First Time Walking!

Tyler walked such a long way in Wal-Mart!  Our journey to the toy aisle started out very slow, but once his muscles were warm, Ty's little legs began to move with more ease.  Walking is no easy task for him, but when he has a lot surrounding him, then he can focus on other things instead of his pain.  Boy, did I notice our surroundings, as well.  To the handful of people who stopped to encourage Ty on his walk, THANK YOU, for being so kind and giving him extra motivation.  To the sweet little girl who not only made her brother move out of Tyler's way, but who also let her brother know how she felt about him knocking a toy into Tyler's path, THANK YOU.  I saw the sweet smile you gave my son, and the "hi" you whispered to him when you were kneeling right in front of him.  To the mother whose son asked, "What's wrong with him?", THANK YOU, for answering him by saying, "Well, he has to have that machine to help him walk, just like other people have glasses to help them see. Nothing is wrong with him!".  To the couple who waited a couple minutes for us to cross an aisle, when they could have easily passed us, THANK YOU.  The smile on your faces was comforting to me.  The world is filled with so much hate and judgement, but people like you guys, make it a little easier to live in such a place.  Do people really deserve a pat on the back for treating my son like the human he is? No, because you would think something like that would come easily, but in today's world, those kind of people most definitely stand out. Today, a nine year old boy went to the store with his family to pick out a toy, and thankfully, the kind actions of the people around us were so loud, that he didn't notice anything else.  Today, we had a great trip to the store, and I'm looking forward to more of them.

By the way, Tyler made it from the entrance, all the way to the back of the store, to buy a new Avenger toy to add to his collection.  Welcome home, Vision! You will be loved and dragged every where we go from now on!

Father's Day 2016

Since I have had children, something I understand very clearly now, is how important the role of a dad is.  I did not quite understand how my father's lack of presence in my life and bad parenting affected me, until Ryan became a father.  Watching him love our children has given me back what I missed all of those years.  In my opinion, the small things are what count the most.  Every good morning hug, goodnight kiss, bed time story, surprise lunches at school, and quick facebook videos on lunch breaks, are what my babies remember.  Sure, they enjoy gifts, movie dates, etc., but when they tell me they miss him, they mention missing him before school (when his schedule changes), or how they are sad they didn't get their usual goodnight kiss (when he's at class), and things of that nature.  Ellie tells me all the time about the days he visited her this year at lunch and recess, and how much it meant to her.  To this day, she still asks for him to visit her at school again.

You don't have to be a biological father to be a dad.  As many of you know, Ryan stepped in to our lives when Tyler was three years old.  Everyone close to us was hesitant about it, but Ryan was strong from the very beginning. HE is Tyler's father, and no little paper is ever going to change that.  Tyler deserves to be loved, for exactly the way he is and Ryan was able to give him the love of a dad that he had gone without since birth.  The bond they have is something special.  I still look at them and remember the first time they met and how they had an instant connection.

When Ellie was born, Ryan cried.  I tell her often about how he fell in love with her on the day she was born.  The look in his eyes spoke volumes to me.  This man, this amazing man, is going to be the best dad there is, and I get to spend the rest of my life with him.  I will always remember the first "Princess Ball" he took Ellie to.  Tears were flowing down my face, because my daughter was going to a dance, with her dad.  She said it was one of the best days of her life.  I always wanted my father to take me to one of those dances, but you know what? It was so much better watching Ellie go to the dance instead. 

What makes me smile the most is knowing how great of a dad my kids will always have.  They will never know the pain of feeling abandoned, unworthy, or unloved.  Ryan is silly, loving, selfless, and the hardest worker I know.  Not a day goes by that he does not tell us he loves us.  Hearing the words "I love you" from someone who means so much to you, is one of the best feelings in the world to me.  I watch this man of mine bust his butt, in everything he does, every single day, and he says it is all for us.  To have a better life, a better future, to give us what we need, because we are his motivation and when we are happy, he is happy.  What he may not realize, is he gives us what we need already.  His love.  Because of this amazing man, I get to watch my children grow and learn, with a father who would do anything for them.  Their dad is teaching them some of the most important lessons about life.  You know, I always knew Ryan was capable of great things and he showed me from the very beginning with Tyler, how loving of a father he is.  This life is not always easy and we all have our bad days, but parenting, life, and trials, are all easier with him by our side.  

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, Ryan! You are incredible. You never cease to amaze me. YOU are special, YOU are worth it. YOU are important. I cannot thank God enough for this life with you as my husband.  What makes me the most proud is how devoted of a father you are. I love you. 

"Daddy, you are as smart as Iron Man, as strong as Hulk, as amazing as Spider-Man, as mighty as Thor, you are my favorite superhero."