It's about time for an update! I have to thank my best friends (they know who they are) for encouraging me years ago to keep a journal. The journal idea spawned this blog that I started in 2009 when my kids were very little and was a means to reach out to other single parents. It also gave me an outlet at night when my kids were asleep in addition to writing music. Visiting the blog recently after not having been on the site in a very long time provided me some good comic relief and also reminded me of some very good memories with the kids.
A lot has changed since my last post in 2012. It's amazing to think about how much my kids have grown and changed in that timeframe. CJ is now 13 yrs. old, about to start his first season of football in the 8th grade as a wide receiver. He's grown to love the sport over the last year and half and he's very excited about the upcoming season! He's spent the summer hanging out with his friends, practicing with his football team, and long-boarding all over the place. He loves to long-board with his buddies.
Tyler is 10 yrs. old now and entering the 5th grade...just amazing when I think about it...5th grade...just seems surreal. When I entered the full-time single parenthood, Tyler was just 2yrs. old. I remember when Madison and Tyler were 5 and 6 like yesterday and thinking at times that I wish they could just stay that age for all of their innocence and cuteness during that time. Madison is now 9 yrs. old and coming up on the pre-teen years pretty soon...sigh...praying about the teenage stage already. Anyhow, they're all doing well and had a great summer with their friends.
I entered the Hospitality industry in 2013 and still lead the Worship Ministry at my church as well. In addition, I now have an amazing woman of God as my girlfriend and she has an amazing heart with noble character! Our story started at the International Singles Church Conference in Denver, CO at the end of Sept. in 2014. She is from Puerto Rico and I'm from SC. She happened to be in the same Single Parent class that I attended at the conference. In this class, I ended up standing in front of all the single parents there to answer a question when called upon. My girlfriend noticed me in the class and I noticed her walking by in a crowd of people but we never spoke at the conference! Yes...never spoke! So how did we finally meet?
We became friends via Facebook after the conference through a mutual friend who spoke at the conference. It wasn't until March of 2015 that we started chatting on Facebook after I noticed her "liking" my pics. The dialogue started a great long-distance friendship and we eventually started having dates via Skype in April of 2015. This led me to visit her in June of 2015 to finally go on dates with her in person and then again in December of 2015. She's a Elementary School Teacher and a single mother of a precious 4 yr. old. The dates with her and also getting to know her daughter, friends, and family in Puerto Rico were awesome!
My girlfriend flew out last March during Spring Break and then came out for a month with her daughter this Summer. We got a chance to have our kids together and get a glimpse of how they would respond to one another and that went very well! She's trying to get a job out here and we're very much in love. That's our story to be continued.
When I started being a full-time single parent dad 8 years ago, the furthest thing from my mind was finding love again. The same best friends who encouraged me to start a journal are the same ones who encouraged me over the years to put myself out there and see what God does. My best friend, "Nacho"-given nickname, even took my laptop once and started a profile for me on an online site to try, DT Heart and Soul, and said, "Here, fill out these questions." Lol...it took a while but I started praying for that person and if it was God's will, that he would bring her to me. He answered those prayers and more with my special sweetheart.
No matter what stage of Single Parenthood you're in, there is always hope, and God is always there. Hope does float but you do have to do something about it when it's in front of you. Until next time... :)
Saturday, July 30, 2016
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Thoughts in Tullville
OK, it's been awhile...where do I begin? It's been almost a year since my last post and it has just flown by like the wind. My kids are a little older now which makes life a little easier. I think I have an ounce more of energy in my tank because I have all three kids at the same school and on the same schedule...hallelujah!!!
I must admit I've come along way since my first post in Sept. of 2009. It seems like yesterday when I was changing Madison's diaper while trying to restrain Tyler's naked booty from running outside. I'm no longer having to chase little tykes all over the house and I don't have to worry about a little one throwing tantrums with emotional breakdown dancing moves in the middle of the toy section at Wal-Mart that would make the likes of John Travolta jealous. Needless to say, shopping with my kids these days is much easier!
Now my kids like to help Daddy grocery shop by putting things he buys in the cart without asking and then when you get to the register to check out, you have Santa surprises waiting for you. This can happen quite often and it's usually Tyler and Madison who like to pitch things in my cart when Daddy's not looking. With that said, I'll trade in the tantrums any day for the unwanted products.
