The 2026 World Cup recreated some special memories. Because just like I remember 2002, when Robby Worrell and I would play soccer in the backyard, pretending we were Ronaldinho and Ronaldo… I’ll remember playing soccer in the backyard throughout this summer with Charlie and Jack, pretending we were Messi, Mbappé, and Lamine Yamal. And justContinue reading “Summer 2026: World Cup”
Category Archives: Seasons of Life (2025 & Beyond)
Spring 2026: One more song
When I put Payson to bed, she always asks for “one more song.” Every night. We spend several minutes next to her crib singing softly while she rests her head on my shoulder and grips me like a little koala bear refusing to let go of the day. We started with one song. Then expandedContinue reading “Spring 2026: One more song”
Winter 2026: Bless this mess
This winter, I see little messes everywhere. Each day, Jordan and I wake up before 6am to a quiet, peaceful, relatively clean path to the kitchen. We complete a workout, brew the coffee, unload the dishwasher, make breakfast, and enjoy the final moments of a clear countertop, empty sink, and crumb-less floor. But then Jack comes down. And then Charlie. AndContinue reading “Winter 2026: Bless this mess”
Fall 2025: A season of sports
On one hand, it’s been a brutal sports season. Penn State Football is experiencing its most disappointing stretch in recent memory. The Phillies were bounced from the playoffs in what felt like a nightmare. And when I first began writing this reflection, the Eagles had just dropped two straight and looked miles away from theirContinue reading “Fall 2025: A season of sports”
Summer 2025: A beautiful blur
Someone recently asked me, “What were you up to this summer?” And I froze. I knew there wasn’t a dull moment all season, but I couldn’t sum it up in a headline moment or a neat little answer. It all just felt like a busy blur. I paused and asked myself out loud, “Huh…what haveContinue reading “Summer 2025: A beautiful blur”
Spring 2025: Planting seeds
They say April showers bring May flowers. They don’t mention the weeds. Or the overgrown to-do list. Or the feeling of being in over your head with one big yard, two working parents, and three small kids. This spring hit harder than I expected. Now that we’re fully settled into our home after last year’sContinue reading “Spring 2025: Planting seeds”
Winter 2025: When will we be back?
“Daddy, will the Eagles have a parade again next year?!” Jack excitedly asked as I lifted him off of my shoulders. The buses had just passed City Hall, rolling toward the Art Museum. The deafening chants of “E-A-G-L-E-S” had momentarily quieted, and the celebration was winding down. “I don’t know, bud,” I admitted. “I don’tContinue reading “Winter 2025: When will we be back?”
The Janiec Reflection 