Friday Five: Favorite Things About The Weekend

In random order, five things our family enjoys about weekends:

  1. Saturday morning pancakes
  2. Sleeping in (for the adults that means sleeping past 5:30, for the kids that means sleeping until 7:30 or later)
  3. Going to church
  4. Cleaning the house (well, this is something the parents enjoy more than the children!)
  5. Homemade pizza for Sunday lunch, popcorn for dinner

And how about your family? Any treasured aspects to the weekend?

Camping Pics

From our recent camping trip (see August 29 post) some photos…

Top: At Weston Pass, where there is – still! – snow at the end of August.
Center: The river was slow and meandering. Perfect for playing!
Bottom two pics: Beautiful child, beautiful Colorado scenery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day In Denver

Spent time in Denver with our four youngest. No, we didn’t attend any political events, even though the city is quite a beehive of activity with certain dignitaries and politicians convening.

Instead, we had a fun educational field trip. Here’s a shot of the skyline, taken from the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Cool place, and a mighty nice view of the Rockies. I’ve some great kids!

Friday Five: Family Vacations

ocotillo-sunset.jpgTop five Fuller Family vacations, not in any particular order:

  1. Grand Tetons and at Yellowstone National Park - Spectacular, majestic, huge.
  2. Big Bend National Park (pictured above) – Diversity of desert, mountains and rivers that flood unexpectedly!
  3. Colorado Camping trips- Western Slope, Four Corners, Routt National Forest, NW corner of the state – we’re “rough it” kind of campers, and Colorado offers so much rugged back-country that we can barely contain our enthusiasm…
  4. Redcloud Ranch - When you you want to be in the great outdoors, but have all the comforts of a great lodge-based getaway, this is a terrific place.
  5. Branson, MO- Alright, this is a bit of a departure, but we had a blast at Silver Dollar City, and the beautiful bluffs in this region are awesome.

As I look over this list, I realize that each of these involved some spectacular scenery and wonderfully memorable times together as a family. I’ve not run the list past my wife or kids, but suspect they’d agree with much – if not all- of these choices.

Tell me about your favorite family vacations?

Rocky Mountain High

Have you had a good family vacation this summer? Last week our family visited the western slope of Colorado, enjoying time in a state wildlife area (gorgeous!) and then a week at family camp. We had a blast!

Look, Dad, I can get my boots wet! Zane loved the mountain stream we hiked along.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Our youngest daughter enjoyed a snake she caught. Mercy was shown hours later when “Corbett” was released.

 

 

Startlingly Fast

The pace of industrial and technological development is so very quick these days. It is something I watch with interest. I especially enjoy observing the trends in electronics and consumer activities in relation to new gadgets and “tools.”

One thing I have not done: I have not factored in the aspects of human “fallenness” as it relates to all of the wonders of modern science and technology.  Dr. Richard Swenson does pay attention to the human condition, though, and he shared some thoughts in this conversation. His insights are fascinating, and worth a listen.

Couple of Pics From Family Camp

A couple of weeks ago our family enjoyed a very special week at Redcloud Ranch, near Lake City, Colorado. It is a beautiful place, with some wonderful folks. We had a grand time, playing in God’s creation and enjoying some fellowship.

Top: Here’s a picture of the camp Chapel, nestled in the foothills. Inspirational!

Bottom: Yours truly on a hike. Refreshing!

Chapel

John\'s hike

Observations From An Airport

Watched a couple getting off the connecting flight in Dallas. The puddle-jumper, which the airline more respectably calls a “regional jet,” could not accommodate the usual carry-on luggage. We had to gate-check it, and as we awaited delivery to the jetbridge, they talked quietly. Then the bags were available for us to grab and go, and I observed the young woman going to retrieve one or more of their bags. Odd, I thought, that HE wouldn’t do that job. Inwardly, I shook my head.

“Getting to be an old guy,” I thought, “because a man should always do the heavy lifting. That girlfriend, or wife, whichever she was, should not have to go get the suitcase. Where is chivalry, or common respect anymore?”

At the gate, waiting for the connecting flight home, I watched another couple. They were younger and married, by the rings they each wore on the appropriate finger. She was leaning on his shoulder, dressed attractively, and seemingly content. Why she would be comfortable, I could not figure out. Because there he sat, with a portable game player, thumbs banging away on the controls as he made his way through mazes, or past aliens, or whatever the challenge in front of him was.

He was fully engaged. Actually, fully DISengaged. He seemed absolutely oblivious to his wife. The PSP had his full attention. The woman next to him was not even acknowledged in the least. I pondered what I was seeing, and reflected that there are plenty of times when my wife and I have been simply “talked out,” content to simply be together and not in any particular need of conversation.  I’m okay at those moments, and she is as well. Life needs some space. This was not such an occasion, though, it was plain to see. “Wake up, man” I thought. “Set the stupid game down and talk to her!”

Maybe its because my own wife and I are just so tired these days from parenting our children, one of whom has some special needs, that it is hard to even imagine having uninterrupted talk-time. We don’t travel together without them. We have a few dates each month, but often those are more like business sessions, going over some issue related to parenting, home schooling, or the budget, or the calendar.

