Father's Day 2024!

 

Happy Fathers Day to our number one! Jon is the absolute best and making all of our kids laugh and feel better after they've had a hard day. I love how he lights up our lives and has the best convos with our kids. Particularly this kid who is the only one left in the house! I love how these two have the geekiest conversations about naruto and everything and anything. He truly is the best dad ever! 

Life Lately With Rainy Days...

I have to admit that I've been unmotivated to blog lately and that is okay with me. I honestly think it's the rainy weather that we've been having, and to be honest I haven't felt the least bit guilty. The rain causes my bones to ache espeically my back so sitting in front of the computer for even an hour can really take a toll on me. My sister tells me it's arthritis and i believe it is. After all, I will be 48 in a couple of months and as we age certain parts of our body get out of whack! Luckily I have a young heart and refuse to let anything even signs of arthritis bring me down, and so I wanted to jot down a little bit of what has been going on lately. 

Father's Day Brunch At Bubby's!

Out of all the weekends we wanted to go to New York it had to rain. It just had to rain, but we didn't let that stop us from having a good time to take Jon out for a Father's Day brunch in the city. We were lucky enough to have arrived at Bubby's before it began to pour, and were hoping that the rain would subside so we could galavant on foot all over the city, but to no avail. It was a probably a good thing that the rain came, and that we didn't spend the entire day in New York because later on that evening the kids had a talent show to attend to at our church.  Luckily we found free parking less than a block away where we could run, and jump in the car right quick. Nonetheless we enjoyed the day eating good food, laughing, and talking about how dad used to do this, and that, and all the "remember when" stories about Jon. 

A Be-Lated Father's Day Post.

I couldn't let the opportunity pass me by without wishing Jon a wonderful father's day on this little corner of the internet. Even though this post is a day late blame it on endless driving and arriving in the wee hours of the morning because our Father's day this year was the bomb. We were surrounded by a fantastic group of amazing friends who are like family. 

Spending the past five days in North Carolina was absolutely what we needed before moving into our new place, and we are so grateful that we were able to spend it with some pretty amazing people. 

I just wanted to reflect on all the father's all over the world, and express my gratitude to my husband. I have to admit that there are times when I am guilty of not making him feel super special, and even though he tells me that it's okay not to buy him anything, I still somehow make it up to him by surprising him with kind words with a handwritten letter mixed with a lot of thankfulness. I remind my children to always recognize their pa on this special day because without him we wouldn't be where we are today. He provides, loves, cares, and dedicates all his needs after we have met our own. He's amazing with the kids, and I am forever grateful to him for being the person that he is. He truly is a strong pillar of strength in our household. He tells me that I strengthen him, but sometimes it's the exact opposite. He strengthens me. Why, and how you may be wondering? By his example. He is kind, patient, laughs at things that shouldn't matter (which we all should), he lets go too easily of petty things (which we all should), and forgives in a heartbeat (which we all should, and actually do!) He has a number of admirable traits that I love about him, and because he's so good at keeping them helps me to better myself in those areas that need some working on! So thanks Jon for being who you are!

What a wonderful day for fathers to be celebrated, and I hope that from here on out that we will pay more attention to them not just on fathers day, but all year round. Same goes for our mothers on Mother's day. That could be something that can be hard to do because like a quote I read, "when we get older, we forget that our parents are getting older, because we are getting older ourselves." How true that is. Even though I don't have a father figure in my life I will remember those who are. Whether they're my friends, neighbors, and because I never had a good role model of a father around...I will always do my best to remember my father in law as well.

"A Father's calling is eternal, and its importance transcends. It is a calling of both time, and eternity."
~Ezra Taft Benson

Here's hoping everyone had an amazing Father's day weekend! 

IN MEMORY OF OUR FATHERS.

Father's day, like Mother's day or any other holiday where one can be grieving due to a loss of a loved one can be painful for some. Especially when it is still fresh. I will never know how it feels to lose a father through death, but I know how it feels to not have a father growing up, and leave you not knowing why. 

