Yesterday morning my three kids and I loaded up the van and took the 3 hour journey to Indianapolis for an event we always look forward to. All Pro Dad, a foundation started by Tony Dungy, is an organization dedicated to coaching Dads to spend time with their children. This was our third time attending a Father Kids Experience and second time in Indianapolis (we went to Cincinnati the first year). This was also the first time our youngest was able to go. The event is broken down into coaching stations where you learn a football drill, and then hear … Continue reading All Pro Dad Day
Love Your Wife True love is not a feeling. It is a decision. It’s an act of the will to be patient, kind, humble, hopeful, giving, faithful and trusting. When you commit to loving your wife this way, your feelings for her, and hers for you, will follow. Actively loving your wife will radically strengthen your marriage and will also be incredibly beneficial to your children. The number one source of security for kids is to know that their dad loves their mother and is steadfastly committed to her well-being.
Spend Time With Your Kids How you spend your time reflects what’s important to you. If you value your kids, you’ll want to be with them. You don’t need to wait for the perfect time, when you can take a vacation or an afternoon off from work. Instead, grab those small pockets of time as they present themselves throughout the day. Call your kids on your cell phone between appointments just to say “hi.” Send them an e-mail from work. Read to them at bedtime. Carve out a few minutes to help them with their homework. Go to breakfast and drop them off at school. Grab every moment you can get with your children.
Be a Role Model
It’s impossible to underestimate the importance of a father modeling the type of behavior he desires to see in his children. Role models don’t just talk the talk; they walk the walk of an honorable man. A great place to start is consistency. Do you keep your word? Do you stand up for what is right, even when it costs you? Are you trustworthy? Are you loyal in your relationships? Be what you want your children to be!
Love Your Wife True love is not a feeling. It is a decision. It’s an act of the will to be patient, kind, humble, hopeful, giving, faithful and trusting. When you commit to loving your wife this way, your feelings for her, and hers for you, will follow. Actively loving your wife will radically strengthen your marriage and will also be incredibly beneficial to your children. The number one source of security for kids is to know that their dad loves their mother and is steadfastly committed to her well-being.
Spend Time With Your Kids How you spend your time reflects what’s important to you. If you value your kids, you’ll want to be with them. You don’t need to wait for the perfect time, when you can take a vacation or an afternoon off from work. Instead, grab those small pockets of time as they present themselves throughout the day. Call your kids on your cell phone between appointments just to say “hi.” Send them an e-mail from work. Read to them at bedtime. Carve out a few minutes to help them with their homework. Go to breakfast and drop them off at school. Grab every moment you can get with your children.
Be a Role Model
It’s impossible to underestimate the importance of a father modeling the type of behavior he desires to see in his children. Role models don’t just talk the talk; they walk the walk of an honorable man. A great place to start is consistency. Do you keep your word? Do you stand up for what is right, even when it costs you? Are you trustworthy? Are you loyal in your relationships? Be what you want your children to be!
Talk about a full day! For the second weekend in a row we loaded up the car and headed west…to Indianapolis. My good friend Brian and I had the opportunity to take part in the All Pro Dad Experience hosted by the Indianapolis Colts. Featured guests were Colts Head Coach Jim Caldwell, Clyde Christensen and Receiver Pierre Garcon. We spent 3 hours making an investment in our little ones that we hope will be remembered for years to come. [showtime] Continue reading All Pro Dad Experience
On Saturday morning, my good friend Brian and I are headed back to Indianapolis. In what is becoming an annual tradition, we are taking our 2 oldest children to the All Pro Dad Colts Father and Kids Experience. Last year we took them to the same event but visited the home of the Cincinnati Bengals. It was a great time of connection, affirmation and fun with our little ones. On several occasions over the past year, my son and oldest daughter have both asked when the next All Pro Dad days is. Being that Brian is a diehard Colts fan … Continue reading Where I’ll Be on Saturday
