Archive for the ‘Holidays’ Category
Oct
31
Posted by Dogfish
There has always been a lot of discussion in church around the evils of Hallowe’en.
Nan and I have had some major discussion about it over the last 15 years.
This is what we have come to. I really have NO issue whatsoever with my two boys dressing up and going out to get candy. They do not dress up as ghouls and goblins or other evil things…. Will is dressing up like Gambit ( a cartoon character from the X-men), and Jackson is dressing up as Darth Vader. I am totallly ok with this.
They will be walking around with friends of theirs and their mothers. I do not think that there is anything wrong with this.
The boys realize that there is evil in the world. I want to be a parent that makes them aware of the pitfalls that are out there. I do not wish to be a parent that is fearful enough to keep my children under lock and key for fear that they are exposed to something. Believe me when I tell you that they will be exposed whether I want them to be or not. That is part of living in society. I want to show them truth and have them apply that to their lives whenever and wherever they can. That is my job. I need to enable my children with good information, wise sounding boards, and approachability so they can begin to make wise decisions on their own.
I look forward to seeing all the little kids come to the door dressed up in their cute little costumes. The really young ones are the best. 2-3 year olds that can’t even remember to say “Trick or Treat”. They are the best. They cautiously come to your door (quite often with an older sibling) and look at you with puppy-dog eyes that say
Hello. I really am new to all of this. If you would please allow me to have some sugar, I will kindly be on my way to pilfer the next available house with my cute looks and innocent demeanor… Thank you for understanding that I am the cutest kid in the world 
Hallowe’en is fun for me. Not evil.
Sep
03
Posted by Dogfish
I get to do what most dads do on Labour Day today!
Yardwork.
Classic.
Apr
05
Posted by Dogfish
It has been a while since we have been on a roadtrip..
Since Christmas really.
I think that the whole family is looking forward to going to my parents this weekend. Should be fun.
We are looking forward to just leaving the house behind and blowing some steam off…
I heard through Aunt Nan last night that Mom already has the meals all planned out for the weekend. Heh heh. That’s my mom. Wouldn’t want us to go without don’t ya know. Yeah, you know…
Apr
03
Posted by Dogfish
We are off to Grandma and Poppa’s place for the Easter weekend.
Everyone is very much looking forward to the trip.
We will however, be staying in town to attend the Good Friday service at our church.
The last few years, the St. Mary’s church and ours have gathered together for a joint service. Always fun.
We also have baptisms. Rather appropriate I would say.
This year, 3 of the youth group and our two close friends who became believers recently are being “dunked”.
I can hardly wait. It should be a fantastic day.
Dec
31
Posted by Dogfish
Man, it does not seem like 3 weeks since I last posted.
Things have been very busy.
Church banquet, Christmas concert at the church, family variety night, all sorts of parties, the McGrath family Christmas, the Britton family Christmas, and a marriage!!!
Wow, it has been nuts. So, tonight is New Year’s Eve and we are sitting in the family room watching the Mask of Zorro with the boys. We are going to have an early countdown for New Year’s and then early to bed! Sweet!
Happy 2007 everyone. I wish you all the very best and a wonderful year.
Oct
05
Posted by Dogfish
I was thinking about the upcoming festivities this weekend and my mind went to wandering back in time.
When I was quite a bit younger (probably around 9-10??), my parents decided to have some fun with me. Since my birthday is on the 13th of the month, they decided to have my birthday and Thanksgiving on the same day. Mom, when shopping that week, happened to go into Baskin Robbins Ice Cream. That is where she bought my birthday cake.
She bought me a Turkey shaped ice cream cake, and had them put “Happy Birthday you Turkey!” on it.
It was shaped like a turkey and even had the funky frilly paper things on the end of the “drumsticks”
Good times. I am glad we had fun as a family
Sep
29
Posted by Dogfish
Yippee! This has always been a favourite holiday of mine. It is not so inundated with the commercialism of Christmas.
We are having a big ‘ol bunch o’ people over for a family get together and feast. Should be an absolute blast!
So far, I think we have about 20 or so coming
We’re gonna have to borrow a couple of tables and some chairs from the church.
Feb
14
Posted by Dogfish
Yeah yeah yeah, I know it’s mushy, but somedays I feel like the luckiest man alive. How did I end up with the bestest wife in the world. I think she misheard the announcement…
I am sure she heard, “line up here for a partner to help beat lupus!”
Actually the guy said “Line up here for a free dufus!”
Phew, am I glad she has horrible hearing!
That being said, I love my Valentine.
Dec
19
Posted by Dogfish
Oh, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells…
Jingle all the way…
We had a great time this weekend. We went to my mom and dads for Christmas. We were able to exchange gifts and spend time talking. I always love sitting around and yakking with the folks. We talked about people we know and knew and all the fun that we’ve had.
The boys enjoy going to Gramma and Poppa’s. Gramma is a cooker extraordinaire! Her true joy in life is to cook for her family. This weekend was no exception.
We were sitting around talking about all the wonderful desserts that Mom and Aunt Nan had made for the weekend when my Mom asked Will what his favourite dessert was. He responded with Lemon Snow. Mom had not made any of said dessert.� But, 10 minutes later, there she was in the kitchen, making lemon snow for my son. What a loving, caring, awesome mom and gramma she is.
I have such a wonderful life and God has blessed me with an awesome family.
Don
Nov
13
Posted by Dogfish
Nan and Jackson put up all the Christmas decorations today… Is it too early? What do you think? I don’t think that it is. Christmas is a great time of the year.
Let me qualify that. We really don’t try to go all that big for Christmas. It is a big family event for us. A really good opportunity to spend time together.
I was sitting in the family room today watching the football game when I got to thinking about this Christmas. It is going to be difficult I think. Well, I think I know that it will be.
Losing Mom McGrath was brutal this year. And that is just me talking. They say that you can’t even begin to understand til it happens to you. Yup. They were right.
We are really looking forward to spending time with Dad McGrath this year. It will be great to have him so close after he moves in the next two weeks.
Good times. Sorrowful times. Thinking times. I am sure that there will be lots of fun, lots of tears and lots of remembrance. But that is good. Remembrance is good.
Dogfish