I received an Instant Message from Brad Hostak at about 4:30 last night letting me know he had a few extra tickets the the Tacoma Rainiers game.  I quickly called Elisabeth to see if she was interested or if she would be interested in a quiet night at home (with Will) and I would take the girls on a Daddy-Daughter date to the game.  She chose option “B”. When she mentioned it to the girls they got quite excited (and started talking about Cotton Candy and all the other treats present at ballparks!).

When I arrived at home the girls had each packed a small backpack with their supplies (paper, books, crayons, and of course, a first aid kit). We drove to Tacoma, to be honest, I thought it would be a quick outing, maybe three-four innings and then boredom would win and we’d be back by 8:15-8:30 (about the time Audrey and Halle go to bed). This thought was only affirmed when I discovered shortly after leaving, but too-far to turn around, they had forgotten the aforementioned backpacks.  On the way to the game I let the girls know they would each get one treat (the started chanting “Cotton Candy”).  I then received a text from Brad (don’t tell the cops, I read it): “Free Hot Dog, Chips and Drink with your tickets.”  The girls could hardly contain themselves.

mmmm hot dogs and chips!

The girls wanted the food pretty quick… the problem, the “group express” (where you get your free food) was already out of hot dogs (and we would have to wait).  So, we went to the main concession, only to find out the conspiring dentists had gotten their wish and broken the Cotton Candy machine!  No Cotton Candy!?!  At this point I thought, “no dogs, no cotton candy… two innings max.” Dip-n-Dots to the rescue.  I believe the girls found their new best friend, this futuristic ice-cream treat did the trick and lasted two innings and bridged the gap to the now available warm semi-meat product (hot dogs)!  Not only did the girls enjoy the food, they actually were paying attention to the game and their special buddy “Rhubarb” (I guess the Mariner’s Moose offspring?).

Rhubarb, the Rainiers Mascott

Three innings turned into four, four turned into six, six turned into the full nine!  The girls didn’t want to leave.  They had a blast (and didn’t even break my bank, we stuck to the “one treat” rule).  I am so thankful for the time I get with my family.  I had a great time with my little girls!  

doesn't get much better than this!we moved up for a "better view"

couldn't resist the backward cap pic!

I love my Daddy-Daughter Dates!

Grace,

Brian

A week or so ago our daughters did something sweet for their Mommy.  Halle and Audrey hosted “The Best Mommy Party.”  It was quite gracious of them.  I am privileged to have three great Mom’s in my life.  My own Mom is pretty special; my Mother-in-Law is pretty awesome as well.  I can make a case for both being “the best mommy” as well, but today I’ll focus my attention on the recipient of Halle and Audrey’s party.  

BMP sign #1

BMP Sign #2 "The Host's"

Elisabeth is “The Best Mommy” for many reasons and I know she isn’t seeking attention, but I’ll give it to her anyway. 

The last few weeks/months have been pretty crazy.  First, she gives birth to our very cute son, Will.  Shortly after this I make the move to Youthmark as my full-time venture.  Then I take off for six days on a baseball trip.  Upon my return, I begin working many hours on YM stuff.  At one point during this venture I take off for a couple days (short notice) to LA for some meetings. Then I have a wedding, a sermon and oh, a business I am organizing. Through all of this she maintained “Super Mom” (and Super-Wife) status in my mind.

She is an amazing woman of God.  She seeks to serve Him first and foremost. Her knowledge of Scripture and tenderness toward the Lord is not only a great example for our kids, but it is rubbing off on them and shaping their actions. “Jesus is the best in all the earth” was a recent song Audrey had made-up and was singing. Halle will often be found writing a beautiful second and/or third verse to a well known hymn or song. And just the other day I caught Will having some serious praise time.

Will in his "praise position!"

Okay, so maybe I was helping him?  But nonetheless, Elisabeth’s servant’s heart and wonderful patience is an example to me.  I desire to “Daddy” as well as she is “Mommy-ing.”  She prays for, cares for and serves our family well.  I couldn’t have asked for a better partner in life.  Thank you Jesus.

