Roots & Wings....

I remember the first time I watched the movie "Sweet Home Alabama"... I don't remember where I was or even who I was with, but the one thing that has left a forever footprint on my heart was the conversation between Jake and Melanie in the graveyard during the street dance scene.  There was one line in particular that Jake says: "You know Mel, you can have roots and wings..."  In that instant I felt like so much of my life was suddenly defined by something I could now articulate.

Roots and Wings...
I've always been a homebody, I've always needed a physical location to identify with as "home"... life is much easier to deal with - I'm much easier to deal with - when this is in place. My parents did an amazing job of giving me roots. They instilled in my sister and I a deep love for family...for each other...when we didn't have much we always knew we had each other and we knew how valuable that truly was. They instilled in us a deeply rooted faith in God...not religion and rules that we had to follow, but they modeled a genuine relationship with Christ and encouraged us in our own spiritual journeys.
But my parents also gave me wings... they let me "fly" when I needed to explore on my own.  From the time I was a teenager, they encouraged me to make decisions on my own.
I will never forget one infamous mother/daughter chat:
Me: But Mom, why can't you just tell me what to do?  It would be so much easier that way!
Mom: I could but then you'd never learn to make these decisions on your own.
Me: But it was so much easier when you just told me what to do!
Mom: Yes but if we let you make this decision on your own, and you make the wrong one, at least your Dad and I are here to help you pick up the pieces and help you make the right decision next time.  If we made all your decisions for you while you lived at home, then when  you leave and you make a poor decision, we won't always be able to be there to help pick up the pieces.

This may have been one of the top 5 significant life shaping conversations of my life...

And so when we made the choice that I'd be able to stay in Caronport to finish grade 11 &12 while they lived 2 hours away, they had prepared me to make those decisions on my own and allowed me to fly... and a few years later when I moved around the globe to China for almost a year and a half, again they allowed me to fly, to adventure, to see the world - both figuratively and literally.

Roots and Wings...
I think because my parents gave me such an amazing balance of roots and wings, this was an incredibly vital quality that I looked for in my future spouse.  The best way I could articulate it was this: He would have be a special individual who would allow me to "fly" as far and as high during the day - let me adventure, be creative, try new things - but be secure enough that he would know that I'd come home to the "roots" he and I shared at the end of the day, all the while knowing that home with him was still by far my favorite place in the world to be.  When I met Justin, I found my roots and he gave me wings.  His love gives me the freedom to know I can explore, be as nerdy and creative as I want to be lol, but it's with him that I am home and it's with him that I share my roots.  And the funny thing is, my desire to adventure solely on my own has shifted...my favorite adventures are usually the ones where we "fly" together...

Roots and Wings...
Several years ago Mark Harris released a song called "Find Your Wings".  It's a prayer from a parent's heart, a prayer that that precious life you're holding in your arms would find their roots in a parent's love and out of that that that child would find the wings that have been created especially for them.  I remember the first time I heard that song - it nearly stopped me dead in my tracks... it was truly the story of my parents and my relationship, it would be several years before I would reconnect with Justin but today it is our song, and one day, Lord willing, when we have children of our own, this will be my prayer for them, the song I will sing over them...

I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage
To dare to do great things
I'm here for you whatever this life brings
So let my love give you roots
And help you find your wings


Roots and Wings... 

My Most Favorite...

I came across this on Pinterest... it's perfect... I've often told Justin that my most favorite place in the whole world is standing with him with his arms around me..it's the place where life makes sense...the place where I don't have to question...the place where I am safe...the place where nothing else matters....

I honestly can't think of any other place I'd rather be...

Funny how that happens...

Several weeks ago I was reading a blog I follow very closely, and she shared how she felt challenged to just write... not always having a "grand" blog to post, but to just write...write about the little things, about what she was thinking, about what happened that afternoon.  It got me thinking...

