I'm "Glad" he's my dad

So I love Gladiolas. I am not sure why, but they capture a part of me other flowers can't.  Believe it or not I haven't made a huge deal about Gladiolas.  Whenever I have received flowers from my dad (and it's been pretty frequent) I usually get roses or daises.  I am happy to receive them whatever the occasion.  Apparently he was listening when I said how much I love Gladiolas because when he was at Lowe's getting supplies for his garden he picked up some Gladiola bulbs and proceeded to plant them in a "secret" place. So imagine my surprise when he took me over to the flower bed and there were Gladiola buds about to erupt.  I love how he thought of me and how beautiful they are.  Next year he plans on planting tons more because they turned out so wonderful this year.  I love my Dad and will always remember the Daddy Daughter Dates and the flowers he grew for me.

My favorite cookie...with mustard on it!

Today is my dad's 60th birthday. I would like to share with the world why I love him so dang much.

• He is the hardest working man I know. 
• He has the BEST sense of humor and loves to laugh.
• He instilled in me my love for reading. I remember my entire family laying on my parents bed while my father would read to us.  I still hear his voice when I read  In Search of Steenie Bergman.
• He has ALWAYS ended every phone call, letter, email, text or conversation with I love you, or with our family favorite 8.
• When I was a little girl he would take me on "Daddy Daughter Dates".  He would usually send me a bouquet of daises with a little note asking me to dinner. My mom would buy me a new outfit usually, a blouse and skirt with sandals (because "Mom, Ladies wear skirts and blouses with sandals"). My mom would fix my hair and I would get to wear lip gloss.  He would ring the doorbell and would whisk me away to the fanciest restaurant around, my choice...McDonald's.
• He has always given me the best advice when I have had to make the tough decisions. We sat and talked for hours when I was trying to make the decision to serve a mission and again when I was trying to decide if I should get married.  He has never once forced his opinions on me. He always let me know where he stood on an issue, but he has let me make the decision. Succeed or fail has been there jumping for joy or crying along with me.
• He cries...a lot. He cries at movies, songs, books, the successes and failures his children have. He isn't ashamed. He has taught me that real men cry.
• He loves my mom and has been married to her for 32 years. It was important to both of my parents that they were married in the Temple setting that example to my brothers, sister and I.  Like all married couples they have had ups and downs, but they have made a decision to stay together and work things out. Showing us to never give up.
• He has AMAZING taste in jewelry!
• He honors his Priesthood.  He has always been willing and worthy to give me a fathers blessing.  He has said to his children, "If you need a blessing no matter where you are I will come to you."  In whatever calling he has had in church be it Bishop, Elders Quorum President, Sunday School teacher, or Primary Teacher he listens to the Spirit and magnifies that calling.
• He prays. I have seen him when he didn't know I was watching.  I know that he has prayed countless hours to our Father in Heaven for me and for my family.
• He and my mother have given me a voice. I am a very stubborn and independent person. I have never been afraid to tell my parents of the "injustices they have put me through" I have cried, screamed, yelled and stomped my feet. I have said horrible things, and they still love me.  I am not afraid to stand up to myself today (I don't stomp my feet or scream obscenities anymore)
• He can fix anything!
• He instilled in me a love for good music. I grew up listening to Billy Joel, Heart, The Eagles and other wonderful artists. 
• He has the most beautiful voice. I remember sitting around the living room listening to my dad play his guitar.  I find myself singing the song he wrote for me when I was born.

I could go on and on about how special my dad is and what he means to me, but those of you who know him already know. Those that don't, well I don't want to make you jealous.  He is loved my many and I know he has changed countless lives.  He is known to others as Jerry, friend, brother, husband,and grandpa, but he will always and forever be my favorite cookie with mustard on it.
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Daddy Daughter Date

Many of you know I live in the house next to my parents...some of you wonder how, why, or is that even possible? It actually works out very nice, I have my space my parents have theirs and we respect each others. There are a few perks IE: my mom loves to do laundry, my dad will take out the trash for me on trash day, no rent, a garden, and dinner invites. With that being said this Saturday I was tinkering around in my room when I heard my backdoor open. Then I heard the water running in the bathroom, so I walked out into the hall to find my father face down in the sink with blood pouring down his face as he says "I think I broke my nose." Me being the calm ER employee look at him and say I don't think your nose is broken, but you are going to need stitches for that lip. Go home and shower, I will meet you there in ten minutes. I got into the shower, got ready at the speed of light and called my mother who was already aware of the situation and was on her way home to access his injury.


He was working in the garden and pushed the trashcan away from him...it slipped and he fell face first in to this


Why yes those are jagged pieces of wood and sharp rusty tomato spikes. He was very lucky to not loose an eye. Something we discussed in detail as I drove him to the hospital. The conversation goes a little something like this:
Dad "It could have been so much worse!"
Me "I know, you could have lost your eye."
Dad "Easily, I was very lucky and blessed."
Me "Yeah you were. You could have lost your eye, and you know how I feel about people who are missing body parts" (as I lean over and pat his leg I say) "God sure was looking out for me."

I thought it was hilarious as did he. He didn't loose an eye, but this is what he ended up with




After four hours in the Emergency Room, one tetanus shot, three magazines, one book Twilight (his not mine, I know right. I told him he shouldn't be embarrassed by falling, but by reading that book.), seven stitches, tons of laughs, a million gauze 4x4's, a few new stories, and no tears this is his badge of honor...

I love you Dad....Your favorite Cookie