My youngest, Madison, just started Kindergarten this year. Tyler is in the first grade and CJ is a fourth grader. The excitement over having them on the same schedule this year is beyond what words can describe. Last year, Madison would catch the Pre-K bus at 10:40am in the morning everyday and get off the same bus with her brothers in the afternoon. I thank God that I had flexibility in my work schedule to be able to manage all of that.
I also became a part-time Music Ministry leader back in January of this year, so I maintain two jobs and the kids. I'm definitely blessed and grateful to God for the work he's given me and the opportunity to serve in the ministry. It's been a great learning experience for me and I continue to write music as well. Psalms 96:1 and 33:3 inspire me to write new songs for God.
When I was going through the hardest times of my life years ago, my songs reflected what I was going through and provided therapy. Now I'm focused on congregational praise music with a style that likens to Matt Redman, Chris Tomlin, Michael W. Smith, and groups like Casting Crowns and Hillsong. I get inspired at night sometimes when I'm sitting at the piano and all the kids are asleep. I really enjoy those moments. Otherwise, I'm falling asleep as I'm trying to put the kids to sleep.
Recently, someone sent me a quote stating that "being a single parent is twice the work, twice the stress and twice the tears, but also twice the hugs, twice the love and twice the pride." I thought it was a fantastic quote...sums it up pretty good. It's hard work but it's also very rewarding. It just takes some time getting used to a "new normal". Sometimes I wish I had a "click remote" so I can play back any memory I want from watching the kids grow up.
I enjoyed watching Madison with her friends this past Saturday at her first B-Day Tea Party. Madison was dancing in Tea Party attire while her older brother was doing Spiderman moves in his Top Hat. It's sad to think Tyler and Madison will soon be out of their little tyke stage and be in the stage with CJ where they start to think that they know it all. Madison is already embarrassed if I try to give her a hug or a kiss on the cheek at school. I was surprised by that earlier this year when we were just in the lobby of her pre-K school. I was thinking, "Already...it happens this early?" Lol...until next time.
I must admit I've come along way since my first post in Sept. of 2009. It seems like yesterday when I was changing Madison's diaper while trying to restrain Tyler's naked booty from running outside. I'm no longer having to chase little tykes all over the house and I don't have to worry about a little one throwing tantrums with emotional breakdown dancing moves in the middle of the toy section at Wal-Mart that would make the likes of John Travolta jealous. Needless to say, shopping with my kids these days is much easier!
Now my kids like to help Daddy grocery shop by putting things he buys in the cart without asking and then when you get to the register to check out, you have Santa surprises waiting for you. This can happen quite often and it's usually Tyler and Madison who like to pitch things in my cart when Daddy's not looking. With that said, I'll trade in the tantrums any day for the unwanted products.
My youngest, Madison, just started Kindergarten this year. Tyler is in the first grade and CJ is a fourth grader. The excitement over having them on the same schedule this year is beyond what words can describe. Last year, Madison would catch the Pre-K bus at 10:40am in the morning everyday and get off the same bus with her brothers in the afternoon. I thank God that I had flexibility in my work schedule to be able to manage all of that.
I also became a part-time Music Ministry leader back in January of this year, so I maintain two jobs and the kids. I'm definitely blessed and grateful to God for the work he's given me and the opportunity to serve in the ministry. It's been a great learning experience for me and I continue to write music as well. Psalms 96:1 and 33:3 inspire me to write new songs for God.
When I was going through the hardest times of my life years ago, my songs reflected what I was going through and provided therapy. Now I'm focused on congregational praise music with a style that likens to Matt Redman, Chris Tomlin, Michael W. Smith, and groups like Casting Crowns and Hillsong. I get inspired at night sometimes when I'm sitting at the piano and all the kids are asleep. I really enjoy those moments. Otherwise, I'm falling asleep as I'm trying to put the kids to sleep.
Recently, someone sent me a quote stating that "being a single parent is twice the work, twice the stress and twice the tears, but also twice the hugs, twice the love and twice the pride." I thought it was a fantastic quote...sums it up pretty good. It's hard work but it's also very rewarding. It just takes some time getting used to a "new normal". Sometimes I wish I had a "click remote" so I can play back any memory I want from watching the kids grow up.
