For Brett.
Eight years ago, I watched you in the parking lot from my chair behind the window of a nail salon. I didn’t know you yet, but I knew I was supposed to. Without you even knowing, I witnessed a tender moment between you and your boys and I’ll never forget smiling, slayed by the kind of father you were.
Little did I know you’d one day be the father of my own children. For all the years I dreamed of being a mother, I couldn’t have picked a better mate to share the journey with me. I love our wild ride of parenthood, and when the steep hills come, I’m so glad you’re by my side.
We are far from perfect, yes. But for all the times you drive me crazy, I am so quickly reminded of the treasure you are. To be your child is to be lucky…so very lucky.
Happy Father’s Day.
Speaking of lucky, I have five father figures to love today. Happy Father’s Day to Brian, Roly, George, Gary and my dad who I love so very much.
Go hug a father.
Becky says
Beautiful!
Sherri says
Love it! All of it! Beautiful tribute, my friend!Xo
Mum on the Run says
So so gorgeous.
There’s no better trait in a man than being a committed, courageous Father.
🙂
B's Mommy says
Happy Daddy’s Day! Your little one’s are blessed to have him for their daddy.
Beautiful Kelle!
Team Lando says
Happy father’s day, Brett!
Malina says
<3
mrszimm says
This is beautiful. I love that the first thing that drew you to your husband was his love for his children. Something so touching about a man who adores his children.
heather says
Love all of the pictures! You can feel his love!
Wishing Brett a very happy day!
xo
Lauren {sippinglemonade.com} says
That last picture of Brett and Nella is priceless. I never loved my husband more than when he became a father.
Elma says
Oh what a beautiful post!! I love all the pictures and the one on the left his son looks just like his dad!! What a wonderful man you have!! You are all so Blessed:)
Life with Kaishon says
Dads are the best, aren’t they?
Summit of Glory says
sniff…sniff….Brett’s a keeper for sure! xo
Crystal says
I would love to hear more of the story about how you guys met. Sounds really awesome.
Can I just say, the middle picture on the first row and a tiny Lainey sleeping next to her daddy…. she looks so much the same today as she did little bitty. How sweet!
And that last picture is just awesomeness!
Jenn says
awww you can see the love he has for his children in all those pictures. Happy Father’s Day Brett!!
Ava's Mommy says
What a beautiful post! Nothing that makes a pregnant woman cry more than seeing a man who loves his children!!! Happy Father’s Day to your awesome husband!!
mrc-w says
Happy Father’s Day to Brett! 🙂
Littlest Learners says
Have you ever shared the story of how you and Brett actually did meet? 🙂 Jodi http://www.CFClassroom.com
jenrobburton says
I think this is the perfect opening to a story about how you and Brett eventually met. 🙂
It’s so obvious that all the kids love him. I think it’s fabulous that he can switch from a game of basketball with the boys one minute to a tea party with the girls the next. The sign of a great daddy!
feijaozinha says
Great pics! hapy father’s day to all dads!
SuperMilf says
Is there any picture sweeter than a sleeping papa with a sleeping babe on his chest? I think not. Great post Kelle!
Farmgirl Paints says
oh i love that you spied a secret moment with him and his sons before you knew him. that is really cool.
Jannice says
such sweet words! I love the look of love on my husbands face as he looks at our girls. Pride, love, awe…its all there.
Just Trying Not to Blink .... says
Beautiful words and pictures.
Happy Fathers Day!
Ebony says
Oh Kelle, this is just an amazing post. All of Brett’s kids certainly do love him, it’s so obvious and so beautiful.
I’m gonna go visit my dad today, and give him a hug, even though it’s not Fathers Day in Australia until September 🙂
Kristin {Sea Cow Circus} says
Amazing photos – you can see so much of the love and tenderness in each one. This post totally gave me goosebumps.
My Secret Rooms says
Beautiful. Wonderful.
Nice hearing about the parking lot and nail salon 🙂
Good chioce!
Salute all the great and caring fathers out there!!
KaitlinCole says
Lucky kids to have such a loving dad! Thanks for letting us be a part of your guys lives!
Stephanie says
How did you and Brett meet? Love to know the whole story!
Jennifer says
What beautiful and tender photographs of a father and his children!
Renee says
Wow – what beautiful photos! You have an amazing way with capturing moments and using the right words to go alongside them. What a beautiful life you have xx
Love from Renee (New Zealand)
Lola says
Absolutely beautiful.
Lucky girls!!!
