Father's Day 2012

Yesterday was Father's Day. This is not a holiday I have had to celebrate with a significant other. All new to me. So... what do you do for your fiance with all 4 kids for Father's day? You make a video...and then go on a family hike.

Here's the video:

Our family hike was to Jones Run Falls in the Shenandoah National Park. This was a brave 3.4 mile hike for our first time hiking and for taking all 4 kiddos. Although Katelyn fought with us (and lost) about what she was going to do and where she was going to hike, Mikayla felt faint, Sydney said she was tired, and Jessyca was just determined she was going to be the first to the end -- I would call it a success. 

Eric loved the video (brought a few tears I think) and then had a good time spending the day with us on our outdoor adventure. We have decided that maybe hiking is not our thing at this point with a challenging two year old. Maybe next year?? 

At least we enjoyed the beautiful scenery....

Mikayla, Kate, Me, Jessyca, and Sydney looking at Jones River Falls

Eric & Sydney in front of a Mini-Waterfall

Sign A Day - Dad

Being that we celebrated Father's day this past weekend it seems fitting to have our next sign be "Dad"


Dad is made by opening your hand flat into a "5 shape" and bringing it up to your forehead. Place the tip of your thumb on the middle of your forehead as seen below.

What is a Father?

According to www.dictionary.com:

fa•ther [fah-ther] (noun)
1. a male parent.
2. a father-in-law, stepfather, or adoptive father.
3. any male ancestor, especially the founder of a race, family, or line; progenitor.
4. a man who exercises paternal care over other persons; paternal protector or provider: a father to the poor.
5. a person who has originated or established something: the father of modern psychology; the founding fathers.

Some of the definitions above are not what people typically think of when "Father's Day" pops into their head. Oddly enough, neither Katelyn or I have a father in the traditional sense. Both of us have "fathers" that are not involved in our life in any way, shape, or form. Father's day has never felt like a holiday to me. Mother's day was always celebrated, but Father's day was not the same. With such a high number or divorces in America I'm sure some of you feel the same. Many fathers are awesome even after the parents separate, but unfortunately this is not the case for Kate or I.

In a way, we are luckier.

The men that act as the Father in our lives choose to be there. It is not a natural thing for them. They, at some point, made a conscious choice to be involved in a fatherly roll on a daily basis.

Tim, my step-father, entered my life when I was 12 years old. Although I don't call him Dad, I constantly refer to my "parents", meaning Tim & my Mom. He still continues to help me and be involved in our lives on a regular basis even after I left the house. He has been the man that helped me get to football games in high school, picked me up when my car broke down, celebrated graduations, the birth of my daughter, and is an involved Grandfather as well. Tim has been there in all the ways that count as a Father. For that, I am truly grateful.

Next weekend, we are all going out to Lake Anna with my parents and Tim will get to show his boat off to Eric and his girls to celebrate Father's day. Looking forward to making these memories with Kate and all three of Eric's kiddos as well.

Happy Father's Day Tim!!

Tim, Mom, Myself, & Kate in February 2012