Wednesday, June 16, 2010

I'm Back

Well dear friends it's been awhile. Most of the time I'm fine with broadcasting my life on here, but the last months have been hard on me personally and this time I really didn't want the attention that comes with what is already a very public life. I'm good now though and I thought I'd share a top 10 list of what God has been teaching me these last months:

1. Life is an adventure. Sometimes that adventure takes me to my friend Frank's house just before he goes on the night shift and ALWAYS involves decaf coffee (the real stuff conks me out) and a plate of chocolate chip cookies. Sometimes like today, it means the Yikes turning in their chore coins to go see Shrek with a friend in tow.
2. I can do this on my own. I've been thinking that I had to find the girls a mom within a reasonable period of time. Now I'm thinking I'm going to be enjoy being single for a bit. My girls are going to be just fine with me raising them on my own. I broke up with Heidi a couple of weeks ago, and I made a promise to myself that I would wait three to six months before I considered getting back into a relationship. There are a lot of amazing girls out there, and I think as long as I'm upfront about what I want right now, I think it will be fun going on dates without the weight of the future on my shoulders.
3. Sometimes God lets you choose. I'm used to seeing the ONE path God wants me to go on. Right now there are lots of possibilities, but then we have a God of possibilities.
4. God loves "coincidences." I have been loving the way God has been putting me in people's paths lately.
5. Be still and wait. I have such been like the Sea of Galilee during the storm with the disciples on the boat. It sounds weird to say it, but my soul has been restless and Jesus has been calming it down.
6. Don't settle for less.
7. I can enjoy my teenage daughter. Lately, we've been doing things like coming up with a parent manual with suggestions that are completely ridiculous. I would list some here, but so far every time I've tried to share them with anyone else, they've been too over-the-top for them.
8. I'm still going to have bad days. No matter how many good days I have in a row; I'm going to have days that just flat knock me on my back with missing Jessica.
9. I like challenges. I really need to be reminded of this one right now as I'm sweating in my 86 degree house waiting for the a/c repair man. That said, there's nothing more manly then beating a challenge.
10. Jadyn and Brynnie will constantly find new ways to be sweet. Their new phrase they use with me is "Daddy, is this a good time to talk?" That's pretty much music to my ears as I am usually trying to get several things situated at once. It helps me step back for a moment, and either talk to them like they need me to or tell them to wait.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love you Jake and will be there whenever you need me :)

Aunt Pam

Anonymous said...

I love you Jake and am here if ever you need anything


Aunt Pam

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing Jake!

Anonymous said...

Today, I received a note that said, "Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things really are." It reminded me of when Jess used to always try to flip things to see the good. I'm glad that you "are back!" Love you, Jake.

Carla said...

You seriously need to share your teenager ideas!! I am anxiously awaiting :)

Anonymous said...

Hey Jake-

I've actually been going through a very similar situation. I broke up with my boyfriend of 7 (going on 8) years....needless, I haven't really wanted to talk about it. But, I read a book this past weekend which put a lot of things into perspective for me. The past several days this has been my mantra:

"Never forget that at one time, in an unguarded moment, you recognized yourself as a friend."

Thanks for your honesty...you're a good dad :-) Love you!

ashley