Kidnap Dad

Good Wednesday morning!

I have two new pics in the Gallery today. Austin and Josh both attended the Top Twenty Luncheon our school has for the Top Twenty in each class (Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors), so that was a huge honor for both of them. Austin is pictured with our friend, Mr. Jeff, who graduated from Jacksonville State several (many) years ago. He has been a great encouragement to us as our family has researched schools, scholarships, etc. He has two children in college and two still in high school. It was very fitting for Austin to have his picture taken with Mr. Jeff.

The second picture is Josh and his Dad after he received his certificate. There were many times we thought this day would never come over the last few years, and it was definitely a moment to be cherished. If people only knew the sheer strength, determination and stubbornness it takes for Josh to even get out of the car on most days... much less go into the building and stay there... much less take honors classes... much less make all As. Many days he comes home mentally and emotionally exhausted and drained, physically spent, and sometimes horribly sad.

The minute he walks in the door, it's our job (the remaining Faulkner Four) to provide a safe place... a place to "be" without pretending he's okay... a place where it is acceptable to have OCD and overwhelming anxiety he can't always control. It's our job to understand who he is and the illness he has, and to be thankful and celebrate the fact he made it through another day. No need for pretending here. This is home. Josh isn't the only one who "needs" this. I think everyone does. I know I do.

I named this blog A Simple Life because that is really and truly what I want for me and my family. I don't think being "busy" all the time is a good thing. I actually think it can be harmful to a family. I really, really do. And usually, I don't like comparing my "busy" days with other people. Usually, I'm kind of ashamed when my days are too "busy" and the balance in my life is missing, and I don't want other people to know I let "busyness" take away a precious day. But today, I'm going to be honest.

At 10:30 yesterday morning, we attended Josh's Awards Day.

At 11:30, we attended the Top Twenty Luncheon with Austin and Josh.

At 1:30, Josh went to the Top Twenty pool party for one hour.

At 2:45, he went back to school for football spring training.

At 3:00, I met with Roxie's soccer coach for the meeting I had missed the night before because of Senior Awards Night.

At 5:00, I fixed supper.

At 5:30, Roxie and Austin ate and Austin took Roxie with him to get ready for his final Spring Concert and her first Spring Concert.

At 6:30, Mike was supposed to attend a mandatory football meeting for parents. He had to skip this because of the Concerts.

At 6:30, Roxie's Spring Concert began.

At 7:00, Mike ran Roxie to her dance class.

At 8:15, Austin's final Spring Concert began.

At 9:15, we arrived home.

Keep in mind, the only thing our family had scheduled for yesterday was Roxie's dance class. Everything else just kind of happened. (ALL very good. But ALL on the same exact day!)

When I look at a day like yesterday in writing, I always wonder what I can do to keep it from happening again. What could I have done to "simplify" such an unusually "busy" day? I don't know. I'm just so, so thankful these days are rare in our lives.

Was yesterday full of wonderful, special, memorable moments? Yes. Yes, it was. Did I take 331 digital pictures and three rolls of film? Yes. Yes, I did. Would I want to have the same kind of day tomorrow? No. No, I would not.

I'll be honest again. There was no time yesterday to "be still." There was no time yesterday for balance. There was no time yesterday for one-on-one time with anyone in my family. While there was a lot of good packed into the day, there was still a lot of important things missing, too. (I'm actually looking forward to today... and it's a Wednesday!)

You may be thinking I'm a whiner, and you have days that could make the above look like a walk in the park. Maybe I am, but today I'm working on achieving balance in my life again. God, Family, Others. God, Family, Others. (I have got to get that tattooed somewhere... but it would probably take too much time.)

NOTE: Yesterday, "momofboys" left a comment saying May was the new December. I wholeheartedly agree. I'm going to go a step further and say after barely surviving yesterday, 47 FEELS like the new 74. (Code for I FELT MUCH, MUCH OLDER LAST NIGHT THAN I DID YESTERDAY MORNING!)

Kidnap Dad

Since Mother's Day is over, you can do this for Dad on Father's Day.

Create a plan for kidnapping your Dad from his Saturday chores to have lunch together the day BEFORE Father's Day (so it will be a real surprise). You can let the kids pack a picnic lunch to eat at a nearby park, or go to Dad's favorite barbecue joint. You can take him bowling or fishing or biking or to a movie. Plan something you know he will enjoy doing with the kids.

It's more about giving the "gift of time" instead of buying a gift. As parents and children get older, the gift most moms and dads want is time with their kids... whether it is one-on-one time or time spent together as a family. If you ask for this kind of gift now, as the children become teens and young adults, they can continue planning ways to spend TIME with Dad (or Mom) on his/her special day.

VARIATION: If the kids are preschool or elementary age, they can use water pistols and masks to "kidnap Dad." You can have the car running and waiting as the children bring their very surprised Dad out the door. (As long as you have a Dad that doesn't get carsick, you could even blindfold him to make it a little more suspenseful.)

NOTE: We started doing this with Mikie three years ago. The kids pick the restaurant destination and the activity each year, and although we don't physically kidnap Mikie, we do surprise him with a "gift of time." He loves it.

Have a very un-busy Wednesday. Tomorrow, I'll share a fun date, and I'll have the list of Weekend Family Fun. Last week's list was very eclectic (good word). I'm not sure I can deliver such an array of activities this week, but we'll see.

Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.