To My Averi

Yesterday we went on an official Daddy/Daughter Valentines date. I asked you the night before if you would be my Valentine and you reluctantly said yes. You admitted it was weird. The next day when I got home from work you were still very nervous and again said it was weird. You got dressed, did your hair and then I presented you with a corsage. You were excited and loved the pink roses attached. We went outside to take pictures and while you were still nervous, I could tell you were excited to go out with just me and you. The week prior to this, your mom and I tucked you in for bed. About thirty minutes later, I could hear you begin to cry. I walked back to console and see why you were crying. You often get stressed out because of homework and get worried about all of the chores and other things you are asked to do. When I asked you what was wrong, you mentioned you do not want to grow up. You were scared to be a teenager and did not want to be an adult. Admittedly, you made me sa...

Dear Averi, You made a funny comment the other day about July 4. As you were talking with Bo and what July 4 was, you explained to him that this is the day we celebrate fireworks. We laughed at the explanation but in all reality it was not far off.  Your mom and I explained what the real meaning was and while you got the gist of what we were talking about I could still tell it was more about the fireworks for you. While you spend this fourth with your Gram, family and friends stayed over to watch the fireworks. We watched in amazement, we watched for those ten minutes and oooo and ahhhhed over all the bright colors, the loud booms but needless to say we watched. For that moment we all were lost in the moment. I remember when I was kid watching the movie, "The Sandlot" and always wanting to play a "night game" under the light of the fireworks. Keep that excitement for the little things.  When you live in the now and everything has a certain sense of amazement a...