Father's Day ~ {One Year Ago...}

~Best Father/Daughter Picture we could get that day....still sweet~

~Open eyes will not happen!~

~Reaction to the breeze (just a face, no crying)~

This is a post I began the day after Father's Day, but then circumstances placed us back in the hospital; and unfortunately this day was quickly relegated to the back of our minds.  However, I have always wanted to come back and finish it since it was a special time for us, especially considering the events of the past year.  It was Father's Day weekend 2011 when we discovered that we were pregnant with our very first child; and since we had been hoping and praying for a baby for several months, we were ecstatic when the test read positive.  Little did we know what the weeks ahead would bring, but we spent that first Father's Day together in much anticipation and joy as we dreamed of what life would hold with a new member in our family.  While celebrating Father's Day this year, a myriad of memories and emotions overwhelmed us, remembering where we were one year ago as well as everything through which we had come since that time period.  God's amazing grace is so evident in a multitude of ways as we look at Noelle, but I also see it as I look at Tom.  His love for children has always impressed me, but watching him through the pregnancy and then since the moment Noelle was born, has made me love him so much more than I ever thought possible.  His tender, gentle care for our little girl coupled with his protective and yet ever fun spirit is a joy to watch, and I thank God for the husband he gave to me who now has assumed the role of "Daddy."  He does it very well and works so hard to not only provide for us but also spend quality time with us in an effort to lead our family in a godly manner.  Father's Day will forever hold an extra special place in our hearts for the memory of learning we were pregnant but also because there were many days when we expected it to turn into a day of grief as we were told that Noelle would not live.  Instead, it is still a day of joy, anticipation, and great thankfulness to God for all He has done and is continuing to do in our lives. 

~This set of pictures is from Father's Day Weekend 2012~

~Always has eyes for Daddy~

~She absolutely adores him!~

 ~This set of pictures is from this past weekend....Noelle & Daddy together~

~Smiles for Daddy~

~New Toy: Chins!!~

~Fascinated by Daddy~

~A Favorite Pastime Together~