My first Father's Day

I never would have thought that changing dirty diapers, appeasing a crying baby and just sitting around watching our little man sleep would constitute a great day. It was nice to hang out at my parents house and BBQ some ribs with Dad and just be with the family for the afternoon. It's amazing how life can be so perfect when you just slow down to notice that there are people to share it with.
I didn't know what to expect on my first Father's Day, but it did capture my imagination. I couldn't help but think about the many years ahead that await and the Father's Days when my son may not be so fond of the idea that I'm the father that he got stuck with. Or wondering how many Father's Days would it take for him to realize what a blessing it is to have a father at all. But even if there are years like that, I know there probably will be, I am going to look at him with the same amazement that I do now, blinded by this love that a father has for his son.
You know, life is full of amazement. Shawna and I have spent the first 5 years of our marriage looking at each other saying, "Wow, we're married!" And now we look together at our son and say in awe, "Wow, we have a baby!" This life has never ceased to amaze me and I hope that it never does. Enjoy the pictures and enjoy the life God has given you.

From Hefti's father.

Growing so fast...

It hard to be away for a day and not see baby Hefti for eight hours or more. It seems like when I return he's grown even since I left in the morning. I miss him, I miss watching him, and studying his every move and gesture. How can you not be amazed by his perfect little body. I stare at all his perfect little parts and wonder what scars will be added to that perfect skin over the years, wanting to protect him from everything that could harm him, but knowing that life will bring pain that we can't prevent. Tonight I prayed for him, that God would give him a heart after His own, and a mind for righteousness. So amazing, seeing my hand stretch across his entire chest as I pray for God to bless and keep him safe, and to make His face shine on him. There are so many hopes and dreams for him and still you're left with such a helpless feeling because you have know idea what life will bring your child. So you surrender, again, for the hundredth time today, and ask God to lead your child and protect them, because you know that you really don't have the ability to assure his protection. I rest in knowing that God is good and He has greater dreams than I do for my child's life, and the means to make them happen. So I pray that my child will trust his heavenly father more than me, because I know that even though I love my baby more than anything I have ever loved before, that my heavenly Father loves him more, He loves him completely and perfectly.