🙂
XOXO
Emily says
Brett rocks. If my own husband weren’t the perfect husband and father to our amazing kids, I might be jealous. 😉 Awesome pics. I love a man lovin’ his kids…perfection.
Ky says
Happy Father’s Day, Brett. You are a fantastic Dad!
Gorgeous photos of you with your children. You can tell that you love them a lot and vice versa.
Patti says
Happy Father’s Day, Brett! It is so obvious what a tender daddy you are…hope your day was the best.
Kristen says
I just love reading your blog- you write beautifully and your pictures say a thousands words by themselves! That last picture melts my heart. :swoon:
kowen says
There is nothin like watching your man be a Dad- a really good Dad-
When I met my Kris I had no idea what kind of Dad he would be: The Lord blessed me big time and I am so thankful. How special that you were able to spy on your man and glimpse into your very own future- How perfect! I appreciate your open heart.
Happy week to you,
Sandy
FEAS613 says
Happy Father’s Day, Brett!! Enjoy =)
JDaniel4's Mom says
What amazing pictures and words. You can see the love they have for each other
TRB Holt says
You do Brett proud and he you…..
xoxo, Terri
Crystal @ Ordinary Days says
Sweet. 🙂 Hope you all had a great day!
Alicia says
so so sweet that his parenting first attracted you. 🙂 love that!
Mary-Cate says
Beautiful. I love seeing a man with his kids 🙂 My dad flew home today, but it was nice spending half the day with him! xx
pakosta says
he truly does look like he was BORN TO BE A FATHER/DADDY!!!
they are some lucky/blessed children!
tara
Meagan Kenney says
All of those pictures are SO amazing, they tell such a lovely story! PLEASE, PLEASE tell the whole story about how you and Brett met. I would love to hear it! (I am sure we all would!)
Laura Railing says
ok I think I’m about the third one to want a story of how you guys met and fell in love! It would seriously make a beautiful post! Pretty please??
What a lovely post in tribute to Brett. And what delightful pictures to document it!
mandie lane says
That last picture almost made me cry. And I’m not PMSing or drunk, even!
Candace says
Brett makes a great father and he has an amazing mother to share the journey with…I hope you enjoyed your day!!! ~CC
The Hartsfield Family says
Happy Father’s Day, Brett!
Great post Kelle! 🙂
colette says
Great pics, Kelle. I did a flashback tribute to my hubby today on my blog, too. 🙂
Mark, Wendy, Dale and Rose says
Beautiful indeed.
Kimberly says
What a sweet tribute! All of those pictures are great, but the one of your hubster with all four kids (the bigs and the littles) is tops… What a wonderful moment!
just jen says
what a guy. happy father’s day, Brett.
Kelly Cach says
What a sweet tribute!
My hubby was a “Happy Father” today (and always). So grateful for playful, positive, involved dads!
(p.s. Was that a Guns n’ Roses song? 😉
Kelly
lovestarry says
Dear Kelle,
I’ve been following your blog for a little while now honestly? It is my favourite blog to follow and to read. I log on to my Google Reader each morning on my way to work and the excitement I feel when I see “Enjoying the Small Things” bolded up indicating a new post is there for me to read? – I just can’t explain it. You’re amazing. Your family is amazing. This coming from an almost thirty year old who’s almost married and yet to become a mum myself. I dream of the day I become a mother and your writing, your pictures, they just SO make me look forward to motherhood like you wouldn’t believe. Your girls are beautiful.
I learn so much from your writing, your photography (which by the way is STUNNING!), your values, your belief system – everything. I don’t see myself as the most articulate person I know… sometimes I find it hard to put in writing what my heart is feeling – but when I read your posts – I think that your writing is magic because what you write? Speaks volumes. The depth of your writing is magical. And in so many ways, describes so much of what I feel inside of me too.
I love your optimism, your outlook on life. It INSPIRES me. Some nights when I’m lying in bed wide awake with worry on my mind, in need of a motivation boost or a little pep talk – I scroll through your past blog posts and just read them – take in your words wisdom – of what gets you through your life, or heck your day. And it helps. You may feel like your words have no effect – but they do – they have great, positive effects on me. And I thank you for being you. For writing like you do. For photographing like you do.
Keep up the great work you’re doing! And have a wonderful day 🙂
Lots of love from Down Under
Janice xoxoxoxoxo
nelwells says
You have such a beautiful family and I’m so glad I found your lovely blog.
Roksalanna says
It was so nice to read about the time you first saw Brett.
Great pictures!
happygirl says
such a beautiful tribute. bless you
A Cappelli says
So lovely!He does look like a wonderful Dad. I love that he caught your eye in a sweet moment he shared with his boys.
