Make a wish Dad!

My Dad's birthday is tomorrow, but we had a party for him up at the cabin on Saturday night. Poor guy will be all alone in his apartment in California, where he works a few days out of the week. I love my Dad Allot!! I wish we could all fly out and sing to him and eat chocolate cake with him again!!
It is hard to narrow it all down to a quick little blog entry, but here goes... my dad was 21 when I showed up and he was working, in the army reserves, and a full time masters student. As I grew up, he was a very hard worker when it came to his employment and was dedicated to church callings. Life couldn't have been easy for him with all that responsibility and 5 kids, but somehow he managed to make me feel like our family was the most important part of life! Every night after work he would spend hours helping me with math homework (he's a true math genius), teaching me how to cast a fishing pole, playing catch (one of my favorites), shooting hoops till it was late, and he even taught me how to drive a stick shift (i know that was a test of patience :).
I have learned so much about how to live my life right from my dad. He doesn't judge anybody and can make friends with just about anyone. He definitely has his priorities straight and it's obvious he has a great love for the Lord. He's a baby and cries when something touches him. He's pretty quiet and mellow and doesn't usually say too much. I know this sounds a bit morbid, but if he dies before me, I'm reading his journal! I would love to know what he thought about and what he experienced in his life! I know he keeps a journal :)!
Anyways, I love you dad and am so grateful to you for who you are and who you have helped me to become. I am grateful to you for the amazing papa you are to my children! I know you have sacrificed allot to be able to be close to them and I hope you know it is totally worth it! You are really special to each of them! We love you so much and hope you treat yourself right tomorrow with a big steak and some more chocolate cake!! Love you Dad!