Happy Father's Day

The older I get, the more I realize there are many moments in life that take my breath away.  Today I want to focus on one person that takes my breath away on a daily basis.

This man God had for me is amazing.

The more I spend this life with him, the more amazing I realize he is.  He is, quite simply, perfect.  I’m not saying he is without mistake, because that would just be unreal.  In our family, we only do real.  He is everything I prayed for and all the things only God could know I would need.

He is Godly, always striving to follow God’s plan rather than his own.

He is patient when the situation is oozing with frustration.

He is resilient, strong, and brave.

He is free from chains of sin that used to hold him down.

He is an example to our girls of what a man should be, how they should be treated, and of unconditional love.

He is an example to me of perseverance and unconditional love.

He is my teammate and a rock in this life.

He is smart, thoughtful, and kind.

He is funny, charming, and completely beguiling. 

He is in need of grace and mercy, which he knows and in turn shows grace and mercy to others.

When life hits him with difficulties, he prays and then faces it head-on.

N thank you for making this life interesting.  Thank you for encouraging me, holding my hand, and showing unconditional love.  Thank you for showing our girls what a Godly man is and all the grace, mercy, and love you bestow upon them.  You have given all of us a safe place to land.  You are amazing and each day you take my breath away. 

Happy Father’s Day my love. 

The False Eyelash Scare

It is the end of the school year.  We made it through 1st grade with flying colors.  The last 6 weeks have included:

• Musical Drama Club where Zoe was a mime - completely amazing performance
• Passing her second AWANA book and receiving an award ribbon for it
• A trip to Spokane to get my mom's house on the market - includes building a deck, painting the outside of the house, replacing a dishwasher, electrical outlets, packing, moving, and dumping loads of garbage
• End of year homework
• Dance recital necessities - underwear, make-up, tights, tickets for the recital so Zoe wasn't performing for her imaginary family!
• Awards day - Zoe got a character award for orderliness.  She likes to know what's happening, how to do things and where everyone should be.  Bless her teacher's heart for recognizing a gift that God has given our girl
• Summer activity coordination - swim lessons, acting class, dance class, dance camps, tennis lessons, VBS...
• Field Day participation - my legs are still sunburned
• Rollerskating field trip
• Dentist appointment to get cavities filled and a tooth "wiggled out" (bless those dentists and their understanding of kid fear.  They were so amazing Zoe has no clue how they actually numb her mouth!)
• Dance pictures and recital prep

The last one on the list gave me actual anxiety.  We have a large sheet of paper about recital make-up.  We had specific requirements for what colors, what brands and what all she needs.  Essentially I have made my child look like those Toddlers and Tiaras reality show kids.  According to the paperwork, because she's in preparatory classes, she doesn't need false eyelashes. 

WHAT?!?  False eyelashes? 

The paper said, "we recommend practicing with them prior to the day of the recital.  If you need instruction, please bring them to class and we can help you."

Because I wear tinted moisturizer as a foundation, don't even wear mascara most of the time, and have only worn false eyelashes at my wedding, I'm going to be that parent who needs False Eyelashes 101.

Apparently the kids a couple levels above Zoe, who are like 8, have to wear false eyelashes.  I thought we'd be home free for another year on that false eyelash thing.  NOPE!  Zoe is such a natural at dance, she's skipping preparatory II classes and going straight to false eyelash-wearing dance-naturals class, which is an ironic statement.

Here is my child who, despite the pounds of make-up, can still shine through.

I'm absolutely proud of this kiddo.  She is a friend to all, willing to try, faces fears with a brave heart and loves with all that she is.  God sure has blessed me.