Making a Switch!!

Attention Friends and Visitors I am Changing My Blog Site!!!

I have decided to make a switch to a different blogging host. The hope is it will be easier to maintain and the presentation will look a little more sharp. Raising Daddy will probably take on a different style too... The post will be more about what I am learning through life's lessons and less about my personal and family musing. The personal and family stories can be seen on our family blog TheToFamily.blogspot.com Come check it out and tell me what you think. I'm pretty excited about this switch. 

The new blog will be here:

RaisingDaddy.wordpress.com

Thanks, see you there!

5th Anniversary Getaway

Lisa and I celebrated our 5th anniversary at the coast this year. Friday morning we meet up with our good friends Trong and Henry at the Waffle Window. (One of our new favorite breakfast spots.) They are right off of Hawthorn street across from Ben and Jerry's. Anyway we had a great time catching up with the guys and Trong surprised us with tickets to see RENT next week. Stoked to see it.

 After breakfast we dropped Kaden off at my sister's. He was super excited to spend time with his cousins all day and have an over-nighter. Kaden did great he didn't even fuss. 

Lisa and I took our time driving out to Lincoln City. Our goal for the weekend was to just chillax and spend time chatting about life.  And that's exactly what we did.

 We found this place called the Nelscott Manor. It's a nice little quiet place that looked out over the coast. There was a nice jacuzzi tub that had a great view of the beach and the waves crashing.

This is me being romantic. I think I mentioned that I have a hard time in the romance department cause I just can't be serious long enough. Yeah, the extent of my romance is this picture. I HEART LISA!

We had to pose for a nice sunset at the beach. Lisa put the camera on the car's windshield wiper and then gracefully jumped into the picture.

This is us from the balcony of our hotel. It reminded us of our honeymoon trip to Cancun, o.k. not so much, but at least the ocean is behind us.  

On Friday night we sat on the balcony highlighting our last 5 years together and came to this conclusion, GOD is good... We have had a great start to our marriage and are looking forward to many more years together.  

Raising Daddy Tip Of  The Day

Make sure the ceiling is high enough before hoisting the munchkin up to ride on your shoulders. 

News Letter

I'm trying to put our newsletter on blogger for the first time. Let me know if it works. The quality will suffer but I'm giving it a shot. If you want a copy of the PDF send me your e-mail and then I'll add you to our e-mail list.

Sorry for those of you who do an RSS feed I think it post on there every time I edit.

I got it to work the first time, but then realized I didn't want my address and numbers on there so blurred it out. 

Then when I reposted it, the pictures wouldn't enlarge. I think this will be my last try! haa haa...

Blogging ain't easy! haa haa... 

Blogging Ain't Easy!

It's hard to stay fresh and think that anything I say is interesting to anyone else. I wonder to myself, "if this wasn't my blog would I read it?" The truth of the matter is I'm not sure. Most of the blogs I read are from people I know or have met. There is a big relational factor for me when reading blogs. So I wonder if that is the case with everyone else?

I ran into someone in Seattle a few weeks ago who said they where having fun reading Raising Daddy and I kind of laughed, but he was serious. So I took it as a complement and moved on. I guess there are a few of you who read this blog cause there have been over 400 hits since I started and I would guess I only account for 200 of them (just kidding I made sure my hits don't count). Thanks for reading and stroking my ego.

It is difficult to write a blog because it seems so self serving which for me it is, because I don't think that I give much valuable information and really I just talk about myself. That said I'm going to keep writing cause it gives me a place to share my thoughts (while my little one sleeps.)

Let me leave you with a few blogs that I have been reading lately:

John Stumbo's Blog ~ A pastor who has contracted a devastatingly mysterious illness that doctors are having a hard time diagnosing. John shares what God is teaching him through this.

SkyBox ~ Sky Jethani author of Divine Commodity & Editor of Leadership Journal shares thoughts and resources on ministry and leadership.

Stuff Christians Like ~ Funny yet insightful writings about Christians.

Added Bonus of just funny stuff:

Cake Wrecks ~ When professional cakes go horribly, hilariously wrong. Makes me laugh every time.

Fail Blog~ Funny video and picture mistakes there is some inappropriate ones but there is an option at the top of the page to only view G-rated entries. 

Hope you enjoy these distractions.

Raising Daddy Tip Of The Day

If you download children's music online make sure you listen to it before you play it for the kiddos. Sometime the song might not be what you think it is.

