Day Care Graduation-August 2016

Big day for Zoe yesterday. She graduated Toyota Learning Center. She was so nervous, but soon that was minimized once she saw all of her friends there. The daycare really does teach the kids so much. I sat there wondering what we've taught her these first five years! 

Our big girl. The happiness and joy were real. A surreal day, for sure. One of many in this life. It literally does seem like yesterday that Janai and I were a nervous wreck driving home from the hospital wondering why the staff allowed us to take this living, breathing human back home with us! 😲 Now she's starting a new journey of her own with her own nervousness and anxiety. Time. Stay. Still

Summer 2016 Photo Shoot

Well, sometimes it's very hard to get pics of all of us together without a little help! Running back and forth from/to a tripod hoping for the best just doesn't cut it.

So we enlisted the help from a local photographer.

It's so important to me to have LOTS and LOTS of family pics. I hope the kids understand and feel the love we have for our little family.

1st Beach Trip-July 2016

"Happiness" does not describe it. I wish I had Zoe's reaction to seeing the ocean for the first time on video. My heart about jumped out of my chest! The smile will never leave that area of my soul. She audibly squealed as we drove over the Bay. Squealed! Then, as we entered the condo and she could see out through the sliding glass back door the wide ocean and white beach, she ran as fast as she could to look outside. Then she ran to the next room, then the next. And finally came back to the opened balcony with words I'll never forget: "I'm freaking out!" 😂😂😂😂😂 Never have I heard that word nor that phrase from my little girl . . . but she was absolutely freaking out! And my heart was/is full. 

We checked out the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. It's super small, but still has some things the kids don't normally get to do. Like hold alligators and snakes! YIKES!

We also visited Fort Walton, which has some cool things to see. But boy was it hot that day!

Finally got a pic of us all, but Juju wasn't feeling well. He trooped through the day, though!

Beach life!

The waterpark at Waterville USA was the kids' favorite spot on earth!

Everyone at Waterville knew how much Zoe loved the place! The shrieks and screams were like the waves of the ocean: never ending. I'm not sure how she has a voice today. And she was tall enough and brave enough to try the big slide! I couldn't believe it! We walked up those steps and flew down the slide A LOT!

There are no ways to be a perfect dad. But I'm sure there are many ways to be a good one. She'll never know the fears I have of keeping her from seeing a therapist later in life. The struggle of balancing adoration with discipline. Of my determination to not be the first man to break her heart. The effort involved in instilling self confidence in herself while maintaining her faith in my protection. It's hard being Daddy! And beautiful! She is the apple of my eye.

One of the highlights for Mommy and me was relaxing with Captain Jason from the boat A Pair a Dice. He helped us find LOTS of dolphins up close and personal. And we were able to fish!!! Zoe caught the most! :)