Eight

Today is Randy and my 8-year anniversary.  I had planned to write something long and lovey-dovey, but with me heading to girls camp for the week--and all the preparation & procrastination that has come along with it, that post isn't going to happen.  So, thank you for 8 wonderful years, Randy.  You will always be my favorite, and I love you.

I am very glad that he's my dad

Here are some early childhood memories of my dad.  All of them make me smile.  Thanks for being the best dad ever & for letting me know how proud you are of me & how much you love me.  There are many, many more fond memories and nice things I could say about you.  You mean the world to me, and you know I love you, too!

• My dad was a dairy farmer for the first 4 or 5 years of my life.  One of the fondest memories I have of just the two of us is when I woke up in the night.  My dad was just going to work or returning.  He made peanut butter & honey sandwiches, and we enjoyed eating them together.

• After my dad left the dairy business, when I was probably 5, he had to spend the night at a remote well-site for his job.  He took me with him.  I remember trying to ride my tricycle in the sand (didn't' work so well) and sleeping inside the cab of the truck while my dad slept in the back.

• One Christmas, my dad dressed as Santa, saddled up his horse, and was taking treats to a few families in our church.  He also stopped by our house to bring us treats.  We lived by the main highway at the time, and it seems like plenty of people stopped to see Santa and ask for treats, as well.

• Trying to trick my sisters and I, my dad had borrowed fake cat poo.  He set it on the table, opened the kitchen window, and knocked the curtains down.  He then called us 3 older girls in and asked who had let the cat in.  Of course, all of us denied it!  Once we were through with our denials, he fessed up to his trick.

• We had an open trench on the side of our yard.  My cousin and I laid a piece of metal across it, and took turns running across (a no-no).  My dad apparently watched from inside as we did this.  He called us in and asked about it.  We both lied.  I learned a lesson that day with "the stick."--Never lie to Dad!

• I was a thumb-sucker as a young child.  My dad wanted to break me of this habit, so he said he would cut my thumb off.  After several threats, he caught me sucking my thumb on the couch.  He told my sister to go get his pocket knife.  She obeyed, and so did I.  I never sucked my thumb again!  He's just lucky I was innocent and believed he would do it at the time.  :)

College Reunion

I have a vacation to blog about, but I forgot to bring our camera along.  So, while I wait for family to send me pictures, I'll share what we did after vacation...

Sandi, me, Danica, Koreena & Rachel

Last Saturday, I had a reunion with my college neighbors/friends from my freshman year.  Two of my roommates from that year were also invited, but they weren't able to attend.  Have I ever mentioned how incredible my college experience was?  These ladies and the lifelong friendships I formed with them and many others are a huge reason why.

The whole crew.  Of the 5 of us, two married guys that were also in our ward that year.

We had dinner, visited (so good to see everyone in person & hear Rachel's laugh again!) & reminisced.  I had a wonderful time, and am so thankful that Randy sacrificed to let our family attend.  Love you, Randy, & love you ladies!

They're gonna love me for this!

Not listening to their mom may prove to be an embarrassment for years to come...

I sure love these girls!