A Better Catholic Dad, life lessons for every parent

His callings.

2010-02-23T04:25:00Z

Abraham, Moses, Ruth, Samuel, David and the list goes on and on. The list contains biblical figures as well as everyday people surrounding us in all walks of life. What is the similarity in the list? God has called every one of us to do something significant with our life whether we hear him or not. It's not that he's not calling us, it's our refusal to listen which is why we may not hear him. I think I know. More recently I feel more and more of a calling. There is more of a presence in my life of Him. Being back in school, one class I signed up for was Philosophy. Out of all of the topics of Philosophy the topic of our study for the duration of the semester is the Philosophy of Religion. I find myself arguing for God against the atheist and agnostics whom I share a class with. NEVER would I imagine speaking up in a religious philosophy class but something compels me to speak up and defend a belief that I have. This class makes me want to believe all that much more.

In addition to Philosophy I am taking a Intro to Religions course and as I read other religions I know that I am where I want to be. No offense to anyone of any other religion but I know that I am where I NEED to be. God is mysterious in his ways. Lately I find myself more compelled to type and be a part of the Church all that much more. A few weeks back I even debated going to a retreat but have still yet to convince myself to go.

Being born and baptized as non denominational and never going to church aside from the two or three times I did growing up until I met my wife, it was well after my first child was born and in a time of intense stress that while visiting a church out of town that I felt the calling to convert. I remember it like it was yesterday here we were in church, I was reluctant to go as usual and while I was sitting there and listening I had this immense sense of relief, I received my calling. As soon as Mass was over I rushed to the gift shop and bought my first set of rosary beads and informed my wife I wanted to convert. As soon as I got home I contact my local parish and inquired about converting. Unfortunately for me then I had to wait. They were already well into a class and I had to wait several months for the next. When the time came I was still ready to go. I converted just a few weeks before my second child was born with my mother in law by my side as my sponsor. It was the night before Easter 2006, for me this life long journey started with that calling in February 2006 up in Columbus, Georgia.

As I was saying, his callings come in the such small doses for me, I see them here and there as in case I miss something. This morning I contacted my local parish and inquired about volunteering some of my time, it was something that I felt I had to do. Mid day, I came across two very old prayer books that belonged to my still living grandmother. They were Catholic books that she wrote in the year I was born. Never had I realized growing up that my roots were based in Catholicism but these books proved otherwise. As I rambled here tonight, my point is God is everywhere and he is calling us to all do something important with our lives. For me, I still do not know. Maybe its write this, volunteer my time or just to be a better dad. But as I know I will try my best to stay open to his callings I'm sure I will find out.

I could use a mulligan today!

2010-02-18T20:47:00Z

Yesterday was a tough day, I made several resolutions towards the season of Lent and my children fought each step of the way. All in all it was a really rough day. Today I have resolved to make it better. We are outside (despite the heavy chill in the air), kids are playing and 'm still able to get some much needed homework done. It's a sacrifice on my part as I shiver but as long as they are bundled up and warm and happy that's what really matters. The TV can only keep them occupied so long and they can only play quietly for so long. My kids as most kids need to run and be loud!

Lent, what am I giving up?

2010-02-17T16:36:00Z

I've been racking my brain trying to figure out what am I going to give up this Lenten season. I've decided that I am going to give up nothing. There is nothing that I feel is worthy enough to give up. HOWEVER I am not letting myself off that easily. What I am going to do is to try to be better at certain things, things that really take an effort on my part. One, I am going to try to set aside an hour each day and devote it to just play. No cleaning, no cooking, no TV... nothing but play time for me and my kids. The hours fly by so fast from the time I wake up to getting my son to school, breakfast cooked, kitchen cleaned, laundry washed, school work worked on (yes, I'm also back in school), then before I know it's the days over and I'm cooking dinner and ready to crash. Each day I plan to devote an hour a day to play. Additionally, to make my daily life easier I also plan to do that one load of laundry a day so that it does not pile up into 3 hours of folding which takes away from play time. I also plan to devote myself to less yelling... CLEAN YOUR ROOM, PICK THAT UP, STOP HITTING. It's so easy to yell, whats hard is to talk.

So in short, my 3 things for this season of Lent are:
1. Devote 1 hour a day to play time
2. Wash that 1 load of laundry a day
3. Less Yelling

-Catholic Dad

Its Ash Wednesday!

2010-02-17T16:25:00Z

And you know what that means in regards to the kitchen!?! More fish. In our kitchen fish rarely comes close to it in any form other than fish sticks. Personally I love fish, but sadly, my wife does not. In my opinion it's too much work to cook fish for just one so this is my time of the year to add a little seafood into our meals! Starting tonight I am making my famous Shrimp Enchilado. It's an awesome stew served with white rice and even a side of fries and is perfect for a cold evening. If I dont eat it all first I might even try and get a picture or two of it put up!

