Father's Day 2010

30 cups of coffee, 1 pan of brownies, 1 bundt cake, 30 spam musubis, kids done with breakfast, and kitchen cleaned by 7:40am. On to church to set up tent and table for coffee.  This is our last week for our fundraising Sunday Cafe, and we leave for Ohio. 

Church was held outdoors again this week.  The sun took turns with the wind and rain, but by the end of service, it was shining brightly and hot.  Not to miss an opportunity to make good use of the ice cold water, Josh starts "bombs away" with the water bottles.  Koen and Kavin join him with Uncle Jeff watching.  After a while, Uncle Jeff realizes that he's supposed to stop them and starts shaking the finger at them.  Good times!

Home from church at 11:45 am and on to cleaning the house and cooking for the next meal. Trifle, ham, smoked turkey legs, layered bean dip, soybeans, and fresh strawberries. The kids are busy playing wii while the big kids sleep.  

Jime, one of our former foster teens that we worked with, calls to check in and say Happy Father's Day.  You know that the time and effort that you put in to change a kid's life is all worth it when they come back.  I ask him what he's doing today, and he jumps at the chance to come over.  He visits and catches up with everyone.  The kids are glad to see him again.  He is one of their favorites.  He has to leave right after dinner to catch the bus back to Job Corps, but not before I stock him with some food and get a promise that he'll call again in a couple of weeks.

We're never sure who will show up for our get together, but we know we'll always eat well and have fun.

Tonight, I reflect on those fathers that have touched our lives.  My own dad spent the day with us.  The one thing I am always thankful for is the morals and values that he instilled in us.  My grandpa who is gone, but a person that I will never forget and has forever left me his legacy of being a hard worker and great provider.  My brother-in-law, Kawika, who has been gone for the last two years.  He left behind a wonderful family, and we still miss him dearly.  My two brothers, Len and John, who have never shied away from stepping in to be "fathers" to all the kids.  My two brothers-in-law, Dave and Garrett, who live in other places, but you're great dads as we can see by the wonderful kids that you have.  And Jeff, who has had to be "dad" to so many that aren't even ours.  Thanks for all you do and who you are!