This amazing human turns six today.  Aiden is one of those kids that you look at and can’t help but think, ‘What’s he going to do with his life?’.  He’s unbelievably creative, sensitive, thoughtful, quiet and…. moody.  When he was a baby we said he was “calm like a bomb” because he was so mellow until you hit that intense button on him.  I can’t wait to see what life has in store for him.

Today we brought him cupcakes to school and had lunch with him and tonight we’re braving Chuck E. Cheese’s.  Cardboard pizza and ski ball.  We must love this kid.

Anyway, a huge ‘Happy Birthday’ to our middle.

Six is a post from: Brody Harper

It has been a painfully busy time in our lives.  I literally have no idea how we manage to make it through each day getting the things done that we do.  Because of that we’ve really tried to make it a focus to do things with the family or as a family as much as we can in the down time.  It’s tough but we’ve been really trying to make that work.

Blue has been really getting into football these past few weeks.  Wanting the cards, studying the stats, tackling his brothers… all that.  On Sundays he’s reminding me to make sure my Fantasy Team is all set and asking me who I’m playing and if I’m winning.  Yep.  He’s a real live eight year old boy.  So a week or so ago, I thought it would be awesome to take him to a game so he could actually see how big something like that really is, but with only a couple games left and prices through the roof, I didn’t really see that happening.  Anyway, it’s funny how things happen because late Wednesday night I got a text from a friend of mine asking if I wanted two tickets to the game.  Me being the amazing sports person I am, had no idea what game he was talking about, but said sure.

So last night we bundled up and Blue was able to experience his first real live NFL game.  It was only my second so that was pretty cool too.  I think my feet are still frozen, but it was worth it for sure.  Blue kept saying that he felt like he was in a video game because he’s only ever seen those players on video games or TV.  Family memories are cool.  Thanks Scott.

Titans Game is a post from: Brody Harper

Eleven years ago when I saw a fat tiny puppy being given away in front of a grocery store, I never would have thought…

I remember when I got Luther thinking how weird it was to think that he’d probably be the dog that played with my kids. Kristin and I weren’t even dating yet, and kids weren’t even close to being on the radar.

I remember teaching him to understand what I was saying instead of ‘normal’ commands. Things like ‘get in the car’ and ‘go to bed’. He didn’t listen to anyone else, but he knew what I was saying.

I remember the open bag of dog food I left in the back of my car because we were always going some place and he needed snacks.

I remember taking him on a six mile backpacking trip and to the top of a mountain (in the rotating pictures above) where his feet got all cut up and I ended up carrying him six miles out of the woods.

Once Kristin and I were married, I remember him embracing his role of protector and literally grabbing Kristin’s pant leg with his teeth and pulling her from getting too close to the ocean in Northern California.

I remember taking him to the river and teaching him to jump off the fifteen-foot rocks into the water like we would do.

I remember his attitude change when we first brought Blue home from the hospital. Then I remember him coming around and rolling on the ground, licking Blue’s face. Then I remember bringing home another little boy for him to play with and run away from. And another.

I remember being out on a walk with him and watching him get hit by a car, flung into a yard only to get up and shake it off with no effects except a black tire mark all the way down his back.

I remember loading him up and driving across the country to live in a 700 square foot apartment with (then) four people and a cat. Then I remember moving again. I remember his favorite spot in all six houses he lived in.

I remember the days I was out on the road he’d sleep at the top of the stairs making sure he was the first line of defense for the family.  And days I was home, he’d sleep on the floor next to my side of the bed and take the night off.

Yesterday we said goodbye to Luther.  Quite literally the World’s best dog.  Sure, he occasionally crapped on the floor.  Sure he had days when his attitude was lousy.  But there was no better, more loyal animal alive.  When I got him, I had several dog experts tell me that because of his breed (German Shepherd / Akita) he could be a little mean.  They also said that it was one of the most loyal, protective dogs that I could get.  And that’s exactly what he was.

Now, I know some of you aren’t dog people and this isn’t that big of a deal, but when you share this many experiences with someone there is no doubt in my mind they are part of the family.  And these memories are just a few.  I couldn’t have asked for a better dog to have around my wife and kids. He will be missed for sure.

Kristin has some great pictures on her Facebook also.

