DADS AND MOMS

DADDY'S FATHER'S DAY PRESENT!

A LONG DAY SWIMMING WITH GRAMMIE AND GRAMPIE~POOR TIGGER HAS NOT RECOVERED FROM ALL THE SWIMMING AND PLAYING WITH THE 3 OTHER DEMON DOGS!!

I never got the chance to finish my Mother's Day post so I wanted to combine the two. I think it only reasonable since my parents are like peanut butter and jelly. Even though both are fabulous apart, together they just ROCK!


I have cool parents. I always have. My parents were always the ones that had fish fry's with friends and Nebraska football parties. Our's was the house that all the kids got to hang out at. There was never a time that my parents didn't hesitate to put an extra plate for the friend, or twelve, that stayed late through dinner. Don't get me started on all the parties they let my sister and I have. (Then there were the ones that I thought that we hid when they were out of town... who did we think they were kidding? They knew.) The best part about both of them was that they trusted us to make good judgements and bad ones. They let us fall flat on our faces and always picked us back up and dusted us off.


My Mom has an instant temper and fights for it all. She has always been the outspoken one and is quick to jump to anyone she loves defense. She loves sparkle and girl time.


My Dad is "Switzerland," as my sister calls him. He never judges anyone or anything outwardly. He is the rational one. He keeps the playing field even for all.


Growing up I remember thinking.... I want to be just like my Dad when I grow up. He was a cop and then became the corprate big wig. I wanted the same. Then I wanted to be just like my Mom. She had great friends and was at every single one of my softball games... no matter what part of the country I was playing in. She shopped with me, told me matter-of-factly that I was gonna regret a lot of the decisions I made in life but that was the only way to learn, we traveled together all over... Tahiti was my favorite destination, she wiped away the tears from many a broken hearts, and she was just cool.


Dad worked a lot. He is a work - a - holic. SERIOUSLY. I know this is where my work ethic came from and what I want to pass on to my children. He taught me that if you give less than 110%, then give nothing at all... because you are not really trying. If you fail when you have given that 110%, you have still won. I took that with me and never truly failed at anything I have ever tried.


Mom taught me that the world is tough on women. It still is. Statistics show this. Women are still not paid the same for all the same jobs. Some have caught up. Let's face it, people still think stay at home moms have it easy. My Mom was both. She had a great career and then stayed home with us right before I graduated high school. She taught me that there is so much life to live outside in the big world.... and to go out and chase any and every single crazy dream I could conjure up.

My Dad totally cracks me up. He is rarely impressed by anyone. Money and fame do not make him bat an eye. He thinks expensive cars are there to make up for ones short-comings and that real men cry and hug and tell you, "I Love You." My Dad will not hesistate to hug you....anywhere, anytime, in front of anyone. He proved that Thursday morning at work when Tommy's entire squad was fighting an individual at the hospital. When my Dad showed up he walked right up to Tommy, matter - o'- factly and kissed him square on the lips....in front of his entire squad and Tommy's squad as well. From what I hear, jaws hit the floor!

That's my Dad! Once he loves you...He LOVES you!!!

While we spent the day with my sister and her family and my Mom and Dad yesterday, they told us that they would be renewing their wedding vows this year. I was so excited for them. It is a rare thing in this world when two people have been married 40 years! I can not wait!

Happy Father's Day and Mother's Day Mom and Dad... and of course to you Tommy! Without you.... I wouldn't be a mom!

PS. TOMMY ~ NEW RULE...NEXT HOLIDAY IS CELEBRATED ON SATURDAY WITH MY FAMILY SO YOU CAN BE A PART OF IT!! WE MISSED YOU YESTERDAY... and every holiday that we have celebrated on Sunday this year!!!!