He loves them with all of his heart. He tells them often how proud of them he is.Hearing that your daddy is proud of you...that is a wonderful feeling (whether you are 3 or 34).
He isn't afraid for them to see him make mistakes. And when he does he says "i'm sorry". He doesn't hide his flaws from them.
He has a lot on his mind, but when he is here he is PRESENT.
He hugs them,kisses them,cuddles them. He expects a lot from them and is firm with them when he needs to be.
Every day he tells them their "specials" at bed time. These are things that make them special. His favorite things about them. And when he is not here, he texts them to me.
He leaves them notes, sends them emails and messages. He calls them on the phone if he can't tell him he loves them in person.
Every single day he is showing them (by example) the man they should aspire to find one day.
Kind,strong,brave,steady,selfless,true. He has never called me an ugly name. He has never spoken unkindly to me in front of the girls. He treats me,and makes me feel, like a gift. A rare jewel.
He is showing them that they deserve the best. That they should expect NO less.
He is teaching them self-confidence,grace,self-respect.
He rough houses with them, giggles with them, teaches them to play football,paints their toenails.
He is a superhero.
His love for them gives them courage and wings.
His love for them is like our father's love for us. Pure.
It's a beautiful thing to witness.
s
beautiful indeed.
Posted by: Debbie | 02/14/2012 at 06:52 AM
Beautiful post, gorgeous photos - as always ! You really can be proud of him and of your whole family !
Regards from Hungary !
Posted by: Gabriella Józsa | 02/14/2012 at 06:54 AM
hope you have a lovely valentines day.
Posted by: nicole @ I am a Honey Bee | 02/14/2012 at 07:02 AM
beautiful. i love that jimmy is showing the gilrs by example how much their Heavenly Father loves them and how much they can trust Him. what an amazing gift.
Posted by: Jenni Hufford | 02/14/2012 at 07:04 AM
Beautiful words!!! This touches my heart, especially today when my husband left for work tired, but never complaining after he spent all night with a sick little boy! That's love!! Happy Valentine's Day!
Posted by: Kami Pfingsten | 02/14/2012 at 07:30 AM
J sounds like a wonderful man - husband and father! Happy Valentine's Day to all of you!!
Posted by: Nicole | 02/14/2012 at 07:41 AM
Beautiful post, Steph.
Love the pictures.
xx.
Posted by: Mara | 02/14/2012 at 07:45 AM
I had that father. I had him for 26 short years and then I lost him. I'm 51 and not a day goes by that I don't think of my daddy, the man who taught me that I deserved to be loved, I deserved to be treated well, I was smart, and loving, and loved. I was expected to be a good person, to do well in school, he taught me right from wrong. Everything I am today, all the good I am today, I owe to my parents. Thankfully my mom is still here, still my role model, still who I aspire to be. I miss my daddy every day. Your girls, you, you are so lucky to have J - and I can tell from your words and from your photos that you all appreciate that and are thankful. And that warms my heart. Thank you for the gift of yet another beautiful post.
Posted by: krys72599 | 02/14/2012 at 07:54 AM
You are all so blessed, Stephanie! Happy love day! :)
Posted by: Nicole | 02/14/2012 at 08:05 AM
That was just beautiful!!
Happy Valentine's Day to you and your family!
Posted by: Angie | 02/14/2012 at 08:58 AM
Happy Valentines Day!
J is such a wonderful daddy!!!
Where are the pictures with Cate & Lucy?!
this post is beautiful stephanie, those girls sure are blessed. If ALL men were like J, this world would surely be pure and lovely for all....I hope & pray my children find a husband like him one day (and like their own daddy of course, because he's pretty darn special)!
hope your day is beautifuL!
tara
Posted by: tara pollard pakosta | 02/14/2012 at 10:15 AM
thanks! they were asleep :) this was before the father daughter dance on friday.
s
Sent from my iPad
Posted by: Stephanie Howell | 02/14/2012 at 10:16 AM
what a lucky man to have all you beautiful ladies in his life, no wonder he's such a happy guy! You are lucky too, he looks so content and at peace in these photos,like those girls are all he needs to survive, and if you don't mind me saying...quite the handsome one isn't he ? :) :) Happy Valentine's Day to all of you :)
Posted by: laurie lariviere | 02/14/2012 at 10:23 AM
i love this. beautiful. happy valentine's day.
Posted by: joanne p | 02/14/2012 at 10:43 AM
Awww so sweet! What great pictures!
Posted by: Natalie | 02/14/2012 at 11:04 AM
I think my favorite part about your blog is how you speak of J. I sense that you both feel very lucky to have each other. So awesome! Happy Valentine's Day to you and your family.
Posted by: Krista Nash | 02/14/2012 at 02:22 PM
too lovely. Love your family! <3
Posted by: Christine | 02/14/2012 at 05:20 PM
I cried....
Posted by: Kat | 02/14/2012 at 05:21 PM
beautiful......
Posted by: Ana F. | 02/14/2012 at 06:17 PM
That is seriously sweet & I love the interspersed Pinterest images, way cute.
Posted by: Katie Scott | 02/14/2012 at 07:10 PM
love*ly ....
Posted by: Amanda | 02/14/2012 at 07:57 PM
What a wonderful Daddy and what lucky little girls! Beautiful post:)
Posted by: Linda | 02/14/2012 at 09:11 PM
Such a sweet post! Lucky guy to have 5 ladies in his life and lucky for the 5 ladies to have such a special guy in theirs!
Posted by: berta | 02/14/2012 at 09:29 PM
Such a special daddy! Wish more dads were this way! Imagine what the world would look like!
Posted by: Kathy Martin | 02/15/2012 at 06:34 AM
Lately all I do is cry when I visit your blog. LOL!! Happy tears, tears of joy, and you just get my heart moving. I love this post, you can just see the love pouring out of your husband...for his baby girls. {and you} XOXO Happy Valentines Day!
Posted by: Shannon Shurtleff | 02/15/2012 at 08:52 AM
awww...so very sweet!
Posted by: Jessica B | 02/15/2012 at 09:53 AM
I adore that Elaine Dalton quote...so true! Beautiful post!!! ~ Barefoot Mama
Posted by: barefoot mama | 02/15/2012 at 10:09 AM
Just beautiful. Got me got me crying over here!! There is nothing sweeter then seeing a daddy and his girl (well girls in your case) I live through the relationship of my husband and our daughter I wasn't lucky enough to have my dad in my life so seeing it grow and be nourished is a double gift and thank our Lord for seeing how beautiful it really is. Thank you so much for posting this. It's made my heart super happy. OH gosh see you got me crying again! LOL.. :)
Posted by: Ellie A. | 02/15/2012 at 12:36 PM
i love this post. So true. And I love that quote by Elaine Dalton, she's one of the leaders of my church and I think she is wise!
Posted by: Barb @ getupandplay | 02/15/2012 at 03:01 PM
I love this, how sweet for him and your precious girls. This just melted my heart!!
Posted by: dawn | 02/21/2012 at 06:28 PM
you are a very lucky woman. and he's a wonderful man who deserves his beautiful wife and daughters!! i feel so happy for you and your family for the love that a good husband and father brings. <3
Posted by: aichaku | 02/25/2012 at 09:39 PM