7 Things About Being A Dad That Make Me Smile

Just a few days into being a father a three boys, I find myself very observant.

Me and my Boys

The boys are absolutely beautiful.  Each is very different in unthought of ways.  They all make me laugh and tear up at the wonder that they are.

There are so many confusing, bewildering, crazy things about this adventure of life that Jesus calls us to.  Much of it is designed to break our prideful hearts and bring us back to a place of trusting in God.  If we slow down, we’ll see that there are lots of nuggets in life that are meant to make us smile… or cry happy tears.  I’d like to share some of those nuggets I’ve seen over the last several days.

Here are five purely perfect things about raising boys that are good any way you look at it.  The things on this list make my eyes light up, no matter how gray the day may be.

1.  Holding a newborn on your chest.

2.  Taking a nap with your toddlers.

3.  Watching your kids giggle uncontrollably on a trampoline.

4.  Realizing that your 2-year old shadow wants nothing more than to be near you.

5.  Listening to your 4-year old talk about his karate skills in his sleep.

6.  Watching your son being born.

7.  Watching your wife give birth.

So here’s a question for you readers out there:  What would make your happy things list?  What are the things that make you smile no matter where you’re at in life?  Is it people, or a person?  Is it a song, or a mountain view?  Is it chocolate?

Remember that God created good things for us to enjoy.  They remind us that God is a good God.  He is a loving father.  He not only wants us to trust him in tough situations, but he wants us to smile and laugh and enjoy the good things he has made for us.

Take a minute and thank him for the good stuff.

A Cop Stopped Us On The Way To The Hospital

Really, we got stopped.  The story is at the bottom of this post.

Big Will is Here

Announcing… William Franklin Doherty was born on June 30 at 3:36 pm.  He weighed in at 7 pounds, 9 ounces and measured 21 inches long.  Mommy and Will are doing great.  Brody and Brock are loving their little brother … Brock calls Will “My Baby.”  Dad is back on caffeine with a vengeance.

To our church family in Branson: Thanks for your prayers and support!  We will be returning to Branson on July 7th or 8th.  John Hudson will be preaching again on July 6th.

Who’s he named after? My maternal grandpa is a William and Jodi’s paternal grandpa was named Willis. My paternal grandpa (known in the family as Grandad and known all over the world as Tanky) is John Franklin.

Getting Stopped by the Cop: So Jodi woke me up at 4:00 in the morning with the beatiful words “Contactions are 6 minutes apart – it’s time to go.”  Those are action words.  We got in the car and I didn’t waste any time driving through Evergreen (that’s the mountain town where we’re staying – it’s about 45 minutes to the hospital).  As I was doing about 65 in a 55 zone I notice someone tailing me hard and fast out of nowhere (that’s never good).  The red and blues flashed and I pulled over.  I’m thinking “People joke about using this as an excuse for speeding, but this is really happening.”  The officer walks up with his little flashlight and says “Good morning.”  I reply “Good morning sir.  My wife is super pregnant and our hospital bag is in the back seat.”  His little flashlight shines on Jodi’s belly and he says “Holy crap! Get out of here!”  He was a young guy who wanted nothing to do with helping a woman deliver a baby in her car at 4:30 in the morning.  It was priceless.  As he waved us on he said he actually stopped us because one of our headlights was out.