A Little Perspective

by **assateague** » Tue May 20, 2014 8:51 pm

I don't often get "sentimental", but it does happen on occasion. This is one of those occasions.

This morning, the wife and I were in the usual morning uproar, with everyone getting ready for school and work in a house with one bathroom. It's generally quite a bit of chaos, and tempers are short. For some reason, after one kid was on the bus and the other was finishing up getting ready, we looked at each other and said "man, that sucks". But then we were sort of thinking out loud, and I said "In about 10 years, they'll be gone, and we won't have to fight over the bathroom". And neither of us were ready for that.

Even though it feels like a pain in the ass, I'm not ready for the quiet that's going to be in the house when they're on their own. When we don't have to fight over the bathroom, and run over each other every morning, it's going to be pretty damn sad. Not hearing the two kids arguing with each other, or picking up clothes and toothbrushes just so I can get to the toilet. Not having kids in the house to fight to get out of bed in the morning. It's gonna suck when they're not little anymore, and we're going to look back on these hectic mornings as something that was good.

So it's all about perspective. I'm going to try and remember that more often.

by **assateague** » Tue May 20, 2014 8:52 pm

Sorry for sounding like a Darius Rucker song.

by **bill herian** » Tue May 20, 2014 8:55 pm

Now that all of us are in college or done with it, my folks have purchased a cabin in northern WI, another boat, and my mom just brought home a 2014 subaru this morning.

And we ate fucking chicken nuggets three nights a week growing up.

But I'm happy as hell for them.

by **DeadEye_Dan** » Tue May 20, 2014 8:56 pm

Amen.

It's hard to force yourself to stop and enjoy every stage, even the ones that are a pain in the ass - because soon enough it's over.

by **Eric Haynes** » Tue May 20, 2014 8:58 pm

If you want, you could buy me a retainer and I would loss it once the kids are gone, just for you. I'd also not give a shit, just for you. Make you feel alive again.

How's that for a Hootie song.

by **Redbeard** » Tue May 20, 2014 9:00 pm

I hear ya brother. When momma takes the kids to her moms house in the summer for a week it two, it's nice for about one day. After that the quiet in the house is unsettling. I'm bored and constantly calling and texting em.

Bo, my 2 1/2 year old, was an accident. But he's been nothing but a blessing since. Fun having another little one running around again. Guess we weren't done

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1400637631.137493.jpg

by **3geese4me** » Tue May 20, 2014 9:02 pm

We had the same talk the other day. Kind of sad thinking about it, but he will need to live his own life.

by **DeadEye_Dan** » Tue May 20, 2014 9:05 pm

You need more Lega-seeds

by **3geese4me** » Tue May 20, 2014 9:07 pm

There has been talk of a second one. But practicing is all we've been doing.

by **DeadEye_Dan** » Tue May 20, 2014 9:14 pm

Turn her over.

by **AKPirate** » Tue May 20, 2014 9:19 pm

DeadEye_Dan wrote:Turn her over.

by **gila-river** » Tue May 20, 2014 9:54 pm

Perspective is a great way to put it Assa. Well said. At the end of summer/early fall is my busiest time at work. We have a lot of acres to get ready, that's also when we get "monsoon" rainstorms and can get behind in a hurry. I'm usually in a bad mood for about a month and putting in 80+ hours a week. Last year I got home about 8 one night and walked upstairs to the twins room as they were saying prayers before bed. They didn't hear me outside the door. It had been raining on and off for a week. Alden said " and god please stop the rain so dad can get done at work and be happy and home more" and Tristan said "amen" I swallowed the lump in my throat bear hugged them both and took that weekend off and took them fishing. Perspective.

by **QH's Paw** » Tue May 20, 2014 9:56 pm

DeadEye_Dan wrote:Turn her over.

That's kind of a shitty comment.

by **RonE** » Tue May 20, 2014 11:52 pm

assateague wrote:I don't often get "sentimental", but it does happen on occasion. This is one of those occasions.

