Happy Father's Day

I am one lucky woman to not only have the most amazing husband ever, but to be the wife of such a tremendous father.  Our son is certainly blessed to have him for his Daddy, and this weekend, it was our chance to celebrate just what a great father he is and how blessed we are to have him in our lives.

 

We kicked off this years Father's Day celebrations with the "big award". Yesterday was the day that my Mikey received his award for Foster Father of the Year.

The ceremony was at the Chalk Art Festival at the Gateway.  We had to be there at 11:30 a.m. but as you know, we were coming from the mountains where Mike had just barely finished his last leg of Ragnar.  Needless to say, we were a few minutes late=)

But we got showered, got safely down Parley's Canyon, maneuvered creatively through the Saturday downtown Farmer's Market traffic, found a place to park and found the stage in plenty of time for Mike to get where he needed to be to receive his honors. 

ksl.com - 5 foster dads receive awards

One of our local news anchors announced what was going on, and the awards were then given to the 5 fathers chosen from the 5 different regions in Utah.  

Each father was introduced and a little bit was read about why they had been chosen to receive this honor.  I think I cried through every one!  When it was my husband's turn, I cried the hardest, and cheered the loudest.  The man presenting him with his award read about how he was nominated by not only his family and loved ones, but by the birth Mother of his adopted son.  He then read part of "E's" nomination.  It was beautiful and heartfelt, and truly touching.  She mentioned that she "didn't know there were men out there who could love a child so completely."  She said that she "could not have hand-picked a better man to be her son's father".  Mike cried.  I cried.  Then I took a quick moment to issue a prayer of thanks for this incredible man, the little man who has made him a Daddy, and the sweet girl who brought that little man to us!

It was a great and touching afternoon, and we were so thankful to be a part of it.  I always love being around foster families.  Their stories inspire me to do better.  Their children make me want to help more children like them.  Their selflessness astounds me.  Foster care has woven a special place in my heart and being among other amazing foster families never fails to strengthen those ties.  I am so thankful that my sweet hubby felt the desire to become a foster parent and take me along with him for the journey.  It has certainly changed us in ways we never imagined, and I am forever grateful to be a small part of these miracles that are taking place every day. 

Speaking of miracles, we saw one of our favorite miracles yesterday - Hayden!

Hayden was our first placement, and was reunified with his birth Mom about 6 weeks before our son Ian was born. We have stayed in touch with him and his Mom and I was delighted when they accepted my invitation to come to the festival yesterday.

When Hayden left us, I was so afraid that he wouldn't remember us.  I knew that he wasn't with us for very long, plus he was very young, but I prayed that he would always remember us.  I knew I would always remember him, but I was afraid that his memories of us would fade.

Yesterday, Hayden's Mom pushed him into the room in a stroller.  When I saw them, I ran over and crouched down to look right into his sweet little face.  I said, "Hi Buddy!!!"  The smile that lit up his eyes and his face, and the little arms that reached out to me showed me that my prayers were answered.  He remembered us=)  As I held him tight, I thought back to another time when I held him close as he cried for his Mama.  I was so sad then that I couldn't give him what he wanted so badly.  Now I know that I gave him just what he needed, at a time he needed it most.  Mike and I were able to touch his heart, and he holds us there still.  I can't describe how honored I feel for that, and how grateful I am to be a foster Mom.   

They had lunch with us, and gave Mike a card and a shirt that read "World's Greatest Dad".  His Mom said Hayden picked it out, and Mike told him that he was proudly going to wear it all day today.  It was SO great to see our "little Baby H". He never seems to change, other than he gets bigger and bigger every time we see him.  Love you Buddy! 

**Interesting side story here... just as we were sitting down to lunch, one of the first friends we made when we became foster parents came into the room to congratulate Mike on his honor.  She had read in the Foster Roster that he had been selected, and wanted to make sure she came to say hi.  We first met her when she and her husband taught one of the classes during our initial training courses, and then we met again when they became the temporary shelter home for our little Hayden.  She and her family had him in their home for a short time while a more permanent foster family (us) was located.  She loved him instantly and we kept her informed of what was happening with him throughout his time with us. She is one of the biggest reasons that I was able to get through those horribly sad and painful weeks after baby H left our home and I will always be grateful for her friendship and support.  Anyway, at lunch yesterday, we hugged and she offered Mike her congratulations and asked about our little Ian.  After a few seconds, I stepped aside and re-introduced her to the special little man she had cared for almost two years ago.  It was an awesome moment!  She was so happy to see him!  She took pictures and talked to Hayden's Mom about how he is doing.  I was so glad that she tracked us down at lunch and was able to see Baby H.  She is such a sweet lady, and we are happy to call her a friend.  See...foster care is amazing!!!

We had every intention of checking out some of the amazing chalk murals after lunch, but we were all pretty much wiped out after a busy couple of days, so we headed home to rest.

Now, here we are today - Father's Day.  Mike said this is the "BEST" Father's Day ever!  After sleeping pretty much around the clock, he woke up a little before Ian and I, so he went downstairs to quietly watch TV until we got up.  A little while later, he heard the door to the basement open and his favorite tiny voice loudly call out, "Daddy"?  All the way down the stairs he yelled for his Daddy.  When I set him down at the bottom of the stairs, he raced as fast as his little legs could carry him, while carrying a tiny wrapped package, over to his Daddy's waiting arms.  It was honestly so sweet!  Ian gave him a book called "My Daddy Loves Me" and they snuggled and read together for a while.  I LOVE these two!!!

 

Then I cooked Mike some breakfast - Crepe pancakes with fresh whipped cream and raspberries, chocolate milk and Ken's Kash bacon. Mmmm!!!

Ian thought it was great!!  Then we opened more gifts, played in the pool in the backyard,  and rested some more. 

Later we went to a park to play and to celebrate with the first Daddy I ever loved - My Papa.  I am so blessed to have such a supportive and caring Dad who loves me endlessly.  Happy Father's Day Dad - I love you!!!

Once again, I am so grateful, and far beyond blessed to have a husband who is the best Father our son could have ever asked for. 

Happy Father's Day Babe!!!  We Love You!!!