daddy dearest

Everyone in my family was born in different hospitals in California. Everyone that is except for me and my dad. We were both born in this hospital in Ft. Sam Houston, Texas.I always thought that was pretty cool. That is just one of the many things I have in common with my dad.

My Dad was blessed with four beautiful daughters... and didn't get a son until years afterward. However, that didn't stop him from doing things he enjoyed. He was always taking us on hikes,

hiking at Town Lake in Austin, TX

at the top of Mt. Timp

fishing, out in the boat,

canoeing at Prado Dam

and even shooting guns. I was probably 9 years old when I got my first pocket knife and 11 when I got an even bigger one. And we most certainly were expected to mow the lawn, take out the trash and other "boy jobs." My dad probably hasn't mowed the lawn in 15 years... at least.

He also liked to tease us. Here I am at 8 months old. You can see that the teasing starts early on. When I was probably 3 or 4 we went to the Hogle Zoo. Here's the story in my mom's words: Jeanine's favorite part of the zoo was the children's petting zoo. While we were in the petting zoo, a llama went over to Jeanine and started to nibble on her hair. Her hair was such a pretty yellow color he must have thought it was straw or hay to eat. Jeanine started to cry. Instead of stopping to help her though, Dad was busy trying to get his camera so he could take a picture of it. Obviously he was a little too slow and didn't get the picture.
And here we are at Martin's Cove pulling a handcart. Where is my dad going? He's running off to find a cow pie to toss at us. Nice.

But my dad also taught me by example the things that were important such as living the gospel and serving. My dad was also the one who baptized me,
gave me father's blessings, was there when I went through the temple for the first time, and when I got married. Thank you Dad. I love you.


And the other very important dad in my life is the father of my two boys. They can hardly wait for Rich to come home. Every time the phone rings William thinks that it's Rich and he'll ask me "Is Dad coming home? And he'll get clothes on? And he'll play 'king of the bed'?" When James hears the garage door open he'll squirm out of my arms so that he can run his fastest to get Dad.
And he too teaches our children everything from playing ball to the importance of prayer and scripture study. He's the best dad I could ask for for my boys.

Happy Father's Day!

And for a beautiful father's day post click here.