Tag: fathers day

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Father’s Day Surprise

If you’re reading this on Facebook, please go to the actual blog post. The audio will not work on Facebook. http://stevecorn.com/2011/07/fathers-day-surprise/

Miranda helped Kasen and Kesleigh record an audio book for me for Father’s Day. It was a big surprise. It’s actually a book that Miranda bought that was set up for the recording process. Anyway, I took the audio and put it here ’cause it’s so cool. My kids (and bride) are AWESOME!

Father’s Day 2011.mp3

Miranda says that she didn’t coach them at all, but some of their answers are pretty perfect. Of course my kids are pretty perfect too.  (I’m not biased either.)

Transcript:

Miranda: Where do you like to go with dad on a Saturday and why Kesleigh?

Kesleigh: The beach

Miranda: Where do you like to go Kasen?

Kasen: Go to . . . play volleyball.

Miranda: OK. And what game do you like to play with dad?

Kesleigh: I play a game

Kasen: That’s me.

Miranda: Would you and dad have more fun on a boat, a dog sled, or a spaceship Kesleigh?

Kasen & Kesleigh: A spaceship.

Miranda: and where would you go?

Kasen: to the moon and jump.

Miranda: You would go to the moon and jump Kasen?

Kasen: Uh huh.

Miranda: Where would you go Kesleigh?

Kesleigh: to the moon and jump.

Miranda: You would go to the moon and jump too?

Kesleigh: Yes

Miranda: What else would you do when you were there?

Kasen: Uh. . . not slide down.

Miranda: Not slide down?

Kasen: No, because it’s too far.

Miranda: Too far. Kasen, if you and daddy were superheroes, what powers would you have?

Kasen: Fly super high. . . fast.

Miranda: Superfast. And what would your names be? What would you call yourselves?

Kasen: My name would be Batman an daddy’s name would be Superman.

Miranda: Those are good names. What do you think Kesleigh? What would your superpowers be?

Kesleigh: My daddy o Superman.

Miranda: He’s Superman?

Kesleigh: Yes.

Miranda: Well, what are you?

Kesleigh: I’m SuperBatman.

Miranda: Kesleigh if daddy were a king, what kind of food would he have at his feast?

Kesleigh: Ketchup

Miranda: Ketchup? What else.

Kesleigh: Just ketchup.

Miranda: Just ketchup. Kasen, what kind of food do you think daddy would have at his feast?

Kasen: Uh. . . . sausage and biscuits.

Miranda: Sausage and biscuits. That’s a good food. Do you think your favorite food is the same? What is your favorite food?

Kasen: Grilled Cheese.

Miranda. Grilled Cheese. What is your favorite food Kesleigh?

Kesleigh: Cheese.

Miranda: Cheese. Just cheese huh? OK – What kind of animals would daddy have at his castle Kesleigh?

Kesleigh: I don’t. . . some ketchup. . . some ketchup.

Miranda: What animals?

Kesleigh: some ketchup.

Miranda: Kasen, what kind of animals do you think daddy would have at his castle?

Kasen: Sheep and uh . . .  uh. . . a king.

Miranda: He would be the king?

Kasen: Uh huh.

Miranda: Kasen, where do you think daddy’s favorite spot in our house is?

Kasen: . . . . in the bathroom?

Miranda: <laughing> In the bathroom? And what do you think daddy does there?

Kasen: Potty.

Miranda: He goes potty. OK. Kesleigh, where do you think daddy’s favorite spot in the house. . .

Kesleigh: He goes to get ice cream.

Miranda: When he goes to get ice cream?

Kesleigh: Yes.

Miranda: Where does he go to get ice cream?

Kesleigh: At. . . at Chick-a-lay. (Chickfila)

Miranda: At Chickfila? OK. If daddy could be the same age as you Kasen, for just one day, what do you think you would do together?

Kasen: Swing.

Miranda: You would swing? What else would you do with him?

Kasen: Umm. . .

Miranda: What else would you do with daddy? What do you like to do with him?

Kasen: Potty.

Miranda: You like to go potty with him?