Planning a Romantic Getaway

This year Lisa and I celebrate our 5th anniversary on June 12th. It's amazing how quickly this anniversary came. We have been talking about trying to do something special, but there are two little hurdles that we have to consider. 

1. What about Kaden? It can be difficult to be focused on each other and relax if our little toddler wants to jump in and share what's on his mind.

2. What about finances? We have been trying to be good stewards of our money and be more aware of our finances.

So this is what we came up with. We're going to leave Kaden with one of my sisters for an evening. and head to the cost overnight. We found a nice little hotel right on the Lincoln City coastline. It is a little more spendy then we wanted, but it is our 5th anniversary and we haven't taken much time for ourselves since Kaden was born. (justifying my spending is something I am working on, honest!)

We're getting excited to get away and hope it will be a nice time of relaxing and regrouping. Not sure how romantic it will really be since I don't really consider myself  much of a romantic. Whenever I try to do something like that it falls apart and turns into complete silliness.  It doesn't help that I can't keep a secret either... I've found that "romance" has a hint of secrecy involved.

So here is a picture of the place we will be staying for our anniversary.

The Oregon Coast never looked so good!!

Ok this is more like where we will be staying at; I told you we were on a tight budget!

Stay tuned for the real pictures of our "Romantic Getaway."

Raising Daddy Tip Of The Day

Make sure you have extra paper towels around if you teach your kids how to blow raspberries or zirberts on your face. It can get pretty wet!

Church

I've been thinking a lot about church lately and what its all about. It started with a conversation with some friends about looking for a church that fit them. I'm not sure what that really means, but its a statement that many of us have used when looking for the "right" church. 

The church we belong to can be very telling of how we participate in life with God. It will shape and many times dictate how we are involved in ministry. So finding a church that can help us go deeper, challenge our understanding, grow in our love for God and others, extend our reach, and also care for our needs is a daunting task.

I read a book a few years ago that shaped some of my ecclesiology (the study and theological understanding of church) called The Local Church Agent of Transformation. This book was written from a Latin American perspective about the qualities that the local church must have to be prepared to take on the task of being "salt of the earth" and "light of the world." 

One thing I know about church is that none are perfect. And no one model is perfect. It's not easy finding a church that fits with your personality and comfortability and at the same time is "missional" meaning; the church is  investing in kingdom work outside it's four walls and building up those who are already within the community of believers. 

I've been fortunate to be a part of Mosaic a faith community that works hard at trying to do this. Like I said no church is perfect, because the people involved are imperfect. But I believe Mosaic desires and constantly tries to be salt & light. 

Here are a few other communities that I've visited or read about that I think have the same heart:

Quest Church: Seattle, WA

Cornerstone: Simi Valley, CA

Mars Hill: Grandville, MI

Simple Way: Philadelphia, PA (not a church but communities living on mission)

{DISCLAIMER} There are many churches and communities that are kingdom minded and are doing amazing things in their communities as well as globally. I don't think you have to be a large church or have flashy websites to communicate this message. Although the four communities that I highlighted may have some of that. 

Raising Daddy Tip of The Day:

It may not be wise to stick your finger into baby's mouth to see if they are teething. Ouch!

Surprise!!

Surprise a new MacBook!!!!

I was speechless.  I must have looked and sounded very silly as I thought about how big a gift a new laptop was. Really I never know what to say in situations like that, when the gift is so "over the top" that you don't know how to receive it or express your gratitude.

Lisa and I gathered family and friends together to celebrate my graduation, but also to thank them for encouraging and supporting us throughout this crazy seminary journey. I didn't expect them to get together and buy me a MacBook as a congratulations gift. I was thinking ,"maybe they'll get me a cake!"

To all who chipped in, all I have to say is WoW! I don't know why God chooses to put such amazing people in my life. I get to share life with people who are generous beyond imagination. And to everyone else who couldn't make it to the party or got me other great gifts I thank you also.

I ran out and bought the new aluminum MacBook on Monday and my buddy Mike came over to help me break it in. Very exciting. 

Thanks again everyone!

Raising Daddy Tip Of The Day

If you let the little ones run around naked after bath time make sure you keep a close eye on them. Peeing on a power-strip can make daddy's heart stop. And who knows what it can do to Jr.

Graduation Day!

