We Win As A Team

Most people associate the word 'team' with a sporting event or some other group activity. I want to talk a minute about our family as it relates to a team. In my short life I have watched as some families succeed but others don't. I have watched a man and woman work extremely hard, unitedly, to make sure that their family is all that it can be--and do it successfully. On the other hand I have seen it work just the opposite.
I don't think that anyone knows all of the 'in's and out's" of this but many have succeeded in an approach that brings unity and pure joy to their family.
The word 'family' signifies plural. A selfish approach of an individual(s) is not the recipe for success as a family.
Not a day goes by that I don't look at every member of our family and think about what I can do to help a member of our family be everything that their potential dictates. We were all created as successful beings who came from the presence of a loving Heavenly Father. We are divinely created to succeed. It is much easier to work hard, in unity, and to succeed, when we place ourselves in a 'team' environment. Our families are imperative to life's enjoyment and success.
I am very thankful for my family. They mean so much to me. 'I want to spend my life with them through all eternity.'

Celebrate Their Successes

I love to watch our children.  It is really fun to see all that they do.  Their potential amazes me.  Everything that they know and all of the things that they can do just blows my mind.
I don't ever want to come across as one of those obnoxious parents who has to talk about how great they think their kids are compared to all of the other kids around.  I do, however, want to be a parent who will see the good that our kids do and rightfully recognize them for their goodness.
I am incredibly grateful for kids who are giving life their best shot.  I understand that they are as imperfect as are other kids but I love what they are trying to accomplish.
Their sense of humor is refreshing and openly welcomed, in our home.
Becky and I were laughing at the genetics that run deeply when looking at mine and Danny's legs.  Becky asked Danny to turn around so that we could see the back of his calves.  Becky said that he had my legs.  She said to him that he was going to grow up to be like me.  She asked him if that's what he wanted.  He told her that that would be okay except that dad's hands are all broken up like this.  He lifted his hands into the air to show Becky what his hands would then look like.  Translation:  I'm not flexible at all.  The older I get, the worse it becomes.  When I straighten my fingers and position my hand like I am about to give somebody a 'high five', my fingers are somewhat bent, and no matter how hard I try, my fingers do not straighten out.  We about fell over laughing at his honest response to all that we were talking about.
Our other three children are equally as wonderful.  I love their personalities and their goals.  Every day is a celebration of something else that good that has happened.  I'm all about success! As should we all be.  HOORAH!

Follow The Sign

I was driving down the freeway today and I passed many different signs with various directional information for all drivers.  I thought about the importance of the signs but because I drive the same exact way to and from work, I never pay attention to the signs.
I have thought about this same scenario when it comes to every day life.  I thought about the many signs in my own life that point to various things that are important to a happy and safe life.
Let's talk, for a minute, about a few of those signs that should be important to me and maybe will be of benefit to you.
Because my family is extremely important to me, I automatically think about the signs that keep me grounded and headed in the direction that will keep us together, happily.  I make a concerted effort to always be where I say I am.  That means that if I am going to late home from work that I inform Becky and then I am either at work finishing some last minute things or I am somewhere else.  But being anywhere else than where I say I am going to be, is not an option.  That 'sign' keeps trust fully intact with no wondering questions to be asked.
In our home, we have a standing rule that when anyone is on the computer they have to be out in the open.  There are never any questions about the content being viewed.  Following that sign keeps our spirits healthy and strong.
I talk a lot about our marriage.  It is extremely important to me in my life.  The signs that are influential in creating and maintaining a great marriage state words on them such as, "Speak kindly to each other all of the time."  "Compliment Regularly."  "Be Positive."  "Have a Great Time."  Liking each other is as important as Loving."  "Date. Date. Date"  These things are just a few of the keys to a successful recipe of a happy marriage.
The signs in our lives will keep us focused on the things that are the most important.  I am committed to doing these things, and more to make life the best that it can be.