1980
1984
1985
2002
2006(notice how my dad is holding James the same way he held me)
My dad's birthday is today, and I decided for his birthday this year to write a blog tribute to him. Here are a few things in no particular order that I love about my dad.
Since it's Christmastime, I thought I'd start out with this story...
My dad made our Christmases growing up the most exciting they could possibly be. He really got into them, would read us tons of Christmas stories, made sure we watched Christmas movies, and on Christmas morning, he would make the anticipation of Santa almost unbearable. Every year on Christmas morning, we would be excitedly waiting behind the last wall before you could see the toys/gifts Santa left for us (Santa brought us things until about the time Matthew arrived, and then he started bringing the grandchildren toys). My dad would go into the living room, start the fire, come out, and say (word for word), "Well kids, it looks like Santa made a big mistake! He left WAY too many toys!" We would follow that up with squealing/screaming, and then run out as fast as we could. Nothing was more exciting!
My dad provided such a safe, secure, loving home for us to grow up in that I am eternally grateful to him.
My dad has a huge heart and is a softy for his family. I always felt lucky to be one of his.
My dad is an incredibly unique person. He is interesting, the smartest person I know, well spoken, funny, quirky, generous, charming, passionate, sentimental, and many more things.
My dad is meticulous about taking care of his things. You will not find an item out of place or a speck of dirt on the floor. I laugh out loud when I go into his closet and see each shirt perfectly spaced apart. He passed this on to my brother, too!
Growing up, my dad loved more than anything to be with my mom, sister, brother, and me. We felt so special because of this. He was able to come home at 4:30 or 5:00 every day, and he would take us in the backyard and play sports, ride bikes, or just run around with us. He made it very clear we were his top priority. I didn't sit there and reflect on that as a kid, but I knew it. I LOVED special time with my dad, like going to McDonald's to get a Happy Meal, going to the movies just the two of us, going to father/daughter things together that he would never miss and thoroughly enjoyed. He also read to us and/or told us a story (he was an awesome story teller) as he put us to bed every night. This has carried over to him being an excellent, hands-on grandfather who adores his grandkids. He is such a neat, loving grandfather, and all four of his grandkids adore him! He beings four pieces of chocolate to church for his four specials little ones, he loves to get them all riled up and then hand them back to us, he takes them on rides in his convertible, and many more things that are making such special memories for them.
We love how much my dad loves my mom. He always wants to be with her. It is so neat to see a couple married as long as they have been, enjoy each other as much as they do. My mom and I teared up recently talking about how much we love Dad, and she says that he was so easy to love and be married to, some of the reasons being that he was devoted, honest, forgiving, gave the most sincere apologies, hard working, humble, sweet, and consistent, not to mention fun to be married to. They are such a great example of what a Christian couple should be. I am SO thankful to have them as role models.
My dad wanted us kids to go on a trip every summer with Mom and him. My brother, sister, and I called them "educational opportunities". He would research the place for about a year and would plan it out to a T. Everything went smoothly with my dad.
My dad was the one we would go to when we were having the bigger problems growing up. We told my mom the little things, but we wanted to go to my dad with the bigger things. He was the best at saying the right thing to make it all better, and it made perfect sense when he said it! He is incredibly wise.
Every so often, my dad will tear up when we're all together, talking about how much God has blessed him with our family. My dad is a strong man of God, who truly lives out his faith. He has been an incredible example to us on how you never lose your passion for Christ and you never stop growing in your faith.
Today is also my nephew, Thomas' birthday. My sister, Elizabeth, wrote a blog tribute to him today if you'd like to check it out!
Since it's Christmastime, I thought I'd start out with this story...
My dad made our Christmases growing up the most exciting they could possibly be. He really got into them, would read us tons of Christmas stories, made sure we watched Christmas movies, and on Christmas morning, he would make the anticipation of Santa almost unbearable. Every year on Christmas morning, we would be excitedly waiting behind the last wall before you could see the toys/gifts Santa left for us (Santa brought us things until about the time Matthew arrived, and then he started bringing the grandchildren toys). My dad would go into the living room, start the fire, come out, and say (word for word), "Well kids, it looks like Santa made a big mistake! He left WAY too many toys!" We would follow that up with squealing/screaming, and then run out as fast as we could. Nothing was more exciting!
