Fathers Day weekend

It seems like this was more of a Fathers Day weekend than just today. Yesterday the kids and I went to Harri's baptism. It was really beautiful and I was very sad-teary as I felt the significance of Aaron's absence on Harri's special day. But at the same time I was happy-teary for this beautiful family below and for what they represent and for the example they are to those around them.

I love random shots like this. I wonder if the photo they were looking at made the cut on the blog!! ;)

The kids were getting a little excited about the water. Apparently Kobe had been checking the font for sharks.

Today was Stake Conference and also Father's Day. I started the morning by watching part of Stake Conference online. You can see the Devonport chapel on the computer and I was watching people file in and sit down. 

To the left of the screen, I could see Simon's Dad, sitting in his usual spot and it made me smile.  I have heard that the only constant in life is change, but things that don't change, things that are familiar, make me feel secure and good and settled. So it was good to see Simon's Dad sitting in his usual spot at Stake conference on Father's Day. I like things like that that don't change.

I listened first to President Prebble who spoke about making string boards in his class at school and that as parents whatever our children do or make for us, we must show them how proud we are of them and spend quality time with them and even if our own string boards are made a little messy, with the help of our Father in Heaven, we can undo some of it and redo our string board pattern, in a different way.

Lisa also spoke today. I cannot imagine how hard it must have been to get up there in front of hundreds of people and speak on her first Father's Day without Aaron. As I was driving to Harri's baptism yesterday, I was reflecting on how sad the day was going to be today but then I felt that Lisa and Aaron    have together shaped four beautiful boys who will one day be the most amazing Dads and that was something to celebrate about today.

I love how she spoke about how many times it would be easier for her to not get out of bed, but that she chooses to get up and try and make each day a little better for her and her boys.

About 11 am, we headed to my Dad's for lunch. This time of year is always beautiful with his paddocks full of wild daffodils. I love visiting my Dad, especially with the kids. Its something else in my life that is an unchanging constant and is familiar, good and settled.

Hallie and Oliver are pirates, hence the black eye.

Jonty giving Simon a daffodil for Father's Day.

The kids love going on the back of Pop's four wheeler, especially when the get to do it with their cousin Rohan.

This is after Simon drove through a few muddy puddles.

And at the end of the day, as we drove home so Simon could get to work, I reflected on one more father, who we farewelled ten long years ago. We met on the 4th of February this year, at the cemetery, exactly ten years on from when Nev died, to chat and cry and reminisce about the man who married my Mum when I was just six years old and my older sister Lisa was nine, and who went on to have my beautiful younger sisters, Collette and Jessica, a man who became a big part of my life until he died when I was 27 yrs old.

I'm sure he loved the grandkids running around laughing and full of innocence.