superdad~

i think i married the perfect guy. seriously. completely serious.

he is the most amazing husband and dad that i know. he gives and gives and gives and keeps on smiling.

he gets up during the night with noah to comfort him in his "i'm not the baby anymore" adjustments, gets up at 5:30 to get ready for work, fixes breakfast for the other children that are already awake, makes his own lunch, gets his guys called and organized for the day, and leaves to do whatever it is that he does so well.

he goes all day long solving problems, organizing people and materials, pacifying belle meade ladies in their particularness, all while fielding phone calls from a tired wife and excited 7 year old who has lost his latest tooth. he goes by the grocery if needed and comes home to be greeted by six sweeties who all demand his undivided attention.

he helps get dinner on the table (while still fielding phone calls from the guy who doesn't seem to understand some people have families and like to actually eat dinner in peace), encourages our children in their table manners, helps clean up, and proactively trains them to help clean up. the latter part taking place while he graciously allows me to take a bath.

he then takes all the children outside to play, brings them in to go upstairs for bed, reads the Bible story, prays with them, brushes their teeth and puts them to bed. and as i was recently pregnant and refusing to go upstairs unless absolutely necessary, he does this all alone.

he then comes downstairs to a wife who is ready to talk, finally, with an adult, and he graciously spends time with me. he eventually gets time to do his paperwork and get his next day squared away, staying up much later than he would prefer.

and he changes every dirty diaper there is when he is home...with a smile...
(you're all jealous now, i know it :o)

but the most valuble thing to me is that during this day to day practical stuff, he pours himself into our children. continually. he disciples them. he has their hearts completely. he values them. when anna needs a dad to tell her she's beautiful, he is all there. he knows that if she knows and feels she is beautiful to him, she won't need that from someone else later. when caleb needs a dad to teach him to shoot his bb gun safely and treat girls with respect, he takes time to teach him. he plays soccer, rides bikes, teaches them how to use his recording equipment and lets them. he lets them "help" on every one of his projects and jobs around the house. he does the hard stuff. he is their friend.

i've heard you shouldn't be friends with your children when they are young, and while i understand what they're trying to say, i'm all for being friends with your children. friends now, friends later. and he is their best friend. mine too.

for all of you that think i'm super mom...now you know why. i'm not super mom. i'm married to superdad. seriously.

i love that guy.