Father's Day

Before J was born, back when he was just "Stinker," I bought PreacherDad the book "I Love My Daddy" by Sebastien Braun. It was his first Christmas present from "Stinker." I came across that book a few days ago as I was packing, and couldn't resist re-reading it. It's illustrations, by the way, are simply beautiful. Each page features the many things that Baby Bear's Daddy does with/for him. "My Daddy wakes me." "My Daddy feeds me." My Daddy plays with me." "My Daddy yawns with me." and so on... I smiled as I read, because PreacherDad does all those things and so many more.

He is known for getting up when J wakes up early and getting him breakfast. They watch PBS together, and PreacherDad knows -and sings, all the theme songs.

This year he has juggled his office hours around my class schedule so that J only spent one day a week in daycare, and the variety of toys in his office is evidence that sometimes he had to multi-task like a pro.

They're thick as thieves, those two... especially when they are doing something ornery like conspiring to tickle my feet. Nothing brings me more joy than to eavesdrop on bath-time on the baby monitor, as they splash play games, and laugh.

So on Father's day I am grateful for the memory of my grandfathers, for the continuing relationship with my own loving father, and for the joy of watching the love of my life turn into the best father I have ever met.

Even as I lift up my prayers of gratitude for these men, I also pray for so many children who do not have the love of a caring Dad in their lives. I pray that they will find caring, supportive, mentoring men in other roles in their lives. I lift up men who feel they have failed their own children, that they may find the forgiveness they seek and the transformation they desire. I also pray for those men who, with or without children of their own, have found ways to be fatherly to children who need them.

May God bless each of you this day.

Moving

I've more or less lost count of the moves I've made, but growing up I moved every 5 or so years, and in adulthood it has been even more frequent. So these are the tried and true moving techniques I learned as a third generation itinerant preacher (this my friends, is probably a whole other post.) It isn't particularly novel information, but it has been very helpful in my life. If you have tips to add, I welcome them!

These tips are true whether you are doing a u-haul style self move or hiring the pros.

1. keep a log. This is a must. Every box gets numbered, and then the contents and desired destination goes next to the corresponding number in the log. If you move with the pros, it will make their inventory smooth sailing and they will love you for it. Either way, you will be amazed when you can easily find that thing you just *have* to have right now!

2. If you can, assign each room, or at the very least, major areas its own color. Tag the box with its room color, and on move in day you can label the rooms so movers, (pro or amateur) can take boxes to the right space. It is so nice to have things in the right room when you unpack!

3. pack things from the same room together. This is the only way #2 will do you any good. Within the same room, you can mix things, say, heavy pots and pans with your dish towels to fill space without making the box too heavy to pick up.

4. Invest in your packing materials and then save them. Good boxes, if treated properly, will last you many many moves, and will save your stuff. Newsprint and bubble wrap are also essentials. Don't skimp, your stuff costs more than the paper! Dish packs are amazing for getting fragile dishes through a move, and they break down flat to be used over and over. Bubble wrap keeps a nice long time, but avoid keeping the newsprint if you'll be in one place more than a year or two. ( Mice could imagine nothing better than an endless supply of newsprint for nesting...EWWW)

5. If you have time, use moving as an opportunity to weed out your stuff and re-organize. sure, it would be easier to just throw stuff in the box, but who wants to unpack a hot mess in their new home?

6. *must have* box: a set of sheets for the beds you need, a towel for each person, a shower curtain and toilet paper should go in your vehicle and be clearly marked.

7. Finally, If you are using professionals, have your stuff packed when they arrive, have disposable cups for the crew to at least be able to have water, and be certain to leave toilet paper in the bathroom so that it remains "in service" throughout the day.