The First Man I Ever Loved

My Mom sent this picture to me today in an email. My neice-in-law, Melanie, took it at the Space Needle in October when my nephew Collin got married. I love it so much I wanted to share it with everyone.

My Dad is the first man I ever loved. I wanted to marry someone just like him when I grew up. He is so patient and even-tempered. I can count on one hand the number of times I've heard my Dad raise his voice and he never laid a hand on any of his kids. I know I have shared with many of you some of my childhood experiences with my Dad. I loved my childhood! My Dad and I spent many Saturdays alone while Mom was at work and we really tore up the county. My boys' favorite story from my childhood with my Dad is:

When I was a little girl we lived out in the country. Somehow we inherited a cat (probably from my brother) who was an inside cat only. Once in a while she managed to escape the house and explore the unknown world of the outside. One thing that we didn't know about our precious cat was that she was easy. One time in one of her many adventures, she found herself in the motherly way. Later, she gave birth to a litter of kittens who became outside cats. These cats grew up and started reproducing and before we knew it, we were brewing with cats!

Every Saturday, Dad and I would work outside before we would paint the town. One Saturday Dad was getting ready to mow the lawn. Because we had so many kittens, Dad was afraid that he would run one of them over with the lawnmower. So, he had me gather them all up and shut them in the pump house so they couldn't escape. At this time, I was about 6 or 7. I would gather up a few shut them in the pump house, then go back and gather more. Inevitably, every time I would open the door, at least one would escape. I was getting nowhere with the cats. I got so mad at them that I called them "farts".

In our household growing up, "fart" (sorry, Mom) was the "F" word to my mother. If you said it, you were in BIG trouble. Knowing this and calling the cats by this name instantly brought me to tears. I knew I had done the most horrible thing ever, and my conscience instantly weighed heavy on me. Dad was busy mowing the lawn, I'm sure deep in thought, and I walk up to him bawling my eyes out. He instantly shut off the lawnmower and was concerned over my tears. He asked me what was wrong and I said, "Dad I've done something bad, I called the cats farts!". With a look of dismay on his face he said, "Hell, I don't care!", started the mower and took off, leaving me there standing there in disbelief.

Colby and Taylor ask me to relate this story to them often. They laugh hysterically over the fact that Dad said to me, "Hell, I don't care!". I'm sure many of you probably think that his response is horrid, but to hear my Dad swear is rather hilarious.

I learned so much about my Dad on those Saturdays we spent together. He taught me so much about my grandparents and his childhood. Someday, I'm going to document all of his childhood stories. Dad, I love you! Thanks for so many great memories!

Happy 56th Anniversary!

Our parents celebrate 56 years of marriage today! I can't believe what an accomplishment this is. Being married for that long is almost unheard of these days and when I tell people how long Mom and Dad have been married, their eyes get really big! We, as their children, have been blessed by two great examples. Examples of love, faith, struggles, heartache, joy, and enduring to the end. I'm sure Mom and Dad's marriage has not always been smooth sailing but they have pressed on somehow. They have been a true joy to us all and continue to bless our lives in every way.

Mom and Dad have loved us and have sacrificed much for us. We are eternally grateful for all they have done. There are two quick (unless I get long-winded) stories that I would like to document of Mom and Dad and their love and sacrifice for their children.

After Mom and Dad moved to Washington, in the fall Mom would drive potato truck to help bring in extra money. LaVoy and Jana were still little and not in school yet. The older siblings, mostly Marion and Barbie, recount how Mom would get up at 3:30 in the morning, make everyone's lunch that day and a batch of cookies for the older kids to take in their lunch. Then everyone would wake up to a hot breakfast that Mom had made. She would then dress LaVoy and Jana, comb everyone's hair, and head out the door with LaVoy and Jana in tow. Marion has said that she remembers Mom cleaning LaVoy and Jana's shoes every morning so their shoes would be clean for the day. Mom would then entertain LaVoy and Jana everyday in the potato truck by singing songs, telling stories, and teaching them their alphabet. At the end of the day, Mom would come home, make dinner, I'm sure do some house work, and then start all over again. Is this not a prime example of sacrifice and unconditional love?



When LaVoy was somewhere between middle school and high school, she became very interested in snow skiing. In the area we grew up in, we had the opportunity to take a bus every Saturday morning during ski season to Mission Ridge, a ski resort that was nearby, and take skiing lessons through the school. LaVoy loved skiing right away! That year for Christmas, she asked Mom and Dad for skiis. Mom told LaVoy that money was tight because there were other kids to buy for and Travis was still on his mission. LaVoy shared with me once that she was laying in bed on Christmas Eve feeling sorry for herself over the fact that she knew she would not be getting skiis for Christmas. She said that a voice told her to look out the window. She did and she saw Dad walking across the yard from the shed in the snow carrying skiis over his shoulder. LaVoy told me she had never felt so humbled in her life because she knew what Mom and Dad had to sacrifice to get her the skiis.



These are the most touching stories to me of all the stories that I know about these two wonderful people. They have taught each of us that family comes first. They have showed us that through their example.



Mom and Dad are now enjoying the retired life, spending time with their family, and working at the Columbia River Temple every Saturday. This experience has been such a blessing in their lives and the lives of their children as well. We love you Mom and Dad! Thank you for being the very best parents for us and for being even greater grandparents. We are honored to be your children and grandchildren and we hope you know on this very special day how loved you both are.