This year really makes me smile, especially if you know my Dad. Dad always gives us grief with his pity pool of how “Nobody remembers me or my birthday, I always get ripped off on the holidays. I am lucky if I even get acknowledged.” We usually tune it out or roll our eyes. A couple months ago Mom responded, “Oh Honey what day is Father’s Day this year?. . . and what day is your birthday?. . . Talk about getting ripped off.” They are the same day this year! P.S. The following photos are all ones Dad has taken of himself. If you leave anything that has a camera and memory on it, in the open you will find either pictures of the photographer himself or videos. Haha
I have to say that I am extremely grateful for my Dad. He is just amazing! Throughout the years I feel bad because I think sometimes I don’t always show my gratitude nor my appreciation for my dad. My Dad has always been my protector and my teacher. I loved when I got asked out by somebody that scared me, to respond with a, “You will have to ask my dad.” They obviously got the hint because the response was, “Yeah right. Your dad will say no way.” I remember my dad telling me that at anytime I could get out of a date, etc by simply saying, “My Dad won’t let me.” There usually wasn’t any questions after that. Haha. When I was in trouble I knew Dad could always help me, even now I will go to him, usually with an attitude, with questions with insurance, etc. Dad impresses me because he always has a plan, especially with money. He prepares for those rainy days and tries to teach us to do the same.
He has taught me so much:
EDUCATION—Even if it is through competing with grades or hearing who made the Dean’s list again this semester Dad has made it very clear that a continuing education is important for everybody. He has also taught me that it is never too late to follow your dreams and to always continue to make goals. I am very proud of him. We have had a good time while Dad has been at school. I got a B in my math class and Dad got an A. He was rubbing it in my face. I replied that the difference was that mine was “calculus and matrices, not plus and minus.” He made me laugh with his response, “In college we call it addition and subtraction, it is arithmetics.” Haha.
KINDNESS—Dad can sometimes look like a bully to most people, but I usually describe him as having a heart of gold. He has given me so many examples of patience and kindness. He was always willing to serve those around him. One of my earliest memories with Dad, must have been when I was around four if that because the dress I wore was very tiny. Anyway I remember him rolling up my little tights and letting me hold on to his knee to balance myself as he helped me put my white colored tights on before church. Dad bought us a poster that said, “It is nice to be important but it is more important to be nice.” I still remember when he brought it home and explained what it meant. The more I have grown the more I have realized the truth of that saying. It is one that I hope to carry on to my children. I also remember when I was in primary at church. Dad took Barrett and me with him and guided us to our class. As we came down the hall he greeted those around him and I remember one incident where Barrett made a comment to Dad that one of the bigger guys stunk. Dad must have been embarrassed but he explained to us that sometimes people that are bigger can’t clean themselves very well, but that we need to be nice to them too. Dad was always kind to those around him and it stuck with me.
WORK—During the summers we knew there would be a list of things for us to do around the house. It didn’t matter how much we hated it, it had to be done and we learned that the sooner we got it done the better it would be. We also learned if our assignments weren’t done that we would have some consequences. We learned to work together as a family and to work in general. As much as I might have hated our remodeling projects, or our candy boxes or whatever the event may be, I am so grateful for those experiences because it brought our family close together as well as taught us to work.
TESTIMONY—Through watching my Dad I came to know the importance of having my own testimony of the gospel, but to learn it for myself. I was always impressed by Dad’s willingness to answer questions, but also his pride in his beliefs. He was never embarrassed, ashamed, nor shy about teaching the gospel. I decided that I wanted that for myself and decided to gain my own testimony and it is something I have never regretted, instead it is something I will always cherish. I know what I believe in and as a result I am also not ashamed nor embarrassed to share it with those around me. I also got a kick at how well Dad knew his scriptures. He taught me that scripture study wasn’t something to dread, but rather something to enjoy over and over again. He would do his research of the facts, but also have fun with it. I remember one morning when Barrett toasted the whole loaf of bread and stacked it on his plate for his breakfast. Dad saw it and asked Barrett, “Have you not read the scripture ‘Man cannot live on bread alone.’” It was perfect timing. Dad taught me many things through example and especially with the church. I learned the importance of serving in the callings you receive and the importance of the priesthood. I am very lucky to say that anytime I needed a blessing I knew I could always ask Dad and he would be worthy and willing enough to give me one.
