Mary's Birthday Pictures

Ethan's Birthday Pictures & Interview

Mary's Birthday Pictures and Interview

Here are some of the pictures I took of Mary for her birthday.  I did some before she had her haircut as well as after!  Her interview was a fun one this year!  I took a video while I asked her the questions and I'm glad we'll have that to look back at!

I know this isn't the best picture, 

she just wanted to sit on the stump!

I asked her to smile a four year old smile, 

this is what I got!

Again not a terrific picture, 

but she wanted to stand on this stump!

Click to enlarge

An Interview with John Raymond Jensen

For Father's Day this year I wanted to interview my Grandpa Jensen.  I knew that all of my cousins would want the chance to ask a question so I contacted everyone and let them send one question to ask Grandpa.  I sent them up to Idaho and I got the answers back from Grandpa this week!

Before the question I will write who it was asked by.

(Jo Anne)

1.  What experiences in your life have built your testimony/made you a better person?  I feel that consistency and keeping my nose to the grindstone along with the joy that the Church has brought to my life (nothing miraculous) have contributed to my testimony.  As to the better person part of the question, a bit hard to answer.  

(Matthew)

2.  Who is your hero and why?  I probably have a number of heroes in various situations.  My Dad and Mom are both heroes.  They worked hard and worried in seeing we were clothes and fed including Dad working 10 plus hour days and more at Christmas time for $25 a week an maybe a little extra commission.  He was a great salesman and Mom was a hard worker.  An early priesthood leader and my scoutmaster were heroes.  I have a few sports heroes, and you might say that all of my extended family members I treasure as heroes.  Pride may be a bad word, but I'm proud of all of you.

(Charissa)

3.  Where did you and Grandma meet?  What did you do on dates?  I met Grandma Beverly and Grandma Donna in Church.  Beverly was living with her sister, LuDean, a block or so from where I was staying with my sister, Mary Beth.  We got acquainted when she attended our ward Mutual with a friend.  I was stationed in the Army nearby when I met Grandma Donna at a small branch of the Church in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Beverly and I went to Church dances and activities and local movies as well as family events.  Donna and I had a few mostly group activities.  That was it until 50 plus years later.  Refer to my personal history article, "Finding Donna May."

(Sarah and Megan)

4.  Tell us a story of each of your children from when they were young/during their growing up years.  I'll give something in general and a few memories of each of them.  

They were all excellent students and a pleasure to have in the home.  They enjoyed friends and family and were well thought of.  They learned much from life and their surroundings.

Jo Anne:  A lovely girl, honor student, her degree of knowledge seemed to be a challenge to some of her teachers, musically talented (very accomplished in piano and voice), an ardent book worm, creative in numerous ways, and much more.  Traveled on a family trip to New York and back to Utah reading in the back seat of the car.  On daddy daughter church activities we were number one.

Dennis:  Honor student, very inquisitive, organized, good helper to his dad.  Not into sleeping out with friends.  Enjoyed sports, but not into little league.  Liked to keep numbers/statistics especially of sports activities.  When working as a custodian at one of the elementary schools, his mom indicated that he rigged up a way on the machine to view television as he waxed or buffed floors.

Alan:  Honor student, friendly, very easy to deal with, a sports person, into some school activities and sports, very willing to help out.  Musically inclined but didn't take lessons-had some natural talents.  When competing in a cross country event he ended near the back of the pack.  His excuse was he didn't know the course.  Mom suggested he should have followed one of the leaders and not that last runner.  

Kent:  Honor student, a lad of many talents, the most outgoing of the children, a Jack/Kent of all trades-would tackle any task.  A great help around the home, sports minded, t he only one who ever owned an animal (a rabbit) (long story).  Very accomplished on piano and organ-was ward organist when I was bishop.  His mom was chorister.  We share the same wedding date, June 16.

(Becca)

5.  What is one of your favorite things about being a dad and grandpa?  Being a Dad/Grandpa has certainly been great.  Especially knowing that families can be together forever.  They all show great love and concern and are the greatest possessions.  

(Stephanie)

6.  What is one of your favorite places that you've visited?  I have been fortunate to have done a lot of traveling to many exciting places.  The mission of Beverly and I to New Zealand the land of my Father's birth along with visiting Scotland and Wales the place where my mother's parents were born were extremely choice experiences.  

