With the birth of our child and the Christmas season upon us, my wife has constantly been talking about traditions. One of my family's Christmas traditions has always been opening our "stockings" from Grams. These stockings started as far back as I can remember and were a standard size stocking. They have now grown into rather large gift bags filled with items that will help you survive for an entire year.
You never know what you might find in these giant bags of joy. On top you will find a pair of socks or maybe a few pairs of gloves. Everyone can use a pack of cheese crackers and a notepad to right your thoughts on. You will definitely need the pocket flashlight to light your way. There is always a can of shaving cream and a pack of razors for the men and the women find items such as.....I don't know what the women find because I am always burried in my stocking looking for the money!
My mind is always churning and the more my wife talks about traditions the more I think. "What will be our christmas tradition with Baby Hop?" I guess that we will just have to wait and see what happens on the first Christmas. Though he will probably only be a few days old, I am sure that something will happen that will make us say, Hmmmm...That's it! It may be as simple as opening a gift on Christmas eve so that he can have new pajamas for Christmas morning, or making cookies for Santa! I like that idea! It may be going out and looking at Christmas lights while drinking hot chocolate?
It is so exciting to think up all of these great ideas while he is still in the womb yet somehow, everything will be completely different when he is here. Baby Hop is going to rule the roost.
What are your Christmas traditions?
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Youth and technology
I witnessed my two year old cousin pickup a cell phone today and say that she was texting. Yes it may seem that I spend a lot of time on the Internet writing this blog, uploading videos and constantly checking Facebook on my iPhone, however I grew up using my imagination outside playing with sticks and rocks.
Are children still being as imaginative and creative as we had to be? Do we have to prepare them to use today's technology at a young age? Have we made our youth lazy and less intelligent by allowing them to have instant access to games, information and answers to their questions?
I am very happy to have these items at my finger tips, however I do know how to use a dictionary, encyclopedia and a card catalog. Should we still be teaching our children how to use these items?
I don't disagree with young people having a cell phone. It is nice to be able to instantly contact your child if need be and to check on them, but do they need the Internet? Am I just from a different era where things were way different or am I over reacting?
Should I just accept that things are different now and it is easier for our children than it was for us or do we need to keep their imaginations alive by taking away the smartphones and computers? What if all of our satellites were destroyed right now? Would you know how to survive without an Internet connection?
Are children still being as imaginative and creative as we had to be? Do we have to prepare them to use today's technology at a young age? Have we made our youth lazy and less intelligent by allowing them to have instant access to games, information and answers to their questions?
I am very happy to have these items at my finger tips, however I do know how to use a dictionary, encyclopedia and a card catalog. Should we still be teaching our children how to use these items?
I don't disagree with young people having a cell phone. It is nice to be able to instantly contact your child if need be and to check on them, but do they need the Internet? Am I just from a different era where things were way different or am I over reacting?
Should I just accept that things are different now and it is easier for our children than it was for us or do we need to keep their imaginations alive by taking away the smartphones and computers? What if all of our satellites were destroyed right now? Would you know how to survive without an Internet connection?
Fatherhood!?!
In less than three weeks, I am due to become a father. This is a terrifying yet very exciting time. I have a million questions and thoughts running through my mind. Will I be a good father, will I be able to adequately support my family, will I have all of the answers, will I be a godly leader for my child, etc...
I can't wait to see his face! When he opens his eyes for the first time and appears to be looking up at me with the slightest grin, my heart will melt and I will probably have a river flowing down my face. On the other hand I am dreading the first few diaper changes. I hear that they are not so pleasant.
The most exciting part of this birth is that I will have the opportunity to catch baby Charlie as he emerges from the birth canal. What a great feeling it would be to deliver your own child. (I am a trained professional and we are having him at the hospital.)
All in all, we have been waiting for this for three years and we are extremely excited. God does not give you more than you can handle, so if he thinks that we are ready then he has our back. God bless our child and may God bless you.
I can't wait to see his face! When he opens his eyes for the first time and appears to be looking up at me with the slightest grin, my heart will melt and I will probably have a river flowing down my face. On the other hand I am dreading the first few diaper changes. I hear that they are not so pleasant.
The most exciting part of this birth is that I will have the opportunity to catch baby Charlie as he emerges from the birth canal. What a great feeling it would be to deliver your own child. (I am a trained professional and we are having him at the hospital.)
All in all, we have been waiting for this for three years and we are extremely excited. God does not give you more than you can handle, so if he thinks that we are ready then he has our back. God bless our child and may God bless you.
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