Allow me to wax nostalgic. It seems very appropriate here.
My oldest daughter is turning 21 tomorrow!! When we first had her everyone told me "Enjoy them while they're young, they grow up so fast!", and dangit, they were right. I am so proud of all she has accomplished in sports and academics. She is a read-aholic like her old man, which I am very grateful for. (She still tells me she will one day read Dracula and Frankenstein!) She never got the monster bug, but thanks to Harry Potter and Twilight she knows about vampires and werewolves from someone other than me.
So thank you Lord, for Stephani, and all the joy she has brought into the world.
Thanks, gang!
Mike
(http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc311/illoman/Stephisleeping.jpg)
Great post, Mike.
My daughter is 6 and my son is 10. We are very active in our kids' lives and love 'em more than the world. Anything that you would do differently that you can pass on to my wife and I, Mike while they are still young?
Hi Illoman -
Your post brought tears to my eyes! My baby boy graduated college this past December, and my baby girl is graduating college on Saturday. God Bless them all! There is nothing more precious in this world than our children.
(http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g159/chattylms/NAPictures.jpg)
(http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g159/chattylms/NAX-Mas2006.jpg)
Great picture Laura.....especially with the ones of them as youngsters in the background.
Quote from: Bogey on April 28, 2009, 10:29:50 PM
Great post, Mike.
My daughter is 6 and my son is 10. We are very active in our kids' lives and love 'em more than the world. Anything that you would do differently that you can pass on to my wife and I, Mike while they are still young?
Spend as much time with them as they can stand. Many's the time I came home dead tired from work and probably should have paid them more attention. Read as much to them as you can. My oldest is an English major and *loves* to read. She devours Jane Austen books and a lot of the classics. Keep them in church. Make sure they choose the right friends. So many folks I know have kids in trouble because they picked the wrong people to associate with.
Honestly, my wife and I always say that in spite of us, they turned out pretty well!
Thanks,
Mike
Quote from: ChattyLMS on April 28, 2009, 10:32:19 PM
Hi Illoman -
Your post brought tears to my eyes! My baby boy graduated college this past December, and my baby girl is graduating college on Saturday. God Bless them all! There is nothing more precious in this world than our children.
(http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g159/chattylms/NAX-Mas2006.jpg)
You have awesome kids!! I'm sure you're very proud of both of them.
(Do I see Three Stooges dolls in that showcase??? ;D)
Mike
Thank you for saying such nice things about my kids! Your daughter sounds like a wonderful girl, I know she's grown up, but they'll always be kids to me! She sounds like a parent's dream and a daddy's little girl.
Yes those are the Three Stooges! The really look like the real Three Stooges. I can't take a pic today, but if I forget, PLEASE PM me and I'll get a pic out on the board. He he he! I had a Barbie in there too with the 3 Stooges on the same shelf. Had to take her out of there. The Stooges kept pinching her hiney.
Mike, I still can't read this thread without crying. Your love and pride for your daughter are so wonderful. You are a wonderful father. Stephani has been blessed to have you for her father and I know you are blessed to have here.
Happy emotional heartfelt tears to you!
Congrats to all. Sounds like all are doing a fine job! My baby girl just turned 17. Time sure does fly.
Maybe Monsterkids kids are better kids! ;D
BK
You are right, they do grow up fast. My son is 8 and my daughter is 4 - turning 5 on May 4th. I bent down to pick her up yesterday and she seemed so much bigger. Probably a combination of her growing and my growing OLD; but it hit me for some reason. They are growing up. Kinda sad, but wonderful at the same time.
My youngest will be 24 the end of August and my oldest will be 40 in November.It seems like only yesterday I was putting band aids on skinned knees and wipeing away tears!
Now It seems I do the same all over again for my Grandkids and I'm blessed to be able to do it all twice
in my life ;D
Quote from: poseablemonster on April 29, 2009, 01:20:39 PM
You are right, they do grow up fast. My son is 8 and my daughter is 4 - turning 5 on May 4th. I bent down to pick her up yesterday and she seemed so much bigger. Probably a combination of her growing and my growing OLD; but it hit me for some reason. They are growing up. Kinda sad, but wonderful at the same time.
Hey Andy, how is little Mia doing? I hope all is well!
BK
Those of you who know me........know Jordan, my 8 year old Monsterkid. I had a rough home life as a kid, and never wanted to get married or have children. And I held out until I was 35. But thank God He knew better what I needed.
That boy is the joy of my life.......here's a pic with the lovely and gracious Mrs Scatter (Nancy) and my boy at his last birthday party (Army theme).
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3539/3487136405_800506fcff.jpg?v=0)
And we just got certified to become Foster/Adoptive Parents......so the family will soon be growing to include some precious little one who needs a family to love him.
God knows what we need, even when we're SURE we know better.
And congrats to all the great parents and kids here.........restores my faith in this old world to know there are so many wonderful families out there! And thank God for bringing together our own little family right here!! Here's to the UMA and all those who make this a home away from home!
Quote from: Scatter on April 29, 2009, 10:17:30 PM
And we just got certified to become Foster/Adoptive Parents......so the family will soon be growing to include some precious little one who needs a family to love him.
