’s we tend to overprotect our kids from people like this… our kids need to learn to deal with it.
# 4 It stresses “Family First” (another one of our core values)
Family time is admired. Families help one another. And when you boil it all down, sometimes your family is all you have.
# 3 Mr. Edwards
… every family needs a “Mr. Edwards” in their life! He’s the off-color crazy uncle type that loves the family unconditionally.
# 2 Parents are honored and not mocked…except for Mrs. Olson and she deserves it.
Don’t even get me started with how most shows portray parent’s today!
# 1 Every episode has a great moral lesson that’s easily understood.
Bottom line: these episodes will help your children become better people. It’s not just entertainment… it’s enlightenment.
So, what your favorite Little House episode?
One of the McGinnis core values is FAMILY FIRST. This is my very best explanation as to why it’s been so quiet around here over the last week…that, and the fact that I was too busy to write some posts ahead of time.
We (my wife and I) just returned from an amazing vacation to Disney! You have to understand how the we role. We are SO tight with our budget that Disney is generally off the radar. As a matter of fact, we paid for this with our Disney Reward Dollars that we’ve been saving up for over 8 years!!! Bottom line: It’s been quiet because, I chose FAMILY FIRST! It went above projects, work, and yes, even blogging.
We’ll I’m back in the saddle again. Refreshed and ready to go! Believe it or not, 5 days at Disney with 5 kids is refreshing for us (kinda lets you know how our life normally goes 
).
What do you do to stay refreshed? Where do you vacation? And most importantly – how do you choose FAMILY FIRST?
Sorry it’s been quiet that last couple weeks, just bee totally overwhelmed with so many projects.
Anyway… back at it again! On my way into work today I head about this on NPR.
What do you think?
Here’s a few of my thoughts:
1. These types of Grandmas are becoming a rare commodity.
2. It’s a great opportunity for the elderly to serve and stay active.
3. It’s a shame that families are not as they use to be. We use to not have to hire our grandmas… they used to be all around!
Just a random post about a random topic… that might speak volumes about our 21st Century “Family Culture”
