Awake at 4, asleep by 10;
And then, tomorrow, start again.
Is my skirt too short?
Are my straps too thin?
Can I buy my lunch?
Where’re my contacts…crunch!
I need 5 bucks!
That teacher sucks
You just don’t care.
Please braid my hair?
Dad, you need to sign this sheet.
Brent! I think that smell’s your feet!
Brush your teeth and change your slacks.
Oh no, who ate the school lunch snacks?
Can I do swim team, drill team, track?
I guess you’ll want your change all back.
Just five more minutes till the bus!
Dad, wait! You can’t be seen with us!
Take out the trash, mow the lawn.
Stop the whining on and on.
Dad, you can’t….that’s just not fair.
Do you have time to curl my hair?
Uncle! Uncle! No more tickle!
How do you spell “pumpernickel?”
Can you show me how this works?
Please just kiss it where it hurts.
Go to sleep, don’t make me come….
Do NOT call your sister “dumb.”
Turn out the light and shut the door.
Don’t play your DS anymore!
Can I sleep with you tonight?
Were you once a warrior knight?
Hon, you did your best, gave all you had.
One thing is sure, there’s no better dad!
Monday, June 28, 2010
The Stages Parents Go Through
It’s just a stage they’re going through
Isn’t that what we say?
The terrible twos, the silent teen,
And all the stages in between.
I think that more needs to be said,
Of stages parents go through.
I spent such time in helping kids,
I’ve changed more than I knew.
No one needs their pancakes cut,
Or hand held at the street.
No longer do I tie their shoe,
Or change a bed-wet sheet.
We don’t sing about a spider,
Climbing up a spout,
We don’t read ‘I think I can’,
As the little train pulls out.
Instead, I’m shopping with my daughter,
For bras and camisoles,
And Brent says his size 10 shoes
Have holes in both the soles.
Sarah wants her hair in layers,
Just above her shoulder.
Miranda wants an off-cut bob,
To look a little older.
Bryce is making omelets,
Do I want onions chopped in mine?
Brent is vacuuming the hall,
And wiping walls of grime.
Instead of waking early,
To crawl into my bed,
They stay up late and want to talk,
To clear what’s in their head.
They need money for the movies,
For track team and a yearbook,
They need clothes for next week’s concert,
Or the latest fashion look.
The jeans they bought get tight and short,
In less time than we talk,
They grow so fast I think that I
Should invest in Levi stock.
Last year four went to VBS
This year it’s only one.
Now only 2 in AWANA,
This too will soon be done.
It’s just a stage I’m going through,
I pass through with some sorrow,
Who knows what change is coming,
I’m glad God holds tomorrow!
Isn’t that what we say?
The terrible twos, the silent teen,
And all the stages in between.
I think that more needs to be said,
Of stages parents go through.
I spent such time in helping kids,
I’ve changed more than I knew.
No one needs their pancakes cut,
Or hand held at the street.
No longer do I tie their shoe,
Or change a bed-wet sheet.
We don’t sing about a spider,
Climbing up a spout,
We don’t read ‘I think I can’,
As the little train pulls out.
Instead, I’m shopping with my daughter,
For bras and camisoles,
And Brent says his size 10 shoes
Have holes in both the soles.
Sarah wants her hair in layers,
Just above her shoulder.
Miranda wants an off-cut bob,
To look a little older.
Bryce is making omelets,
Do I want onions chopped in mine?
Brent is vacuuming the hall,
And wiping walls of grime.
Instead of waking early,
To crawl into my bed,
They stay up late and want to talk,
To clear what’s in their head.
They need money for the movies,
For track team and a yearbook,
They need clothes for next week’s concert,
Or the latest fashion look.
The jeans they bought get tight and short,
In less time than we talk,
They grow so fast I think that I
Should invest in Levi stock.
Last year four went to VBS
This year it’s only one.
Now only 2 in AWANA,
This too will soon be done.
It’s just a stage I’m going through,
I pass through with some sorrow,
Who knows what change is coming,
I’m glad God holds tomorrow!
Friday, June 18, 2010
To Alan, on Father's Day
To Alan, in honor of Father's Day:
You say you think you should have been more patient,
Taken time to choose your words with care.
Recalled the sage advice the experts write of
Disciplined with strategy that's fair.
But I know you're a DAD beyond all measure.
Your sacrifice for them is daily seen.
God gave them you - a gift of His own pleasure,
A gift they'll spend their whole life to redeem.
You blame yourself for acting out of anger,
Lamenting that you'll never get it right.
You're sure they see your weakness and your failings,
Despair that all you say is heard as trite.
But I know that you have shown each child a Savior.
You've guided them with compass and a map.
You've given them a chance to make a difference
As they rested in strong arms upon your lap.
You doubt your kids can see the truth of Jesus
Shown clearly in your life each passing day.
You pray they will remember God's own wisdom,
But despair that they might never find the Way.
But I know you are strong and every faithful.
Your heart beats for a lost and hurting world.
My boys see how a real man keeps his promise;
My girls - the flag of ardent love unfurled.
We've been remiss in praising all you do here.
We honor and respect your place as Dad.
You've built our home to weather any crisis.
No words can write the joy. Our hearts are glad.
"I know, my God, that You examine our hearts and rejoice when You find integrity there." I Ch. 29:17a NIV
We love you, honey.
You say you think you should have been more patient,
Taken time to choose your words with care.
Recalled the sage advice the experts write of
Disciplined with strategy that's fair.
But I know you're a DAD beyond all measure.
Your sacrifice for them is daily seen.
God gave them you - a gift of His own pleasure,
A gift they'll spend their whole life to redeem.
You blame yourself for acting out of anger,
Lamenting that you'll never get it right.
You're sure they see your weakness and your failings,
Despair that all you say is heard as trite.
But I know that you have shown each child a Savior.
You've guided them with compass and a map.
You've given them a chance to make a difference
As they rested in strong arms upon your lap.
You doubt your kids can see the truth of Jesus
Shown clearly in your life each passing day.
You pray they will remember God's own wisdom,
But despair that they might never find the Way.
But I know you are strong and every faithful.
Your heart beats for a lost and hurting world.
My boys see how a real man keeps his promise;
My girls - the flag of ardent love unfurled.
We've been remiss in praising all you do here.
We honor and respect your place as Dad.
You've built our home to weather any crisis.
No words can write the joy. Our hearts are glad.
"I know, my God, that You examine our hearts and rejoice when You find integrity there." I Ch. 29:17a NIV
We love you, honey.
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