Just another WEEK in Paradise!

Well I thought I'd write a note to the most important people in my life.

I have to begin by saying that I LOVE being a Dad. I haven't been very good about playing game with you kids, even though that has been my goal, all week long, but I always make a point to wrestle with and hug you all for a little while each day. I think I need it as much as you do.

My schedule has been sooo busy. I'm trying hard to make it more efficient, so that I have more time to spend with each of you, and the Lord is certainly helping me. I feel like I get a little closer each day, even though I still have days that are crazy busy.

Last Sunday was nice, because we got to relax a little with the Kauffman's and I didn't have to do any writing or anything. Everyone needs a day of rest, which is what Sunday's are supposed to be, and I hope to be able to use Sunday afternoon as a special family time or time to have others over for a fun, relaxing afternoon.

This week has been so bitter cold (sometimes 5-10 degrees below zero before even counting in the wind-chill factor) that all of you kids have had to stay inside and haven't gotten to play in the snow. Playing outside is something that all of you love to do, so you've had a lot of extra energy that needs to be spent.

On Monday afternoon, I went to JC Penny's sale and bought a leather jacket for $15. I bought all of you children new hats and gloves.

Elijah picked a Transformers hat and gloves. Josiah picked a bright red and blue Lightning McQueen hat and gloves. Alana and Moriah got pretty pink and purple hat-and-glove sets with scarves. Each of you wanted to wear them around the house for the next couple of days, since you couldn't try them out outside.

I've also been trying to plan a trip to Gracie Shuler's wedding. She will be marrying Bro. Paul Alexander in about a month--someone we have dearly loved since we first moved to the Flathead Valley. Of course, Gracie is pretty special to me, as well, since I have known her since she was around Moriah's age. In fact, the Shuler family has been like family to me, and I used to wrestle with all of the Shuler kids the same way that I now wrestle with all of you.

It's actually a little hard to think about Gracie being all grown up. It happened so fast, and it makes me a little sad, because I realize that I need to treasure every day that I have with my own children, while you are young enough to be with me. The day will come when you, too, will be all grown up. Then, you will begin a life of your own, and there will be a big hole in my house where your noise and play and personalities and love used to be.

There's a song that I've been singing a lot. Yes, it's country. It's called "Just Another Day In Paradise," and it's sung by Phil Vasser.

The second verse says:
Friday. You're late.
Guess we'll never make our dinner date
At the restaurant. You start to cry.
Baby, we'll just improvise.
Well, plan B looks like
Dominoes' pizza in the candle light
Then we'll tippy toe to our room
Make a little love that's overdue
But somebody had a bad dream
Mama and Daddy
Can me and my teddy
Come in to sleep in between?

Yeah it's ok. It's so nice.
It's just another day in paradise.
Well, there's no place that
I'd rather be
Well, it's two hearts
And one dream
I wouldn't trade it for anything
And I ask the Lord every night
For just another day in paradise

Okay, so it's usually me who's running late, with so much on my plate, and I don't particularly like Domino's Pizza. The point is still applicable. Mom and I don't get to date much, and at least one of you children (Alana or Moriah) ends up in our bed almost every night.

In addition, everything takes five times longer than it should with five children, so it seems like there's never enough time in a day. What there is enough of is NOISE. Children flying up and down the hall like Superman. Moriah pinning Alana and Josiah down in a wrestling hold and Elijah tormenting someone just to get a response. When you're not yelling for help, your squealing with laughter (I actually prefer this to the pleas for help).

As a rule, neither Mom or I can hear ourselves think--or each other, when we're trying to communicate. Having pointed that out, I can't imagine my life without it. I, too, ask the Lord every night to help me hold onto this for as long as I can and not let it slip through my fingers.

I love your hugs, every day--feeling your thin frame in my arms as I hold you tight and knowing that you are God's precious gift for my life. I love telling you that I love you and hearing you answer that you love me too. I love it when I bend down to look for something and Moriah climbs onto my back and begins to say, "E-up" over and over until I have to laugh and take her for a horsey ride. I love the way each one of your laughs are so unique and each one makes my whole heart smile from rib to rib.

Just another day in paradise. Just another year. I'll teach you about life and prepare you for what lies ahead, but my heart will beg you, "Please don't go," even if I know I can't tell you that with my words. Just another day, Lord. Help me hold on, for as long as I can. ...and help me to have courage when the time comes, knowing that I've done what needed to be done and that they'll always be with me in my heart. I pray that I've loved them enough and that I too shall always be with them in their hearts and in the way they raise their own families.

Moriah, you're such a born leader. You naturally want to take charge and make everyone do what they're supposed to do--like when you drag Josiah to the van screaming, because you know I said get in the van and he still wants to play.

Alana, you are such a nurturer. I love you so much. I know that you are going to be a wonderful helper and a wonderful wife and mother some day. You love to do nice things for other people, and of all of my children you are the one who most like to hug and tell me that you love me--often times when I'm busy or even grumpy and really need that to snap me back to reality.

Josiah, you are so much like me--off in your own world, much of time. You love to play with your LEAP Pad, and you'd much rather sleep with a truck than with any stuffed animal. You make the biggest messes--your the one who always comes inside during the summer looking like you've just had mud for dinner and the one who inevitably ends up with part of your meal in your hair. I don't know if I was that messy, but I sure see a lot of physical and personality markers that remind me of myself when I was little. You are my little adventurer.

Elijah, you are sooo smart and creative. In you, I see a lot of myself as well, even though you look more like your mother's side of the family. Like any boy your age, there are a lot of things you don't like to do, but you are always so happy. You love to laugh, and you always find something good in everyone or every situation.

I know I'm hard on you sometimes, but its because I see you acting in a way and doing things that I did at your age (and beyond) and I don't want your to lack for the guidance on the path to maturity, which I lacked. I also get impatient with you, like my Dad did with me, and I'm still learning how to be more patient while yet standing firm, so as to teach you the right rather than continually chastise you for the wrong. The bottom line is that I'm so very proud of you and I have great expectations for what you will do with your life, as well as what GOD will do through you.

In closing, I must mention that I have discovered a group called ApologetiX, a group of very talented musicians and performers who have taken some of the old classic and popular rock songs and parodied them with a Christian theme. I can't do justice to how talented they are in what they have done. I put a couple of their songs up on my Myspace page earlier this week.

One of the songs is a spoof of the Beach Boys' song Barbara Ann, called Baaa We're Lambs. You children have laughed to that song and sung it repeatedly for days. It's a great song, like many of the ApologetiX songs. My personal favorite is Bad Dad, a parody of Daniel's Powter's hit song Bad Day, because it has such a powerful and profound message; but I hope that it will not mean nearly as much to you, because I want to be to you an example of what a godly and lovely father should be.

Lastly, I have to mention again to your mother: Rebekah, you may never understand how much your presence in my life has meant to me or how wonderful it makes me feel to hold you close. I fall more deeply in love and in desire for you, every day.

Sincerely,

Dad.