Happy Dad's Day!

Bill is helping teach a class at ASC this week, starting today, so we celebrated Father's Day on Friday. We drove to Colorado Springs to see Toy Story 3 in 3-D at the IMAX on opening day. We did some shopping, had a nice dinner out and had ice cream at Cold Stone. It was a day trip, we didn't stay overnight, and we had a great day together. Summer time is so awesome because we can all get away whenever we want!
Bill got a new smartphone (Palm Pixie Plus) for Father's Day and today I made his favorite dessert to celebrate his fatherhood.

Jamie & me with our 3-D glasses at Toy Story 3!

Jamie trying on football equipment at Dick's Sporting Goods.
(he's a natural!)

I have to admit that Father's Day is not my favorite holiday. I used to HATE it because I'd spend hours searching for an obligatory, generic, non-sentimental card to send to my father. Hallmark just doesn't make a card that says, "You're an ass, but mom's making me send you a card anyway". Actually, since I stopped sending cards to him and, especially since Bill is now a father, the day is much easier to stomach. I cringe when I hear fundamental Christians talk about how the problems in America are due to the breakdown of "the family" and how we'd be better off if families stayed together. Let me tell you...I am sane today because my mother had the good sense (finally, after years of pleading with her) to get the hell away from that man! Dr. Phil says that "children would much rather be FROM a broken home that LIVE in one" and I can totally attest to that!! I can still hear my father's voice in my head on my 13th birthday..."so, you're a teenager now and probably think you're pretty hot shit. well, let's make a deal...you stay out of my way and I'll stay out of yours, and we'll get along just fine!" And, so it goes...
Needless to say, it was my mom's idea to have my father give me away at my wedding (I think he accomplished that task when I was 13) when I really, really wanted to give the honor to someone who actually wanted to be there. My biggest regret in life is not having Phil walk me down the aisle. So, for all of the alcohol induced rages and abuse, I do have to thank my father for showing how NOT to treat women & children with love and respect. Somehow, I always knew that there was a different way to be a father and I am forever grateful for the men who were there to model that for me when I was in high school and college. Thank you Phil, Mr. Findley, Coach Morris, Perry, Mr. Hooten, Rick, and others...it is because of you that I was able to break free and keep the ugly cycle from repeating through another generation.

So, another Father's Day has come and gone...any man can be a father/sperm donor, it takes a special man to be a dad. I am SO thankful for the man that was brought to me to be my son's dad.
Happy Dad's Day, Bill!!