(Nathan)

7.  Other than Utah, what is your favorite state, and why?  Other than the USA, what is your favorite country, and why?  I'm sure you would like me to say Georgia is my second favorite state.  It probably is along with my new residence, Idaho.  In addition to being a beautiful land, New Zealand with our family connections is my number one choice of countries.  

(Ashley)

8.  What is one of your favorite childhood memories?  After we moved from Providence, Utah, I went  back a number of Summers to work on the farm of my Uncle Ken and Jensen Grandparents.  Another fond memory was a family trip to California and the World Fair on Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay.  

(Erin)

9.  As a child, did your family have any traditions that you continued to do once you had your own children?  We had a few carry over traditions from my parents.  They were mostly Christmas related.  Using sofa and chair set cushions for each child's gifts being one of them.  Beverly carried a family tradition by providing great Sunday roast dinners.  

(Nanette)

10.  What is something that you have always wanted to, but never have?  There are still a few things on my "bucket list."  A river cruise and shooting my age in golf 18 holes are included.  As I age I am getting closer on the golf.  

(Dane)

11.  What are some of the ways the world has changed from when you were growing up?  There have been numerous changes in the world over my lifetime, even my half lifetime.  Technology has brought about changes in practically every way--especially in communications, travel, and entertainment.

(Naomi)

12.  What is one of your favorite places/things to do when people come to visit you?  When visitors come to town we usually start with Chuck-A-Rama or Primo Pizza.  We visit a lot and golf and musical productions in Nampa or in the outdoor theater in the mountains north in Garden Valley are fun.

(Nicholas)

13.  What is your secret to living a long life?  Probably my secret of a long life is to keep breathing and to stay out of the way of cars and trains and javelins.

14.  What is one of your favorite scripture heroes?  Nephi the son of Lehi is a scripture favorite.  His dedication, devotion, and his unfailing faith are a great example to all.  (I will go and do the things with the Lord has commanded.)

15.  What was your favorite age and why?  I have many favorite ages from a carefree childhood, to high school and college, army time, marriage, children, and now a great posterity.  Even closing in one "Graduation" is an important part of life.

16.  What kind of games did you play growing up?  The games we played growing up were mostly made up outside games such as hide and seek and kick the can, with a few board and card games inside.  We boys were mainly into sports and were also good at rolling tires.

17.  What were your best and worst subjects in school?  I was always interested in geography and nature.  Probably  those were my best subjects.  I was quite good in regular math and arithmetic, but really wasn't big on algebra and geometry.  

18.  What is your favorite food?  My favorite food is probably dinner with roast, potatoes, gravy, and carrots.  Deliciously prepared by Jo Anne, Beverly, or Donna.  

19.  What was your first car?  My first car was a 1940 Studebaker Commander.  Beverly and I left on our honeymoon with the engine knocking and returned with that and more problems.

20.  What was your favorite decade?  I have enjoyed all of the decades of my life in their turn and as my life continued to change.  I feel the decade of the 1930's (The Great Depression years) were most enjoyed.  School was fun, we had good friends, and no gadgets to entertain us.  We didn't feel we were poor because everyone was in the same situation.  I kept contact with my friends of the 30's until they passed on.  Very few remain.  

21.  What did you admire about Grandma most?  What I admired most about both Grandma's was their charming personalities, their fabulous looks and demeanor's, and how I truly enjoyed being in their presence.  I always wondered what I did right to deserve such companions.  Both kept a tight ship and a nice household, and Beverly, and I'm sure Donna, were good at raising family and were number one mothers.  Most of you are an example of the results of their family/household skills.

22.  What did you admire about Grandma Donna most?  As to what I admire most about Grandma Donna is pretty well explained in question 21.  She is especially good at making me think I am a great guy and that there may be some hope for me.

23.  What do you believe are the keys to a successful marriage?  The main key to a successful and happy marriage is to consider our spouse first and work together.  Really enjoy being together and show that he/she is the most important thing in your life and life hereafter. 

24.  What accomplishments are you most proud of?  The accomplishments I am most proud of mainly pertain to family.  I was raised in a fine family and am very pleased with the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren with whom I have been blessed.  They are very loving and a joy to be around.  I hope I have had some influence on their lives.  I am certain they are a joy also in the eyes of their Heavenly Father and also to their Grandma Beverly.

