Category: Family

Family, Leadership1 Comment

Free Family Turkey Trot II

Aaron

 

Oops we did it again!! Last Thanksgiving we had an idea and now it’s annual event. I started receiving emails for all of the local races so I thought I better start spreading the word that we will indeed host our second annual Free Family Turkey Trot this year. Despite the cold weather, last year was a success and great time for all. Here’s a quick look at some of the fun!

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We’ll finalize details in the coming weeks, but I wanted to get the word out as early as possible before you decide to make those payments to another race. We will also again accept canned food donations if you feel led. It’s not a requirement. For all of the latest details, keep an eye on our official facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/FreeFamilyTurkeyTrot

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Faith, Family, Leadership1 Comment

6 Things My Kids Need For School

Aaron

Here we are again. Where did the summer go? Maybe you’re getting ready to send your first born off to school. You might be sending your oldest to college. Maybe you homeschool and you’re ramping up for another year. Wherever this post finds you, I thought I might share the 6 things that I firmly believe my kids need before they start school. These 6 things are part of that “hill I will die on” I often refer to. I know each child and home is different, so take these for what they are worth. Here we go…. 1. R-E-S-P-E-C-T … Continue reading 6 Things My Kids Need For School

Faith, Family2 Comments

The Greatest Lesson My Dad Ever Taught Me

Aaron

Fathers Day is this Sunday. How do you possibly honor your father for all he has done? Especially when you are a father now and know the requirements of the job. Today I wondered what the greatest lesson my father ever taught me was. The answer was simple and it took very little thought. Before I get to the answer, let me give you some other thoughts. Now that I am older and a home and auto owner, one of the greatest regrets is that I didn’t pay closer attention when my dad would work on the house and cars. I … Continue reading The Greatest Lesson My Dad Ever Taught Me

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Dancin In The Minefields

Aaron

On June 14th, 17 years ago, remarkably, Heather Anderson said “I do” and we’ve been dancin’ in the minefields ever since. Even after 4 years of long distance dating, we had no idea what we were getting into. On that day we didn’t know we’d eventually be parenting a boy and two girls. Heather didn’t realize she’d be parenting two boys and two girls (because I still haven’t grown up). We didn’t know about mortgages, debt, jobs, and all that life would throw at us. We just knew we loved each other enough to make the whole thing official. There … Continue reading Dancin In The Minefields

Faith, Family, Leadership3 Comments

Knots In Your Rope

Aaron

We arrived home safely last night after a week in the Outer Banks. In case you missed it, I covered why this trip was important (HERE). I also gave a mid-week update of some of the not-so-brilliant moments (HERE). It was an incredible week on so many levels. I once again was reminded who I am on the Outer Banks of North Carolina (AKA – Gods Country). My wife is a runner and I jog at a pace just a tick above walking so we typically map our various mileage routes when we arrive in OBX. One route we mapped … Continue reading Knots In Your Rope

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These Eyes

Aaron

  Today we celebrate 11 years that these eyes have been a part of our lives. It’s going too fast. Way too fast. These eyes captured me the first time I saw them These eyes ushered in being the father of a daughter for the first time These eyes teach me about compassion, joy, sensitivity and courage These eyes scan the room, the court, the gym to make sure I’m watching and approve These eyes have seen me fail as a dad but extended grace over and over again When these eyes lock mine, I melt In these eyes I … Continue reading These Eyes

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Remembering Mom

Aaron

I was standing in the grocery store a few minutes ago, looking at Mother’s Day cards. What a sobering moment that turned out to be. Tomorrow, I will pause to reflect and remember my mom. Maybe you too will “celebrate” their life while mourning the loss. When I returned home, I pulled up this excerpt of the speech I gave to honor my Mom at her memorial service. I can’t think of a better time to make it public. To all of the Mom’s out there, Happy Mothers Day. Never under estimate your impact, your role, your touch on your family. To … Continue reading Remembering Mom

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Grace Week – Day One

Aaron

I decided to do something new this year as we enter the week leading up to Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Because one of the greatest gifts that happened on Calvary was the gift of grace, I’m going to take each day this week and focus on that. I thought it would be good to remind myself of that amazing grace every single day. If you’d like, feel free to follow along throughout this week. A Lesson in Grace Several years ago, I received a lesson in grace and hopefully taught one as well. It was the bedtime hour and I … Continue reading Grace Week – Day One

Family4 Comments

“Perfect”

Aaron

9 years ago I launched this blog. Actually this isn’t the one that I launched. It started over on blogspot.com, it was named something different. Over the years it has changed and moved to where it is today. All of that really isn’t important. I bring that up because I created this blog 9 years ago to coincide with the upcoming birth of our youngest child. I thought it would be a good way to catalog all that was happening for family out of town. Today, our youngest, our “baby” turns 9 years old. When I look back over the … Continue reading “Perfect”

