The Amazing Men in my life!

So, now that I have passed my final exam for this term of school, I can reflect on Father's Day.

On Father's Day, I was, of course, thinking about my amazing Dad. He is not just my Dad but also my Hero, my Mentor, my Inspiration and my Friend. I know that if I am having an incredibly challenging day, week, month or year, he is one of the people I want to talk to and hear his advice. Dad will say something along the lines of, Here is what I think not that you have to do it that way. Usually, I end up doing exactly what he would! I often have people say to me that they don't know how I do all that I do--he is the reason why I know I can. My parents raised me to never think I couldn't accomplish anything I set my mind to do. They didn't just say it, they showed me by example. My Dad had a dream to fly from the time he was a young boy. He set his sights on it and did all he could to obtain it. After "washing out" of Air Force pilot training because of an illness, he didn't give up his dream---instead he became a navigator. A very trusted and well-liked navigator that pilots wanted in their cockpit. While flying for the Air Force, which many know, keeps you from home and family, he served in various church callings including years in Bishoprics, and was a very active Dad in his children's lives. I remember many times when I had a bad dream, was sick or couldn't sleep, that it was my Dad, with his classical music, soothing me. He might have been gone for weeks at at time but when he was home, he was home. My Dad adores my Mom and would do anything in the world for her. While she held the family together during his long absences, she knew when he was home, he was going to be there and be an active participant in our family life. Not many fathers were like that in the 1950's through the 1980's. It was through watching their relationship that I knew I wanted someone just like my Dad for my eternal companion. And I know I found one!

Eric is an amazing father! I love to watch his relationship with our kids. It is obvious that he adores his children and they in turn, love him. Many times, he will sacrifice sleep, career advancements and sometimes, to my concern, his health, to be with the kids. He loves to tease, joke and play around with the kids but they also know he will sit and have a serious discussion on any topic with them. I remember for years, my brothers, sisters and I would gather on my parents' bed late at night, sometimes together and sometimes just me, for talks. I love that our children have continued that tradition without evening knowing it. Eric learned how to be the incredible father he is from his Dad.

My father-in-law is also a very good father. He loves his children and was also a very active partipant in their lives. He may have been more comfortable sitting at a football game but he was there for Eric's piano recitals, jazz and orchestra concerts. An athlete, he could have forced Eric to play sports, but knew that Eric's interests and talents lie elsewhere, and supported him in his pursuits. My father-in-law is always thinking of others. From the very first of mine and Eric's courtship to 19 years later, he is always looking out for me. He makes sure there is something for his semi-vegetarian daughter-in-law to eat when he is cooking for the rest of the family. Now that we are in the same household, he often reminds me not to overdo it with my back.

This Father's Day, I found myself, thinking of some of the other fathers in my life. I watch my brothers in their role as fathers. None of us have perfect children and for some of us, our children have chosen different lives, but I watch the love my brothers have for their children and they remind me of my father. Dad may not agree with some of the choices we, his children, have made, he will lovingly reprimand us, but we know that even if we make a choice he doesn't agree with, he loves us. I hope my brothers' kids know they are fortunate to have them as their fathers. I was also looking at my neighbors and friends. We have some incredible fathers in our neighborhood. It is obvious to me that the children in my little piece of earth are well-loved.

So to all the amazing men in my life--Happy Father's Day not just one day but every day!

Our other Bingham Laxer...

Charlie's lax season just ended yesterday evening. His team is young and new but they had a good season with a 2-6 standing. Charlie played lax back when he was just a chumash but took it up again last Fall and has come into his own. He finally loves the sport for himself not for his brother, which is a HUGE step for us.

With more practice and assistance with running, Charlie will find he enjoys the game even more. His size is a real plus for him (in this his older brother is envious) but more than anything--he likes to play and we love to watch him enjoy it!

A view of the future

Saturday morning at 5 am I had a view of my future. I put Cole on a plane bound for Annapolis and the Naval Academy. As I watched him walk away from me, I realized that the day I had been dreading had finally arrived. From the time he was a small boy, Cole has wanted to serve our country in the military and I have encouraged it, having been a military brat. It always seemed so far off but my little boy has become a man, fully capable of taking care of himself and serving his country. This next year will be bitter sweet as he completes his final year of school and makes decisions regarding his future. I am so grateful for the time I have been given to be a large part of his life and I recognize I will now take my place on the sideline as I watch him go boldly into his future.

Do people really know what it means to Support our troops?

Everywhere you look anymore, there are the magnetic ribbons that say, "Support our troops." Every time I see them, I think to myself, "D0 they really know what it means?" Do they know its more than just buying a $1 magnetic and sticking it to your car? I know for many it is the fear of another Vietnam, when our soldiers came home to be shunned, spit upon and in some cases, harrassed and intimidated. It's almost like people think they can put the magnet on their car and it excuses them from any other "support".

