Perspectives on Time and Fatherhood

Each day has 24 hours and there’s a certain period during the day that I look forward to.

• Five o’clock end-of-workday whistle? No. I love my job.
• Bedtime? Nope. Although I do enjoy sleep.
• Cubs/Bears/Tech/Mavericks game on TV? Surprisingly no.

Monica leaves for work between 6:45 and 7:00 each morning, therefore; I have between 30 and 45 minutes with Katie Lynn. Just her and I. I feed Katie Lynn her morning fruit, get her dressed for daycare, and play with her in the living room. I have her undivided attention — unless Wrigley walks by, or she spots her favorite toy(s), or sees that one random piece of lint on the carpet. But that time is our time to bond. This special father-daughter time is invaluable. We “talk” to each other in the car as I drive her to daycare each morning.

I’ve always heard the phrase that babies are only “this” size once, and it’s so true. Before I know it, Katie Lynn is going to be feeding herself and dressing herself for school and riding with Monica. She won’t need us to do any of that for her.

On a somewhat related note, it’s amazing and refreshing to see fathers involved in raising kids. Each morning I see a good amount of fathers dropping kids off at Katie Lynn’s daycare. In Lubbock, I rarely saw any fathers at the daycare. Maybe that’s a geographic differentiation or something; I don’t know.

What I do know is that I value every minute I spend with my daughter, and the day just doesn’t seem to have enough time.

A Chip Off The Old Block

March of Dimes March for Babies

As most of you know, Katie Lynn was born a month early back in November. She had a rough start but is doing very well now!

Monica, Katie Lynn, and I will be participating in the March of Dimes March for Babies walk in Lubbock:

4/26/2008, 9:00 AM
Maxey Park
30th & Oxford
Lubbock, TX

If you’re in town, we would love for you to join us to walk for this extremely important cause. If you’re not in Lubbock but would still like to help, you can make a donation through the following link:

http://www.marchforbabies.org/515539

God Bless!

No Words..

2008 Resolution

New Year’s Eve – time to make a resolution.

With everything that Katie Lynn has gone through, it’s only fitting that my 2008 resolution is to get more in touch spiritually. It states in the Bible that the husband/father should be the spiritual leader of the house:

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

My daughter (and any future children) will be raised in a Christian home, and I need to be a strong presence and advocate in that.

I want to get more involved in our church, and make a very conscious effort to attend church on a weekly basis. Monica and I have started praying together, and that is a huge step for me personally as I find praying aloud extremely difficult. It’s getting easier, but it’s a hurdle I will overcome.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

It’s That Time of Year

Christmas is upon us once again!

This season means many different things to everyone. I’ve always thought of Christmas as Jesus’ birthday and that is what we’re truly celebrating. This year, Christmas has taken additional meaning. Katie Lynn’s situation has truly changed my perspectives on almost everything in life. The good Lord works His miracles daily, and I’ve experienced one in Katie Lynn.

Monica and I did Toys For Tots this week. We were at the mall for family pictures and so Katie Lynn could see Santa. We went to The Disney Store, made our selections, and went to the main drop-off point. It is a great feeling knowing that our gifts will significantly impact the life of a less-fortunate child. We don’t do it to make ourselves feel good; we do it because we can. Monica and I are fortunate enough to enjoy some of life’s niceties and pleasures, and it’s the least we can do.

I sincerely hope that people reflect during the season and remember what is truly important.

Merry Christmas.

Katie Lynn

I haven’t posted much here concerning Katie Lynn since we’ve been doing that over at katielynnsepper.com and tomandmonica.com. The updates on the top right-hand side of this site are the same as found on Katie Lynn’s website.

I wanted to take the time though to say thank you to my family and friends for their love, thoughts, prayers, calls, emails, chats, pings, and visits. I am extremely blessed to have absolutely wonderful family and friends.

While I’m at it, I also want to say that I’m so blessed to have Monica as my wife. She never ceases to amaze me, and I am thankful that she is the mother to my daughter.

My Solemn Prayer

Dear Lord,

Thank you for blessing me with an absolutely gorgeous and precious daughter. I pray that you watch over Katie Lynn, keep her safe, and work your healing power over her.

Thank you for giving the doctors and nurses the ability to heal others in need.

Please give me the strength to be the rock that Monica and Katie Lynn need during this emotional and rough time.

I ask that you keep my family strong during the coming weeks so that we can get through this together.

I look forward to the day that Monica and I bring Katie Lynn home after your miracles have been realized.

In your name I humbly pray,
Amen.