The One Where My Dad is Famous

Because so many of you asked, I thought I would tell you about the job interview I had on Wednesday.
I was totally shocked that they wanted to see me again, because seriously?  That personality "interview" was a real morale booster.  Not!  I got finished and thought, "I don't even like me after that.  Why would anyone else want to get to know more about me?"  And also, "TMI, Aundrea.  TMI."

But I got an email from the secretary to Elder S. asking if I could meet with him that morning.  So about an hour later I was in his office.  We had a nice visit, and he said my tests were very impressive and I was the kind of person they liked to have in that building. 

We talked about my education being in Northern California, and he mentioned that he was going to Sacramento for a fireside or devotional in the temple in a couple of weeks.  As I was walking out of his office I said, "Well, if you happen to see my dad in the temple, tell him hello."  Elder Snow replied that he would and asked, "Who is your dad?"  I said, "His name is Jon Fish."  He literally stopped in his tracks, said, "Get out of here!  You are Jon B.'s daughter?  Get back in here!"  And he had me come back into his office, where he told me that he is married to one of my dad's childhood friends from St.George, and he was just at a reunion with my aunt and two uncles, and everyone was so disappointed that my dad could not be there.  We laughed and laughed before he escorted me out of his office for a second time.

Later that same day one of my co-workers stopped at my desk and said, "I understand I get to meet your father in a couple of weeks."

Daddy, I'm really sorry if I'm putting a cramp in your style or setting you up for failure or something.

And thank you for setting me up for success and love everywhere I go.  I love you!

I'm Gonna Keep Him

Spencer and I have been dealing with some stressful things in our family for the past week.  On Saturday or Sunday I called my daddy's cell phone, intending to just have my regular weekly conversation which usually starts with something like this:

Me:  Hi, Daddy.
Dad:  Hi, Luv.  How are you?
Me:  Good.  How are you?
Dad:  Good.  Let me get your mother.

This time Dad was out and about, so I was just visiting with him.  I asked for some advice on something we were/are working on.  He was wonderful, encouraging, serious, and everything else good.

My dad has called me every day since then to check on us.  Today I was able to give a good report, and my dad got emotional.  He was, I suppose grateful.

Yeah. Me, too.

You'll Laugh. You'll Cry.

Since my dad uses my stuff on his e-column, I thought I would steal this sweet little tidbit to share on my blog. This is about my sister's children, whose parents recently separated. I'm sorry Beatty doesn't wanna grow up to be his daddy. But being like my daddy is aiming high, and he's right on the money!

I’ve had the kids running in the sprinklers, riding their bikes and scooters (we raised seats and pumped up tires) and the ice cream man came by. But he was gone down one side before we could flag him to stop. So I said to them, “Let’s sit here and be patient. He’ll come back. But sometimes you have to wait for good things.” In about ten minutes here he came and they ran to the curb flagging down the ice cream man who turned out to be very clean cut and handsome, but about four bricks shy of a load. He gave us back more change that we deserved and had a hard time counting -- and when we returned some of the change he said, “Sometimes my math isn’t so good.” He waved at the kids as he drove off. We’ll watch for him again.

Bitsy Boulder Boy scarfed his Spider Man down and then wanted to eat everyone else’s. When I wouldn’t let him he sprinted for his fuv-o and kafu screaming obscenities in tongues -- and he’s now sound asleep.

As I sat with the three older ones Beatty leaned back on my chest and said, “Grandpa, I love you.”

“I love you, too, Beatty Boy,” I replied.

“When I get big, Grandpa, I want to be just like you,” he continued.

And my chin quivered and my eyes watered and I just held him a little tighter.

Let the Celebration Begin!

Today is my dad's birthday. Since I have been blogging for a couple of years now, you may already know this. Here is a list of some of the important things you should know about my dad:

1. His birthday falls on France's Independence Day (or whatever they call it), so the French are celebrating Daddy's birthday every year. It's nice of them to do that.

2. My dad is a published author and a prolific writer (not all published, of course). You can check out his books at amazon.com.

