this year father's day was just what my dad would have wanted if he could have planned it i think. my dad is not too into getting packaged gifts. he would rather have something sentimental written to him by way of a "thank you" or "i love you because..." or i think even more than that he would rather have just what happened this father's day: sandbagging with his sons-in-law at the cabin.
the river at our cabin was especially high this year. there is a portion of it that runs over and heads behind our cabin but if not managed and steered with sandbags could wash out our driveway. so the friday before father's day the river was super high and my dad called rod and jon (steph's husband) to run up to the cabin with him that night, sandbag that next day and return for saturday night. rod and jon happily went and the three of them bagged around 250.
that time spent with his boys is some of the best time for my dad. he loves it. it is the best gift they could have given him. when they returned we were all at my house with dinner to celebrate father's day. rod was getting dad's trailer outfitted for the church scouting high adventure trip that next week. after dinner rod and dad spent the rest of the night working together in the garage on the trailer and bike racks. this again was just what my dad loves. he loves a project. he loves doing a project with his sons/sons-in-laws.
it is such a comfort to me to have a husband who appreciates and gets along with my father. the two have lots of common sense and are good at fixing things. they each have different approaches but work well enough together that the results are always amazing. rod really has a great deal of respect for my dad. he is amazed by his generosity and selflessness.
i love my dad. He is just amazing. there are not very man men like him in this world. he has provided me with opportunities to travel, the confidence to serve a mission in a foreign land with a foreign language, cars that gave me my independence, schools that broadened my knowledge base, an affinity towards the elderly, the desire to go with guns blazing on tasks, the sense to know right from wrong and a strong desire to always obey the Lord.
My husband is a remarkable man. he is a great father to our boys. he teaches them to respect women and treat them with kindness and equality. he is self-disciplined, goal oriented, driven to succeed at his career and as a family. he is creative and inventive. he loves to learn. he supports me and cheers me on with my hobbies and interests. he loves to do things for me. he does the dishes and cleans the house when I am exhausted. he likes to travel and do new things. he dreams of living in the caymen owning a dive shop but settles for adventures such as hiking from rim to rim of the grand canyon. he is a loyal friend and brother-in-law.
my boys made gifts for rod for sunday complete with a cheer they chanted while coming down the stairs. we had an easy lunch and a very relaxing sunday.
i have men in my life with my twin boys, one new baby boy on the way and then these two: my dad and rod. they keep me in-line and laughing. it is a great way to live.
I always love to read your Father's Day posts. I can always feel the love you have for your father, your hubby and your boys. I am so excited to have learned that your new arrival will also be another little boy! I am so thrilled for you, and your family.
On a not so sentimental note, I think we (those who read your blog from other cities that are far away) need a new tour of your house! I noticed in these photos that your kitchen table has a new orientation, and you have your Boneyard pictures up over your couch. They look awesome!! So, how about it? Is the kitchen far enough along for some new home "tour" pics?
We miss you guys and hope all is well with you. Enjoy your summer!
Posted by: JoEllen | July 11, 2011 at 09:09 PM