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The Papa….the PAPA!

It has been an unbelievably busy day for me, but the highlight of it all was being able to talk with my dad earlier this evening. He was in the car heading into London, and he sounded great. He must have still been drugged up though, since he shared he was stuck in traffic and had been for about 2 hours……it just wasn’t right, my dad was born and raised in Brooklyn.

But whoever it was that I talked to and told me he was my dad, and quite honestly he made my day. I do not need any inheritance. After all, I already have what I need from him…..six pack abs, chiseled features, amazing intelligence and a delusional self-perception. But seriously, when those you love are away and there is a crisis you worry. And, I was worried. And I know we all were. I know that Debby was very worried and I could hear it in her voice. It is such a blessing to know it is resolved. Tonight I actually told him about sharing it on my blog and on Facebook asking for prayers. He was VERY appreciative. Thank you all so very much.
So often as a priest I am called to be with families and people in these kind of situations and even as someone called into it, it weighs heavy upon you. I want you all to know how very thankful I am for all your prayers and support for my dad, because as you were praying for him, you were helping me and my family.
Of course I asked him if he was cutting the vacation short and coming home to which he answered………no. No surprises there and good for him. I am just glad he will be home sometime. And I want to thank you for all your prayers!
Goodnight my friends and God Bless!
Tommy+
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Planters Planters Everywhere!

Dear Lord….it is either feast or famine. Of course as a priest of many years, I should have known better. All I needed to do was ask my congregations to start praying for Church Planters and for people to called to ministry and WHAM…..I am busier than ever! (or EV-A if you are under 18)

But in truth, I am amazed by it all. I am hearing from people interested in all parts of the state! It is such a blessing and an exciting time to see such enthusiasm and faithfulness! If I were just more faithful we might not have had to wait this long!
So tomorrow I will meet yet another, who I actually talked to for the first time today! A few weeks ago, another stayed at my house that I had never met! They both may become brothers in ministry (in Indiana)! At least I hope so (take note you two….IN INDIANA!)
On a side note, as predicted, I did hear from Uncle Al…..I got details on his walk, and was surprised to hear he learned about dad (his brother) from me. Dad is still in the hospital, and should be released in the morning. Hopefully that comes to fruition. I expect to hear from him personally tomorrow.
Anyway, it is off to bed for me. Tomorrow is another busy day, so pray for me. But more than that, pray for my dad. At 165 I am sure he worries that each breath will be his last. And I mock him (because he is just 74) in hopes that he will read this an commit himself to get out of the hospital and fly home to kick my butt. I love you dad, but we just need to get you home!
Goodnight my friends and God Bless!
Tommy+
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Da plan…….

I am writing this at 8:30, hoping to get Ben to bed at 9pm so Amanda can get onto the treadmill. If all goes to plan and Ben goes to sleep, Viper and I should be able to end the day with a long walk as the sun sets.

Of course the words “if all goes to plan” are the operative ones. Three year olds can be unpredictable, and are often more defiant than the most independent teenager. But I will be giving it a shot. I really need to get into a routine, and what I have found is that the early mornings just don’t seem to work. So I am taking a lesson from my dear old Uncle Al….walk at night. Al, my dad’s oldest brother, would walk his dogs out on the golf course by his house late at night. I am not sure if he still does, but I expect him to tell me since he reads this, but regardless, I am hankering to continue the tradition.
The nice part is that it will be a relaxing way to end a day. Our treadmill is nice, and our health club has nice ones too (and is open 24 hours a day) but there is something about the clean fresh air and looking at the stars when you walk. I enjoy that very much. Please pray for our dog though….after all committing to walk makes him give up at least one of the 23 hours he sleeps in a day. Golden Retrievers have it rough.
So this entry is done, and it contains a gratuitous picture of Ben for his grandparents and other relatives……(I gotta get my points.) I hope and pray you have had a blessed day! I know I have!
Goodnight my friends and God Bless!
Tommy+
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Yeah Baby……..