25.  What is some advice you have for your posterity?  My advice to my posterity includes loving one another, learn all you can spiritually and otherwise, trust in the Lord with all your heart, work hard, stay close to the Church and live the commandments.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is truly God's Church.  Joseph Smith was chosen to be the Prophet of the Restoration.  The "Book of Mormon" is a great and inspired book, and we are blessed to have prophets in our midst today.  I have always been active in the Church and have found great joy in my activity and service.  I pray that you all will continue through the lives you live and your Church activity to have happy and joyful lives, and continue to bring happiness and peace to your family and many others.  In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

With love, Grandpa "J"

Grandpa said he was happy to respond to our questions and he learned a lot about himself through it.  As a thanks to answering our questions I'm sure he'd love a visit from everyone, or even just a call!  I know every time I talk to him he tells me how much he enjoys our visits and wants us to visit again!  

We love you Grandpa and are so thankful for your love, example, and laughs!

An Interview With my Mom

Happy Mother's Day everyone!  Last year I interviewed my dad for Father's day.  You can click here to read it.  I decided I wanted to interview my mom as well.  I asked many of the same questions I asked my dad last year and again asked my siblings for any questions they had for Mom.  On those questions I will write who the question is from above it.

Motherhood

1.  How old were you when you became a mom?  I was 23-the same age as my mother was when I was born, and the same age Jessica was when she had Katie.

2.  What were your feelings when Jessica was born?  Overwhelming joy, love, and gratitude.  I was so happy to be blessed with such a perfect, beautiful baby girl.

3.  What is your best memory of being a mom?  I have a very difficult time with superlatives.  How can anyone single out one incident and label it "best"?  It's impossible.
That being said, many of my best memories center on our Christmas Eve program.  when you were all small, I loved having you gather around on that night to sing of Jesus' birth.  Now that you're all grown up, when we get together on Christmas Eve to sing and read Luke's words, I'm hit with a flood of memories of other Christmas Eves, starting when Jessica was Mary and Matthew played all the other parts except for Baby Jesus, who was played by the doll my brother Dennis named Baby George, and going on until your children dressed up and acted out the Christmas story.

4.  What has been the hardest part of being a mom?  Another superlative!
I suppose you mean besides morning sickness, labor and delivery, thousands of diaper-changes, nights with very little sleep, days spent caring for sick children, worrying when things weren't going right in my children's lives, staying up waiting for teenagers to come home and hoping they'd be safe, or letting go as you all grew up and needed to live your own lives?
I'll give you two vague, but all-encompassing, answers:
     1.  Looking back with regret at all the things I failed to do or did wrong.
     2.  Watching as my children made decisions that I feared would not make them happy.

5.  What has been the best part of being a mom?  Watching my tiny helpless babies grow into competent adults who make good decisions and who are raising their own children in truth and light.

6.  What has surprised you the most about being a mom?  Just how dang much hard work motherhood involves!  I remember being about ten years old and thinking that when I was a mother, I could spend all my time reading books and eating chocolate-covered cherries.  That's just not how things turned out---Even though I'll confess to reading a lot of books and eating more than my share of chocolate.

(This next question is from Jessica)
7.  Is there anything you would have done differently as a mother?  If I were doing it all over again, I hope I could spend less time worrying and more time having fun.

8.  What is your best advice on being a mom?  I'm going to turn to the scriptures for that.

• "Trust in the Lord with all thy heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will direct thy paths"  (Proverbs 3:5-6)
• "Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good. . ."  (D&C 90:21)
• "Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God"  (D&C 18:10)

9.  What are the keys to strengthening your family?  Understanding that families are central-and essential- to God's plan.  Loving your husband and children.  Honoring and sustaining the prieshood.  Doing everything you can to ensure your home is "tight like unto a dish."  Being strong yourself.

10.  Share a memory of your mother.  When my mother was expecting her second child, she told me I was going to have a little sister.  We all know how that turned out.

She went into labor in the middle of the night, and they put me in the car and rushed to the hospital.  By the time they got there, she was more than ready to deliver.  Dad hurried her into the hospital, leaving me asleep in the back seat of the car.  I woke up sometime before he came back, and rather than being worried or afraid that I was in the car in the middle of the night by myself, I climbed into the front seat and pretended to drive until he came back.  He told me I had a little brother and carried me into the hospital to see Mom.  

