Family Ties and Ground Hog Day

On the day before Samantha had to return to college for Spring Term, Bruce and I gathered Leah and Samantha and went out for dinner to Chili's. We had a great time, reminiscing and laughing about prior events we'd shared as a family. More than once that evening, I found myself thinking how very blessed I am to really LIKE my kids. I'm certain that I would LOVE them, no matter what, but I honestly LIKE them, and if they weren't my kids, I'd seek them out as friends.

Later, we watched the movie Invincible and then had a game night. Game nights usually start out well, but ultimately deteriorate, because one of us (Bruce) never wins any game except Trivial Pursuit. After about 10 minutes, this person (Bruce) starts giving ridiculous answers, or sabotages the outcome, and we have to quit, or agree to play ... Trivial Pursuit. As a compromise, we dug out Trivial Pursuit Pop Culture. Even the coolest among us (not Bruce) had a tough time with that one, so we switched to Bible Balderdash, thinking SURELY we'd get all of those right. Nope, not one. Without looking it up, would you know what Jokmeam is?

Being a parent has had the biggest impact upon me in my understanding of God, the Father. I can empathize a bit with how He must feel when we make Him proud, how He hurts when we hurt, and how He wants the best for us. I have a better grasp on unconditional love, and and a great appreciation for unconditional like.

(It's Ground Hog Day...)

On the day before Samantha had to return to college for Spring Term, Bruce and I gathered Leah and Samantha and went out for dinner to Chili's. We had a great time, reminiscing and laughing about prior events we'd shared as a family. More than once that evening, I found myself thinking how very blessed I am to really LIKE my kids. I'm certain that I would LOVE them no matter what, but I honestly LIKE them, and if they weren't my kids, I'd seek them out as friends. Later, we watched the movie, Invincible, and then had a game night. Game nights usually start out well, but ultimately deteriorate, because one of us (Bruce) never wins any game except Trivial Pursuit. After about 10 minutes, this person (Bruce) starts giving ridiculous answers, or sabotages the outcome, and we have to quit, or agree to play ... Trivial Pursuit. As a compromise, we dug out Trivial Pursuit Pop Culture. Even the coolest among us (not Bruce)had a tough time with that one, so we switched to Bible Balderdash, thinking SURELY we'd get those all of those right. Nope, not one. Without looking it up, would you know what Jokmeam is? Being a parent has had the biggest impact on me in my understanding of God, the Father. I can empathize a bit with how He must feel when we make Him proud, or how He must hurt when we hurt, and how He wants what's best for us. I have a better grasp on unconditional love, and a great appreciation for unconditional like.On the day before Samantha had to return to college for Spring Term, Bruce and I gathered Leah and Samantha and went out for dinner to Chili's. We had a great time, reminiscing and laughing about prior events we'd shared as a family. More than once that evening, I found myself thinking how very blessed I am to really LIKE my kids. I'm certain that I would LOVE them, no matter what, but I honestly LIKE them, and if they weren't my kids, I'd seek them out as friends.Later, we watched the movie Invincible and then had a game night. Game nights usually start out well, but ultimately deteriorate, because one of us (Bruce) never wins any game except Trivial Pursuit...