No Off Season...for dads

Thanksgiving dinner was awesome!  There was juicy meats and and sauteed vegetables all over the table.  We had a few friends over as well to share in the joyous festivities.  The football game was on loud and clear on the tube (will the Detroit Lions ever win a Thanksgiving Day football game?) and people were talking and laughing...and some falling asleep.  It was a wonderful sight. Well, my boys put on the 'apron' and began asking people, "Would you like anything to drink?"  It took and my wife aback for a second.  They circulated the room and asked just about everyone who did not have a drink.  It was wonderful.  My boys are serving!  They were so excited to have people over the house.  Question- why did they never ask me or my wife? Show offs! The Bassman is NOS...

The other day, I went to my boys' school for their annual Thanksgiving Holiday service.  The Head of School told what he was thankful for.  He said how he was grateful for the big things, such as students, faculty, and family.  He also said he was thankful for the simple things, such as pencils and rulers, kids who look him in the eye when they greet him, and students who don't.  It was very heart warming and reflective. Well, it's my turn.  I am thankful for my fantastic life, full of its ups and downs. I am thankful for my dazzling wife, who has taken me leaps and bounds. I am thankful for my fun-loving boys, who keep my life alive. I am thankful for their numerous toys, and how they keep them busy when often times I can't. I am thankful for my wonderful Maryland home-it helps to keep us warm. And thankful that I have a place that keeps us safe from the storms. I am thankful that God has given me a chance to teach, where even I have le...

My youngest son turned 6 years old this past week and did not let us forget it.  Funny!  We went to our boys' parent teacher conferences and both teachers said they are doing extremely well.  Awesome!  The oldest has become a ridiculous Washington Redskins fan (even though they have not been that successful lately).  Oh well!  My youngest started singing (half screaming) Whitney Houston's "I Go To The Rock" in Famous Dave's Restaurant, full with performance moves.  Hilarious!  Another friend told me that she threw up all over her child...and the child celebrated the event by clapping! Nice! These are just some of the things that happened...this weekend!  Can you imagine the rest of the week? This weekend has shown me, yet again, that I always need to celebrate being a parent.  It is so much fun, and work, and joy, and stress, and love, and ...(you get the point!). Tell me some stories of how your kids keep you vibrant...

53:45 unofficial.  That was my time for the Veterans Day 10K race I ran.  53:45 unofficial.  My goal was to knock off some minutes from my 10K last year.  I knocked off about 5 minutes; I am happy about that.  Yet my time was 53:45 unofficial. I had a very good pace starting out.  I actually changed my running style some months ago to conserve a bit of energy.  It worked.  But during the race, I stopped...three times to be exact.  Once for water, the second time I am clueless about, and the third was because I really was tired (next time, I will stay off the late night movies and donuts before race day!)  But that was not my lesson.  My lesson was that I needed to stay in a pack, run with other people to keep a constant pace.  Why is that so important?  Well, I, The Bassman, am a very successful introvert (at least I can be).  I know how to be alone and be comfortable.  I have noticed in the l...

There is an old saying, "A family that prays together stays together."  In my last blog, I spoke about how we needed to have time as a couple to talk about our marriage.  Well, I'm keeping my promise.  My wife and I had a fantastic time this past weekend talking and catching up, encouraging and challenging each other.  During our chat, we also set out some spiritual goals.  We decided that at a certain time each night, we are going to pray. I feel really good because we have kept to our promise so far.  We have prayed each night (about whatever!) together and it feels good.  It's not a long prayer.  We literally take 5 minutes each night and speak our heart. I encourage you to take time and try this with your spouse.  If you aren't married, try it with your kids or even a friend.  Do you think you can do it?  I challenge you to try it. And I challenge you to keep me accountable as well.  I am N...

My wife and I took the time to watch 'Revolutionary Road' the other night.  It was an excellent movie about a young couple facing the challenges of a relatively young marriage.  After the movie, we had a very stirring conversation about what we saw.  What a great conversation!  We both got a lot from it and, more importantly, we got an opportunity to reconnect.  We got a chance to talk about us -not the kids, not work, not school... just us.  We spoke about our marriage, our spiritual walk, dreams, etc.  It was good and needed. There are so many 'distractions' that take me away from the person whom I love the most-my wife.  Although, I love my boys like no other and will do anything for them, no one else can satisfy me, spur me, encourage me, and love me like she can!  These 'distractions' -jobs, commutes, Facebook, technology, appointments, and yes, even my kids, can be distractions. I have to (and want to) ens...

I was teaching a class the other day.  We were reading a class novel.  In a part of the story, there was an uncle who said that boys fight as a part of growing up.  I opened this up for discussion because the school's theme for the month is respect.  I mentioned two boys in the class who I know have been in fights (because I have had to break them up) and mentioned that I know they are not afraid of fighting.  They smiled in agreement.  I asked the class if they believed that fighting is a natural part of growing up.  Most of the students said yes.  I strongly objected.  I then mentioned that I had never been in a fight with anyone.  Mouths dropped!  Some of the students could not believe it.  I told them that I have never been in a fight at school, or even with my brother.  I said that I believe that there are different ways of being able to handle yourself and different confrontational situations. "You ...