She was on a gurney in the hall when we arrived.  When I asked why she hadn't got a little sister for me like she said she was going to, she said that the nurses thought I would like a little brother best.  I was crushed.  I was not yet three years old and didn't have the words to express it, but I wondered why she'd listened to the nurses instead of to me.  (I pictured the nurse going into a storage closet with boxes on all the shelves that had babies in them and picking out a boy for us-even though I had distinctly ordered a girl.)

I must have talked a lot about wanting Dennis to be a girl because one day when he was less than a year old and hadn't yet had his hair cut, she swore me to secrecy and then put his hair up in bobby pins before he went down for a nap.  When he woke up, she combed out his lovely curls, and we pretended he was a sister for the rest of the afternoon.

11.  What do you love about each of your kids?

Jessica-I love her intelligence and self-confidence.  She's so creative and has the ability to make things happen.  I remember how she took over at Megan's wedding reception when the cake arrived looking not at all like we expected it to.  Within minutes, she'd created a masterpiece.  It seems like Jessica can do absolutely anything she sets her mind to-and do it incredibly well.  I also love that even though she has a mater's degree in English, she still occasionally asks me a grammar question.

Matthew-When Matthew was a little boy, I thought he was willful, stubborn, and obstinate.  Once he set his mind on a course, it was impossible to sway him.  I'm glad I failed to eliminate those qualities from his personality; they are exactly what he needed to get to where he is today.  I discovered God didn't give him those characteristics to try me, but because He knew Matthew would need them.

Charissa-is my friend.  During the time when Dad was in Utah and I was in West Virginia with a house that no one wanted to buy, Charissa and I were the only adults in the house.  I leaned on her a lot during those months, and she became one of my best friends.  I missed her so much when we finally moved to Utah and rejoiced when she and Don chose Weber State.  When they moved to Cumberland, she told me she wasn't very good at meeting new people and doing new things; I was shocked because often when I have to do something like that, I pretend I'm Charissa and it helps me make it through.

Sarah-has a unique capacity to find joy in life and to see everything as a blessing.  She once told me that since Heavenly Father loves her and only wants to bless her, as long as she's doing what's right, whatever happens is a blessing.  For her, being blessed is a self-fulfilled prophecy:  because she sees herself as blessed, she is.  I also admire her calmness and her ability to stay on top of the chaos.  I love watching her with her children and seeing all the good things she does for others.

Benjamin-will always be the answer to a prayer.  when I was growing up we had neighbors who had six children.  They always seemed like an almost perfect family to me, and I set my heart on having six children.  For a long time it looked like our family was going to end with Sarah, but we prayed, and prayed, and prayed.  Sometimes I think it took him so long to get here because I needed a breather.  During some difficult times when Benjamin was a teenager, I decided that God just needed me to remember how much I'd wanted him-even with all the problems he caused.  Now I love seeing him with Sarina and Lizzie.  He's a constant reminder that prayers are heard and answered.

Megan-is Megan.  She knows who she is and what she wants and goes after it with faith and determination.  That's one of the reasons she's such a good pianist; I started teaching her when I was alone with the children in West Virginia, but life just got too stressful for me, and she had very few piano lessons.  No problem:  she sat down at the piano and taught herself.  Her focus on what she wanted sometimes made her appear self-centered when she was growing up, but as an adult, she's used them to get a degree and tackle a demanding job without neglecting her marriage or her children.

Rebecca-does what's right simply because it is right.  She follows the Spirit wherever it leads.  She's an incredible mother who loves her children and spends time teaching and playing with them every day.  Despite the pressures of having two small children, she's wise enough to take time out for herself.  She also has time for me.  I hear from her almost every week and know what's going on in her life.  That's a real blessing.

John-When John was in elementary school, someone came to his class and taught them about color-coded personality traits.  John came home that day and announced, "I'm a yellow:  I just want to have fun."  (Cue the Cyndi Lauper soundtrack.)  John's best quality is that because he loves people, he expects them to love him back, and they do.

Life

1.  What is your best childhood memory?  Pushing my brother Dennis off the roof-and that memory probably didn't even happen.