Enjoy~

SHRMIP ENCHILADO

1lb Small Shrimp peeled, divined and detailed

2 large onions – large diced

2 stalks celery diced

2 cans of diced tomatoes

1 clove garlic diced

¼ c. Red Wine

4T Butter

1t Garlic Powder

1t Onion Powder

1t Cumin

1t Salt

1t Pepper

1/2t Ground Bay Leaves

Tabasco Sauce

Sauté Onions and Garlic in Olive Oil

Remove mixture from pan and add ¼ c Red Wine simmer. Add Butter and Shrimp and sauté for 3 min. Add Onion/Garlic back and add in remaining ingredients. Simmer on low heat until celery tender.

Serve with white rice and a side of fries.

Time for an overhaul!

2010-02-16T16:40:00Z

I've had this domain for quite some time and on occasion as you may have noticed I tried to write. Some days its hard to stay on a topic of being Catholic when so many things go on in my daily life that I really want to just write about. Some days are awesome while others are just so-so and all of those days are important to not only remember for memory sake but to remember as a personal growth sake. Starting today I hope to keep more up to date and share the trials and tribulations of being a stay at home dad including things from ideas for play time, cooking, tips on cleaning and so much more all the while still trying to be a regular manly man kinda guy. A lot has changed in the past few months for me and honestly I love what has happened. I've taken a very negative experience in my life and turned it into an amazing gift God has given me. From here on out, I will be a better dad......A Better Catholic Dad. For anyone who happens across feel free to post comments!

Enjoy!
Catholic Dad

And then there was change...

2009-10-10T02:05:00Z

Today was truly a change of pace for me. For the past week I have been obsessed with cleaning. I have cleaned and filed and vaccumed more times than I would have thought to be humanly possible. I think I have my girls bored to tears with watching me clean and Im sure they are tired of hearing me ask them to pick something up. I guess it's a touch of OCD, it runs in the family. I dont generally sit still and just enjoy life, I'm always too busy cleaning up after it. However today I made an attempt to change. Yes, I did clean something but in my attempt I still managed to relax and watch my little girls be little girls. I took down a pair of blinds that have gotten dusty over time, took the blinds and the girls outside, turned on the water and let them have fun. Once things were clean and the kids were playing I even managed to sit back and read the first few chapters of a book I have had for years and never touched. By simply making a little bit of an effort to change, I relaxed for the first time in a long time and my girls got outside to play. I can honestly say I am looking forward to change.

In the upcoming weeks life will be changing for me for sure. As I go back to school and continue to be a "Stay at Home Dad". I will have to change how I am so that I can survive and my kids can be kids and not little housekeepers.

The hand we're dealt...

2009-10-08T13:44:00Z

Life can be interesting considering the hand we're dealt. For instance, it's been a long time since I've touched on writing here and yesterday I got my automatic renewal on the site and it reminded me it's about time. For such a long time life revolved around work and being the provider for my family. As of a few months ago, all that has changed. My wife is now the provider and I am a "Stay at Home Dad". I always wished I could have a try at being a stay at home dad and I will admit it is not the easiest job in the world. (Don't tell my wife I said that). Dont get me wrong, it's awesome to have time with my children as I never would have imagined but when the temper tantrums start, or my lovely nearly 2 year old starts screaming at me or the endless never ending supply of dirty clothes that awaits to be washed, its a long days work. Yup, I said it, it is a long day... but still its rewarding. I am desparetly trying to get those never ending piles of laundry done and those small chores that I give myself done in hopes of sitting back and relaxing. However I know all too well that will not happen.

I am looking forward to sitting back with a good book while the kids are napping and finding my wife's secret stash of bon-bon's that I know she has to have somewhere. I did discover s secret stash of chocolate yesterday! As my days continue to revolve around getting my son off to school, girls entertained, house cleaned, dinner cooked, homework done and ready to greet my wife when she gets home from work I look forward to writing about my experiences here and my attempts to be "A Better Catholic Dad". It's my turn to help guide my children down the right path after my wife did it all of these years. Hopefully I wont un-do too much of her hard work.

-Catholic Dad

Trinity Sunday

2009-06-08T18:59:00Z

This past Sunday was Trinity Sunday.... at church for the first time in a LONG time I was able to actually listen to the mass. Typically I sit in the kids room with my youngest and am chasing her most of the time. She's 19 months (nearing the terrible 2's). One thing that was interesting that I did catch was a reference that was made to the Holy Trinity.... it was said that you can look at water and think of the Holy Trinity... it comes in three forms and all are the same thing.... Water, Ice and Gas. It's an interesting way to look at it and it makes sense.... same thing goes for my kids. I have three children and all are completely different but in all of them there is one thing that is the same... Gods handiwork.

