With Fathers Day approaching this weekend and the kids and I brainstorming ways to make it ultra special for the circus dad, I feel it also appropriate to spend some time reflecting on my own father. Because, when it comes to dad’s, I have been richly blessed. While in the throws of parenthood, I think many a parents wonders, “Is it making a difference? Do my kids even notice?” And the answer is a resounding “Yes!

flag day Noun: 1. June 14, the anniversary of the adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the official US flag in 1777. 2. Justification for purchasing those fun patriotic outfits and crafts b/c “It’s not just for the 4th of July you can use them on Flag Day too”. The kids enjoyed making their own American Flags out of ribbon. They will serve as a great patriotic decoration in our home through the 4th of July.

There are few sounds I cherish more than that of my oldests son’s belly laugh. You just can’t help but smile when something strikes him as truly funny because his laugh is infectious. Until recently nothing could bring out that laugh like Tom and Jerry or Snoopy. But, then I gave him his very first copy of Mad Libs. And as I listened to him laugh out loud while he filled it in and read it to himself on the couch, well, I had to grab the camera and snap a few pictures.

This morning I was reminded what a great gift forgiveness is. It was a rough morning… the last day of a very busy week with not as much down time as we’re accustomed to. I felt the fatigue that morning with heavy eyes searching for the remote to buy me a few more moments of rest before I hit the to do list. I noticed the fatigue in children who quickly burst into tears or whiny screams over rather insignificant things.

My girls had their Mini Olympics Show yesterday afternoon and I gotta tell you, I was one proud Momma as I watched them perform. Their class did a floor routine (which was super cute to watch) and then each girl had a chance to perform on the bars, trampoline, and tumble track.  The event concluded with a trip to the medal stand for each girl and then the opportunity to pose for pictures afterwards.

While we’re making him wait till the end of the month to savor his first taste of cake (at his party when his grandparents can be there to ooh and aah), we couldn’t let his day go by without some sort of yummy mess. Enter baby’s first donut for breakfast. First, he ate each individual sprinkle off of the donut.  Then, it was time to ditch the hat, and tack a dab at the icing… again using his fingers to scrape it clean.

It was one of the best days of my life.  Even though it seemed like the time would never arrive, finally it was time. The doors opened, and Scott’s best friend began playing Trumpet Voluntary on his trumpet. And dad and I began our walk down the aisle. I will never forget the look of love in Scott’s eyes as I walked toward him down that aisle. I have a picture of his face on my dresser so I can remember it always.

I don’t share the kids names on the blog… but ya wanna know a secret? If our youngest son, had been a girl, her name would have been Joy. And as I reflected on that recently, I couldn’t help but think what a perfect word that is for our little man. He truly is Joy personified. Never have I seen a more happy, more contented, more easy going baby. He showers us all with laughs and smiles.

With temperatures in the nineties this weekend and heat indexes in the hundreds, I’d swear we were celebrating the 4th of July this weekend rather than Memorial Day. We seemed to have gone from winter to summer, with very little spring in between. Wasn’t it just a few short weeks ago we were bundled up at baseball practice in our coats and hats?  The kids don’t seem to mind a bit.