Hey Daddio.

I put myself up to the simple task of finding some photos that capture the life of the Dads in my life (including my best friends that are Dads, I've been sneaking photos of you all for months). It turned out to be more of a challenge than I anticipated. The photos are endless and I kid you not when I say I take an immeasurable number of photos a day. Therefore it was hard to narrow it all down, this post would have gone on for days. 

I wanted to talk about how special my Dad is and how challenging this year in health has been. I've said it before but I think the greatness of this man is in the everyday. He loves his family, he works hard for us, he laughs with my son, he cooks for my husband, he loves my mom, and he loves his children in ways that cannot be explained. I can only catch a glimpse of that now that I am a parent but I know there are words that cannot express the it fully. His friends are dear and his siblings are important. He taught me the value of lifelong friends. These thoughts are not always shared but they are always, always in my heart.

And to my dear husband, I want to say everything. You are a shining example of a father. You are smart, funny, and kind. You teach our son in ways that I never could. Even though he sometimes seems to favor me, it's only because he spends the days talking about you. His eyes light up when he talks about you, Papa. We are lucky and loved. Happy Father's Day.

Camera Tricks

This is my amazing Christmas gift from my dear husband (taken with my iPhone of course). It was such a surprise and treat. I'm really excited to learn how to use it. So far I have only read the short manual to  but know that I am going to need to sit down and read the whole shebang to learn how to best use this baby. I've spent the better part of the last two years miming the use of a real camera just to prove to him that I'd use it. It had become our joke and now I have to hold up my end of the bargain. It shouldn't be a problem though. Add this to my list of things to conquer in 2013.

The Challenger

This sweet boy is about to be two years old in a few weeks and I'll tell you quite honestly, you can tell. For the most part he's a good boy but there's a temper hiding in there. It's been showing it's impatient little head these days and I'll tell ya, it's not so pretty. I've done lots of reading and know that being a toddler can be confusing and difficult, as in "I'm perfectly fine here playing, why are you making me leave?" My agenda means nothing to him and I get that. But the yelling about "no want it" can get old quickly. We all have to take a breath and regroup sometimes. However, as I write this, I'm listening to him sing his favorite song in pretty perfect pitch in his room as he falls asleep and I'll take this time to enjoy it and prepare for another adventure tomorrow. 

Dear Dad.

Dear Dad. You have had a pretty exciting week. While I'm sure that you aren't feeling exactly top notch just yet, I know that you are feeling amazed and blessed by this incredible gift that you received. One of the most amazing parts in all of this is that when you really needed something, something that felt like an impossible thing to ask for, not one but four...or was it five people stepped forward to offer it to you. That in and of itself tells a story of what kind of man you are. Generous, funny, smart, and loved. Very, very loved. You are surrounded by a community of family, friends, and acquaintances that are hoping for nothing less than a speedy recovery for both you and your donor. You deserve this gift. And the (selfless) giver, well he will be in our hearts and minds forever.

Top Image: Stephen Cutri

An Encounter

Yesterday was a day. Baby boy wasn't feeling his best so we had to make due just hanging out together. When he woke up from his nap we ran some errands that included stopping by to see Papa at work. All was well and we were on our way to pick up four tablespoons of miso from a friend that I needed for a recipe, aren't friends grand? Anyhow, Oliver started in on an incredibly out of control coughing fit so I stopped the car and pulled over. I turned around to check on him and stuck my hand out just in time to catch vomit (just as FYI try to avoid doing that because then you have NO way to clean up with a hand full of puke). Oh no. I jumped out of the car to assess the messy situation and to make sure he was ok. As I stood there wondering what exactly I should use to clean him up, a woman stopped raking and came over to help. She brought me out an old towel and reassured me that in her experience, he was probably feeling better and would make it home. After all, she had six kids of her own plus grandchildren, so I believed her.

It was so kind of her to make sure we were ok and to offer a towel instead of the diaper wipes I was using. People are nice and I really appreciated the help. Good samaritans are a blessing and I'll be sure to return the kindness when I can.