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I was blessed to be born into a family with five brothers and two sisters. My mom and dad are very devoted to one another. In fact, my mom is often a little too devoted. She calls my dad "lover". Yah, I know. It's gross. They set a wonderful example for me of dependence, respect, faithfulness, independence, devotion, and faith. My mom still has her "honey do" list and after retirement my dad gladly admits that he won't completely retire to become my mom's gardener. They take trips together but also take trips separate. My mom takes trips with her sister and my dad with his brother. But all of us know how much they love each other and we have never questioned that. It was a wonderful gift they gave to all of us children.
Being this is Father's Day, I am going to brag a little on my dad.
My dad is my hero. He stood by my side all through High School when it was so tough. He was always on the other end of the phone encouraging me through the heart breaks of college (not always boy heart breaks, but life heart breaks), through the disastrous tests, and loved me regardless of my choices.
I remember a summer I returned home from college for the summer. My mom and I got upset with each other. And upset would be an understatement. Even looking back I didn't do anything wrong (right? teenagers never do), but I sure reacted. I wasn't going home and that was that. And I don't think my mom wanted me there either. Of course I didn't have anywhere else to go because it was the summer between semesters. So what does a 19 year-old girl do? One that is pretty sheltered? Now I can look at the situation and see how utterly devastating that choice could had been if my dad had not intercepted. He came looking for me. I will always remember his words, though not exact, were something to the effect of: "I found a place for you to stay until you leave for school. I don't know if what your mom did was right or wrong, but she is my wife and I stand beside her. I love you very much but I have to put your mom first."
He loved me so much and really did take care of me. But he also stood by his wife. I don't know if he agreed with what she did or not. Of course he agreed with me because I was right. But he didn't tell me that. He just expressed his love to me and his love of his wife. And he put her first because that is what a husband does. He loves his wife no matter. What a great lesson he taught me.
Another story of what a great dad I have happened after I graduated from High School and was leaving for college. I chose a school that was 1200 miles from home. Can't imagine why a teenager would want to spread her wings and fly. I was ready to leave home. The school I chose was at one end of Idaho near the Wyoming border. My grandparents lived at the other end of Idaho near the Oregon border. We drove to Idaho through Salt Lake and had a few days before school started. Naturally we would head to my grandparents and then head to school. But this is the part that makes my dad so wonderful. He knew how excited I was to see my new apartment and see the college town. So he took me to school, we dropped off my stuff, looked around for a few hours, and then jumped back in the car and headed to my grandparents who lived at the opposite side of the state. We visited my grandparents for a few days and then we drove BACK to Rexburg and he dropped me off for good. He went way out of his way to make me happy. He really didnt' need to do that. But that act of love has carried me so many times. I know my dad loves me so much that he would do just about anything for me.
I could keep going on about my dad. But for the sake of time and I have church meetings in the morning and I am teaching sharing time and then having a birthday dinner for my brother-in-law and then packing. Plus my baby still isn't sleeping through the night. And neither is my husband. I really should get to bed so I can be nice tomorrow. Oh, how I wish I had more time becuase the more I think about this the more examples I have!
My dad exemplifies everything a father should be. He takes time for each one of his eight children. Or maybe just me. But I have seen him spending time with the others so I know it isn't just me. He taught me to drive. He taught me to work.He taught me the value of education and not "burning any bridges" (the only reason I took three semesters of calculus in college is so I wouldn't burn any bridges). He taught me to love the Savior. He made mistakes but then made it right. And I will never forget the example he set for me. He taught me so much. And he is still calling me, checking up on me to make sure I'm doing okay.
There is a statement that was issued from my church. It describes the role of parents and of fathers and mothers. It is something I refer to often because it brings life back to reality. When I get overwhelmed with being a wife and a parent, I reread
The Proclamation. I hope to commit this to memory one day because it is so wonderful. I want to share part of it with you:
"Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.
"The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed."
My dad exemplifies what a prophet of God declared. And he did it well before this statement came out. He told me a story that one year when I was little, he was stationed in the Artic away from his family. He decided to use his extra time studying what the prophets said about families out of the Ensign magazine. He studied how he could be a better dad and a better husband. And I think the reason he is the type person he is comes from his desire to be a better person, to treat other the way the Savior would want him to.
Thank you dad for being the person that you are, for loving me, for teaching me so much, and for always trying.
Happy Father's Day, Dad. I love you.
Camie is an awesome swimmer. She has dedication, endurance, and fun. She likes to swim. She isn't as passionate about it as Taneal, but she does well. I love that she continues to swim even though she isn't competitive. I guess that is what I like about swim team so much. You can be competitive and try to be the fastest swimmer, like Taneal, or you can be like Camie and just enjoy the sport. Camie's goal is to beat her own time and she is content with that. She consistently improves. And with improvement the coach gives CiCi Pizza coupons. We will be eating out a lot this month because my swimmers are earning lots of coupons! 
Camie getting ready to dive.
What a beautiful dive she has. I can't do that.
Look at that form! 
Reach and pull.
Another awesome dive picture. Camie is the first diver in the green cap. I told you my secret about the cap, right?
Camie doing the breast stroke. I think all the swimmers look so funny doing this stroke. Each time they come up for breaths they look like a fish. And they all form their mouth the same way. You would think that mouth form was part of the instrucvtions for doing the breaststroke.
And the final touch. 
