SofiandNatalie.com

The holiday season is here, and I have more than most to be thankful for. So much, in fact, it’s almost impossible to put into words everything that is in my heart and mind. I have a beautiful, loving wife, two daughters that mean more to my very being than any words could ever express, good health, and more of life’s basics (clothing, food and shelter) than any one person deserves.  These blessings are with me throughtout the year, and thanks to my daughters the ones that really matter will be with me, in their words, too, “always and forever.” Read the rest of this entry »

I’m honestly not sure how I am going to make it through childhood.  Not mine, of course, but my daughter’s.  There is so much to learn, so many new experiences, and so many pains along the way that sometimes it feels as though my emotions would shatter my very soul if not for the fact that I don’t want my daughters to see me falter.

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I didn’t write this story, but I think about it often.  Every time I tell my girls, “just a minute” or “not right now” I’m forgetting the importance of the moment and that I will never get this time back.  Once the moment is gone it’s gone forever – and while there will be many more minutes and times for us to play, why waste a single one of them if I don’t have to?  So for that reason alone, I am sharing this story with our readers, in hopes that it will help each of us remember the value of time.

Enjoy ~

Papa

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It seems like just yesterday that I was standing in the maternity ward waiting (and stressing) about the birth of our first child.  We didn’t even know what sex she would be, let alone how much work and joy that she would bring to our lives.  Five years later and the only thing I want is more time to spend with my children so that I can enjoy each and every moment of their lives.

Celebrating birthdays -- milestones -- are little reminders of our successes and of the life that we have created.  In these words I hope that you will see my pride and realize the happiness and joy that both my children have brought to my life, and know that for every milestone we achieve I learn more and more the value that these lives bring to mine.

Happy Birthday, Sofi.  We love you.

Papa

I started reminiscing the other day about how quickly the girls are growing up.  It seems like every day they’re into something new, a little taller, or talking about what they did so many years ago.  Looking through our pictures – we have slightly over 27,000 in the last four and a half years – brought tears to my eyes from laughter and joy.  Seeing their faces and remembering is an amazing experience and one that I hope to relive over and over again.  Here, and in their gallery, I am sharing these photos for you in hopes that you will also get some of the joy and laughter from your own experience with these kids.

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The guys who fear becoming fathers don’t understand that fathering is not something perfect men do, but something that perfects the man.  The end product of child raising is not the child but the parent.  ~Frank Pittman, Man Enough

Summer is over; we’re coming into fall.  It’s easy to see everywhere you look.  The weather is changing; stores are putting out their holiday wares and advertising is making the inevitble swing to push us to shop. For me though, it’s all a reminder that another year is nearly over, and my children are getting older.  Every day when I leave in the morning I wonder what will have changed between the morning and when I get home, and every day I’m amazed by how much it seems I’ve missed.  My babies are growig up, learning, and perhaps what I fear most, yearning for their independence (all while still wanting a hug and a kiss.)

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Natalie: “I’ll open the garage and get our bikes out.”
Mama: “No, you need to wait until I’m done doing the dishes.”
Natalie: “Oh, yeah, I thought I was a grownup.”

Even though everyone has been sick for what feels like forever, there have been some well days and a lot going on in between. It’s actually kind of amazing at how much happens in our lives without really appreciating it. Sure, many of these events are very tiny in my eyes, but when I am able to step back and see them through my daughter’s eyes I can be truly amazed by their wonderment.

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It’s been so long since I last contributed anything to the blog, I’ve almost forgotten how, but after a very, very long break I’m back to contribute on a much more regular basis. For those that don’t know, we’ve been out ill for pretty much the whole of two months – mama and the girls both had the stomach flu, followed by colds, and then Sofi and Natalie both contracted pneumonia. So basically we’ve had two months of battling fevers, enjoying the Good Samaritan Hospital Emergency Room and everything that goes along with being sick. At the same time, I scratched my cornea to the point where I was only able to see out of one eye – we were just loads of fun.

But, I’m knocking on wood now – we’re all well and definitely ready for summer. Mama is off this year and the girls have been enjoying every day. I’m very happy that they get to play and have fun all summer – even though I’m also a little jealous. But that’s okay – knowing they’re happy will be enough for me. So let the posting begin…

Papa

Just wanted to post a quick note of apology for the lack of writing over the past couple of weeks.  The entire family has been under the weather, and the girls have caught it again (twice this go ’round).  Fortunately, I think that we have finally just about licked this and assuming that mama and I don’t get it again we should be back to regular posting shortly.

Thanks for your patience!

Papa