I enjoyed watching Madison with her friends this past Saturday at her first B-Day Tea Party. Madison was dancing in Tea Party attire while her older brother was doing Spiderman moves in his Top Hat. It's sad to think Tyler and Madison will soon be out of their little tyke stage and be in the stage with CJ where they start to think that they know it all. Madison is already embarrassed if I try to give her a hug or a kiss on the cheek at school. I was surprised by that earlier this year when we were just in the lobby of her pre-K school. I was thinking, "Already...it happens this early?" Lol...until next time.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Adventures of Shopping With Little Tots II
Shopping with little tots by your side I must say has gotten a little bit easier since my first post about this very subject two years ago. Obviously, my kids are a tad bit older and are physically stronger with more bodily control. I don't worry about seeing flailing kids on the floor after being told, "No!". However, little funny things that my kids say in public never ceases to end at their ripe ages of 4, 5, and 8.
Two weeks ago, I took all my kids to the mall. Right before we were exiting the JC Penney store walking through the middle of an aisle near the Women's clothing area where many women were shopping, Tyler exclaims loudly, "Ewww...Daddy! Something stinks over here! I think someone farted!"
I smiled and kept walking (holding back my desire to laugh really loud) as I saw four women turn and smile in our direction. I made the mistake of ignoring Tyler's remark and then he yelled again and again much louder, "Someone farted, Daddy! Someone farted, Daddy! It stinks over here!"
I finally stopped walking at that moment, turned to him and said with a wide smile, "I heard you...you don't need to yell that out loud." Then I couldn't help but let my laughter out. The scene was sooooo funny and the looks on the women's faces were priceless. It was obvious that they thought Tyler was cute and what he said was funny. Once I burst out in laughter, some of the women around started laughing. Needless to say, Fartville is alive and well at the mall!
We just need a 5 year old to narrate it for us and exclaim loudly what is already in our thoughts as we walk through the stinky aisles. I've actually contemplated many times documenting all the the funny things my kids say and writing a book about it. After all, the laughter that they create is something I really enjoy and would love to share the stories with their own kids one day.
With Christmas Day looming around the corner, there's lots of shopping going on, and when you have your kids in tow for some of it, you can't help but look back at some of those moments you had with them in the store and laugh about it. The other day at the urgency of my kids to get specific Christmas decorations for the front yard, I took all of them with me to Wal-Mart to let them pick out what they wanted. Let me just say that when all is dark and quiet in your villa, you can reminisce in the joy of not having to take 3 little munchkins to WallyWorld to get the Christmas decorations they wanted...only to come home and put together the inflatable snow man and two trees that light up in your yard to find out you're missing parts for both...this after you heard non-stop requests at WallyWorld , in the van on the way home, and while your putting your decorations together. PHEW!!!! Now I can breathe!
Tullville definitely provides lots of funny moments and life here is certainly not dull. And yes, Santa had to go back to WallyWorld to replace both the snow man and the two trees that are nicely shining bright in my front yard at this moment. Now it's time to go shopping again, back to Fartville, and maybe this time...my son won't smell anything stinky!
Two weeks ago, I took all my kids to the mall. Right before we were exiting the JC Penney store walking through the middle of an aisle near the Women's clothing area where many women were shopping, Tyler exclaims loudly, "Ewww...Daddy! Something stinks over here! I think someone farted!"
I smiled and kept walking (holding back my desire to laugh really loud) as I saw four women turn and smile in our direction. I made the mistake of ignoring Tyler's remark and then he yelled again and again much louder, "Someone farted, Daddy! Someone farted, Daddy! It stinks over here!"
I finally stopped walking at that moment, turned to him and said with a wide smile, "I heard you...you don't need to yell that out loud." Then I couldn't help but let my laughter out. The scene was sooooo funny and the looks on the women's faces were priceless. It was obvious that they thought Tyler was cute and what he said was funny. Once I burst out in laughter, some of the women around started laughing. Needless to say, Fartville is alive and well at the mall!
We just need a 5 year old to narrate it for us and exclaim loudly what is already in our thoughts as we walk through the stinky aisles. I've actually contemplated many times documenting all the the funny things my kids say and writing a book about it. After all, the laughter that they create is something I really enjoy and would love to share the stories with their own kids one day.
