This post is way overdue.

I have to admit that in the 11{almost 12} years that Chris and I have been married, I've probably been way too stingy with praise when it comes to him.  Especially since the kids have come into our lives.
As Moms, I think that sometimes we get so wrapped up in caring for our kids that we forget the one who made our family possible in the first place.  {See what I did there?  I grouped all Moms together so that I could make a blanket observation, therefore removing some of my guilt by implying that we all do it.  Clever, I know...}

So...here goes my long overdue "husband gush"...

I'm not sure how I managed to marry a guy who so easily transitioned into a family man.  He truly loves his family.  I should have guessed, he's so generous of spirit that it's almost to a fault...almost.  He's always been the first guy to step up and help a friend or family member in need with absolutely no strings attached.

He can completely transform attic space to an extra room...I mean cut an actual hole in a roof and build a room.  Himself.  Well, with some help, but mostly himself.  I'm talking wiring, drywall, trim, window install...you name it.  When I think of the thousands of dollars we've saved remodeling this money pit...well, it's mind-boggling...truly.  And, I know that he hates to do a lot of it, but he does it anyway...for his family.

Then, as if that wasn't enough, he also cooks.  Now, he would say that 90% of the time he cooks. I would say that although he cooks often, 90% may be a bit of an exaggeration.  Regardless, do you know what a gift that is?  When I feel as if cooking dinner might be the end of me, he's generally more than happy to jump in.  He not only cooks, but he enjoys cooking...and he's good at it.  I'm a follow the directions kind of gal...boring, I know, I'm working on it.  Chris will throw a few extra ingredients in something and most of the time it works...not only works but improves it.  And, I'm not talking about frozen dinners and hamburger helper...real honest-to-goodness meals.

But, he is by far the best at being a Dad...and that's saying a lot with all of his skills.  He's always pitched in and helped...diapers and all.  He's even been known to wake up in the middle of the night {although middle-of-the-night parenting isn't his strongest parenting skill}.  He may not be perfect, none of us are, but he's present and loving and there is no doubt how much he loves our kids.

with Colin

with baby {sniff, sniff} Ty

again with Colin...

and Ty

fishing with the boys {Colin in picture}

with Eden {aka Daddy's girl}

Sometimes I complain that he does a little too much of this...

and maybe he does, but...in the end I love him.  And he's allowed a few faults, after all.

*disclaimer: as I mentioned above...he is not perfect, as none of us are... he would be wise to remember   

  this on occasion, and not let this post go to his head :)