God knows what we need, even when we're SURE we know better.
Hear, hear....and your little one will be lucky to have folks like yourselves.
I don't know about that, but whoever it is will sure be in for a wild ride in this house! ;)
A bit ago was reading some of these posts to my wife.....tears were a flowin' folks.
Quote from: Bogey on April 29, 2009, 10:35:31 PM
A bit ago was reading some of these posts to my wife.....tears were a flowin' folks.
Don't read to her when she's cutting onions for dinner Bogey.
Quote from: Scatter on April 29, 2009, 10:39:16 PM
Don't read to her when she's cutting onions for dinner Bogey.
Onions not required....just have to youtube a Hallmark commercial and the rest is history.
Quote from: Bogey on April 29, 2009, 10:42:26 PM
Onions not required....just have to youtube a Hallmark commercial and the rest is history.
Oh good grief.........are you sure your wife and my Nancy aren't sisters?? I have to keep an IV with a saline drip in the house so she doesn't dehydrate.
Here are our two cherubs while on a trip back east....
(http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa35/BillandLinda/WashingtonDC048.jpg)
AWWWWWWWW.........did you adopt the little girl from the Orient, or the little boy from Sweden?? LOL!!
They're adorable!! Congrats!
Quote from: Scatter on April 29, 2009, 11:20:52 PM
AWWWWWWWW.........did you adopt the little girl from the Orient, or the little boy from Sweden?? LOL!!
They're adorable!! Congrats!
Thanks. We're a bit biased, so completely agree. ;D Yes. She is from China (Hubei). She was 11 months when we adopted her.
Quote from: Bogey on April 29, 2009, 11:27:34 PM
Thanks. We're a bit biased, so completely agree. ;D Yes. She is from China (Hubei). She was 11 months when we adopted her.
Did she have any attachment issues?? They scared the H-E-Double Toothpicks outta Nancy and I by stressing the attachment issues of kids whose natural trust cycle with the mother was interrupted by being taken from the home early.
My son turned 6 in March and I wish I knew half as much as he does ( I know that already dad) :)
He is a Star Wars fan and Dinosaur fanatic. I read alot of sci fi to him as well as the technical dinosaur books.
He is a budding monster fan but is mainly a gore fan. When he was 4 we began discussing religion and his views were that God lived in the woods with his mom and a pack of werewoves. I asked why he lived with werewolves and Jon said that they helped him fight zombies. I later found out that my mother in law had introduced Jon to the wonderful world of Monsters. He still watches monster movies with my mother inlaw I just ask that she explain them better to him :).
Oh, what beautiful kids! You really have been blessed!
Quote from: michblk on April 29, 2009, 07:39:43 PM
Hey Andy, how is little Mia doing? I hope all is well!
BK
Mia is doing great, thanks for asking. She recently had her first follow-up surgery to lengthen her growth rods and it went very well. She just got the "OK" for swings and slides, so she can do some activities with her friends in preschool now. That means a lot to her because she is such a social kid. We are having the usual meetings to get her ready for kindergarten next year, and things are progressing nicely. :)
Thanks to all who responded to this thread. I've enjoyed reading every word!
Okay, here a 21st birthday photo of my daughter Stephani holding her little brother Maui.
(http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc311/illoman/Steph.jpg)
Thanks,
Mike
OMG!
Mike she just stunning! 21 already!
Our daughter, Anita, just graduated from college yesterday. I just kept thinking of all the different stages in her life and all the things she did. I remembered the special way they had to salute the flag when she was a cheerleaders at all the games. So as soon and the Star Spangled Banner started playing I need to squeeze the hankie out. We needed a bucket for the tears.
I'm very emotional anyway. I even cry seeing the little puppies in the Cottonelle commercials. But graduation was totally different from that!
Thanks, Laura. Yeah, as I get older I get more sentimental. I hit the big 4-9 this year, so I can only imagine what next year will be like for me!!!
On a side note, after Stephi opened all her presents she looked at me and said she couldn't believe I didn't get her "Pride and Predjudice and Zombies"!! Me, of all people!!
It arrived via Amazon today!! ;D (She should know me better than that by now!!)
Mike
QuoteI hit the big 4-9 this year, so I can only imagine what next year will be like for me!!!
I'll let you know, Mike. My 5-0 is this year!
It's really nice to hear so many proud parents speak of their beautiful children. I'm blessed with two: Tabitha is 8 and Caitlin is now 17! How did that happen? When I look at her performing on stage, I have to shake my head in disbelief. Luckliy she's caring and funny, so I'd have lots to be proud of even if she didn't have talent!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H15GYotQTUE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H15GYotQTUE)
Wow, Frank, she has a wonderful voice!! Is she planning on pursuing a career in that field?
Mike
Yes, Mike, she's looking into colleges with a strong music/theater program right now. She inherited her mother's beautiful voice. It's going to be an interesting senior year for her...and us!
I have a set of 21 year old twins, willing to trade for the right Mnster stuff...LOL.
Bizarro Jeff