Happy Father's Day!!

Just wanted to give a shout out to the three wonderful fathers in my life. :)  Of course, first of all is my dad.  Dad and I have had a special relationship since I was small.  We are very alike in personality, so we really relate to one another.  Some of my fondest memories are the long talks we used to have together when I was growing up.  We would talk about anything and everything together.  Our talks are fewer and farther between now that I'm married and busy with my kiddos and he's retired and busy with his Veteran's Helicopter Group, but we still manage to find the time for them.  Whether it's things we're learning in our spiritual lives or our latest discoveries in our various hobbies, we can talk up a storm about anything.  I am so thankful for him and the role he has in my life.  Thanks for being there for me through all these years, Dad!  Thanks for taking the time to read to us as a family, for camping with us, for playing with us.  Thanks for all the time you devoted to making Breyer horse stables and layouts, school projects, and all sorts of other creative stuff.  I always knew how special I was to you.  Thanks for encouraging me in the Lord and being so understanding of my struggles and victories.  I love you. :)

Next I wanted to wish my hubby a Happy Father's Day.  I'm always so thankful for him when I watch him interact with the girls.  He is so patient and loving, willing to take the time to explain things.  He also is very in tune to their different personalities and how that affects their behavior.  It's nice they have at least one calm, rational parent! :}  I know that the girls will always be comfortable talking to him because of the way he kindly listens to them and encourages them.  He will also be the one they'll want to go to first when they get a bad grade or a detention, because they'll know that their mom will have a much more hysterical reaction!  Thanks, Babe, for being such a good Daddy.  You are so great with our girls.  I appreciate so much that you are willing to work as hard as you do so that I can stay home with them.  Thanks for being so loving and patient with me, as well, even when I'm not the easiest person to love.  Thanks for your desire to please the Lord and the way you build me up in the faith.  The girls and I love you so much. :)

Finally, I wanted to mention my wonderful father-in-law.  So many times, my husband and I have talked about how grateful we are for our families.  We see many examples of others who can't stand their in-laws.  Thankfully, we have both been blessed with wonderful parents who are loving and supportive of us.  I have really appreciated getting to know Dad-in-Law through marrying his wonderful son.  He and hubby are very alike, too, so hanging around with Dad-in-Law gives me a good preview of what I have to look forward to in the future. ;)  Like my dad and my hubby, Dad-in-Law is also such an encouragement to me in my walk with the Lord.  He is appreciative and supportive of me and treats me like his own daughter.  I am so thankful to be a part of my hubby's family. :)  Thanks for all of your love and encouragement, Dad-in-Law.  I am always blessed after our visits, and I hope I always make you proud.  I love you! :)

To all of you other dads out there, I hope you have a wonderful Father's Day with your families.  Thank you for all you do to support and provide for your loved ones. :)