But we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. ~1 Thess. 2:7-9

Based on this passage, like Paul, Elisabeth is gentle, caring, loving, delightful, and giving.  She does work night and day, and in spite of any difficulty in our lives she seeks to do right by God and her family.  I am blessed to have “The Best Mommy” in my life!

Plus she’s so cute and funny!

Best Mommy and Best Wife recipient!

My girls!

Grace,

Brian

On May 15, 2008, Halle and I took an exciting trip to the Fairwood Pet Center.  Here, she picked out and purchased her very first (real) pet.  She chose “Goldy” the goldfish.  Besides Goldy, we picked out a fish bowl, food and a couple other needed supplies to support this little life.  Halle had saved up her birthday money (as well as her “first tooth loss” money) in order to purchase this great little fish.

On May 16, 2008, Goldy was proudly displayed at Sunshine Mountain Christian School (Kindergarten). Halle brought her new friend to “Pet Day.”  In fact, Goldy won first prize for Best Swimmer.  Halle received a keepsake award to remember the great prize!

For the last few months Halle (and quite often Daddy) fed her little fishy twice a day.  Twice a week we (okay, this was always Daddy) would change the water and clean the bowl/rocks.  The pet store employee said keeping clean water would give Goldy the best chance at a long life (even up to months or years).  

On July 26, 2008, Goldy was found “resting” at the bottom of her little bowl.  Elisabeth discovered the body and quickly came down to tell me.  We were entertaining Joe and Shelly Heider… Joe’s advice, “go get a new one before anyone notices.”  Deciding not to re-enact every sitcom I had seen growing up, we decided to go ahead and talk to Halle (who was in bed, but not yet asleep).

Elisabeth and I told Halle the news.  At first she didn’t know how to react, she made a joke about the music she was listening to.  We spoke of our options as to what to do with the little fish.  She eventually asked for us to come back in five minutes so she could decide what we should do with little Goldy.  

We waited the five minutes and returned to one of the most precious and heart-wrenching scenes of this little six-year-old life.  Halle was sitting on the end of her bed with the “Best Swimmer Award” in her hand. In the soft night light glow we saw her; she was softly crying as she read and re-read the words on the award.  We spent a few minutes talking and comforting one another.  She told us she had gone into the bathroom and had seen Goldy at the bottom of her bowl (we wondered if this was part of the reason she asked to be alone, so she could go look on her own).  This was all part of her healing process.  She even cracked a joke saying, “she looked funny, her belly just sticking straight up.”

Halle will experience joy and sorrow throughout her life, I am thankful for the way she handled this loss. I was blessed to see how tender her heart is.  We’ll miss you Goldy (but I’ll be honest, I won’t miss the cleaning of that bowl and the rocks… at least for a couple weeks before we probably get a new fish!).

Grace,
Brian

We were on our way over to my parents house the other day to drop off the girls for our anniversary.  Here is a dialogue worth remembering:

Halle: Are finger prints the same on every finger?

Daddy: Nope, I don’t think so.

Halle: Why not?

Mommy: Because God made them unique for each finger, just like He made them unique for each person.  Did you know that NOBODY else has the same finger prints as you?

Audrey: I want someone else to have the same finger prints as me.  I do.

Daddy: Audrey, you don’t want anyone else to have the same prints as you

(here is where I knew I could confuse her, but wanted to teach her about CSI or something… great wisdom on my part huh?)…

You see Audrey, let’s say someone else did have the same finger prints as you, and they came over and stole two cookies out of our cookie jar.  And the only way we could find out who took the cookies was to test the finger prints.  The test would come back and because you have the same prints, you could be blamed for stealing the cookies, even though you didn’t.

Halle: Daddy, we don’t have a cookie jar.

Point well taken Halle, point well taken.