3. My dad is an optimist. It is one of his many gifts to the world.

4. There are very few people who cannot love my dad, and I don't know of ANY that my dad doesn't love.

5. My dad is a good Mormon. He's an even better Christian.

6. My dad is a wonderful dad. He's an even better husband. This is his greatest gift to his children.

Happy Birthday, Daddy! I love you!

Sick Daddy

My Dad had to have his gall bladder removed yesterday. He was one sick man! The surgery ended up being more involved than was expected, but we witnessed miracles and tender mercies.

He's feeling quite a bit better today, though sore from the surgery.

Get better, Daddy!

Spotlight On..

My dad, Jon Fish, is one of my heroes. Here is a non-comprehensive list of the stuff I love about my dad:

1. He always let me pick on him. No, really pick. He had little things in his eyelashes that I wouldn't be able to even see now, but I could sure find them when I had a child's eagle eyes.

2. He has a happy laugh, and he uses it often.

3. He always respected my ideas and opinions. Even when I was very young. And even when we disagreed. Still does. (By the way, he's usually right.)

4. He has loved all of us in a stupid, crazy way our entire lives. As soon as I married Spencer, he started loving him in the same wonderful way.

5. He's crazy about our children. Even when they're children. And even when they're 10-year-olds. And even when they're teenagers. And even when they're grown-ups!

6. There is never any competition for Daddy's love. He loves us all, and he does for us what he can when he can. The same goes for my brothers and sisters, and we all just know it and accept it.

7. He taught me to appreciate musicals. And music. Including how to hear a part other than soprano.

8. He loves my mom. This should be listed at #1. Whatever else my dad is, he is completely, 100% devoted to Mom.

9. He has never stopped teaching. I love the things I learn from him.

10. He takes care of himself. A couple of years ago Daddy was diagnosed with adult-onset diabetes. He promptly started exercising, eating right, and losing weight. He's currently doing well without being medicated. He told me once that diabetes would get him in the end, but it was going to be a long fight because he was going to win for as long as he could.

Days like Father's Day are days when I wish I was in California with the majority of my family. I miss them terribly and just want to be there with them for "stuff." But I'm a lucky daughter who hears from my daddy daily (more than once, thanks to email), and I love him more than I could ever express.

Thanks, Daddy, for your example and your love. I love you TONS!

Spotlight On..

These are my parents, Shauna and Jon Fish. Some FAQs about them:

1. They were high school enemies/sweethearts in Heber, Utah.

2. They have five children and twenty grandchildren.

3. They love to travel.

4. They love to do pretty much anything together. Mom's not an athlete and Daddy's not a daredevil, but they still go to amusement parks and ballgames together.

5. They've been married for 41 years. Straight. To each other.

6. They weigh... Well, never mind the particulars. But thanks to their healthy lifestyle, they are both in fabulous shape right now!

Here is a non-comprehensive list of things that I love about them:

1. They've always been interested in what I was doing and who I was with. They even blog-stalk my friend Amy. In fact, my mom knew Amy was pregnant before I did. That hurts. A little.

2. They continue to teach me. And my brothers and sisters. And our children. Right is right, and wrong is wrong, and they stand as moral compasses for me. While many kids wanted to do things just to "show" their parents, I always cared about doing the right thing for them. I still do.

3. They are completely devoted to each other. This is perhaps the greatest blessing any child could ever receive!

4. They are cute. I'm glad for that, because at different times of my life I've been told that I look like both of them. :)

5. They know how to love, and they show that love isn't just how you feel--it's how you behave and how you ARE. I'm still working on that, but I have excellent examples!

6. They have always made me feel valued. I could go on and on about this one, but the bottom line is I have never felt looked down upon for being a child, being a girl, being stupid, or being whatever else I might be. OK, maybe once, Daddy, but I'm over it. Really. :)

7. They are generous. This has been a blessing for our family and for many people we love and for many people we don't even know.

8. They are happy and positive. While I was growing up, everything was an adventure, and as long as we were together it was OK. That's a great way to start a life, and a great characteristic to emulate!

I could go on and on. Mostly I want you to know that NOBODY has better parents than I have! I love you, Mom and Daddy!