It’s the morning after my hooding ceremony, when they recognize me as a “master.” I think to my self, “A master of what?” I have not mastered anything about God or the spiritual life. I know that I have been “mastered” through this process. God has put me through the fire, burning away so much that I had thought was absolutely true about the Christian life and adding into so much more life then I could imagine. I walk away with the thoughts of the tremendous burden I have been given through the seminary process. I’m reminded of Luke 12:48

But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.

I’ve been entrusted with so much knowledge and thousands of dollars of scholarly training. It’s a scary reality kneeling in front of family, friends, and the Christian community while my mentors, professors, and the seminary powers that be recognize, affirm, and endorse my scholastic efforts. I have been entrusted with much, and I know more will be required of me.

The big question is, “Now what?” I have no idea… Over the last few years at George Fox Evangelical Seminary I have learned to loosen my grip and step aside. I have dreamed, schemed, and made plans only to realize that much of it is out of my hands. Yes, I have a responsibility to move forward and put myself in positions so that things can happen (being stagnant is not a good option), but ultimately my prayer is always, “Your will be done.” It is God’s will that I want completed in my life. I must hold my plans loosely in my hands and not force things to happen, because I may not know the best things that Christ has in store for me. For the first time in my life I am comfortable without knowing the future. I don’t feel like I have to make something happen for myself or for my family.

Lisa and I have decided to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. Each day we will ask, “How do I serve you today Lord?” Each day there is new possibilities to glorify Him. Each day he will direct our path. Each day he will reveal His heart and his desire for our lives. And each day we will know what the next step is.

Thank you to all of you who have journeyed with us through the seminary process. I am so grateful for your love and encouragement.  Life was not meant to be endured alone and we are so blessed to live life with you.

 In Love & Gratitude ~  “Master” Joel To 

Raising Daddy Tip Of The Day

Bring cookies, snacks, and quiet toys to Graduation or any other formal ceremonies. Kiddos love pianos, tripods, and many other potentially embracing equipment. 

Clean up, clean up, everybody everywhere....

There is some pleasure in being home alone for a few days. One of them is being able to sprawl out all over the house. Being a bachelor for me has always meant I could toss my clothes and junk around everywhere. 

Oh but as a daddy I now pay the price for my wild unkept ways! Lisa and Kaden are due home in about 4 hours. Plenty of time to do a deep clean. So I'll slam down a cup  of coffee or two, eat a hearty breakfast, crank up some good 90's Grunge/Alternative, and dive into the mess that I called freedom! 

Hmm..... I wish I had a maid!!!

Someone like Alice from the Brady Bunch. She always knew how to clean up the kids' mess.

Maybe Rosie the mechanical robot from the Jetsons. She would zoom around the Jetsons pad and use crazy gadgets that shot out from her iron stomach.

Florence the Jeffersons maid was pretty awesome, but she had more attitude then I could handle.

Oh boy... spent too much time on this post! Mommy and Baby will be home in no time. Gotta turn on my Pearl Jam & Nirvana and get to work!

Raising Daddy Tip of The Day

Using more detergent doesn't help to make the clothes cleaner... there is actually a setting for "heavy soil."

Crunch Time

I've had my face buried in books all weekend while the Mrs. and baby are out of town. It's a blessing to have a wife who understands what I need to get things done. Lisa grabbed Kaden and took off to Seattle so that I could have the entire weekend to finish my term paper. Amazingly I have used the time pretty wisely. 

The only problem is that I can't get myself to sleep at night. I toss and turn just missing them and then my mind wont stop processing all the information from the day. Oh I can't wait to be done with this program, but I also know when I'm done there will be a weird longing to be back in classes.

Hopefully my blogs will get back to fun random daddy & baby stuff soon. Life has just been a little too serious lately!

Raising Daddy Tip of The Day

Stripping baby down to the diaper during meal time can save you lots of energy when doing laundry! Schedule baby's bath time right after and you are halfway done...

Legacy

I'm blogging today with a sentimental message. I received word that my grandmother on my dad's side past away last week. My parents were able to be in Vietnam during her final months on earth. Which was a great blessing to our family. I was able to observe this process via my dad's e-mails and have to say that I am more emotional than I thought I would be.

I've only met my Grandmother twice, both times for only a few short days. She was a strong women even in her old age she would be close to 100yrs old this year. Grandmother was known for her strength and love for her children. 

My dad has been on an emotional roller coaster this last month and I have grown a greater respect for him as I listen and observed how he has handled the passing of his mother. I pray that Kaden would love his mother and honor her as much as my dad has done for his mom. 