I was looking back through some of my past blog posts yesterday and realized that in the last few months I haven't written very much at all because I didn't think I had "enough" to post.  I love to have photos to go along with my writing (or have photos be the focus of a post) but on the days when I don't get photos edited fast enough, my blog stays silent.  And I think this needs to change.

Starting with today :)

I was thinking last night as I fell asleep how interesting it is that life comes full circle at times.  I didn't grow up with hockey as part of my life, yet hockey played a part in how I came to be lol!  My parents met at a hockey game, a Medicine Hat Tigers hockey game actually.  My mom was actually there with someone else, but a friend of my dad's kept telling him "There is this girl you just have to meet!"  The first time they laid eyes on each other was at a Tigers game... and needless to say the other guy didn't stick around long after that... Dad got the girl and the rest is history :)

Fast forward 30+ years and now me, their daughter, and my husband are regulars at the Tigers games, and hockey is very much a part of our lives.  As I've mentioned before, we are billeting one of the Tiger players this year, Patrik.  We were very excited and proud of him last night as he scored his first goal of the season and was awarded the first star of the game!

Yesterday we watched the game with Justin's dad and laughed and smiled as an adorable toddler entertained our small section.  Justin spent many years as a kid going to the Tigers games with his dad, and someday when we are blessed with kids of our own I'm quite confident that a third generation of Esau's/Scott's will be cheering on the black and orange...

Here's the clip of Patrik being announced as the first star of the game

Dads & Their Girls....

I came across the following article this afternoon and it nearly left me in a puddle...as I read it, the memories I've made over the last 30 years with my dad flooded my memory and made me smile.  My dad is an incredible man... he has set an incredible example for our family, he is a man of integrity who walks in Godly wisdom... he is one of those people that I want to be like when I "grow up"... he is one of my heros....he chose our family over his work teaching us that family is more important than what your bank account reads...together with my mom, they did an incredible job of preparing me for the "real world" and was always willing to listen when there was something about the "real world" I didn't like....he instilled in me a love for learning, reminding me often that there was nothing I couldn't do if I set my mind to it - and conspired with me when I couldn't figure out how to make something work... but more than anything, he inspired me to love Jesus and to trust Him no matter what.

A year and a half ago, he gave me away to my husband, knowing full well that our relationship from that moment on would change a bit - he has done an amazing job of letting Justin be the most important man in my life, a gift for which I will be forever grateful...  Dad, I love you so much...

50 Rules for Dads of Daughters {by Michael Mitchell}

1. Love her mom. Treat her mother with respect, honor, and a big heaping spoonful of public displays of affection. When she grows up, the odds are good she’ll fall in love with and marry someone who treats her much like you treated her mother. Good or bad, that’s just the way it is. I’d prefer good.

2. Always be there. Quality time doesn’t happen without quantity time. Hang out together for no other reason than just to be in each other’s presence. Be genuinely interested in the things that interest her. She needs her dad to be involved in her life at every stage. Don’t just sit idly by while she add years to her… add life to her years.

3. Save the day. She’ll grow up looking for a hero. It might as well be you. She’ll need you to come through for her over and over again throughout her life. Rise to the occasion. Red cape and blue tights optional.

4. Savor every moment you have together. Today she’s crawling around the house in diapers, tomorrow you’re handing her the keys to the car, and before you know it, you’re walking her down the aisle. Some day soon, hanging out with her old man won’t be the bees knees anymore. Life happens pretty fast. You better cherish it while you can.

5. Pray for her. Regularly. Passionately. Continually.

6. Buy her a glove and teach her to throw a baseball. Make her proud to throw like a girl… a girl with a wicked slider.

7. She will fight with her mother. Choose sides wisely.

8. Go ahead. Buy her those pearls.

9. Of course you look silly playing peek-a-boo. You should play anyway.

10. Enjoy the wonder of bath time.

11. There will come a day when she asks for a puppy. Don’t over think it. At least one time in her life, just say, “Yes.”

12. It’s never too early to start teaching her about money. She will still probably suck you dry as a teenager… and on her wedding day.