My new name.....

2009-05-12T18:15:00Z

Just call me....

These days, thats what I feel like now more than ever! This morning as I got up while my wife was still at work and working late, I unfortunately slept in late and when I woke up, I had 20 minutes to get my three kids fed, dressed and out the door! Cue Mission Impossible theme song here. Somehow I managed to get my son fed and the girls to the neighbors and I raced to get him to school on time to avoid another tardy on his record. And against all odds I made it!

Later into the morning after I started dinner as my wife was sleeping after working all night I checked on my second oldest (Eve) who was not feeling well for the past few days. She still had a temperature of 101.3 so I called the doctors and was advised to bring her in. Before I forget to mention, as I was on the phone my youngest Trinity came running up to me to pick her up. When I did, I then realized um....no diaper. Shes on a bit of a streak lately (literally) of being a streak.. she loves to strip and run around laughing and playing chase as we chase her down to re diaper her for the twentieth time of the day...

Upon arriving at the doctors, Eve's temp had gone up to 104......for a dad, mom or anyone, this is scary mode. Fortunately it was a quick visit and the doctor was amazing and she checked out to have strep and an ear infection and we were on our way with meds in hand..... After I finally got her meds filled and got home by then my wife was wide awake and I then realized in the past month I have been to more doctor visits flying solo than I have ever been to in the past 6 years. All the while I have a mental list of things that need to get done (laundry tops it) it's time for me to exit stage left and get my butt to work for a LONG GRUELING 4 hour day!

How I long to get back to a topic of religion and not a child being sick! Hopefully sooner than later as long as no one else catches strep! Maybe this is when I should say a prayer that they all get well soon!

Something special about this Sunday!

2009-05-08T16:31:00Z

I can not wait for this weekend to start! Aside from the self imposed list of "honey do" chores I do have a few fun things planned. I am hoping to camp out in my living room with my children. And by camp, I mean bring my very large tent inside and set it up camp. I am also hoping to get the kids out to the beach or something fun, especially Sunday. Sunday is an extremely special day. It only comes once a year......it's.... it's... my birthday! (oh yeah, and Mothers Day!) Sorry moms!

Funny how the only thing I want for my birthday is to relax.... I almost forgot this weekend was it until someone mentioned the word birthday at work about someone else. Then I remembered..... I gotta renew my car tags! Happy Birthday, time to spend a lot of money on a useless little sticker!

All else aside I do plan on having fun with my family and making Sunday a special day for everyone (including my wife)! I want there to be laughter and fun all day long!

Stresses in life...

2009-05-07T19:24:00Z

Ever have those days where you have that pain in the back of your neck? Seriously... those days where lifes stresses get you wound up so tightly that it hurts? Today is one of those days. Its a stressful day at work and I feel like I could run for miles in hopes of relieving the tension. But I'm not a runner so thats marked off the list.

The day started with my oldest daughter coming down with what her brother had the other day and this morning she was puking nicely... even once on me. Ah, it's good to be a dad. Someone has to catch the puke! Then I get to work and there is gossip and near conspiracy happening and days like this I'd much rather be home and getting puked on. Of course I could run for miles and I might feel better but I think tomorrow I just need to schedule an hour for me and go to confession. It's been a while and I've missed mass and etc. etc., we all have our reasons and excuses but after days like this I need to feel some sort of peace. Have some sort of knowledge that there is still right in the world and not everyone is just down right horrible. I've had my fair share of backstabbing for the day and as a result I'm feeling resentment towards others. I think it's time to change that feeling. Time to.... time to get back to what matters most.

Weird way to get some R&R....

2009-05-07T02:03:00Z

Talk about a relaxing day around these parts! I actually took the day of from work. I honestly can not remember the last time I took Wednesday off from work. Perhaps never is the answer. Its been nice, got up and got my son out the door to go to school, cooked my wife a sunny side up egg for breakfast (aka snot) and cleaned the girls room. It's noon and I already have dinner planned and the girls are napping. Talk about productive! Of course I am sitting on my ass staring at a HUGE pile of laundry that needs attention but for once I'm sitting still, typing and watching a movie on TV. As I've said before I'm playing a little larger role in being Mr. Mom.

