Thankful for my beautiful, sweet daughter

Everyone has dreams about their future. On December 4, 2006 a nurse said to me, "here you go daddy, meet your daughter." And for the first time I was able to hold this dream come true: 

And now today, six years later, she is still that dream. I am so thankful for my beautiful Baylee, my sweet daughter:

We went to Jewel this morning to buy cookies so she can celebrate with her friends at lunch. As we were walking the sidewalk to the main door I picked her up and prayed...

"God - thank you for this awesome little girl. (She interupted me at this point and whispered, "Big girl") ...for this awesome BIG GIRL! For giving mommy and me such an amazing daughter. I am so thankful that I get to be her daddy and I am so incredibly proud of who she is. Thank you for making her so much fun, for making her so caring, for giving her so much energy and with a sweet spirit, that she is helpful, that she tries so hard, and that she is growing up to be such an amazing BIG girl. Give her a great, fun, amazing birthday"

And now back in my office writing this, with somewhat watery eyes, I pray the other prayer I do every Dec 4th...

"Dear God...please slow down the time"

Who is 3yrs old today?

This guy is!

 

So thankful for my little man! He is growing up to be such a fun, smart, and super caring little boy. I couldn't be more proud or grateful - so glad I get to say I'm Jaxon Zion Moss' daddy!

My Chevy Cavalier: February 1998 - July 2012

The first and sole car I've ever purchased and it only had 11 miles on it when I pulled out of the dealer's lot. That was in February of 1998. This past Sunday we put my beloved Cavalier to pasture.

Last summer I ran into a friend that I hadn't seen in quite awhile and he laughed when he saw the Cav, "You're still driving that thing?!?" Laughing along with him, "I haven't had a car payment in years and it gets me where I'm going with good gas mileage. Why get something else?"

I'm not a "car guy." In my worldview they are just a means to get from Point-A to Point-B, so I've never really cared about them or been overly impressed by any. Yet 190,000+ miles later I have a ton of great memories with this car. Youth group rides, family stuff, late night drives up and down Lakeshore blasting the Pumpkins, and road trips to Indy, St Louis, Florida, Cleveland, Bair Lake Bible Camp (countless times) and a ton of other places from over the last 12 years. My favorite memory is definitely when Jeannette and I drove to South Dakota to see the Badlands and Mt Rushmore.

But on Sunday it was laid to rest. It's in Indiana now at my dad's to be used for parts. The AC doesn't work, the parking brake is shot, the drivers seat doesn't stay up on it's own, the trunk won't open, the cigarette lighter is broke (hence no phone charging option), the headlights only stay on if you keep the control bar on the steering shaft pulled back slightly and even then the front left headlight was out, oh...and this is all separate from the fact the car was actually declared totaled after someone pulled out and hit me back in November. I'll be curious to see what parts dad is able to pull off it.  =)

A few weeks ago Baylee was getting into the car with me and said, "Daddy, your car is nasty." 

"Yes baby, yes it is. It's old and beat up, but it's done us good. Lots of good trips in this car."

"Well why don't you get a new car and we can take that on a trip?"

Pretty soon. Pretty soon. 

Anyone have a good story about my car to share in the comments?

Spider-man and my hilarious daughter

Tonight Baylee and I went to Target so she could pick out a birthday present for Jaxon. Of course we get to the point while walking the toy aisles that I realize she isn't behind me anymore. My assumption is that she got distracted at the Brave endcap. 

"Baylee, come here!" 

The shouted reply, "I can't - I'm stuck in a web!!!" 

"Baylee, please come by me. I don't want to lose you."

Mind you that we're having this conversation from across aisles, she comes back a little louder, "I can't dad! I'm stuck in a web!"

As I'm coming around the corner to see what in the world she's talking about this is what I find:

Memorial Day and an old faded tattoo

Memorial Day to me is my grandfather. 

Papa served two terms in the Korean war. I remember when I was little finding a box at his house with various mementos from the Army. Money. A knife. Pictures. And I remember the awe that came over me. "Papa is a soldier!"

He never really wanted to talk about his time there. When I was little that didn't make sense to me, but it does now. 

To this day Papa has the word "Army" tattooed on his arm. Its faded now but still legible.

Tragically, my soldier grandfather, who served two terms in the Korean war, now bed ridden in his Highland Indiana home while suffering from Alzheimer's, was told recently that he is ineligible for financial help from the Veteran's administration. 

