Fathers Are So Special

This weekend has been one true Father's Day Weekend!

HIGHLIGHTS OF GRANDPARENTING

We love having our little ones come to play. Ellen made herself right at home, starting with the magnet blocks she and her mom built a fully functioning Ferris wheel. It was sad when we had to take it apart to put it away! Little Lena, who was tired, still shared lots of smiles and 'stories' as we visited. Ellen watched Grandpa send pictures on his phone and later on she decided it was time to play with Grandma outside. We toured the yard in a circle. Check the fish ... jump on the trampoline... see the greenhouse... walk the brick path... check the fish... you get the idea. It was so nice to explore my yard through the eyes of a child again.

THE GRAINS OF RICE SIFT HOME...

The next day we had Breanna come home. She caught a ride to Lethbridge with us and then came home later on with Charity. We got all of our errands run in good time. Myles, who came to our house straight from work, brought his saw and helped us cut down the 10-12' tree trunks that were growing next to the fence. It took barely any time at all and they were all cut down! It looks so good!!!

EIGHT IS GREAT...

We were also able to attend the baptism of my niece Nora. She was so thrilled with her frilly white dress. At that age, it's easy to focus on feeling like a princess, but the most important part of baptism is the covenants we make to follow Jesus, and the spirit testifies of our true nature and the love of the Lord for us! When we feel that we can all feel like royalty... just like Nora in her princess dress. It was good to see those in attendance, not just family, but friends from our days in Taber as well. We didn't linger too long. There were brakes to fix, oil to change, headlights to replace, and more wood to cut up. Myles had the locks on the doors all updated for us when we got back and then as the day cooled he fired up his saw again and cut up the rest of the logs. We created an assembly line to stack it and now it is all cleaned up back there! It is so awesome!!! I am so thankful for the help my children have lent us this weekend. The things they helped us with would have taken us weeks to do on our own. And when it was all done, we sat down to a lovely treat...

... ice cream cake! a perfect treat after spending so much time out in the heat. 

FATHERS DAY MORNING

Sunday morning brought another sweet surprise... a hearty breakfast and a great big box of dad-sized treats for him to enjoy. At church, all the men got a special chocolate bar [I prepared them on Saturday] as a token of our love and appreciation of their role [or potential role] as fathers in our lives.

I am so thankful for fathers. I am so grateful that my husband has taken his role as a father seriously. He has taught each of his children handy skills, how to work hard and to expect the best that you can. While he doesn't proclaim perfection, he has been a good solid example, always providing for our needs, allowing me to stay home and just be 'mom' even though we had to sacrifice to do so. He has always supported me in everything I ever wanted to do, in the hard times and in the good times. He has been a steady and solid part of my life and the lives of his children to the degree that they desire. He has been an active part of taking care of the house when my hands were full, and is super understanding when I run out of time to finish things up - he's always willing to help - not just me - but anyone who is in need. He is such an example to me and I am so thankful for him.

I am also thankful for my father. He also was a great example of hard work and taught me the value of feeling good about wise use of time. In a sense, he gave me some of my first lessons in agriculture... teaching me the names of ALL the weeds that grew on the farm. To this day I can identify most weeds while still in the 2-leaf stage! I worked beside him and behind him as the need dictated. I also learned from my dad how to relax. I remember pleasant evenings laying on our backs on the lawn watching for cloud pictures in the sky, camping, and hiking with frequent stops to enjoy the scenery. Dad encouraged goodness in his children, always expecting the best of us, and encouraging forgiveness, love, and unity. It is a theme he continues to encourage. I am so grateful for his kind and generous soul.