They grow up so fast

One of my greatest joys in life is being a father...uh, no, being a DAD.  There is an old saying that goes "Any man can be a father, but it takes a real man to be a Dad."   For the last 23 years I have been a Dad.  In those 23 years I have done the following things:

• held crying babies
• changed diapers
• made bottles for 2 am feedings
• cleaned vomit
• seen first steps
• kissed boo boos
• Hugged them
• Kissed them
• tucked them in
• made the Boogeyman go away
• dealt with a broken arm, broken toes,  broken fingers, several sets of stitches, and a couple of ER visits
• taught them to ride a bike
• I have laughed with them
• been the exterminator (my second son has a fear of spiders)
• been a chaperon on several class field trips
• been to every parent-teacher conference
• had "the talk" with them  
• protected them
• taught them about the importance of Please and Thank You
• taught them respect
• taught them to open doors
• taught them about ladies first, basically I taught them to be Gentlemen

It's not all good though...

• I have cried, with them and because of them
• I have scolded
• I have yelled
• I have punished
• I have been called a meanie, a tyrant, and an even an asshole (that one left me speechless)

through it all,  I am now and will always be proud to hold the title of "Dad"

They grow up fast, it seems like only yesterday, my oldest came home, and my life changed completely,  I was now responsible for this little tiny life.  I had 9 months to prepare for it and it felt like it was not enough.  Everything was so new to me, I wondered if I was doing it right, I worried that I was not going to be a good father.  By the time the fourth boy came along, I was a pro.

I did not have the example of a good father growing up, my mom never married my dad (long story), but my dad was always a part of my life.  He wasn't a bad father by any means,  just not around a lot, he did the best he could raising his other 10 kids (again ... long story).  I set out to be the father I wanted and needed in my life,  and when I look back on the last 23 and a half years, I succeeded.  Ask anyone that knows me, just look at my boys, they are good young men,  hard working, courteous, loving, smart, caring young GENTLEMEN.

They fight like brothers are supposed to, I have never met anyone who has never fought with their siblings,  its a God given right.  They argue with each other and tease each other, but you mess with one, you mess with all four. They have each others backs, and would take a bullet for each other. I could not be more proud of who they have become and I can honestly say, I had a part in that.