2.  Did you ever sneak out of the house growing up?  No.  But when we had slumber parties and slept out in the yard, we always sneaked off to wander the neighborhood after midnight.  Nothing dangerous, but we enjoyed pretending we were walking on the edge.

3.  What was your favorite thing to go out and do as a teenager?  Drive up and down Washington Boulevard along with half the other teenagers in Ogden.  Can you imagine anything more boring?

(The next three are from John)
4.  Did you and Dad really meet in a bar?  No.

5.  Did you and Dad really elope?  Tell us about your wedding.  Yes.  We were in Denver.  When Dad came back from Ethiopia he had orders to a small army post in Colorado Springs.  He drove to Utah and we went to Colorado together to check it out.  One of my best friends from high school was living in Denver and we stayed with her.  When he got to Colorado Springs, he was met with orders for Fort Belvoir, Virginia.  Knowing that I wouldn't be able to go with him, we decided to get married before he left.  There's not much to tell about the wedding:  my friend had a friend who knew a minister, and he agreed to marry us.

6.  Being a member of the Church, what was it like dating a non-member?  Would you have still married him if he wasn't going to join the church?  There were no date-able members in Addis Ababa, and when we started dating we didn't intend to fall in love.  As we spent more time together, he realized that being LDS was much more important to me than being a Baptist was to him, so he decided to get baptized.
I knew he didn't have a testimony and knew that he didn't understand the importance of the covenant he was going to make.  I had thought seriously about telling him not to be baptized, but when we were alone the night before he was baptized, I felt an incredible peace come over me.  I didn't know it then, but I realize now that the Lord, who truly does see the end from the beginning, knew that he would become converted and bless the lives of many people through his faith.

(This next question is from Charissa)
7.  Tell me about yours and Dad's first kiss?  I cannot even remember our first kiss.  I have to say the kisses since then, including the one just a few minutes ago, are much more memorable.

8.  What is your favorite thing about Dad?  Every day he tells me I'm beautiful.  Now after more then forty years I almost believe him.

(These next two are from Matt)
9.  Besides chocolate, what is your favorite food?  Just about anything that isn't good for me.

10.  To help out your kids. . .What do you want for your birthday and for Christmas?  Cold, hard cash!  (Just make sure it weighs less than a pound)

11.  Where is the favorite place you've lived?  Italy-especially Vicenza.  That was such a good time in our life.

12.  Is there anywhere you haven't been that you hope to go?  
I'd like to

• visit Greenland,
• take a train across Canada, 
• see where my grandfather lived in New Zealand,
• hunt for meteorites in Antarctica, and
• hike around Devil's Tower,

But, I'd give all that up to stand in the Celestial room of any temple with all of my children.

(This next question is from Jessica)

13.  If you hadn't lived the life you chose/chose you, what would you be doing instead?  Good question.  I'll begin by saying that I believe I chose my life.  There were, of course, other choices I could have made.  I believe any of them would have included marriage, church, and children, and I always knew that I wasn't going to spend my life in one place.  Having said that, sometimes I think I'd be an unmarried school teacher like my friend Jill.  Other times, I wonder what kind of an astrophysicist I would have made.  

In any event, although the particulars might have changed, I hope the important things ould have remained the same.  

14.  What is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you?  Sorry-anything I say here will eliminate the niceness of a hundred other nice things.  

15.  What would you say has been your greatest accomplishment?  You!

16.  What are the top three things you stand for?  I'm having a very hard time limiting it to three.  What keeps coming to mind is the Beehive motto from when I was in Mutual.  We memorized this and said it during our weekly class meetings:  

     On my honor each day I will

     have faith, 

     seek knowledge,

     safeguard health,

     honor womanhood,

     understand beauty,

     value work, 

     love truth,

     taste the sweetness of service,

     feel joy.

I don't know if other people think I stand for these things, but after 50+ years, it's still in my mind, and they are what I'd like to stand for.  

17.  What is some advice for your family?  When some of you were very small, you sang, "Teach me all that I much know to live with Him someday."  Then President Kimball suggested changing the words of that song to "Teach me all that I must do to live with Him someday."

This was fitting because although what we know influenced what we do, just knowing the truth isn't enough.  we have to do something about it.  

I'm going to suggest a further revision of that song.  In our family, let's sing, "Teach me all that I must be to live with Him someday."

