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Posted: May 12th, 2010 under Life at the Lansers'.
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It’s funny how I still notice things that are different about me since I became a Dad.  Take carrying the purse as an example.

When Amy and I were first going out and even after we were married, I wouldn’t carry the purse.  I wouldn’t even hold it.  If she handed it to me in a store so she could try something on, I would set it down between my feet and stand there until she returned.  I’m totally serious.

Now, the purse has become another part of the baggage for the entourage.  With Bekah along, you need the diaper bag, maybe a blanket, a snack cup, etc.  When we step out of the car on Sunday morning, you have two choices: the child or the stuff (which includes the purse).

Just the other day, a friend complimented me on my coordination.  “Good job,” he said.  “Your purse matches your shoes.”  I just smiled and said, “Thanks.”  It’s all part of being a dad.

Posted: March 23rd, 2010 under Life at the Lansers', Show Notes.
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The other night we hosted a meeting at our house.  If you’ve ever hosted a meeting, either at your home or at work, church, or somewhere else, you know there are challenges.  You have to stay focused and keep on task while not boring everyone out of their minds.  Here’s three ingredients we had at our meeting that could help.

1. A relaxed environment – We hung out in the living room and just had good discussion on the topics at end.  We didn’t stay too uptight but instead took an attitude of “hanging out” during the meeting.

2. An on-task person – At our meeting, this was my wife Amy.  I love having a relaxed meeting but that always presents the danger of straying off topic or not staying focused.  Amy is good at reminding me to keep at the work at hand.

3. Decaf coffee and cappuccino brownies – They taste good and food always make any meeting better.

Posted: February 19th, 2010 under Life at the Lansers', Show Notes.
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Life is full of firsts.  Especially life as a small child.  Over the weekend we discovered that Bekah, our one year old, was experiencing another first: her first ear infection.  This one definitely wasn’t on our list.  I don’t even know if there’s a place for it in that baby calendar/book of firsts we have at our house.  Regardless, we got the news at Urgent Care last night and medication started soon after.  Either Bekah was feeling hospitable last night, or the medication is already kicking in, because she slept most of the night away, with one small wake-up early this morning.  If this keeps up, the rest of may be able to finally get over our colds too.

Posted: January 25th, 2010 under Life at the Lansers'.
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Over the weekend, my wife and I attended the Weekend to Remember Marriage conference in Cedar Rapids.  (You can still register for this weekend’s conference in Coralville by clicking here.) Saturday night of the conference is date night.  The speakers wrap up a little before 5pm and give you the night to go out and have a date away from the kids and everything else.  Amy and I had another date that some might consider “not a date” but we loved it.

First we stopped at Michael’s so Amy could look for some scrapbooking items.  Then it was off to Old Navy in case there were deals on shirts for her.  Then, the goal: Barnes and Noble.  We wandered around until we found the games section.  There we looked over the selection and chose a card game called “Killer Bunnies and the Quest for the Magic Carrot”.  It is just as ridiculous as it sounds.  Then it was back to the hotel room to play “Killer Bunnies.”  Then we ran out to a restaurant, got our food to go, and went back to the room where we ate and played another round of “Killer Bunnies”.

You might say, “You didn’t go out to eat? What kind of date is that?”  I guess the answer is, “It’s a Mike and Amy date.”  But that does bring up a good question: What is your idea of a great date?  Let me know.

Posted: November 9th, 2009 under Life at the Lansers', Show Notes.
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