So, when you take a picture with your iPhone, be careful who you send it to, it might end up on a blog!
Hahaha Happy Birthday Craig! In case you can't tell Craig is a golfer. He won these items in a tournament he just finished. He used my birthday gift to register for the tournament!
I'm going to have to get more organized because although I take a lot of pictures, sometimes it takes me forever to find one when I need it. I was glad Craig slipped me a picture right when I needed it. Em tried to send me a few pictures but for the life of me I cannot get them to post clearly. Got to work on that one.
Craig's birthday was clear back in June. June 18th to be exact. I feel bad I'm so behind in all the things I want to post. Late or not though, I wanted to take a minute and tell Craig how lucky I feel to have him for a son-in-law.
One of the things I most admire about Craig is his sense of self and the ability he has to pick something he feels he wants to work on or possibly something he would like to have in his life as an added strength and then he will set a goal, pursue that goal and accomplish it. I watch him do this all the time. With a myriad of different things, from spiritual, to physical, to mental, to social. I really admire this in him.
Em is my oldest daughter therefor she has been married the longest. It is a wonderful thing to look at my children and their spouses and see continual growth. Both Craig and Em are always motivated to strive for the best in how they live their lives and they are always forging ahead with new goals. The great part is, they are always achieving them. In today's world lots of people set goals, but sometimes never follow through. This is not the case with Craig and Em.
I too have undergone some changes in my life. These changes in myself have allowed me a greater visual advantage for seeing the good things my children are all doing. Today I have a greater appreciation for all I see.
Recently, Craig was called to his fourth Bishopric. When this last call came, I was teasing him. He in turn, was teasing me back, with funny comments, like, "Well, if I could just get it right, they'd stop calling me." In all seriousness, I told him it was quite the opposite, and I meant it. See the fact is, he gets it right every time, which is why they keep calling him. And that's no joke.
Every ward Craig and Em have moved to Craig has served in the Bishopric as the counselor over the young men. This comes as no surprise to me. Craig is a man of integrity, honesty, and a person whom you can always look up to and always count on, no matter what. If he gives his word then consider it done. He is as reliable as the day is long. Longer! And in today's world, there is no greater need than for young men to have a strong role model to follow. Which is why every Bishop snags Craig up the second they meet him! Many families don't have a strong father figure and Craig is one of the finest examples of so many good things young men need to actually see in an adult leader. Most of all he is a strong spiritual example, and young men need this, I think, more now than ever before. And the youth love him. He dedicates himself whole heartedly to them and they know it! They are always aware of his genuine love and concern for them. Our youth need the example of good strong man. It's a tribute to Craig that he's been chosen to fill that role, time and time again.
Besides being a great example in his church calling, Craig is a great dad and his efforts show in his children. This past week I took Spencer to the cabin with me for several days. Never in my life have I seen a more grateful appreciative kid. Everything I did for Spenc was followed by a gracious thank you.
On the day I took him swimming, we were getting ready to leave and he said, "Thanks Grandma for taking me swimming."
When we got to the pool ten minutes later, "Thank you grandma for bringing me here. I love to go swimming."
The entire time in the pool, "This is so fun Nana, thanks for taking me swimming."Over and over again.
When we got in the car to go back to the cabin, "Thanks grandma, I had a blast. Thanks for taking me swimming."
Ten minutes later I walk in the front door and I hear, "Wow, that was so fun. That was so nice of you to take me swimming Nana."
I'm serious, I think Spencer must have said thank you to me over a dozen times a day. Whether it was lunch, or dinner, or what ever it was we were doing. It was always followed by a serious thank you! It was this way with everything.
Spencer is seven years old. This is not accidental behavior. This is learned behavior.
When ever I have Craig and Emilyn's children. All four them are the most well mannered, well behaved kids you'll ever meet. They just are! I'm not just saying that because I'm their grandmother. If you ask other members of the family they will tell you the same thing. This comes from good parenting and good examples at home. And this comes from having a Father in the home that leads the way through example.
The other day Craig and Emilyn were over to my house for my birthday. Guess what I heard frequently and throughout the day from them both. "Thanks mom." Thanks Faye." Followed by a myriad of different things they had noticed. It made me feel so good that efforts I had gone to for the day were noticed and appreciated. At the end of the day, I had a greater understanding of why my grandchildren always say thank you. Their parents say it. And they mean it.
Even though it's late, I don't want to miss out on wishing my son-in-law a happy birthday. And most of all I don't want to miss out on telling him today how thankful I am he's part of my family. I'm so thankful for the good man that he is. He is a good man, a good father, a good husband and he is setting the mark my grandchildren will follow. I am so thankful he lives that example. He diligently strives to live his life in a manner that his children can witness "You do as I do, not just as I say." With Craig, his actions back up his mouth. He doesn't just set guidelines by word of mouth for his children to follow. He lives those guidelines, and that's a hard thing to do as a parent and something I greatly admire in him.
So Happy Birthday Craig. Next year I'm going to strive to put this on the blog before your birthday comes and goes. Thanks for being an added blessing in our lives, in my life, and for the great person that you are! Love you! Happy Birthday!
