Why I hate "pursuing my MBA"

As many of you know, I have made a living reviewing resumes and finding people jobs.  Everyone knows that the coolest people in the world have their name at the top of their resume followed by some sort of initials that represent a certification or accomplishment.  Bob Thompson, CPA or Mike Williams, PHD etc...

Being that I am not sure what I understand less, accounting or the medical profession, my best option was to get my Master's degree.  As I decided to wait until I was 37 to start this adventure, I think I will be about 45 years old before I can write Daniel Smith III, MBA.  (I compensate for no initials currently by putting "the third")

So, the first class I decided to take is The Practice of Statistics for Business and Economics.  For those of you not pursuing your MBA, let me translate that for you.  The Practice of Statistics for Business and Economics basically should be called "Everything you learned and already forgot because you never use it in HR"

It is a little intriguing, I have learned to use Excel and something called MiniTab (an actual software program not a "small tab").  I have been able to do regression testing, hypothesis testing, graph like a maniac, etc..etc..

So, why do I hate pursuing my MBA.  Because tonight, while I am in class for the next three hours trying to determine the difference between a confidence interval and a prediction interval, my gals are doing this:

Becuase they could care less if I have any initials after my name, I love my girls.

Apparently, we have a son too......

Mom - I just want to make sure you know I am NOT referring to a fourth child.  You see, this weekend was our cat Spencer's birthday.  This is what my wife came home with:

 I was mad we spent money on a cake for a cat.  Then the kids started giggling and singing happy birthday to the cat so I was a little happier.

Then Kelly told me that the cat would be doing this:

You say what, eating his cake.  NO.  He is eating a piece of the salmon that my wife made him for dinner.  I was mad again that the cat got salmon for his birthday...until Katelyn gave Spencer her card:

I was happy that Katelyn's card was so cute.  I was mad when I realized cats can live to be twenty.

Because they accept Spencer in their family, but I still catch Addie pulling on his tail often, I love my girls.



My loving wife and Mother-in-law took the older two girls to Disney-on-Ice (or whatever the heck it is called) and when Kelly asked if her daughters could take a picture for dad, this photo was Ashley's response.  Reminiscent of "What you talkin about Willis?"

As many of you know, I have three girls.  The first two of these are very different.  Katelyn is the most loving, kind, considerate girl you ever met.  Ashley is the  most loving, kind, considerate girl in the world who will also punch you in the face if you say anything mean to her older sister.  We joke that we are saving for college for Katelyn and bail for Ashley.  The jury is still out on Addison, but she is leaning toward Ashley's way of life....

Every night, when we put our kids to sleep, we read a story, talk about our day, and discuss whatever is on our minds.  Sometimes we skip the story, sometimes we talk longer, but the key is we spend time with each of our kids as we say goodnight. 

As I was putting Katelyn to bed last night, she told me the following story:

Katelyn:  "Daddy, when you and mommy did not know each other, I was just a little spec in heaven. When you and mommy fell in love, I was sent to mommy's tummy from heaven.  They pick the good daughters to be with the good mommys, so I got sent to mommy.  You do know that the mark on my nose is the mark left when the angel kissed me goodbye."

I swear to everything holy that I am not making this up.  Katelyn has a birthmark on her nose that is a little bump of skin.  We told her it made her special, and when kids asked about it at school she could tell them it was a birthmark.  We NEVER told her it was where the Angel kissed her goodbye.

I am not sure what Ashley's version of this story would have been, but most likely it would have involved her punching whoever asked her about the mark on her nose.

Because one was kissed by an angel, but all of them are my angels, I love my girls.

Why the two year break?



Where have we been for Two Years?????


So, I have received countless e-mails from my fans asking why I have not been blogging.  When I say "countless" you should know I was asked by my mom and my wife.  The reason I have not been blogging is a little angel named Addison.

Addison Danielle Smith was born two years ago on this date.  For those of you keeping score, you got it...three girls.  Everyone has asked "don't you wish you had a boy"... and the reality is no.  I don't wish that.  I am not sure what I would do with a boy.  Most likely, he would pee on me often and I would try to enroll him in gymnastics at least three times.

So, today Addison celebrated her second birthday.  She dressed up as Minnie Mouse, and had the time of her life at the Mall Of America.  Thanks to everyone who came out last night to celebrate and thank you for all the gifts.

I am back now, and will be posting more regularly.  I just wanted everyone to know what was keeping me away :)

Because I have watched a five and seven year old be the best friend possible to their baby sister, I love my girls.