Hero is spelled DAD

The Father's day card that ElizaJane picked out this year for her Daddy, to go with the straw hat we purchased for those long hot lawn mowing days here in Georgia said, "At our house we spell Hero D-A-D."

Her card is so right on target! Her Daddy is her Hero!

All of these pictures were taken this year, but we have lots more just like 'em for every 22 years that we have had children. Pictures of him being here with us, always being fun! He isn't a I'm to tired, or maybe later, kind of Dad. He has invested his days being available and present.

He plays, he wrestles, he prays, he laughs, he lectures, he admonishes, he coaches, he corrects, he hugs, he cries for, he comforts, he helps, he encourages, he ribs, he punishes, he reads to, he teaches, he compliments, he drives, but whatever it is that he does, he is here, and he has been doing it for 22 years, and he will continue to do it for as many days as the Lord gives him!

In his heart he yearns for his children to love their God with all their hearts, and to follow and serve their God always. That has always been his greatest desire and prayer, and it always will be.

He longs for them to be great men and women of God, not for the eyes of man, but for the glory of their Father in Heaven.

I can say, because I have watched for 22 years, that he always strives to be the best Father he can be, always, and that takes sacrifice. If given the opportunity he would give his life for each of his kids without a moments hesitation.

In essence he does give his life for his kids, every moment of every day, as he works hard to provide for their physical needs, and comes home and provides for their spiritual and emotional needs as well.

At our house Hero is spelled D-A-D!

The scary closet!

Our new home has an oddly shaped room that the former owners used as an office. We could probably use an office, but the Master bedroom in this house is more like a bowling alley, so we needed the desk in there, just to use up some space! This room was then labeled the play room. ElizaJane was ecstatic to put it mildly that they would have their very own playroom, and excessive compulsive organizer girl, otherwise known as Haven was ecstatic that she would no longer have to deal with toys in their room. Her room is not a bowling alley, and the girls share it so space is at a premium. These doors led to the playroom closet, and I don't even have to tell you how crazy messy, and truly scary it was! My Dad and Hubby built us some uber fine shelves, and it is scary no more!

Is this fantastic or what!!! Thanks Dad and Hubby!

I purchased most of those bins 50% off, because they were considered Christmas! Love that!

The girls can now play with the play mobile, without even getting it out! Love that to! And so does that newly married play mobile couple!

miniature slipcover

Have you ever slip covered a couch? Me either....until just a few days ago!

When I was a young girly girl like my sweet daughter Haven, My Daddy made me a doll house for Christmas. He wasn't Daddy then by the way, cuz I was born a Yankee, but now I'm an old southern gal, and he is Daddy now, at least in my mind. He is still Dad out loud though, not sure why. So back to the story at hand...He didn't make it from some prefab kit, in fact I don't even think he had any plans. I still remember that towel over the window to the garage around Christmas time, and the hoping that whatever was being made behind closed doors in Dad's workshop, was for me. Fast forward a couple gazillion years, and that same dollhouse made an appearance under our tree this year for someone who had been quite the good girl.

This keepsake had seen better days my friends, let me assure you. My Mom (she's Momma in my mind)had decorated it with loving care, and lots of very long lasting glue. I had to sand for an eternity! It is only by the grace of God that I still have the old relic, well, grace, and a very endearing husband who has lugged the thing from here to kingdom come through like a catrillion moves. I can't believe it's still in one piece, guess Dad used some strong glue too!

Any how, I sanded, and painted, and re-decorated, and it was a BIG surprise, very much enjoyed by our own little girlie girl, Miss Haven Dorothy.

We didn't fully furnish it cuz,....well, cuz that's the fun of it right? Well, Haven felt sure that I could make a couch , and when someone has total faith and confidence in you, how can you not try? so I strapped a bit of duck tape around a piece of packing foam, and then sewed a bit of cream corduroy, and called it a couch, all 4 inches of it!

Check out that Heather Bailey wall paper people. This "family" is livin large!

"glass" tiles in the Kitchen back splash, and original filo dough earthen ware dishes!

Not sure who that is playing the piano????

oops, updated to say I meant Amy Butler wallpaper....

No offense Heather, you are both equally wonderful designers!

check out other cool things people make at

make it for Monday at Cottage Instincts, and

make your Monday at Twice remembered, and

Pops goes down again!

uhtttt ohhhhh, it has happened again,

dethroned by his second son now.

Ohhh the agony of defeat,

the sad dejection,

and the utter humiliation of a Dad gone down.

Another date to write on the record books my friends!

Pops foiled on the golf course again!!!

Dad is doing great!!

Thank you so much to those who prayed for my Dad this week. His procedure went wonderfully well Wednesday, and they actually placed three stents, instead of the two they had planned. He experienced very little pain, and was home today before noon! I am so thankful that the Lord chose to give him more time here on earth. It is my prayer that he will be with us several more years, and that all of my children can benefit from his love and example.

What do you want written on your tombstone?

Kartwright recently asked me what I want written on my tombstone when I die. I quickly answered, and I don't really know why I knew the answer as I don't remember really ever thinking about it much, that I wanted my tombstone to say

"Life isn't fair, get over it and get on with your life"

We both got a kick out of my quick response. That has been my mantra for several years whenever the kids think something, anything, isn't fair.

For the most part they don't say "that's not fair" much, as they know my response is swift and sure.

Back in May, when Dakota was home, we went to the beach. My boys were observing their Dad playing in the sand with their little sisters. He had been giving them both his undivided attention since we had arrived. Both of the boys lamented at what a great Dad he was, and how if they could be half the Dad when they had kids they would be happy. I of course, in my motherly fashion admonished them, and stated that I hoped that they would not settle for being half the Dad, but because of his example they would be the best Fathers that they could be.

I later shared the convo with Michael, in an attempt to encourage him. He didn't really respond, he doesn't really accept complements well. (He would claim the same of me)

Days later Kartwright asked his Father what he wanted written on his tombstone when he died. Without missing a beat he said

"He was half the man his sons are"

God met my Dad in a special way on Wednesday, and I can very happily report that he is home, and doing fine. They were not able to do all three stents, as there was a complication during the procedure of the distal vessel. They will attempt to finish the remaining two in a few weeks.

Because of the complication, my Dad experienced an extreme amount of pain. it was very hard to see my Dad like that.

-I was reminded that God is always working on us, growing us, stretching us. We can not retire from his teaching when we are his children

-I was reminded, as my family worked together to get through the circumstances, that we have all been equipped differently, for different purposes.

-I was reminded that God has taught me to cry out to Him first in times of distress.

-I was reminded that God is truly in control.

-I was reminded just how much I love both of my Fathers, and how much they both love me.