When I grow I want to be like you...

As a parent you make so many sacrfices. Thinking back having infants then toddlers probably wasn't Paul's favorite stages, although he enjoyed watching them grow and learn during each phase. As the years have gone by Paul has found new adventures to share with the kids. His adventurous spirit is one of the greatest attributes that I love about him. Many fathers are caught up in their careers and don't have the time to invest in the life and relationships with their kids. Paul has done a tremendous job over the years being a part of their life and their interests. He has sacrificed many hours with friends and even his own hobbies to do things with them. Paul taught both of the kids how to ride motorcycles when they were young. When they would fall, he would pick them up, dust them off and put them back on so they wouldn't develop a fear. Just his presence and their trust in him would give them the confidence to get back on.

Paul has passed on his love for fireworks. Each year we go back to Indiana and the kids are by his side all night laughing and having a great time. At times, I get nervous but enjoy watching them be together! It is a tradition, one that the kids can't wait to do year after year!

For years, Paul has traded in his Saturday mornings when he could have been riding his harley or going to the gym to sit out watching Abby ride her horse. Many times he comes home exhausted from his trips, sometimes only getting 5 hours of sleep the night before. He stops and gets a large coffee and spends the morning with Abby. Many times on his days off, he gets up with her at 5:30 to take her out to ride. Some used to think that he was watching her progress but she loves him being there. 

Paul has spent time with Dylan teaching him how to play ball, riding bikes. I love how Paul always makes deals with the kids to help them achieve their goals and help them be the best that they can possibly be. Paul can fix almost anything whether it is a dryer or a part on the car. Dylan has always loved to tear things apart and now Paul has begun to teach Dylan how to fix things too. Dylan's newest project was tearing the old computer apart. Paul taught him to connect the small inner fan to a battery that actually works. Dylan has a fascination with how things work. When he was six months old, laying on the floor trying to get the wheel to work on his stroller and watching to see how it was put together. Paul understands how Dylan's mind works and often can see ahead of Dylan and challenges him in things that interest him.

I am confident that the kids will look back on their life and really appreciate that Paul has invested his time and energy into just "being there", involved in their day to day activities. He has hardly ever missed a game, a concert, a birthday party, halloween. Although work takes him away from time to time, he goes to great lengths to rework things often at his own expense to be there for them. I am so thankful for all that he does and all that he has personally invested in each one of them as individuals. How blessed Abby and Dylan are and have been to have Paul for a dad! Happy Father's Day Paul, we all love you!!!