Happy Father's Day, Darrell!

Even though there is only one day of the year that bears the official title of Father's Day, Dad's get to celebrate every day of the year (just like moms).  I would hope that dads everywhere cherish each day they have with their children.  I know Darrell did!  Darrell was able to celebrate five "official" Father's Days with Cade and Addi, but we like this number better....1,748....because that is how many days that he got to spend with Cade and Addi before their Heavenly Father called them home.

All three of my love bugs!

At the pumpkin patch

Darrell is truly an amazing dad!  The moment I found out that I was pregnant with Cade, he was elated.  He couldn't wait to find out what we were having.  When we found out it was a boy he was ecstatic!  Cade looked just like his daddy.  From the moment he was born, every one, and I mean every one, would say "Man, he looks just like Darrell."  If we got even a penny each time we heard that statement we would no longer have to work because we would be set for life financially.

Cade's first day

Looking at the fish (Love this picture)

Some of my favorite memories of the two of them are just hanging out in the garage, playing some sort of sport outside, and wrestling on our bed.  My ALL time favorite though, is hearing them through the monitor talking and playing around in Cade's room, especially when they thought no one was listening.  Right before Cade passed away, we bought an old truck (1923 Dodge Brother's Truck to be exact) to fix up and Darrell was really looking forward to working on it with Cade.  Cade was just as excited; he loved to help his daddy put anything together.  The truck continues to be worked on in honor of Cade.  What an emotional day that will be when it is all finished!

Cleaning the wheels of the big truck

Getting the yard done

Being silly

At the pool...on Mickey's "big boat"

Playing at Castaway Cay

Nice Glasses!

Jammin' with their guitars

Ready for the Astros game

Soccer game

Then in September of 2009, we found out I was pregnant with our sweet girl Addi!  I knew the moment we found out it was a girl, that someone was going to have their daddy wrapped around her little finger.  That was proven true the minute I had her.  Darrell was so sweet with her!  I loved to watch him interact with her....so gentle (a big difference from being rough and tough with Cade).  There's something to be said about a daddy and his daughter.  He would crinkle up his face and rub his nose against hers and when he rocked her he would hold her close to his face and just snuggle.  At home, he LOVED to put her to bed at night!  AND...everything she did was worthy of a video!  He has several videos of her doing random things on his phone.  

Addi's third day

The football hold

Too sweet!

So sleepy!

Being silly

Nice shades

Daddy with his princess

Christmas...her hair is "A-Mess"

Darrell also took Addi to most of her doctor's appointments by himself.  He hated having to take her to those appointments, but he did it with a smile.  Those couple of times that she was admitted to the hospital, he spent every day at the hospital with us and did his work from there.  One of my favorite pictures is of him working on one of his inspection reports at TCH.  Addi was sitting next to him, and when he would listen to the recorder, she would hold up his extra recorder, copying what he was doing.

Difibrilator surgery

Drain tube stay

Copying Daddy

First time chest to chest after surgery

Darrell, you are truly a wonderful dad!  I loved watching you every day with our two beautiful children.  The 1,748 days that we had with Cade and Addi are some of my most cherished times.  Thank you for being my rock, an unbelievable husband, and a wonderful dad!  I love you right up to the moon and back!

My handsome boys!  I adore this picture!!

Daddy and his princess