Fly

Don't be scared.

We come in peace.

Acting your age

Some people are pretty good at acting their age.

They like to be cautious and sit around doing nothing.


After all, it's good to play it safe.

To keep things low-key.

And very serious.

Because you are a grown-up. Right?

And it is important not to take risks. Because if you do, you might...

join your children and brother in a game of Run-Down-The-Hill-As-Fast-As-You-Can-No-Slowing-Down-Or-You're-A-Wimp and end up like this.

Then you will get lots of time to sit on the couch and re-evaluate your actions and think about...

how you can't wait to stop acting your age again.

Happy birthday David!

Happy birthday, David. You are everything to me. Thank you for being our leader. Thank you for being selfless. Thank you for always working hard and for teaching that to our kids. Thank you for oozing integrity. Thank you for loving me the way you do. Thank you for acting like you are a kid. Even if that means you sometimes do things that cause you to need knee surgery on Thursday. I love you more than words can touch.

We interrupt this school day for some very important business

And now.

Back to math.

Are you ready for some football?

Tonight was fantasy football draft at the Klaassen home. We've had a family league for several years. I think it has something to do with all the testosterone around here. It's quite official. We have a website on ESPN. We are the KFFL. And we have a real live trophy.

I play along, because it's fun.

And there is food.

But I really don't know what I'm doing.

My team name, assigned to me by David when we first started, is "The Hot Mamas." Cole informed us tonight that he thinks my team is "kinda inappropriate."

I annoy the males in the house when I make my picks based on things they don't think are important. Like picking a player from the Giants because New York City is my most favoritest city in the wholewideworld. Or picking Calvin Johnson because think it'll be fun to call him "CalJo." And if you're a thug? Dream on if you think you're making my team.

Dream.

On.


Garrett doing some last minute research.

Cole breakin' out all the football memorabilia. It's all Titans stuff.

There was chocolate fondue. Chocolate fondue!

And other football delicacies.

You all might think we are just playing. But that would be only before you saw this next photo.

Official fantasy football cups. That's right.

Let the games and the (loving) trash talkin' begin.

Coley

September the 3rd is Cole's 7th birthday. What? Wow. 7th.

Cole, when I held your tiny little body in my arms 7 years ago today, I had no idea how much joy you would bring this family. I couldn't have dreamed you up if I'd tried.

Here are 7 things I love about you.

1. You get so excited about simple things.

2. You wake up happy and smiling before you even open your eyes.

3. You never let me leave without a hug, kiss, and hug, and you run frantically for me like you think I'm going to disappear into thin air before I leave.

4. You are always thinking of ways to help others. Whether it's a radio station pledge drive or someone who just looks like they've had it rough, you instantly want to help.

5. You love your family. You think your brothers are the most amazing guys on the earth, and your sister is totally your BFF.

6. You love God and your Bible. You easily get emotional over spiritual things.

7. You are just who you are supposed to be. No pretense, no trying to be like someone else, you are your own little guy...And that is exactly how I love you.

Happy birthday Coley!

Happy 11th birthday, Tyler!

Why does this kid bring such a smile to my face?

Maybe it's all of the words that he makes up.

Or how carefully he listens to God.

Maybe it's the creative stories he writes.

Or the way he leads and people follow.

Maybe it's his generosity.

Or how hard he plays sports and drums.

Or how he can make someone feel really good about themselves.

Maybe it's because he brings laughter to this house daily.

Maybe it's how he is maturing into a kid of great integrity.

Or maybe it's just because he is Tyler.

Happy birthday, Babe. I love you more than you will ever know.