Father's Day

Very late... yes I know... but better late than never, right??? :) 

What would life be without great men in it? I am not sure... the men in my life have taught me through words, actions, hugs, love, and examples... I have learned certain things from each one...

We all have grandfathers... I was blessed with one of the greatest men on earth as mine. Grandpa Iverson taught me about hard work. He was the hardest worker I ever knew and had the calluses on his hands to show it, yet he also had the most gentle and loving hands a man could have. He was also one of the most talented wood workers I knew... through countless clocks, toy cars, tractors, and truck everyone of his gradnchildren and most of his grandchildren have something to remember him by. He was a living example of goodness. Everyone loved him and looked up to him. He raised his family with strong morals and constant love. He loved his wife unconditionally here on earth and continues to wait for her in the next. I miss him daily and there will never be a Father's Day that goes by without a few tears shed for him being the ultimate grandfather. I love you! 

My Grandpa Blackwood... what a fun and loving man. He is the one below in green. He always has a smile on his face and can make a joke in any situation. I was blessed to come into his family when I married Carl. From day one I was brought in as a true Blackwood. I love Grandpa hugs and he is so tall that just about every time I get lifted off the ground. Grandpa Blackwood has also raised his children in a way where they all knew right from wrong and they all knew the importance of family. He has taken in family when they were in need and will continue to do so no matter the situation. Grandpa is amazing, he can save lives with his own two hands and he can also bring those around him to tears with his spirit and prayers. I love Grandpa Blackwood and hope he knows how grateful I am for his influence in my life and in our families. 

My dad... Through hard times and good times I have always been a daddy's girl. There were times when I was younger he was working and couldn't make it to events and I would be sad, but now being older and knowing the hard work he does daily, it's okay, he was working to provide for us. He has always been and always will be his momma's little boy and he loved his mom. He taught me the importance of respecting your mother. He also taught me that life isn't always easy, but you have to choose to pick yourself up off the ground and make it better. He has built a house (literally) with his own two hands and shown me that anything is possible if you are willing to sweat a little. He helped me learn that farm girls are cute and can be both beautiful, strong, and self sufficient. He is a great grandpa to our children and they love being with him. He has a Donald Duck impression that could challenge the original Donald Duck and even at 25 years old I still laugh everytime he does it. He also taught me that it's okay to laugh at yourself. Through daddy daughter dances we continually made fools of ourselves, yet everyone loved us most out there! And when I slipped and fell during one dance, he was there beside me to lift me up and keep me going, laughing along the way. I miss my dad and wish we lived closer so we could be a bigger part of each other's lives daily, but I love him and one day we will be closer and there will be no excuse to not visit! :) Happy Father's Day daddy!

Russ, my stepdad... Daddy Russ is one of the greatest additions to our family. He took us in as his own and never made me feel like he was there to try and take my dad's place. He always supported me through everything and even drove a float around wearing a hat decorated in purple flowers and butterflies for a whole summer! haha... some of my fondest high school memories are with him. Russ is yet another hard working man. He puts in countless hours at the dam away from home in order to provide for our family. He has given us so many nice things through the years and continues to offer support in whatever way he can. This support is not just in "green" he is there to hug us when we need a hug, lend advice when we have a problem, give a blessing when we need comfort, and everything else. He has taught me the importance of a smile. He has shown me that yelling gets you no where and only through sitting down and communicating do problems truly get resolved. He has taught me that in a marriage it's okay to argue, but it's not okay to bring up past arguments and dwell on the mistakes we have made. Russ has one of the greatest fishing jokes I've EVER heard and I try to get him to tell it every chance I get... ask him about his "that's too HIGH" joke... :) Russ is also a great papa... he says the greatest thing about being a grandpa is that you can spoil the grandkids and get them on a sugar high then give them back to us... it's true! I love you and can't wait to see you again Daddy Russ!

My Father in Law... Happy Father's Day James! You have not only raised the greatest son on this planet, but you have made me truly feel like your daughter. I never once questioned whether I was accepted into the Blackwood family when Carl and I married. It was instant hugs and getting picked on :) James got me ajob and showed me how to be a loyal employer and helped me receive my associates degree by working with my hours so I could attend school full time. He taught me the ins and outs of running a company. James has taught me that marriage is forever. Stacey and him are still sickly in love... they do the pats on the rear and "looks" all the time, I think they do it just to gross out their children :) It works for them, but I think it's cute and important to keeping the love in a marriage. I have learned that life isn't worth living if you don't splurge once in awhile. I have learned that just because you have nice things doesn't mean you flaunt it and if you have more than you need, be gracious and help others. If you are a waitress or waiter you want James as a guest... he is the worlds best tipper! We get to see you next week and we are so excited. The kids are going to love their Papa and Grandma time while momma and daddy are away. Thank you for being there for us through everything and helping us out in so many ways. We love you!

And lastly, my main man... my hero, my best friend, the father to my children, and truly my better half... Carl... words cannot describe the feelings I have for him and I don't have the time or the room to write all of the things he has taught me, in short... as cliche as it sounds, he completes me. I am very OCD with some things and stressed out all the time and I budget like you wouldn't believe, Carl has taught me to breathe. To relax, to let life flow, to truly sit back and smell the roses. He has shown me that it's okay when things don't go as planned and that sometimes things don't work out, but that the important thing is that we are together and in the end that's all that matters. Almost 5 years later and we are still honeymooners because he is so spontaneous and thoughtful. He is such a strong man, yet a softer inside. Random flowers, stuffed animals, kisses, dinners, bath salts, and much more are common. He is the most talented listener I have ever met. I will say something like "oh man I'm almost out of my favorite shampoo" and two days later I'll have a new bottle show up. Or just yesterday after 5 years my blowdryer went out on me, so he got me a new one. Just genuinely aware and thoughtful. Carl is the best dad. He knows when discipline is necessary but gives more love than anything. He is there when momma needs a break and there with a shirt covered nose when there's a diaper to change. He loves to spoil the kids and constantly is finding new things to show them. They love their daddy and Ryan prefers him over mommy now days Carl always is there to lend a favor to a friend, he is kind of the taxi driver to those in his unit whenever they need rides and says, "the smalls favors will add up for when a big favor is needed" and it's so wise to think that way. Carl has given me more than I could ever had imagined. I stay at home raising our children and fixing up our beautiful new home while he works and devotes his years to the military. He is a true hero and I could go on and on... but I will stop... lastly, my baby loves me... and that's why I love him so much! Happy Fathers Day to the greatest man I know!