Father's Day

It's Father's Day here in the commercialized industrialized world. Yes, I'm choosing to celebrate, even if it is a 'made up' holiday, to take advantage of the opportunity to point out to my boys all the ways their daddy is special. Of course I do this every day, but it is fun to single out one day to pay extra special attention to their dad, and do fun art projects aimed at making Daddy feel extra appreciated.

Just like my Mother's Day post, I chose an assortment of photos with parent and child for this entry. But unlike my Mother's Day post, I had different reasons for choosing these photos with Mark and his boys. Here I chose photos that reminded me of what a loving, hardworking, and faithful father Mark is.

I love this look of pure joy as Mark holds his firstborn son, just about two minutes old, for the first time.

I selected this photo not because it looked like Mark was having fun as a dad (he wasn't), but because he was being a good dad by letting the boys climb all over him at the end of a hard work day, when all he really wanted was a nap.

Sleeping with baby Ben while I got things done around the house.

No cute story behind this one. I just think Mark looks cute holding his little buddy. :)

Snuggling a sick Benji at the doctor's office. Mark has gone to every single one of the boys' doctor appointments, well checks and sick visits alike.

Being goofy with Ben - I love that Mark is childlike and silly with his kids.

From our vacation in Carmel, which was at the time a very unpleasant experience since we had a 20-month old and a 5-month old. But Mark was cheerful and patient throughout and made the memories of the vacation enjoyable to recall.

Mark and Tommy, sitting together in their favorite chair, after doing yard work together. Actually, Mark was doing all the work, and Tommy was just crawling around in the dirt, dragging a rake behind him. To this day, Tommy still loves to "help" Daddy do yard work and is actually starting to become somewhat of an actual help. Mark takes the effort to include his boys in whatever work he can, and finds small ways they can help (even if they're not really helping).

Happy Father's Day, Mark! I'm so proud that you are the father to my children. Our world needs more fathers like you.