Monday, June 22, 2015

A shoutout to my dad

Finally framed these for his office
 
My dad has taught me so many things in my life.
 
 He taught me how to be a hard worker. When I was 10 years old my mom would drop me off at my dad's office everyday after school and I would file and stuff envelopes until I went home with him after work. From then on I was always required to have a job, from doing work release in high school to working while I was in college.  It was just never a question, and I'm grateful for that because I have developed good work ethic AND have 12 years of work experience under my belt. ;)
 
He taught me the importance of eating healthy and exercising. I remember haaaaating it growing up when we were always eating fish and broccoli for dinner but now I appreciate it more than ever. Him getting on his bike early every morning also showed me that you can and should always stay active.
 
My dad taught me that boys had cooties until you were old enough to date. He offered both my sister and I $1000 if we didn't kiss a boy until we were 16...his way of protecting his little girls.
 
He taught me how important good friends are. He was always the cool dad growing up and all my friends knew it. Every single Saturday without fail he would let Ari and I each take a friend to some sort of activity- swimming, the zoo, ice skating, hiking Timpanogos - you name it. In high school his way of remaining the cool dad was always encouraging me to have my friends over and getting everyone Chinese takeout or pizza or having a bonfire, on his dollar, but you'd never see him once when my friends were there because he didn't want to embarrass me, bless his heart.
 
My dad taught me to love everyone and that I was no better than anyone else. He served his mission in Costa Rica and Panama and has had a great love for the Hispanic people ever since. He has taken me to a handful of taco stands on the side of the road, cinco de mayo celebrations, and sketchy parts of town. Talk about CULTURED at a young age.

My dad taught me service. He was young men's president for the majority of my childhood and it didn't matter that I was a girl- he was always dragging me along to clean the church, put up flags around the neighborhoods,  or do yard work with his young men. He taught his diva of a daughter that she could get dirty sometimes...hahaha.

My dad taught me not to hold a grudge without ever saying a word, this is just how he is. My dad is a big softy and the parent you definitely went to if you wanted something. He is also the first one you call when something goes wrong. Every ticket and car accident- my dad was the first one on speed dial. He never got angry and always looked at it as a learning experience for me. He always got over things much quicker than my mom. It's funny because Brennan has always told me that he really appreciates that I don't hold grudges and I didn't realize it until recently but I think I learned it from my dad.



Happy Father's Day dad!

Love,

Your Ash



p.s. Pictures from our trip are coming...once I can get past my fear of editing over 200 pictures.

xoxo


Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Monday, June 15, 2015

22

 
 
"I don't know about you, but Ash is gonna be 22!"
 
Bren sang that T-Swift tune to me every morning for about a week before my birthday, it was pretty cute.
 
I don't like to make my birthday a big deal, never have, and we just got back from the trip of a lifetime and didn't need a thing.
 
But of course Bren managed to make it as special as ever and got me waaaaaaaaay too nice of a gift, my very own Pilates machine!!!
 
(I'm still in shock, I'll get back to you when it sets in.)
 
But what was even better than that on my birthday,
 
were some such kind and thoughtful birthday wishes that truly made my heart grow 10 times in size.
 
It physically felt fuller yesterday and I think that's what birthdays should be all about.
 
I am so grateful for the relationships I have, they give my life more meaning than anything else!
 
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I am so excited to see what year 22 has in store.
 
xoxo