Father's Day Tribute

I can't say that I ever had a "dad" to wish a Happy Father's Day to, but in some ways that was the biggest blessing I could have ever asked for. It definitely made me know what I was looking for in a father for my children. There were better stand in dads than I could have ever asked for, and for that I am forever grateful. Thanks Grandpa, Denny Miller, and Fred. You all did a pretty fantastic job of raising a daughter out of the kindness of your hearts. Sadly, there are fathers that I miss like crazy today. Norman Sipe, you were the best example of what a Daddy should be for me growing up. Your legacy will live forever because of the way you loved your kids. Bill Fults, you were a super amazing step dad to Wade and Shawn. You were a true example of loving children like they were your own. You always treated me and Kim as if we were your daughters. Not to mention, you were the very best Papaw on the face of the planet. I sure will miss your sense of humor. I hope you two are enjoying your first Father's Day together in Heaven. As crazy as he makes me, my boys' dad has modeled the value of a good work ethic and loving your children the best way you know how to my sons. Finally, onto the most important "Daddy" in my life, my husband Shawn. You really are the most amazing father and step-father in the world. You love all four of our kids with the same gentle guidance. You're the best Daddy to our little girls. The dance parties in the living room and your inability to tell them no are proof. So anyway, for a girl with no Daddy, I sure do have a lot of them to thank. I'm beyond blessed. 

 So...I started a blog. A really long time ago I started a blog and now I realize that my kids are like three years older than they were when I started a blog. I'll chalk that up to my ADD moments and the "babies" season of life. Praise the Lord that the "babies" season is over!!! At any rate, we're moving briskly into a new season of life that I would like to document not so much for entertaining anyone, but more for maintaining the last teensy weensy droplets of my sanity that might still be hanging in there.
 I guess I need to catch myself up. First, I'm a Jesus girl. I even teach Sunday school. It's okay, if we've ever known each other in real life, you can laugh. But hey, the kids I teach are all under five and they prefer their teachers a little on the spazzy side. Then, I'm Shawn's wife. You know, the lady who makes sure he has clean socks and underwear and that we still have electricity and running water. Next, I am the very proud Mama to Ethan (13), Evan (9), Faith (7), and Leah (4). I'm also a friend, volunteer, chaperone, taxi driver, ouchie fixer, and at least a dozen other things not glamorous enough to make the list.
 Now onto the reason for my desperate need to pour out (and hopefully sort) my feelings in a blog. I know what people think. Strangers see me with four children in tow and ask (out loud even) "Are they ALL yours?". Nope. I just go around picking up random extra children to take to the grocery. I mean...really? Yes. They are ALL mine. And I love them. More than almost anything. So anyway, LIFE IS SHORT! I want to remember some things forever and I'm afraid that if I don't put this part of our life in writing I'll forget the details that I am so hoping to remember.
 We have a huge secret!!! And no, I'm not pregnant...again. My neighbor finally decided last year that she would pursue her dream of fostering children. So she did the training. Then the paperwork. And all of the inspections. And she signed things in blood, I think. I'm kidding. I hope. She spent some time waiting for a foster child to grace her home. I remember telling her that I wasn't sure that I could love a child that wasn't biologically mine the way I love my own kids. And then it happened. She was so excited when she got the call that CPS would be placing two girls with her. I was excited for her, too. And that's when it really happened.
 Did I mention that my neighbor is a really good friend of mine? Did I mention that we spend a lot of time together? Now here's where it gets interesting. I FELL IN LOVE. I have loved those girls from the instant I laid eyes on them. The very first time we met, I remember thinking that the two of them just felt like part of our family. And that's where we are now. I have to change their names in the interest of confidentiality. From right now until they are officially ours (or until God slams the doors shut-which is what I've been praying for if this isn't what He wants for us) I will call the teenager Ella and the tween Abby. That's it. The secret is out. Shawn and I are doing what we can to adopt these girls. Can you imagine the comments that a mother of six kids will hear? I can't wait. Bring it on!