My Daddy

"Those things which we call extraordinary, remarkable, or unusual may make history, but they do not make real life. After all, to do well those things which God ordained to be the common lot of all mankind, is the truest greatness. To be a successful father or a successful mother is greater than to be a successful general or a successful statesman." Joseph F. Smith

Today is My dads birthday. Tomorrow is my moms. So they get separate posts. But today I just wanted to let my dad know that I love him. That times get tough and people get mad and people go through rough times but in the end it is family.

It is always about family.

That is what I have learned from my dad.

Because of him I have learned that raising a family and having children and teaching those children is exactly what I should be doing. That as I raise my children that their needs, wants and desires are what I need to strive to make happen.

When I was in the hospital having Tyler my in laws called my parents to tell them that Ty was coming and coming now. They immediately left. They brought my older sister who was living there at the time because family is so important to them. They called my younger sister to go up there. He was a rock but at the same time, he melted.


He saw pain, suffering and was totally helpless. He couldn't take away what was happening to me. Then kicked in the grandfather part. His melting was because he couldn't take away the pain that was being inflicted on MY child. His Grandson. The above photo was the first time that they were able to hold Tyler. Obviously it was a while after he was born. They patiently would come up to the NICU weekend after weekend, spare day after spare day to stand by a plastic box and watch. Never getting the luxury of holding. One day I walked out and asked if they were ready to have the best gift ever. My dad got to go first. As tears streamed down his face he sat there with my son. He held him close. He smiled. He smelled. And he loved.





Through the years as Ty got bigger grandpa never saw the deficits that were there. He saw a sweet little boy with a spirit to big for his little body. He never criticized, never spoke ill and never once didn't love him. He would bring him John Deere, he would feed him candy and he would love him.

Just like he did me.

It was and is a cycle that my dad could repeat a million times for as many children as he can



For my dad there is never to many rocks in the world that he wouldn't give for Ty to throw. Or enough hugs to go around.

There isn't a day that goes by that he doesn't get down on his broken knees and pray for each one of us. Indivdually. One by one. Hour by hour.

Several times on my mission I got letters from my dad. His testimony of the gospel is unshaken. Its unmovable. Its like a rock. A rock big enough that he would stand on the edge if it meant one of us was able to be in the middle. On strong ground.




He will hold your hand. He will help you. He will and does love each of us.

We hope you have a Wonderful Day and that we will see you in a few weeks.


Happy Birthday.

Dallas. Nancy and Tyler