What you do determines who you will become.  You are good enough to be whatever you want to be.  Everything you need to be happy is already inside of you.  Find it!  Be the person, your parents, and your Father in Heaven wants you to be.

(This next question is from Jessica)

18.  What do you hope people will remember about you in 100 years?  I would be very happy if some of the things I've written were still in the family 100 years from now.  Jessica, maybe you can be responsible for making that possible?  

19.  What do you know now that you wish you knew then?  A Joni Mitchell song says, in part, "I've looked at clouds/love/life from both sides now.  From up and down, from win and lose, from give and take."

I could make a similar statement.  I have looked at life and love (and even clouds) from many angles.  I love the perspective that I have now.  When I was young, I didn't know what it was like to be old.  Now that I'm older, I remember exactly what it's like to be young.  That makes it possible for me to identify with my children and grandchildren, our seminary students, and the young missionaries we work with.  No matter where they are in life, I can say "Been there.  Done that!"  I understand.  The ability to see things as they really are is a blessing in my life. Too bad it took me so long to get to this point.

20-Describe yourself in one word.  Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.  If I can only have one word, I want it to be a long one.

Mom, you are the most amazing women I know.  You are loving, caring, smart, giving, beautiful, righteous, faithful, and so much more.  I am so grateful for the wonderful example you have always been in my life.  You are such a wonderful person and I am so blessed to have you as my mother.  Thank you for all you do.  You're doing a good job.

An Interview With My Dad

I had this idea (just before my parents got there mission call) to interview my dad on Father's day.  I thought it would be nice to be able to ask him some questions about fatherhood and his life in general.  Growing up you're kind of selfish and don't tend to ask many questions about your parents.  At least I didn't.  So I don't feel like I know much about my dad's childhood or my parent's courtship.  Talking to a few of my siblings I discovered they felt the same!
I came up with most of the questions myself, but I also got in contact with each of my siblings to see if they had any questions they wanted me to ask.  Before each question if it is from one of my sibling I have typed down which one it's from.  I hope my siblings enjoy reading this and learning a little more about Dad!

Fatherhood
1. How old were you when you became a dad?  27

2. What were your feelings when Jessica was born?  When she came out I have never had a stronger spiritual experience.  It was the most moving and the most emotional, and the most spiritual moment I have ever had.                 

                                                   

-Did that feeling change with your other kids?  Yes, kind of. 

                                                              

-How so?  With 8 kids, each experience was not as unusual or out of place.  The birth was always an amazing experience, but the birth with each child did not have the same spiritual impact as Jessica's.  

3. What is your best memory of being a dad?  For me it was being able to see my children get married in the temple, it is a very special experience.

4. What has been the hardest part of being a dad?  I don't want to touch on anything too tender, but a good example would be when my children would make mistakes.  Seeing my children hurt, or making decisions that are hurtful to them or cause them pain.

5. What has been the best part?  I guess you could say the direct opposite of the last one.  Those things that I have been able to be a part of that have brought my children great joy, like going to the temple.  There have been so many great achievements that each of you have had.  Like finding the person you love, that's special.  I love all the people that my children have chosen to marry.

6. What has surprised you the most about being a dad?  How each person comes here and they have such a distinct personality.  It's a testimony of the preexistence.  

7. What are your keys to strengthening your family?  Living the gospel and trying to be a good person myself.  Set an example.  Obviously I married right.

                                                                              

(This next question is from John)
8. Is there anything you would have done differently as a father?  I think that with the circumstances of the military it would make it difficult to spend more time with my family.  In general, no, I don't think I would change much.

9. Why do you call us booger bums?  I have no clue.  It rhymes, it goes together.  I don't know.

(Both Ben and Matthew asked this question, but the answer is mostly directed to Matt asking it)
10. Who is your favorite child?  I've already agreed that Matthew's modesty and his unassuming nature makes him a good contender.  I have no favorite children.  Every one of my children please me in different areas.

Life

(Matthew wanted to know more about Dad's childhood so questions 1-3 are for that)
1. Where would you say you grew up?  Columbus, Ohio.  I moved to Columbus, Ohio when I was 5 and graduated from high school there.  

