What a real father looks like...

In honor of father's day and the amazing men I have in my life, I decided to skip the cards this year and honor them in a way that is special to me.  I've decided to blog about 2 special fathers, so that you all can share in the joy that they have given me. 
 

Shane really enjoys reading my blogs.  So, when I thought about writing him out a card, I figured this would flatter him so much more.  So, I will just tell you about the kind of father shane is. 
First of all, to say he loves his girls more than his own life would be a huge understatement.  His entire world revolves around his girls.  In just a few short years, he completely changed his life and became a better man for his children.  Not only does he work hard every day to support his girls, he comes home and works some more.  He walks into the door to an almost 3 year old that is a bit cranky with him because he's been gone all day.  For the first 2 minutes, Veda is more than a handfull, and honestly she's a handfull that I need a break from!  But, after those 2 minutes, shane has her running up and down halls giggling and squealing with excitement!  Now, this is a skill that I have not mastered.  I can calm veda down, but I can't take her from an awful mood to a fantastic mood in 2 minutes!  But, her daddy can.  There are just some things that mommies can't do.  He also takes veda out on little dates...just the two of them.  Sometimes its a picnic in the park and sometimes its just running errands for mommy.  No matter where he takes her, she is ecstatic about a date with daddy!  And she usually comes home with more gum, chap stick and balloons...even though shane swears he's not a pushover.  Now, I think shane's parenting has certainly been challenged this year.  Going from 1 to 3 children in a year is certainly shock provoking.  But, he has handled it so well.  He has his cranky moments, but they don't last long.  And cranky or not, he is all over the house caring for whichever child needs him.  When the babies were only a few days old, we were home and still getting adjusted.  Both of us were so tired, we were hardly able to form proper sentences.  But, as I sat on the couch with one baby, I watched shane juggling in the kitchen.  Holding one tiny baby in his arms as he made veda's dinner plate for her...handing it to her and kissing her on the head.  All while keeping that sweet tiny baby perfectly cradled and content in his arms.   I have to say...that was shane's sexiest moment to date!  He looked like such a natural and he didn't seem a bit flustered with the extreme multi-tasking.  Being a good father is such an attractive quality in a man! Shane has fed and burped 2 babies at once, given 2 babies and a toddler a bath at the same time (every night, without help), wiped snotty noses, been peed on multiple times, he has brushed tiny teeth, made many many bottles, taught abc's, and gotten into a tiny child's swimming pool just to make sure she has fun.   The girls have certainly taught shane a lot over the past couple of years.  And I have to say he is the most amazing daddy, and he has learned the tough lessons with a smile on his face.  They all absolutely adore him.  If I had my pick of anyone in the world to help raise my kids, I would absolutely choose shane.  He is always a hands-on, emotional and loving father.  I absolutely adore him and I can't thank him enough for giving me and helping me raise 3 beautiful little girls. 

Now, onto the second star of my post...my daddy!  Im not sure exactly where to start.  He is a godly father and he raised all of us to be what we are today.  our family has been through some rough years, and my dad has always been the one keeping us together, keeping us from falling apart.  He is the one I go to for advice for all of the important decisions in life and I know he always has my best interests at heart.  He raised us and gave us all he had, even when he had nothing.  He has always been a loving and protective father.  And he is also an amazing grandaddy, or as veda says..."bandaddy".  All of my girls love him and look forward to seeing him.  Veda would follow him everywhere if I would let her.  She loves being at his house and taking rides through the woods on the 3-wheeler with him...even though it makes me cringe.  And even though she is the worst possible eater, she could eat her own weight in bandaddy's steaks.  There are times in my life that I look back on and I cringe when I think about the worry and heart break I put my father through.  But, his love for me never faltered and he always kept me heavily in his prayers.  And you honestly can't ask for a better father than that.  I am so thankful that God gave me such a wonderful father.  There's no telling where I would be without him, but I can promise that I would be much worse off.

I am such a blessed girl to have the family I do, especially these two men.  They are both heaven sent.  All I can say to these two wonderful men is happy father's day!   I wouldn't want to imagine mine or my daughter's lives without both of you.  The girls and I love you so much!  Thank you both for being such amazing fathers and/or bandaddys. 

Dear google, what is the safest way to stunt a baby's growth?

Well, as of yesterday, my baby girls are six months old!  -insert big, whiny sad face here-  I can't believe how fast 6 months can go by!  It seems like just yesterday I was waddling around the neighborhood in pain, wondering what kind of chaos was in store for me once I finally got my babies out of me. 
After days of begging and pleading, my doctor finally decided to induce me.  10 hours, too many contractions and a few sketchy moments later, my 2 little beauties were finally here!  Even though it feels like yesterday, my tiny babies are now these chubby little babes with very interesting personalities!  A lot changes in a very short amount of time. 
So, I guess we'll start with Loralye...who has been dubbed "LJ".  That is the nick name her uncle Siwwy came up with when she was just a little butter bean in my belly.  LJ has the sweetest little personality.  She is very easily entertained these days.  If she's not in her favorite little jumper, she is perfectly content just laying on a blanket while she happily squeals at the top of her lungs.  She has one and a half teeth...the second one just hasn't quite popped through yet.  Loralye LOVES to eat!  She sticks her thumb in her mouth between every bite and then lets out an impatient squeal if you dont feed her fast enough.  Her favorite food is bananas and she would eat it all day if I would let her.  She absolutely adores her big sissy!  Veda and Loralye have a special little bond.  Every morning, veda crawls into her crib, just to lay down and cuddle with her.  And loralye just lays there quietly, watching every move Veda makes.  Throughout every day, she keeps her eyes locked on her big sissy and giggles at every noise she makes.  She really is such a happy baby, unless she's tired.  But, as soon as she's in her bed, she falls asleep very easily, which is something I can really appreciate!  Out of all of the crazy girls in our house, LJ is definitely the sweetest. 
Now, onto sweet baby August.  This wild woman is still challenging me every chance she gets!  God specifically gave her to me in order to teach me patience.  I figure by the time she is 18, I will be able to consider patience my super power.  She has 2 little adorable teeth, and even though it took her some time, she has become a great eater.  Her favorite food is oatmeal cereal.  I don't know why...its absolutely disgusting.  Yes...I have tried it.  Why practice self control when I can very easily satisfy my curiosity?  Don't judge me.  If you are ever curious about how any kind of baby food tastes, just ask this girl.  I have an amazing palate for baby food.  So, back to August!  She looks more and more like her daddy every day...something about her round little eyes.  She is very easy to please.  As long as she's able to roll onto her belly and hang out, she is a happy girl.  She is so ready to get moving!  If her little brain could get that chubby little body off the floor, she would be all over the house!  The poor girl spits up about 80% of the day.  She doesn't seem to mind, but im sure I've mentioned how much I dread laundry!  I will happily welcome the day when spit up is no longer in my vocabulary...or my laundry.  August is a very happy baby and she laughs about everything!  No matter what you say or do, somehow its funny to her.  Even when you change her diaper, she just chuckles the whole time.  She always has a hard time getting herself to sleep, but once she gets to sleep, I swear she could sleep all day!  Although she is the more difficult baby, she is so sweet!  I look forward to waking up every morning and hearing her sweet little giggle.
Six months went by way to fast!  Seems like I could blink and they'd be toddlers already!  Id give anything to keep them little and chubby forever.  They are the most amazing little girls.  And even when I find myself unshowered, hungry, covered in mashed peas and spit up, and holding on to my sanity by a thread, I can't help but thank God for these 3 spectacular little girls.