I guess I projected onto this guy. As I thought some more, I wanted to get in his face and say,  ”Hey buddy, what are you doing? You have a pretty wife, she adores you, she wants and needs you to talk with her. Don’t fritter away this prime opportunity for growing closer together and for feeding her soul on a mindless video game.”

That’s what I had rolling around in my mind, alright, when I suddenly realized the Pharisee in me. Oops. Busted.

Suddenly bothered at my own shortcomings, I had to admit there are times – too many, really – when I have an opportunity to talk with my precious wife. She wants and needs me to do that. I want to keep growing closer, to nurture her, to connect. But I easily turn my attentions elsewhere. Instead of running through the day’s events, I succumb to the distractions of email.  Instead of sharing some of my heart, I read the newspaper.  Instead of talking about the kids, and what’s going on in their lives, I check out, distracted by some arcane activity.

So, on my way home I will cherish in my heart the beautiful wife God has given me. I’ll think of her anew. I’ll determine here and now to avoid the distractions. I’ll renew my attentions to her. I’ll endeavor to get away with her more frequently.

And I think I’ll try to be less judgmental of others at airports.

(If you’d like to hear some dynamic interaction about the nature of marriage, listen to this conversation.)

Our Godly Heritage

David Barton is a phenomenal speaker offers a fascinating – and thoroughly documented – look at the religious foundation of the U.S.A.

If you’ve never heard him, hold on – this guy is mighty fast in his delivery! So much to share, so little time…audio presentation here.

Here’s a video clip of David in action.

Good man, great message.

Taking On A Toddler

Came across this journal entry from about two years ago and thought it might be helpful to a dad (or mom) out there. Can you relate?

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Took my toddler for a walk today. He had been rather content for most of the day. We did have some trouble down at the pool, as he had a difficult time concentrating. From “I want in” to “I want out,” he bounced back and forth. Eventually I tired of his lack of consistent interest, and so we went back home.

Eating seemed to help settle things down. After a nice little snack, we took a walk. Well, I walked, he rode his “bike.” Picture one of those plastic Big Wheel kind of things, only smaller. He cannot reach the pedals yet – almost! – and so scoots it around with foot power. Rudimentary travel method, but it works for him. And any way that he can burn some energy is a good thing!

We tooled around for a while. As we got to the apparent point of no return, at which he would start to fade, Little Man decided to challenge me. Now, I had been pretty relaxed and so I was up for battle. And I did indeed win. Along the way, his dispassionate expressions and stares seemed to say, “What, are you talking to me? Not sure I can read you. Huh?” And thus the parenting skills were applied.

Now, I try to make these times of disobedience, in which it is clear he is challenging my authority, unpleasant for the child. I think a child who is willingly disobedient ought to have some consequences for such behavior. That outcome ought to be bothersome, at the least, and I prefer it to be an unwelcome outcome of their behavior. You know, it just seems that such a child should feel some…discomfort. That’s how I signal that I am not going to tolerate their defiance, and it seems to work. My two strong-willed kids have responded to such parenting techniques.

So on our walk, when he clearly disobeyed, I picked the boy up off his bike, hoisted him over my shoulder like a sack of potatoes, and scooped up the vehicle with my free hand. He does not like this posture. However, I find it easy, and it also restrains him so that he cannot in anger hit or scratch me (it happens). Thus we “walked” toward home. Somewhere along the way, he effectively convinced me that he was ready to follow my lead. So  put him down, and he got back onto his bike. A moment later he looked up at me, thrust his hand up into the air, and grabbed my hand.

This was a “keeper” moment. After disciplining him, my son literally reached out to me, wanting my involvement and physical touch. Have to admit that felt pretty good!

Then later, at bedtime, he was pretty wound up, and would not quiet down.  So I held him tightly. Very tightly. Not to a point of hurting him, just to let him know “I am serious about this, you’ve gotta settle down and get to sleep.” He fought me. Wiggle, scream, claw at my back, arch his back, bang his head  on my shoulder, writhe as if in great pain (he wasn’t). On and on and on for almost 10 minutes. Whew!

Then, the breakthrough. He calmed down a bit, and fought me less. Finally, after a few more minutes, he settled into my shoulder. Head nestled up against mine, he accepted the warmth, the touch, the safety and security that I offered. Sigh. Contentment. Peace. It was a great moment, and I drank it in.

In these two incidents, a 35 month-old, 35 pound boy tried to take me on. He exerted his will, defied me and said, “No.” He clearly did not want to obey me. He would do as he pleased. In response to that challenge I held firm, laid down the law and expected him to accept my direction. I didn’t get angry, I didn’t threaten. I acted. I let him know in no uncertain terms that he couldn’t do that. He couldn’t disregard me.  My intent was to help him see that I love him, but he’d have to go my way.

Somehow, in these encounters, I think he got that message.

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Update: That Little Man turned five last week. He continues to challenge boundaries and our authority, but thatr’s just part of his DNA. In many, many ways he is a wonderfully delightful boy. And he still responds to a calm, measured parent’s loving direction!

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