So just finished off the work week today, and now I find myself with some time, so I think I will start this blog. This past week I spent Christmas with my cousin Rachel and her family up in Redmond. I had such a great time up there. Besides all the Christmas stuff, we went on a hike up in Twin Falls, visited Snoqualmie Falls, went to a bounce house, and just had a great time hanging out with family. As much fun as it is hanging out with her family, I remember the first time I visited her. Her youngest, Mark is just a little bit younger than my youngest, and while it was fun, I definitely had an emotional moment after leaving. It has been so long since I have seen my children that I have almost forgotten what they look like, the only thing that is really clear being the emptiness in my life. I have been weary of putting up any pictures on the walls because the memory is still quite painful, though getting much better. It has just been a rough time this past year. Not too long ago I got a roommate, so I had to take down the kids' bunk bed. Never thought that something so simple as dismantling furniture would be so rough. I always looked at the bed as some kind of lingering hope that would be coming back soon. I just really miss them. I look at some families and think to myself, man it is great not having to worry about those kind of issues, like extremely stubborn kids, sibling rivalry, potty training, and bed time in general. Really though, the good times more than make up for the bad, and that is what being a parent is all about, being there for your kids in the best of times and the worst of times. If changing a smelly sticky diaper is the price I have to pay to enjoy a few hours of play time with my kids, then that is a steal of a deal and one price I will happily pay every time, even when it is all over the place... I just miss my boys a lot and hope they had a great Christmas, where ever they are. Daddy loves you guys.