Though it truly seems as if it has taken too long, I am happy to post the evidence that Ben is now sleeping in his own bed for naps. I know we were wondering if he would ever take to it, but it was really far more simple than I thought. I put him in it and I told him to stay there. This has now worked two days in a row. Hopefully this strategy will also work tonight. When this issue is behind us we will then begin to push the potty training once again.
All this is a welcome relief on a stressful day. My dad and his wife Debby are in England and I received word this morning from Debby that dad had been hospitalized with abdominal pain. She said they anticipate him doing well and being released on Monday. I tried calling, which was an adventure in itself since I had never placed an international call before and Amanda, who has, was not home. But after finally figuring it out and getting as far as the nurse’s station, I was told his room phone did not accept international calls and that he was sleeping. I will try again tomorrow.
But for now all I can do is rejoice that Spiderman is now taking to his web, I mean Spiderman bed. He looks so small in a twin, but I remember that about Scott too. And of course Scott now looks small in a king. But Ben is making it all an adventure. He, like all the kids, are a real blessing to us. Scott is on a mission trip for a week and Steph is camping with her friends. Ben in his bed is going to have to do for my cool dad stories for the weekend.
Off to watch him in his pool!
Goodnight my friends and God Bless!
Tommy+
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Finding Emo, and other reflections…….

There’s an old saying, “a watched pot never boils,” which really isn’t true, since it will if you watch it long enough.

Of course I expected Stephanie and Amanda to return hours ago from the registration trip at Lindenwood. It’s just shy of 7:30 pm now and they are just outside of Plainfield…..still about an hour away. I have to admit, I was clock watching, but you never know with those two. When they are having a good time they are “thicker than thieves” (which is an expression I do not think I will ever understand) but when they are a bit tense with each other time flies! They clearly do not miss me, and have taken their “dear sweet time” (yep, another one) getting home. Fortunately Ben is watching “Finding Emo,” which is distracting to him and he will probably have a little “mice cream” in a few minutes. He cannot however share any of it with “Diaper Dog” (Viper) since it is “chocolate” (a drug of some type for women).
As for me, I finally gave in to writing my blog here on the porch with a “vodka tonic” (it makes me less inspired, but better looking) so I will be done for the night when they arrive…..if they ever do.
So in just a short time, things will be back to normal. I will lose importance in the ranks of my youngest now that “mommy” (the object of his every affection) is returning, and I will go back to being “wrong” (what I always am at home) all the time! THANK GOD TOO! It’s the life that I understand, and that I love.
Goodnight and God Bless!

Tommy+
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Da rules…….

This has been an UNBELIEVABLE DAY. The kids and I all met Amanda, along with our summer babysitter Anna (one of my lacrosse players, a good one too) down at the Indianapolis airport where Amanda flew in from a business trip from Philadelphia. She and Steph were heading from there to Lindenwood in Missouri for Steph to register for classes, and Scott, Ben, and Anna would head to the Indianapolis Children’s Museum, and Father Dan would pick me up from the airport for a meeting.

It ALL seemed to be going well too, until as Dan and I approached our meeting site when Scotty called to tell em that AFTER waiting 20 minutes in line that the Children’s Museum would not let him take his little brother or Anna in, despite having the funds, because he was only 17 and it was “against the rules.”
Of course I had the absolute dignity to “blow a gasket” because I actually LIVE IN A COUNTRY where we allow all sorts of people to cross our borders and in addition to that we SUE STATES that try to enforce LAW. But this is different……my SON, who wanted to take his 3 year old LITTLE BROTHER to the CHILDREN’S MUSEUM to do radical things like “ride the merry go-round,” and “pay for their admission,” is considered a risk. In fact, he was told that it was “against the rules,” and this denied. I do not know who this was who denied him, but I am CERTAIN I want him as HEAD OF BORDER SECURITY. This guy knows his stuff. After all, if we can keep out the loving 17 year old brothers, we can probably keep out the terrorists.
Sure, Scotty could have LIED…..but that is not what my kids do. He instead ended up taking Ben and Anna to a bowling/game place in Noblesville and blew the same amount of cash, but kept his dignity. I love him for that too. He didn’t compromise himself, and he still spent every penny I gave him! Good job Scotty.
So it’s off to bed for us tonight, and Amanda and Steph will be home tomorrow. We will have the house back in shape before they arrive too. After all, it’s not the law, but it’s the rule……and who wants to mess with that?
Goodnight my friends and God Bless!
Tommy+
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Just trying to get things done…..