On Saturday morning, my good friend Brian and I are headed back to Indianapolis. In what is becoming an annual tradition, we are taking our 2 oldest children to the All Pro Dad Colts Father and Kids Experience. Last year we took them to the same event but visited the home of the Cincinnati Bengals. It was a great time of connection, affirmation and fun with our little ones. On several occasions over the past year, my son and oldest daughter have both asked when the next All Pro Dad days is. Being that Brian is a diehard Colts fan … Continue reading Where I'll Be on Saturday
“What counts in making a happy marriage is not so much how compatible you are, but how you deal with incompatibility.” -George Levinger From the All Pro Dad Play of the Day. Continue reading Quotable
Tony Dungy announced today that he is going to retire as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. To me, the announcement is happy/sad kind of news. I’m happy for Tony Dungy that he did it his way. He will exit the coaching business with the same “Quiet Strength” which he entered. I’m sad because the NFL needs more Tony Dungy’s. The world needs more Tony Dungy’s. His book “Quiet Strength” sits atop my favorite books list and his name sits atop the people I would like to spend 5 minutes with list. He is class and lives a life that … Continue reading Thank You Tony Dungy
Tomorrow my good friend Brian and I are taking a road trip with our oldest children to the All Pro Dad Father & Kids Experience in Cincinnati. The event is at Paul Brown Stadium where the Bengals used to play. As an added bonus, we’re hoping to catch up with fellow bloggers and friends Rindy, Matt and Paul Peterson before we head north to go home. I’m sure I’ll have a wrap up sometime next week too. Continue reading APD Father Kid Experience Day
Saturday, September 13th is the officail launch date of this years All Pro Dad gatherings at Chick-Fil-a. A big thanks to my friend Tom Minturn for again supporting All Pro Dad. More details coming soon, but mark your calendards Dads (and Moms). We’re kicking off at 8:30am on the 13th. Some Links: All Pro Dad Our All Pro Dad page Download a handout to pass the word (here) Why we do what we do: “The Living Years” by Russ Lee Continue reading It’s Back!
Saturday, September 13th is the officail launch date of this years All Pro Dad gatherings at Chick-Fil-a. A big thanks to my friend Tom Minturn for again supporting All Pro Dad. More details coming soon, but mark your calendards Dads (and Moms). We’re kicking off at 8:30am on the 13th. Some Links: All Pro Dad Our All Pro Dad page Download a handout to pass the word (here) Why we do what we do: “The Living Years” by Russ Lee Continue reading It's Back!
For those fans of the book “Quiet Strength” by Tony Dungy, here is something new to consider. Tony has put together a story book for children called “You Can Do It”. You can find all of the details and ordering information (HERE). Quiet Strength continues to sit atop the “Arms Wide Open Best Book I ever read list”. For those that have not read it yet, it is now available in paperback. Praise the Lord for Tony Dungy! Somewhere, someone read that title and shouted out a Rob Schneider “Water Boy” reference. I just know it…. Continue reading You Can Do It!
Kids and lessons from our Heavenly Father go hand in hand don’t they? The timing is sometimes scary. This morning was one of those moments. Let me explain. Last night as I tucked my daughter into bed, we were discussing “All Pro Dad” (APD) on Saturday. She gets very excited every month to attend APD. So when she awoke this morning, she was all excited to go. One problem, APD is on Saturday and today is Wednesday. I tried to explain that to her but it didn’t seem to help her disappointment. I explained that “I said it was on … Continue reading I said…You heard…
Wow…where did March go? A new month must mean that this Saturday is another All Pro Dad day. The topic this month is “Caring for the less fortunate“. We are privileged to have a guest speaker from Faith Mission in Columbus, Ohio with us. He will share a little bit about Faith Mission, but even more exciting is what will happen between our meetings in April and May. Based on the information from our guest speaker, Dads and kids will have the opportunity to spend the month gathering needed items and raising awareness of the less fortunate in our community. … Continue reading Saturday’s All Pro Dad Day!
Wow…where did March go? A new month must mean that this Saturday is another All Pro Dad day. The topic this month is “Caring for the less fortunate“. We are privileged to have a guest speaker from Faith Mission in Columbus, Ohio with us. He will share a little bit about Faith Mission, but even more exciting is what will happen between our meetings in April and May. Based on the information from our guest speaker, Dads and kids will have the opportunity to spend the month gathering needed items and raising awareness of the less fortunate in our community. … Continue reading Saturday's All Pro Dad Day!
