Father's Day

Father's Day is a great Day to remember our Fathers, Grandfathers and those who are like Fathers to us.

I will start with my Husband -
Kirk is the Dad that can pick up a crying baby and the baby calms right down. The whole family knows that Kirk has a special touch. Children just seem to be drawn to him. The perfect example of this was years ago at a Dinosaur Museum. There was an area in this little corner for little kids. They had toys, and hand puppets - all dinosaurs and books about dinosaurs. The floor was a rug that the kids could sit and play on - and there was a bench that wrapped around the area for the parents. Kirk was sitting on the floor reading to one of our littlest. Our child got up and was playing with some toys. Kirk just sat there with his legs crossed - when just then a little 18 month old looking girl came up to Kirk turned around and sat down on his lap. She looked up at him like - "ok ready". Kirk asked her if she wanted to read a book. The mother of the little girl kept calling her by name and telling her to come here. But Kirk said it was ok. The mother came over and took the girl and apologized to Kirk. Like I said - kids just seem to sense something about him. I am so blessed to have a man like him as my husband and father of my children.

My Father -
My Dad and I have an interesting and great relationship. When I was little he would give us horsey rides on his back - he would get down on all fours and buck me and my little brother around the room. He taught me how to keep my foot on the base and stretch to catch the balls that the other kids would throw pass me when playing softball. When old enough to drive, once in awhile he would have me drive him down to the gas station in my car, fill it with gas - go in to pay and come out with a pop and a Snickers bar for each of us. He would then tell me he would drive - go the long way home and say not to tell my mom. When I was engaged and he and my mom were having a hard time with me getting married so young --- we would argue on the phone to the point of yelling. Then at the end we would be laughing and saying "I love you". My Dad has been my biggest cheerleader for my business. He believes I can do anything -- but has his moments of still treating my like a dizzy blonde or a 12 yr. old. I know this is just because I am still and always will be, his little girl in part of his mind and not a grown woman with 5 kids. He is the best "Papa" in the world. He will stand at the pool table at his house for over an hour with the littlest of the grandkids, so they can sit on it and push the balls all over the place. He works more than 10 different businesses just to build something for his family in the future. Family is everything to him, and I so appreciate this.

My Father-In-Law -
My FIL, Larry, is a great man also. Just like my husband and father - he too is a hard worker. He taught Kirk how to work and honest day for an honest pay. He taught him to honor his Priesthood, and family. To teach your children to honor their mother, and show her respect. Kirk says he does not remember his father raising his voice too often with him - except one time when Kirk mouthed off to his mother -- his father was not going to allow that. Larry set Kirk straight right then and there. Kirk never forgot that. Larry and I have a great relationship - and I am thankful for that. Getting along with in-laws is a huge blessing. We have an ongoing teasing session. We know that we must love each other - otherwise we wouldn't take the time to pick on each other. He has told me how much he appreciates how I support his son and the kind of mother I am to his grandchildren. What more could a girl ask for from a father-in-law than compliments like that?

I am so glad my children have these great men in there lives -- my sons can look to them to learn how to be great and honorable men when they are grown, and my daughters can see what kind of husbands to strive to marry - and not settle.

Happy Father's Day to all those great Dads in the world!