"Father!–to God himself we cannot give a holier name."
~~William Wordsworth
Hello from Willowveil!

Okay, so I'm not actually in a castle but Willowveil is what I've chosen to name my new laptop.  We had a rocky start but things seem to be going well now.  Nonetheless, getting switched over has taken considerable time.  Add onto that the fact that I'm catching up on some chores that went undone during the "Carpenter/King" phase (shredding, shredding, and more shredding) and... you get a short newsletter!  So without further adieu...

God bless,
Jenni
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A Note from Andrew on Father's Day

Hi guys,

Recently, after things began to calm down (blessedly), Max asked me for some advice on fatherhood.  Zeke saw my note (admission: I showed it to him for approval.  He has way more experience with fatherhood than I do!) and said I should share it with all of you.  Since today is Father's Day, now seemed like a good time. 

Here goes...

1.  There's only one perfect Father and you're not Him.  You will make mistakes.  Maybe you hide behind a dresser with a new plush toy and jump out, thinking you'll delight your little one, and instead they burst into tears and start screaming.  You'll feel awful but it's highly doubtful the kid will grow up with a paralyzing phobia of pandas (or whatever the animal was).  They'll also forgive you... maybe after you give them ice cream.  Which brings me to...

2.  Be reasonable and don't get too concerned about food.  You'll read how sugar is evil and everything needs to be organic but you undoubtedly grew up eating cake and non-organic bananas and are still here.  Passing "food issues" onto your child should be a bigger concern than whether a cookie has too much sugar. 

3.  Don't ever take cuddle time for granted.  I know I'm not!  Right now, Belle's still really into it but I know someday toys and art supplies and the pets are going to be more amusing than snuggling with Daddy.  When that time comes, I'll treasure the memories I have.

4.  Take lots and lots of photos and video.  It all happens so quickly and it's good to look back and see how much growing your little one has done... and revisit the even littler person they were.

5.  If you leave home with your kid(s), take an extra change of clothes for them.  Always.  Maybe for yourself, too.  The time you don't will be the time they get chocolate pudding, cake, or ice cream all over both of you.

6.  Let them enjoy their imaginations!  It's really true that a lot of kids can have more fun with a box than whatever electronics came inside it.

7.  Read to them.  You may have their favorite book memorized and the idea of reading it yet again might make you want to scream but I have it on good authority that, one day, they'll realize that and be even more grateful to you and value that time together more than ever.

8.  Love their mother with all your heart, mind, body, and soul.  I hope you do this simply because you want to but it's also important because kids need to know that their family is strong and secure. 

9.  Remember that the two of you are part of a very important three person team: her, God, and you.  God made you both responsible for this miraculous little person and He meant for you to work together to bring them up.  So always stand united... especially when your adorable baby gets old enough to try to play you off each other.  ;-) 

10.  Don't take a single moment with any of your family members for granted.  As we all experienced so recently, you never know when your entire world might change.

11.  Tell your child, every day and even multiple times a day, that you and their mother love them very, very much... more than life... and always, always will.

12.  And then tell them that as much as the both of you love them, God loves them even more and His love will never, ever go away.  He'll always, always be there for them.

13.  Never forget that God loves you, too!

14.  Remember, whenever you feel confused or overwhelmed, you have so much support around you.  There are many, many people waiting to lend you a hand.  Most importantly, God's there.  Pray unceasingly to Him.  He definitely knows what it is to be a father.

That's all I have for now.  I'm still catching up on sleep so I hope it was all coherent.  Maybe we can make this a yearly thing?  Which of you gentlemen is on board for next year?  0:-)  Happy Father's Day to all fathers and fatherly figures!

God bless,
Andrew
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In the word search below, you'll find several of the Dyelander and Friends fellows' names in honor of Father's Day.  Since it's not just fathers who fill a fatherly role in children's lives, I've included characters who are grandpas, uncles, and godfathers, too.  They can go horizontally, vertically, backwards, and diagonally.  A list of names is at the very bottom of the page if you'd like help.  This is by no means exhaustive.  It'd be huge if I included all the uncles and such! ~Jenni
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This newsletter is dedicated to John Dye for taking part in TBAA which constantly reminded us that, no matter what, we have the love of our Father in Heaven.

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(Photo Credits: The photographs used on this page are from Touched by an Angel and owned by CBS Productions, Caroline Productions, and Moon Water Productions. They are not being used to seek profit.)

Word search key: ANDREW, ADAM, HENRY, ELI, VINCENT, ZEKE, JOSHUA, YOSEF, JACOB, SEAN, ELIOT, MIKE, MAX, ROBERT, NICO, ARTHUR, OWEN