With Christmas Day looming around the corner, there's lots of shopping going on, and when you have your kids in tow for some of it, you can't help but look back at some of those moments you had with them in the store and laugh about it. The other day at the urgency of my kids to get specific Christmas decorations for the front yard, I took all of them with me to Wal-Mart to let them pick out what they wanted. Let me just say that when all is dark and quiet in your villa, you can reminisce in the joy of not having to take 3 little munchkins to WallyWorld to get the Christmas decorations they wanted...only to come home and put together the inflatable snow man and two trees that light up in your yard to find out you're missing parts for both...this after you heard non-stop requests at WallyWorld , in the van on the way home, and while your putting your decorations together. PHEW!!!! Now I can breathe!
Tullville definitely provides lots of funny moments and life here is certainly not dull. And yes, Santa had to go back to WallyWorld to replace both the snow man and the two trees that are nicely shining bright in my front yard at this moment. Now it's time to go shopping again, back to Fartville, and maybe this time...my son won't smell anything stinky!
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Only A Year Older
Well, where do I begin? It's been a long time since I've had a post on this site and I apologize for taking so long to come back. I went on a year long hiatus from writing on my blog but I'm finally back. I served as a piano player/wedding singer at a wedding last weekend and to my surprise while I was there, I learned from a wedding coordinator that her husband would always talk about my blog and she asked me if I was still writing. I felt bad when I said no and that it had been a year. It was that conversation that helped me realize that I needed to get back to this. It was encouraging to hear that my blog had made an impact on somebody. After all, I started it to reach out to other single parents and possibly connect with others that have experienced similar stories such as mine. I was encouraged to hear about the affects it's had on married couples. Writing definitely helped me in the healing process from the rough year I had in 2008. In the last year, my music writing pretty much took over the place of my blog. Writing music has pretty much been my hobby at night for many nights while my kids sleep. I love sitting down at a piano and making up songs from the heart. Some parents have wine at night when their kids go to sleep. The piano is my wine. It helps me wind down from the long work day followed by the kids homework, cooking, cleaning, baths, and bedtime.
The kids are doing well despite having me as Mr. Mom & Dad. One of these days, I hope my kids can look at someone much better looking than I cooking great meals in the kitchen and cleaning around the house but I'm in no hurry. Trust me...it took me a long time just to be able to say that. It took me a long time just to go on a date after my divorce. The idea of dating as a single again after being married for almost a decade seemed very weird. For me, I felt much like Tom Hanks in the movie, "Sleepless in Seattle". Remember how he asks his best friend for advice on dating again. Well, that was me! It felt very surreal and awkward. You don't ever plan on your life to take drastic curve balls ending the dream you were living. When dreams are crushed, it can take much out of you. I thank God that I had his love, faithfulness, and some great friends and family to help me rise from the ashes...so to speak. :)
Although Cinderella hasn't found her shoes at my doorstep yet, I'm pretty content and happy with the life that God has given me. It's not easy being a single parent, but God does provide and give me everything I need to make everything work. I was very proud of CJ today as he brought home a straight A report card. My pocket book didn't even flinch to reward him with the Lego set of his choice. Oh yeah, speaking of Legos...CJ put a 1400 piece lego set together in one day. I think he's destined to be an engineer or something with the way he likes to create things, build things, take things apart, and put them back together. Tyler is still his charismatic self although he can be very shy as well. This future Captain America wants to get the bad guys and put them in jail while Madison wants to use her Rapunzel powers to save her brothers after getting wounded by Darth Vader. There's never a dull moment in my house. Lots of laughter, music, singing, dancing, wrestling, Star Wars Jedi battles, and imagination can be found here. Until next time...adios todo el mundo!