Sometimes when I try to type while Ben is with me, I feel like a hawk with one of those birds that is always trying to interfere. (I believe it is the Montreal Canadien) Unlike the interfering bird, Ben is really trying to be helpful and is really interested in what I am trying to do…….but just like the bird, he is really not all that helpful.

But in truth, he is just lonely for his mom. They are pretty tight, and though we are all on his list of favorites, he really is out of sorts when she is not around. Unfortunately he will just see her for a little bit tomorrow. She will fly into Indy and we will meet her at the airport. She and Steph will then leave from the airport together to go finish registering for classes at Lindenwood in Missouri where Steph begins in just a few short weeks. So this is to say that they will see each other for less than an hour. It will stress him a bit I am sure, but Scotty is taking him to the Children’s Museum right after that….he should recover quickly.
So anyway, I am off to bed to prepare for the big arrival and transition. My little bird is still looking over my shoulder…….but in truth, I wouldn’t want it any other way!
Goodnight my friends and God Bless!
Tommy+
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Slippery when wet…….

Although I was out working today, Ben managed to get a little pool time with Anna, one of my lacrosse players and his summer babysitter. I stopped to see them at the pool for a little while too……they looked miserable, laughing and splashing in the cool refreshing water.

It brought to mind for me how often I forget to take that time for personal refreshment and relaxation myself. Kids don’t do it with any intention, but if one thing is certain, they certainly do it better than the rest of us. If the truth be known, in the short time I watched him, he laughed and smiled the whole time….probably 15 straight minutes of joy. I cannot remember that kind of streak personally for myself, or anyone else for all that matters, and that is a sad commentary on life in general. Maybe I would be better served by wearing a pair of Mickey Mouse trunks and bright orange floaties…..but somehow I think that might be missing the mark.
I sent the photo (taken by Steph) to Amanda on her business trip, and I cannot help but think it will traumatize her. After all, he doesn’t swim and is floating away from the wall or any direct supervisor. BUT, it is pretty funny! He is IN LOVE with water, and had a blast. And though it was not the rest or relaxation I envision for myself, it did make my day! Thank God for the blessing to just be a part for a little while. We are now off to bed, and I am expecting a full recap of that swimming adventure too. Three year olds stall….and what better way than to recount an adventure!
Goodnight my friends and God Bless!
Tommy+
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Alone again….naturally.

This afternoon Amanda hopped onto another airplane for another business trip, leaving us boys to rule the roost. I would like to say that Stephanie is around, and she is, but she is so busy we hardly see her. Amanda will fly in on Thursday morning and we will meet her at the airport with an extra car. She and Steph will head to Lindenwood that afternoon for registration for classes for the upcoming semester. They will arrive home, I think, sometime Friday.

So for now I am just hanging out, really by myself. Scott and Ben are doing something inside, and the dog really prefers them over me. I think they tend to drop more food than I do.
But the blessing is that I have a lot of work to catch up on and a lot to think about. I have had a lot on my mind lately, and I suppose this will be a good time to process a lot of it too. Time seems to just fly by me lately, and it causes me to have to be more reactionary than proactive about my life. That’s no way to live……I need to be able to be more prepared.
So it is off to find out what the boys are doing, since when it is quiet that is an indicator of possible trouble. Let’s hope not…….in my mind our insurance is high enough!
Goodnight my friends and God Bless!
Tommy+
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Happy Birthday America!

Today we celebrate the birthday of this great nation of ours! The blessings we enjoy as Americans are abundant. It is such an honor to live in these United States!

I was able to deacon for both Dan and PT in their first services as priests this morning and then spent the rest of the day with my family. Blessings abound and they are all around us.
My hope and prayer for you is that you enjoyed a wonderful celebration of the 4th! Happy Birthday America, land of the free and home of the brave! May God continue to bless you and all your people!
Goodnight my friends and God Bless!
Tommy+