Growing up without without a father can really suck. Suck big ones, but I've learned to cope with it. Throughout the past 39 years of my life (he abandoned me when I was five) I have no idea, even until this day where my biological father is. Where ever he is, whether alive or dead, I pray that he's happy and well. I've learned to forgive, and whenever something comes up that reminds me of him such as the smell of mexican food I am reminded of him. There was even one time when Jon worked for Rent a Center. I remember waking up quickly thinking that he's going to leave when he's actually coming home late from work. Those days really sucked, and I hardly would get any sleep in the first years of my marriage, but luckily I've gotten over that. There are tiny moments when I'll even shed a tear or two, and that's exactly how much I'll shed...a tear or two. I'll only get teary eyed for like ten seconds, and I'm over it. That's when I know that I'm okay with him being gone. Now that I'm older I don't cry as much. As a matter of fact I've become quite numb at the thought that I may never see him again in this life. 

I'm not bitter, or sad because in the past 43 years of my life I've experienced quite a few father figures who in some shape or form helped mold me into the woman I am today. 

My step-father whom I had a very negative experience with taught me what not to do! And because of the things he did to me, it has only made me strong. 

Joe was the complete opposite of negativity. He was always positive, respectful, and knew how to treat a woman as well as a child. He was the best person that happened to both me, and my mom. 

I have an amazing father-in-law who is always there for my family in times of need who raised a hard working son. 

And last, but not least I have my Heavenly Father. I've learned to put my trust in Him when I have no other father figure to turn to. One who will never leave me, and no matter what happens will always be there for me. I don't have to see Him to know that he is there...because He is. 

How grateful I am to know that. To know that He is there whenever I need to simply talk to him. 

But the one man I am most grateful for is of course, my husband. He is the most amazing, patient, kind, hardworking, loving, forgiving, man to ever step foot on the face of this earth, and he belongs to me. I seriously don't know what I would do without him had he not come into my life at the time I needed him. What a blessing he is to my children. What a blessing he is to me. They adore him, and the minute he walks in from work they embrace him, and caress him with affection. He always returns their actions, and when I see that I know that I picked a good one. 

 ...and these kids know that they did too! 

TO MY HUSBAND: THANK YOU FOR BEING SUCH A HARD WORKER.

In the past 20 years life as a married couple has never been easy. Unless you count the time we dated, and the two years I knew you before we got married then that's different. Because in those days, life seemed easier. But in between the hiccups, the tears, the fighting, the massive yelling, the disagreements, and almost breaking up we, together with God on our side, and the faith that we have we managed to survive, stayed together, and in the end relied on each other like never before. 

Times have changed since we've moved to the east. Times have changed since we had our son. Times have changed since our oldest daughter graduated from high school. Times are a changing every day, and there is nothing we can do about that, but to continue to make our life better, and marriage stronger. To be a good example of what it's like to be a married couple, a wife, a husband, a mother, and a father to our children. And with all that change, we've changed. And all we can do from here on out is do the best we can with our ourselves, our kids, and always remember our purpose in this life, and who we are. 

And i always pray it's for the better.

I may not show it enough, but you mean the world to me. The times I've gotten after for you for not picking up your dirty clothes from the floor (that's my fault because I usually have the hamper in the basement due to endless laundry), the way you snort when you laugh, when you don't put the toilet seat down (which is very rare) are things that are petty such as leaving your contact solution out because that can easily be put away are things I shouldn't fret over too much, for one day I will miss them. Human nature causes me to react in such a way, and what I should be acknowledging are the times you cook for me, take the trash out for me, take the recycling bin out, drive our daughter to seminary at 5:30am every morning (thank goodness that's over), the way you serve others, and most of all...how hard you work at your job. 

You are my 'hard working' blue collar husband and I've never been more proud. 

You do what you have to do in order for the kids and I to survive. You work hard. You don't mind getting your hands dirty. When you lost your job two years ago you prayed your heart out for another. And you were blessed. But when ends became tough for us to meet with that job, you prayed even harder for an even better job. And once again, your prayer was answered in a heartbeat. 

That's when you got on board with the brown (UPS.)

You never say no to us when we feel the need to "get away" even if it's going for a drive around south jersey. You never say no when the kids want to go to the park even on a Saturday after you've driven for a few hours with work. You never grow weary of reading them a bedtime story almost every night especially when you've had a long day at work! You always want their tiny hearts to be happy. You always want us to be happy, and fulfilled. You are nice to everyone including those who disrespect you, or flip you off on the freeway due to their indiscretion in driving. 

Know that I believe you are the most precious, and unique gift the Lord has blessed me with. Know that I appreciate everything that you do to provide for me, and our children.

And most of all...know that even though I may be expressing more frustration than affection...that I do, and will always love you. 

And that will never change.