MUSIC—If you know my Dad, then you know he has an incredible voice. I sometimes wish I could record it so that my descendants will know it and appreciate it like we do. Dad has a beautiful voice and he can sing. I remember Mom having a recording of a song Dad sang. At the time Dad was a truck driver and would be gone for periods of time. I remember coming into their room to listen to Dad’s singing. He has a confidence when he sings that I am jealous of. He can sing with such ease and if he has any nerves, well you can’t really tell. He brought music into our home and helped me to understand the importance and enjoyment of music, of all genres and decades. I also remember dancing with Dad when I was younger. We used to have Daddy daughter dances when I was in primary. I remember the dance when I was eleven. Dad canceled dinner with some work people so he could come with me. Haha I even remember him telling me not to let go as he swung me over his back, I let go and fell to the ground. After that incident three other dads dropped their daughters. I also was lucky to have my parents at the youth dances. They were a lot of fun with Dad’s chicken dance, but I always thought it was so neat to watch the two of them dance together. I really love my parents.
LAUGHTER—Dad has a quick wit and is the sarcasm king. He can sometimes push buttons, but he is funny. He showed our family the importance of a sense of humor. We always tease eachother and if you step foot in our house you are fair game to Dad. Sunday dinners are usually pretty entertaining. On the way home from church Benny and I were laughing as we were reminescing some of the “stupid lectures” we received growing up. I said how they were so dumb but I could see myself repeating them to my children:
We would complain about having to work when we were out of school. Dad would respond, “This is not summer vacation, it is a break.”
No tv til after 5PM on Sundays (unless of course we are celebrating East coast time, which is only celebrated during the Tour de France-imagine that.)
Dad would tell me to do something and I would automatically say, “I know.” He would go on, “I know that you know that I know that you know that I know that you know that. . . “
Saying no with an attitude so it was, “NO uh!” Dad would respond, “Noah built a boat!”
Saying well with an attitude, it was “Wul!” Dad would respond, “Wool is for sheep.”
Dad = alarm clock. Always appreciated! I think some of the best times was Dad taking us to school and seminary. I never remember hearing him complaining about taking us to seminary, but I am sure he was tired.
I remember one time when Benny was a baby and I was going into my room. I was upset because I couldn’t find my pink panther. It was a stuffed animal of the pink panther cartoon. Mom suggested I look downstairs. When I came back upstairs I was empty handed and Mom said she would look for it, but that I could crawl into bed. TO THIS DAY I do not know how I missed the BUMP IN MY BED, but I pulled back the covers to find Dad in my bed and he scared me so bad that I cried and went downstairs. Mom came and comforted me, even though she was part of it, and helped me find my pink panther and get back to bed.
I also remember watching Arachnaphobia with the family. All I remember was this part where the spider is in the tent crawling up this guys chest. Dad was sitting behind me and he grabbed my shoulders and screamed, scaring me and making me cry. Haha.
Benjamin thought he was so funny when he was probably one or two. He had the spray bottle and he would spray Dad with it. The funny thing was that Dad had turned the top so when Benjamin squeezed the “trigger” he would spray himself in the face. Dad would act like his breath was taken away (like he got sprayed) and Benjamin would laugh and laugh even though he was the one dripping wet! Parents are EVIL!
Barrett and Dad decided to have a shocking contest with Weasel’s dog collar. Barrett took odd numbers, while Dad had even numbers. Lets just say that Dad had the controller the entire time and he is a good actor.
FAMILY---Dad always emphasized the importance of family. He always made sure we were trying to treat eachother well. If I had to pick two things that I think Dad tried to teach us was to be unified and to love eachother. He always tried to bring us closer as a family. If we were mean to eachother we had to apologize and then give eachother a hug or a kiss. It usually made us laugh so then the tension was gone. I have to say he did a good job. We have had some obstacles, but even as I look at them i have to say I am very proud of my parents because we still have family dinners, we still know we are loved, and my brothers and I are close and we talk. That alone is something to be proud of. He has set a great example of how a husband should treat his wife and I have made note of many things. He has also been a great provider for all of us. He has made a home that has always had the things we needed as well as fun things. I know he has made several sacrifices to provide for us and I appreciate it.
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