Fathers Day

Daddy’s Hands
“I remember daddy’s hands folded silently in prayer, and reaching out to hold me when I had a nightmare. You could read quite a story in the calluses and lines, years of work and worry had left there marks behind. I remember daddy’s hands how they held mama tight, and patted my back for something done right. There are things I have forgotten that I love about the man, but I’ll always remember the love in daddy’s hands. Daddy's hands were soft and kind when I was crying, daddy’s hands were hard as steel when I done wrong. Daddy’s hands weren't always gentle but I’ve come to understand there was always love in Daddy’s hands. I remember Daddy’s hands working 'til they bled. He sacrificed unselfishly to keep us all fed. If I could do things over and live my life again, I’d never take for granted the love in daddy’s hands.”

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Ever since I was a little girl this song has reminded me of my Father. He was always sacrificing for our family, and worked countless hours so that our needs would be met. He has always lived his life in the way he believed to be right - there never seemed to be grey boundaries - simply white and black - right or wrong. And he chose the right. This picture is my Dad with his brother Paul - I love the look on his face - he is so happy to be with his family. Serving his Lord and spending time with family and friends is his way of life. I have many memories of receiving fathers blessings as a child and even more as an adult when life wasn't going quite how I wanted it to. I have always counted on my Dad's faith and love. I love you Dad and I am so happy to be your daughter.

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I also want to take a few minutes and thank Barry for the father that he is. He loves his children so much. He takes such good care of all of us. We had a great time camping this weekend and I want to thank him for being such a good father to all of our children. I have learned in the last few years that not everyone has the oppurtunity to grow up in a home with a loving and caring father - I was one of those lucky ones and it would seem that my children are getting that same oppurtunity. Thank you Barry for being worthy of the priesthood and being the kind of man to be willing to work hard everyday so that we can be taken care of. I love you! This picture of Barry was taken while we were still dating. This is the way he always is - helping with the children and making me feel loved and supported. I love you babe and I am incredibly happy to be your wife

- Happy Fathers Day to my two favorite men! -

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Mothers Day

- My Mom and Dad on their Mission -

-My Mom and Dad just before their mission -

I just wanted to take a moment and thank my mother for being the wonderful, amazing, beautiful, inspiring, spiritual, friend that she is. I think I have always known (even as a bratty teenager) that my mother was someone special. My mom is truly one of my very best friends. Although I know that she and my dad are doing what they should be and I am extremely proud of them for serving a mission - I miss her like crazy! My mom is such a great example to me in so many ways. She constantly shows me who I want to be and I look up and want to be more like her. I keep hoping that someday my children will feel the same about me as I do about her. My sister wrote a thing for the paper about what my mom taught her and I think the most important thing my mother has taught me is to trust and love Christ and that He knows, understands, and loves me. My mom is a living tribute of her testimony . I love you mom - I missed you today! I hope your day was wonderful and that you know how very, very much you mean to me. Happy Mothers Day!

- Dear Mother all Flowers remind me of You! -

I Forgot To Be Thankful!

Way back in November I started a list of things I am thankful for, one for each letter of the alphabet. I realized that I ended with O, and as we learned way back in kindergarten O is not the last letter of the alphabet. So I decided to make an effort at finishing this list. So here are P, Q, and R: Parenting, Quiet, and Rachel.

*I thought this pic represented a good "parenting moment"*

P: There are many things I am thankful for when it comes to parenting. On Sunday the talks in sacrament meeting were about family history and that reminds me to be thankful for my ancestors who parented my grandparents and so forth. I am grateful for my own parents and the example that they are now and have always been to me, my siblings, and now my children. I am grateful to my husbands parents and the love and support that they show me and my children everyday. I am grateful for others who help parent my children. Aunts, Uncles, Teachers, Neighbors, Grandparents and the many others who make being a parent possible. I am thankful for the opportunity to help parent others children and last but not least I am so grateful to be a parent myself. I love each and every one of my children (not just the ones I actually gave birth too!) I hope they know that even though I am not always patient, I still love them!

*Cassidy and I are enjoying some much needed "quiet"*

Q: Ok so I know I did a post about being thankful for noise and I am, noise often tells me that my children are happy and healthy. Noise at work reminds me that I have a job that I love. Noise at church reminds me how grateful I was as a young mother to be able to leave my own children at the nursery and enjoy a few moments of peace and I love my calling in the nursery. But I also appreciate a little peace and quiet now and again. I love the quietness of the temple and the peace I feel because of the quietness.

*Rachel*

R: It is easy to be thankful for my sweet Rachel. She is such a loving child. She loves all people and animals. For those of you who weren't around, we almost lost her at birth and she is a mighty precious miracle in my life. She turns 8 this year and I am excited at the prospect of her baptism and confirmation. I am so blessed to have her and all those other sweet spirits assigned to my care. Heavenly Father must think I am pretty amazing to trust me this much!

We Miss You

Singing

Tonight we were looking through some pictures on the computer and ran across some of Blake's Family. The kids all started talking about how much they missed Maya and Desi (shortened because I don't know how to spell it!). So as a family we just wanted to say how much we miss you guys and look forward to seeing you again.

Proof

It't amazing when you look at the video how small those little ditches look cause the view from the dirt bike makes them look alot bigger! Does anyone besides my children understand what an accomplishment this is?