A Father's day list...

I know many great dads to celebrate today but two are especially near and dear to my heart, My own dad and Ryan. I try not take these men for granted as they are the fathers everyone should have and know that put their childern above themselves, loving them with not just words but action and are always there for them. Working in my field I know this unfortuntately is not what ever child knows or has. I am reminded today of the blessing I have in knowing both these men and their love in my life and my daughter's life.

For Ryan I can't help by think of a list of all the things he does better than me in the parenthood department to honor him this day, probably haven't told him these things exactly but I'm sure its why God designed familes to have two parents, you can both bring different strengths that help balance the enourmous job of parenting out a bit. Here's where he excels far beyond me:

1. Cutting her finger nails. Since she was brand new, he was great at this, she trusts him to the task an sits more still for him than me.

2. Eye drops. I was a disastor at this task which was required 3x a day during a pink eye ordeal this past spring, luckily the two of them worked out system between them to get the job done.

3. Challenging her. he is great a challenging her to do more on her own at times, or take a risk that might seem scary to her, she is so proud when she does and I think this will cary forward in wonderful ways as she grows older.

4. Getting up with her at night. Ryan has logged probably as many sleepless hours as me at this point, maybe even more. He has always been great at doing more of the middle of the night stuff he could.

5. Patience. I've never in these two years heard him raise his voice or loose his cool with her. There of course have been frustrating moments but he always shows her respect. The verse "slow to anger" comes to mind. This is the biggest one that I learn from him how to grow in even more with her.