When the world slows down

Most of my day is spent frantically typing emails, signing expense reports, in meetings or running from one cube to another. There’s not a lot of time to slow down and assess whether my actions are doing any good. Some days I return home exhausted yet unable to account for my time away. This is the case when a good portion of my day was spent in meetings.

There are days when it’s hard to get out of that “must get it done immediately” mode even when I’m home and have time to reflect. I don’t need to rush around the house picking up after the kids, but my mind says I should be helping out more around the house especially while Kim is getting close to delivering baby #4.

It’s nice when something rattles me out of this mode like happened tonight as I sat at the computer. My six-year old daughter, Luca, could not sleep so she tip-toed down the stairs and into my arms. She was so warm and cuddly. I showed her my fingerprint reader emitting a bright red glow. I showed her I how could lock my computer and then unlock it using my fingerprint. She thought that was pretty cool so I showed her how to register her finger. She smiled from ear to ear as she put her small index finger on the reader and unlocked my computer.

These are times when the world slows down and my heart beats a little slower. I’m not as stressed out and I my mind comprehends that it’s OK to mellow out and take a break. These are some of the best times.

Random act of kindness

Luca had a soccer game this morning and, as we rushed to gather our kids, chairs, blankets, shoes, cleats and various soccer gear we failed to bring an umbrella which is not the item to leave home this time of year in Seattle.

We made it to the soccer field just in for time for Luca to run across the field to join her team. Kim and I both sat along the sideline to watch the game while the wind picked up and the temperature plummeted. I held Lincoln in my lap wrapped in two blankets. Kim did the same with Anna.

Just as we were settling in the clouds moved in and the rain came down. And it continued to come down making our need for an umbrella that much more urgent. I thought about taking Kim and the kids back to the van get out of the rain, but I knew Luca wouldn’t be happy with that.

Maybe it’s because we looked so cold and wet, but as I was about to head back to the van, a lady came up from behind us with a large umbrella and held it over the four of us. We talked for a bit and found out she and her husband had moved from Utah to Seattle like we had. Her daughter played on the other team and we had a nice chat as we cheered on both teams.

But I was stuck by this lady’s random act of kindness towards us today. She held her own umbrella over us as we watched Luca score two goals. We would have missed Luca’s excitement and smile had we been in the van.

This world is filled with kind people like this woman and sometimes the small acts of kindness bring a large amount of gratitude and reflection.

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First Grade field trip to the farm

I had the day off work today so I decided to join Luca and her first grade class on a field trip to a local farm here in Auburn. The family owned farm is over 100 years old and is situated on a large piece of land not far from the Auburn city golf course.

About 50 first grade students along with a few parents and teachers arrived by bus at the farm and were separated into four groups. Each group went to a station at the farm. The stations were:

The Barn
The Hen House
The Orchard
The Garden

At each station we met a guide who explained the area and had the kids do an activity or two. At the barn the kids turned the handle on an old fashioned churn filled with cream. As the kids took turns at the churn the cream slowly turned to butter. At the hen house the kids learned that each hen can lay up to one egg a day. They also went on a hunt for eggs which the kids enjoyed. At the orchard the kids learned about apples and took turns at the apple press to extract apple juice. Luca enjoyed the garden area the most. The kids learned what it takes to plant vegetables and were given tools to till the soil and plant a seed of their own. Luca chose to plant a pumpkin seed.

Everyone at the farm was so kind and accommodating. I could tell they were happy to help the kids learn what it takes to work on a farm. When one women told the kids that farmers have to work every day of the year, even Christmas, one little boy said, “I guess I won’t be a farmer”.

I learned that first grade children are very curious, have lots of energy and have a zest for life. They are learning to read and write and you see their little minds soaking up chunks of knowledge.

After we finished our project at the last station we boarded the big yellow bus for the return trip to the school. I forgot how high up a school bus sits as I watched the kids look down on the passing cars. I sat by Luca who had called “window seat” in advance. She was wearing her yellow rain coat and pink rain boots. She was excited to tell me what she’d learned at the farm and couldn’t wait to tell mom and her brother and sister what she’d done. She held my hand and thought it was funny that her hands were cold and mine were warm.

As we got close to the school she turned to me and said, “Dad, I’m glad you came with me today”.

Technorati Tags: First Grade, Farm, School Bus

Last Few days

My last few days have been filled with a lot of stress and anxiety. But they have also been filled with much joy and laughter. I’ve been watching our three kids, ages 6, 4 and 3 this week while Kim has been in the hospital. Here are a few of my favorite experiences:

Bathtub party at 10:30 pm
Late night, Jack in the Box, Oreo shake run
Watching the Smurfs together
Taking Luca to school and soccer practice
Running down the hospital halls together
A dinner of cereal, string cheese, and “Pirates Booty”
Listening to Anna pray that mom will “get better right now”
Watching the kids laugh at my cooking
Pillow fights and blanket fort building
Piggyback rides

We’re really glad Kim came home this afternoon. But I’ve had a blast spending so much time with three fun and wild kids. They are so optimistic and see the world as something to enjoy. There’s no sarcasm or pessimism. They wake up each morning happy to be alive and tackle the day. Their small bodies can barely contain all that joy bottled up inside.

