Ode to Dad

First of all, we want to say...Happy Father's Day to all of the dad's out there! Jamie and I both have the most wonderful dads! We love them both so much! They have taught us so much in our lives, and we continue to go to them for their wise advise.

I have so many fond memories of my dad. I grew up on a farm, which gave me a lot of one on one time with my dad. I remember riding with him in the combine time after time for hours just to spend some time with him. He always had a bag of jolly ranchers or some other candy for me to munch on. I loved going with him to town to pick up parts for the machinery. He is my hero, especially when my sister and I were moving pipe and he would come from out of nowhere and "releive" us by taking the pipe out of our hands and taking over the line. He is so sweet and so giving. Sometimes he would stop at Swenson's (our local grocery store) and let me pick out some Bonkers, my favorite. I loved spending time with my dad...and I will admit, I am a bit of a daddy's girl and always have been. He has taught me how to work, to be honest, and has always set a good example to me, my family, and others around him. For 13 years of my life, my dad was in the bishopbric, most of those years he was the bishop. I was blessed to grow up with the Priesthood in my home and have a father who was always worthy of holding it. My father is one of the most Christ-like people I know. He is unselfish and is constantly giving to other people, even when our family was having hard times. I have a lot of respect for my dad. He knows how to do so much! He is wonderful at drawing, woodworking, building, growing things, cooking carmel popcorn, cleaning, working, and he cleans carpet better than ANYONE in the whole world! Really, he is amazing!!! He does so much for my family and puts them first in his life beyond anything else. I miss him, and wish I lived closer. Though I haven't seen my family since Thanksgiving, Jamie and I are hoping to make a trip up there this summer. Happy Father's Day, Dad! I love you! You're the best! You're the best dad in the whole wide world! :)

Five years ago in October, I was married to Jamie. I was so lucky to get such wonderful inlaws! I really feel like a lucked out! I hear a lot of people complaining about their inlaws, but I have developed a genuine love for mine. We get along so well and have loved all the time I've been able to spend with them. Dorsie is one of the most giving people you'll ever meet. He never expects anything in return. He has raised 3 wonderful sons, in which I am blessed to be sealed to Jamie. Dorsie has taught Jamie how to be a hard worker and to be honest. Education is something very important in the Sullenger family, which I feel has come from their dad. While Jamie was going to school, he constantly gave him encouragement to endure to the end. Dorsie has a wonderful sense of humor, and his laugh is so contagious! We just love being around him! We were so blessed to live by both of Jamie's parents the first 3 1/2 years of our marriage. There are so many fond memories that I hold dear to my heart that we have shared with Dorsie. Some of my favorite memories were during the holidays, when we all went up and cut down a Christmas Tree. I looked forward to that every year. When it comes right down to it. I love my father in-law! He is the best! Not only did I marry a wonderful guy, but I married into a wonderful family!

P.S. Jamie would like to share a specific memory with you... He specifically remembers going to Return of the Jedi with you with just you and him. He says that you made him feel like you gave all of his time to him that afternoon and really made him feel special. This is something that really sticks out in his mind. Though the memory is small, it is something that was very big to him at the time, and continues to be. One other memory he has, is the "Boom Shiracco Rocco" and being a really young kid, driving around the curb on main street. Jamie all of a sudden thought, "I wonder what would happen if I opened up my door right now..." and he did. He opened his door as they were going around the corner and as Jamie is about to fall out of the car, he feels his dad's hand grab him back and pull him back in. He wasn't upset, but was very caring and loving. His dad has always been a protector, and has always made him feel safe. He is a wonderful caring and loving person.

Happy Father's Day to our Dads!!