Why I Love My Wife

This year will be my tenth year of marriage. If I were to go back and think about what I wanted in a woman and a wife, it would have been totally different that what I got. The reason is because I didn't know what I wanted. I got lucky, and was blessed with a woman that is perfect for me. Over the years we both made lots of mistakes, and I think we both are more understanding of each other. If you asked me this a year ago, I probably would not know how to answer the question. It would be because I was taking things for granted. I asked myself, why I love my wife and this is what I came up with.

First, She loves me. Some people may take that as a given, but one should not think that's the way it is or the way it should be. I can tell she loves me because she calls me at work every day to see how I'm doing. When I get home she sits right next to me, just to be near me. These things could be seen as annoying or needy and sometimes I wonder, but these things are exactly what I need. Secondly, she takes care of me. Chris makes most of the meals in our home. My idea of making dinner is calling for pizza. She comforts me when I get too stressed out about the bills, work, the kids, etc, etc. Chris gives me a boost when I'm feeling lazy and I don't want to do anything. Thirdly, Chris is a great caregiver to our children. Chris lobbied to stay at home with the kids when I thought it would be better if we both continued to work. After being home for the first six months, and taking care of three small children I thought she would have opted to go back to work. Then something happened where Chris as been all over the duties of child rearing. There are doctor visits, parent conferences at school, there are church obligations, birthdays, soccer games, family reunions, of all that Chris takes care of the scheduling and taking the kids to most of the events. I get to meet her there after work. I could go on and on, but the reason I love Chris the most is that she puts up with me. I think I'm a pretty nice guy, but I'm HM (High Maintenance). I hate to admit it, but it's true. I'm opinionated, and stubborn. I can't be the easiest person to live with, Chris and I have different opinions on lots of things. The greatest thing about it is we can laugh and have a good time. She gets my jokes. She tell me when I went overboard on something. We have our good times and our bad times, but as long as we are together we can get through anything.

Daddy's Little Girl

If there was ever a daddy's girl, it would be Phoenix. She greets me at the door. When I take off my suit jacket, she puts it on. When I go to the store, Phoenix is the first one to say she wants to go with me. Is it hard having a shadow, sometimes, but it's fun having someone pay so much attention to you. When I hear "Daddy just to let you know", it's going to be one of two things. First, it could be that someone is about to get told on, brother or sister hitting, yelling or taking something from her. The other thing it could be is something I didn't know before or something I do know like what 10 x 10 is, 100. I pretend that I didn't know that and Phoenix gets so excited, to have something on her father.

This spring Phoenix as decided to play soccer and not t-ball like last year. Last year Phoenix played on a t-ball team I coached call the 98.6er. Sponsored by a local Pediatrics Office, get it 98.6. We had a great year and Phoenix was a big help. I think she was only excited about it because I was excited about it. By the end of the year, she was not interested in playing. Sometimes refusing to take the field, which I had to stop because she almost caused a mutiny on my team. One day she didn't want to play center field, she wanted to play catcher. So she refused to take the field, then 2 of my other players decided that they didn't want to take the field either. After I got the field positions filled the 3 players and I had a little sit down about not playing and team work. After that I didn't have any problems with players not wanting to play.

One of my favorite things is to visit Phoenix's Classroom. It seems like Phoenix knows everyone in the school. We walk down the hall and either phoenix is saying hi to someone by name or someone is saying hi to Phoenix. I'm happy to see that Phoenix can get along with the people in school. Her teachers tell me she is very helpful in class, which doesn't surprise me. Phoenix is the one who dresses herself and makes her bed, and will prepare her own food, Little Miss Independent.

Phoenix is great with her new baby brother and sister. Phoenix will hold them and play with them. She'll make them a bottle and feed them as well. I working on getting her to change dirty diapers. I can't wait until that happens.

One thing I can wait to happen, but I know it's going to be here sooner than I think. Phoenix has already told me she thinks she has a boyfriend. She said she's not sure, the boy said hi to her and she said hi back. We'll need to think about having the little talk sooner than later. The last boy conversation made me feel good. Phoenix told me a friend knew someone that wanted to be her boyfriend. Phoenix said she told the boy no and that he was yucky. I told Phoenix the next time a boy asked her to be his girlfriend tell them that her Dad said she can't have a boyfriend until she is 25 and they'll have to meet me first.

All put together Phoenix is kind, sweet, and a little sassy. She is my good friend. She is my little girl.

A is for AVERY

Avery is the sweetest girl I know. She always greets me when I get home with a big surprise! I act surprised like I'm supposed to, and then she jumps all over me. This is all good. When I was sick last week, who do you think was taking care of me, that's right Avery. She made sure I was resting and when I got up she told me to lay back down. Not only that, she laid down with me for most of the weekend. When I woke up she was there smiling at me. Since I have Avery on my mind, I made this little video for her. Hope you will enjoy it.

Mitch Fatel with the 2005 Eagles

Lenharr Beach Trip

It will soon be time for the Lenharr Beach Trip, see the count down in the right margin. In years past, it has been at Rehoboth Beach. This year, they will try something new for the first time in 50 years and grace the Outer Banks, NC. I don't know if NC will be ready for this. I'm sure I won't be. Chris and I pack on the night before we leave. That will be the least of our problems. A week of following the Lenharr family around, and we won't have Dollies to sit in front of and eat ice cream. What will we do? The good thing is I'll save $75 bucks in candy with Dolly's being 300 miles away. This will be a time to build on memories, like the time Chris and April got in to a sand fight on the beach. I'm sorry the video camera wasn't rolling for that one. Let's not forget the time we went crabbing and caught "a crab" with one claw.


Let the good times roll, as Kim would say. It should be lots of fun. All the cousins will be there and it's good that they get to know each other. With all the equipment Chris and I will have to bring with 5 kids. Can you say I can't get off from work. I don't think that's going to fly this year.