Father Figures

As I've been working on creating books out of my blog I've come to the realization that it's very biased. By design i guess, seeing as I'm the author, there will naturally be more about my feelings in it, but as holidays approach, i like looking back at previous posts and seeing how things have changed over the years. Fathers day is no different, however, I've made a mistake. I've not given Chad the opportunity to record his feelings about his dad for our posterity and that stops today. To be honest, I haven't done this because Chad can barely talk about his feelings let alone develop thoughts and write about them for the world to see so I've intentionally spared him the "opportunity" in the past knowing that he hates anything that even closely resembles homework. But I'm putting my foot down! Chad has a wonderful father and step-father to write about so listen up readers! Chads writing is comparable to a comet sighting or a solar eclipse...rare and few and far between!

Take it away babe...

(Chad)
I am Chad and there are some feelings in me. She is right though, I don't know why but talking about feelings has never been very enticing to me. I so am grateful for my Dad and for all that he has taught me. Growing up, I couldn't have asked for a better mentor or loving father. I can't tell you of a time when he wasn't there for me. I knew I could always count on him to be there and to give me the right advice. I still do. I love knowing that I can call him, even though we are so far apart, and he will still do all he can to help me with any situation I might find myself in. I proud of my Dad and so grateful for him in my life. I love you Dad!

I am also so grateful for my Father-In-Law and for the wonderful example he is to me. I am always amazed at how easily he interacts with people and how much everyone around him loves and respects him. I am no different. He is a wonderful example of a family man, a faithful church leader, and all around great guy. So grateful for him in my life. Love you too Dad!

My last shout out goes to Ray. Here is another wonderful example of a family man and faithful church leader. I am always impressed with how he conducts himself and how wise his advice always is. He has been through a lot and his perspectives and help are unmatched. He makes everyone around him happy and it has been so easy being around him and his family. I am grateful he is in my life. Love you too Ray!

(Kayla)

  I echo everything Chad wrote. I'm blessed with amazing in-laws and have learned so much from them. I'm grateful to see my mother-in-law so happy and taken care of, Ray does a great job being the Patriarch of his family and it an honor to watch and learn from him. I'm grateful Chads dad has become a part of our lives and been such a great grandpa to Liam, while I don't know him as well as I'd like to, I see him in Chad and I know that so many of the characteristics I fell in love with in Chad stem from a loving father.
    My dad's not getting off the hook so easily. I feel like now that I'm back in Arizona, I'm back to hearing about how great my dad (parents) are on the daily. Just the other day I was checking out at Lowes and the cashier said "Are you a Guttery girl? I just love your dad, he is always so happy to see me and gives me hugs and teases me. He's like a dad to me too!" Seriously people, every where i go i meet honorary brothers and sisters that my dad has made feel like a Guttery. I love that about him. So kind and welcoming. My friends always wanted to hang out at my place because of him, and he always accommodated them, not matter how big and rowdy the group I invited.
   On top of being an amazing Father, I've really gotten to enjoy watching him become an amazing grandpa (or Bumpa as Liam calls him). He will never stop spoiling, teaching and playing. Love that dad of mine.

Click here to see all the nice stuff I said about him last year!

And last but not least, Chad. What an incredible blessing it has been to be your wife and watch you become a father. Its like a piece of you was missing and you found it when we had Liam. He makes you complete, you are confident, funny, loving, clear minded and teachable when youre around Liam. You had so many of these traits before you became a dad but it's like Liam polishes you and makes you shine brighter and prouder as a father. I love the comfort and security you provide for Liam and I and I can't wait for our family to grow to see how much more we can learn from these beautiful spirits and how much closer we can grow as a couple through our experience parenting together. I know Chad would agree with me when I say, we got spoiled with Liam, he is sweet, smart, witty, goofy, spiritually minded, obedient and just an all around joy. I know he gets these amazing qualities from his father.

Thank you Chad for always being so good at remembering that Liam is always watching you, you're an incredible example for me and our son.