Nonstop Dad

Author: John

  • Family of 4

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    John
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    We are officially a family of 4. My wife did a great job recounting the day so read her post here http://marisaala.wordpress.com/2013/07/14/ariel-hanna-ala-adopted-july-12-2013/ I am so happy to have a daughter and that my daughter is Ariel is a blessing.

  • How do we handle non-monthly recurring payments in our budget?

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    John
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    I get this question a lot when leading FPU or in one-on-one financial counseling. I have questions about the one (or twice) a year payments. How do you put it in the budget monthly but then pay out a larger sum you have already saved up for without blowing the budget? Great question. Here is what I…

  • Do the bunnies in your feet make you hop, hop, hop?

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    John
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    I made up this song and the kids like it so I thought I would post the words. (I’ll record it this weekend and post the recording) Do the bunnies in your feet make you hop, hop, hop? When you run really fast and try to stop? When walk down the street, and you want…

  • Out of town

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    John
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    So last Friday, Saturday and half of Sunday Marisa was out of town and now I am in Nashville for 4 days while Marisa is at home with the kids. We had her mom come out from CA to help and it was a good thing. Ariel has really been rough to deal with. Her…

  • Broken

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    John
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    Ariel is broken; and my heart breaks every day when I see the grief and sorrow in her little body. Sorrow digs a well in my soul that will one day be filled with joy.

  • Trauma calendar is a must

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    John
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    So Ariel is having a particularly difficult day. There didn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason until Marisa remembered that we are on or near a trauma anniversary. Which reminded me we were going to go through Ariel’s case file and make a calendar noting all the transition and trauma days that are documented. That…

  • 5 things that make getting laid-off a blessing

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    John
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    I needed the time available to transition our daughter into the family I was planning to give notice in 3 months but got 3 months of severance instead Took Jon Acuff’s advice in his book Quitter – Made a plan about 7 months earlier Took Dan Miller’s advice in his book 48 Days To The…

  • Statement Of Understanding

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    John
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    Her world was not loving, kind, gentle, caring, or nurturing She was not allowed to become what God designed She was drugged before birth, abandoned, neglected, abused, and rejected…

  • Statement of conviction

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    John
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    We have consecrated our family to follow His plan and that plan includes Ariel.

  • Bad blogger, bad.

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    John
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    OK, so my career as a blogger leaves a little to be desired. From my last post to now we have been through 2 birthdays with Jeffrey and adopted a 7 year old girl. YIKES! you would think that I could have written something through all of that. Anyway I promise to do better.