40 things

• 1. These 40 Thingsare my life, and my realizations over these first four decades: 40 Things

2. My wife Diane is the high standard I always try to meet she will always be a rung above, and that is a good thing for me. Thomas is my competitiveness and a touch of my swagger (yeah boy!) and as his teacher says he uses his powers for good that warms my heart.Emilee is the innocence no longer found in kids these days I adore that Jack our littlest feels like the glue - with a laugh and an enthusiasm that draws it all together 40 Things 3. I still love music and I dont understand people that cease their music taste after age 22. You know who you are you wear chunky white Nike or New Balance sneakers (not the stylish ones) and your hair could still be described as feathered. That said I love sharing music from pre-age 22, and the music shared from my parents to me, and so onkids should know groups like the Stones, the Duprees, the Allman Brothers, Vanilla Ice (just seeing if you are paying attention) 40 Things 4. I wish that I wrote more (excluding emails) love that I still think about writingI Laugh a lot but not nearly enough I yell too much discipline should be couched in compassion. A professor once told me that funny what you remember isnt it? That said, I sometimes am just damn tired and grumpy. Working on it fellow parents will understand.40 Things 5. My religious foundation can sometimes fade with the distractions of life but always returns. I need to be better about that. I need to remind myself every day that each of my three children are different, but I am raising them with the same values. In the end this hopefully allows them to explore their own individuality.I still have a passion for sports/fitness/activity should make that time more nonnegotiable. 40 Things 6. I can get too wound up about a messy home kids are messy, and so is lifethat said, please just close the pantry door one time after taking the cereal box outjust once My domestic skills learned at an early age have been more helpful than originally thought ironing, laundry, folding clothes, etcI wonder if this generation of children having their shoes tied by others into their late teens will result in this disappearing. Maybe it already has. Sidenote I learned those things because I popped off to my mom about not putting away my folded laundry at age 14. Thanks Mom. I miss my mom.I really miss my mom.40 Things 7. Becoming more and more distressed that people can no longer debate we all agree on about 80%+ of things, and allow the 20% to often build a wedge between inertia and progress. After years in the corporate world I am starting to buy the theory of the : The world runs because of the competency of 20% of the population the other 80% dont offer much. The beauty of the theory is 100% of the population thinks they are the 20%.80/20 ruleLife is not fair.Life is more than I could hope for many days. 40 Things 8. Candy Corn is awesome. Candy Corn is the devil (technically those are 2 things) I like New York. My irrational fears include the pressure of driving up to a Dairy Barn (local reference) I am still trying to figure out at what childrens age I can just let my inappropriate gangsta rap music play in the car. Radio edits are lame. 40 Things 9. A work ethic is still really important to me. In a past life I may have applied that to entrepreneurial pursuits with gusto I hope my kids will. I have a growing respect for those that build a business I am thankful for the odd career I have shaped and hope I am seen as fair, upbeat and motivational for the folks I interact with I love that my kids are in 1000000 activities because they want to be but I do think we should have a few more lazy days from time to time. Baggy sweats and late morning coffee are a beautiful thing.I want one more tattoo40 Things 10. It does go too fast all of life I really hate taking the dishes out of the dishwasher. I still like being in charge in a non-douchey way .I have more things than I ever thought I would and sometimes fall into the trap of thinking about things I still want I really do not want for anythingif you think about it. 40 Things 11. The beach/ocean is still arguably my favorite placeand I love that my kids are right there with meI am really grumpy sometimes when I do not sleepbut I am trying. I am still mostly a night owl, and I am pretty sure that will never fully change I need to re-learn that guitar40 Things 12. Surprised how much I have enjoyed an opportunity to coach youth sports. I want to always strike a balance between encouraging their best but remembering it is a game. Im trying. I hate that sports are getting to be year-round at a younger and younger age. That is not healthy. I still get excited when I buy new sneakers I think everyone should get a trophy until fourth grade. 40 Things 13. Random family dance parties are essential and best experienced on the slippery tile of a kitchen floor any day, at any moment.40 Things 14. My happiness is pretty simple true connections and meaningful moments with the people you care about (sometimes mixed with cocktails) brings the most joy4040 Things 15. Those are my 40 Things Happy Birthday To Me 11/22/201340 Things