I feel as though I should get up and clean the garage..... or something...perhaps wash a car (oh wait, we're in a drought so nope, saved by that one!) I'm not a person who ever sits still, I always have to be doing something, cleaning something, cooking something... anything but sit still. I can never ever watch a movie during the day because I typically feel like if it's daylight there are chores to be done. But today, I think I will enjoy the R&R while the girls are napping. These days, I completely understand what my wife means by the "down time" when they are napping. It's a feeling of "WOOHOO", I can sit still for five minutes! Now I completely understand why the laundry was not always done or the bathrooms were never spotless.

In case you were wondering what's for dinner... it's Tater Tot Casserole. Having the better of both worlds in one dish. Tots and ground beef. What more could anyone ask for!

Sick Kids!

2009-05-05T20:20:25Z

I am now a card holding member of the "I've had my name called over the store PA system" club! Last night after I clipped the coupons and got the kids to bed (even the wife since she was heading to work in a few hours) I headed out the grocery store.

Backing up, earlier in the evening at dinnertime my son who is my oldest was complaining of a stomachache and soon went to vomit, puke, hurl… whichever name you choose to call it by he was sick. He opted to stay up and watch TV while I was out at the grocery store.

Long story short and back to the checkout line… I was just starting to put the items on the belt when I heard my name called from the lady standing 15 feet in front of me. First thought was OH NO… got on the line and it was some other lady looking for someone else… wrong line. I walked away and called the wife back who was hysterically saying that I needed to take my son to the doctor and to get home right now. Needless to say I quickly checked out of the line and packed the food in the car. I came home and brought in the perishables and grabbed my son and whisked him to the doctors. I left the house at 8:40 with NO GAS in my truck and had to be there by 9:00 before they closed. AND it’s about a 20-minute drive. The entire way I watched that gas needle teasing me as it was below E and then going up a hill above E…. yeesh.

Finally we made it and the doctor ran tests for influenza and strep and determined it was just a tummy bug. Poor kid, he puked some more at their office. Funny how a kid who looks reasonably well when you get to the doctors office and you feel crazy for bringing him, when the puke comes on, you feel so much better~

Let the Adventure Begin!

2009-05-05T16:45:00Z

I think it's time to try something new here. I really enjoy writing here, unfortunately I sometimes run outta ideas. Who me? Not possible! Fortunately it's true. From here on out, I want to turn this blog into "The Adventures of A Better Catholic Dad". All about day to day stuff that goes on in the suburban life of a Catholic Dad trying his damnedest to try to do right by his kiddos. I have a small heard of three children ages 6, 3 and 1-1/2. Currently the trouble maker is my youngest! She's also the loudest and moodiest of the bunch too. Day to day they create some of the most amazing stresses I could imagine. They are funny as well as a pain in the butt (only joking... or am I). Seriously, I love them more than life.

These days I am more involved in their life than I have ever been before. I am playing a larger role as Mr. Mom these days. Mostly because work has slowed up and my wife had to go find work to make up the difference. Her night job means plenty of the roles that she took care of are now on my shoulders. You mean I have to make lunches, read bedtime stories, prepare the clothes for the next day and find that lost shoe! With her working hard and with so much less sleep, I do not mind one bit. Its the least I could do. This is where "The Adventures" comes into play. It's a learning curve for me in so many ways.

Let the adventure begin!

I love...

2009-04-08T02:13:00Z

I love my wife.
I love my children.
I love my family.
I love my life.

-ABetterCatholicDad.

Priceless....

2009-03-07T15:23:00Z

Last night was one of those nights where no matter how bad the news in the world may be, it made up for all of the wrong in the world. It was an evening I will forever remember. I spent the evening out with my nearly 3 year old daughter. My son had a birthday party to attend that my wife took him to along with my youngest. My middle daughter put on a pretty dress and went out with daddy. We went to the mall where she got a new book at the bookstore, we walked through several stores where she was allowed to drop a "bath bomb" in a bowl of water and see it fizz, she got to play with a few gadgets in Brookstone and she got to ride the carousel. She was beaming with joy and kept saying it was awesome. After we left the mall I took her for ice cream at Carvel and we finally got home around 8:30. It was such an amazing evening, spending such quality one on one time with her and seeing her personality in full force. Instead of the hectic errands we run as a family, we took our time and went at a leisurely pace.

Spending that one on one time with my children means so much to them. Where they are told to share their toys, share a snack if they are eating something, take turns watching TV shows, take turns hearing their favorite story for them to have attention directly on them for a few hours where you can listen to every word they say uninterrupted will have them beaming from ear to ear. Next on the agenda is taking my son fishing early one weekend morning. He recently got a new fishing pole for his birthday and he is dying to try it out.

