Happy Father's Day!

This was the first year in many that I have been able to celebrate Father's Day with my dad. We started the morning off with monkey bread and watermelon, gave him some personal cards from the boys, and headed off to church. The rest of the day was spent relaxing and eating...his kind of day.

I am so grateful for such an amazing dad; I honestly cannot think of one who is better. He has always been such a dedicated and loving father. This year, as I've been raising my own boys there are a few things I want to teach them that he always taught to us.

1. Expect great things from yourself. My dad was always my biggest fan. When I would get into the car crying after a bad night at dance, he'd put his arm around me and let me cry, but he never let me think I wasn't good enough. When I didn't do as well on something scholastically as I should have, he always let me know that I could do better. When I didn't choose the right, he quietly reminded me of who I was and the greatness I should expect from myself--that I was much better than mediocre. On the flip side, when I triumped, he was always there celebrating with me.

2. Value your education. My dad always had at least a few books he was reading at a time. He loves learning new things, and asks so many questions it can be embarassing, but he always learns as much as he can from every situation. In our home, school was extremely important, and I loved it. I learned how to love reading and learning from my dad, and I hope to pass that same passion on to my children.

3. Love your family. There was never a time my dad was not there for me. I always knew we were the most important things to him.

4. Share your kindness with others. In our family prayers, my dad would regularly bless us that we would seek out those without friends and befriend them. I will always be so grateful for that. It made me sensitive even when I was young to be kind to others (not that I always was, but when I wasn't I always felt bad). It also gave me a reason to not feel down, because I needed to be there to help others so I didn't dissappoint my dad.

5. Be optomistic. My dad is constantly looking forward to things and seeing the bright side of every situation, we love to call him Pollyanna.

Thanks dad for being so great. Happy Father's Day. I love you.