Happy Father’s Day to all of you Dads out there! It truly is an honor. Sometimes, you just don’t think you are always doing a good job. Life gets in the way, and you try to go with the flow, but something always has to give. My kids now are old enough to realize this more now, but I am sure it was tougher as they were growing up when both of their parents were doctors. There were always obligations, patients, call, responsibilities in clinic. There was not a lot of spare time. We tried to make up for it as best we could. There were many times when one of us was in charge while the other was on call. When they were older and many activities going on, we split that many times. We could not possibly make it to everything, so we divided and conquered. We tried our best to make it work.
We got to see Nick and Hannah last weekend in the twin cities. We made it an extended weekend to spend with them as Nick’s birthday was coming on the 11th, so we could spend some time with them. We went to Chanhassen Dinner Theatre one night and saw Grease, and then on Saturday we went and saw a twins game. They ended up losing, but it was at least a close game!
We all had our twins gear on and got to spend a really nice day at the game. There are lots of things to do in the cities, but it is very busy, and we were still glad to get home and we were ready to get to a slower pace, and just get back to our regular routine. The trail system in the cities is amazing. They do an awesome job maintaining their trail system, and of course we were on it every day with Nick for a run.
We are going to be having a weekend coming up soon to spend with the grandkids. It is always a fun weekend, but we are wiped out afterwards. It is worth it. We talk to them a few times a week with facetime, and it is just amazing how fast they grow up. The talking, laughing that goes on. It just makes me smile!
I am proud to be a Dad to my kids. A previous partner of mine in clinic, Dr. Tracy, always told me that when your kids are little, the problems are little. When they are big, the problems are big. There are always struggles in life to deal with. We are a family, and they all have their spouse/family now. I will still always be Dad, and Sarah will always be Mom. We just keep reminding our kids we are always there for them…and that includes our inherited son in laws, and daughter in law. They are now our kids too. To all of you out there with your kids already out of the house, and married, on their own, you know what I mean. And then you just wait for the grandkids to come. They are like getting to be a parent again, only much more fun, and not nearly the responsibility as we had with our kids. That is what made it tough. We were responsible for how they grew up. We tried to teach them the difference between right and wrong. To treat people like they would want to be treated. You just hope they know we did the best we could at the time. And if we didn’t, we hopefully have time now to make up for it. Your mom and love you all more than words can say. We are here for you. We will still help with your struggles and questions for as long as we are able. So, to all you Dad’s out there, and this goes for all you “Dad’s” who are Dads to someone else…nieces, nephews, pets…you are special, and you are appreciated, and needed. Happy Father’s Day to you all! Keep moving everybody!
We are all busy–No question. How do you juggles time with friends and family, work, and then things that need to be done at home? It is a constant battle. Some things can wait. Other things can’t wait. The key is trying to make the right decisions for the right reasons. Are we always right in our decisions? I wish! If I had truly had my way, I would have unlimited time to get all of the things done I need to get done at home, at work, and spend time with friends and family. Since we don’t have that luxury, you need to prioritize. What can wait, and what can’t? Some of the time we would love to spend more time with family and friends, but we have to make exceptions. The problem comes when we keep making exceptions, and that time never does get spent where it needs to. You also have to realize that there are certain times when you just need to be on your own and think! Let everything slow down…
But, when we do spend time with friends and family, you need to really make it count. They are the beginnings of new memories to last a lifetime. There are always adventures to seek, fun to have, and time for laughter. Be sure to laugh! There is nothing better for enjoyment than laughter. Even when it comes for us to work out and exercise, Sarah and I will do this together the majority of times! We keep pushing each other, but we can also laugh!
And then when you throw the grandkids in, it is probably more laughter than workout!
We spend a lot of time talking on our run club days. Sunday’s kind of set the tone for the week. We will break off on certain days and just talk. We all have our life issues that come up and well, and it is always a good time to be able to vent, or bounce off ideas and see what other people would do. The biggest benefit though is just to have a support group to help each of us get through whatever life may throw at us.
Nobody is immune curveball in life. We all have struggles to work through. Sometimes it may seem like our struggles are the worst, until we hear something about someone else…perspective. It does not mean each of our struggles are major concerns for us individually, but someone, somewhere, is struggling even more. So, remember that…we all can be better and lending a listening ear as well. You never know when something comes up for each of us, especially when it may concern our health. So, take time to slow down. Take time to appreciate what you have. Just take time!! This is where I get lost taking pictures.