Apparently his tattoo isn't legible to various entities of our government. 

Memorial Day to me is my grandfather.

Memorial Day to me is also my cousin. My uncles. Various friends.

I have deep thankfulness for these individuals who sacrifice and have sacrificed in a way that really can't be fathomed by those of us who haven't done it. 

I pray that what they've given doesn't fade away like an old tattoo.

This pic is of Papa and Baylee, taken on Memorial Day six years ago.

Meatballs and Spinach and Mother's Day

As we're walking down the street after church I say to Baylee, "Today is Mommy's day. She gets to pick where we are eating."

"Ah man, the day she gets to pick she's going to choose something I don't want like meatballs and spinach!" 

Jeannette laughs and says, "Why in the world would I pick that? And besides, you love meatballs."

Baylee passionately responds, "Not with spinach though!"

My highly entertaining kids. And I am so thankful they have a mom like Jeannette! She is an amazing super mom and I couldn't have asked for more in a mom for my kids. I am immensely grateful for her!

Happy Mother's Day Jeannette!

Also, other Happy Mother's day shout outs to:

• My awesome mom whom I love immensely.
• My awesome Nana who is phenomenal!
• My way coo' mother-in-law Chris
• My sister-in-law Shannon who needs prayer because she is a Star Trek fan.
• My sister-in-law Chrissy who I know is at home laying on the couch right now (or will be).
• My awesome step-mom Barb
• My awesome grandma Loomis
• And to all the "Mom's" at New Life Lincoln Park!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY ALL YOU MADRES!!! 

Happy Birthday Jeannette!

March 10th is one of my favorite days in the calendar year. It is the day God brought my wonderful wife into the world. I am so incredibly thankful not just for her but for who she is. For her heart, for her love of life, for her spontaneousness, for her being such a great mom, for her being such an amazing wife. She is everything to me!!!

Happy Birthday Jeannette! I love you so much!

For those who know my wife - YES, I did get permission to post this pic =)

The pain of miscarriage and the goodness of God

Devastating. 

When talking of miscarriage, I'm not sure if there is a better word that can be used to describe what you're going through. Every person I've ever met who has gone through the experience uses this word when telling their story. 

Good.

When talking of God, this is one of many words we can use when describing Him.  Goodness is part of His defining character. It's who He is...all the time.

How these two words can come together in one story is hard to fathom. Yet, I'm incredibly thankful for my friends Tiffany & Daniel Schaaff. Last week Tiffany shared their story on her blog and beautifully brought these two words together. 

I'd really encourage you to take a minute and read her entry: God is Good...So Good!

Is it possible to stay married for 63 years?

Today my grandparents answer the question with resounding YES!!! 

And not just married for 63 years, but in love for 63 years. 

These are two of the most dear people in the world to me, and I would not be the man I am today if not for them. My thankfulness for their impact on my life is eternal. Our family is more indebted to their steadfast and faithful legacy then we ever will probably realize.

Love you so much Nana and Papa! 

Happy 63rd anniversary!!!

No Slutty Halloweens

This is a picture of Baylee's Halloween costume: Hello Kitty. 

My adorable little girl.

My funny, caring, outgoing, social, loving, observant, full of life, beautiful little girl. 

As her daddy I take it as a deep personal responsibility to shower her with love, affirmation, empowerment, wisdom, and build up her self-respect so that when she is older she doesn't feel it necessary to dress up like a slut in order to have fun on Halloween.

Her decisions will be her own.

But it's my role to give her a foundation to make those decisions, and impart to her through our relationship the self-respect, confidence, and know how to be able to make the best ones. 

Dear Lord - please help me! 

 What matters is not your outer appearance—the styling of your hair, the jewelry you wear, the cut of your clothes—but your inner disposition. Cultivate inner beauty, the gentle, gracious kind that God delights in. 1 Peter 3:3-4

The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord. Psalm 45:11

Week In Review #15

I was doing really good with consistent blogging for a couple months. Then this week happened. I've been sick and wiped out since Tuesday. It's been really up and down through that: Tues felt horrible, somewhat better Wed, Thurs back to bad, Fri pretty good, and today horrible again. Any spare minute was spent horizontal, trying to get extra rest. Hence, not a lot of blogging this week. But, this was the week apart from being sick:

A reminder of - "I want to holded"

Back in January I shared this story of Baylee almost bringing Jeannette and I to tears (happy ones): "I want to be holded" It's actually one of the most read posts ever on my blog.

