Daddy

I actually started writing this post a couple of weeks ago, and figured it was just appropriate to finish it and post it on Father's Day!
I always seem to talk about how obsessed I am with my Mom, and I do absolutely adore her. I find it so flattering that people call me her twin and I want to be like her in every way. I think it's natural because I'm a girl and a mother and so I emulate her in so many ways.
But I feel that I owe my Dad the same accolade and praise. My dad is seriously awesome. Here's a few of the many many reasons why.

*He has always worked so hard to give our family a beautiful and comfortable place to live. He remodeled the house I grew up in and worked on it every night after what I'm sure was a super long and stressful day at work. I know Scott, Siara, and I have happy memories of running between the beams of bare walls and watching my Dad use the jackhammer. We'd also get to take turns going to Home Depot with my Dad, and getting ice cream at The Honeybucket after. I still love the smell of lumber.

*He provides so well for our family. We were given everything we need and then some all through our lives, even into our adulthood. He has made sure that our family has never felt financial stress and has given us so many opportunities.

*He is the most generous person I know. I know that part of why he works so hard is so that he can share with others who are less fortunate. He has taught me how important it is to be charitable and kind and to give. And he always picks up the tab when we all go out to eat. Which is a huge deal, considering that there's 8 kids in just our core family, and that it continues to grow with in-laws and grandchildren.

*He has always honored his Priesthood and I realize how blessed we were to have that in our home growing up. I remember when I had the Chicken Pox and had a horrendous fever and he gave me a sick blessing. And we were given blessings every year before school started. And I always knew and still know that I can ask for a blessing anytime I need one.

*He always magnifies his callings. I remember when he was a Seminary teacher when I was really young and he just seemed to love it. He brought waffles for the class one morning and I thought that was so cool. And now that I really know how hard being a Seminary teacher must be, I respect that even more! I was also able to see how many lives he influenced serving as Bishop during my early teenage years.

*He taught me how to travel. Ohh man did he teach me how to travel!! Poor, Austin. He had no idea that he was marrying a crazy, neurotic, super-efficient travel Nazi. All thanks to my Dad!  =) I could be a travel agent with all the training I got. My parents took me on an amazing trip to Switzerland and Italy when I was 17, and that trip taught me not to be afraid to go anywhere in the world.

*Going along with his incredible travel skills, he is the most hyper-efficient guy I know. If something needs to get done, my Dad will do it twice as good and in half the time. When we were packing the moving truck and I was getting so stressed and it was driving me crazy, Siara said "you need Dad here, he's so good at this stuff!" And it's true, he can Tetris maneuver anything into a Pod that you need in there. It's really very impressive.

*He had to be out of town for work on my 16th Birthday, but sent me a giant bouquet of flowers to my high school.

*He is super funny and goofy. We used to have family wrestling matches and my Dad's favorite line was "you wanna piece of me?!" One time Shane said "I want the whole thing, and then bake another batch and I'll have some more!" Obviously Shane's sense of humor came from my Dad's.


So here's to my amazingly awesome Dad! Thank you for all of the wonderful things you have taught me and the example you have always shown to me. And for not killing me during my teenage years, I know I was a serious handful during that time. Happy Father's Day!