My Report on Father's Day (A week late)

At church, there are proud dads that sit back on the bench with a leg bowed upon the other exposing their bony, argyle-covered ankles, with an arm slung across the back of the seat like they can just be comfortable anywhere. And proudest of all, dangling from neck, the craziest tie imaginable--purchased or homemade. Also true to form, are the little crafts and nifty poems and admittedly belated well-wishes for the occasion. Father's Day. A celebration simply true-to-form.
So here's my classic attempt to let the fathers in my life know I just love them.
DAD:
Dependable
Awesome
Dear
(Good Poem, huh?)
I've got plenty more:
I have a dad. He is pretty nice.
I have a husband who is a dad. He is nice also.
I have a dad-in-law. He is also nice.
I love all my dads and grandpas.
The end.
(See, I've always been good at Father's Days.)

This year, we called our dads and went as a little family of Daddy's Girls, escorted by our Resident Hero, to Fort Warden to play. It was spontaneous. We went after I made Jake hot-pastrami sandwiches on rye with shoestring french fries and soda pop. (That part was planned.) The sandwich had homemade coleslaw on it with brown mustard and swiss. It was pretty manly. And VERY yummy. And off we went, with nary a change of clothes for our two year old....
pants soaked. pants off...

Careful of the water-rush, another cruise ship is passed the lighthouse...
wondering if that diaper is doing its job. Yep. Full. Sand and water. Shirt? Soaked.
Don't worry. Because dads know how to save the day.
Practical. Effective. That's how dad's do it. Thank You! Love You! Priceless. That's how dads do it.

A Great, Big, Wonderful WORLD Out There!

Hi, Danielle.
Would you like to be an Architect? Botanist? Cartoonist? Lawyer? Librarian? Lifeguard?
You could easily be any of those. You have something to offer the world.

Astronaut?
You'll need good education, you'll need to know about the world we live in and all good things offered.
I will help you.
Scientist?
I'm very excited.
___
Let's start in our own back yard.
It will be both enlightening and educational, my dear.
___
Let's explore:
First, Dad's putting up an old-yet-new Force Field to keep the Glowing, Orbiting purple house and Jettisoning cars off our planet.

See that? Ingenuity.

Second, it's a place where WILD creatures roam. You'll need to be on defense for the rest of your life.

Observe. Better yet, make peace and friends with these kind.

Think of the benefit. You probably have more in Common than you think. And you can still always be yourself.

Third, there are peculiar Craters where New Life springs and the Cycle Continues...

and where an old semi-buried fire pit nested scalded 90's Playboys. No Kidding. I digress. It's okay to hope for an even better tomorrow, child. Then go ahead and act on it.

Fourth, a glimpse of Intelligent Organization. I wonder who did that?

There's a lot we people assume. A lot no one really knows for sure. Not even the Experts. Have a plan. Have faith in the organization you've been taught. It will speak to you like Nothing Else Can.

Fifth, Where much is given, much is required. Be truthful; with Yourself, included. And try out being your own best friend, physician, laborer.

(Lets keep exploring)

You know,it is not weak to be humble; it shows gratitude and self-awareness. And Gratitude can improve Encounters of every kind.

Sixth, you will be wise to believe there's something to be Learned from everyone and consequential happening. Everything has Gravity. Listen. Reflect. Determine. Take Heart. Love. Do the Math. We all help each other.


Seventh, everything wants to grow. Anything can be a weed. It just depends on if you want it there. It's relative. Use your freely given agency.

Please, Go for what you really want and that have wholesome consequences in store.
And it's okay to have a few weeds. Sometimes we can understand why.

Eighth, there's a place for You in this World.
Don't Underestimate yourself. You're ever more than what others might think.

Danielle. It's like it's all laid out in front of you. We are all in this to become Limitless in our own Capabilities. Really. To be Infinitely wise. It's an exciting frontier. Keep exploring, learning and honoring what you learn by living like you learned.

And- of course- I'll be there for you every step of the way.

"Elle" Morning Photoshoot

The lovely Danielle, that is.
She's due for a post, but I've just been trying to get her trademark ear-to-ear, lit-eyed, sharply genuine, yet soft and gummy grin in pictures.
She's actually an excellent smiler. Those smiles show up often and easily. ...To people, not cameras. Cameras don't have reciprocating kindly faces nor soft, pleasant voices.
Nonetheless, I did get a few versions of her multi-faceted loveliness for my photo spread today, so I present Danielle- two marvelous months old!

First thing in the morning. Angelic. And before her second or third onesie change for the day...

"You're going to take a million pictures of me? Well, alright, I guess..."

Full body shot (Growing, huh?!)

"How's this?"

mid-sneeze.[out take]

"Oh, btw mom, thanks for staying up with me most of last night. I forgive you for eating so much chocolate." (That was a direct quote.)

"Mom? Are you still behind that flashing thing?"

"Good. 'Cause maybe I think I'm done now."
And that's a wrap!
Special thanks to:
Editor at large. Because she really does oversee everything around here.

-Final Note from the House Photographer:Pardon all the adjectives and similar photos in this publication, surely it was to be expected!
*Be still my heart.* (One more)

Work Hard, Play Hard

Such a mantra, though exhausting, is very fulfilling.
I first heard, "Work Hard, Play Hard" from an area leader visiting in my local ward when I was a young teen at church. It was certainly food for thought for me at the time, and everyone that seemed to be flying with personal contentment and healthy success I saw in any acquaintance thereafter hearkened my memory of hearing these four words. It stuck with me; it additionally seemed they were not being weighed down as much by hang-ups, life happenings, and bad habits. I also think it has much to do with the religious and spiritual pursuits these people were dedicated to, but this way of thinking can be adapted by anyone. I'd like to be more like those good examples one day! And I think we are moving that direction.
Our family time has been in a vortex, but this weekend was encapsulated in Working Hard, Playing Hard. Working hard comes first (us working on our property ie. growing, cutting, building, starting, and more digging and smoothing than I am comfortable thinking about). Then, we can Play hard (...visiting, splashing, strolling, discovering, and swinging and nature-appreciating).
I talked to Jake, after so much time in our humble little yard with seemingly "little to show for it," he should build some nice chairs so we can sit outside and just enjoy. And build he did.
Adirondack chairs. VERY Nice. So sit we did.

We will work hard,
And sit we'll do.