My Dad

Over here in Australia, Father's Day isn't until September (I think)...but I couldn't let the day pass without letting everyone know just how much my dad means to me!!! So here are just a few reasons why my dad is the greatest!

He taught me the fine art of eating peanut butter and jelly on saltine crackers (if you haven't tried it, don't turn up your nose until you do) A glass of milk is a must while eating them.

He always took me on a daddy daughter date for my birthday (he did this with my sister and brother as well). We kids would get to pick out the movie as well as the place we wanted to have lunch. There were so many years that the poor guy had to sit through the Muppet Movies and then McDonald's afterward. But I can't tell you just how special it made me feel to be on a "date" with my dad.

He gave me my appreciation for the oldies music (1950-1960's). Every morning as a sophomore in High School I'd catch a ride with my dad and we would listen to and sing the oldies...you know..."Splish Splash I was taking a bath" I still love listening to those songs now, I even have a section in my ipod, called dad's tunes which is all the good oldies.

He snores like Darth Vader. I remember after seeing Star Wars the first time (I was like 5) I dreamed that I was Princess Lea and my bed was surrounded by Storm Troopers and I could hear Darth Vader coming to get me...amazing that when I screamed and my dad came to check on me, Darth Vader was no where to be heard.

He taught me how to drive - and the first experience was not a pleasant one for him or me! We were in the parking lot of the high school, I was 14 and he was trying to teach me how to drive a stick shift in his little old pale blue love truck. The clutch kept sticking, I kept stalling and all my basketball friends were watching...I was mortified, my dad frustrated...it's a miracle that I even got my licence 2 years later.

I love how hard it is for my dad to try new things. He loves his routine, and change isn't always easy for him. But once talked into trying new things, it isn't long until he loves it and it's the best thing he's ever done. Like driving all over the state of Maine looking for all the lighthouses.

Driving us on our family vacations to California, Oregon and especially the cabin in Idaho, I know was torture for him. I mean he spent every day of the week during the school year teaching teen age kids how to drive. The last thing that he wanted to do was be stuck in the car driving on vacation, but once we got there, it was always worth it!

Singing The Beach Boys at the top of our lungs while it was blaring out of the 8 track tape as we bumped along the dirt road from the cabin to Alturus Lake. He loves his music loud, especially while driving in the car by himself.

His love and support of everything that we kids ever got involved in. It still means so much to me to this day that he rearranged his driving schedule during basketball season so he could make it to every one of my games. He has always been my cheerleader, my moral support and my go to guy when I had sprains, sore muscles, blown knees...and yes...he was actually the first person I called after I snapped my Achilles.

He taught me about and gave me my love of American Football. How I love to go to the BYU football games and sit next to him. I pick his brain about why they threw the flag, what the offensive coach was thinking when he called a play straight down the middle that got no yards for the 29th time in a row. I love it when he leans over and says, "we need a turn over" so we start chanting fumble or interception...not loudly so everyone can hear us, just loud enough that when it happens, I know it's because of our chanting...because yes...we in fact have the power! :)

He taught me the correct way to make chili dogs...slicing the hot dog lengthwise, putting it on the bun, adding chili on top, then grated cheese, along with pickles (he adds onions, but they aren't really my thing). I actually made chili dogs one night for Darran last year, a first for him, and taught him how to make them step by step just like dad.

When I was 6 months old I had a life threatening surgery, along with personality changing surgery (so I've been told). When I was finally able to come home, I wouldn't sleep in my crib, as my arms had been tied to the crib in the hospital, so I wouldn't pull at my tubes. Due to that traumatic experience the only way I could get to sleep was if I slept on the couch while my dad slept on the floor next to the couch with me holding his finger.

I think I also get my love of reading from my dad. He loves to read, and is often found with a book in hand. Which has come in very handy several times when he insists that he drive my mom, sister and I on shopping trips. There was hardly ever a shopping trip that dad didn't just stay in the car and read while we girls took to the shops.

I love our three second phone conversations. When I call their house it is often looking to talk to mom, but there are times that I call just to call, to catch up and say hello. Each time dad answers the phone we have a quick three second conversation and then he always says, "let me get your mom". Sometimes I am just calling to say hi to him, but hey, I'll take those three second conversations because in those three seconds, I always know just how much my dad loves me.

He is my fix it guy. When I bought my house, and wanted to rip out the big pine tree in front of the front door, who was there with his chain saw, ax, and chains to pull it out of the ground? My dad....when I wanted to paint my craft room in stripes, who was there to help? My dad...when I wanted to redo the kitchen and put in bead board, who was there? My dad (and my brother)...I'm so lucky that I had two great guys that helped take care of me and my house, before I met Darran!