Kasen: Uh huh.

Miranda: OK. What else?

Kasen: Um. . .

Miranda: If daddy won a gold medal for doing something incredible, what do you think he’d win the medal for?

Kasen: Loving.

Miranda: Loving. For loving who?

Kasen: For loving me and Kesleigh.

Miranda: For loving you and Kesleigh? That’s a nice one. OK Kasen, look here. If daddy gave you a big trophy for doing something amazing, what do you think you would be doing that was so amazing for him to give you a trophy?

Kasen: ?????? <distracted>

Miranda: Kesleigh, what is it that you like about daddy?

Kesleigh: Kisses.

Miranda: His kisses?

Kesleigh: <whispered> Yes.

Miranda: What else?

Kesleigh: and his birthday.

Miranda: And his birthday? Kasen, what do you like about daddy?

Kasen: For playin’ baseball.

Miranda: Cause he plays baseball with you?

Kasen: Uh huh.

Miranda: What else do you like?

Kasen: Uh. . . eating ice cream.

Miranda: Eating ice cream with him?

Kasen: Un huh.

Miranda: That’s a good one. OK. Let’s say we love you daddy.

Kesleigh: I love you daddy.

Kasen: I love you daddy.

Miranda: We love you daddy.

Miranda, Kasen, and Kesleigh: Happy Father’s Day!

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Lingering Love

I’ve been thinking about my dad quite a bit lately. I guess it makes sense. Father’s Day was this past month. The anniversary of my dad’s death was this month too. It’s been 13 years, but grief is weird. I feel like I’ve dealt with my dad’s death and life still goes on, but grief still gives me a kick here and there. Lately, it’s been a little more frequent. Probably ’cause I’m a father myself now. Anyway, grief shows up at the strangest times. Always unexpected.

The other day, Kasen (2yrs) put on a sailor hat that my mother-in-law bought for him at Pearl Harbor. He was laughing and giggling and it was a ton of fun, but in one split second he looked at me with this sort of sideways grin – it was small, but still enough for me to recognize my dad in him. I teared up briefly, but didn’t let on how I was feeling until later when the kids were asleep in the car. I was telling Miranda about the experience and cried thinking about how I wish dad could have seen Kasen, and how I wish Kasen could have known his grandpa. Grief gave me a kick that day.

I got another “grief kick” on Father’s Day. I had an interesting conversation with my father-in-law, Mike about my dad’s hard head. I was telling him about how my dad won his first boxing match which was televised. He won by technical knock out ’cause the other guy broke his hand on my dad’s jaw. That’s right. You heard (well read) correctly. My dad was tough. I could just picture him taunting the guy, “Come on. Just hit me.” And when he does, he breaks his hand. That’s a hard head.

There’s another story I heard about the first date he and my mom went on. He was taking her to the movies, but on the way, there was a guy stranded on the side of the road. Dad was trying to impress mom, so he stopped to offer his help. Well. . .he stopped to show her how good of a guy he was and the stranded guy was just gonna benefit from my dad’s flirtatious efforts. Anyway, the guy was drunk and broke a beer bottle over my dad’s head. When dad didn’t flinch or fight back and just stared back at him, the guy ran back and locked himself in his own car so dad couldn’t get him. That’s a hard head.

As I’ve thought about these things and told these stories over the past month or so, I’ve experienced grief. “Grief kicks” aren’t all bad though. They remind you of who you are, of where you’re from. They remind you of the things you treasure and help remind you to reorient your life to the things that matter. Grief is nothing more than a lingering love. I’m so grateful for my dad. Everything I am or will ever be is influenced by him. Truth is. . .Everything my kids will be is influenced by him too – they just don’t know it. They will never know their grandpa. (at least here on earth) But their grandpa is alive in them. And I am grateful.

Prayer: LORD, thank you for the grief you sent me recently. I’m reminded of the incredible love You gave to me through my dad. I remember the way he loved me, the way he played, the way he smiled sideways…I love him. I miss him. But I’m grateful for his influence in my life. For who I am. For who my children are. I’m grateful to You God for him. And I’m grateful to him for helping me see and know You God. LORD, let me be a great dad to my children. May they see You in the way that I live. And may they see You in spite of the way I live too. For I am weak and in need of You. LORD, thank you for letting us experience lingering love in grief.

