Trip to the Zoo, My Darling

The kids (oldest four) and I took a trip to the Ft. Worth zoo recently. We left mom and the baby at home to have a much needed restful (and quiet) day. I love the zoo. This was Henry's (21 months) first trip to the zoo so that was fun to watch.

The kids and I enjoyed the orangutans, who always seem to steal the show. They were begging for grapes that someone was throwing to them. They even offered a trade of some little bit of stick or something to the holder of the grapes.


I think Ben (12) enjoyed the big cats as much as anything. The jaguar was up and pacing and he enjoyed see that.

We got to the otter exhibit just in time for feeding and that was a big attraction for them.

The lions could be heard roaring pretty much all throughout the day, except for when we were actually at the lion exhibit at which time they seemed to be sleeping heavily.

Our timing was perfect at the elephant exhibit, too. This was, by far, one of the best pictures I took all day. :) They were eating so they weren't too concerned about showing us that side of themselves.

The gibbons were very playful, as is usual, and the kids stayed there a long time to watch them wrestle and swing and climb.

Last time we went to this particular zoo, which was several years ago, Lydia (now 9) lost me in the reptile house. I totally panic when that happens in a crowd and I was in a praying frenzy as I looked for her that day. This trip we made it two for two when Jack (7) lost me in that same reptile house. I just about wanted to shake the boogers right out of him when I did find him because that praying frenzy takes a year or two off my life every time. He had found this little cave you could climb into near the bat exhibit to show the habitat of bats. I guess he should've told me first, huh? That's what I told him anyway.

When I tried to get a straw for my not quite two year old for his milk at lunch, I was informed by the zoo staff member running the cash register in the lunch stop of our choice that they do not allow straws for the safety of the animals. I am not exactly sure what threat a straw is to the animals but we had to find an alternative. They actually had those little stir-sticks for coffee that are sort of little straws and we just used one of those. Is that not the same threat as a regular straw? Again, I am apparently ignorant of the reasoning there but I am sure there was good reason in there somewhere. I just didn't weather the challenge well at that point in my day as I was trying to wrangle everyone (who all wanted different things for lunch and changed their minds frequently and wanted to go everywhere and touch everything while in line and hang on the rope things that separate the lines like the monkeys we'd just seen recently). I probably didn't have the kind and smooth tones of someone in total control of his situation as I questioned what I would use in place of a straw for my ~2 year old since they would not give me one. Another failed opportunity to show Christ-like character in a tough spot. I wish I could go back and try that one again.

What trip to the zoo would be complete without the stinky garbage can with the bees circling around it?

I am a little disappointed that the Ft. Worth Zoo doesn't have the aquarium with all the big fish in it. Fish are my favorite attraction so I miss them there. I think our next trip will be to the aquarium.

The weather was very nice for it being January, and we all really enjoyed the day. I hope we are building some happy memories for all the kids because I know I am for me.

Another Picture

My beautiful new baby girl.

Our Newest Blessing

After a very quick labor and even quicker delivery, our 5th (and 2nd daughter) has arrived at 10:47am December 7th. She weighs in at 8lbs. 14oz. and is not overly happy to be removed from her previous locale. Mom and baby are healthy and things went so very well. We just thank God for the newest blessing and for the perfect delivery for both mom and her.

Baby Day

I am a total blog slacker. Too much to do and not nearly enough time to do it all.

Case in point... Friday, December 7th, 2007, we are going to the hospital at 5am to deliver our 5th baby and 2nd daughter. As I type this it is 11:20pm the night before that. I have to get up in about 4 hours and I am getting a cold. But we are, right now, making sure we have everything ready to go because at 0-dark-30 we won't be in any mental shape to remember all those little things. I am only popping out this quick little entry because I wanted to make sure the laptop was ready and the brand new digital camera I bought my wife for Christmas (early for the birth) was setup and ready to upload pictures to post and email around to all interested.

Singing Dad

I enjoyed this video and thought I'd share.

Small Victories

There is something I have done recently, nothing that was wrong as far as what the actual deed was. I am not going to go into any details at all about what that deed was but it was not something for which I would have to get on my knees and ask forgiveness. At least not the deed itself.

My issue came in the attitude with which I did said deed. I did this harmless deed with malice in my heart against a Christian brother. He would not have ever known that it was done that way. No one would... except God and myself. The deed itself may have been completely harmless, but my attitude about why I did it was not and that is what I have need of forgiveness about.

Well, today I was presented with the exact same circumstances to do this totally harmless deed again... and I didn't. Even though there would be nothing wrong with it (technically), I knew that it would be done with the same malice and I refrained from doing it again.

I praised and thanked God for the small victory. Externally no one would ever know the internal battle over this small, insignificant, silly deed. But I defeated the malice and avoided acting with hatred toward my Christian brother and it was simply because "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

He's 12 years old... time for THE talk

My oldest son just turned 12. That means it is time for THE talk. That talk which has been referred to as "the birds and the bees." I wondered where that phrase came from and what the original meaning was so I took a little jaunt over to Wikipedia and this is what it says,

"According to some, the birds and the bees is a metaphorical story sometimes told to children in an attempt to explain the mechanics and consequence of sexual intercourse. According to that story, a baby is created when a bee stings a bird. In some cases the choice of birds and bees may be because they provide a ready metaphor for insemination (pollination) and childbirth (hatching).

Word sleuths William and Mary Morris hint that it may have been inspired by words like these from the poet Samuel Coleridge: 'All nature seems at work ... The bees are stirring--birds are on the wing ... and I the while, the sole unbusy thing, not honey make, nor pair, nor build, nor sing.'"

Um, OK. That didn't really prepare me any more for taking on this task. Do all dads dread THE talk? My dad never talked to me about it, my mom read me a book when the time came. I remember the book and most of what it said. I have a similar type book to read with my son but I still feel much anxiety over it all. I guess I don't want to do anything wrong that'll mess up him or his outlook.

In addition to that, I want to discuss with him what is expected of him as a 12 year old. I have an audio CD from the Vision Forum called "What To Expect From A Twelve-Year-Old." In it, Dr. S. M. Davis is saying that the rebellion we see today in teens and adolescents is "relatively a new concept." And it's getting worse. He suggests using the example of the 12 year old Jesus that we get from New Testament scripture to show what we should expect from our 12 year olds.

So I am preparing myself, much too slowly for my wife's taste as time is ticking and he's already turned 12. Maybe I am dragging my feet on it a little? I am really curious to know if other Dads have had this same sort of anxiety over this thing. Let me know if you get a chance. I am gonna have to get on my knees and ask God for some strength and resolve on this to just take the first step. I am sure it will go easier once I get started. Kind of like jumping off the high dive the first time: you get all tense and scared but after you finally get to the edge and jump, then it was just gravity taking you the rest of the way. Wow, that doesn't sound like the best analogy, ay? I'll let you know if I get water in my nose or not.