To The Men In My Life

First, to Dallin. He's the one who makes me laugh the hardest, inspires me to be better, loves me unconditionally, thinks I'm beautiful even with my pregnant belly :), and I have no doubt, will be the best father ever. He's one of the hardest workers I know and he loves the Lord with all his heart. I don't think I could have ever asked for a better husband and feel extremely blessed that he has come into my life. These last two years have been the best yet. And I have no doubt there will be even better years to come. I love you, hon!

Just a little eye candy for all of you out there. Mine all mine. :)

To my father-in-law Jeff. He loves me like I am one of his own, gives me the best counsel and advice, is another one of the hardest workers I know and constantly makes me smile. He's a softy at heart, but he'd never let you know that. :) He loves his family, and loves his wife even more. I'm so grateful for the wonderful example he has been to Dallin. I couldn't have hoped for a better father-in-law and a better grandfather to my children. I love you, Jeff!

At our wedding, December 20, 2008

And last, but certainly not least, to my own excellent father. My dad always makes me laugh with his corny jokes and never ceases to amaze me with his positive attitude. Example: a week and a half ago, my mom and I were out at my dads office working and it was just after closing. We were in the front of the office making copies and my dad was in the back starting to number some job with the numbering machine. This machine has an eye on it that senses when paper is coming through and stamps the number on it. Well, there was some stray ink that kept getting on the pages he was numbering and he went to wipe it off, triggered the eye, and his left ring and middle fingers got crushed underneath the stamp. (Side note: think of how thin paper is. That's what this stamp is used to stamping on. So, not too forgiving on a finger) He yelled to the front to try to get our attention but we didn't hear him because the copiers were too loud, but our other worker, James, did hear him and then informed us of what had happened. When we went into the break room and saw my dad, he was hyperventilating and going into shock. Luckily, I still had my wits about me and didn't let myself panic (in fact, I am quite proud of my mom and I. We were really calm! :)) We got him out of his shock and hyperventilating mode and took him to the Kadlec ER. So, here I get to the point of this story. 5 minutes down the road, on the way to Kadlec, Rachel called to talk to my mom and I relayed the story of what was going on. My dad turned to me and said, "Ash, tell her that my days are 'numbered'!" I started laughing so hard I could hardly tell Rachel. As the fat and tendons and flesh are all hanging out of the tip of his broken ring finger, he is telling me corny puns to relay to my sister. By the time we were out of the ER, he was smiling, laughing, joking around. That is my father. He always has the best attitude about everything and loves life. He is so strong in the gospel and can kick my behind any day of the week in any athletic endeavor (at age 63, mind you.) He's been my coach, my friend, my example, and the best father. I owe so much to him. I love him so much and hope he knows just how much he means to me.

The blessed finger. The blue things are stitches.

My dad (middle) with his two brothers in November of 2007 at my Grandma Henry's funeral. I have more recent pictures of him, but this is one of my favorites of him.

So, to the three main men in my life, I love you all, I'm grateful for all you have done and continue to do for me, and I want you all to know that I am the luckiest girl in the world to have you in my life.