Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to Daddy Hartford, Daddy Douma, and David, the best father Paisley could ever have. I love my husband, but I think I love him the most when I see him with our little girl. Little girls are complex - I know, because I was one. They need lots of love and attention. They need to know that they're special and beautiful, and worth more than any treasure. And there's no one who can show them those things better than a dad can. Dads have such an important job, and I know that David will be among the best. After all, he learned from the best!

Father's Day makes me miss my dad. It feels like forever since I've seen him, and it has literally been forever for David and Paisley. We hope to make it to Canada some day soon.

Paisley went for her 4 month doctor's visit and immunizations. She was an angel! I can't believe she's already four months old. She laughed and smiled her way through the doctor's appointment, and showed the doctor some of her new tricks. She weighs 12 pounds and she's 26.5 inches long, which is in the hundredth percentile for height for her age!

By the time we got from the doctor's to the health department for her shots, she had fallen asleep. I was sure she would be fussy if I woke her up, especially if it involved drinking a yucky syrup and being jabbed in the thighs. But when I woke her up, she just smiled and cooed at the nurse - until the nurse stabbed her, then she let out a few cries. She was kind of fussy for the next couple of days, but now she's back to being her happy little self.

Sports moment for the month: Well, the Canucks did not win the Stanley Cup. Not this year. And worse than that, some Vancouverites tried to destroy Vancouver as a result, burning cars, rioting, and robbing. That was a sad, sad day. However, the Heat did lose the NBA playoffs - I mean, the Mavericks won. And that was happy.

I love summertime. Last Friday we got together with John and Christine and went to the Summerfest parade in Orem. Paisley's first parade! She hated the beginning where the cops came out on their bikes with loud sirens and honking their horns, but other than that she mostly slept through the whole thing! It was a good parade, but mostly it was good to get together with John and Christine.

This week was the Strawberry Days rodeo in Pleasant Grove. We decided to go at the last minute, did our best to dress up like cowboys, and left Paisley at Grandma's house. By the time we got there it was a full-force windstorm outside, and about 30 degrees colder than it should be in the middle of June. I was not prepared for that in my flip-flops and short-sleeved shirt, but we braved the weather and had a lot of fun. The strawberries and cream they served makes it all worth it anyway. We decided that when Paisley gets older, we're signing her up for the 'Mutton Busting' event, when little kids ride out on sheep and see how long they can hold on. The average must be like 4 seconds. The other favorite is the 'Cash Cow' event, where they stick bills on calves and let a mob chase the cows around, grabbing the money off of them as they go. I have never seen kids so excited, or cows so terrified!

Michael, David's brother, went through the temple last night for the first time. We attended the temple session with him, and it was a great experience. It's easy to forget how incredibly peaceful it is inside the temple. We don't go as often anymore now that we have the baby, but whenever I go I just feel like I could be there forever. The spirit is so strong, and I'm reminded of all the good things I want to do, that I haven't had the motivation to do. And what's more, I all of a sudden have the motivation to do them!

Writing this blog makes me realize how great life really is. God has been so good to us, and it is an adventure watching his plan for us unfold day by day.