Father's Day 2015

It's Father's Day! I'm so very lucky to be married to a man who is a wonderful father AND to have and a wonderful father myself. I thought I'd ask my kids some things about their dad.

Here are Maia's answers:
What makes Dad happy?
When we cuddle him
What is Dad's job?
A composer
What's something special about Dad?
He is kind and cute
How are you and Dad the same?
We're both picky eaters
How are you different?
I have blue eyes, dad has brown eyes
What is Dad's favorite thing about you?
I'm not sure. Well, I'm pretty sure it's loving
Where does Dad like to go?
Subway
If Dad was a cartoon character, who would he be?
Shining Armor
What does Dad like the most about Mom?
They're husband and wife
What's your favorite thing about Dad?
He loves us

And Ruby's:
What makes Daddy happy?
When he gives us some love
What is Daddy's job?
He works at WSU
What's something special about Daddy?
I don't know. When he roller skates with us.
How are you and Daddy the same?
Well we both have brown eyes.
How are you different?
I have curly hair, but I have love hair. Daddy has curly hair too, but shorter curly hair.
What is Daddy's favorite thing about you?
I don't know.
Where does Daddy like to go?
Starbucks
If Daddy was a cartoon character, who would he be?
Nothing. Or maybe he would be Night Shining, blah, blah.
What does Daddy like most about Mommy?
Because they're in love.
What's your favorite thing about Daddy?
He loves me.


And I thought I'd answer some about my dad:

What makes Dad happy?
When his children are happy and thriving, when he's watching tv specials about history, when he's singing in the Phoenix Symphony Chorale, when he's reading a good book, or when he's enjoying the Bay Area summer weather.
What is Dad job?
He helps people to worship God through music and care taking. He is also a handyman, cook, pool boy, and resident IT guy.
What's something special about Dad?
He can fix anything
How are you and Dad the same?
We are both seemingly logical and somewhat stoic, but are actually quite sensitive.
How are you different?
He has a never-ending faith in the church at large.
What is Dad's favorite thing about you?
This is a hard one. Maybe my independence and attitude about life?
Where does Dad like to go?
Anywhere that is a change of pace from day to day life. And it's especially great if family is there.
If Dad was a cartoon character, who would he be?
Batman. He's just a normal, handsome guy to most people, but those who know him well, know that he cares deeply about justice and keeping everyone safe.
What does Dad like most about Mom?
Her boobs. Just kidding. Sort of. I think he likes her partnership and everyday support.
What's your favorite thing about Dad?
I love what a good listener he is and his ability to be in the moment.

Happy Father's Day to all you dads out there. Your children are grateful for all you do for us, physically and emotionally. Giving you all our love.

Father's Day

It's only ten to 7, but the girls have been up since 4:45. My head feels spacey yet simultaneously as heavy as lead. I'm on my second cup of coffee and have made bacon and pancakes for the little creatures who dictate my sleeping hours.

The morning after a full day of travel in a new time zone is always rough.

However.

The window to my bedroom is open and the crisp, fragrant air of the bay area is gently blowing. The view is of home: rolling brown hills, blue water in the distance, lemon and grapefruit trees within reach, soft blue sky. I also fed my kids blueberries and cherries this morning. The color and quality of which is only obtained in Kansas if you're willing to take out a second mortgage.

I'm so happy to be here. Even though I haven't lived in CA for over 10 years, it still feels like coming home.

We traveled yesterday on Father's Day and in an effort to get packed and out the door with everyone (including a husband with a fractured foot) intact our festivities were put on the back burner.

Which is kind of lame because the lack of celebration in no way reflects the deep love and respect I have for all the fathers in my life.

The patriarchs.

Memories of this grandpa include cable TV, swimming pools, trumpet playing, doing things the correct way even if it takes longer, and honesty.

This guy was always a charmer, lots of jokes with a twinkle in the eye, gourmet pancakes that I appreciate now more than I did then, dogs, a great driver.

The father-in-law

This guy loves to laugh, enjoys his granddaughters (all 4 of them), is a go to for advice on home repairs and all criminal offenses, and has such a soft heart.

My father

A man who can rock a perm. Or a mullet. Or a buzzed head.

I appreciate his fearlessness when it comes to hairstyles.

Willing to do the heavy lifting. Or fold several loads of laundry, unload the dishwasher, mow the lawn.

Stoic, yet tender hearted and brimming with kindness.

This snowman didn't have a back because my brother and I kept eating it. We were in Washington at the time and didn't usually get snow that stuck, much less come in quantities that were suitable for snowman making.

A man of integrity, incredible work ethic, a gentle spirit, and a pretty darn good pancake maker in his own right.

My babies daddy

Kind, loving, patient.

Silly, hard working, playful.

A beautiful example of a respectful, nonjudgmental, strong male.

He's my best friend and the most wonderful parenting partner I could ask for.

Happy Father's Day to all you father figures out there.

Thanks for loving and mentoring so many of us.

This world is a better place because of you.