Being Daddy

Todd's been learning about fitness in kindergarten gym class lately. His gym teacher encouraged the kids to go running after school as a means to stay in shape. Not having been home much, I just learned about this last Friday when Todd asked me to go running with him.

For those I'd you who know me well, you know running and I have never really gotten along. By God's grace, I've survived (and even barely passed) every running test I've ever taken both in the military and for work. So imagine my anguish when Todd asked me to run with him. Guiltily, I told him the usual Dad response "We'll see... maybe later."

But last night, as I was putting Todd to bed for the last time before another prolonged work-related absence, Todd said, "Aww man, I never got to run with you while you were home." The sheer look of disappointment on his face could have crushed an army.

So this morning, in a scene almost plucked straight out of the movie Courageous, my son got me to go running with him when we woke up. He was so excited when I told him what we were going to do before breakfast and church. We ran around the block, to the small lake down the road where the ducks hang out, around the playground, and back to the house. We ran .9 miles in all but as excited as he was, you'd think we just completed a marathon together!

I also had fun hanging out with my little man Monday. Since I was gone in the Valley for so long, I decided to take the day off since Todd didn't have school. We spent the day doing things he wanted to do... going to breakfast at Denny's and building a Pinewood Derby car for the upcoming race in May (which I'll be gone for). Since no one would give Daddy any input on a theme for the car, I got creative and made the "Todd-mobile"! I'm not a carpenter, but I think it tuned out pretty well!

It looks cool, but does it go fast?

And not to be left out, I took "my girls" out too while I was home. I was lucky to pull off 2 separate date nights with Karen and a lunch at Rudy's with Katelynn. She loved spending the day with Daddy!

Don't pay attention to the fork... any place where you're
told it's OK to eat with your hands it fine by us!

For those of you considering this line of work, be warned!!!... It's not easy, but if your priorities are right and you're intentional at it, you can still be a great Daddy without too much guilt!