Happy Birthday Daniel

This is a exciting month in our family.

Our firstborn son was born this month.

This boy changed my world.

Sweet disposition, always cared for the 

underdogs.

Never gave his father or me any trouble.

Always, a good kid.

Photo taken in the mid 1980's.

Also around the last time he allowed me to take photos of him.

I grabbed this 90's photo before  

just before he could turn away.

I must confess, as annoying as it is,

he gets it honest.

I don't do cameras either.

Daniel grew into a wonderful man who loves God and his family.

How could I ask for more?

 Happy Birthday Daniel!

Now, smile and say cheeeze!

Fun With Family

I was driving around last week doing my usual errands.

You know...

Target, groceries, post office, yada yada.

I knew the next day was my firstborns birthday 

and knew that I hadn't missed but 1 birthday 

in his life because he was in Argentina, 

something came over me.

  

I drove home, threw together dinner for M & J,

 packed my luggage and before I knew it, 

I was on a plane to Florida.

Turned out to be a great decision.

The celebration began with his favorite lunch spot, 

 Firehouse Subs.

Later that evening, we continued the party at Longhorne's.

See the man in the photo behind me?

Funny story!

Here's a better shot. 

Guess who the kids thought he was.

They thought he was stopping in to see if they were being naughty or nice.

I finally turned around and explained to him 

why the kids were so excited.

Apparently, he gets this kind of interaction often.

With Abi on my lap,

I said, "do you want to tell him you've been good?"

Her response was 

"I want Anna!"

We got a good laugh.

Elijah finally declared that he couldn't be Santa 

because he had a set of keys.

Why would Santa need keys?

Good logic to me.

We ended the night with cake, ice cream and presents.

So thankful I got to be a part of it.

Happy Birthday Son!

My Dreams Came True

I couldn't wait to be a mommy.

I wanted a baby about 2 seconds after I got married.

His name was chosen when I was around 13 years old.

I prayed for a boy.

Someone to be strong.

To protect his siblings.

He surpassed all my dreams.

His tender heart

combined with his physical strength

always protected the underdogs.

From the playground to his brother and sister and even his mother...

we know we can count on him.

He is there for us.

Thirty+ years later and he's stepping up to the 

plate of parenting a family of 6!

I am beyond proud of this man,

although, he will always be my boy in my mind.

Yes,

I drempt of having a boy 

but had not a clue of what a gift I was receiving.

What an honor to be his mom.

Happy Birthday Week Son!

You are above & beyond

all my dreams.

Pinky

My sweet father, Pinky.

My dad knows no strangers.

He introduces himself to everyone.

I remember when he moved into their present home,

watching him rush to the road to introduce himself to the garbage collector.

He is always looking for someone to talk to.

Mom says that's the only reason he goes yard-saling with her,

so he can talk to people.

He is a great guy!

My dad is always there for me.

He is a jack-of-all trades.

That turns out to be in my favor

because I always have ideas scheming in my head.

Anything to do with anything,

he can do it.

Any time I call...

he comes running.

Thank you dad for loving me.

Thank you for loving Christ.

Your faith amazes me.

Meet Sam.

This is has been my father-in-law for over 30 years.

He is a retired Baptist preacher.

He is the best example of a pastor ever.

He truly loves the people in his congregation of 33 years.

He has taught me to love unconditionally.

This is my hearts desire...

to love everyone.

He truly loves me and I know 

this because he tells me all the time.

Pinky & Mark

Another dad in my life that I know quite well is my husband.

I really got to witness him being a father to our 3 kids.

I have seen him play on slip-n-slides.

He coached them in Little League for too many years.

He laughed with them.

He apologized to them.

He prayed for them.

He led them to Christ.

He is blessed with wisdom.

I love you honey for how you loved our kids

& now our grandkids. 

Another amazing dad in my life is my son Daniel.

I am beyond proud of you!

I love how you play with your kids.

How you read with them.

How they all can sleep in your bed with you.

How patient you are for another night of chicken nuggets.

How hard you work.

I love seeing the pride in your eyes when you look at them.

I love how when I compliment one of the kids,

you always compliment the others.

You have always been that way.

On the play ground

in 1st Grade

You made sure all was fair.

You were big enough to make that happen too.

I love that you have made God the priority in your home.

I couldn't be any prouder.

As you see,

I've been surrounded by a legacy of great men.

What a privilege.

My favorite Father of all is my Abba.

He truly is always there for me.

He is the one who blessed me with earthly fathers.

Thank you Lord!

Happy Father's Day