There are so many reasons I love you. Here are just a few of them...
- DAD + MOM = LOVE...
Ever since I was a little, I knew that Dad loved Mom. He showed us kids how much he loved her by the things he did. I remember the Spring of '93, while camping in the Boulder Mountains, our family went exploring for petrified wood in the desert forest. Mom found the perfect stepping stone for her flower bed, a large tree trunk of petrified wood. First, Dad made sure it was "the one" she wanted and then, with a grunt, he picked it up, placed it 
on his shoulder and hiked it out. It was an extremely heavy block of wood and an extremely long way to the car. And yet, years later, every time I step on that chunk of petrified log, I am reminded of his deep love for Mom (by the way, I have dibs on the rock.)
- Great Example of Service...
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My entire life has been spent observing Dad serve in various positions in the church. Most Sunday's growing up were spent sitting in the congregation, looking him straight in the eye, as he sat on the stand. I am sure that at one time in my life I probably sat with him in the congregation, however I must have been extremely little because I don't remember. Throughout the years he has spent hundreds of hours in the service of others, and never once have I heard him complain about "another meeting." For example, last year Dad had a heart attack (on a Tuesday) and spent a few days in the hospital. The very same day he was released to go
home (Thursday), he spent the evening at the stake center, conducting temple recommend interviews. Now, that's an example of service and dedication. If there is a good excuse to cancel a meeting, it would be a heart attack. Right this minute Dad is with his sweetheart, living in Frankfurt, Germany and serving the people of Europe for the next 18 months.
- LIFE LESSON - the value of "FAMILY TIME"...
Dad worked for the school district, which meant he had summer vacation along with the rest of us. Most of the summer was spent fishing, hiking, camping and traveling. We were always together, doing something fun and making memories. From the wonders of high Uintah Mountains to the magic of Goblin Valley. From the beauties of Y
ellowstone to the excitement of Disneyland. From majestic Mount Rushmore to peaceful Nauvoo to Home Sweet Home. One of our favorite things to do when we get together, is reminisce our childhood. They were happy times.
- I'm BLESSED to CALL you FATHER..
When I was younger, I lamented the fact that I had no sisters... one lonely daughter adrift in a "Sea of Sons" (5 to be exact.) I never appreciated the advantages or blessings of that situation until I became older. We have always had a special father-daughter bond and now that I am a parent, I really value and cherish our relationship. I look back on my childhood and see how nice it was to be "Daddy's Little Girl." One of the things I especially love was that each of us were given a special nickname. When I was little it was "Ladybug." When I got older it changed to... well, let's just say it changed to "Enna." (if my brothers so much as laugh, I will reveal their nicknames :0) Giving nicknames is a tradition he has continued with the grandchildren. We love it!
Birthday Wishes from the kids...
I hope you are having fun in Germany. I miss you. Soon it will be my turn to serve a mission. Thanks for setting the example. Have a happy birthday! Love, Ryan
Happy Birthday, Grandpa! I can't wait to see you when you come home. I hope you have a good birthday in Germany. Love, Brock
I miss your friendly voice. I miss watching movies and eating popcorn at your house. Happy Birthday, I love you! Love, Kelsie
It's Grandpa's Birthday? If you were here with me, I would take you to the zoo. I like the elephants and giraffes best. Happy Birthday! Love, Emilee
There is so much more I can say about how wonderful you are, but I think this poem will sum it up best.
What Makes a Dad?
God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quite sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagles flight,
The joy of a morning in Spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need.
Then God combined these qualities,
And when there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it -- Dad.
I love you! Happy Birthday Dad!
(You can add a birthday wish too. Just click on the comment box below.)
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3 comments:
Dear Amy,
Thank you spending the time to write this great blog. It brought tears to your mother and I. We do love and miss each of you, but know we are in the place we need to be at this time.
Thanks for expressing your love and appreciation for us as your parents, it has made not only our day but days to come.
We loved being with all of you as our children and the fun we had together no matter where we were. We enjoy it even more now that you are all adults with your own children, following the same pattern. We have great love for each of you individually and collectively and the grandchildren are a great treasure to us.
God Bless us All with Love Eternal.
Dad
Amy,
What a wonderful tribute to your father, we were both deeply touched by it. To see and hear you and the children express your appreciation for your father and grandfather brought tears to our eye's. Where did you get all those fun pictures? Never mind I remember the hours and months of scanning you did to organize them and now you have a great supply to display for the blog.
We appreciate the wonderful daughter you are, encouraging and supporting us, keeping the family involved with dinners and parties, paying our bills, posting events and family news daily for our enjoyment, praying for us, and remembering birthdays, thank you Amy, we love you, and laughing at your cleaver writtings. It's good for our soul and everyone else in the office.
A little mouse got into my blog and fixed it, now today I had it ready to post but instead deleated two pictures, it's a mystery. Do you just look at it and say, now what has she done?
Keep Smiling, it's one of your gifts.
Mom
Great tribute to your dad. What a lucky father to have a daughter like you.
Enjoyed walking with you this morning.
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