Happy Birthday, Dad!

So, today is my Dad's Birthday and I wanted to take this opportunity to express my love, gratitude and appreciation for such a great father...

I LOVE this photo I snapped of him at his Retirement Party a few years ago. We were at his favorite Restaurant, the Cracker Barrel, and we joked how fitting it was that Dad sat down in one of the Rocking Chairs for sale on the porch in front of the restaurant's store. He looks like he's ready to begin taking it easy! Not a bad start to his retirement!

I have always adored my Dad. I can remember being a little girl and waiting for what seemed like FOREVER for Daddy to come home from wherever he was currently stationed with the Navy. There were several times when I was young that he was deployed overseas for months at a time, in non-civilian posts, where our family could not go with him, so it was always so exciting when he finally returned home. I can remember singing that Primary song, "I'm so glad when Daddy comes home, glad as I can be! I clap my hands and shout for joy and climb up on his knee. Put my arms around his neck and hug him tight like this... pat his cheeks and give him what? A great big kiss!"

I have such fond memories of him teaching me to tie my shoes, studying with me for spelling tests and teaching me to ride my bike without training wheels. And I always loved making Peanut Butter Rice Krispies for him, one of his favorite treats, because he always acted so surprised.

Being adopted, I have a special appreciation for my Dad and the role he plays in my life. How grateful I am to have been raised in a home with both a mother and a father, who were ready and so thankful to be parents when I came into their life. I have always felt very loved and I can not express how grateful I am for the blessing of an eternal family, complete and whole. A father who lead our home by his righteous, loving example is a blessing not everyone has the luxury to enjoy and I do not take for granted.

So Dad, thanks for all you do and all you are to me and to our family. I love you for your hard work on our behalf and for your quiet good-natured approach to all you do. I love your sense of humor and your sweet sensitive spirit. You play an irreplaceable role in my life and the life of my children and everyone else in our family. Thank you for all your great advice over the years and for always giving me your unconditional support. But most of all, thanks for always loving me! No matter how old I get (or how old you get!), I will always be your little girl... Hapy Birthday, Dad!Love~ Sara