"You Love Me So Much"

So lately I have been doing a lot of reflecting.

Cruz wanted to take Nini
bowling for her birthday

Novali turned 13... yes I am the father of a teenager... not like she hasn't been acting like one for the past couple years but now it is official. I can't believe that I was in college when I had her, and how much it changed the direction of my life. She has been such a joy and glad for her birthday weekend her and I got in another daddy daughter road trip.

In Beta Years I turned 15... wow how that impacted life... the first person I told that I was going to be a father was one of my Fraternity Brothers. The first person I told that my mom had cancer when I was a senior in college was a Fraternity Brother. The first person I called to ask to be my best man when I proposed was a Fraternity Brother. First non-family member to visit the hospital when Cruz was born... yep Fraternity Brother.

In my work life... I started a new career this year as a non-profit executive. I also boosted my personal business of speaking and consulting and have had the busiest 6 months for OutSight Consulting. I spoke to my largest crowd this semester breaking the 2000 barrier, and I was booking two gigs a month or more.

In my family life... I now have three kids, yeah beating the American average. So with work change, personal changes and everything else it has been a crazy semester. Heather as always has been great at holding down the fort while I travel, and we finally have another baby sitter to come and help at the house to help keep some sanity.

Novali and I in WI. 

I worry a lot that in my travel that I miss time with the kids. I worry about not being with them as much as I would like, but also glad I will role model for them the value of hard work and doing the right things to support your family. Then last night Cruz calmed my nerves about my role as a traveling father...

We were sitting on the couch, watching a show, he was next to me. So I just picked up my arm and put it around him to snuggle him up to me, and he looked up at me and said, "You love me so much." Heather laughed, and so did I at the time...

Those who know me know I am an emotional guy, I tell people I love em, and especially tell my kids. So it was really nice to hear him recite it back, even though maybe he doesn't know what the words totally mean, it does mean he hears it, and I hope despite not totally understanding the words, that he feels it.

Made my day, my week actually, and probably the rest of as long as I can think of...

So to my Family Members, my Fraternity Brothers, and everyone close in my life... I love you so much.