HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DADDY!

Today is a glorious day.

The groundhog sees (or not) his shadow.


But even MORE glorious-


MY DADDY WAS BORN!!!! many, many, many, many, many, MANY years ago. (hehe- just kidding, dad!)

And let me tell you. He is THE BEST. Seriously. He exemplifies manhood.

Especially his hands. (just go with me on this one).

My dad has, to me, the perfect man-hands. I have always thought this. They are everything I think a man's hands should be. They say you can tell a lot about a person by their hands.

It's true.

My dad's hands are big, thick, and strong. Perfect for lifting up grandkids, opening super tight bottles, turning really stiff cranks. They are worn and rough. My dad is the hardest worker I know. He always has been. He is a construction man, a builder. He can fix anything. ANYthing. I see his hands covered in grease from working out in the garage, green with grass stains from the yard, splattered with paint and dust from endless house projects 'while you're resting'.
and yet...
His hands are soft. Gentle. perfect for holding my newborn babies. Clean. Righteous. Those hands have given countless priesthood blessings. Firm and strong in a good handshake, and they still engulf my hands when I go to hold one of his. I can picture my dad's hands perfectly right now. His slanted thumbnail, the freckles (that's where I get them!), the gold-colored watch, and always his wedding ring. The icing on the cake- that my dad is married to my mom for eternity, and that he will ALWAYS be my dad.

And that he wants it to be that way.

Dad, I love you.

Happy Birthday!!


Daddy-Daughter dance at my wedding reception





His card that wont arrive till thursday since it got returned for 'insufficient postage'....UGH...

Don't worry dad- I made it during a 'study break'- in no way did the making of this card interfere with my schooling.

We love you!

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!