This morning, the wife and I were in the usual morning uproar, with everyone getting ready for school and work in a house with one bathroom. It's generally quite a bit of chaos, and tempers are short. For some reason, after one kid was on the bus and the other was finishing up getting ready, we looked at each other and said "man, that sucks". But then we were sort of thinking out loud, and I said "In about 10 years, they'll be gone, and we won't have to fight over the bathroom". And neither of us were ready for that.

Even though it feels like a pain in the ass, I'm not ready for the quiet that's going to be in the house when they're on their own. When we don't have to fight over the bathroom, and run over each other every morning, it's going to be pretty damn sad. Not hearing the two kids arguing with each other, or picking up clothes and toothbrushes just so I can get to the toilet. Not having kids in the house to fight to get out of bed in the morning. It's gonna suck when they're not little anymore, and we're going to look back on these hectic mornings as something that was good.

So it's all about perspective. I'm going to try and remember that more often.

You have the ability to add a second bathroom, why don't you??????

by **AKPirate** » Tue May 20, 2014 11:54 pm

RonE wrote:
assateague wrote:I don't often get "sentimental", but it does happen on occasion. This is one of those occasions.

This morning, the wife and I were in the usual morning uproar, with everyone getting ready for school and work in a house with one bathroom. It's generally quite a bit of chaos, and tempers are short. For some reason, after one kid was on the bus and the other was finishing up getting ready, we looked at each other and said "man, that sucks". But then we were sort of thinking out loud, and I said "In about 10 years, they'll be gone, and we won't have to fight over the bathroom". And neither of us were ready for that.

Even though it feels like a pain in the ass, I'm not ready for the quiet that's going to be in the house when they're on their own. When we don't have to fight over the bathroom, and run over each other every morning, it's going to be pretty damn sad. Not hearing the two kids arguing with each other, or picking up clothes and toothbrushes just so I can get to the toilet. Not having kids in the house to fight to get out of bed in the morning. It's gonna suck when they're not little anymore, and we're going to look back on these hectic mornings as something that was good.

So it's all about perspective. I'm going to try and remember that more often.

You have the ability to add a second bathroom, why don't you??????

That's after the kids move out :lol:

by **Rick** » Wed May 21, 2014 6:37 am

I'm all for enjoying the moment. In fact, I'm enjoying this one because it's so peaceful.

From my little perspective, kids grow up, move out, multiply and move back in. Between the kids, their kids and an ailing mother-in-law, rest her soul, it doesn't seem like our spare bedroom has ever been that. But just now we're enjoying a rare hiatus, with the last of our long term guests still only partly moved out - all the way next door. Meaning I can still expect to hear a door open with, "Papaw, can you..." any moment.

Shame on me, perhaps, but I've adopted Mom's "Love to see you come and love to see you go."

by **QH's Paw** » Wed May 21, 2014 6:44 am

Rick wrote:I'm all for enjoying the moment. In fact, I'm enjoying this one because it's so peaceful.

From my little perspective, kids grow up, move out, multiply and move back in. Between the kids, their kids and an ailing mother-in-law, rest her soul, it doesn't seem like our spare bedroom has ever been that. But just now we're enjoying a rare hiatus, with the last of our long term guests still only partly moved out - all the way next door. Meaning I can still expect to hear a door open with, "Papaw, can you..." any moment.

Shame on me, perhaps, but I've adopted Mom's "Love to see you come and love to see you go."

Savor it Rick. :beer:

I would love to hear "PawPaw can you......" every single day for the rest of my life.

by **Rick** » Wed May 21, 2014 7:21 am

QH's Paw wrote:I would love to hear "PawPaw can you......" every single day for the rest of my life.

Spare room's empty at the moment, we can test that notion...

by **QH's Paw** » Wed May 21, 2014 7:30 am

Rick wrote:
QH's Paw wrote:I would love to hear "PawPaw can you......" every single day for the rest of my life.

Spare room's empty at the moment, we can test that notion...

Ok Rick, you got me. What I really want it to be is my grand kid saying it to me and, I want to have all the time in the world to take him/her hunting and fishing, to expend all that energy.

by **Rick** » Wed May 21, 2014 3:38 pm

QH's Paw wrote:
Rick wrote:
QH's Paw wrote:I would love to hear "PawPaw can you......" every single day for the rest of my life.