The Fischer Family says
Another beautiful post! I feel the same way about my husband. My own father is not exactly a role model in that department, and neither was my husband’s father, but he is terrific with our children. He is crazy about them, and they are crazy about him! It’s so wonderful when the babies you love so much can have such a wonderful man to say is their father! Have a great week!
Studio Danale says
Another wonderful post.. thanks for sharing with us , its always a big plesure!
Dana , Israel
Elleah says
I love that last picture! SO sweet!
Genia & Shaylon says
How sweet.
jkluke says
Great post! It is a blessing to have a husband who loves his children, I have one myself.
I am dying to know how you actually met Brett. Did you have any idea who he was when you saw him out that window? Did you determine to meet him after that day? So curious:)
God has really blessed your life in so many ways:)
Gatorale says
Such a sweet post — loved it!
Jill says
That was perfect. Thanks Kelle.
Ani says
Yay for awesome daddies!
CMB says
Love this. So much!!
villemezbrown says
Beautiful, beautiful Fathers’ Day post. In my opinion there is nothing more attractive than a man being a father.
Adele
Emma says
Sweet, and such great pictures! 🙂
kdk says
I just love this post! What an awesome Father’s Day collage! On a side note–love the Guns N Roses string quartet! I’m going now to look for this on iTunes.
Have a happy week!
Rachael says
What a sweet way to celebrate your hubby on Father’s Day! Love the collage!
Keshyra says
Beautiful post! As always, you nailed it. My fave pic is the one where all the kids and Brett are laying in a circle on the floor. Gorgeous. I also agree that you should tell the story of how you both met. You’ve started it and piqued everyone’s curiosity. Now inquiring minds want to know : )
sbmillefeuilles says
I have been devouring your blog for a long while now, Kelle. Your angel Nella was born five short days before my third child, a daughter. Joy of joys. You are an inspiration and I often reflect on your words when I wish to be more positive still in my everyday mothering life.
Thank you and belated Happy Father’s Day to Brett all the way from France.
Kristen says
Simply gorgeous!
Linda MG in Soquel, CA says
Yes, I would say that your kids, all of the kids are blessed to have a dad like Brett!! My dad died 9 yrs ago and I so miss him. Yes, hug a dad today and every day!
joy says
Wonderful post.
jcooper says
I love everything about this post! I love my own hubby more and more everytime i see him with our babies. I agree, let’s hear the rest of the story about how you guys first got together.
Aubrey says
How could I read like 1 sentence in and already have had tears well up in my eyes? Your words are so beautiful…comes from the overflow of a beautiful heart. Thanks for sharing.
Monique says
What beautiful tender moments who captured of your hubby being an amazing daddy…it’s like falling in love with them all over again when they become these amazing Dads to your babies…and how wonderful that you had a sneak peek at how terrific Brett already was…it is all magical…the love that is shared between the man you love and the kids you are crazy about…
thanks for sharing your magic, your family…
Happy Daddy Day to Brett and all your Dads 🙂 6 men that are lucky to have you as such a loving member of their family…
Monique
JoeNatSamsMom says
I’d like to put in another vote for you telling us the story of how you and Brett met. Love all of the pictures, beautiful!
Lianna says
This post brought me to tears. It’s so intimate but I get it so well because I see those same things in my son’s father that you see in Brett. Just truly a great tribute to your children’s father!
McMel says
so sweet! i’d really love to hear how you met after seeing him in a parking lot thru a window.. sigh
Just Glory says
So beautiful. Good dads are great treasures.
The Hungry Wife says
This comment has been removed by the author.
Annette says
There is nothing better than seeing your husband being the BEST daddy he could be. It melts my heart to see my husband with my boys. He is so present in their lives and to me, there is nothing better.
Sounds like you have an Amazing husband and the way you capture him with the girls and his sons is breathtaking.
Happy Father’s day to Brett…
Sarah RDH says
you guys are just so damn cute!! happy fathers day to brett!! that last pic of him & nella sleeping made me tear up a little…so sweet.
Lisa Hewlett says
Beautiful! We need a post on your love story 😉
dig this chick says
Yikes! I missed so much! Fun to catch up. Adore that photo montage. Can’t wait to meet your man. xx
MM says
Hi Kelle – Would it be OK if I post the picture of Brett and Nella napping together in this post to my blog at http://lifetoheryears.tumblr.com? If so, let me know if you’d like me to link back to this specific post or just your blog in general. Thanks a ton for considering it!
-Michael