The Best Dog is a post from: Brody Harper

Today is the first day Kristin and I are realistically looking at taking our dog of 11 years in to be put down.  He’s at a point where he hasn’t eaten in three days, can barely walk and doesn’t even lay comfortably.  I’ve talked to the vet, they recommend bringing him in when we are ‘ready’.  I’m not sure we’ll ever be ‘ready’, but there’s a sadness in choosing when to end his life.  Sadness.

A friend I went to High School with is burying her dad today.  He had a long bout with cancer and it finally got the best of him and he passed last week.  This same friend has a sister 2000 miles away, unable to travel to the funeral because she’s having a baby.  Today.  The very day of her own dad’s funeral.  Words can’t even describe the emotional conflict going on in that house.  The mom unable to be there for the daughter as she’s giving birth.  The daughter unable to be there with the rest of her family as they lay her dad to rest.  The joy of new life, and the ache of saying goodbye.  Sadness.

Seems like this life is full of it.  And there’s no way around it.  I wish I had some inspirational thing to write on here, but I don’t.  If you’re a praying person, offer one up for our friends in California.  I’m sure they could use it.

Sadness is a post from: Brody Harper

Blue is eight today. I can’t believe I’m old enough to have a real kid. Like a full on kid. Not a baby. Not a toddler. But a real live, drive you crazy, starting his own life kid. It kind of freaks me out a little.

In about an hour we’ll have a handful of 2nd graders in our house running around like maniacs and devouring enough sugar to get them close to a comatose state just before we send them home.

Happy Birthday Blue.  You’re a real live kid and we love every minute of it.

Eight is a post from: Brody Harper

My parents divorced when I was three… or four… something like that.  I don’t know, I was little.  Now that I’m older I know about  some of the events that lead up to that divorce.  I don’t know all the stories of pain, violence, infidelity, or whatever, but I know that it was a mess.  Enough of a mess for it to need to end.  And let’s face it, who doesn’t have a mess to some degree in their life?  Anyone my age or younger knows the ripple affect of a broken home, abuse, neglect or things like that.  Who doesn’t have drama from their upbringing, right?

But here’s where I start getting real passionate.  I had a pretty amazing guy step in and take the roll of my dad.  To this day he’s one of the closest people to me in my life.  Does that mean I don’t have life-long drama from the handful of years that I was alive without him?  Nope.  Does that mean that I didn’t grow up with the ‘awkwardness’ of having two dads?  Nope.  Or having to be the decision maker of where I was going to live?  Or what last names my wife and kids were going to have?  But I’m going to be honest.  I had a pretty great upbringing.  It was safe, it was healthy, and it was exactly what I needed as a kid and now adult with my own kids.

And here’s the thing.  We live in a generation of people looking for any excuse possible to blame their selfish actions on what we’ve conveniently named ‘Generational Sin’.  I could blame  any of my actions on the broken home that I came from.  The dad that wasn’t around, the frustrations of Summer Vacations away from my friends, weirdness of having to explain who that guy is at my graduation.  All that.  I could sit back and not take ownership of any of it.  And that’s exactly what we do right?

“This is what my parents did, so it’s natural.”  ”I’m an alcoholic because my dad was.”  ”I treat women badly because that’s what I saw growing up.  It’s in my blood.”  ”I’m a manipulator because my mom cheated.”  ”I’ve got a temper that I inherited from my dad.”  The list goes on.  It’s the easiest out right?  We want to blame our selfish, screwed up lives on something biological.  It’s something we can’t change.  It’s the way we are wired.  Really?  Let’s take a look.  *I’ve added the “bold”*.

Jeremiah 31:29-32 (NIV)
In those days people will no longer say, ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.’ Instead, everyone will die for his own sin; whoever eats sour grapes–his own teeth will be set on edge. “The time is coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers…”

Ezekiel 18:14-16,18-20 (NIV)
“But suppose this son has a son who sees all the sins his father commits, and though he sees them, he does not do such things: He does not eat at the mountain shrines or look to the idols of the house of Israel… He does not oppress anyone… He does not commit robbery, but gives his food to the hungry and provides clothing for the naked… He will not die for his father’s sin; he will surely live. But his father will die for his own sin, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother and did what was wrong among his people. Yet you ask, ‘Why does the son not share the guilt of his father?’ Since the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to keep all my decrees, he will surely live. The soul who sins is the one who will die. The son will not share the guilt of the father, nor will the father share the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous man will be credited to him, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against him.“

Well crap.  There goes that theory I guess.  Looks like I’m going to have to answer for myself when I treat my kids badly.  Looks like it actually is my fault when I selfishly go against what I know is right.  Seems like there really is no excuse for living like a jerk.

