Cause of the Month: TARE

The Texas Adoption Resource Exchange (TARE) is an organization that promotes awareness of the slew of Texas children who have never known the true love a family brings. Whether they were simply given up at birth, or taken from an uncaring and unsafe household, these kids deserve a better life than they have been dealt.

Now I am not saying run out and be a trendy Brad and Angelina, but if adoption is something you have once considered, or are considering, do yourself and the children a favor by at least visiting TARE's website and checking out the list of kids in need. Read the info, then make a decision about your next step if the situation calls for it.

http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Adoption_and_Foster_Care/default.asp

remember: nobody's perfect

As hard as we may try to be good role models, we are gonna trip and fall on our faces at times. Things will get overwhelming. Situations will get beyond our control. And as a result, we will overcompensate - in a good or bad way - to try to fix whatever problem arises, oftentimes making matters worse.

I got overwhelmed. I stepped - albeit willingly - into a situation where a woman has 7 children. Less than a year ago, my life was that of a 4-night-a-week barhopper and party-goer. I made great money and had myself to spend it on. I played video games 'til the wee hours of the morning. I had no one to worry about but myself. I wasn't a bad person, but I definitely wasn't a saint either.

When things got serious with A, I thought the "ex-husband and kids thing" would be easier than most people were telling me, but of course I have been known to think I can handle any situation that presents itself. It's not smugness. It's neither pride, nor arrogance. It's the need inside me to overcome the obstacles and not let them hold me down, or hold me back. It's about being able to control my life, not be controlled by it...

But whatever the case, life got a hold of me and has since controlled me. This morning I was tired. Probably because of too much sleep last night as I was trying to recoup lost energy from a week's worth of the sun and Father Time using me as their personal punching bag in a twisted no-holds-barred wrestling match. Bottom line: I didn't go to church with A and the kiddos. I honestly didn't feel well, but that excuse will never fly in this house. I was told I "wasn't being a good role model." I tripped and fell on my face. I contemplated ending this blog. Was she right? Was I a fraud? But, then I got to thinking...

I am a role model "in training" and I am certainly whatever the opposite of perfect is, but I try my hardest whenever I can. And to the other role models out there who try, fall down, and then get back up to try again...that is what this blog is all about. It's for you. It's for those who stepped up to the plate mid-game and are giving it their all. And it's not horrible, nor out of the ordinary to glance back over your shoulder and see your old life that you left behind. Your decision comes down to one thing: Do you either tighten your grip on that Louisville Slugger and turn back to the pitcher ready to knock one out of the park, or just head back to the bench?

I am certainly bummed I missed church. I do think it's important to attend and show the little ones that going to church can still be "cool." And this blog is not about - and will never be about - religion. I think pushing religion on anyone is the fastest way to get them to avoid it entirely. Your beliefs are on you. These daily scribbles I punch into the keyboard are for those men and women who need to see that they are not alone as newfound role models. We experience the same things. We fall down. We get back up. We try. We have picked up the slack. What more can anyone ask of us?

Saturday. Saturday! SATURDAY!

Sweetness, it's Saturday. A day of legos, xbox, girl TV and talking about how seven pennies and a quarter in a Spider-Man money box is "a lot of money" and "you should take your mom to dinner." This is a day of not so much rest - which is needed - but, of family time - which is needed more.

After the work week beats you down Monday through Friday like it's beating a dead horse, I can see the true meanings behind things like "TGIF" and "workin' for the weekend."

So I woke up, right on cue, to stomping feet above my head at around 9er AM. Because I knew that stampede upstairs was the coolest bunch of 7 kids ever thrown together into one house, I smiled and got out of bed.

Who needs to sleep in anyway? There are homeless lego people to worry about.

My Mom

My mom has been so great with the kiddos. From the get, she has been "grandma" without technically being "grandma," ya know? She loves the kids and they love her. She has done so much in the very short time she has known this lot of 7.

And being intro'd to such a lot couldn't of been a piece of cake to walk into, but she did so effortlessly and it's pretty much amazing.

Of course, sometimes I - being a new role model, from a different era - and she - a role model champion - don't see eye to eye on some issues concerning the kiddos and their kiddo experience.

I truly take all her advice to heart. I let it marinate in my brain and then chew on it, but A has been raising her offspring for years on end, and so far they are rock stars. So what I do is use A's already set ingredients for parenting, throw in a dash of what I think is right and sprinkle in mom's advice throughout...

Seems to be a winning recipe.

Hi-ho, Hi-ho, off to work I go...

About to head out to work. A just left, she's got meetings and whatnot for the better part of the day. I won't be home til mega-ultra late prob...the life of a dude who works on TV shows. Anyhoo...

So that leaves 13-yr old M to rule the roost. Which is cool is some ways, giving her responsibility, managerial experience, yada, etc...but if you caught the "13-yr old" part, it's a drag because she needs to be being 13, with the liking of boys and the hair clips and the "I love purple!"

The world betta prepare...for when I'm a billionaire. I'm gonna get a nanny for the kiddos. And a butler for me and A. Call him Jeeves. And a driver for my Bentley. And have McDonald's snack wraps DELIVERED on the daily. Where was I?

Oh yea, two busy adult units, one parental, one in-training...both super busy trying to bring home that juicy bacon. The kids don't get that we have to work. Money and bills. Bills and money. Maybe money should grow on trees. I'd have a tree farm.

Posts from the road...#3

ugh, it was tough leaving the kiddos this morning. the boys greeted me early and i kept thinking...man, i wont be back home til late and they will be in dreamland by then. long days may be necessary, but they sure are bummers.

Table for 13, please.

So this morning went pretty much like every other morning thus far: woke up to stomping feet upstairs that sound - and feel - like they're inside my head and then zombie walk around the house, making an attempt to get myself ready for the day as I try to barter some "me" time in the bathroom that A has fully claimed as her personal domain. So far I can get a few minutes in there for two sheep and a bail of hay.

So we loaded up the truck and moved to Bev-er-ly...Hills that is. Swimmin' pools. Movie stars...Oh wait. We went to church. And the Word was good. Amen.

After which, we were met by my mom, Mema (my grandma), my bro and his wife. We all cruised on over to Cici's Pizza. Which just so happens to be one of the kiddos' favorite places to munch. Who knew? There's neither a big rat cheesing for pictures, nor a robotic wildlife animal hodgepodge band playing happy tunes. But I digress...

We took over that place like an invading army. Tables were moved together. Chairs positioned to our liking. Ambiance altered to our pleasing. Pizzas special ordered simply to amuse us and tickle our collective fancies...and also to satisfy our palettes. We were the kings and queens of promise. Kudos Kings of Leon.

All went very well. Kiddos behaved like champs. Cici's was a success. Cici's will happen again. Prepare thyself, Cici's.