9 things you never thanked your step dad for.

I hope that you realize when she said "I do" that meant that I do too. Any man can be a father but it takes someone special to be a step dad, so thank you. Thank you for...

1. Helping with heavy lifting

Because lets get real, as much as id like to do everything on my own I just cant! You’ve helped me move when it was time for a new apartment and all the goodies that come with having your own place. Thanks for the extra muscle

2. Talking sports with me

Ive always been into sports and unfortunately most of my girlfriends aren’t. Even though we don’t have the same taste in tv shows its nice being able to sit out in the living room together and watch our favorite teams compete and unless its State or the Tigers, I’ll always enjoy rooting against the team you want. :)

3. Having all the tools I need and then some

I know nothing when it comes to tools aside from the basics like what a hammer, saw, flat head and Philips screw driver is. Thankfully when I come out to the garage with some funky looking screw you have just the tool I need to use and often offer to just do it for me.

4. Building me things

On top of having all the tools I need to take things apart, youre always willing to jimmy me up something when I need it built! You’ve made bookshelves, end tables, tv stands  and found ways to hook up my crazy heavy mirror (bring on the 7 years of bad luck because that bad boy is now broken..) Not to mention all this things you have to build on the “honey to-do list”

5. Picking on mom with me

I’ll still never understand why picking on the people you love is a good thing but it sure is fun and definitely more enjoyable when you’ve got more people on your side.

6. Playing mom when mine was out of town

Anybody who knows me knows im a complete social butterfly, I always wanted to go to all the games and spend the weekends at my friends. Thanks for being the set of wheels I didn’t have and then sharing the car when I finally was able to drive until I got my own.

7. Putting up with my attitude

I was in my teens when you and my mom married and my attitude fit your stereotypical teen attitude. I “hated” my mom and was too cool to do whatever it was you guys were doing. I never directly snapped at you but you were always around when my mom and I were arguing and even reminded me a time or two that I should apologize. Thanks for never giving up on me.

8. Inviting me into your family

It’s almost as scary as it was transferring in high school, meeting new family members. They always freak me out, your family knows you forever and already knows how you are but adding a new person can be intimidating. Yours was SO welcoming and still are! When my mom was away and even being an adult now you always invite me to family functions and that means a lot when mine is so far away.

9. Loving my mom.

This is the most important and easily the one im most thankful for. My mom spent her whole life putting us kids first and doing what she could to provide for what we wanted. It’s SO nice to see someone love her and be there for her the way she always was for us. Thanks for loving her stubbornness.

     I never had a steady father figure in my life that was constantly around. You may not like when I pull in the drive with the bass bumping, leaving unwashed dishes in the sink and all the time I spend on my phone, but despite the lack of words we share daily I truly appreciate all things you’ve done for my family. You comforted through some of the worst years of our life, enjoyed some of the best and put up living with two girls..two stubborn, stubborn girls. Thanks for completing our family and doing the manly things that we don’t want to. We owe you!

until next  time.

xo

More than a pet

     They have the ability to make you feel like you’ve hit rock bottom and then turn around and put you on the highest high you’ve ever felt, and it’s usually all within five minutes of each other.

My cat is the most preppy, annoying and loudest cat I have ever encountered. He won’t drink his water if it’s been sitting out all day so he would rather stick his head in when I shower and lick when it drips off the faucet to later freak out that his head is all wet.  He climbs up on the counter when I brush my teeth so he can drink the running water and you would think after spitting my toothpaste on him multiple times (not on purpose) he would learn that’s not the best decision. When I take him outside he prefers to just sit on the porch because he hates the way the grass feels under his paws, and don’t get me started on the way he shakes and flickers when he gets dirt on him. Ugh, and his me[OW]! In the morning, at night, when I’m leaving, when I get home, when I’m showering, when I’m in a different room than him, when I stop petting him, when I don’t take him outside with me, and my personal favorite, when im sleeping..HE IS MEOWING. It’s not your cute little kitten meow either, it’s a high pitched screech that gets old..reaaaally fast. He drives me absolutely insane!

     Aside from all of these though, he is the cutest, friendliest, cuddliest, handsome, adorable, loving cat I’ve ever known! I mean, just LOOK AT HIM!   I can’t be upset when he wakes me up gently caressing my face with his soft paws like he’s saying, “mommy wake up it’s time for work!” its so innocent!
I think he consumes more space on my phone than I do, and anybody who knows me know that I save just about every picture and snapchat I take, the ultimate picture hoarder, and he wins hands down. He’s always there to greet me at the door when I come home and I tell you what, when I’m having a rough day seeing his white little sockies come running to me the moment I open the door is so heartwarming and he never misses a day! My bed contains more cat hair then mine...good thing I’m not allergic (sorry Austin).. His favorite place to sleep is snuggled up right in the crease of my neck, and even though it’s usually 20 minutes before my alarm goes off. The amount of comfort and love he makes me feel just by simply jumping up on my lap and instantly purring is overwhelmingly the best form of butterflies I have ever got.

      They’re a lot of work, they stink, they’re loud, they’re destructive and they skip to your last button without pushing the others, but they fill you with so much love and loyalty that makes it all worth it.

Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawaken

                                                                                                                                -Anatole France

until next time.

xo