Hola Amigos,
That is my preschool Spanish for you :) Today is/was all about Peyton! My little girl turned 5 years old and I am not sure how that happened. Nichole and I spent the day with our little princess at School and then to a special lunch at CityVu downtown Holland. We could not be more proud of her for who she is and the natural love that she has for those around her. Don't get me wrong she has plenty of attitude to go with that love but she genuinely cares for the people around her. She is smart, beautiful both inside and out, kind, loves Jesus, and learns new things every day. Shes my little girl and she stole my heart the day she arrived. I shared a post on facebook of a t-shirt for Dad's that goes like this:
"I remember life before I was a Dad...When I never knew the warmth of my child's smile or the magic that makes it all worthwhile... When I thought life was easier on my own and when the sounds of tears and laughter failed to fill my home... When my only worry was myself and there were no family photos on my shelf...And when I pause to remember it all, I thank God for giving me my call... And how empty my life would be without someone calling me... Dad."
Now I don't know who wrote it but today after I read that little saying I couldn't agree more. I do remember what it was like without our two little ones running through the house. I remember what it was like to do whatever I wanted, or actually sleep through the night, or not be puked on, punched in the face, or any other thing that makes parenting hard. However, I thank God for my kids because no matter how hard it can be I wouldn't change it for anything! There is no better feeling then coming home to kids yelling DADDY and running to the door for hugs and kisses! Or the bed time snuggles as they fall asleep in your arms after a long day. As nice as it is to get away from your kids on date nights or a weekend away it doesn't take Nichole and I very long to miss them and feel like a part of us is missing when they are not around. I know God has big plans for us all and I lean on him daily to help me raise my kids and love Nichole in a way that honors him. Below is one of Peyton's favorite songs that we sing often especially at bed time. Tonight it too is a great reflection for me. I cut out the chorus after the first time to shorten it. I am sure many of you will recognize it but I encourage you to read it slowly all the way through and reflect on the words of this song just as I have tonight.
Bless the Lord oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I'll worship Your Holy name
The sun comes up
It's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass
And whatever lies before me
Let me be singing
When the evening comes
You're rich in love
And You're slow to anger
Your name is great
And Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness
I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons
For my heart to find
And on that day
When my strength is failing
The end draws near
And my time has come
Still my soul will
Sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years
And then forevermore
Forevermore
I'll worship Your Holy name
Jesus I will worship Your Holy name
Every new day we get is a blessing from God and I am thankful for it! Whatever happens I know I have my family to come home to and celebrate all God has done for us. He is rich in Love, in fact He is the author and perfecter of Love. He is slow to anger, His heart is kind, and I do have 10,000 reasons for my heart to be singing praises and thanksgiving for all that I have. I don't know the number of days I will have here on earth but it is my hope that I use each day a little better than the previous one. That I would live into his Kingdom now and die to myself a little more each day. That my kids would grow to know Jesus with God's help through Nichole and I and those He puts in their life. I do believe this is Gods call for me in this phase of my life and though it seems long now I know it is so very short. We have so little time with our kids before they are grown and are up against the world on their own. Lets not blow it being selfish with our time and miss out on such a precious time that God gives us with our kiddos!
To Peyton and Owen, Daddy loves you more than you will ever know. I will pray for you daily and ask you to forgive me even now for my short comings as a Dad. I want you to know Jesus loves you and died for you and is your forever Father watching over you in Heaven each day. He has great plans for you, bigger plans than Mommy or I could ever dream for you and set them in motion before we even knew you would bless us by coming into this world. Shine your light for all the world to see, don't hide it under a bushel or let Satan blow it out, but let it shine until Jesus comes again!
Love you,
Daddy
