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Chat with Ruthie… Dad’s

Chat with Ruthie… Dad’s

 

Where to even begin?  I guess at the beginning…

Ruthie 1 year old

Ruthie 1 year old

I am a lucky enough girl to be given two dad’s to love and raise me!   I talked a little about my family in my “Mom’s” post… I was 3 years old when my mom remarried my step-dad,  I’ve always had a good relationship with both of my dads!  AND they are vastly different which is good 🙂

 

My dad is an avid hunter… he helped my son Jake shoot a bear (!) and he loves to camp, go four wheeling, and about everything else out-doorsie!!  Growing up my older sister and I would always go visit our dad and my grandparents, and family every summer and vacation times during the year.   I have lotsa of fond memories of going to the Snake River Stampede, I loved the huge community BBQ dinner that was part of the Rodeo events… SO good!!  I remember going school shopping, and watching Grease 2 at least a million times, and the way my grandparents always had soda hidden behind the dining room curtain on the air conditioning vent to it keep cold, AND Grandfather Clocks!  Oh, how the sound of a Grandfather Clock takes me back.

Dad and I at my wedding 2010

Dad and I at my wedding 2010

We would go for other visits through the year but the summers were the most memorable!  My dad has always supported me and my sister in whatever was going on and whatever is still going on in our lives… even last summer I told him I’d started this blog… he gave the recipe for his Tomato Jelly! (which I’ll get blogged this year!)  He also said I need to put on my Gram’s Karamels because they’re really good!!  AND then quickly added that, that didn’t mean I was off the hook for making them for him at Christmas time each year!!

When I got married he came to walk me down the isle and he told me that he was proud of me… which is bringing tears to my eyes as I type!

Camey, Dad, and Me (wedding 2010)

Camey, Dad, and Me (wedding 2010)

I’ve said this before but, I’m going to say it again… my parents did an incredible job of co-parenting my sister and I, it’s an example I try to follow everyday!  I really appreciate how well they worked together and even though we lived a long ways from my dad, my mom made sure we were available for visits at vacation times because she knew how important it was that we had a good relationship with my dad and his family.  I’ll always be grateful that they made a difficult situation work with such ease.

My graduation day with Dad, Camey and step brother, Jason

My graduation day with Dad, Camey and step brother, Jason

My graduation with Mom and Dad

My graduation with Mom and Dad

 

My step-dad married my mom (which also meant my sister and I) when I was three what a wonderful job he did at stepping into our everyday lives and being another dad to love us.  He and my mom had 2 more kids and this is the family I was raised with…

Family Picture

Family Picture… way back when!

Last fall we went to Disneyland with almost my whole family… it was obviously a little bright cuz we’re all squinting 🙂   We had such a fun trip with most of our family being able to attend… just 2 didn’t make it!

Disneyland Family Pic 2011

Disneyland Family Pic 2011

SO, my step dad has been there at all the cross roads in my life… the big and the small.  I’ve learned a lot from him all through my life and I’m still learning all time.  I remember sitting on the living room floor pulling out his guitar books with him playing and both of singing for hours!  I think he played monopoly a lot more than he ever thought was possible because I wanted too!  (which by the way you can’t pay me enough to play now!) I remember many basketball games in the driveway, and walks with wonderful talks.  AND more than anything I knew that he loved me and was watching out for me.

Andrus-Family-Picture2*

I realize the important roll that father’s play in our lives, I’ve turned to both of my dad’s through out my life in the good time and the bad AND they’re always there for me… each in his own way.  I appreciate all my dad’s have done for me and realize the impact they’ve both had in my life and how each of them has helped to create the person I am today!   I am truly blessed and love each of them very much!

 

 

I wish all the Dad’s out there a very Happy Father’s Day … may you get Crunchy French Toast for breakfast and Diet Coke all day long! (or at least that’s what my dad wants!)

Thanks for Chatting with me 🙂

Love,

Ruthie