Hoffman's Hideaway: Welcome Post

Monday, November 3, 2008

Welcome to the Hoffman Site!

Fall cleaning began in earnest this weekend and I ran across last year's Holiday letter. It occurred to me that we wait until December to catch all those that we love up on our daily activities and lives. In a panic, I realized that it may take a book this year to fill even our close family in on what we have "been up to" With 2 kids, 2 dogs, 2 jobs, 2 houses, and activities to go with each, a yearly card just doesn't seem to do the job that we need it to do. There is also that guilt that goes with not ever being able to get those phone calls in to catch up with those that we wish we just had 5 tiny minutes to say hey, howdy, hi or what's up. OK, if you're on Troy's list it goes hey y'all, Ni how, and whatever the Thai word was for hello. So, in an attempt to keep those we love caught up in our lives, not take time from those who equally don't have 5 minutes to chat on the phone, and allow family and friends to check in with the speed growing Hoffman children at their own time and pace, we thought this blog might be a good idea all around. So, for family and friends, Welcome! Troy, Cole, Shelby and I hope this helps keep us in touch a little more often!

A Prayer for Children

A Prayer For Children

We pray for the children who sneak popsicles before supper,who erase holes in math workbooks,who can never find their shoes.
And we pray for those who stare at photographers from behind barbed wire,who can't bound down the street in a new pair of sneakers,who never "counted potatoes,"who are born in places where we wouldn't be caught dead,who never go to the circus,who live in an X-rated world.
We pray for the children who bring us sticky kisses and fistfuls of dandelions,who hug us in a hurry and forget their lunch money.
And we pray for those who never get dessert,who have no safe blanket to drag behind them,who watch their parents watch them die,who can't find bread to steal,who don't have rooms to clean up,whose pictures aren't on anybody's dresser,whose monsters are real.
We Pray for the Children who spend their allowance before Tuesday,who throw tantrums in the grocery storeand pick at their food,who like ghost stories,who shove dirty clothes under the bed,who never rinse out the tub,who get visits from the tooth fairy,who don't like to be kissed in front of the carpool,who squirm in church and scream in the phone,whose tears we sometimes laugh at and whose smiles can make us cry.
And we pray for those whose nightmares come in the daytime,who will eat anything who have never seen dentist,who aren't spoiled by anybody,who go to bed hungry and cry themselves to sleep,who live and move, but have no being
We pray for the children who want to be carried and for those who must,who we never give up on and for those who don't get a second chance.We pray for those we smother and for those who will grab the hand of anybody kind enough to offer it.

Our Pledge to our Children

The Parent's Pledge
I will set a good example for my child. I will show my children I love them every day through words and physical affection. I will listen to my children and let them know I value what they say. I will praise my child's accomplishments and efforts towards those accomplishments.I will have realistic expectations for my children. I will allow them to make their own mistakes and learn from those experiences. I will avoid being too critical or focusing on my child's shortcomings. I will encourage my child to meet new challenges and have new experiences. I will respect my children as individuals even if I don't always agree with them. I will enjoy my children and make time to share interests and appreciate one another. I will love my children unconditionally. I will let them know they are lovable, worthwhile and valuable human beings.