The kids are doing well despite having me as Mr. Mom & Dad. One of these days, I hope my kids can look at someone much better looking than I cooking great meals in the kitchen and cleaning around the house but I'm in no hurry. Trust me...it took me a long time just to be able to say that. It took me a long time just to go on a date after my divorce. The idea of dating as a single again after being married for almost a decade seemed very weird. For me, I felt much like Tom Hanks in the movie, "Sleepless in Seattle". Remember how he asks his best friend for advice on dating again. Well, that was me! It felt very surreal and awkward. You don't ever plan on your life to take drastic curve balls ending the dream you were living. When dreams are crushed, it can take much out of you. I thank God that I had his love, faithfulness, and some great friends and family to help me rise from the ashes...so to speak. :)
Although Cinderella hasn't found her shoes at my doorstep yet, I'm pretty content and happy with the life that God has given me. It's not easy being a single parent, but God does provide and give me everything I need to make everything work. I was very proud of CJ today as he brought home a straight A report card. My pocket book didn't even flinch to reward him with the Lego set of his choice. Oh yeah, speaking of Legos...CJ put a 1400 piece lego set together in one day. I think he's destined to be an engineer or something with the way he likes to create things, build things, take things apart, and put them back together. Tyler is still his charismatic self although he can be very shy as well. This future Captain America wants to get the bad guys and put them in jail while Madison wants to use her Rapunzel powers to save her brothers after getting wounded by Darth Vader. There's never a dull moment in my house. Lots of laughter, music, singing, dancing, wrestling, Star Wars Jedi battles, and imagination can be found here. Until next time...adios todo el mundo!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Back To School
There's been lots of excitement about school lately in our household. The Summer has flown by like the wind and CJ just started the second grade last week. Tyler met his three pre-school teachers today to include one intern as they did a nice home visit and he starts next week in the 4 yr. old school district program. Tyler has been talking about going to school for weeks and I can't get over his excitement! It was awesome to see him today try to follow his teachers out the door as if school was starting today!
He was ready to go, wearing his new "Diego" backpack, and ready to be a "BIG BOY" like his older brother. I was really happy to see him so excited! Poor little Madison felt left out and walked up to me and said, "Daddy, I want go school." She had the cutest little pout with her bottom lip hanging out. I gave her a hug and said, "You will go to Daddy's School!" (a quick suggestion offered up by one of the teachers). Meanwhile, I thought this suggestion wasn't going to work at all and was going to lead to some loud tears as if life had just ended.
"Yay," She said exuberantly clapping and jumping up and down as if she had just won the lottery! Much to my surprise, the suggestion worked and I told her that I would take her to the store to pick up some Pre-K things for her and I to work on together. I'm not so sure that she comprehended all of the adult things I had to say in that moment, but nevertheless, she was just happy because she was going to school like her big brother, Tyler! At least, until the reality sets in later.
When school starts back up this time of year, I can almost hear all the "hallelujahs" coming from all the stay at home parents and friends of mine after the action packed summer with kids has finally come to an end. I can't even begin to tell you how many status updates on Facebook I've seen within the last few weeks where parents exclaimed their joy and excitement of having school start back up again. You would think that we're all ready to go to a rock concert or the biggest party of the year from all the hoopla.
I can understand the feeling. Besides, there's only so much nagging, bickering between the kids, and pool parties you can take before you're ready to pull your hair out. The single parenthood is twice as exhausting, so it's very much appreciated whenever I have a friend watch the kids for me just so I can go shopping alone. Trust me, going to Wal-Mart alone is like being on a mini-vacation in itself when you're a single parent. It's sad to say, but so very true!
Where does the time go sometimes? It goes by too fast and I'm already sad at the notion that Tyler is soon going to be out of the little tyke stage. When they're young, you get all the hugs and kisses that you want. When they get older, it's like, "C'mon Dad," as CJ sometimes says to me. Next Monday, I'm taking Tyler to his open house at his school to get a feel for the classroom and then he starts the next day. He will be going for a half a day, five days a week and I can't wait to see how he does. I'm really excited for him as he's been asking me for a long time now when he's finally going to be able to go to school like CJ.
As for Maddie, I think we can pretend pre-school for the time being. As long I draw excitement into it, she'll be fine. She has the best attention span out of all my kids and loves it when I read to her. I think she would love to be a teacher one day because she is always trying to pretend that she is the "Mommy" for CJ and Tyler. She is very caring and nurturing at heart...something I absolutely love about her. I'm so happy that she's not a tomboy in a house full of boys. She matches her clothes, something my boys don't do very well, and loves to change her clothes all the time.
In fact, when I was telling Madison that it wasn't appropriate for her to change her clothes in front of CJ's friends who were playing in our house the other day because she's a girl. Her response was, "But I'm not a girl, I'm Madison." She had her trademark cute little pout going on too, but it didn't work. All I wanted to do was laugh out loud when she said that but I didn't want her to think I was nuts, so I kept my composure. I just smiled and said, "You're not a girl?"
She said, "Yeah, I'm Madison!"
I'll just say that if Bill Cosby ever comes back to host another "Kids Say The Darnedest Things" show, I think my kids would be great prospects! Laughter is never a shortage in my household. Until next time, have fun with back to school!
