Father's Day

When I married Damon, I knew he had an amazing amount of patience. I knew he was fun loving, and I assumed he would be a great Dad to any little person we brought into our family.  I guessed right, but I underestimated.  You can't anticipate all of the ways parenting will pull & stretch you. It's physical, emotional, spiritual, maddening, tiring, joyful, painful, a little disgusting at times, but beautiful.  I have loved watching Damon become a father.  He isn't perfect, but he's an amazing example to me of integrity, loyalty and unconditional love.  Damon is the foundation of our family. Without his support, I wouldn't be able to be the mother that I am.  He uplifts our family in so many ways. 

 The kids are still too little to recognize all that Damon does, and all that he means to our family. But they love him so much.  Here are some photos to help illustrate the importance of the Daddy in our home.  

Our Dad is:

...a sparkler safety expert.

...a protector from the horrors of touching grass.

...A playground for the Wild Thing.

...A proud sponsor of childhood memories. 

...Waist deep in giggly hugs.

...The first date you will ever have.  

...The 'on duty' lifeguard for all chubby legged babies.  

...A designated pillow for the squishiest of newborns, toddlers, preschoolers and wifeys. 

...A personalized space shuttle simulator for aspiring astronauts. 

...An understanding embrace when you're faced with new surroundings.

...A crayon enthusiast.

...unafraid to ponder the complexity of a Dad joke. 

...a selfless listener. Pushing aside that post surgery 'passing out' sensation to comfort and validate the injustice of sharing. 

...a solid leg to cling to.

...a unicorn tamer.

...there to pick you up after Ring Around The Rosie's goes south.

...A facilitator for all your Merry Go Round needs.

...A portable crib.

...an underappreciated (& apparently headless) candy chauffeur.

...silently supporting.

...an anti-paparazzi body guard.  For those days when you just can't deal.

...a blankey Sherpa 

...a noble and ever faithful chariot.  For real though. Damon carries Finn almost everywhere. 

...Stella's biggest fan.

...a salty, yet satisfying teether.

...a friend to apathetic marshmallows.

...Indie's biggest fan

...a shoulder to rest on.

...willing to submit to all unhelpful, helpers. 

...Finn's biggest fan.

...A strict supporter of all cliche holiday traditions.

...'high push' & bear cub expert.  Please don't try this at home. 

...personal body guard to the pink parade.

...open to direction. 

...professional toe dipper.

...on call pumpkin consultant.

...self appointed breathing monitor.

...a nail clipper to champions.

...a finger to wrap your world around.

...the strongest horse, in a one horse open sleigh.

... an example of what it looks like to 'love the lord'.

...the muscles.

...adaptable to sleepless nights.

...a firm believer in ice cream.

...a leader by example.

...an equal opportunity snugger. 

...the original jungle gym.

...a 1,2,3 master.  No boots were harmed in the making of this photo. 

...the bowling handbook.

...a waterfall chaser.

...generously blessing hair to grow, where his can not. 

...the recipient of many adoring stares.

...a tour guide for first baseball games.

...a respecter of quiet moments.

...the getaway driver.

...happy when your happy.

...the biggest kid in the bunch.

...a safe guard for dinner. Lest you accidentally snitch all your pizza ingredients before it can be cooked.

...Jazzed to be part of your life!

...Awed by every feat, even on the 100th time.

...broad shouldered for your personal comfort.

...undaunted by bad moods.

...CEO of letting you believe you're doing it by yourself. 

...keenly aware that his arms are just as much yours as they are his.

...and yours

...and yours.

...unhindered by tag alongs.

...hands on in teaching a love for the outdoors.

...a grandpa to countless naked, nameless and slightly neglected baby dolls. 

Happy Father's Day Damon