Father's Day 2006

Here is a picture from this afternoon (I am editing this post now at 5:22pm). We played outside for a while, and then when we came in, I made frozen lemonade (1 can Cascadian Farms lemonade concentrate and about 3 cups ice crushed together in the blender). G decided to go get some gas for the lawnmower, so he put on one of the shirts I gave him for Father's day. I thought it was cute that everyone had on Hawaiian shirts, so I took this shot.

I love the father that G has become. He is playful with the boys, but firm when he needs to be. He is loving and patient, and he enjoys the games they play as much as our kids do. When it's time to lay down the law, he is quick to do it as it should be. Here is an article that Erma Bombeck wrote that is so fitting for G called When God Created Fathers. G isn't perfect, and we've had our ups and downs, but when it comes to his ability to be a loving dada, he has it down.



I got up early to make G breakfast in bed. I sauteed some mushrooms in butter and wilted some spinach, and I made him a spinach and mushroom omelet with toast and bacon and a cup of coffee. I had purchased him two shirts and a nice tie, and I got him a new Seiko. After we all ate breakfast, G opened his gifts. Then we all got ready for church. Church was extra special today. G played the drums very well, and I feel that God intended for me to hear today's message. It was very good and deserves a post of it's own. To fess up, I haven't been going to church. G has been taking the boys without me. For reasons that I won't go into, I haven't been going to church regularly for several months; although the foundation of my faith is firm, and I believe in the Creed as much now as ever. I felt like I really needed to go today, and I plan to start going every Sunday from now on. After church we picked up some food at Jazz. It's a Cajun restaurant, but they allow smoking, so we called in the order and ate at home. One of G's favorite meals is the crawfish fettucini at Jazz. We finished lunch at about 1:15, and it was past Gray's nap, so we put him down. Then the boys had quiet time in their rooms while G and I had some quiet time of our own...

Right now G is watching the World Cup (Korea vs France... GO KOREEEAAAA!!!). Jon and Jer are in the foyer in front of me playing some unique game they have created using books, a bionicle, a calculator, a magnifying glass and some other random items. Gray is wandering around between getting into the boys things and checking out their other toys. Well, they all just decided to go outside. I think I'll go join them. Happy Father's Day! :-)

WHEN GOD CREATED FATHERS

When the good Lord was creating Fathers he started with a tall frame. And a female angel nearby said, "What kind of Father is that? If you're going to make children so close to the ground, why have you put fathers up so high? He won't be able to shoot marbles without kneeling, tuck a child in bed without bending, or even kiss a child without a lot of stooping."
And God smiled and said, "Yes, but if I make him child size, who would children have to look up to?"

And when God made a Father's hands, they were large and sinewy. And the angel shook her head sadly and said, "Do you know what you're doing? Large hands are clumsy. They can't manage diaper pins, small buttons, rubber bands on pony tails or even remove splinters caused by baseball bats."
And God smiled and said, "I know, but they're large enough to hold everything a small boy empties from his pockets at the end of a day...yet small enough to cup a child's face in his hands."

And then God moulded long, slim legs and broad shoulders. And the angel nearly had a heart attack. "Boy, this is the end of the week, all right," she clucked. "Do you realize you just made a Father without a lap? How is he going to pull a child close to him without the kid falling between his legs?"
And God smiled and said, "A mother needs a lap. A father needs strong shoulders to pull a sled, balance a boy on a bicycle, and hold a sleepy head on the way home from the circus."

God was in the middle of creating two of the largest feet anyone had every seen when the angel could contain herself no longer. "That's not fair. Do you honestly think those large boats are going to dig out of bed early in the morning when the baby cries? Or walk through a small birthday party without crushing at least three of the guests?"
And God smiled and said, "They'll work. You'll see. They'll support a small child who wants to ride a horse to Banbury Cross, or scare off mice at the summer cabin, or display shoes that will be a challenge to fill."

God worked throughout the night, giving the Father few words, but a firm authoritative voice; eyes that saw everything, but remained calm and tolerant. Finally, almost as an afterthought, he added tears. Then he turned to the angel and said, "Now, are you satisfied that he can love as much as a Mother?"
The angel shutteth up.

"Children's children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their father." (Proverbs 17:7).

Erma Bombeck