2. Where did you graduate from high school?  Whetstone High School, we were the Whetstone Braves.

3. What is your best childhood memory?  My best childhood memory or memories are, every Summer after school got out we would drive to Mt. Carroll, Illinois and typically I would spend the Summer with my grandparents and my parents would go back to Columbus.  I would quite often go to work with my grandfather, he worked at the local college as a maintenance man.  He used to butcher hogs and cattle and I would also go with him when he went out to do butchering for local farmers.
The other thing I remember was my dad was a sales man and when I wasn't in school I would go around with him when he was on his route and one neat thing I remember about that is there was one place we would stop and we would get a piece of pie.                                                                      

(Sarah wanted to know about Mom and Dad's courtship, so questions 4-6 were for that)
4. What was yours and Mom's first date?  Our first date was going out to dinner.  We probably went to the Filowa Cottage Restaurant in Addis Abba, Ethiopia.  It was kind of like a small cottage in downtown Addis.  I probably had a steak.

                                             

-Did you kiss her goodnight?  Yes.

5. Did you propose to Mom or was it just mutually decide to get married?  I proposed, but I didn't get down on one knee.  We were on a date and I can remember being in the Filowa Cottage and getting the ring out and asking if she would marry me.  I tried to go online and look up Filowa Cottage  and haven't been able to find anything.  I suspect it's not there anymore.

6. How long had you known her?  We started dating late November, early December.  I proposed in March.  We got married in July.

7. What's your favorite thing about Mom?  Clearly her intelligence, and her memory is incredible.  We enjoyed talking to each other and we could talk to each other easily.  That was something I really appreciated because I thought, this is some incredibly good looking female who is paying attention to me for some reason.  And then clearly that beautiful voice captivated me.  When I heard her sing in the Christmas program at some Baptist church, I'm pretty sure it was a Baptist church.  She had a solo, she sang Oh Holy Night.
So her intelligence, her good looks, and her beautiful voice.

(This question is from Ben)
8. Where would you be without Mom?  There's no telling.  Probably in Florida, if you want to talk about geographical location.  I'm sure wherever I would be I would be apart of some church.  I think Heavenly Father was after me.  I could tell you this too, I'm not sure without her if I would have a college degree, she had a great help in that.  She certainly helped with my English assignments.

9. When did you get baptized?  March 27, 1970 in Sodere, Ethiopia.  On the banks of some river that had Hippopotamuses and crocodiles in the river and monkeys in the trees.  I remember your Grandmother being really upset at the monkeys because they came down and stole her bananas.

10. What is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you?  Your mother married me.

(This question is from Jessica, she asked it to dad 20 years ago and wanted to know if the answer had changed.  It hadn't, but the reason did)
11. What has been your favorite age and why?  I suspect somewhere around Jessica's age.   35-45, somewhere in that range, because I was old enough to be more mature and to have had a lot of experiences with kids and church and life in general but still young enough and physically able.  That was when I was in my racquetball prime.  

                                                                                                                                         

(This question is from Matthew)
12. What have you always wanted to do, but not been able to for whatever reason?  I can't think of anything!  There are lots of things that would be nice to do, go to Machu Picchu, that would be nice to do and I would like to do it.  I've got the time now, but I just have to get your mom to spring for the money.  She's says she's not going to.  She says she's going to go to China before she does that.
Never mind, she just wants to go on a mission.

13. What are the top three things you stand for?  Church, family, and country.

14. Describe yourself in one word.  You mean besides short?  I'd like to say caring, but I'm not convinced that that's correct.  

15. What has been your greatest accomplishment?  I don't know if having children is necessarily an accomplishment, and I don't think I had a great deal to do with how good all of you are.  Mom and I thank Heavenly Father all the time for the great children we have.  I think she's primarily responsible for that because she was with you all the most.  If I had to point at something and say that I'm most proud of that, that is what it would be.  I'm very proud of the fact that I made Lt. Colonel in the Air Force.  I'm also very proud that I am still married to your mother after 43 years.

16. What is some advice you have for your family?  Live long and prosper.  (Dad chuckles) Learn how to split your fingers down the middle like Spock does.  That's probably pretty good advice.  As long as don't put dollar signs on the prosper.

I can only speak for myself, but I'm sure that it goes for everyone when I say, I love you so much Dad!  You have been a wonderful support in my life.  Happy Father's day!