Michael Foley

Father/Daughter Night Out

As a father, there is nothing more rewarding than having your child want to spend time with you. Even more than that, having a child want to have a "Daddy Dinner". This past week, I took Lauren on a Daddy Date. We dressed up and went to Izumi's for some steak.... Japanese style.  We followed that up with a Smoothie at a place on 119th and Blackbob in Olathe. 

On the surface it doesn't seem like much of a night but to a 9 year old beautiful girl it meant the world. The question was asked how often we should have these dinners... and Lauren's reply..."once a year". "Once a year! What, are you not having a good time?"... I said. "No it's not that, these nights are much too special to do more than that.", she said.  Man, that's about enough to make a grown man cry. To have my little girl (whose now a beautiful no so little girl) tell me that the night was that special brought so much joy to my life and a smile to my face. She is my little girl, and I wouldn't trade that night for any other night in the world. "Its much to special".

Carson Gets Stitches....

Well...... it was going to happen. It was just a matter of time before Carson made a trip to the ER. That day came on Saturday when Carson was playing in a basketball game. He was guarding another player on the other team when a ball came lose. He went after it and Carson's team mate went after it. The result......... Well check out this before photo and after photo. (beware...not for the faint of heart.)

What Do I want for 2008?

The things that I want:

1. To know what it's like to truly walk in the will of God. I tend to want to have my way all the time; It's about time that I gave control over to God.

2. To get to know my wife better this year. As I live life, it seem that the days run together. Before you know it, the year is gone.  I need to make more of an effort to get to know her better.

3. To find my joy verticially rather than horizontaly. (This is a tough one)

4. To be a better Dad. I want to teach my kids what it mean to compete in life with intesity but without leaving a wake behind them. To know what it means to win in life but also know what it means to be a friend. I think that dads struggle with this sometimes.

5. For my beloved RedSox to win another World Series in 2008!

6. Finally, I want to become a better guitar player. It seems that I never have enough time to improve my skills. I need to take more time to pluck the strings.

New York, New York!!!!!

Well, this had to be one of the best weekends ever. You know how it goes with three kids....EXHAUSTING!

I had been planning this getaway with Shana for some time and it was well worth it. We stayed right on Times Square and took in a very funny Broadway show called "The Drowsy Chaperon", it won 5 Tony Awards. We did everything and saw everything. We laughed, and talked, and spent a lot of much needed time together. The best experience was the carriage ride in Central Park, so romantic, which is really tough for me...the worst was that I spent too much on a Porterhouse that wasn't cooked right....and dude would not take it back or give us a break on the check!

But all in all........ THE BEST TRIP EVER!!!!!!

Fellas, if you really want to show your wife how much you love her...get her away from the kids, plan the trip, and let her worry about nothing. Plan everything, from the travel, hotel, entertainment, and restaurants. I'm not the biggest Rob Bell fan but, one point from his "Sex God" book was the chapter about how much a husband is required to sacrifice for the love of his life........and that is EVERYTHING! You must be willing to sacrifice everything you have for her, you love her, you protect her, and you give her security. As Christ died for the church, the husband is commanded to do the same for his wife. All I can say....is that if this is "sacrifice".... I get so much more back than what I gave up. She's worth it fellas!

Unassisted Triple Play

The batter is at the plate. Staring down Carson as he sets up to pitch, the batter swings at a fastball low and outside. As the ball whistles off the bat, Carson snatches it out of the air, One out. While the runners on 1st and 2nd advanced to 2nd and 3rd, the race was on....could they get back before Carson tagged them out. Carson, running like a cheetah, touches 1st base, Two Out. And like a bolt of lightning, Carson dashes off to second. The play is going to be close as the runner at third is trying to get back to second base. As the players converge on second base, there is suspense in the air....will Carson get the triple play? As the base runner leaps for the base, Carson slides to make the tag. As the dust settles... there is only one call to make....YOUR OUT! Unassisted triple play for Carson! The kids go crazy, dog piles everywhere, hats flying off, and pure joy on the diamond!

Just a proud fathers take on the most amazing play a son could make.