Some guys have all the luck

Looks like a(nother) little lady for this guy!

Father's Day Eve!

Girls,

Now that you are getting old enough, I think it's time to share with you an ancient tradition dating back thousands of years that not many people know about called "Father's Day Eve."  The night before Father's Day dads get to sit back, reflect on their families, the good memories and the lessons learned in the past year and archive those thoughts so their children can learn what their dads were thinking about them when they were young.

Originally, these thoughts were written on tablets (stone, not iPad), then papyrus, then the tradition was lost for centuries.  It was only a handful of years ago this tradition was re-discovered and resumed, but since stone tablets and papyrus are a pain to store, blogs are now the medium used.  (Do not bother Googling this tradition and I will let you know when Wikipedia is okay to search)

Anyways, enough history on Father's Day Eve.  On to tradition!


First, let me tell you girls that even at your young ages it is crazy how much you love each other and how different you are.  Yet even though you are different, you are both extremely sweet and caring.  Annika, the whole flower girl event for you was like a coming out party.  Your extraversion is so more apparent, you love talking to just about anyone who will listen, and you have a pretty good sense of humor.  You have also already lost the "dy" and "my" from daddy and mommy, now it's just "dad" and "mom."  I know 60 year olds who haven't lost that yet.  While it is a bit sad, it is rather humorous coming from you, your mother and I hear you talk to us and just say "who is this girl?".


Audrey, you have no shortage of words either.  You are curious and will get into anything if it looks interesting and older kids are doing it.  You already have figured out how to work the system.  The last two times you have spent the night at Grandpa and Grandmamas you have gotten sick and Grandpa has stayed up with you watching TV in bed.  I am pretty sure you faked the sick part (I know, not really) because the next night you got me up to hold you and then promptly turned around like it was time to watch TV... at 1:30am.  Yes, you have learned to work the system.

One of my favorite little treasures lately is when your mom has to go to work and you both cuddle up next to me "nice and cozy" and we get under the blanket and watch Despicable Me.  I love Annika how you think the main character's name is "Despicable Me" instead of Gru (and you can't really say Despicable) and Audrey how you laugh at your sister when she mimics Vector yelling "Oh yeah!"  It's hilarious.

Father's Day Eve also has to include a lesson that I have learned from you two.  So here it is: as I watch each of you grow and see your differences I realize like anything surrounding management, I can't handle you the same.  You are different and need to parented in ways unique to you.  While sometimes I wish it would be easier and I could just parent you exactly the same, I recognize I wouldn't be doing you any favors.

In the same vain, I recognize that God parents us the same way.  Each different in our own unique ways.  He loves us where we need it most.  Proverbs 3:11 states "do not despise the Lord's discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in."

Two lessons.  One, it makes me see the ways that God is providing the discipline that I need and instead of fighting it, it would probably be more beneficial to lean in and realize he is trying to help me and mold me (like I am trying to do for you).  Second, it keeps me cognizant of wanting to make sure I am not doing what is easy when it comes to being your dad, rather that I am doing what is best for your growth.  I know I don't always do that well, but it is something that I am fully aware of.

All that to say, I am proud to be your dad and you are growing and stretching me each day.  Your personalities bring me so much joy.

So girls, there you have it.  Your first Father's Day Eve recording.  You are now part of a great tradition that dates back thousands of years...

...(or 45 minutes :)

five years ago...

i squeezed into this white dress with the help of my mom and sister...

and walked through this vineyard to meet up with my best friend

it was the easiest decision I had ever made

which is how i knew it was just right...because you see, decisions had never been easy for me

my dad walked me down the most beautiful aisle lined with candles and under gorgeous hanging chandeliers

we were surrounded by friends and family who supported us then and have supported us since

we said our vows, not really understanding yet for ourselves all that they would mean

our friends sang "In Christ Alone", a song i have come to love even more than i did that day

we kissed

then we had a party! what a fun party it was! 

we have been watching our wedding video over and over with the girls and my favorite part is seeing all of you who were there celebrating with us! 

family and friends

these are eric's grandparents. they turn 90 this year. they have been married for a really long time. they lasted the longest at the "married couple dance." I have a whole new appreciation for the winners of those dances now that I know the work that goes into a good marriage. 

these five little cuties are so grown up now. some said this is a foretelling of what is in store for eric...

how fun would that be?! 

this little man is almost 6!!!

so many many friends came from near and far

grandmas...

and so many cousins!

we danced the night away

our cake was delicious...cheesecake...yum

we ended the evening with a traditional apu alum dance to neil diamond's "Sweet Caroline". who can remember who started this tradition?

 i am continually amazed at how God has given me things that i didn't even know that i needed in a spouse. these last five years have included a couple of small moves and one big one. new careers, new friends, new little family members, two of our own beautiful children and....

ONE MORE ON THE WAY!!!! if you made it to the end of this post you get to hear our news. Baby #3 due Oct 30. We are thrilled and so thankful for all that God has blessed us with. 

Wedding, Flower Girl, and 104!

A few months back, I (Eric) was watching Annika dance and the thought occurred to me "Annika probably won't ever get to be a flower girl."  For a moment I was sad as I thought it would be something she would enjoy.  Two weeks later my cousin Nicole, who went to Point Loma right after me which allowed for an unique bond as the only family near her in proximity during college, called and asked if Annika would be a flower girl in her wedding.  Honored, Kara and I were equal parts excited and nervous knowing our daughter's ability to be stubborn at the worst times.

Weeks leading up to the event we found out the other flower girl bailed leaving Annika as the lone FG, only adding to our nervousness.  Then came the white dress in the mail which hung in Annika's closet tormenting her for weeks (what's with you women in white dresses?).  Then we started showing her the scene of the FG's coming down the aisle in our wedding video (side note: why is it your own wedding video is always awkward to watch?), which means I have a certain Chris Rice song engrained in my head having heard it 30+ times.

Finally came the weekend of.  The venue was a beautiful golf course in Rocklin... but the wedding was outside and it happened to be the two hottest days of the year.  At the time of the wedding it was 103 degrees.  Yawzah!

Annika, despite four  90 minute car trips in two days, constant attention from everyone in sight, and the ridiculous heat that almost sent her mom over the edge, our litte champ was in her element.  She was an angel, talked with everyone, and most importantly, did her job perfectly.  It wasn't until after the ceremony when we tried for the last photo opp and she knew the babysitters had dinner that she finally broke down.  All in all, she surpassed our expectations.

Cousin Nicole, your wedding was great, you were beautiful, and thanks for allowing our little peanut to be a part of your special day.  We are so excited for you and Matt and can't wait to spend more time together.

Getting ready for the rehearsal, but who is helping who?

My lovely ladies!

In her element!

Annika loved having matching flowers as Nicole, and never has she smiled on command more than here.

I am a lucky man!

We had a decent wait until the ceremony began, Annika kept on saying, "Come on, let's go, time to walk..." to which Nicole kept on saying "Seriously, right?"

Final comment: There was a little walkway down to where the ceremony was, so I was responsible for getting Annika down there and then letting her walk on her own to where Kara was waiting in the front row.  This left about a minute up at the top where it was just Annika, Jim (Nicole's dad), Nicole, and me.  As we started our decent down the path and to the back of the aisles, as I let go of Annika's hand and watched her go down the aisle in a white dress, I realized that  it will only feel like a few days before she won't be the flower girl but, Lord willing, she will be walking with me down an aisle...

Just as this thought hits me, Annika stops walking and all my attention reverts back to finishing the task at hand.  With every bit of me willing her to keep walking I see her look to her left, smile at my mom, and continue walking down and around the corner.  Little stinker.