He was ready to go, wearing his new "Diego" backpack, and ready to be a "BIG BOY" like his older brother. I was really happy to see him so excited! Poor little Madison felt left out and walked up to me and said, "Daddy, I want go school." She had the cutest little pout with her bottom lip hanging out. I gave her a hug and said, "You will go to Daddy's School!" (a quick suggestion offered up by one of the teachers). Meanwhile, I thought this suggestion wasn't going to work at all and was going to lead to some loud tears as if life had just ended.
"Yay," She said exuberantly clapping and jumping up and down as if she had just won the lottery! Much to my surprise, the suggestion worked and I told her that I would take her to the store to pick up some Pre-K things for her and I to work on together. I'm not so sure that she comprehended all of the adult things I had to say in that moment, but nevertheless, she was just happy because she was going to school like her big brother, Tyler! At least, until the reality sets in later.
When school starts back up this time of year, I can almost hear all the "hallelujahs" coming from all the stay at home parents and friends of mine after the action packed summer with kids has finally come to an end. I can't even begin to tell you how many status updates on Facebook I've seen within the last few weeks where parents exclaimed their joy and excitement of having school start back up again. You would think that we're all ready to go to a rock concert or the biggest party of the year from all the hoopla.
I can understand the feeling. Besides, there's only so much nagging, bickering between the kids, and pool parties you can take before you're ready to pull your hair out. The single parenthood is twice as exhausting, so it's very much appreciated whenever I have a friend watch the kids for me just so I can go shopping alone. Trust me, going to Wal-Mart alone is like being on a mini-vacation in itself when you're a single parent. It's sad to say, but so very true!
Where does the time go sometimes? It goes by too fast and I'm already sad at the notion that Tyler is soon going to be out of the little tyke stage. When they're young, you get all the hugs and kisses that you want. When they get older, it's like, "C'mon Dad," as CJ sometimes says to me. Next Monday, I'm taking Tyler to his open house at his school to get a feel for the classroom and then he starts the next day. He will be going for a half a day, five days a week and I can't wait to see how he does. I'm really excited for him as he's been asking me for a long time now when he's finally going to be able to go to school like CJ.
As for Maddie, I think we can pretend pre-school for the time being. As long I draw excitement into it, she'll be fine. She has the best attention span out of all my kids and loves it when I read to her. I think she would love to be a teacher one day because she is always trying to pretend that she is the "Mommy" for CJ and Tyler. She is very caring and nurturing at heart...something I absolutely love about her. I'm so happy that she's not a tomboy in a house full of boys. She matches her clothes, something my boys don't do very well, and loves to change her clothes all the time.
In fact, when I was telling Madison that it wasn't appropriate for her to change her clothes in front of CJ's friends who were playing in our house the other day because she's a girl. Her response was, "But I'm not a girl, I'm Madison." She had her trademark cute little pout going on too, but it didn't work. All I wanted to do was laugh out loud when she said that but I didn't want her to think I was nuts, so I kept my composure. I just smiled and said, "You're not a girl?"
She said, "Yeah, I'm Madison!"
I'll just say that if Bill Cosby ever comes back to host another "Kids Say The Darnedest Things" show, I think my kids would be great prospects! Laughter is never a shortage in my household. Until next time, have fun with back to school!
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Celebrating Life
In early June after school had just ended for CJ, I took all the kids down to FL for CJ's "Wish" trip. When Make-A-Wish first contacted us, I was kind of shocked because I was always under the assumption that Make-A-Wish only granted wishes to kids who were terminally ill but that wasn't the case. You can read about CJ's cancer story in a post that I wrote back in October of last year. A Make-A-Wish representative came out to our house and interviewed CJ awhile back and his wish was to go to Disney World! Well, we went on this much anticipated trip this summer to celebrate CJ's remission from cancer and I was completely amazed and humbled by the whole experience.
First of all, it was a week long once in a lifetime all expenses paid trip to Orlando and we could frequent any theme park while we were there if we wanted to but there just wasn't enough time to do it all in a week. We stayed at a wish village resort for kids called "Give Kids The World" in Kissimmee, FL just 20 minutes away from all the theme parks. If you've never heard of it before, please check out the website, www.gktw.org. This resort for kids is like a wonderland theme park for kids in itself. We stayed in a wonderful villa fully equipped with everything we needed and every building at the resort was intended to give kids oooos and awes. One of the restaurants was called the "Gingerbread House" and it literally looked like a gingerbread house. The whole place was amazing, filled with volunteers to serve the wish child and family.