This is my time to relax. To slow down. To appreciate what I have. We all need an escape. Sarah loves to sew, and many times she will be downstairs sewing something…a new grandchild blanket, for instance! But we all need to figure this out for ourselves. Whatever it is for each of us, it does not matter. Just make sure it is something you enjoy, and where you can relax, and not have more stress getting done. Enjoy it and relax. Push back what can get pushed back. I get it…eventually you do have to clean the house and mow the lawn. Eventually…
And remember, there is always time for peanut M & M’s! Or whatever treat you like. Enjoy life. Sometimes we have to indulge a little. Notice I said a little. The problems come when we indulge all of time. Then it never really feels like a treat, or a reward. So slow down. Make memories. Prioritize. But most importantly…enjoy life! Keep moving everybody!
This weekend was the 5th Annual DASH around Kampeska Half Marathon. Friday night we had the Buffalo Wild Wings 5k. The wind was an issue both days, but especially Saturday morning. Temp was in the low 30’s, and the wind was blowing off the lake like crazy. It was cold for the runners, but it was even colder for the volunteers having to stand around. We still had a great turnout.
Sarah and I were still bundled in our Winter gear for the event. Over halfway through May and we still have to wear Winter gear!! It is a lot of work putting these events on, but afterwards, you feel good because everyone else also had a good time!
Our committee was out by 4 AM putting markers and signs out on the road, as well as the water and Gatorade stations. When you have a crew you can have fun with doing this, it makes it much more enjoyable.
Tom and Sue Beaudry had a water/cheer station, and I had to give him a hug…not because I missed him, but because I was cold and needed to warm up!!! We had help along the way of the route, as well as the beginning and end. DASH is put on by the Police Department, so we had all kinds of help from them as well.
The medals were all waiting for the half marathoners to get across the finish line, Sometimes the medal were blowing clear up to the side! But when you come across that finish line, the rest is history. You earned that medal. We could control many aspects of the event, but not the weather. The only good part of the weather, is everybody had to contend with the same conditions. We all made it. Now we just need the weather to remember we are in Spring now! Keep moving everybody!
The 30th Anniversary of Prairie Lakes Healthcare System fund raiser was last night. The them was “off to the races” and featured a Kentucky Derby theme. They had a video of the actual running of the Kentucky Derby at the event last night as well. It was a fundraiser for cancer services at Prairie Lakes. BASH stands for Building A Superior Healthcare System. It was great food and great auctions, both silent and live, as a means of raising money towards use at the cancer center. It was a fun night, with everyone dressed up in their hats! A lot of work is done by the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation in getting all of the tables filled, auction items collected, and then just be able to get everything pulled off for the evening. Well worth it, and fun time. Hope to see you all there next year!
As you can see, the grandkids came for the weekend! That does not stop our routine of working out. They just get to join in…and they love it! They are ready to go, and join, and be with us doing all of the exercises that we work on. We make if fun for them too!
We just make some modifications on how we do some of the exercises. We get them involved, and they are ready to go, and want to do more. The laughing and giggling also makes the workout much more enjoyable for us as well. They absolutely love doing situps because they are our weights to help hold us down!
Then they want to take turns sitting on our knees afterwards, so we play a game with them. “One for the money…two for the show…three to get ready…and four to go!” Then we open our knees, and they get trapped between us. The belly laughs from them are hilarious. If they had their way, all we would do is sit-ups!! Of course, the activity goes on inside the house as well. Connor is unstoppable with the energy, so we have to have exercise programs on to have him wear off some more energy!
This show is on you tube and is called “Danny Go”…appropriate if you ask me!! Connor is nonstop with moving with it. I get tired just watching him. But, the best part of the weekend is the snuggling and watching the smiles!
Man do I love my grandkids! We just sit back and wait for more! It is fun spending time with them, but one thing is for sure, when they come visit us, we are going to be active. Now that the weather is getting better, we will be riding bikes, hauling them behind our bikes to go to the park, go out walking, or what they really like are the toy “lawnmower races”. Push the toy mower from one end of the driveway to the other and see who wins. Of course they win, and the problem for us is they never want to stop! So, keep active just to be able to keep up with the grandkids! Keep moving everybody!
