Sunday, March 16, 2008

Happy Birthday Dad!


*I just love this picture of my Dad as a kid. Doesn't it just make you smile?
I can see my brothers, my Curtis cousins and my own boys all in this same picture of him. Well It's my Dad's 52nd Birthday & I wanted to wish him a happy birthday (although I don't think he's ever seen my blog.) Many people know him as "Bishop Curtis" & they might view him as perfect although he'll be the first to tell you he's not. We love him anyhow & I'll tell you why...
*As a little girl we loved when Dad would come home from all his church meetings & lay on our bed and tell stories & sing us songs. Here's one of my favorite pictures as a kid with him, steph & I having all fallen asleep. We also loved having tickle time, going to Sea World, laughing at his dancing fingers on the steering wheel, watching old movies & jumping waves with him in the Ocean.

*I'll never forget the 1st time I got in trouble by him. (So maybe it wasn't the first but it's the first memory I have of it.) I was 10 and he sat me down & said that he "didn't know his daughter would ever act like that." I think it was just the 1st time my Mom ever "told on me." He then preceded to tell me why he thought he thought knew why I was bad. He asked me how to spell 10. "T E N." "Yeah".. he said "Now add another E in there." He said I was on the verge of being a teenager. "TEEN!" I felt so mature & never wanted to be bad again. In that same speech I remember crying and having to keep wiping my nose. I remember him saying, "Don't you know when you cry you make boogers?" Oh the things you learn from your Dad! (P.S...Despite the influential speech there were many "in trouble" days that followed.)

**So here's just a few things I love about my Dad:

~The fact that he wears his emotions on his sleeve. He tears up at anything tender. A trait I inherited. As a kid I'd get embarassed, now it's endearing to me.

~He is accepting of all different kinds of people & has taught us to be so. I have had numerous people come up to me & tell me of either a time he has helped them or how he had been so understanding/accepting when others around him were not.
~Dad has a great sense of humor.

~He is a wonderful Grandpa to my kids & they love him! He likes to show them off to people & sneak them treats when I'm not looking. In fact him & my mom are taking them to the Zoo this week.



*HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD...

WE LOVE YOU!!*

7 comments:

Frolicking Night Owl said...

only 52??? how old was he when you were born? maybe my dad is just old! :) i think my dad is turning 61 or 62 next week or so.

Raich said...

tell your mom and dad hi for me, they ARE awesome!!!

Swirls of Happy said...

What a sweet post!!! Love old photos...so cute :) My Dad is the same way about being tender hearted, and I too inherited that...too funny!!! Sounds like you have a great dad and he is a great Grandpa!

The Richins Family said...

what a sweet post. i can't believe how much spencer looks just like him.!

Anonymous said...

Ok speaking of wearing emotions on your sleeve, I am bawling right now, I don't think I have ever talked to your dad, but after reading this post, I can tell you have one very special dad. Happy birthday to him!

Miken Harding said...

Dad's are the best!

♥ Natalie said...

Happy Birthday to Bro. Curtis!! Audra, I may not personally know your Dad, but I know three of his children, who all turned out great so far, which says a lot about him!! And I know his cute wife, who is super sweet. You are great to put all of the time and effort into this post - hope he reads it someday. :)