My Daddy! My Hero!

Last week was my dad's 52nd birthday! (Which was debatable until a few years ago and now we just question what his actual name is) In nearly 25 years of my life he has taught me sooo much and helped shape me into the person I am today.

Here are some of his lessons he taught and the reasons I love him:

• The Church is true. If you mess up STOP. Never return to that place again. Heavenly Father loves you and will offer Christ's atonement and NEVER stop loving you. And neither will he.
• Chickens have gizzards.
• Working hard is a must. No matter what you're working at.
• Everyone has a fightin' side. Dad has a Texas Knuckle to prove it.
• Even fat boys can do pull ups. A ton at that!
• In a debate he will try and flip to your side to become right. Be on the watch!
• Texting isn't just for kids. He has mastered the lingo. He he he.
• Family are your friends FOREVER. I am so thankful that he taught me at a young age that no matter how much you think a friend is a friend it can't compare with a sibling's love.
• Never go too long without saying I love you.
• Don't be too proud to say I am sorry.
• After a dinner prayer it is perfectly acceptable to yell "CHOW DOWN".
• Make sure you have free mobile to mobile. When you talk on the phone 24/7 it comes in handy.
• Let your actions speak about your character. Boasting is unbecoming and doesn't mean as much.
• He is your biggest fan. If he thinks you're "out of gas" he will try and help!
• Coats will always be too long in the arms. I inherited his short arms... and well short legs.
• When you wear sunglasses your official name is changed to Hollywood.
• It's fun to play and more fun to win but potato sack races are dangerous. "Sacrifice your body!"
• Share your testimony. Share it over and over. Never hold your tongue about something so precious. 
• My brothers have beards because he never taught them to shave.
• Be creative. Example: His watchdog named "Watch" and his dalmatian named "Spot".
• He loves his kids and has to inform them at least once a day by text message at 6am.
• No matter how old I get I will always be the baby.

I love you, Daddy. Always have, always will.

                                                           ... he he he. 

SL,UT

I'M HERE!! I made it to Utah in one piece! I left Albuquerque around 6am and made the 10 hour drive with a new friend I had met named Clay. He was good company but I sure did miss making the journey with my friends as I had done numerous times before. By the time we reached my new home I was ready to be out of the car and into bed for a much needed nap. Anyone that knows me, knows that I didn't finish packing until late Monday night and left just a few hours after, Salt Lake bound.

My first few days here have been fabulous. The night I arrived the Taylor's took me out to a welcome dinner to Ruby River. Bad food but good times. They have been so great to Sarah and that has already transfered to me as well. We are so lucky we have them in our lives. A little family we can have here while we are away from ours for the time being.

The next night I had made a dinner date with a friend I had met back in ABQ. He served his mission and came home in early November. He and his cousins met us for a pasta dinner at Stoneground. What a fun place! Food, billiards and friends. What more can you ask for?! We enjoyed our night and made a plan for sushi in the next week. He was here for training so it worked out perfect for us to me up.

Sarah and I have been in a movie marathon mood. One of the movies was an older one that I hadn't ever seen but the Taylor's insisted that we watch. Sleepless in Seattle. One of the lines in that movie really got me emotional! (Like I haven't been anyway but that's beside the point) The boy is talking to his dad about how his mother had passed a couple years prior and "He already felt like he was forgetting her". Wow, this is exactly what I had been feeling. I know that moving was the best decision I could make but I don't want to be left in the dust and forgotten back home. I also don't want myself to grow apart from the people I love. Rocky told Beckett today that "Auntie has a sock leg." Haha, translation: Auntie is in Salt Lake. Boy, I love that little guy. Most of all I don't want him to forget about me!