Throw Papa From The Cliff
Hey Dad,
We’ve covered a lot of trouble free miles since last I wrote. We had one windy day near Tucumcari, NM where my awning unfurled along the interstate. We had to pull over and cut a big chunk of the awning out. Reminded me a little of a sailor cutting a chunk of sail along a stormy sea.
Other than that, things have gone swimmingly. We spent a couple days in Bacavi, AZ (Hopi Reservation) at a friend’s home, hiked down into Coal Mine Canyon (must see), drove to the Grand Canyon (where I was a Were-dad), and made our way to El Paso for a Homeschool Convention.
While we were at the Convention, we met a great bunch of dads and moms, had a couple of sick kids, and enjoyed some humidity-free, Florida-like weather.
We celebrated Ike’s birthday (9) in El Paso. The last two years we had celebrated it at Incredible Pizza in Springfield, MO. Ike wanted to have his birthday at Incredible Pizza (IP) again, but we told him there wasn’t one in Texas. But we hadn’t been in the El Paso convention for an hour before we found out that they had opened a brand new IP in El Paso. God is too good to His children.
The next day we started up the road to Oklahoma City, OK and stopped at White Sands National Monument.
One word to describe it—WOW! Imagine snow dunes as far as you can see, but it’s not snow—it’s sand. We rented a couple snow saucers to sled down the dunes; absolutely incredible.
Today we’re parked and taking care of a few housekeeping items. We have a few days before the OK convention and hope to do a little sightseeing in Oklahoma (I even have the soundtract to Oklahoma playing in the CD player).
Here are a few more photos—
Swing wide and keep your eye on your tail,
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Thanks for the words of direction…we dads can get lost very easily.
Don’t forget about wood fired pizza in Ohio!
You da Dad
I’ve been a Were-Dad too many times myself. Thanks for your encouraging words and reminders to each of us of God’s goodness and grace. You are in my prayers today as you lead and encourage each of us to walk uprightly and thoughtfully with God.
Looking forward to seeing you this weekend in OKC. Praying for your safe trip there!
i am glad to see a pic of Jed, i couldn’t see him in all the other pics! Maybe he was asleep in the RV.
You are one lucky dad…see you at CHAP!!
You da dad! Do they know how blessed they are? I would love to see the grand canyon!!!!
Dear Familyman and family.
my favorite quote
“ You can’t choose your parents, but you can choose your childrens parents”
So who we are and how we behave is our choice. From a mom who sometimes yells in the car. (Not just yelling but a Weremama)
Tip, no sugar, no refined foods and no caffeine.It plays havoc with your nervous system. It is only God who can change us, but we don’t have to make Gods work harder by eating bad food.
oh hahaha, get your kids to memorize Proverbs 12:9
My 5 year old has it down and we have the family rule that whoever is a fool has to say it out loud, ( and 10 jumping jacks) It is fun having a five year old quote you about being a fool.
God Bless your family.
ps You have a beautiful wife and family.
Sincerely
Mrs. Hodges
I’m a mom and although I’ve experienced the “waredad” you described (my husband)- Mom makes some of those transformations also. It’s not pretty. Anyway- thanks for the reminder that we all need each other. Guess that’s really what the church is all about, encouraging each other to be our best. So big thanks!!!! And by the way- great pictures. I want to know how your wife looks so good after so many little ones!
Hi Todd. Glad to hear I’m not the only Were-Dad out there. Thanks so much for your newsletter – it’s a real encouragement to me.
My family and I had our own over-the-top adventure this last weekend. Please read about it here:
http://robchristianson.blogspot.com/
Thanks and God bless!
Keep on, guys! Looks like you are having a blast and making lots of memories. We appreciate you sharing the good and the bad—and the ugly! 🙂 We love your authenticity.
Debbie, I can’t tell you how much our conversation a few months ago blessed me…and continues to do so. Thanks so much!
Praying for you all.
Katie for the Weavers
Takes me back about 32 years. My family and I, 5 total, traveled to Los Angles from St. Louis in a Ford Maverick, we stopped at just about every tourist trap along the way including the Grand Canyon, Big Rock Candy Mountain and Fred Flinstones Village just outside of the Grand Canyon, in 1976.
Our beaches here in Gulf Breeze, Florida are as white as those sand dunes. Providence Canyon in SW Georgia is called the mini Grand Canyon and is about 4 hours from here. We’d love to have you come visit! Thanks for apologizing, I know your wife appreciated it.
I have the highest respect for anyone who can travel long distances with their children. I become were-mom on the hour-long drive to town (in other words, about every other day). We love going to the Creation Museum outside Cincinnati, but 3.5 hours (each way) of “are we there yet?” and poking and arguing and such from the backset of the little Honda Civic make for a pretty rough trip. Again, I’m just amazed that you guys can spend so much time together in so little space and still like each other most of the time. Have a blessed summer!
Gracias por dejarte usar por Dios y hablarnos al corazón a tantos papás que andamos sintiéndonos como “Llaneros solitarios” en nuestra vida diaria en familia.
Dicen que El Espiritu Santo no se contradice a sàmismo, y una vez más lo confirmo.
Esta carta donde platicas como te convertiste en Papá-lobo dio justo en el blanco con lo que pasó esta semana en casa.
Dios es grande y sabe que como humanos necesitamos de otro humano que nos entienda y que nos haga ver que nuestra realidad no es tan diferente a la de otros, y que dependemos más de Dios que de nosotros mismos.
Gracias por lo que Dios hace contigo y tu familia. Dios los bendiga.
PD.- Durante el arranque de ira de la semana pasada, no pude quitar de mi cabeza ese comercial de IKEA donde la mamá va y regaña a los niños: ¡Alguien aquànecesita un “time out”! y ELLA es la que se va SOLA a su recámara. Eso hice y fue ahàdonde Dios trabajó conmigo, y hoy dá el remate contigo… Dios siempre estuvo ahÃÂ.
Bendiciones desde Mexico.
Israel
I love these pictures. You all look hugable. It is amazing how GOD guides you even to celebrate Ike’s birthday.
Thanks for all the great pictures! Sorry we didn’t get to see you at the Springfield, MO Homeschool Convention last Sat.—that was a real blessing last year!!! And thanks for your honest dad report of the Grand Canyon :o) Enjoy the journey, perfect or not,:o) and God bless your precious family and your great ministry, for His glory! You da’ family!