Happy Father's Day! 2011

We are wishing all the Father's out there -- fathers, grandfathers, great-grandfathers, godfathers, stepfathers, adoptive fathers, and Priests--the Fathers of our entire church--a very Happy and Blessed Father's Day!
I am especially blessed this year to have my DEACON Daddy...who is coming over for dinner tonight and will be blessing our (not-so-very) new house! ;o) I feel so close to my Dad this year, in many special ways since he was ordained and I have been growing deeper in my spiritual life as well. I'm honored to call him my Dad and so blessed to have him as my friend in life.

We're also remembering all those who have lost their fathers, and in a special way we are remembering my grandfather, John Joseph "Jack" Faber today... we love and miss you Grandpa! (We know you're having a great Father's day with our heavenly father today)

As I told my husband in his card... we are so blessed. The kids and I love him so very much, and cherish him. Michael is the head of our family, the strength we cling to, the love and support we treasure and the happiness we cherish. He makes us laugh so much, he helps us to be always filled with joy. He provides for us always... working hard and tirelessly to keep us happy and healthy. He brings us peace... we don't feel complete unless he's home with us. Watching Michael be a Daddy has been a blessing to me and continues to be. He has taught me how to love our children more unconditionally and to trust in God's love and assistance in this job as parents. I love him so much... and we are ALL truly so happy and blessed to call him our own!

Happy Father's Day, Michael!

Love,
Lisa,
Josiah, Alex, Lydia, and Benjamin

Josiah's New Bike

This new bike is special. And not because of it's super cool shiny detailed squishy seat, or it's flame covered handlebars and wheels, or it's Lightning McQueen CARS decals, or because of it's fancy bag on the front carrying an entire "racing kit" ...tiny cones and checkered flag included.

It's special because of the little boy riding it.

Josiah is growing up right in front of our eyes. He has always been the type of kid to ask and observe first... then take part later when he deems it is a safe and fun activity. ;)

Take jumping in the leaves for example... Daddy had to SHOW him how to do it and get him to believe him that it was fun, and not just crazy. Now, Josiah will jump in leaves like a maniac until we make him stop.

Bike riding was no exception. Josiah was simply just not ready I guess, until he turned 5. It helps that we finally have a bike his size, but the other day he just hopped on Lydia's and began riding. Before that, it took threats and bribes to get him to try biking on a bike with pedals. He'd happily sit his humongous 4 and a half year old self on a tiny baby schoochy bike (that's what we call 'em!) and he'd scooch around.

I was like, "seriously!?" get with it kid! But anyway...

Now he must've been ready. In his own timing... he has been riding his bike around like crazy now and it so excited to be such a "big kid". He still doesn't like going very fast, and he is still wearing pads on every joint of his body, but hey, he's a big kid. I told him he probably only needed his helmet on to ride around the court, and that he most likely wasn't going to fall off on a flat surface riding slowly, but he insisted on wearing the pads. (He really just feels special wearing them, and will sometimes wear them around the house proudly hollering that he's a "warrior!!!" So you know... whatever.) At least I know if he falls, he'd be basically no better off unless he was wrapped in bubble wrap. These kids do have their mother's clumsy gene you know! Lydia probably WILL have to learn to ride a bike wrapped in bubble wrap. That poor accident prone child.

Back to the point... here is Josiah, on his new bike...enjoy! :)

Josiah helped Daddy assemble his new bike and then pump air into the tires. 

Daddy and Josiah riding their bikes!

(You'd think I planned the yellow shirts... but it's totally coincidence. So cute!) 

Josiah happy... so proud of himself. We are so proud of him too :)

                       ...Riding off into the next phase of our lives... having a 5 year old is new and exciting! :)