Search Results for: giving thanks

Giving Thanks for Working at Home

November 19, 2013 by thiscookindad 2 Comments

As I head off to help out in my daughter’s class today, I’m giving thanks for working at home. It has been just about 10 years since I held a full-time job. After getting out of the Army, I went back to school to finish my Bachelor’s degree. I worked full-time hours for an internship one summer before deciding that I wanted to move to a different career field, so I continued my schooling so that I could earn my Master’s degree.

While I was working towards that, life happened. Over the next 3 years, we had 3 beautiful children. With my career field in education, there was no way we could afford to send them all to daycare while I went to work. It would have cost us more than we would have made. So, we made the decision for me to stay at home with the kids until they were all in school. That was 7 years ago!

In the meantime, I have picked up work here and there and I have volunteered at our church and in our community. Mostly, I have taken up the opportunity to work at home through blogging. The greatest thing about this is that it has opened up the potential for an entirely new career field. I have found that I love photography and that I have a decent eye for it. What a bonus!

The most important reason that I am giving thanks for working at home, though, is that I have had the most incredible opportunity to get to know my kids. We have a great bond and we have worked through lots of issues together. I am not encumbered by filling hours and, so, my kids get the best of me, not the leftovers. The best testament to this was my daughter’s Father’s Day note in her classroom last year. They had to answer the question, “Why do you love your Daddy?” Her response, “Because he loves me.” She could have said, “because he makes me pancakes” or “because he tickles me”, but she loves me because she knows that I love her. How amazing!

Do you work at home? Are you giving thanks for working at home? Tell us your story and make sure you follow along and see what else I’m giving thanks for.

Giving Thanks for Independence

November 18, 2013 by thiscookindad 1 Comment

Today, I’m giving thanks for independence. If you have kids, you understand exactly what I’m talking about. I’m talking about that time when the kids are able to do for themselves. The freedom that comes from knowing that you don’t have to follow around behind them with a roll of paper towels, a package of baby wipes, and a first aid kit.

My kids are still little and still require supervision, but they are finally to that point where they do not need me for every little thing. Sophie started kindergarten this year and the big milestone was when she didn’t need her “Kissing Hands” (if you have little one, please read this book).

The trick as a parent is balancing the sadness that comes from knowing that they don’t need you with the joy and pride that come from knowing that they are confident enough to step out on their own. I find myself “needing” our hugs more than they do, but I have a feeling that a little girl will always need a hug from her daddy, whether she admits it or not. Today it’s catching the bus at the end of the driveway; tomorrow, it’ll be watching them drive the car out of the driveway, packed full of everything they’ll need to start their next adventure. I just hope that I’m confident enough to let go.

Are you giving thanks for independence? What do you find to be the hardest thing about letting go? Make sure you follow along and see what else I’m giving thanks for.

Giving Thanks for STEM

November 17, 2013 by thiscookindad Leave a Comment

Today, I’m giving thanks for STEM education. While my focus in education is in the social sciences, I definitely appreciate the importance of STEM, or science, technology, engineering, and math, education. With so many of our jobs these days based, in some way, on these disciplines, it only makes sense to further student desire to engage in them, right?

I am a big believer in a balanced approach to education. I often say that the social sciences help us understand what we do as a people, music and arts help us to understand why, and the STEM disciplines help us to understand how. My wife, being an engineer, loves to understand the “how”. As such, she has started to organize math and science nights at our girls elementary school. The parents bring out the entire family and spend time exposing the kids, and themselves sometimes, to various activities that may or may not be part of the regular curriculum.

Teachers, parents, local companies, and even science organizations in the area all volunteer their time. The kids come back to school more excited than ever about learning.

Are you giving thanks for STEM? How do you engage your kids in STEM education? Do your schools host special nights to help get them excited? Make sure you follow along and see what else I’m giving thanks for.

