I'm So Glad When Daddy Comes Home

Last night the phone rang. It was coming from Drew's cell phone. That's curious, I thought. His cell phone doesn't work in Europe. How is he calling me? Turns out, he flew home early! He told me he was in Atlanta and he'd be home in a few hours. I was so happy, I almost started to cry! He had to come home a little early so that he could catch his next flight for another business trip. It was a treat to have dinner together and to spend time as a family.




I did a little bit of a tribute to Drew last week. There are many things I love about him. Let me list my favorite things about him as a dad:

• He genuinely loves to see his kids.
• He is quick to laugh and joke around with all of us.
• Anything Drew tries to do, he does well. Especially as a father.
• He takes better care of the kids than I do. I can always trust that they'll be very well taken care of when he's in charge. (Me: hey kids, let's watch another movie and you can have some chocolate milk. Drew: hey kids, let's go outside and then we'll have a snack of raisins and apples).
• Last night, even after travelling across the ocean, experiencing extreme jet lag, and having had a very intense work week, he took over feeding the kids dinner and put Andrew to bed.
• He brought me chocolates from Germany. Anybody knows that a good dad is someone who makes the mom happy :)
• Drew solves lots of problems around the house and with the kids that seem to stump me.
• He builds the kids' self confidence by teaching them how to do new things and acquire new skills.
• Drew is an insightful father and knows the things we need to do that are best for our kids, whether large or small.
• Drew takes the time to make each child feel important by spending time with them.
• When the kids hear the garage door open at the end of the day, they start to cheer, "Yay! Daddy's here!"
• When Drew's away for work or other duties, each one of them says, "Mom, I wish Daddy were here." Andrew walks over to Drew's closet, tugs on his shirts and says, "Daddy! Daddy!"
• Our home just feels better and more complete when Drew is here.

I'm also so thankful for my sweet dad. I have so many fun memories of him. Here's a glimpse into why my dad is so great:

• I think it's awesome that he's half Swiss.
• He loves his kids and grand kids deeply.
• His dedication to the gospel and love for the scriptures is very apparent.
• He is talented in his expression of music, particularly religious hymns when sung or played on the piano. I loved growing up hearing him play the piano on a Sunday afternoon. Or hearing him sing with my brothers. He has a beautiful singing voice.
• He is a good listener.
• He loves good food. It's fun to hear him tell of things he ate while visiting far away places.
• He also loves to eat interesting food (a slice of Swiss cheese on top of a chocolate chip cookie, for instance).
• When doing yard work or other types of work around the house, he wears trucker's hats. It's endearing and makes me laugh a little.
• He is very helpful and will run any errand at almost any time of day.
• He taught me how to drive. And I'm a little bit of a zippy driver, I might add.
• When we were younger, he'd take us to 7-11 for a Slurpee run on a hot, hot summer day.
• In junior high, he drove me and my friends by the house of the boys we had crushes on.
• In high school, sometimes he'd pick me up in the front of the school driving a really cool car, and it would make all the kids think that I was just so cool.
• When he'd take me to my dentist or orthodontist appointments, he'd take me to get some yummy food before taking me back to school.
• As you can see, he is very patient and is good at putting up with a lot.
• He's rescued me many times when I've had car trouble.
• He gives the best hugs.
• He loves the Savior. It has always been tender for me to look over at him during church and see a tear streaming down his face.
• I'm so grateful for my dad and I love him a lot!

And now, for another wonderful Dad. David is the best father in law a girl could ask for. Here's why he's special to me:

• He has a fantastic sense of humor. Once you understand David's humor, you can't help but love him even more.
• He is a wonderful teacher. (He taught me how to water ski!)
• He is one of the most thoughtful people. He always looks for the person that could use a little extra attention, love or encouragement. And he gives it generously.
• David is a sweet grandpa. Once the grand kids arrive, it's not long before he's holding one of them while walking and humming gently, or is on the floor playing with them, reading a story to them, or taking them out to go sledding.
• He has a way of winking and smiling that calms others and makes them feel good to be around him.
• He loves nature, traveling, and new adventures.
• He appreciates the simple things in life, and is very pragmatic.
• He is faithful and strong in his devotion to the Lord.
• He is someone who we all look to for guidance and advice.
• He actively seeks for ways to let the talents of others shine.
• I love David, and can't wait to see him again!