Thank you for being you, thank you for being a hard worker, and for never giving up on us. 

Happy Father's Day my love! 

And to all the father's out there too...have a wonderful weekend! 

Make it great! 

lots of love, notes, & candy on father's day.

Chelsea's lovely artwork in the background.

This past Father's day was filled with more love than I've ever felt before. Maybe it's because my better half is still healing from his fractured elbow while continuing to work endless hours just so that I can continue to stay home, and raise our children. Or the fact that being without a car for the past three and a half months has really humbled us, and is teaching us more patience that you'll ever know!

Although I wrote a a short story about my father the other day (and not a very uplifting one I might add) I thought that today I would write something a little bit more convivial about my better half.

Like I said, my better half is a hard worker, and no matter how rough, gruff, and tough things get in the way of life such as being without a car with four kids, and having a fractured elbow, we tough it out with the help of leaving the solutions up to the Lord. My better half on the other hand is the one that has a solid outlook on life, and believes that we'll be okay. He tells me I'm the tough one...truth is I feel as if he is the tough one because for the past 18 years he has been supporting us, and we always seem to be taken care of.

The love that is expressed in our home is overwhelming. As a family we work at it every single day. I need to have that focus of thinking, living, and breathing with a positive attitude. I encourage my children to do the same without any equivocation.

And they do.

Their willingness to do so well each day is so pleasing unto us, and it rubs off on us as parents. Knowing that this year I didn't feel the need to bear my better half with extravagant gifts just to let him know how much we love him, and that is a great feeling!

Since we couldn't galavant all over town to shop for him Lexie made some homemade chalk paint, and wrote a note for him on our doorway entrance. I also printed these Father's day questionnaires for the girls to fill out, and all the kids at church made a "Happy Father's Day" handout with cute sayings with candy attached. I thought that was so thoughtful, and it was perfect.

The end result was joyful, and my better half was pleased. Like the old adage, "It's the thought that counts" is so true, it's infinitely more meaningful, and for some of us we are gratified with what we receive.

"This was a perfect Father's day."~Dad 

Celebrating Father's Day

After we came home from church services yesterday we went to our next door neighbor's house for a little BBQ to honor Father's Day. I cried. As if the talks spoken during sacrament meeting weren't enough to set the alarms off. I didn't, no, let me correct that, I've NEVER had a great father figure in my life. The closest people I've ever had to having a great father would be my father-in-law, my husband, and of course...my Father in Heaven.

My father abandoned my mother, me and my sister when I was about five years old. My step-father came into my family when I was eight, and the molestation began when I was ten. It lasted until I was about 14. I don't want to ruin this post with a sob story that I've healed from, and maybe I'll write about my molestation on a later date. For now... these fathers had way too much fun, and I'm not about to spoil it boohooing about my past.

I was so impressed with this family. They are not mormon, and that's okay. They have been my neighbor's for three years, and it seems like we moved in yesterday. I LOVE this family. They had a total of at least 30 family members come to celebrate!! I was thinking of my family back in Utah, and all the get together's we had with my husband's family.

I. miss. that.

I loved that the hugs, and kisses on the cheek when I met the rest of this family were reciprocal.
I loved watching others play with my kid.

 I love that even though my girls, and Tinika's girls are a few years apart...they get along great, and enjoy each other's company. 

Noah had so much fun playing with this exercise ball. I love Tinika's backyard. Compared to our's...it's a lot bigger!!

I'm so grateful to have wonderful neighbors here in Jersey. One may seem nervous to move and start all over again meeting new people. To be honest...I'm not. As much as we've moved around from state to state in the past six years, it's become second nature for me to immediately step out of my comfort zone, and get to work with meeting others and sharing the one important thing that means the most in my life...the gospel of Jesus Christ. I had that opportunity last night, and it was a great conversation!!

It was the best five and a half hours spent with a great family.

THANKS TINIKA for a fun-filled evening filled with harmonious fathers...and delicious food!!

the face of a future father.

It kills you to see them grow up, but I guess it would kill you quicker if they didn't. 

~Barbara Kingsolver, Animal Dreams

 I hate to think that the next 20 years will fly by, but it's inevitable. I know that eventually this little fella will become a husband, and then a father. I want to remember these faces and cherish the times at which these photos were taken. 

Because as soon as you click that button, this is all you have...a photo.

But for now...I'm holding on to every moment spent with him, and so is the rest of his family. If you have a future father in your life...I'd do the same.