Cole had an eye opening experience a few years ago at Walmart when he was in his uniform. Little kids looked at him in awe, older people smiled, thanked him or told him their stories, but we had a couple of women who did something that surprised Cole but didn't me. As they were walking towards us, they separated so they were on either side of Cole, pushing me off to the side. They, then, pushed against Cole from either side , jostling him around before walking on. Cole looked at me in surprise and asked, "Did they just do what I think they did?" Yep, sure enough, he was just hassled without a word being said.

Not everyone is fortunate enough to be an American soldier, or married to one, or a child of one or the parent of one. Not everyone has to agree. But common decency and respect is one of the best ways to support our troops, those now serving, those who have served and those who have died for us. So the next time you see a soldier in uniform, or a vet, hold the door for them, listen to their stories or give them a simple Thank you. So, the magnetic ribbons are nice but so impersonal---make your support personal!

To my Dad, Mom, Uncle, Brothers, Nephews-in-law and my incredible son: Thank you for your sacrifices!

Happy Memorial Day!

My Syd!

Today is Syd's 11th birthday. It's hard for me to believe that my baby is eleven but even harder for me to look at her and see a young woman who looks 13 not 11. She is growing so fast! Syd is a beautiful, young woman not just on the outside but on the inside where it really counts.

Syd is so caring for not just her family but everyone around her. People love her because she is a delight to be around. I can count on her to do the right thing in any situation.

She is her Daddy's girl. Syd loves to curl up with her Dad and watch a movie. They are quite the pair when shopping for clothes! Both have an excellent sense of style, although her Dad's tends to be more preppy and Syd's a little more funky but they seem to be able to compromise. Syd also has a close relationship with me. It doesn't matter what we do together, we have a ball!

Syd is a great student--she loves to learn new things. I am so glad all of my children have developed this same sense of curiosity. She is also my tomboy. She loves sports of all kinds--not content to just watch but to be right in the action. She is a star player on her girls lacrosse team. You can also find her out playing soccer, kickball, and football with all the guys.

Syd is a beautiful person and I am so fortunate to be her mother. Happy Birthday, babe!

Grand gestures and the little things

With lacrosse season in full swing, Eric's last term before his practicum, my first term for my master's, busy contract season and the kids school winding down, we have been so exhausted that we literally fall into bed at night. Needless to say, romance has taken a the very back seat on this bus! Before we had children and all through our courtship, Eric has done the grand gestures as well as the little things. Whether it was a surprise visit at work for lunch or a wild flower bouquet, Eric has always been one to show his affection. After a particularly difficult time in our early marriage (he had been working two full-time jobs while going to school so we wouldn't lose our insurance), he made arrangements with my store manager (I was a manager at ZCMI) to whisk me away early from work. We had a nice dinner at the newly remodeled Inn at Temple Square and he suggested we ask if we could see one of the new rooms. I was so against asking, I mean, how tacky, but he went ahead and asked anyway. I reluctantly went up the elevator with him and was mortified when we unlocked the room and there was suitcases in the room. It took Eric's prompting before I realized they were OUR suitcases. He drew me into the room and laying on the bed was a new silk dress, pumps and silk stockings (I am allergic to nylon). He told me to hurry and change since we had tickets to the symphony. We had a wonderful weekend and I will never forget how much planning and preparation he did in secret so he could surprise me.

Grand gestures such as that are no longer possible and haven't been for almost 18 years (once the kids came) but Eric still does the little things for me. He irons my clothes (I hate to), cleans the bathroom, dusts, cooks (so much better than I), cleans (also better than I), dresses and shops for me (I hate to shop for clothing) and supports me in all that I do (or attempt to do). Today, after putting in a 50 hour week, he left clinic in Provo with the intent to take me to lunch. Now, we try to have lunch together or with my parents on our Fridays but I hadn't expected it today since he had to work in Provo. We picked up sandwiches and headed to the park. Sitting on blanket, we had nice lunch and some one on one time. It may not seem like it is as grand a gesture as the weekend I described but to me it was. Eric always seems to know when I am feeling a little neglected in romance (I am a closet romantic) and comes up the with grand gestures or the little things to let me know how much I still mean to him.

I love this man!

Mother of the year!

So, once again, this Mom earns the award of Mother of the Year! I know, I know, it is a regular occurrence for me. Cole played his toughest lacrosse teams last week (Jordan and Riverton) with pneumonia! Yep, I didn't catch that. By Friday, I decided he really wasn't sounding so good so I took him to the Doc and then to top it off, I promised him I wouldn't tell his coach so he could play against his former team, West Jordan, Friday night. Sound familiar? Yep, Charlie had pneumonia only 3 weeks ago and I missed it that time, too. Needless to say, I am keeping a very close watch on Syd and if she so much as coughs, it is to the Doc right away. Good thing my kids are so forgiving (at least they don't equate me with perfection).