MommaVenture: With Arms Wide Open

With arms wide open
Under the sunlight
Welcome to this place
I'll show you everything
With arms wide open
Now everything has changed
I'll show you love
I'll show you everything
With arms wide open
With arms wide open
I'll show you everything..oh yeah
With arms wide open....wide open
--CREED

With all of the travelling and raccoon chasing, I've been a bit behind and feel awful that I have not gotten up my Father's Day post to my sweet and wonderful husband. And he's been so patient with me, when I get uptight and stressed about all that is going on, trying to tie together loose ends, he makes it a point to get together as a family even for a few moments and just enjoy some good times. Whether it is playing the Ducks game, blasting James Taylor on the radio while we crank out some sad white-boy moves, tapping the little white dimpled ball around the house, watching Thomas and Rosie go around and around and around on their track, he alwasy reminds me that family is where it's at.

Andy, you are an amazing husband, more than I could ever hope for or dream of. Your passion explodes and your excitement for life screams. The day I saw you become a father, I melted into an irreparable gooey mess. The way you took our 3-hour old screaming, little girl into your hands, flipped her onto her side instantly calming her was magic. To see your heart pour out to her and your life be devoted to her was magic. From that day on, I depended on you in a whole new way that I could never imagine I'd need.

And throughout the days and weeks to come, I depended on you even more and more. Through all of the tough times, you sang to her, like I couldn't. You rocked and shushed and walked her while I sat on the couch sobbing and spinning.

From that day forward, it was obvious that you were born to be a Father. You'd protect, provide, love, shelter, teach, share, comfort and explore.

Comfort during sickness

Explore new things

Adore wholeheartedly,

Share your greatest passions,

And enjoy the shrill excitement of a 2-year old over and over and over again without tiring, simply because that's what she wants to do.

And the night I saw you become a Father again, at 3:35 in the morning, was just as special. To know what a wonderful Daddy you already are and will become to your son. Through swollen and tired eyes, a hungry stomach, and the desire to lay down on a soft plump pillow and drift off to dreamy land, you were there for all of us, to celebrate, be excited, run out to the car to get the forgotten camera, and make sure everyone was okay.

You are an incredible leader to our family

You remind us to have fun no matter the season of life

You teach us that love is about being there for each other. To slow down, to enjoy each quiet moment

You are always there for us. When we call out to you, you respond

You always manage to carve out moments for snuggles, no matter what is going on or how little time we 'seem' to have

You are an incredible man, a devoted father, an understanding husband. I am so thankful to have you in my life. Each day, I am humbled and amazed that you chose me.

Your joy is contagious

and YOU AMAZE ME.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Happy Father's Day, a few days late. I love you.

*****************************************************************************

And to my own father, thank you, and Happy Father's Day. You have taught me and endless amount. I'll attempt to sum them up, briefly:

Be honest. Keep my integrity in tact.
Make my bed every day. A made bed feels better to get into than a wrinkled, cold, unmade one.
How to do my own taxes.
Be proud of what I've accomplished, but don't lose sight of what I can still attain.
Speak with respect.
Ice cream before bed. Always.
Work before play. Work hard. Play hard. Enjoy.
Family is number 1.
Be patient and always listen.
Dedication and loyalty pave the way.