Father's Day

This year was my first Father's Day with two kiddos and what a difference! Emily made the day pretty easy on me and I was able to do some relaxing activities I rather enjoy (fishing, tv, hanging out with Zeke). But in doing so, I forgot to call MY dad. It's so bizzare to me that I missed his one day of the year to be remembered as Dad. I could say I am busy at work and gosh, the kids are kind of crazy but I make time other days to call...
I think it's becoming an effort thing. It takes effort and rememberance to realize and truly appreciate where you are at this exact moment. The effort is the remembering to put it in my fancy pants phone that does everything (when you remember to program it for that). The remembrance is much more humbling. Looking back on the last 30 years, I have had one of the greatest dads in the world. I would say the greatest in the world but he might argue his dad was a better man than he. I know I feel that my dad is a greater dad than I am and I hope that that would be true of all dads, constantly admiring the effort put forth in raising us up to hopefully acceptable status in our own eyes some day. I honestly don't know how he made time for all the fishing and hunting trips. He made a great majority of all the 437 sports I played growing up. I remember his comments after games and small little coachings while still allowing the coach to be the coach. I remember practicing flipping jigs at red ice cream buckets in the front yard. I am sure the neighbors felt we were crazy. I remember laying on the floor of a snack or tool truck, listening to the engine and feeling the warmth on a trip back to Sweetwater from some shop somewhere and discussing the difference of a cab-over truck and the standard style. I remember fixing sprinkler heads I mowed over and some how being able to fit in EVERY youth activity from 5th grade until graduation. I remember a lot of things but this year I didn't. At least not on the right day. For that I am truly sorry but Dad, I do remember all the things you have done for me and I hope to love like you do and model your fatherhood someday. Thanks for being my dad.

Summer!

These kids really know what summer is all about: playing in the water and great afternoon naps! The sprinkler ring Zeke is playing in was well worth the $6.87 (thank you Wal-mart) and the cool cover on Anna Kate's carseat has also been a great find (again, Wal-mart special). There is even a flap to pull down to block all those harmful UV rays! I am starting to figure out how to do things that involve both kids and minimal stress for me. This activity was one my proudest moments and I fully intend to repeat it many times this summer!

Picture Perfect

Anna Kate came home in this beautiful dress. Yes, a little big, but that just means I get to dress her in it longer. She also wore this the first Sunday she went to church. It was a special day for our family! This was two Sunday's ago when Anna Kate was three weeks old. This dress is from Judah and Gideon's sweet mom, Jennifer. I resisted buying this dress myself several times, so I was so excited when I opened this gift! I just love it! Plus, it goes with about five different bows!



This past Sunday we went to church with Nana and Gran Gran in Lubbock. We had a great time getting to see the Aunts and Uncle and Cousin Trip. On the way back through Abilene, we introduced Anna Kate to her Carter cousins and got to meet sweet Annie! (Mom, this was also her church outfit!)
Aunt Rachael with Annie (8 weeks), Emily with Anna Kate (4 weeks), Ellianna (4 in August), Caroline (2), and Zeke (3 1/2)
And here she is at one month. What a great month it has been. Love grows each day at our home. It is amazing that with Anna Kate's arrival my love has grown for her, Zeke and Chris. Even more amazing is that this love is so small in comparison to the love my Lord has for us!