Happy Father's Day X 2

A good man obtains favor from the LORD
~Proverbs 12:2

Tomorrow we will be celebrating Father's Day with Josh....we are planning on heading up to his parents for a clam bake, just waiting on the weather to cooperate!

We're not sure what we're gonna get him for a present this year.....we always put together a nice keepsake of personal letters from the kids along with something either motocross or music related. The hand written cards from the children are worth far more than anything we can purchase in my opinion....these kids adore their dad and what they express in these letters is priceless. He gets a beautiful assortment of feelings and thoughts that all ultimately point to how much they love him. The childlike awe is still present from our 18 year old's writings....filled with pure love with a twist of humor thrown in. The raw honesty comes through from our 15 year old son who shoots straight from the hip but is sincere and loving. Our 11 year old (do you realize I just typed 8 year old.......holy time warp, Batman!).....has a way of sharing his love and appreciation for his dad in all the simple things in life that most kids take for granted. And then there is our 6 year old Daddy's girl who will send Josh running for the tissues with a few misspelled words.

Point is.....they are so blessed to have Josh for a dad. There is never a time that they do not come first....in fact.....others always come first in his world. It's just his way. It's been that way from the beginning. I can remember when G was first born.....this long haired rocker was working not two, but three jobs to support us. He made countless trips to the pawn shop to sell off his collection of guitars and equipment . He was trading off Marshall Stacks for carseats and exersaucers......and he never complained once.

Let me back up a bit and give you a better picture of it all. And here I go with being transparent and real.

Josh and I were pretty young, living kinda reckless in our early twenties in the late 80s. Not sure whose hair was bigger now that I think about it. We met at a club (typical, huh?) and became friends. He says that when he met me, he knew I was "The One". I, on the other hand, was clueless to it all. We met, he was nice......I carried on. Then a few weeks went by and I started to wonder why I would have random drinks bought for me at whatever club I was at. It was getting borderline stalker-ish until I realized it was that skinny rocker dude, Josh that always happened to be hanging at the same hangouts as me. So I started to talk to him and really get to know who was behind the AquaNet and spandex. Five minute conversations turned into hours on the phone in the wee hours of the morning. We built a really good friendship and could be found hanging at the beach or crashing a party together. Then, that Fourth of July in 1990......something just went Ka-Boom along with the fireworks display and our journey began. He basically was the date that never left and were living together. We were harmless in the sense that we just did our own thing, loved being with each other and lived the rock-n-roll lifestyle together. We def. were slated as "one of those couples" who wouldn't make it past a year or so.

To make a long story short (which actually is quite funny now that we look back, I'll share it sometime)......I found out I was pregnant less than a year into "playing house". At this point.....Josh could have simply bailed on the situation, which unfortunately is the case more often than not. But that never crossed his mind (that I know of, LOL)......

......we now were faced with this inconceivable fact that we were going to be parents and responsible for this little life. It also became a reality/possibility of the health of this baby as I had no idea how far along I was and did my share of "recreational" partying. So, on that day......May 5, 1991.....I had my first real conversation with God. I "told" Him that I would never touch another drug in my life if this baby was OK. Like I was making a deal with Him. WOW....how far I've come. That point in my life is testimony alone to God's Grace.

So we were completely taken by surprise (like who knew that having unprotected sex could create a baby???....again, not proud of the way I lived my life......but laying it all out here and keeping it real for you all. I was...and still am.....a sinner saved only by God's Grace and Forgiveness)

So zipping along with this.....the 21 year old part time working musician (that would be Josh) immediately went out and got not only one, but two jobs. One being a pizza delivery guy who would have quarter tips tossed at him on a late Saturday night by the late night drunken customers. How humbling this was for him. But he never quit that job. He never quit on us.

Some day I'll share countless stories that will chronologically display what an amazing person and father he is.....I've got some wing-dingers that I think would have you say....."he did WHAT!??!!" I'll leave you wondering........

So through this long and crazy journey these past 18+ years......he still doesn't quit on us. Sometimes I wouldn't blame him if he did. After working 50-60 hours a week, he may come home to a selfish teenager who gives him an attitude when he asks for some help with a chore. Or he might find one of his few possessions broken or left out in the rain. He doesn't demand dinner on the table (if you tasted my cooking, you might see why) or walk around cracking a whip to keep everyone in line. He works hard so that I can stay home and homeschool our kids.....He does without so he can give to others.

He is a good loving man who is living his life for Jesus and his family.....that is just how it is.

I am so blessed to have him in my life......I cannot imagine spending this life with anyone else. I thank God all the time for bringing Josh into my life. I thank God for creating a "new" life within a life that was going no-where fast......I thank God for the privilege of being able to celebrate Father's (and Mother's) Day with Josh.


And I also want to celebrate Father's Day in honor of the Ultimate Father. There is not a more perfect example of a "Dad" than our Father above. There is no greater love than His.

So God.....I want to thank you for being the most amazing Father to me. You chose me as your child. You are with me always. I feel your presence every minute of every day. You love me unconditionally and know every hair on my head. You are my strength. You are my Light when I am in darkness. You lift me up when I am down. You never leave my side. You are my protector and my provider. You are my hero.

Thank you for sending Josh into my life to be the earthly father to the blessings you have given us.

Thank you most of all, God, for sending your Son Jesus to be my Savior and Redeemer.

Peace and love....

your daughter~
*~Michelle~*