Trust in Doctors

Kim started having contractions on Sunday night. Our baby boy isn’t due for another 9 weeks so we were concerned. Kim went to her doctor yesterday and he’s been attempting to stop the contractions for the past two days. When they hadn’t stopped by late this morning, the decision was made to keep her overnight to monitor her progress. While in the hospital, they are able to keep an eye on Kim and monitor the baby’s heart rate which has been “sporadic”.

I’m lucky enough to have a boss who is understanding and allowing me to do email from home while I tend to our three young kids. I’m convinced that one day with the three kids is equal to three days at the office.

This is one of those times where we are putting our trust in people we don’t know well. Everyone seems to have our best interests in mind and I pray they will do what is best for Kim and the baby. I feel very blessed to have good insurance so we are not having to make decisions such as whether or not to stay in the hospital or consider alternative care that may cost less. I feel better knowing she’s at the hospital and under close observation during this time.

Our kids don’t quite understand what’s going on. Luca has a pretty good idea, but Anna and Lincoln are confused. We are keeping our fingers crossed that the meds will finally kick in and put a stop to the contractions and mom can come home tomorrow. One thing is for sure: Kim is tough.

Dog days of summer

This is our 7 year old boxer named Elka. On sunny days here in Seattle she likes to kick back in the grass and soak up the sun.

Technorati Tags: Pets, Boxer

What do you want to become?

When I was seven or eight years old I wanted to be an architect. Back then all I knew about being an architect was that my best friend at the time, Guy, wanted to be one and that it included getting to play with a compass. Guy was the coolest kid on the block so if he wanted to be architect, so did I. It took another few years before I realized I didn’t want to be an architect.

My father was a coach and teacher for over 30 years. During my teens as well as through college I don’t ever recall wanting to be a coach or teacher. My father would leave before 6 am most mornings and return home late into the evening, especially during football or basketball season. The long hours had an influence on me and I told myself that when I grew up and got a job, it would be one that didn’t keep me away from home so often.

Well, things don’t always go as planned. My first job out of college I worked as a retail store manager. The store was small but the hours were long and included most holidays and weekends. When I got into technology a few years later I told myself that I didn’t want to work weekends or late nights. For the most part I was able to do that except I had to travel a lot, much of the time with very little notice.

Looking back on my career I see that the hours I’ve put in average quite close to those my dad worked while I was growing up. But what I realize now that I didn’t back then was that my dad loved his job and the hours probably didn’t seem so long to him. He loved working with kids. He enjoyed teaching and learning from them. The influence he’s had on kids over the 30 years is immeasurable.

Although my career has been challenging and enjoyable so far, it’s only been the last few years that I’ve felt I’m giving anything back to the younger generation. Most of my career has been spent helping pad the coffers of large companies and high powered executives. But my current jobs allows me to interact with a young, fun group of people who have taught me a lot.

As much as I love technology, I’d switch jobs with my dad in a heartbeat.

Off to Orlando

Tonight I was explaining to our kids that I am leaving in the morning for a short business trip to Orlando. Here are a few of the kid’s reactions:

Luca: “Can’t someone else go?”

Lincoln: “Will you bring me back a gun that doesn’t shoot water?”

Anna: “Can I go with you?”

Luca: “Can you just go for 2 days? Or just one?

It’s always fun to see the kid’s reactions when I tell them I have to go somewhere. Luca assumes I’m going to months. Lincoln doesn’t care that I’m going but wants to make sure I bring something back for him and Anna wants to come with me.

I don’t like saying goodbye to Kim or the kids, even for just a short five days. I don’t know how our service men and women leave their families. Especially when there’s a chance they will not return. It makes me realize that I have it easy.

I tucked the kids into bed tonight and came down to the computer. Less than five minute later Luca came down and crawled on my lap. She put her head on my shoulder while I rocked her asleep. I would not trade these moments for anything in the world.

The Ultrasound

I went to Kim’s ultrasound on Friday. This is baby #4 so, like everything else pertaining to the birth of the baby, I know my place and don’t say much unless I’m asked. Basically, I’m there to hand over the insurance card. That’s my big contribution.

Our ultrasound technician was a very bubbly, friendly women. I remember the first time I looked at an ultrasound screen, I couldn’t make out anything. The technician would be going on about this or that and I’d sit there and nod as I looked at the screen with absolutely no idea what she was seeing.

But this time the technician took the time to point out the obvious (to her) features. One screen showed the baby’s spine. Another a hand or lips or leg. And then she brought up a screen and said, “This is definitely a boy!”

So Luca was right. Another boy will make two girls and two boys, and we are thrilled. I’ve never given much thought about the sex of the baby, but Luca was convinced she was getting a “baby Lincoln” and I didn’t want to tell her she was going to get a “baby Anna” instead.

One Anna Lynn is perfect but PLENTY!

Lincoln will be getting a baby brother in a few months.

Super Soakers

When Grandpa is in town it means the kids get spoiled. Today was no exception when he bought them each a Super Soaker water gun. They are battery operated which means they can shoot soak. The kids thought it was funny to shoot me in the butt while I was filling up soakers.

The kids had so much fun getting wet, then getting cold and then sipping hot chocolate that Grandpa made just for them with his seven special ingredients.

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