Working with Daddy

Well, Rachel has been asking for awhile now, and she finally got to do it. She got up this morning and went to work with Nick. She picked out one of her lovely summer dresses, packed a backpack with some toys and markers and left. Nick took her to chick-il-a (as Rachel calls it) and got her some breakfast before they got to the office. Once there, Rachel met several of Nick's co-workers and then played on his computer for a long time. She also colored several pictures to give to us. She was there for about 2 hours, had a great time and felt so special getting to go to her daddy's work and be a part of his everyday routine. I'm so glad that she got to do this and I'm so glad Nick took time out of his day to show Rachel what he does at work.

I remember going to work with my dad and how I thought I was so special to get to be in his office, sit at a desk and "work". I remember drawing pictures or reading or playing with his office stuff. I loved these days when I was got to have my dad all to himself and he always treated me to a special lunch too.

What special memories for both of us!

Blogger down...

Sick and Tired (mommy, that is!)
a little quality time with daddy before bed

Rachel's doll, "Orange Juice", makes Bradley laugh

when her eyes open and close

trying on mommy's hat

FINALLY feeling better!

Yeah! I love to use my mermaid goggles!

loving the baby pool

Bradley decides to sit in the

water wheel table

Well, I've been a "blogger down" lately, between our SLOW internet service and a sick little boy. Poor Bradley has fought and finally kicked a nasty virus that lasted OVER a week! We hope no one else gets it, since we've all felt the ramifications of the virus with Bradley's lethargy, fever, unattainable demands, crying and general unhappiness. He was definitely a different little boy this week and he REALLY didn't feel good. But, thankfully, he is doing much better. His fever finally broke last night (Wednesday) after 4 full days of running a temp. He also started eating again today after hardly eating anything for 2 days. I'm so thankful that he is feeling better and that his little body was able to fight off whatever infection was attacking it. It's so easy for me to get aggravated, frustrated, mad, tired, etc...when one of my kids is sick. But, I'm so thankful that we don't have some chronic or terminal illness that we have to deal with on a daily basis. I prayed for Bradley's health to be restored, for his little body to be healed and him to feel better and act like his spunky, silly little self, and God answered my prayer. Thank you, Lord! I know that my kids are a blessing from God and I give him all the glory!!!

Anyway, I've posted some pictures from the last few days, some were in "sick mode" and some were today when we had all pepped up again. :)

Happy Father's Day!

Making brownies

Such great little helpers!

Father & Son
(I wish I had taken a picture with my dad to post!)

The kids weren't too thrilled to take a picture

because they were tired, but they really DO love their daddy!

Today was Father's Day, and unfortunately, we didn't make it to church. Bradley has been feeling a little rough for the past few days and I just didn't feel like trying to make him happy at church when he already has a difficult time. So, the kids and I made Nick a yummy breakfast...not healthy, but very delicious...bacon, eggs, sausage, biscuits and Rachel insisted on making daddy a chocolate chip smiley face pancake. We didn't do much during the day, and then went to Joe and Deborah's late this afternoon to swim and eat. Deborah made some yummy shish-kabobs with chicken, steak, shrimp, potatoes, onions, bell pepper and she also grilled some asparagus. The asparagus was sooo yummy! Last night, mom and dad came over to celebrate Father's Day, and were generous enough to bring yummy stuff to make fajitas. Dad seasoned the chicken with some great seasonings and we had beans, rice, sauteed onions and all the good fajita stuff. We got to eat some really great meals in honor of our fathers, but I didn't do a thing to contribute! Thanks mom and Deborah for making the celebrations so fun, delicious and easy!

The kids and I did make brownies on Saturday for Father's Day. Bradley wants to "help" cook too. He won't let it just be me and Rachel. He's pretty good about stirring as long as you keep a close eye on him to make sure he doesn't fling the whole thing out and get batter everywhere. He LOVES helping just as much as Rachel does and his little mouth is open in excitement the whole time. Rachel has a more active role, pouring in the ingredients and mixing them together. They're both so precious in their eager desire to HELP!

Onto the Father's Day thanks...

I have been so blessed to have my father in my life. My dad has ALWAYS been an excellent example of a good husband, father and christian. My dad always followed through on everything he ever said he was going to do. He loved (and still loves) to have little sayings that he reminded us of during various situations. One I remember, "Say what you mean and mean what you say." He always had a good attitude about life in general and when we would ask him how his day was, he would say, "Every day's a good day." He was an extremely consistent parent. He and mom always worked as a team and created such a stable, loving, nurturing environment. I remember ALWAYS being in church on Sundays and loving it. We had some really great church homes that we belonged to where I learned so much. I never wanted to disappoint my dad and he set such a strong example and I knew I was very special to my family. So, when I began dating, I was only interested in dating boys who I thought my dad would approve of. My dad has always been a loving, caring, supportive father who made sure I was well taken care of, provided for and left wanting nothing. Thank you dad, for being the absolute best dad! I love you so much and admire so many things about you! I'm so proud to have you for my dad!

Onto my father in law, Joe...

I have also been blessed with a loving, sweet, caring father in law. I never knew how much I would enjoy having another "father figure" in my life. Joe is such a giving, caring person to everyone, but especially to his family. I've enjoyed spending time with him for the past 13+ years and getting to know who he is. Most of all, I'm thankful for how he raised his son, my precious husband. He set such a fine example of what a father is to his family, how he should provide for them, love them and be there for them. Thank you, Joe, for being such an awesome father in law! I love you!

Now to my precious husband, Nick...

I am so thankful that we met, became friends and fell in love! I remember when you were my brother's friend, a boy in the youth group. Always cute, always funny and quite charming. I'm so glad you decided to pick me as a girl to date and get to know better. I'm so honored that you picked me to be your wife. You are such a wonderful husband AND father! Your love for your kids is precious, sweet and touching. There are so many days when you're at work when Rachel says, "I wish daddy was here." She loves her daddy so much and you are helping to make her feel secure, confident and loved. She is so lucky to have a daddy who reads to her, plays with her and spends quality time listening to what's on her little mind. You are already setting such a powerful example to Bradley of what a father and man are supposed to be. There are times when Bradley looks around and says, "da?" or "where da go?" (in his own little way) He's really become a daddy's boy lately and that will only continue as he gets older. I was and am blessed abundantly to have you in my life. Thank you so much for being who you are, for staying strong in your convictions, for providing for our family and for LOVING us all so much! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH, you sweet, handsome, man!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL THE DADS!!!!!!