Happy Father's Day!

Ok, we're at it again. It's Father's Day, and we're both writing what we love about our dads.

What do I love about my dad? My dad has seemingly always been in a calling that has required a whole lot of his time. In the last 10 years or so, he's gone from being in the Stake Presidency to being a bishop to back in the stake Presidency. But he has not once complained about somehow keeping on top of that with raising 6 kids and having a very busy career. AND he was one of our sports coaches every year. He's taught us the importance of frugality, and the concept that we don't always get what we want. I remember once Christmas Austin wanted an iPod (this was when the first iPods came out, and they were COOL). My dad went to some electronics store, or grocery store or wherever, and bought Austin the CHEAPEST mp3 player ever. And you know what? It worked! And I don't think Austin complained too much about it... we all got a good laugh later.
While my dad has taught us the importance of keeping a good public figure out there, he's also not afraid to have fun. Case and point? Alyse and my wedding receptions. For Alyse's wedding, he sang his own version of "Don't Stop Believin" about Alyse and Tommy's courtship. And for my wedding reception, of course, he reenacted the infamous "walk" where he and Brandon talked about if Brandon could marry me. Now, I don't THINK Brandon danced around and sang Bruno Mars, but my dad sure did. And every time I hear that song it makes me think of my dad now. So Dad, that's why I shared that video on Facebook today. It was either that or something from Zoolander, but I figured Bruno Mars would be more acceptable.
I love my father-in-law. I know that it's important to see how your father-in-law acts to see how your husband will act later in life, and it's good to know that Brandon already acts like him (in the best ways possible of course). They CRACK each other up, which is pretty funny. But the lesson I'm most grateful for is the lessons that he taught Brandon. He has emphasized the concept of being self sufficient, and help shape Brandon into the hard worker that he is. Brandon had to pay for his own schooling, which meant that he got good grades because he didn't WANT to pay for school. And he didn't! It's been so wonderful to have them open their house up to me. Thank you for everything!


And from Brandon:  Dad I know how much you love Taco Bell so here is some nacho cheese for you.  The more experience I get in life the more I understand just how much you have worked and sacrificed for me and our family.  You have been a great teacher and mentor throughout my life.  I very distinctly remember a day on my mission sitting at my study desk and thinking about you.  The thought entered my mind, "Wow, everything that my Dad has told me and taught me was to help me be happy and to be better."  Even though I did not realize it as a teenager, I was truly watched over and protected by a great Father who cared.  I have so many great memories with you from camping, fishing, playing basketball and football out in the yard, going to priesthood sessions of conference, family dinners, games (especially scum!), and road tripping from New Hampshire to Idaho (eating chex mix with no pretzels haha).  You have been a great example of putting in effort to obtain a testimony and treasuring it.  I remember many late nights and early mornings finding you on the couch reading your scriptures and conference talks.  You have been a great example to me of how to treat a wife with love and respect.  You may be the purest man I know.  You are an extremely talented and intelligent person.  If only you had worked a little harder in your trumpet class in college you could have been straight A student haha. One thing that I really admire about you is that you are constantly reading and learning.  Well my main squeeze you are truly one of a kind and I am eternally in debt to a Heavenly Father that placed us here together.

My father-in-law, Blake.  I literally have to look up to you.  There are so many qualities that you possess it makes it hard to pick and choose.  One thing that I most admire about Blake is his genuine care for other people.  He does so much to help so many people around him.  I know that there are many things that he does that go unseen.  As I have spent time with Blake I have noticed just how much he loves his family.  He is very busy, but he has shown me a great example of making time for family and people.  He is such a great teacher.  I am grateful to him for how he taught and guided my wife through the first couple of decades of her life.  I have really enjoyed spending time with him at family reunions.  Especially, playing in the sports tournaments.  He may be a grandpa but hasn't lost a step!  He still has a 40' inch vertical!  I couldn't ask for a better father-in-law.  Thanks for the great example!