My dad provided such a safe, secure, loving home for us to grow up in that I am eternally grateful to him.
My dad has a huge heart and is a softy for his family. I always felt lucky to be one of his.
My dad is an incredibly unique person. He is interesting, the smartest person I know, well spoken, funny, quirky, generous, charming, passionate, sentimental, and many more things.
My dad is meticulous about taking care of his things. You will not find an item out of place or a speck of dirt on the floor. I laugh out loud when I go into his closet and see each shirt perfectly spaced apart. He passed this on to my brother, too!
Growing up, my dad loved more than anything to be with my mom, sister, brother, and me. We felt so special because of this. He was able to come home at 4:30 or 5:00 every day, and he would take us in the backyard and play sports, ride bikes, or just run around with us. He made it very clear we were his top priority. I didn't sit there and reflect on that as a kid, but I knew it. I LOVED special time with my dad, like going to McDonald's to get a Happy Meal, going to the movies just the two of us, going to father/daughter things together that he would never miss and thoroughly enjoyed. He also read to us and/or told us a story (he was an awesome story teller) as he put us to bed every night. This has carried over to him being an excellent, hands-on grandfather who adores his grandkids. He is such a neat, loving grandfather, and all four of his grandkids adore him! He beings four pieces of chocolate to church for his four specials little ones, he loves to get them all riled up and then hand them back to us, he takes them on rides in his convertible, and many more things that are making such special memories for them.
We love how much my dad loves my mom. He always wants to be with her. It is so neat to see a couple married as long as they have been, enjoy each other as much as they do. My mom and I teared up recently talking about how much we love Dad, and she says that he was so easy to love and be married to, some of the reasons being that he was devoted, honest, forgiving, gave the most sincere apologies, hard working, humble, sweet, and consistent, not to mention fun to be married to. They are such a great example of what a Christian couple should be. I am SO thankful to have them as role models.
My dad wanted us kids to go on a trip every summer with Mom and him. My brother, sister, and I called them "educational opportunities". He would research the place for about a year and would plan it out to a T. Everything went smoothly with my dad.
My dad was the one we would go to when we were having the bigger problems growing up. We told my mom the little things, but we wanted to go to my dad with the bigger things. He was the best at saying the right thing to make it all better, and it made perfect sense when he said it! He is incredibly wise.
Every so often, my dad will tear up when we're all together, talking about how much God has blessed him with our family. My dad is a strong man of God, who truly lives out his faith. He has been an incredible example to us on how you never lose your passion for Christ and you never stop growing in your faith.
Today is also my nephew, Thomas' birthday. My sister, Elizabeth, wrote a blog tribute to him today if you'd like to check it out!
5 comments:
OK Thomas ans ME look so much like you in that picture of you on your Dad's sholders! WOW! i think they look like Byron then I see pictures of you as a child! Micheal looks so much like your DAD! Great Family!
Steph-
We have always said that Thomas reminded us so much of Lauren as a youngun'. He is so much like her in looks and temperament!
Lauren,
What a sweet well-worded tribute to your father. I would be willing to be that your birthday post was a better gift than any birthday present you could have purchased him at a store! Thank you for giving us (your blog readers) a glimpse of the wonderful man your father is.
Tracy, Thank you so much for sharing that! I'm really glad to know that! It made my day!
Stephanie, I thought the same thing when I looked at these! I saw ME in me, and I also saw my brother in my dad! How weird!
Kristy, This was my present to him! Yesterday, I printed it off, brought it up to his office, and we then had lunch together. It was just as much a gift to me to see his reaction!
Oh I love this post...especially because I am such a big Daddy's girl, too! Your dad is such a great dad who obviously raised a great daughter! Happy Bday to Mr. R!
Post a Comment