Catch You Later, Bye.

*This is a re-post of the blog I wrote last year the day after my father died. Tomorrow is the one year anniversary of the day that he went into the presence of his Lord Jesus Christ. 

With my father going home to be with Jesus I thought I would post a list of fond memories I have of my father. I am grateful for all 30+ years he influenced and loved me. I know that memories and the video he made for us prior to his death will continue to influence me (and hopefully my family). Of course this list is not everything. How could you encapsulate 30 years into one short list? That being said here are a few great memories I have of/with my dad.

Great Memories (Thanks Dad)

10. Hearing my dad loud and clear on the football field during our games. No matter what the score was you would always be clearly heard cheering us on.

9. Getting "butches" right before the Utah vacation

8. Touring Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona on vacation. Especially when we went through Tombstone on vacation. For that matter all of the camping trips stick out in my mind. We always had great family vacations.

7. Watching you sit in your rotator cuff therapy chair with your arm going up and down while we were on vacation in Bishop.

6. All of the wiffle ball games we ever played on Grandma Kamie's driveway and on our driveway. Heck, throw in the "Freeman Bowl" where I would be the quarterback and you and Nate would both get impatient with my terrible passes.

5. Pouring the concrete and setting up a basketball court for me because you knew I loved shooting hoops.

4. The time you fell on April Fool's Day while we were playing basketball and mom didn't believe me when I told her that you were in pain on the concrete outside. The scraped chin, teeth, and glasses bore evidence though that you took a spill though!

3. The night in Scotland after we ate the amazing dinner and you were so happy that you kept saying "That was the best dinner I've ever eaten!" "That was the best beer!", "This is the prettiest country I've ever seen!" "I just can't take it all in!" it was a fun drive home that night even if we were on the wrong side of the road!

2. Even though we always finished in last place, I was always glad that you were my coach in baseball. I was always the luckiest kid in the league to have a dad that cared that much. You always cared about teaching me how to properly play baseball. I will always be an Angels fan because you took us to the Angels-Twins game all those years ago. I'm glad Chone Figgins left the club before you passed on :)

1. I will always remember that when I needed to return to Christ and leave my debaucherous lifestyle you paid all of that money for me to go to the Every Man's Battle camp. I will forever be in debt to you for that expensive camp that ended up getting me back on the right path with Jesus. I would not be the man I am today without that financial sacrifice or the tough love that sent me there - so thank you!

Honorary Mention 1 - The week we spent at Mission Beach at the house you rented for the week this past summer was a trip I will never forget. The good time with family. The trip to the Creation Museum. The daily devotionals. The mornings spent in the sand and surf. All of the wonderful meals. The last trip we took as a unified family. Unbelievable week.

Honorary Mention 2 - You coined the phrase that we grew to know and love - "Catch you later, bye".

I love you dad and await the day when we are together again in heaven with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

my mom & dad the last night in Mission Beach 2009

my dad with my nephew Adam

do I look like I'm kidding?

my dad with my niece Sonia

me and my old man posing for the camera :)

my dad with my nephew Jake

my mom and dad