Ya gotta have faith

I'm not one to wear my religion on my sleeve. I consider myself religious -- or at least "a good Catholic" -- but not one that is vocally religious. I'm still not preachy but, whether through practical necessity or through God's hands, I've started to rely much more on faith of late.

Actually, just the past week.

A week ago today (Sunday), my wife confirmed what we had been hoping would not be true: That she is pregnant with our fourth child.

We wanted three children, and had two boys and one girl (now ages 8, 5 and 3). On our own time. According to plan. And, we were done with our family, and planning a trip to Disney World next June.

Good thing we didn't put a deposit down because God had other plans.

Without going into too much detail, suffice to say that Amy and I needed some medical assistance for her to get pregnant with our three children. With no more need for that assistance, we were not as careful and figured our family was complete with the five of us.

But, as noted above, God had other plans (okay, with assistance from Amy and me).

We both enjoy being parents, and love our three children all very much. And, we'll love child #4 equally very much.

So, we're making plans and looking to deal with issues like Amy likely quiting her job next summer, finding additional room in our home, buying baby clothes, toys and other stuff -- after selling most of it in garage sales the past two summers!

We definitely don't have all the answers.

But, we do know we have to have faith in God and that -- as long as we have faith, pray and do all we humanly can to find the answers -- it'll all work out for the best when the time comes.

We just gotta have faith.
-- Michael

A lesson only a dad can really teach

During the weekend, after one trip to a public restroom with my youngest (5yo) son, I reminded him what that slot in the front of his underwear is used for.

Typically, when he pees, he simply pulls down his pants and underwear -- exposing his rear to the rest of any restroom users. So, being a good dad, I stand behind him, facing out, to give him some privacy and keep his rear as unexposed as possible.

This morning while I was shaving, my son came into the bathroom to do his own business at the toilet. He proudly said that Tuesday while at school, he went to the potty, pulled down his pants as usual -- but kept his underwear up and stood there doing his business using that slot (door?) in his underwear as it's supposed to be used.

I am such a proud dad!

WOW?! Comments on Dooce?

What?

I commented some time ago on my "other blog" about Heather Armstrong/Dooce being a major mini media empire. Or, something like that. And, that's why -- I assume -- she didn't allow comments.

But, lo and behold . . . she is!

But, even though I have a Typepad account, my blog here didn't register when I signed in and left a comment (or two).

-- Mike

When opportunity knocks, do you have to answer it?

The Internet is inherently neither negative nor positive. It is simply a tool. It and the related technologies offer an abundant of opportunities. And, how those technologies are used is good or bad, fun or annoying, productive or wasteful, etc.

A few weeks ago, I read the story about a national sting that netted 125 perverts in a child-porn case.

"I'm the father of four young children between the ages of 13 and 3," [U.S. Attorney Christopher] Christie said. "This is every parent's worst nightmare. It is just deeply disturbing to know there are people like this out there in our neighborhoods."

Out of courtesy to the "voice of reason," I'll include this line from the story:

Several of those arrested nationwide have prior records for molesting or sexually assaulting children, officials said.

Several. Not most or many of the 125, just several.

Still, it seems like we often are hearing or reading about sexual predators, child porn and other sick society stuff. Was this "stuff" as prevalent 10, 20 or 50 years ago? If alive 75 years ago, would these people still be participating and/or watching these deviant activities?

Or, is the opportunity to view this perversion on the Internet bringing it out from the evil bowels of their souls?
-- Mike