Well, Saturday night before bedtime Baylee and I had the below conversation. It was another reminder of wanting to be held.

Me: "Baylee, will you promise me that after you turn 5 that you won't get any bigger? Can you just stay like this? I really like you this size."

Baylee: "Sure. Wait just a minute." 

She then turns around in front of me, closes her eyes and clasps her hands, "God, please let me be five for a long long time. Amen."

She then turns back to face me and says, "I hope he answers that dad because I like it when you hold me." 

And again...she near brings me to tears.

Tonight's moment made me think of the one back in January. Very lucky to have this little lady in my life - because she continually points me toward seeing what is most important.

"Lord...teach me to pray like a 4 year old. Amen"

White Ribbon Day: Remembering 9/11 [VIDEO]

The day after the attacks, my friend Dave Trout came to me with 8-10 hours of 9/11 news footage recorded on one VHS and an idea for a video. The plan was to create for church a montage video, set to the song, White Ribbon Day. After two all nighters, about two hours before services started, the memorial video was finished. 

Here it is:

Week in review #10

It's hard to believe that summer is over, but I am indeed one who prefers the weather of fall. Such is life, and we keep rolling on... 

"The 1st day of school" or "Why blinking sucks"

Yesterday she was...

And then I blinked, and today she is...

Learning from a hectic travel schedule

This has been the busiest, craziest summers of my entire life. Lots of work, lots of travel. I'm always on the move with my job, but mid-June through the beginning of August was abnormally intense. We knew going in it would be as such. Jeannette and I talked beforehand and agreed the sacrifice of time this summer would be worth it in the longrun. The experiences would help us with some of our moving expenses, plus it would allow me to get Companion Statues on Southwest so that she can travel with me. August 6th marked the end of the marathon, and things are finally going back to some type of normal. Whatever that is.

So here's a rundown of my summer marathon:

Happy Birthday Nana!

Today is my grandma's birthday. She is one of the most amazing people on the planet and of the most important people in my life. I can't begin to communicate with words how thankful I am for her. 

If I wrote one memory a day of all the stories I have with her, it would take the rest of my life to get them all down. Reading to me before bed, taking us to the park, speeding to get us to school on time, always having something for us to do, singing silly songs, taking us with her to the preschool she taught at, putting up with my loud music, and not just telling us about Jesus but showing us Him...I could never have asked for a better grandma. 

I love you Nana! Hope you have a great day!!

Why everybody needs to leave me alone today!!!

I am taking a breaking today. You can't stop me.

Last Sunday morning I spoke at church about Sabbath and why it is so important to take one. So today I am practicing what I preached. 

My email will not be looked at until Monday morning.
My Facebook and Twitter will be abandoned until tomorrow.

My phone will be in airplane mode so that I don't receive calls or texts.

My family and I are going to Central Park all day to laugh and play, to enjoy one another and this beautiful place.

I am taking a Sabbath!

You need to take a break!!!  Don't believe me?

• Here's the link to when I spoke 7/28 about Sabbath - maybe listening to it will convince you.
• Here's my message notes - maybe reading those will help.

You are not a machine!
Stop working and take a break to enjoy your life, family, and His creation.

I am doing this today.  Leave me alone!!!   =)

Week in Review #5

"Live from New York...it's my blog entry!!!" Sorry, that is incredibly cheesy, but I couldn't resist. This week's stuff:

My little man is two!!!

Two years ago today I was given an amazing gift and privilege. When the doctor said "It's a boy!" I was overwhelmed with a happiness so deep I really can't adequately explain it.  I have a son!  We have our Princess, and now we have our Jedi. 

Jaxon Zion Moss was born two years ago today. His little body has gotten bigger, and being all boy he has he share of bumps and bruises from jumping off couches and playground equipment. His personality has emerged, and it is such a happy disposition and also so loving. He is obsessed with Buzz Lightyear (which is only just a stepping stone to Star Wars stuff) and is loving toward his sister (But also a little ornery at times. Last night he ran into the living room where she was building a Lego tower. He pushed it down, laughed huge, and then ran out). He is growing up to be such an amazing little dude.

And I am so incredibly thankful that he calls me daddy!  Happy Birthday to my buddy!!!

Here are a bunch of recent pics of him: