so close

I almost, so close, borderline surprised J for Father's Day. I am NEVER able to get him a present that he likes that he doesn't find out about before hand. I either a) get him something he doesn't want/thinks is dumb or b) he guesses what I got him. It's infuriating. Father's Day snuck up on me which is why I still haven't slipped our other fathers' presents in the mail yet. Oops. Anyway, his package containing his t-shirt from a hole-in-the-wall bar in Alaska that he always regretted not buying arrived just in time on Saturday and I was pleased as peaches until he grabbed the package from the mail box and said, "What did you get me, a t-shirt?" YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME. Ugh. Anyway, when he opened it on Sunday, he was still surprised that I remembered so it's sort of a half win.

Did you have a good weekend? Mine was pretty good. Captain J has been home to help out with the kid so I've been able to relax a little and read a lot. It has been so nice to have him home and see him interact and help out with Baby K so much over the past few days.

Well, I've got too much to do to sit around and blog today. I've got to clean the house and pack for our beach trip we're leaving on in the next few days. Not to mention, we're getting some professional photos done of sweet baby K later on, too. Yay! Speaking of sweet, cute little babies...

There's a little poll over on the right hand side of the page under all the followers boxes where you can vote on whether you think Baby #2 is a girl or a boy. Y'all were right last time! I'm counting on you.

Now, if anyone would like to guest post while I'm gone, do let me know and I'll pencil ya in. I'd love to have you.

Happy Monday!

papas, daddies, fathers, etc.

I was blessed to have several men in my life that have served as father figures. This girl has never been lacking in that area of influence and for that, I'm forever grateful. Dads can sometimes get the shaft when it comes to the appreciation and credit of parenting. Let's dispel that, shall we?

It is for this reason that I will share with you some of my favorite memories-

That's a picture of my dad and me hiking an East Tennessee trail. Not only is he responsible for much of my love of the outdoors, but he is also probably to thank for my odd sense of humor. He's a funny guy. I remember waking up each morning for school to him proclaiming from a nearby room, "Wooo Weeee, I get better lookin' every day!" I like to think he still says this to himself (or out loud) every day.

We've had lots of good days. From camping to attending bluegrass festivals to spending hours out on the lake, some of my very favorite memories are with him. We can crack ourselves up by endlessly quoting Wayne's World or likening a happening in our lives to a specific episode of Andy Griffith.

When my dad is around, you're sure to have a good time.

Then there's this man-

The guy who loved my mom so much that he took on a ready-made family to be with her. I'm forever thankful for him, too. I have always respected his opinion and sought his approval when making any major decisions in my life. He has taught me so many things over the years, including helping greatly when I learned to read.

And Lord knows I'm thankful I can do that.

Among other important fatherly figures in my life, are these faces...

and there are others.

I'm so happy that these men will be able to be in Baby K's life, too. Like I said, I AM blessed.

And to my hubby- on this, your first Father's Day-

Just look how much fun we are. We're going to be great parents. I love you, daddy-to-be. Always have, always will.

Father's Day Love

Let me tell you a little something about the men in my life ( a few of them anyway...)

My dad is the coolest. Seriously, he is. He's one of those dads that has wise words for me, advice, and a shoulder to lean on but he's also loads of fun to be around. He's funny and he's the guy that people are just drawn to. When I think about my childhood, I realize how blessed I am now to have this man in my life...more than that--as my dad. 

Here's my dad with my purdyy stepmom after running a marathon. Yeah..they're rockstars.

I also married into a really great family...therefore I inherited the best father-in-law a girl could ask for. He's intelligent, caring, humorous, and also fun to be around. One time, when Captain J was deployed, he talked me through an alcohol/crazy-in-love induced crying fit so you know he's gotta be a good one. Not many can handle the stress of irrational, deployment Mrs. K!

Here he is with my lovely mother-in-law (and then another on his sailboat):

 

And I'm also lucky to have my stepdad in my life. I'm so thankful to him for loving my mom (and my sister and me!) and making her happy. He has taught me so much in my short life and I can't tell you how grateful I am for him.

My radiant mother and him on their wedding day-

I'm just as happy as a lark (I've always wanted to say that) to have these father figures in my life. I truly am the most blessed woman in that department.

Happy Father's Day y'all! I love you very much.

Need some card ideas for your dad? Use mine as your guide...

 

Much love,