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Dear Mom

Aaron

Dear Mom, It’s Saturday, March 2nd. 4 years ago today I received that call that no child wants to receive. You fell and they were doing all they could to save your life. While those last few years were difficult for you, that last few days came so quickly. No sooner had I boarded a plane, we were all around your bed, saying goodbye. While it still hurts to type those words, I will always cherish those few moments you and I were able to share. I know you heard me. I know you shared that moment too. As we … Continue reading Dear Mom

Family, Leadership1 Comment

Teach Me To Be Brave

Aaron

I covered this in an earlier post, but Princess 1.0 left her first sports love just before the summer started. Pushed to the decision (we actually made it for her), she was faced with finding new things to try and learn. She had never played an organized sport. Outside of gymnastics, she had never been on a team. No soccer. No volleyball. No softball. No other sport that required her to learn the rules, the skills and compete as a team vs. another team. So why share this now? Because my middle child has taught me how to be brave.  … Continue reading Teach Me To Be Brave

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When I Leave The Room

Aaron

When I Leave The Room By Natalie Grant from the CD “Hurricane” Good night Looks like we made it through the day The moon sighs And I know that we’re okay Sleep tight I love to watch you drift away I would come with you but on my knees I’ll stay Good night Five little fingers holding mine Take flight Into your dreams and lullabies There’s nothing more that I can do But just fall more in love with you And ask the angel armies to stand by When I leave the room I’m gonna fail you I already have … Continue reading When I Leave The Room

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A Promise Kept

Aaron

May 8th was a BIG night in our home. It was a night that Princess 1.0 had dreamt about. It was a night she’ll never forget. It was also the night that I was able to keep a promise I didn’t think I could. For all the times she watched her brother and I attend concerts for Jason Aldean, Zac Brown Band and Thousand Foot Krutch (we follow those guys like they are the Grateful Dead), she always knew that she would have her night too. That’s because every time we would celebrate scoring tickets to one of these concerts, I … Continue reading A Promise Kept

Faith, Family, Leadership2 Comments

Going Home for Christmas

Aaron

Holidays can be really hard. For many this is a season of lights, presents and parties. For many others, this season brings a heaviness and void that can’t be filled. I fall in that second group. Christmas in our home was my moms super bowl. If you ever spent Christmas Eve at 83 Woodrow in Bedford, Ohio, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Many that will read this were in our home to celebrate. Many probably also left our home that night with a handmade parting gift from the tree. Most years it was an angel of some kind. … Continue reading Going Home for Christmas

Family, Leadership1 Comment

It Doesn’t Take Much

Aaron

A few weeks ago I posted an idea to share our annual family 5K around the neighborhood with anyone that would want to join us. Yesterday morning, 50 people arrived, brought canned goods and did just that. Together we shared a cold morning run/walk/bike and kicked off Thanksgiving Day. I am amazed how it really doesn’t take much. Our mile signs were handmade. We had no official clock, bibs or inflatable start/finish line. The course had some snow on it in parts. There were no t-shirts or awards for finishing. But all of that was never the intent. This event … Continue reading It Doesn’t Take Much

Family, Leadership3 Comments

You’re a Father Forever

Aaron

Last night “the boy” had his first scrimmage with the 7th grade basketball team. It also marked the first time in his “career” that I haven’t been sitting on the sideline coaching, instructing and giving whatever wisdom I could offer throughout the game. It should be no surprise that he did just fine. Any wisdom I might have probably isn’t worth much. Plus he’s a great athlete and works hard. Today as I was getting dressed it occurred to me how much last night is a snap shot of life as a parent. From the time our children are born, … Continue reading You’re a Father Forever

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Another Voice

Aaron

2 weeks ago, “the boy” officially made the 7th grade basketball team. It was a gauntlet of tryouts as over 60 kids went out for the team. It got so hard for the coaches, they had to extend the tryouts an additional 4th night to get to their final roster. The conditioning practices started the very next day. As you can imagine, “the boy” was in for a bit of a surprise. I tried to warn him that he would WISH for the travel basketball days, but sometimes you just have to learn things for yourself. Learn he did. What … Continue reading Another Voice

Faith, Family2 Comments

Mission Trip Prayer Guide

Aaron

In July of 2012, my wife answered the call to go on her first mission trip. She said “yes” to the invitation to go to Honduras and be the hands and feet of Christ. She said “yes” to working to build homes, and to spread a message of hope to those that need it most. From the moment she arrived, she felt right at home. It was no surprise that when an opportunity to return was announced, she would say “yes” again. Our finances aren’t quite what they used to be so she would need to once again look to … Continue reading Mission Trip Prayer Guide