"Happy Anniversary" or "How Blessed Am I?"

My Parents celebrated their 42nd wedding anniversary this week.

That's about two thirds of their lives that they spent with each other.

I know that they have benefitted beyond what I can even understand by being part of a happy, loving marriage.

But I have to point out that I have definitely been blessed by their marriage as well.

Mainly, I was born to a mother and father who wanted me and loved me.

I was raised by loving parents who taught me, nurtured me and provided for me, and taught me God's gospel.

I have never known the pain of divorce close to me.

My parents are still together and still there for me whenever I need them. (Even though they are almost never home).

I love my parents and I am so happy for them.

42 years down and eternity to go.

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad.

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If you would like to read the post I wrote for them last year >>>click here<<<. It'a pretty good one.

What My Dad Taught Me

Yesterday was my Father's birthday.

Chronologically he is 65. But there is some debate as to what his real age is.

To look at him you might think he is only 50-55. If you watch him go you might think he was in his 20s or 30s. But there are those among us who argue that he is actually over 2000 years old.

This is a picture of him with my mom and my sons at Niagra Falls last summer.

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Regardless of his actual age, my Dad has taught me many things in my life.

Including, but certainly not limited to:

1. The abilty and willingness to work is one of the greatest attributes a person can have.
2. If something needs done, do it.
3. It should not take all day to do 5 minutes work.
4. If you look for something you will usually find it.
5. When things are difficult complaining will not make them better. Effort usually will.
6. As much time should be spent outdoors as possible.
7. Be home when you say you will be.
8. Being dependable is another one of the greatest attributes a person can have.
9. Hard work will get you a long ways. Hard work and an education will get you even farther.
10. Arguing rarely solves anything.
11. True love is not based on appearances.
12. If you can't say something nice bite your tongue.
13. Sometimes it's okay to let people see you biting your tongue.
14. It's sometimes fun to start rumors if you tell people that's what you are doing.
15. Raising a family is one of the most worthy and honorable things a person can do.
16. If you choose to have a family, (and it should be an active choice), they should be your first priority.
17. Your commitment to your spouse should be more important to you than anything on earth.
18. Your commitment to God should be more important to you than anything in the world.
19. If you listen to the spirit, it will talk.
20. You should serve others at any given opportunity. And not brag about it later.
21. Do your chores before you play.
22. When you give a talk, don't write it word for word. Just have your outline written on 3x5 cards and speak naturally.
23. Our goal in this life is to earn eternal salvation. There is a whole plan for this.
24. To appreciate nature.
25. How to set up a tent.
26. How to start a fire.
27. How to dig a snow grave (for sleeping in).
28. How to make ash cakes
29. How to cook in a dutch oven.
30. How to sweep a floor effectively.
31. How to shoot a gun.
32. How to throw a tomahawk.
33. How to differentiate between kinds of pine trees.
34. How to watch for and follow tracks.
35. How to paddle a kayak.
36. How to make a bed.
37. You should give your spouse a good long kiss when you get home from work.
38. You should let your children see you kiss your spouse.
39. Don't leave the oven on during church.
40. Sometimes the best naps are on the living room floor.
41. There are few shows that are really worth watching on tv.
42. Star Trek is one of them.
43. Enjoy every minute of being outside.
44. Find excuses to go outside.
45. Enjoy life.
46. Let people know you have a testimony of God.
47. Decide how you want to live your life and do it with vigor.
48. Don't let little things (like quadruple heart bypasses) keep you from doing the things you love.
49. When you fall down get up and try again.
50. Love your family with all your heart and in every way you know how.
51. Make sure God is part of every part of your life, and you will be happy.

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That was a little longer list than I originally intended. I hope you stuck through and read them all.

I could have kept going, but 51 was enough for this year.

I am so grateful for my father. He is one of the people that I truly admire the most.

He taught me so many things (obviously), and those things have made my life better.

I wish you a happy birthday Dad.

No matter how old you really are, I hope this year is better than all the ones before it.

I love you. Thanks for being my Dad.

-Della

What do you call the other grandparents? and Instructables!

Today's blog is sponsored by: My Mom and Dad!

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My Mother is asking for help and my Dad has a wonderful bit of information to share.

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Firstly, my mom's dilema.

My Mom has 7 children, 7 children-in-law, and 25(+) grandchildren.

This also means that she has 7 sets of people that she shares her 25 grandchildren with. Meaning, her children's in laws.

These are people that she sees regularly. They were there when her children got married. When her children have children, when those (grand)children are blessed, at birthday parties, holidays, baptisms, etc.

These are people who, though she doesn't see them or talk to them everyday she is invariably connected to, and through amazing blessings, even likes.

So she feels she should have a better name for them than "my children's in-laws" or "my grandchildren's other grandparents".

She is looking for suggestions for an appropriate term. And knowing how creative and helpful so many of my bloggies can be, suggested I ask all of you for ideas.

She has already dismissed: shirttail relatives, out-laws, kissing cousins and co-grandparents as options.

What do you think?

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Next, my father, being the ultimate scouter, outdoorsman, do-it-yourselfer, MacGuyver wanna-be, and possibly one of the 3 Nephites, is always on the look out for new uses for old objects, as well as interesting uses for just about anything.

So when he found a website that will show you how to make a wreath out of barbie dolls, a tent out of recycled tent parts, a marshmellow gun, vortex cannons, a 900,000 volt Van de Graff Generator using cheap parts, or even just an upcycled glowing toilet plunger lamp, he couldn't wait to share.

The website is instructables.com.

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Thanks for the help, and happy creating!

And My Father Dwelt in a Tent

Many years ago when I was 12 or 13 years old, my sister Lydia was given an assignment by a church leader to find a scripture that aptly described her father.

The other girls in the class came back with verbose and lengthy verses about the strength, integrity, worthy priesthood bearing and other various leadership qualities that defined their Dads.

Lydia came to class with a simple verse from the first book in the Book of Mormon. But we all agreed it would be difficult to find a scripture that more aptly and succinctly described my dad.

The verse was 1Nephi, 2;15:

And my father dwelt in a tent.

You see, if it weren't for my mom and this irrational insistence she has for having a wood and shingles roof, my Dad would be perfectly content to live in his teepee in the back yard.

In fact when he goes snow camping, he doesn't even use a tent. He just burrows a hole down in the snow, covers it with a tarp and cuddles up with a good sleeping bag and a special canteen so he doesn't have to get up during the night to pee.

My point in this post, is to honor my dad on Fathers Day and share some of the things that I admire about him.

For simplicity's sake, here is an abbreviated list:

His love for the out doors that he taught to all of us, (except I don't like snow camping, the canteen doesn't work so well for me).

His love for each of us kids.

His incredible work ethic.

His vast knowledge and ability to do almost anything, from geneology, to plumbing a house, to climbing mountains - literally.

His willingness to do any of those things.

His adoration for my mother.

His desire to serve others.

His absolute love and commitment to the Savior.

My dad has taught me many things in my life. And I am blessed that he is still around to keep teaching me stuff.

He is such a good man. My husband often says that my dad must be one of the 3 Nephites, because it's just not possible to be that good.

Nephite, Superman, or just Scoutmaster Hugo, he is my hero.

Love you Dad.

-Della