Giving Thanks for Courtesy

November 16, 2013 by thiscookindad 2 Comments

Today, I’m giving thanks for courtesy. It can seem like such a small thing, can’t it? Simply opening a door for someone, an appropriate “please” or “thank you”, addressing people as “Sir” or “Ma’am”, even something as simple as taking off your hat when you sit down to eat. So often, though, I see a lack of basic courtesies in our society. Do people just not know these rules anymore? Did they go out of fashion? I surely hope not!

I am working diligently to instill these ideas of simple courtesies in our children. It has to start somewhere, right? I expect “Yes, Sir” or “Yes, Ma’am”; I expect to hear “please” and “thank you”. One of my big things, though, is teaching my little man to hold the door open for ladies (and, by proxy, teaching my girls that a gentleman will hold the door open for them). I don’t just tell him; I set the example for him. I regularly open Beth’s car door for her before getting into the driver’s seat and I almost always open the door to any building. If there are multiple doors, he is expected to help. We wind up with something of a reputation at his preschool for doing that. Not only am I setting an example for him, but, together, we are setting an example for the other kids (and their parents).

Well, this is my chance to brag on my little man! Sometimes you wonder if all of the work and insistence pays off. Apparently, it does! Beth took the kids to the doctor’s office for flu shots a couple of days ago. When she got home, she let me know that she saw a lady holding the door to the building open for some people as they walked through. Without any prompting, Matthew ran up and took the door. When the lady told him to go ahead, she was pretty shocked to hear this little 4-year-old tell her, “Nope, I’ve got the door.” Those are the little moments that make all of the struggles of parenthood worth it!

Do you have a courtesy pet peeve? What is it? How do you set the example in preserving simple courtesies? Make sure you follow along and see what else I’m giving thanks for.

Giving Thanks for Friday

November 15, 2013 by thiscookindad Leave a Comment

Today I’m giving thanks for Friday. Fridays are just wonderful, aren’t they? It’s the last day of the work week. a window into the weekend. If you haven’t made plans yet, you are quickly running out of time. People look at Fridays (and the weekend for that matter) in very different ways.

When I was in the Army, if we weren’t in the field, Friday evening was basically the start of a weekend long party. When it was just me and Beth, Friday nights were often date nights. Now, it’s a last chance to clean up or just relax around the house before a busy weekend with the kids. I suppose we all go through those fazes, don’t we?

What does Friday mean to you? Any good stories that you can share with us? Make sure you follow along and see what else I’m giving thanks for.

Giving Thanks for My Bed

November 14, 2013 by thiscookindad Leave a Comment

Today, I’m giving thanks for my bed! It seems like such a simple thing, but sometimes, I think we all take our beds for granted. We don’t really think about it until we head out for a long weekend and have to sleep in a hotel bed. Ever get stuck in an airport chair overnight? You will surely appreciate your bed after that!

Beth reminded me of a story earlier this week. While I was in basic training, she sent me pictures of her new apartment. One of those pictures was of her room, including her bed. The guys would pass by my locker, see the picture, and long for their own beds. To say that the beds in basic training were uncomfortable would be giving them far too much credit.

Nowadays, our bed is something of a family gathering point. The cats sleep on it for most of the morning and the kids and I wrestle on it in the evenings. I fold clothes on it several times a week and regularly use it as my escape when the kids are just being too darned loud. We lay the kids PJ’s out on our bed on bath night! Sometimes, when all is right with the world, I’ll even get a chance to snuggle up with one of my little ones so that we can read a book or watch a show together.

Have you ever thought of giving thanks for your bed? Leave me a comment and share what your bed means to you. Make sure you follow along and see what else I’m giving thanks for.

Giving Thanks for Cookies

November 13, 2013 by thiscookindad Leave a Comment

Today, I’m giving thanks for cookies. Chocolate chip cookies to be specific. It has been a pretty busy day around and I just hadn’t taken time to be thankful for anything. As I scrounged around for a little snack, I happened upon a box of cookies that I bought for the kids yesterday. One or two is a perfect way to satisfy that sweet tooth.

It also dawned on me that, for all that I have been thankful for so far this month, I haven’t mentioned food at all. This is a food photography blog, after all!

