Cake For Breakfast

The idea was to allow them to honor their dad, despite our lack of money.

 I encouraged it and even offered to help. 

He said he couldn't accept the gift from his children because his new wife may feel disrespected.

Perhaps he is living his best life now, but I admit my lack of envy. 

In the morning, I found two forks and the tribute diminished. 

They'd had cake for breakfast and assured me the disrespect he'd shown them was perfectly delicious. 

 

Like Scrooge on Christmas Day

I've wept with ghosts of Christmases past. But, oh! We've laughed as we reminisced, too. 

I've soaked up the joy of this Christmas present: having my children present. 

I've been haunted by the darkened rooms of Christmases  yet to come. 

But this little light, born unto us, is mine - and yours as well. 

Darkness can't put it out. 

In fact, the dark helps us to find it. 

***

As we watched old family videos, through laughter and gentle tears, I realized that almost everything I've ever photographed or recorded has really just been me, telling a story about how grateful I am for this life. 

Back when I put this video together, I wanted my children to know they are deeply loved - by me and their Creator. That they would learn how to multiply that love and spend it lavishly on others, like Scrooge on Christmas Day. 

That desire has only deepened with time. 

Further up, further in and farther along...

Merry Christmas from me and the Fantastic BrewCrew 4! 

better (together)

My brother and I used to play a more extreme version of Floor Is Lava called 'I Can Do Something More Dangerouser Than You Can' (we have both increased orgrammar skills dramatically since the game's creation)

In our version, not only was the floor lava, but the furniture was  akin to an Indiana Jones scene, requiring great leaps,  twists and tumbles. Hazards were everywhere. 

After one of us cleared various obstacles, the observing sibling declared ' I can do something more dangerouser than you!' followed by a declaration of what new stunt we would be tracking onto the routine. (I will flip from the ottoman to the sofa like you did AND jump onto the chair!) 

The game continued like that until we got caught standing on the furniture and had to think up something new to play. 

 Years later, I heard the little song "Anything You Can Do I can Do Better" and I realized it was the same concept of our childhood game. 

Last year, I turned 40 

This year, true to form, little brother is doing it better. 

He always wins this game. 

14 months apart (our poor mom) I can't remember a time before he became my built-in playmate.  

I hope (and often pray) that he will always, always be around to show me how to do things better. 

author, author

My second book released today on Amazon: 
50 Things To Know About Teaching STEAM: https://amzn.to/2K2h8WY 

The publisher ended up modifying the cover to fit the overall series theme, so if you see two different covers, that's why. Same content inside - and that's what really counts, right? 

Please don't feel compelled to buy this book if we know each other. My goal is to add to my long dormant resume and build a portfolio to share my writing style.