Happy Father's Day

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Wishing all the fathers, step-fathers, grandfathers, foster fathers, and single mothers acting as mother and father a very happy Father's Day.  Hope you are surrounded by family, happiness, and lots of love.

Although I had a difficult relationship with my father, he was a wonderful grandfather to my boys and they miss him terribly. For all you did for my boys, thank you and wish you were still here, Dad.

The last photo of my boys with my dad 

As for my husband, Bill, he is not only the most wonderful husband in the world, he is the best father and step-father ever. When we got married in 1997, my boys were 9 and 6 and Bill has always been there for them, whether it is for a school function, help with repairing a bicycle, or just to talk... he especially has a way of making our lives special by always having a way to make us laugh. For that and so much more, I want to say thank you and I love you with my whole heart.

Bill and Nikolaus at his Army Basic Training Graduation

Bill and Alex at Universal Studios.

The first summer Alex was taller than both of us.

May you all have a fabulous Father's Day and a wonderful weekend, surrounded by those you love.


P.S. The babies would like to say that they love daddy so much and thank him for all he has done for them.

Our Babies: (L-R)  Nano, Mia, Mandie, Wiggles, and Mumbo

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Happy Father's Day to the BEST Father, Step-Father, and Grandfather!

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Today I want to wish the most wonderful man in the world a very happy Father's Day... Yes, Bill is the most wonderful father to his two children, the BEST step-father to my no-so-little boys, and a great grandfather to his four grandchildren.


We all love him so much and are SO lucky to have him in our lives.

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Three Generations of Shewbridges: Bill, Colby, and Del (plus Debbie sneaking in)

I'd also like to wish a very happy Father's Day to my step-son Del, who is a fabulous father. I saw first hand just how wonderful, a couple of weeks ago when they were visiting from Texas. His son Colby is such a well behaved, polite, and loving little boy. And that can only be from the way he has been raised by his father and mother. So happy Father's Day, Del... you deserve it!

Bill and Nikolaus at Basic Training Graduation

Bill and Alexander (one of my favorite photos)

Hope all my friends have a very happy Father's Day and get to be surrounded by the ones they love.

As always, please keep in mind those fathers who are not able to be with their families because they are protecting us all by serving in the military. Praying they all return home safely soon.

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Happy Father's Day ~ Dad, Step-Dad, Pop

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I just want to wish all the dads, grandads, soon-to-be dads a very happy Father's Day!!


There is one father in particular that I would like to mention.... my dearest husband Bill.

Isn't he just so handsome?  =)

Generations of Shewbridge Men

Bill raised two children of his own by the time I met him and they are both wonderful people, just like he is... which he got from his father, a super sweet man who wrote the best love letters. I only wish I had gotten to meet him before he passed away.

Then, after having raised his own children, he married me... a single mother with two very young children: Nikolaus was in 2nd grade and Alexander was just starting Kindergarten. He took on all this responsibility without complaining and lovingly helped me raise our boys into the fine young men they are today. They still call him Pop and have shared some great times with him and he was always there for them. He went to every school concert, parents night, ornament night, everything - even when the boys biological father didn't. Bill was there when Nikolaus graduated from Army Basic Training as the soldier of the cycle - top in his class.



Bill and Nikolaus at Army Basic Graduation









Father's Day Tie from Nik, age 7
Bill wore it ALL day at work!





Alex finally got taller than Bill.



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Nikolaus, Lorie & Alexander



I don't know what the boys and I would have done without him.... so to Bill/Pop, thank you for everything you do and for all the love you show us. We love you with all our hearts - Happy Father's Day!!

As always, I ask that you keep in mind those who are serving our country and cannot be with the ones they love so that we enjoy freedom and safety. Remember them today along with their families with hopes that they will ALL return home safe and sound.
 

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Happy Father's Day

You could call Sonora Smart Dodd the "Mother of Father's Day." After all, the holiday, celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, was inspired by her.


Dodd's mother died in 1898 during childbirth, leaving her father, William Jackson Smart, to raise Dodd and her five younger brothers (including the newborn baby) on a remote farm near Spokane, Wash. While attending a Mother's Day sermon in 1909, Dodd decided that fathers deserve the same recognition.

Within a year, she -- along with some help from her pastor, the Rev. Conrad Bluhm, the Spokane YMCA and the Ministerial Alliance -- did it: June 19, 1910, was designated as the first Father's Day. Throughout Spokane that day, Sunday sermons were themed around the importance of fatherhood.




By 1924, the holiday had gained some national prominence. President Calvin Coolidge that year recognized Father's Day and made it known that he wanted more states to get involved.

In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson signed an order proclaiming the third Sunday in June as Father's Day. He even requested that flags on all government buildings be flown that day.  In 1972, President Richard Nixon signed a proclamation permanently observing Father's Day on the third Sunday in June. All because of a young girl who appreciated her dad's love and wanted to see his efforts acknowledged. William Jackson Smart died in 1919, so he got to celebrate 10 Father's Days with his grateful daughter.*


To all the fathers, grandfathers, and step-fathers... wishing you the most wonderful day spent with those you love and who love you.  Please also remember the fathers who are away from their families serving our country here and abroad and pray that they are able to return home soon.

To my darling husband, the most wonderful man in the world... Thank you so much for being such a terrific dad to not only your own children, but to mine as well.  We all love you so much and are so glad that you came into our lives 14 years ago.

Until next time..... Lorie

{*Information from Aol News}