Little Bubbas: Daddy

Dear Bubbas,

It could be because Father's Day is this weekend, or your Dads birthday in a couple weeks... It's possible that it's because I'm 37 weeks pregnant.... but whatever the reason I've been thinking about how fantastic your Father is lately. I probably don't tell you nearly as often as I should how wonderful he is. I should tell you every day, multiple times. Although, you probably already know.

The truth is, it's a lot easier to roll my eyes because the yard hasn't been mowed or sigh when he turns on his stupid fan for bed. But I don't want you to see me rolling my eyes and sighing at your Dad because then you aren't seeing the way I truly feel about him, which is this- He absolutely the man that I want you boys to become and Kaylee to marry. Yes, he is flawed. He's human. But he is so funny, so loving, and so wonderful. If I listed all that I love about him I would be here all night writing so I'll just tell you a few that have been on my mind the last few days.

1. Daddy spends so much time with you. He is constantly chasing you around the house, putting together your puzzles with you, spending hours playing Risk, and snuggling you. This last weekend he put up the tent in the living room so that you could pretend to have camp outs. It turns out that Hunter was too scared to sleep in the living room. Hunter wanted to be on the same floor as Mommy and Daddy, so Daddy ended up spending three nights sleeping on the the living room floor in the tent with you. He goes to all your friends birthday parties with you and enjoys them with you. He's always the one chasing all the kids at the party with silly string or water guns. Whenever he has a choice on how to spend his time, he always chooses to spend it with you.

2. Daddy takes such good care of Mommy. When Mommy and Daddy were dating he would call in sick to work if I was sick and he would sit next to me so that he could make me toast or rub my feet. We've been together for over a decade and he hasn't changed. He still comes home from work early when Mommy is sick to take care of her. Whenever I'm pregnant he goes above and beyond making sure that I have whatever I need. I literally don't have to get out of my recliner after you kids go to bed. Daddy will drop what he's doing to make me a smoothie or run to the store. He never complains and he makes me feel like he wants and loves to take care of me.

3. He is the funniest Man alive. He makes the three of you giggle so much. I love the sounds of you playing and laughing together. Nobody can make you laugh the way Daddy can. Which makes a lot of sense because nobody can make Mommy laugh the way Daddy can. He always knows when we need a good laugh too. He's notorious for helping us turn our frowns upside down.

4. Daddy could probably go the rest of his life without decorating another cookie and he wouldn't blink an eye. However, he will always sit down with Mommy and help her create masterpiece cookies. Regardless of the event they're needed for: birthday parties, school snack day, holidays, preschool graduation. He makes it look so effortless and always fixes my mistakes. Then he makes sure to tell everyone that is in ear shot that Mommy made and decorated the cookies so that all the compliments get directed my way. I try to give him credit and he just won't take it. I love the way he helps me make all your big days special.

5. Daddy is the least materialistic person I know. He doesn't care if we have furniture that is on its last leg. He doesn't mind that we don't have a lot of extra money to go on vacations or trips. He will use broken headphones for six months if he has too, which he currently is... He wants Mommy to be able to stay home and raise you and he gives up everything else to make that happen. He works so hard for our family and sacrifices so much. He reminds me daily that life isn't about "stuff" and that we have everything we need and more than we've ever wanted. You guys are what it's all about and he never forgets that.We bought him an Oregon Coast hat for Father's Day and gave it to him early because he lost his original one at the gym. We had to call Flamingo Jims in Rockaway Oregon, send them a picture of Daddy wearing the old hat, and have them send us a new hat. Daddy loved it so much. He thought it was the most thoughtful gift ever. He wants to frame the receipt. He's so easy to please. Mommy leaves him notes on the front door every now and then in the morning. He always tapes the notes up in his car he loves them so much. I love that he loves the little things like that.

6. He is flawed. I love every one of those flaws. I love how awful he is at yard work. It makes me laugh. It makes me feel better about not being able to keep up on the housework the way I want to be able to. Looking at the long grass or the overgrown bush reminds me of all the quality time we got to spend with him during the weekend. I hate the fan he insists on having on all night long, but I love the way he comes rolling over to my side of the bed to snuggle more because he's cold and the way he knows how much I hate the fan and he never forgets to turn it off when he gets up for work. He can never find anything. He forgets where he sets almost everything. For months after we move into a new place he'll ask me questions like where his underwear are or where do we keep the big spoons, but he never forgets the important things. He's always there when it counts and he always comes through when you need him.

I hope your Daddy knows how much I love him. I hope he knows how much you love him. Just in case, we should all try to show him a little more love and appreciation. He deserves it, because he sure does show us.

Love,
Mommy