What we’re up to #4: Derek

In honor of his birthday today, how perfect that I get to do a little update on his life. Even though his life consists of a whole lot of work right now (house and MSA), he does an amazing job of making the kids and I still feel important. He is creative and generally way more fun than I am in the kids’ eyes. He thinks of things like bundling them up and getting them out of bed to watch the sunset, which I love.

He is officially done with youth group now after more than 13 years of working with teenagers. This is big for him, but he is feeling it’s time and he is good with it. He had his last senior night to celebrate his small group, which included his nephew Colby. And then there is the spreadsheet he had to make to try to hit all the graduation open houses – it was crazy! It is so cool to see the impact he had on so many kids.

MSA has been having Derek travel a bit for the last couple of months, and he has been gone for a week or so each time. It has been great to discover Skype and the girls LOVE seeing him on the computer to talk.

The times he gets home from those trips are always great because no one can get enough of him and the kids are attached to his hip nonstop.

We had a full on Daddy celebration on Father’s day, complete with homemade cards, a special book for them to read together, a “Dance me Daddy” song where they each had a turn dancing with him, and watching videos that they had made about him.

And I got to celebrate him too, while Symantha snapped pictures (loving every minute of it)

Here he is celebrating his own Dad, along with his brothers.

This next picture is a bit deceiving, as they were heading off to the Dad and Me Campout. It was beautiful and sunny ONLY for these few minutes, and it poured on them most of the rest of the trip. No worries, they still had fun.

And in a very rare moment, Derek even got to play a little softball. A few years ago, he was on three different teams and played tournaments. Softball used to be a big part of our lives, but there is no time for it now, so he only gets to sub for a team now and then.

I can’t wait until he has more leisure time, but I’m thankful he handles all this stress and busyness so well. In a few months, it will not be so crazy. Until then, he is doing his best and we are so appreciative of his hard work and love for us.

Happy birthday, Derek!!