Some big shoes to fill

Kids need a mom and a dad.  This I've learned.  

And they need a damn good dad, for sure.  A dad who will throw them on the couch and teach them to laugh at their falls and bumps and scratches.  A dad who will let them eat junk food for dinner and watch too many cartoons when Mom is out running errands.  A dad who has a broad chest for a fuzzy head to snuggle in when he can't quite get to sleep.  A dad who teaches them how to use potty words correctly -- even if they use them at school . . . in every other sentence . . . and song (hey, the teachers need a giggle occasionally, right?).  

A dad who wishes and hopes and tears up when he thinks about his child's first ballet recital or t-ball game.  A dad who is excited about helping with math and history homework.  A dad who knows he isn't perfect but is learning and growing and getting a little better with each stage.  A dad who prays he doesn't disappoint . . .  

I know not every kid gets this.  My children are luckier than they'll ever know.  Because this is exactly what they've been blessed with . . . 

  

And of course this is exactly the man he's turned out the be.  He had a pretty good man to look up to himself.

You better believe this guy did a great job of rough-housing and teaching potty language.  And making his children "act right" and respect their mother.  He's one of the greats.

And then we've got this guy.  If you know him, then you need no introductions . . . and are probably wondering how the four of us turned out to be so fantastic :) He he he . . . remember, behind every man there's a great woman . . . and he was wise enough to pick a mighty fine one.  And he's not too shabby himself.

At every single cheerleading, school, church, and whatever event I got myself into.  He even did a great job with the potty language, too. :)  He's quick to argue . . . but very, very quick to apologize.  This guy's got a big heart, and he totally passed it on to my brothers, who are two AMAZING dads.  Like, blow me away sometimes at the distance they'll go for their kiddos.

So I know that Father's Day was a million years ago, but that's around the time that all sanity and free time for the blog went out the window.  Love, love, love the men in my life -- so blessed to have all of them.  Little Mack has some big shoes to fill . . . thank goodness his feet are huge :)