I am thankful for the legacy my Grandmother leaves behind. She has faithful sons and daughters who care greatly for their families. I pray her grandchildren and great-grandchildren would continue this legacy of loving and caring for family.

In a sense I have grown closer to my roots this last month. I received pictures today and just wished I could have been at the memorial service to be with my parents and the rest of the family. It would have been nice to have had Kaden meet his great-grandmother. He will just have to hear all the fun stories of her carrying wood into the house at age 90+. What an amazing women.

Many flowers were sent from the US. The one Lisa and I sent is on the left.

Vietnamese traditionally wear headbands and white clothing during times of mourning.

My dad between two of his brothers.

Raising Daddy Tip of The Day:

Give your family hugs today and tell them you love them and you are proud of them.

Supralapsarianism vs. Infralapsarianism

I spent most of my yesterday evening trying to understand the 

differences between Supralapsarianism & Infralapsarianism. 

I even had nightmares about it last night. I couldn't get the 

words out of my head. Some of you are wondering what these 

two words even mean and some of you really do know 

(that's just wrong).

If you're wondering in it's simplest form:

Supralapsarianism – God predestined before the fall (where election begins before creation)

Infralapsarianism – God predestined after the fall (where election begins after creation)

So what??? Yeah I know... with a lot of this stuff I wonder why theologians through the years get so hung up? Why do we try and figure out God and put Him into our boxed in definitions? It just seems futile. 

I look at Kaden and I ask God what do you want my little boy to know about you? What is going to point him to an all loving God? How do I direct his path toward a heart that desires to follow the way of truth, mercy, and grace? I ask these questions of God and realize so many times my heart doesn't even desire these things of Christ. 

So I pray this prayer for myself and for my family:

Jesus, let my choices in life be about you and not about me. Let my heart want to honor you and glorify you. Let my actions bless others before myself. Let my trust be placed in the hope that you have given me. The hope of your Kingdom coming here now on earth as it is in heaven only because of your great sacrifice. ~AMEN~

Raising Daddy Tip of The Day:

Swinging baby in a sheet is a fun and inexpensive game... just make sure you are holding on to ALL four ends before you start swinging.

Blogging Ain't Easy...

So I got a few request recently to start blogging again. I was kind of surprised cause really I didn't think people where paying much attention. And really my life really isn't that interesting.

This blogging thing is not easy. I get so busy and life gets so crazy that it's the last thing on my mind. I look at friends of mine who have become so consistent with it even when they are busy or even when their lives are in crisis mode. 

My wife says that I am a great "Starter" meaning that I do a great job starting things, but have difficulty continuing and finishing things. Maybe I should just get in the mind set that I am always starting something new each day! (hmmm... not a bad thought.)

So life has not slowed down since the last entry. School is in full swing and Midterms are next week. Really this doesn't mean much to me this term since I only have one exam next week.  School has been very interesting this term with some great learning experiences. Maybe I'll go into more detail next entry.

Daddyhood? I don't even know where to start. Kaden is sooo BIG. He is 11 months today.

Staying at home has been challenging since he is mobile and loves to be active. We have fun crawling around on the floor and learning new tricks. He is a very quick learner. 

Over all Life has been a whirl wind and sometimes I feel like I am just tossed about. I'm praying that God would just anchor me down and keep me from running a ground. 

Once again I'll try and keep current and bring some excitement to the two people who read this blog. haa haa....

Raising Daddy Tip Of The Day

Teaching a baby to stick out his tongue may look cute at first, but not so much when they do it with a mouth full of prunes.

Almost a Month Later...

I was doing so well with some kind of constant blog entry and then all of a sudden it's been a month! Sorry to all my faithful readers (um... who reads this anyway?)

Ok so this daddy is back in school and well I am being "schooled." I am right now a student of real life. Life has gotta hold of my head and is shoving me under the water. I feel like I am drowning in a sea of craziness.

I am so excited to finish this program, yet am horrified of the possibility of having nothing to show for it, but a piece of paper... I lay in bed at night asking GOD, how he will use me and where he wants me to step. I am trying to be content with living in the moment and processing what is given to me daily, but I think it is human nature to want to know the future.

As for Daddyhood... Kaden had been struggling with a stomach thing for almost two weeks. I was cleaning up after blow outs at least once a day. One day we went through 5 outfits. So between bathing the boy, rinsing out dirty clothes, and doing a basket of laundry a day, Kaden and I have been spending a lot of fun time together.

