Family

My mom has been in town this week. She is a tax accountant and is enjoying May. It is much better than March and April for her. She came down to watch David play soccer and lacrosse. I have some…

I’m a dad. Not a perfect one. I try hard. I think about the subject of parenting a lot. When the boys leave home and go to college—I pray they have two things: roots and wings. Roots remind them whose…

When I was a child, my Uncle Chris gave my generation of Finnestads a skammel. It’s Norwegian for footstool. I drew up the plans for a reproduction, a friend of mine did the woodworking, and I primed and painted the…

I’m at a family reunion this weekend. Not sure who plans a family reunion in Iowa in January, but it’s where I’ll be. The following is inspired by my siblings, but is more about America’s current condition and God’s persona.…

Benjamin and David, Thanksgiving 2012, Table Rock Lake

Such a wonderful day and a half with David. We have both wanted to see the Green Bay Packers for our entire lives. They aren’t going to get any closer than Kansas City — so we did it. We stayed…

I remember picking the boys up from school on May 24th. It still seems like yesterday. They were so excited as they headed to the airport later that night. It all happened so fast. The next thing I remember, other…

I remember when Benjamin was born. It was May 25th, 2001, in Sioux Falls. I was overwhelmed at the prospect of parenting. Like changing diapers and feeding him. Little did I know that was the easy stuff. He is far…