The kids were all stoked as you can imagine when we arrived! CJ and his little brother and sister were showered with gifts upon arrival at the welcome center and I will never forget the smile on CJ's face as he was given a stuffed Mickey that was later signed by Mickey later in the week. "Give Kids The World" is definitely a piece of heaven on earth. The place and the people that serve there give families encouragement, faith, and hope. After the kids and I got settled into the villa we went for a walk around the place and the kids faces just lit up at everything they saw. As much as I enjoyed the experience with them, I couldn't help but see a few wish kids that looked very frail and sick. My heart dropped at the sight of one of the kids with his family when CJ and I opened the door for them upon entering the Gingerbread House for dinner.
As happy and as excited I was for CJ and our family, I couldn't help but watch this little boy who was probably about 5 years old guessing by his height. You could tell he was really weak and that the chemo had taken its toll on his weight. The sight of him reminded me of the photo album that sits on a table at the Blume Children's Cancer Clinic in Charlotte, filled with kids that have come through the clinic but knowing that some of them didn't make it. I was struck with sadness but saw the strength in his parent’s smiles. CJ of course noticed right away that this particular boy looked very sick and he started asking me consecutive questions in a whisper, "Daddy, what's wrong with him? Is he going to live? Is he going to be OK?"
I told CJ that I didn't know but we can pray for him. When you see a little boy like that fighting for his life, it makes all the other worries and challenges in life very miniscule and brings perspective. It also reminded me that I've lived a life that some kids only dream about but never get a chance to experience. The love in that place was seen everywhere and the elderly people who volunteered there time to help you with your trays, bring you whatever you needed, was a very heart-warming experience. There just aren’t enough words I can write to describe what it was like to be there.
The kids and I thoroughly enjoyed the activities and events that took place at Give Kids The World and one of these days, we will go back to see CJ's star placed on the wall or ceiling in the "Castle of Miracles" with the other 100,000 wish kids' stars who have walked through this amazing place. The kids and I didn't have to wait in any lines at the theme parks and both CJ and Tyler got to fight Darth Vader which was one of the highlights of the trip. We got a chance to feed the dolphins at Sea World, hang out in the "Wish Lounge" at Disney to take a break from the extreme heat, and Madison got to meet all the princesses to her delight!
In fact, we got to meet many of the Disney characters when they came to visit at Give Kids The World. It was also very nice to have my mom, step-dad, and brother up there with us for a few days. The whole experience and getting to see CJ's wish fulfilled was awesome! We had a blast and will never forget it!
After the grand week was over and we were home, I picked up the book, "Gift of Life" to read about the man who founded Give Kids the World, Henri Landwirth. He went after donations to make this resort so that no child will ever die again without seeing their wish to meet Mickey realized. The words that came off the page relative to the GKTW resort had me in tears because we had just experienced much of what he had to say in this book and I also learned about a child who came to the resort, saw Mickey, and then passed. It all gives us more reason to celebrate life and make it count today because we never know if our end will be tomorrow.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Travel Hiccups
Much has happened since my last post in February and I figured it's about time that I finally update my blog! Obviously, being a single parent dad with three small children, you're never short of great memories...usually the kind that could be on any comedy sitcom where the actor playing the parent can definitely sink his teeth into the challenging script. The challenges sometimes take us away from our kids. For instance, I had to take a flight from Charlotte, NC to Ithaca, NY for a job interview last March.
With all job interviews, you want to be on time and I didn't anticipate the nightmare of travel hiccups that I was about to embark on when I arrived at the Charlotte airport very early in the morning. I was expecting to arrive in Ithaca, NY at 11:19am, have lunch with the President and V.P. of the company during the interview process and then get a tour of their facility. I found out at the airport that my original flight had just cancelled and I had to take a flight to Laguardia, NY instead and then fly to Ithaca. I was OK with it after I learned that I would get to Ithaca a little earlier than anticipated. However, when I got to Laguardia, my flight to Ithaca was delayed twice and then eventually cancelled.