13. Make pancakes in the shape of her age for breakfast on her birthday. In a pinch, donuts with pink sprinkles and a candle will suffice.

14. Buy her a pair of Chucks as soon as she starts walking. She won’t always want to wear matching shoes with her old man.

15. Dance with her. Start when she’s a little girl or even when she’s a baby. Don’t wait ‘til her wedding day.

16. Take her fishing. She will probably squirm more than the worm on your hook. That’s OK.

17. Learn to say no. She may pitch a fit today, but someday you’ll both be glad you stuck to your guns.

18. Tell her she’s beautiful. Say it over and over again. Someday an animated movie or “beauty” magazine will try to convince her otherwise.

19. Teach her to change a flat. A tire without air need not be a major panic inducing event in her life. She’ll still call you crying the first time it happens.

20. Take her camping. Immerse her in the great outdoors. Watch her eyes fill with wonder the first time she sees the beauty of wide open spaces. Leave the iPod at home.

21. Let her hold the wheel. She will always remember when daddy let her drive.

22. She’s as smart as any boy. Make sure she knows that.

23. When she learns to give kisses, she will want to plant them all over your face. Encourage this practice.

24. Knowing how to eat sunflower seeds correctly will not help her get into a good college. Teach her anyway.

25. Letting her ride on your shoulders is pure magic. Do it now while you have a strong back and she’s still tiny.

26. It is in her nature to make music. It’s up to you to introduce her to the joy of socks on a wooden floor.

27. If there’s a splash park near your home, take her there often. She will be drawn to the water like a duck to a puddle.

28. She will eagerly await your return home from work in the evenings. Don’t be late.

29. If her mom enrolls her in swim lessons, make sure you get in the pool too. Don’t be intimidated if there are no other dads there. It’s their loss.

30. Never miss her birthday. In ten years she won’t remember the present you gave her. She will remember if you weren’t there.

31. Teach her to roller skate. Watch her confidence soar.

32. Let her roll around in the grass. It’s good for her soul. It’s not bad for yours either.

33. Take her swimsuit shopping. Don’t be afraid to veto some of her choices, but resist the urge to buy her full-body beach pajamas.

34. Somewhere between the time she turns three and her sixth birthday, the odds are good that she will ask you to marry her. Let her down gently.

35. She’ll probably want to crawl in bed with you after a nightmare. This is a good thing.

36. Few things in life are more comforting to a crying little girl than her father’s hand. Never forget this.

37. Introduce her to the swings at your local park. She’ll squeal for you to push her higher and faster. Her definition of “higher and faster” is probably not the same as yours. Keep that in mind.

38. When she’s a bit older, your definition of higher and faster will be a lot closer to hers. When that day comes, go ahead… give it all you’ve got.

39. Holding her upside down by the legs while she giggles and screams uncontrollably is great for your biceps. WARNING: She has no concept of muscle fatigue.

40. She might ask you to buy her a pony on her birthday. Unless you live on a farm, do not buy her a pony on her birthday. It’s OK to rent one though.

41. Take it easy on the presents for her birthday and Christmas. Instead, give her the gift of experiences you can share together.

42. Let her know she can always come home. No matter what.

43. Remember, just like a butterfly, she too will spread her wings and fly some day. Enjoy her caterpillar years.

44. Write her a handwritten letter every year on her birthday. Give them to her when she goes off to college, becomes a mother herself, or when you think she needs them most.

45. Learn to trust her. Gradually give her more freedom as she gets older. She will rise to the expectations you set for her.

46. When in doubt, trust your heart. She already does.

47. When your teenage daughter is upset, learning when to engage and when to back off will add years to YOUR life. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

48. Ice cream covers over a multitude of sins. Know her favorite flavor.

49. This day is coming soon. There’s nothing you can do to be ready for it. The sooner you accept this fact, the easier it will be.

50. Today she’s walking down the driveway to get on the school bus. Tomorrow she’s going off to college. Don’t blink.