Father's Day

Dear Dad,
Happy Father's day! My heart is so full right now. I've been thinking about you and there are so many things on my mind right now. I'll try to write it all out as best as I can. Dad, whenever I think of you the first thing that comes to mind is service. I don't know of a better example of someone who loves to serve. Tears came to my eyes tonight as I thought about you and how much you have done for me and how much I love you. Some memories I want to share with you and thank you for are these:
When I was little you would come to my room at night and tell me a story about your childhood.
You were my personal alarm clock and would come turn on my light and say "it's time to get up!"
Playing basketball in the driveway.
Picking up my slack when I wasn't cleaning the office as good as I should have.
Baptizing me
Giving me Father's blessings
Our love of music and singing. This one really hits home. Some of my most fond memories are of us singing together. We would sing for hours listening to different CD's and the radio whether it was in the car or standing in the kitchen or singing at church or at weddings or around the campfire or wherever. I cherish those memories. I really have such a tender place for them in my heart.
Going to all my basketball games in junior high even though I was a 5th quarter player.
Always taking me shoe shopping :) bless your heart.
You were there with mom to comfort me when break ups and school drama happened.
I played tennis all 4 years of high school and it was a busy time of year for you- tax season. Dad you were there for almost every single tennis match. I could count on one hand the number of matches you missed in all 4 years. That means more than you know.
I remember the hours you and I would spend at the courts playing against each other. (Remember the time we finally stopped because it got so dark we couldn't even see the ball? the only way we knew it came over the net was because it finally hit the fence. Ha!)
Anytime I went on a date or some activity I wasn't too excited about you would always tell me, "Remember Rachel, it's what you make of it."
You helped choose the beauty school I went to. You told me you had a good feeling about Evans when we walked in there to check it out. I knew then that that's where I would be going.
Bless your heart, you let me give you a few awkward haircuts before I finally got it down.
You walked with me in the blazing heat for about 6 miles or so the day before I took my boards because I was so nervous.
You talked to me on the phone and comforted me many times my first month in CT when I thought I wanted to come home.
I remember mom telling me you would get teary listening to some of my country music when I was gone because it made you miss me.
I was struggling one night in CT and you went into my room at home, I went to my room in CT and we both kneeled down and said a prayer together over the phone.
You would always stay up late with mom and be there when I came into your room at midnight to talk about the night and what I did with friends.
We went on a walk in St. George and you let me talk out all my feelings about my husband (then my boyfriend) and you gave me advice and told me some of your own experiences when you were younger.
Receiving my endowments
Getting married in the temple
You were one of the very first to know when my husband and I found out we were expecting.
You took off the whole afternoon from work to come to my daughters birthday party at the zoo.

Dad, you are simply amazing. The list could go on and on of all the times you have been there for me. It's never been a question where the family lies in your list of priorities. You and mom both always showed me that family is most important. I feel so blessed to be your daughter and so privileged to have you as my father. Your example and your testimony have strengthened me in so many ways. As I got older I knew I wanted to marry someone like you. And I did. I have an incredible husband and he has told me more than once that he knows he has big shoes to fill. He does, and he's doing a great job. Dad I love you so much and I hope you know how dear you are to me. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for always being there. I can remember calling you at work one time asking if you had time to talk and you said, "yep. I always have time to talk to my kids." That pretty much sums it up. It's no wonder you're such a happy person in life, you're always serving. I love you dad, so much. Happy Father's Day.

Birthday Girl!!!

My precious daughter turned 1 today! Believe me, my husband and I were proud parents. We wanted to make it the perfect day for her. We decorated the house last night when she went to bed so it would all be waiting for her when she woke up. It turned out great! She woke up this morning and just kept saying "wow" at everything. It was so cute! That's been her famous word lately. We spent the morning as a family and then headed to the zoo for the afternoon. She loved the zoo!!! So did I. I could look at animals all day! And she was fortunate to have both sets of grandparents with her, along with her friend Dalton :) It was awesome! Then we headed to Pizza Hut for lunch and then back home for the big celebration! We had cake and ice cream and presents to open. She did so great and she totally took in every minute of it. She is such a social butterfly and loved all the attention!
I love this girl sooooo much. I think back over the past year at her growth and it amazes me how many changes there are in one year! Oh my goodness, that song "don't blink" by Kenny Chesney is so true! I just cannot get enough of her. It really isn't possible to hug your child or kiss their cheeks enough!
So, to my daughter, I want to say what a joy you have been and always will be! You have added an amazing dimension to our family and an everlasting impact upon me and daddy. This last year has been simply incredible. You have taught us so much, in so many ways. We have grown more together as a family and our love for you grows leaps and mounds each day. Thank you for being patient, as daddy and I are learning right along with you. You are so very special to us and we are so blessed to be your parents. You have such a sweet, tender spirit that radiates and touches everyone around you. We love you so much. Happy Birthday bug!