Okay, that last paragraph was a bit tongue-in-cheek, but you get the idea.  So, I want to hear what you guys think.  I’ve never  really had an open discussion about “Generational Sin” and my opinions on it, with anyone but Kristin.  She knows it’s something that has always bothered me, but I don’t know if it’s just me.  The thing is, I don’t buy it.  I refuse to accept the excuse from anyone that there’s some magical blood running though our bodies that causes us to not be able to control our own selfish actions.  It’s not our great-great-great grandfather’s fault that we act the way we do.  It’s not the chemical make-up of my DNA that causes me to treat people badly.  It’s selfishness and sin.  Bottom line.  Unless I’m missing something in these verses.

So what do we think?  I know it’s a little heavy of a topic, but I’m curious your thoughts.

Ready?  Go.

Generational Sins is a post from: Brody Harper

Bart’s family was in town for the 4th of July.  Well actually it was the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th of July but who’s counting?  I don’t think our kids have ever slept less than they did this weekend.  We ended up hanging out every night until some ridiculous hour roasting marshmallows, swimming, talking and hoping one of the kids didn’t wander off in the dark.

Since they were staying with MercyMe’s manager, he was kind enough to let us take over his house for a few days, riding four wheelers, more swimming, and blowing up fireworks.  The boys loved it.  Bart and I ended up having to clean up some of the firework mess, but that just started an awesome sword fight and then we wandered off.  You know how it goes.

And here’s the funny thing.  This was one of the first times that we got to hang out as families.  The kids instantly clicked and could have played all day and all night.  Kristin and I were talking about how weird it was that Bart and I have known each other for years, but as families we were just getting to know each other.  Weird dynamic, but we had an absolute blast.

Now to talk them into moving here…

3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th of July Weekend is a post from: Brody Harper

Dang.  It’s been a heck of a week.  Over 1,700 miles, meeting up with over 40 friends, 1 wedding, a couple second degree sunburns, and a cracked windshield.  I’d call that a success.  Well, except for the windshield.

It’s been a long time since we’ve taken a vacation like this.  In fact, I don’t know if we’ve ever taken a vacation like this, but it was a good one.  We had amazing time in the car, the boys were fantastic, lots of time to talk, listen to music, watch some movies, play some Words With Friends, you know… all the stuff you’re not supposed to do while you’re driving.

Luckily the oil hasn’t made it to any of the beaches we went to, so it was nothing short of perfect water to swim in.

I’m still sorting through all the pictures but here’s a few of my favorites.

What A Week is a post from: Brody Harper

Disney World was Wednesday.  We spent about twelve hours there and I think by the end we were all pretty worn out.  The boys got to see all their favorite characters, go on tons of rides, and eat all sorts of sugar.  You know, all the stuff you do at Disney.  And this was just the first day.

The Happiest Place On Earth is a post from: Brody Harper

Last night Blue played his last basketball game of the season.  They lost by about ten points.  The other team’s coach screamed the entire time.  Running up and down the court, waving his arms, pointing, kicking and stomping.  Sort of a joke really, if you ask me.  But his team won.  Kristin and I sat in the bleachers with a couple other parents from our team surrounded by parents from the other team as they screamed and yelled at how bad the ref was doing, how bad their team was doing (though they were up by ten points) and all sorts of other things.  I’m pretty sure my jaw was dropped in dis-belief the entire game.

Maybe this is kids sports.  Maybe it’s kids sports in the South.  Maybe it’s just that team.  Either way, I know that if any of our kids ever end up on a team with that type of coach and those types of parents, we’ll take the season off and go camping.

Anyone run into these parents?  I wonder, it’s almost cliche’ to make fun of these parents. How is it that they still exist?

Sport Parents is a post from: Brody Harper