We Won't Forget This One!

Father's Day has often gotten pushed under the rug a bit due to the timing of the holiday in relation to our annual VBS. There have been several years that we've postponed it a week to give me more time to get something special together to celebrate Chris. As the kids have gotten older, we've done better with celebrating it on the day, but if ever there was a year we should have pushed it, this was it!

We all went to bed Saturday evening knowing there was a strong possibility for severe storms, which is nothing unusual or new to us. However, we ended up having record breaking 100+ mph straight line winds that night that did a huge amount of damage!

Many, many people woke up Sunday morning to damaged trees, houses, vehicles, and property. An estimated 200,000 people also woke up without power, including us and Mom and Dad.

Our playset sustained some wind damage.

Our plan for the day was to go to church then all go to Mom and Dad's house for a nice Father's Day lunch. Mom was providing the main dish (ham), while the Earls and us were planning to make the sides. Without power, we were unable to move forward with our plans. Instead, we all went to the Earls house (they had power) after church and had tacos with sides. Most of the area restaurants were closed due to no power or absolutely swamped. It wasn't the best meal we've ever put together, but we made it work!

It wasn't even 24 hours before our power was restored, but there are many families that are still waiting. There is a lot of storm clean-up still going on, and we feel very fortunate that we didn't go days without power like so many have. 

I saw this online not too long after the storm, and it made me laugh a whole lot. Sometimes, this is just how things be!

With or without power, it was a blessing to celebrate our guys. We are certainly thankful for this fella!

Daddy and Bri

Bren and Daddy 

Daddy and Brooke

Brecklyn and Daddy

Daddy with the crew 💙

I'm not sure what was going on here, but apparently something was really funny!

💙💙💙

Extra-ordinary

Dads are most ordinary men,

turned by love

into heroes, adventurers, storytellers,

and singers of song.

We are sure thankful for this dad!

On Being Dad . . .

 dad noun informal

Protector, teacher, and encourager;

A person who picks you up when you fall;

Admired;

Much loved;

Often referred to as a son's first hero and a daughter's first love.

We are so grateful for you and all you do!

Happy Father's Day!

To the one who is our favorite,

the one who gives the best snuggles,

the one who plays rough with us,

the one who lets us help with all the projects,

the one who is always up for an adventure,

and the one who tucks everyone in safe and sound at night,

Happy Father's Day! 

Thank you for all the things you do, both big and small. We love you!

Father's Day 2018

Every year, Father's Day falls at a very busy time of year for us. This year was the same as it fell the Sunday following our VBS week where I am a teacher and a primary decorator and Chris serves as the director. What this means for us is that Father's Day gets kind of pushed to the back burner. Thankfully, I have a husband who is always gracious and so understanding, recognizing that just because I don't always have something super special prepared to celebrate Father's Day does not mean that we love or appreciate him any less!

Several years ago, Chris and I started a tradition for both Mother's Day and Father's Day where the kids write in a book for us instead of getting us a card. This is one of my very favorite traditions we have! I cherish that book so very much, and it's even more special because we also put a photo of us with each child next to their writing. Chris's individual photos with the children turned out so beautiful this year! 

Brianna and Daddy

Daddy and Bren

Brooke and Daddy

Daddy and Brecklyn

Daddy didn't want any tangible gifts this year, so instead we gave him money to spend on gear for his upcoming hiking trip in Colorado. Also, I put together a video of me interviewing the children about him, and it turned out so cute! The video is posted at the bottom of this page, and I know it's something we'll both enjoy for years to come. He and I both love having keepsakes like that!

After church services on Father's Day, Daddy chose to go eat at a local Italian restaurant called Francesco's. We had a bit of a wait, so he enjoyed playing around taking photos with the children.

Brecklyn was hungry and not really in the mood for pics, haha!

Although, we finally got her to loosen up and be a little silly.

Brenson had no problems taking a goofy photo!

My handsome boys 💓

Brooke and Daddy

I love her sweet grin!

I don't really feel like I have to brag on what a great Dad Chris is because his actions speak for themselves. Anyone who has been around our family has likely seen him in action with his kids and knows how hands-on he is! He doesn't shy away from any "job" or activity with them, and for that we are so very grateful. I often say my kids have no idea how blessed they are to have such an involved, loving Dad.

After a good lunch, the rest of our day was spent like a normal Sunday . . . napping, going back to worship, and a quick bite to eat with friends that evening. I feel like I can never say enough how thankful and blessed I am to have the privilege of watching my husband be a Dad to our kids.

Father's Day Video 2018

Father's Day 2016

Father's Day is always sandwiched in a busy time of the year for us. It's generally the Sunday after our VBS (which we're both very involved in putting on), and it also falls during or just before vacation time for us some years. Because of this, we've struggled to establish many Father's Day traditions. Generally, we celebrate by giving a few gifts, going to church, and going out for lunch (which is a typical Sunday anyway minus the gift giving).

I think I mentioned this in this year's Mother's Day post, but our kids have such giving little hearts. They LOVE to give gifts and never even mention that they don't have any to open. 

Chris had a few Father's Day cards he had received in the mail that the girls were giving him. Our kids don't give cards for Mother's/Father's Day because they write/draw/decorate a book for us. 

These little girls ADORE their Daddy. It is SO sweet. (And I think Daddy is pretty head-over-heels for them, as well.)

Chris's gift was on the pricey side this year, so he just had one to open. 

Brianna was waiting patiently to give Daddy a few things she had made for him while the other kids were very interested in what Daddy was opening!

Of course, Daddy wanted Brianna to read him what she had written.

This little girl is also very attached to her Daddy! We truly have three Daddy's girls in our house!

When I was sorting through these photos of Chris with all the kiddos, I started to delete all the ones where someone isn't looking or someone has their eyes closed or someone has a sour look on their face. Then, I decided that it was funny to see all the versions of this photo that were taken. It's hard work getting a decent photo of everyone, but honestly I like the "outtakes" almost as much as the good ones. 

Brenson, Brooke, Daddy, Brecklyn, Brianna

This one is pretty good for a group photo! 

And of course, we had to have a silly one. I'm cracking up at the twins' faces, though. I think they were over it, haha!

I don't want to end this post without saying that our lack of Father's Day activities or celebrating isn't a reflection of the dad Chris is to our babies or our level of appreciation and love for him. He's a hard-working, hands-on, loving dad, and I'm so thankful my children have him in their lives. I also can't talk about Father's Day without recognizing my own dad. He continues to be a faithful man of God, a strong example and leader for our family, and a blessing to us. Happy Father's Day to my favorite two men!