So, I snapped a quick picture.

The cookie is a pretty simple concept, isn’t it? Flour, butter, sugar, and eggs. Add some flavoring and a few other things. Mix it all up and spoon onto a sheet pan. Bake for 10 minutes, let cool, and eat. You can grab one on the go or sit with a tall glass of milk and savor it. Baking them can lead to great moments with your kids and kids of all ages love a good cookie. Really, what’s not to be thankful for?

Why are you giving thanks for cookies? Does a great cookie evoke memories or just taste really good? Leave me a comment and share your story. Make sure you follow along and see what else I’m giving thanks for.

Giving Thanks for Education

November 12, 2013 by thiscookindad Leave a Comment

Today, I’m giving thanks for education. I consider myself so fortunate to live in a country that puts such a high priority on education. These days, it can be pretty easy to focus on all of the problems associated with our school system. Despite these shortcomings, however, many people who would never have received an education of any sort in other countries have an opportunity to advance themselves and their situation.

I am a big proponent for education, but I don’t believe that everyone is necessarily meant for college. Having two college degrees, one of which is in education, it is hard for me to say that. I tell my kids that I push strong for their education because education gives you options. Would I love my kids to be doctors, lawyers, etc? Of course! But, I don’t care if they want to spend the rest of their lives dressing hair or chopping down trees as long as they have the choice and are not stuck doing something that they do not love.

Even if they do choose to chop trees for a living, education gives them a chance to be the best that they can be and might give them better opportunities to open businesses of their own. What could I want more for my children than for them to be successful at something that they love?

Are you giving thanks for education this season? What do you like best about our system of education? What do you like least? Make sure you follow along and see what else I’m giving thanks for.

Giving Thanks for Veterans

November 11, 2013 by thiscookindad Leave a Comment

It is Veteran’s Day, so I’m giving thanks for veterans. Did you know that, at any given time over the past decade or so, less than 1% of the U.S. population has served in the military? As a vet myself, I understand the hardships that these men have undergone. They spend so much time away from family, miss the births of children, and live in the toughest of conditions all for a paycheck that in no way compensates for the sacrifice that these soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines make.

Civilian life after the military is interesting to say the least. They have great programs to transition you from civilian life into military life. For those of us in the combat arms, we are taught how to take a life without remorse. The problem is that they never really teach you how to turn that switch off. I can’t tell you how many times I have come across a situation that I should care more about, but I just can’t bring myself to be able to. Even for those who come back “whole”, the war rages on eternally.

At the end of the day, when a serviceman or veteran finally finds peace, their grave site is marked with a simple plaque. You can find these in cemeteries all over this nation. For both Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day, we make it a point to show our respects by posting flags at each of these markers in our church’s cemetery. Sometimes a little show of honor and respect is all that you need to help these guys smile a little and to rest easy, knowing that their fight was not in vain.

How are you giving thanks for veterans that you encounter? Do you expect more from them or do you understand the ever-present struggle? Give me a shout and let me know. While you’re at it, make sure you follow along and see what else I’m giving thanks for.

Giving Thanks for Community

November 10, 2013 by thiscookindad Leave a Comment

Today, I’m giving thanks for community. Living in a particular geographical location is one thing. Living in and being part of a community is another thing entirely. I consider myself fortunate to be part of a pretty close-knit community where we live.

One thing that regularly brings the community together is the fact that we have really great community events. Our church, in particular, hosts a massive Trick-or-Trunk every year. This year, Beth and I signed up to volunteer our trunk for the event. I am always amazed at the sheer number of people that turn out for these events. We had over 1200 people show up on Halloween night!

I am even more amazed at the number of people that I know at these events. At every turn, I am pulled into a conversation with someone that I haven’t seen in a couple of weeks or getting hugs from kids that I know from this place or that. It can be a little overwhelming at times.

Do you find yourself giving thanks for community? Are you a big part of your community or more of a silent partner? Leave me a comment and make sure you follow along and see what else I’m giving thanks for.

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