Tuesday, February 1, 2011

The Month of LOVE!

Since February is the month of love, I decided to do a blog post every day to say "I love you" to someone special in my life! I won't be sending updates out for any of them except this one, so if you want to read all of them, you will have to check back on your own. Here goes...

10 Things I Love about Carl M. Uda:

(aka Dad, Grandpa, Pop pop, Bishop)

1. You are my ROCK! A strong, motivated, and unmoving influence in my life that has taught me to brave the storms and stand up for what I believe in.

2. You taught me how to work hard at EVERYTHING! Whether it be my marriage, my education, my church callings, or cleaning my room. If something is to get done, you just hunker down and do it, and you do it all the way.

3. You are SO talented, but never boastful, and you have used those talents to brighten my life. My favorite memories of this include when you helped me decorate my Halloween cat in 3rd grade (I was sick and missed the day they did it in class), and when you helped me to carve a wolf into a potato in 6th grade. Both times I felt SO proud to present my projects at school and SO special that you took the time to help me do them.

4. You waited up for me into the endless hours of the night when I was a dating teenager. Not to bust me, but to hear all my stories. Most of the time I thought mom was the only one listening, but you would frequently surprise me by coming out of your coma to ask a question about something I had just said.

5. You have a GREAT sense of humor! It may be a little childish and a little crass at times, but I still think you are hilarious and always fun to have around.

6. You taught me how to be financially stable. I remember the day I got my first job, you took me to the bank, helped me to set up a savings account, and then you taught me how to balance my checkbook. Those lessons not only helped me to be a wise spender as a teenager, but as a college student, wife, and mother as well. And it is AMAZING how helpful that is in marriage!

7. You were the kind of teacher that taught your students to swim by throwing them in the water. That was hard for me growing up, but now as an adult and parent, I am thankful that you forced me out of my comfort zone and taught me to jump in with both feet! I am more confident, efficient, and assertive because of that and I hope I can instill those same qualities in my own children.

8. You are a terrific grandpa. Having grandparents who are actively engaged in my children's lives is VERY important to me. It means so much that you take time out of your busy schedule to remember them on special days, visit whenever you can, and send loves and snuggles their way whenever life allows it. Brooklyn and Lily LOVE their Pop Pop!

9. You are a wonderful person to talk to. You understand my belief system and where I am coming from, you listen quietly and know when it is right to add your input, you are encouraging and kind, and whenever I talk to you, I feel like you are proud that I am your daughter.

10. I know you love me. In a world where so many women can't say that about their fathers, I consider myself a VERY lucky person. You were always there for me when I needed you most, and although I live far away from you now, I know you will be here if the need arises. Thank you for being such a wonderful father and friend. I love you dad!

5 comments:

Tau said...

What a great idea Naomi. Don't worry I'm not going to take it. My blogging skills are not at that level...I guess I would say I'm still a padawan blogger.

Sarah said...

Aawww I love Dad. He is one of my bestest friends. Great post Naomi. I think you nailed it.

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Naomi. You are so kind. I love you tons. Your courage and perseverance have always inspired me. When most people would quit in sheer discouragement and frustration, you make your plan, then work your plan. Thanks for your great example. Love, Dad.

Beccarigg said...

Dude, perfect tribute for Dad. I just kept nodding my head in agreement over everything you wrote. Like #3, I TOTALLY remember Dad helping me make a turkey project in 2nd grade and I was soo proud of it and it meant so much to me that he took the time to help me do it. And #6, Dad also helped me set up my first bank account and check book when I was in 4th grade. And of course #7, Dad is totally the king of sink or swim teaching. When I was trying to learn how to drive a stick shift one morning I needed a ride to school and he just said, "Take the car and drive yourself" Yeah well the car was a stick shift! I was scared out of my mind but what other choice did I have? I took the car and somehow managed to drive it all the way up to Timpview. AFter that I was never scared to drive stick again. Dad rules!

Pae and Guy said...

yeah, dad's pretty cool, he has yet to punch me in the face for sometimes acting like a dip-poop as I am prone to... hahaha, I said "dip-poop"...I just made it up, just now...i just typed, and it came out! I rock toned-down-language!!

Love you dad. sometimes the girls like to "accuse" me of being "just like dad"...I hope when Pae and I have kids that it still rings true! **minus the Won Hung Lo jokes of course...