Spare room's empty at the moment, we can test that notion...

Ok Rick, you got me. What I really want it to be is my grand kid saying it to me and, I want to have all the time in the world to take him/her hunting and fishing, to expend all that energy.

Being the grandfather I'd want is a hoot. Being the grandfather they want sometimes differs. As can being the grandfather I need to be.

Still wouldn't trade whichever might be the current "worst" of the lot for all the world.

by **vincentpa** » Wed May 21, 2014 4:16 pm

assateague wrote:Sorry for sounding like a Darius Rucker song.

Wasn't he that black guy front man with the monotone voice that was in that terrible band that played horrible sappy music that all the radio stations played because they wanted to be PC and demonstrate that black men could do more than write gangster rap?

by **vincentpa** » Wed May 21, 2014 4:22 pm

Back on topic, my girls are three already. They're growing up so fast. Hey just finished their first year of preschool and we went to their year end pizza party. It was nice and at the same time sad to see them already branching out with their friends. They have friends now, it's funny to think of it. They were just babies not long ago. Even with all the difficult times with my one daughter, I wouldn't trade them for the world. I try to take videos as often as possible so I can capture the way they were.

by **Redbeard** » Wed May 21, 2014 4:31 pm

vincentpa wrote:
assateague wrote:Sorry for sounding like a Darius Rucker song.

Wasn't he that black guy front man with the monotone voice that was in that terrible band that played horrible sappy music that all the radio stations played because they wanted to be PC and demonstrate that black men could do more than write gangster rap?

and now he claims to sing country music

by **3geese4me** » Wed May 21, 2014 5:44 pm

Redbeard wrote:
vincentpa wrote:
assateague wrote:Sorry for sounding like a Darius Rucker song.

Wasn't he that black guy front man with the monotone voice that was in that terrible band that played horrible sappy music that all the radio stations played because they wanted to be PC and demonstrate that black men could do more than write gangster rap?
and now he claims to sing country music

Very shitty country music. With an emphasis on shitty.

by **waterfowlman** » Wed May 21, 2014 5:58 pm

Enjoy your kids every minute you can now fellas. They grow up way too fast!

by **aunt betty** » Wed May 21, 2014 8:20 pm

waterfowlman wrote:Enjoy your kids every minute you can now fellas. They grow up way too fast!

Yes. I can remember towing my daughter on a sled on drainage ditch ice. Shot a double on pheasants...she still remembers. That was in 1988. She was two.

by **QH's Paw** » Wed May 21, 2014 8:45 pm

vincentpa wrote:
assateague wrote:Sorry for sounding like a Darius Rucker song.

Wasn't he that black guy front man with the monotone voice that was in that terrible band that played horrible sappy music that all the radio stations played because they wanted to be PC and demonstrate that black men could do more than write gangster rap?

hootie and the blowfish

by **3geese4me** » Thu May 22, 2014 7:30 pm

20140522_192829.jpg

I cherish these days.

by **jarbo03** » Thu May 22, 2014 7:56 pm

3geese4me wrote:
Redbeard wrote:
vincentpa wrote:
assateague wrote:Sorry for sounding like a Darius Rucker song.

Wasn't he that black guy front man with the monotone voice that was in that terrible band that played horrible sappy music that all the radio stations played because they wanted to be PC and demonstrate that black men could do more than write gangster rap?
and now he claims to sing country music

Very shitty country music. With an emphasis on shitty.

Very true, and he is one of the better modern country douches.

by **one2many** » Sat May 24, 2014 4:32 pm

i love my daughter to death but there was about a 8 months stretch i wanted to strangle her ass.
when im back in iowa i miss her bad. i do take her two year old baby brother almost every evening to run around checking in on shit. giving him tractor rides. little snot knows what lots have bulls in them and what pens have cow or heifers in.
driving from one farm over to one of the others we drive waterways got to make some left and right turns in the right spot to make it over to the other side and he knows which way to turn on each fork. daughter will always help out when i need her to but has zero interest in the farm. maybe her baby brother will stick by me and take over when i croak