A tribute

Fathers Day was actually yesterday for us. And as the clock wound down until the time that Ben had to go to the airport, I found myself observing. Watching him interact with all the kids before he left. Ben snuggled on the couch with Connor, watching Star Wars. (Connor got him Revenge of the Sith for Fathers Day, b/c Connor really wanted to see it!) They sat together and were just content to sit. Ethan, is not a cuddler and Ben didn't push it. Giving him a high five instead. Ivan was so crabby (he's not feeling well) and so didn't want anything to do with him. Harmony, on the other hand, was very emotional and kept saying, "please don't go". He held her and comforted her and told her the words that she needed to hear.

I am so grateful for Ben and the wonderful father that he is. Our kids all have different personalities and he doesn't push them to be something they are not. He loves them for who they are.

Ben, unfortunatley, doesn't have the kind of schedule where he gets to spend a lot of time with the kids. By the time he gets off of work, we eat dinner, do homework, there just isn't that much free time left. But he is always willing to play baseball with them, take them out to the garden, take them to the movies, or go swimming. He spoils them like no other. Always wanting to give them whatever they want. You can find him playing legos, building train tracks, designing things for Harmony and just being there. I love you Ben. Happy Fathers Day!

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And now onto my father. I have been so bad about getting my cards out on time lately. But it doesn't mean that I haven't been thinking about my Dad. Yesterday at church, the scripture, " I Nephi having been born of goodly parents, wherefore I had learned the way of my Father" (ok not exact quote but...) all I was thinking was amen to that.

I have such wonderful memories of my Dad. From watching Cary Grant movies with him, to raking the leaves in the fall, to the time that he took all of us girls to California with him. We listened to Rick Dees and I remember vividly all of us singing, "That's Amore." But there is something that my Dad did, that he probably doesn't even remember, that has stayed with me.

When I was in high school, struggling with making good decisions, Dad said to me, "Marie if you ever need me as an excuse, do it. I don't care what your friends think of me. I care about you and that you are making good decisions. If you are struggling with "should I go or not" and you feel you shouldn't, but are too embarresed to tell your friends, just roll your eyes and say, " My Dad won't let me."

It just made me realize how much he loved and cared for me. And he still does. I love you Dad, Happy Fathers Day!