Daddy-o!

If you know me you know that I LOVE MY DAD!!! I mean, I'm sure that most of us do but I sort of think mine is the coolest one on the planet. I always have - - but his cool factor has soared since becoming "Papa" to my girls. They think he hung the moon (and, I'm sure that he was somehow involved with that process) and seeing him with them fills my heart with joy!
Last night, we were headed out the door for dinner, margaritas and Mexican without kids. Sloane was on her way to swim with Stephanie and company (thanks again, Steph) and surprisingly, we hear a knock at the door. You know that feeling - when you have no idea who could be at your house unannounced and that sigh of relief when you realize it's a relative, or even better, PAPA!!!! Audrey was at dance with Josie, but Sloane was here and over the moon to see her #1 guy, sheer elation. He only got her to calm down by offering to read to her and then he could get his Sloaney fix. She was putty in his hands. ;)
He read to her for a half-hour and watched her perform her most recent accomplishment, a somersault (at least 10 times and each time he cheered like he had never seen it before). :)

Seriously, Papa should receive the grandfather of the year award, he doesn't miss ANYTHING. He is always there, for art shows, recitals, ballgames, school programs, you name it, he'll be there. Growing up, we didn't have that, he worked so much, day and night (2 jobs) that we rarely saw him and if we did he was heading to bed for just a nap until the next shift of work. I can't imagine the financial stress of seven mouths to feed, really nine. . .I'm overwhelmed just thinking about it!

Nevertheless, one by one, he's making it up to all of us in the lives of our children (as if he needs to). He spent last Saturday with Beka, David and her boys at a train exhibit. He does his best to be at all of Hannah and Caleb's ball games (only failing when they are on the same day and time). He has even met Andrew and Denese at the dentist to sit with James while they get their teeth cleaned, that's dedication! - - The kind he's always had in every area of his life, but now it's directed at all of us in the way of our children and I'm pretty sure, we are all loving every minute!

Seeing Dad with Audrey and Sloane shows me how much he loves me, always has and how much more quality time he would have spent with us if he'd only had a few extra hours in the day.

Thank you, Daddy for loving me and for sacrificing the way you did!! You truly hung the moon, I know you did!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I Love You!!!
-Meer

Note: Audrey busted into tears when she saw this post - she hated to have missed q.t. with Papa and who could blame her.