The topic for All Pro Dad in the month of April (April 5th) is “Caring for the less fortunate“. I’d like to compile a list of the places and organizations that people contribute to for the Dads and their kids. They can be local organizations or opportunities to give across the world. I’m also looking for ideas and creative ways that Dad’s and their kids can make a difference in the life of someone less fortunate. It doesn’t always have to be money. Your responses and ideas are much appreciated! So…What are some ways that you care for the less … Continue reading The Less Fortunate
Want a sneak peak at my notes for tomorrows topic of “Your Relationship with Your Dad”? Here’s a glimpse: I thank you for the music and your stories of the road I thank you for the freedom when it came my time to go I thank you for the kindness and the times when you got tough And “Papa” I don’t think I said I love you near enough. -Dan Folgelberg (The Leader of The Band) I wasn’t there the morning when my father passed away. I didn’t get to tell him all the things I had to say I … Continue reading My All Pro Dad Notes
Hard to believe it, but this Saturday, March 1st is our next All Pro Dad day. The month of February went by in a blink didn’t it? This Saturday’s topic is “Your Relationship With Your Dad“. So Dad’s (and Mom’s), if you’re in the area and want to invest an hour or so with the little one’s your welcome to drop in. Continue reading Saturday's All Pro Dad Day!
Hard to believe it, but this Saturday, March 1st is our next All Pro Dad day. The month of February went by in a blink didn’t it? This Saturday’s topic is “Your Relationship With Your Dad“. So Dad’s (and Mom’s), if you’re in the area and want to invest an hour or so with the little one’s your welcome to drop in. Continue reading Saturday’s All Pro Dad Day!
This coming Saturday, February 2nd, is our next All Pro Dad Day. Our topic for this gathering is one word…”Perseverance”. Scheduled to appear as our guest speaker is a man and Dad that embodies that word, Stefan Tarapchak. For those Dads (or wives) that read this and can spare an hour on Saturday, I promise you it will be worth the investment. Not only in your life, but in the life of your child. No matter what age. As we all prepare for the gathering, I would ask that each of you lift Stefan this week in prayer. I cannot … Continue reading Perseverance
It’s official, Northwest Columbus now has an All Pro Dad chapter. 32 Dads and approximately 60 children came out early Saturday morning to share breakfast together, have some laughs and take the first step on a journey of being All Pro Dads. I was overwhelmed by the response. From friends like Clay and Stef to some new Dads I have never met, they were all there to make a statement. By attending, they were saying that they are committed to investing time into the most important gift we have ever been given…our children. To all that came out, thank you! … Continue reading All Pro Dad Kickoff Recap
One of the things that struck me when I read the “10 Ways to be an All Pro Dad” was number 10 which states to “Realize that You’re a Father Forever”. As we go through the phases of childhood with all three of our children, I find myself often looking ahead and hoping we “get through this phase soon”. The reality of that statement is that the phases change, but my role as a Dad never ends. The phases, challenges, changes, wisdom and guidance continue on. Dad’s, our role is huge. The investment is well worth the time. As we … Continue reading You’re a Father Forever
One of the things that struck me when I read the “10 Ways to be an All Pro Dad” was number 10 which states to “Realize that You’re a Father Forever”. As we go through the phases of childhood with all three of our children, I find myself often looking ahead and hoping we “get through this phase soon”. The reality of that statement is that the phases change, but my role as a Dad never ends. The phases, challenges, changes, wisdom and guidance continue on. Dad’s, our role is huge. The investment is well worth the time. As we … Continue reading You're a Father Forever
I have been telling you all that God was up to something. Here’s the best part, I don’t think he’s even close to being done yet. I am absolutely THRILLED to announce that as of this morning it became official, we’re bringing All Pro Dad to Northwest Columbus. As you can imagine, the details at this point are still very early. However, I can give you the date and the time now. Saturday, January 5th @ 8:30am we are kicking this party off at the Chic-fil-a on Hilliard Rome Road. You ready? I am committed to making this a fun, … Continue reading Hey Columbus…It’s Coming!
I have been telling you all that God was up to something. Here’s the best part, I don’t think he’s even close to being done yet. I am absolutely THRILLED to announce that as of this morning it became official, we’re bringing All Pro Dad to Northwest Columbus. As you can imagine, the details at this point are still very early. However, I can give you the date and the time now. Saturday, January 5th @ 8:30am we are kicking this party off at the Chic-fil-a on Hilliard Rome Road. You ready? I am committed to making this a fun, … Continue reading Hey Columbus…It's Coming!
I’m still on the road and now about 3/4 of the way through “Quiet Strength”. Below are a few more quotes that really stood out to me as I read them tonight: “How would your business do if you spent the amount of time on it that you spend on your wife and family?” “What will people remember us for? Are other people’s lives better because we lived? Did we make a difference? Did we use to the fullest the gifts and abilities God gave us? Did we give our best effort, and did we do it for the right … Continue reading More Quiet Strength