This last week Kaden has gone the other way and has been constipated. His poor little bum is all read from the straining. But what has been fun is that he has been poopped in the potty a few times.

Finally I'll give you an update on the health commitment. I started P90X two weeks a go and have lost 6-7 lbs. I am feeling fit and stronger. Hoping to get under that 200lb mark soon.

I could ramble forever since it's been a month, but I'll spare you.

Raising Daddy Tip of The Day

When changing diapers move the dirty one away from arms reach, rolling reach, and below the head and shoulder region. 

Take A Deep Breath...

Here we go...!! Today is my last day to relax and get myself focused. I am embarking on a four month roller coaster ride of fierce proportions. That's right, it's back to school time for daddy. 

When Kaden was first born I took a few weeks off and then took a few summer courses. It was much easier at that time because Kaden was much smaller and just ate and slept. I took intensive courses where I was only in class a few times and did most of my work on-line. (Oh the beauty of the internet its changed the face of higher education...) 

Oddly I am looking forward to this challenge. Or maybe I am looking forward to finishing this program and earning this piece of paper that seem to hold value only to the holder of said paper. Either way I am excited. 

For the next 4 months I'll be knee deep in books and will be writing and writing. But I still plan to blog... I think it helps keep me sane or at least it lets me get the insanity out. 

Raising Daddy Tip Of The Day

Daddy is one of the sweetest sounds a father can hear, but train the little one to say Momma early and often, this will come in handy during sick days, and diaper changes.

Are You Kidding Me?

I was recently at a friends house and she had recorded the most disturbing 20/20 episode I have ever watched. I don't think I have cringed and contorted my body out of discomfort as much as I did tonight!!!

It was a series of stories about parenting and birth, but I left saying to my self what in the world did I just see?? 

The first story was about women who are having sexual pleasure and orgasms during childbirth. http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=6569030 

I don't know but from what I experienced with my wife in the delivery room, I can tell you it was the farthest thing from our minds!! I have no idea how you prepare for this kind of "pleasurable" experience during delivery, but it just made me cringe. The couples were making out and touching each other, I mean come on there are other people in the room and there is a person come out of the woman's Va Ja Ja!!  

The second story was about people who buy dolls that are life like and cary them around like they are real.  http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=6557305 

It was beyond creepy!!

The Last story was about breast feeding. Which is perfectly normal and healthy, but not when the child is 9 years old!!! Common!! Are you Kidding me? Really? This lady was still breast feeding her 9 year old daughter... Seriously a few more years and that girls body will could be ready to make her own baby. I really don't mean to be crude, but it's true. 

http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=6569743

Take a viewing of all the videos if you dare.

Raising Daddy Tip Of The Day

When watching Football with baby, it is wise to put the little ones aside during intense moments. 

Happy New Year!! (Six Days Later...)

Has it already been about a week since the New Year?

The Holiday activity took a toll on this Daddy... After three weeks of amazing snowy weather and travel to Seattle and back to Portland, I found myself in bed fighting off two different kinds of bugs. First was the achy sick bug and second was a stomach bug. This would have been fine, but Kaden also had his first serious cold. Boy are we thankful for mommy. Lisa some how found the energy to take care of both her boys and I'm not sure who was more whiny... Daddy?? or Baby?? 

It's unfortunate that we ended and started our years fighting colds, but at the same time it made our family slow down and separate ourselves from the business that we tend to put on our calendar. One other good thing about being sick is that I actually lost 10 pounds in a week!! I am well on my way to my "2009 Muscle Body Goal"(see "To Your Health" blog entry)

2009 is going to be a crazy year in this house, but we are going to trust God to give us the energy and the strength to manage each day.

I head back to school taking 3 full classes in order to finish my Masters Program. Mommy will be working and keeping the finances flowing so we can attempt to survive. Kaden will keep growing and learning new things and will get to stay with Auntie Amy once a week until I'm done with school.

It sounds very daunting, but after a lot of prayer we feel this is our best option at this point. We are praying that our finances stay in check while we maneuver through this season of life, and again it will all be by the grace of our Lord and Savior.

I'm sure in the next four or five months there will be great blogging material as we take on this task, please keep us in your prayers. If you're journeying with us hold on cause it's gonna be a bumpy ride!!!

Raising Daddy Tip of The Day

When suffering from a stomach bug be very careful the types of games you play with baby... "Horsey?" Uh not so fun.