I hope to make it a regular occurrence in taking them out for one on one time because not only will it mean so much to them, it means the world to me.

Lent, what did you give up?

2009-03-02T19:09:00Z

It's always interesting how non Catholics always to seem to have an interest in what us Catholics are giving up. On Ash Wednesday I had three or four people ask me that question. One part of me thinks that's a personal choice but the other part of me thinks that if I tell then there are that many more people keeping me in line. It's hard to give something up for 40 days especially when you really enjoy it. For example, my sister in law gave up eating meat, not just on Fridays but every day of the week for 40 days.... and no, she's not a vegetarian... not even close. My wife on the other hand gave up a handful of things in case one failed she would have backups. He choices were soda and ice cream, two of her biggest vices. (I might want to move into the garage for the remainder of Lent). For me, it was fast food... I crave it. I don't always eat it, only on days when I forget my lunch and I have to eat. Other times, I simply think of fast food fries or a burger and that's all it takes to make me want to hit the nearest drive through. Will I make it, I hope so. Will I eat a burger on Easter... most likely.

Why do we give up something for Lent? You know by tradition that your supposed to but ever wonder why? One search tells us that it is a return to simplicity and purity and another search expands on it to say that we are to identify with the sufferings of Christ.

I've always though Lent was about giving something up, but I have read that it is also about adding something to our lives. I know there are many MANY things I can add to my own life to make it better and it's all free. Two things that come to mind are for me to read at least a passage a day from the bible. All I have to do is open it and read, read a line or even a paragraph. Another is to strengthen the bond with my wife. Now is a perfect time to devote 40 days to "The Love Dare".

What are you giving up? Feel free to respond!

Carpe Diem

2009-01-26T20:07:00Z

Something that may seem like nothing to you can mean the whole world to your child......I started the weekend on Friday by being a chaperone for my sons field trip. I took time out of my busy day to be there for him. I got to see him run around with his friends and go from one exhibit at the aquarium to the next. He was beaming with pride and joy all morning long. He was proud to have me there and be a part of his day. I sat next to him at lunch and watched him talk with his friends and it was amazing to see how he has grown into such a little man (despite the fact that he is still my baby). In his early years I worked plenty and have always felt that I missed so much. Well this day at the aquarium made up for it. There was a bond that was made that day that can not be described. When we got home that night all he wanted to do was sit next to me while we watched TV. That night when he got up in the middle of the night he specifically said he wanted "daddy" to walk him back to bed.

I continued this effort throughout the weekend with my children. We made it to the beach (despite the chill in the air) and hunted for sea shells. Originally our plan was to go looking for sharks teeth for a class project but instead we have plenty of shells that he can use. That day at the beach I took home more than just sea shells, I took home memories that will last a lifetime. I took plenty of pictures this weekend trying to capture my children in the moment. Wanting to forever capture their laughter and smiles.

In my opinion the camera was the greatest invention ever created.....with its help, my children, no matter how old they get they will always be my babies. One day when I am old and forgetful I can know I will never forget how great this time of my life was. Capture the moment. Carpe Diem.

My New Year Resolutions...

2008-12-31T14:26:00Z

How time flies. It seems like just yesterday we were cutting up the Thanksgiving turkey and here we are nearly ready to take down the Christmas tree. Despite how rocky the year has been, it still has been a great year. I don't want to look at 2008 as being a bad year. I have no control over the stock market, the price of gas or even the layoffs the company I work for has gone through. I do have control of remembering the good times and all of the wonderful memories that were made and the many laughs that were heard.

I want to remember 2008 as the year my youngest took her first steps, my oldest started kindergarten and my middle.... well, my middle she's still my little angle (with a little more attitude). 2008 is the year I started this blog as a way to try and make myself a better Catholic dad. Despite my best efforts at time to maintain this, time just seemed to get away and I let it fall by the wayside. My new years resolution is to continue to TRY to be a better Catholic dad, to be a better Catholic husband and to be a better Catholic friend. My resolution is to let God handle my worries, I want to let him take care of the things I have no control over. I think I did pretty good for starting some "resolutions" as you may call them mid year, well I want to take this new years resolution and make it official. My New Years Resolution is to be A Better Catholic Dad.

If I thought life was good this year, I cant wait for next year when I open myself to God even that much more.

Have a happy and safe New Year and may God bless everyone!

-Catholic Dad

Inspirational Videos..

2008-12-05T17:19:00Z

Who doesn't love anything with an inspirational message especially when its spoken through a child's voice. When watching this clip, think of your son or daughter talking directly to you. Think of your actions throughout the day, do you want your child to really learn some of the "bad" habits you are teaching?

Just watch and prepare to be inspired to be a better dad...