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2nd Father’s Day

sm-Story TimeTomorrow will be my 2nd official Father’s Day. My first with 2 children. Miranda was asking me what “Kasen and Kesleigh” could get me. (I put “quotes” around their names ’cause they have no concept of Father’s Day yet.) I really didn’t have a clue. I have everything I really need. I’m truly blessed beyond anything I ever imagined. I’ve been thinking about how I could answer her though. What do I want? Well, I’m not sure she can arrange for Kasen and Kesleigh to get it for me, but here’s what I want.

First and foremost, I want my children to grow up to be madly in love with Jesus.

I want my children to be “arrows” like Psalms 127:4 describes them – arrows attack the enemy in his territory and work to expand and advance the kingdom.

I want more time to be with my family and I want to have great experiences together.

I want to be able to provide for my family in physical, emotional, and spiritual ways.

I want to live as an example to my children by being a man of character who chases after God even if it seems crazy.

I want to laugh, play, and enjoy my bride and children by being truly present with them in everyday life.

I want my bride and children to know how much they are loved.

I want God’s grace to continue to grant me favor. I want to become an awesome husband and father and I understand that it’s truly a never-ending journey!

My list could go on and on, but I’ll stop here.  I think I’ve communicated the main thing I was trying to say. Besides, I’ve gt the most amazing bride and children in the world. Is there really anything more I could want?

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Father’s Day – Savoring Family

I was at my in-laws house earlier today and we celebrated my first Father’s Day. There are all kinds of jokes about in-laws, but mine break all the stereotypes. They’re great! They have truly welcomed me into the family and I feel at home when I’m with them. (The only place I don’t feel at home with them is in the pantry, but Mike is hardly allowed in there himself. – LOL)

My father-in-law, Mike loves to eat. It doesn’t matter what he’s eating, he always sits down and enjoys every bite. It’s a normal thing to see him sitting at a table alone when everyone else is in the living room on a TV tray or on the floor. He knows how to savor his food.

Anyway, there’s a scene in the movie the Bucket List where Morgan Freeman comes home. He clearly loves being with his family. The scene shows him at a crowded dinner table passing food around laughing and then when they pray together, he sneeks a peek at his loved ones. He is truly contented – savoring every moment with them.

In that scene Morgan Freeman plays the role of my father-in-law – Mike. He lives for times like today – when his crowded house becomes a home for everyone – when the Krolczyk’s show up and he and Leroy can whisper together – when the guys meet around the grill and the girls leave together to “run some errands” (that’s code for “we haven’t bought any Father’s Day gifts yet.”) – when he is torn about whether to hold Kasen, Kallie, or  Reid – times when smiles are common and laughter is contagious – He savors those moments as if he is storing them in his heart for a rainy day. He is proud of his family. He loves his family and would give anything for them. He is a true Father.

I hope and pray that my home will be filled like that one day. Thanks – Mike and Patti for your example and for treating me as one of your own. The Bible describes children as arrows. (Ps 127:4-5) I’m sure Mike felt like his quiver was full today, and I know he savored every moment of it – it was all over his face.

Prayer:
Thank you God for my family, and Miranda’s family, and the things we’ve learned from them – the examples they’ve shown to us. Give Miranda and I a home full of family too. Empower and lead us to aim our arrow (Kasen) correctly and guide him to take ground in advancing the Kingdom of God. AMEN.

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Bikers

Bike_rideMiranda and I have become bikers. Miranda wanted an old-school  big-seat beach-type bike for Mother’s Day so she went ahead and got me one for my upcoming Father’s Day too. We also got a little seat for Kasen and we’ve been having tons of fun driving him around. The helmet doesn’t fit too well, but he still smiles and laughs while he watches mommy riding beside us.

It’s probably a sign that I’m getting old when I prefer a “big seat” bike with no hand brakes. Oh well. . .