My dad is an amazing guy, who has the biggest heart. I get my height from him, and my big feet. He looks so intimidating when you first meet him, but he is the biggest teddy bear you'll ever meet. He loves his family and grand children with every part of his being. His family is his life, you can tell. And he is our families life as well. He is the greatest guy! He is my support, my friend and my hero!

I love you dad, happy father's day! xoxoxo

Keeping up with the Jones's

A few months ago I was talking to my brother's kids and they informed me that they had just gotten some goats which they were going to put out in the field at their Uncle John's house. I was excited for them, because we have Rosie the goat, and I know how much fun goats can be (haha). Well last month for Emily's 7th birthday my brother's family added chickens to the addition of their farm yard family. Then about two weeks ago, they decided that they needed to really make it like a farm and added 8 baby cows to the mix, which they still have to go up and bottle feed. Who knew that my brother secretly wanted to be a farmer all his life?

Well before Darran and I met, Darran had some chickens to keep Rosie company, but one fateful night he forgot to get them back in the chook shed and a dreaded fox ate them all, so we haven't had chickens since we've been married. We have had several discussion about getting more chickens, and even have talked about getting a sheep or cow or some other animal to keep Rosie company in her paddock. Well, last night a friend up the road came and dropped 4 chickens off to us. So now it looks like we are officially trying to keep up with the Jones's. What's next you may ask? A cow? A sheep? Another goat? Time will only tell! Ahhhhh living out in the country, you've got to love it!!! I sure do!

Oh What a Beautiful Morning!

I love the winters here! No we don't get snow where we live (which bums me out because I love the snow) but we do get lots of rain and it turns all the pastures, paddocks, yards and fields glorious shades of green! This morning the sun is shining and the rains that we have had over the past week have worked wonders! Everything is green and beautiful! This is a picture of the big pasture that backs our property. It is usually filled with my social club, but today...it's just a beautiful green lush pasture. Now that I am down to one crutch and have had my wedge in my shoe reduced from 4 cm to 2 cm, I am getting around a lot better, which is great, and it's easier to venture out and take photos, which I have missed by the way. Oh, just a side note...if the hill in this photo wasn't there...we'd have ocean view property.

If You're Happy And You Know It...

Clap your hands (clap) (clap)....did I catch those of you who know it singing that little song? Don't you love it? Doesn't it just make you happy? It makes me happy, especially when three and four year olds are singing it! It's a good thing that I like three and four year olds and that I like singing (although my voice isn't the greatest) because I have just been called to be the primary chorister in my ward. I get to spend 2 hours every Sunday singing and being around kids 3-11 years old, and I am so excited!

My first time in primary in 6 years was Sunday and it did not disappoint! I have a friend here named Sharon, I've talked about her before (she was in the YW with me). Well she has a little 4 year old named Desiree, and Desiree just happens to love me...I mean, hello, do you blame her? hahaha Anyway...about 2 months ago, Desiree informed her parents that she "hated" primary. And would not go, she would kick and scream and cry if her parents tried to take her in. I even offered to go in and sit with her, but she just wouldn' t have it...until last week.

Darran mentioned to her that I was going to be in primary now, and that she should start going because it would be fun with me in there. Well she still didn't want any part of it, and cried big alligator tears when her mom brought her in to primary, and sat there crying all through the first part of singing time. Then I asked her to help me out and she told me no, as she watched the other kids come up to help me. After a few more songs I again asked her to help me, this time she jumped up all smiles and came to help me out. At about this time her mom slipped out of the room and Desiree spent the rest of primary happy and having fun.

When I asked her after church if she was going to come to primary next week, she said with a huge smile, "yeah, I like it now, it's fun and not scary." How cute is that?? So my first week in primary I felt was a great success! Now all I have to do is learn the rest of the kids names and the songs! Thanks to those of you who gave me such great ideas and suggestions on how to do this calling!

Christmas Jammies

No you didn't read the title wrong, and yes I do know that it is June!!! I just have to say that I love Christmas pajama's! Every year since the dawn of time, our annual Christmas eve tradition is to open a gift and that gift is usually new Jammie's, which by the way are almost always matching. Well, this year even though we were celebrating Christmas in Australia, we got new Jammie's (thanks mom!) But, since it was summer here and over 90 degrees on Christmas, we haven't been able to wear our new Christmas Jammie's...that is until last night! It was so nice to cuddle up in new Jammie's, so nice in fact that with our flannel sheets (remember people it's winter here) Darran and I both had a long sleep in. I can't remember the last time I slept in, but for some reason I was so warm and cozy that I just couldn't get out of bed this morning. Guess it's a good thing we own our own business, huh? Here's to many more days of sleep ins and warm cozy Jammie's! Hmmmm....maybe I'll go put them on right now. Is six o'clock too early?