You can only imagine the sneers, jeers, snickering, pouting, and downright tears coming from some of the college students trying to get to Ithaca, NY. The drama from some of these Cornell University and Ithaca College students at my gate was a sight to be seen as I was anxiously sitting there with my own frustration. Heck, these kids were worried about getting to class after their Spring Break had just ended and I was sitting there in my three piece pin-striped suit worried about getting to my interview on time for a job. A poor girl next to me was crying and another young man was yelling at the helpless gate attendant.
I let the company know what was going on and they were gracefully understanding of the whole situation. The only flight that I could jump on that would get me at least close to Ithaca, NY was Syracuse, NY. Therefore, I flew to Syracuse, rented a vehicle and drove an hour to Ithaca, NY where I arrived a little after 4pm. The hour drive in pouring rain was highlighted by the fact that I was driving a brand new red Escalade and couldn't feel the road at all. As nice as the Escalade was, I would have traded that in for my "soccer mom" minivan anytime for this drive!
The V.P. let me know before I flew to Syracuse that he would just pick me up at the hotel after I got settled and then we would all have dinner. After the nightmare of trying to get to Ithaca had ended, I met with the company execs in the lobby of my hotel and spoke for awhile there. The last part of the interview occurred over dinner and then they were nice enough to give me the tour of their facility after dinner. They were very nice and gracious. The interview went well but the travel expectation of the job exceeded what I was originally told over the phone much to my disappointment and they were also just exploring ideas. Nevertheless, this job wasn't for me.
The flight coming home from Ithaca was much smoother but the comedy never ceased to end. While at the Ithaca airport, I listened to an elderly lady complain about her travel woes coming in and out of Ithaca airport and how she had no choice but to deal with it. The funniest moment came when she pointed out that the airport only has two gates which was obvious to everyone sitting there. All I could do at this point was laugh to myself and just pray to God that I never have travel hiccups like that again.
With all job interviews, you want to be on time and I didn't anticipate the nightmare of travel hiccups that I was about to embark on when I arrived at the Charlotte airport very early in the morning. I was expecting to arrive in Ithaca, NY at 11:19am, have lunch with the President and V.P. of the company during the interview process and then get a tour of their facility. I found out at the airport that my original flight had just cancelled and I had to take a flight to Laguardia, NY instead and then fly to Ithaca. I was OK with it after I learned that I would get to Ithaca a little earlier than anticipated. However, when I got to Laguardia, my flight to Ithaca was delayed twice and then eventually cancelled.
You can only imagine the sneers, jeers, snickering, pouting, and downright tears coming from some of the college students trying to get to Ithaca, NY. The drama from some of these Cornell University and Ithaca College students at my gate was a sight to be seen as I was anxiously sitting there with my own frustration. Heck, these kids were worried about getting to class after their Spring Break had just ended and I was sitting there in my three piece pin-striped suit worried about getting to my interview on time for a job. A poor girl next to me was crying and another young man was yelling at the helpless gate attendant.
I let the company know what was going on and they were gracefully understanding of the whole situation. The only flight that I could jump on that would get me at least close to Ithaca, NY was Syracuse, NY. Therefore, I flew to Syracuse, rented a vehicle and drove an hour to Ithaca, NY where I arrived a little after 4pm. The hour drive in pouring rain was highlighted by the fact that I was driving a brand new red Escalade and couldn't feel the road at all. As nice as the Escalade was, I would have traded that in for my "soccer mom" minivan anytime for this drive!
The V.P. let me know before I flew to Syracuse that he would just pick me up at the hotel after I got settled and then we would all have dinner. After the nightmare of trying to get to Ithaca had ended, I met with the company execs in the lobby of my hotel and spoke for awhile there. The last part of the interview occurred over dinner and then they were nice enough to give me the tour of their facility after dinner. They were very nice and gracious. The interview went well but the travel expectation of the job exceeded what I was originally told over the phone much to my disappointment and they were also just exploring ideas. Nevertheless, this job wasn't for me.
The flight coming home from Ithaca was much smoother but the comedy never ceased to end. While at the Ithaca airport, I listened to an elderly lady complain about her travel woes coming in and out of Ithaca airport and how she had no choice but to deal with it. The funniest moment came when she pointed out that the airport only has two gates which was obvious to everyone sitting there. All I could do at this point was laugh to myself and just pray to God that I never have travel hiccups like that again.
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