Flashback Friday: The family Dad made

Last week I started the Flashback Friday's in honor of my dad's birthday. I focused on the family he was born into and his early childhood. I was only going to do two parts, but after reconsidering, I decided to do three parts, becuase I couldn't fit it into two parts. Next week I will focus on the family his family made.

My mom and dad started dating during high school. My mom must have thought my dad needed a little help picking out his clothes, so she bought him these pants. Obviously, they were still in the googly-eye phase of their relationship, becuase he wore them.
My mom graduated from high school in 1974. Sorry, dad, about your eyes being closed, it was the only one I could find. That is my grandpa Villa on the other side of my dad. As a father of 5 girls, I can remember him saying that "I only raised one son" referring to my dad. My dad ate dinner at my mom's house every night for years while they dated. My dad and my grandpa were close and always had a special bond. My dad even did the bulk of my grandpa's care when my grandpa was on hospice before he died.
They got married in 1977 here in San Diego in my great Grandma Holzers back yard. They eloped, and apparently, it was so spur of the moment, that my dad didn't even have time for a hair cut. It was Memorial day weekend and the start of a new family and new chapter in dad's life.
My parents finished college and my dad got a job in San Jose and then in Bakersfield where they lived when my brother Michael was born. Since I wasn't alive at this point, and my mom didn't give me that album, I don't have any pictures from that time in my parents life. The pictures I have pick up in December of 1982, when my dad's family life REALLY took a turn for the better.

Yes, that is me as a baby.
For the years surrounding my birth, my dad worked as a school teacher in northern California. I think he may have bought those glasses special for the part, becuase what kind of math and science teacher would he have been without them? I am pretty sure his glasses alone may have gotten him the job.

My dad has always enjoyed the outdoors and fresh air. They used to take us camping.
And I know this blog isn't about me, but these two pictures of me look just like Elizabeth. Wow.
Around the time when I was 2 (I think-my memory of those years is a bit fuzzy), my parents felt the call of God on their lives to be missionaries. This was something that would shape my parents (and their kids) lives forever.

You know how they say to dress for the job you want? This picture may be the reason my dad became a missionary. If this doesn't scream missionary, what does?
My dad finished up seminary and we were off on this new adventure.
About a year before we moved to Spain, my brother Daniel was born. I don't have too many pictures of this either, as my mom hasn't lent me the other albums (hint, hint, mom) to scan.

Here is our family shortly after moving to Spain.
I think this was around the same time, and contrary to the pictorial evidence, Michael and I both had two legs, not one.
A couple more years and my sweet sister Maria was born.
We were still living in Spain at that point. And you know how looks can be deceiving? Well, these aren't. We really were that happy and slightly nerdy. Okay, maybe a little more than slightly.
In 1997, my dad made the decision to move back to the US. I am pretty sure it was one of the harder decisions he ever had to make. Although at the time, I don't think Michael or I took it too well (Maria and Daniel were still kind of young), I think we both have tremendous respect for my dad's willingness to obey God. It took an incredible amount of courage, strength and faith. I am so thankful for my dad's godly example.
As you can see, my dad is carrying two water bottles on our yosimitee hike. There is significance in this. Aside from Maria (who shares in my dad's love for fitness), the rest of us were just walking (and probably complaining-at least I was). My dad has a tremendous servants heart. Although he had high standards for us, he always gave twice as much as he asked. For example, we might have to be poor, but he would be poorer. We might have to work hard, but he would work harder. Whenever I hear about servant leadership, I always think of my dad, becuase he really did lead our family by example and by truly being a servant.

The last thing that I think that my dad did right, when creating his own family, was being happily married. My parents never fought in front of us, and the most upset I ever remember seeing my dad, was when someone (*cough* Michael *cough*) sassed my mom. The last spanking my dad ever gave me was for being disrespectful to my mom. It was very clear that dad had mom's side and that disrespecting her was out of the question.
I am so thankful for the family God gave me. The family God gave me was the family my dad made. I am thankful for the love, sacrifice and prayers that my dad (and mom too, of course, but it isn't her birthday month) put into that family. As my siblings and I branch off into our own families, I know we all benefit from the legacy my dad has given us.

Next Friday I will finish off with the last part of this three part series, becuase as I was thinking about it, the story of this family really doesn't stop here.

Flashbak Friday: Dad's family part 1

In just over a week is my dad's 55th birthday! In honor of his birthday, I thought I would dedicate this week's Flashback Friday to him! Actually, this week and next week, becuase I had so many good pictures I couldn't contain it to one post!

This week we are going to focus on his early life. Most of us are blessed with two families. The one we are given, and the one we make. My dad was blessed to have loving families on both sides. My siblings and I in turn are blessed to come from a legacy of long, successful marriages and caring and involved parents and grandparents.

This week we are going to focus on the family my dad was given, and next week we will look at the family he made.

My dad and family lived and grew up in Grover City (now Grover Beach) California. He was the first born son to Bill and Delores.
My grandpa was very handsome around the time of my dad's birth, my dad, on the other hand, was still growing into his good looks. :)
My grandpa worked in construction for many years until he retired. At a young age, my dad's construction future was bright. Well, at least he looked good in a hard hat. :)
By toddler hood he was so cute, I don't know how my grandma ever disciplined him. I mean, come on, look at that grin! By the way, nice outfit, dad!
At only one year and one week apart, my dad and his brother Russell, spent a lot of time together. My grandma would also take advantage of their close proximity in age to make them wear matching clothes. I am not sure if they were joining a bowling league or what, but you have to admit they looked stylish!
I couldn't resist this next picture. I am not sure which part I like more: using his hand to suck in his gut, or the pistol as long as his leg.
Here is his family! Maybe sometime around 1960, would be my guess.
Fast forward a couple years, and my grandparents took the family to Disneyland. My dad may have actually coined the phrase "Happiest place on earth." Russell, on the other hand was not as convinced.
Another couple years went by. I think this picture was taken on the property that my grandpa now lives on. You can see where my brothers get their stocky frames.
My Uncle Russell graduated from high school in 1974. That same year, in August, my dad's little sister Kelly was born. This would be their first full family picture, on the day of Russell's high school graduation.
Here is that same family years later at my grandpa's 70th birthday party (the year he turned 69, which is another story for another day).
I know my dad is thankful for both of the families that God gave him, and I know God has used both of them in his life to make him the godly man that he is today.

Flashback Friday: Now and Then

REcently, my mom lent me the album with my baby pictures in it. It has been fun looking over the old pictures and especially interesting now with my own girls to see the similarities. I find it intersting sometimes pictures that remind me of each other adn so a little while back I pared a couple that reminded me of an older/newer picture.

The first two are from the nights Elizabeth and I were born. Gunnar said he thought my dad was smiling bigger in the second one becuase he knew he didn't have to pay the hospital bill. Either way, you can tell it is my dad's signature newborn hold.
The next two are just of Elizabeth and I, both around 3 months.
The last is us both around 5 months. Obviously we are diffrent babies from different times in history, but it is fun seeing the similarities.

Flashback Firday: School pictures

I know, it has been like a month, but I was in a funk, so although I didn't forget to do flashback Fridays, I didn't have the emotional energy to do it. Believe it or not, being my cute witty self takes a lot of energy.

For today's Flashback Friday I thought I would share some pictures from Gunnar's past.

I was always jealous of school pictures. If you actually went to school or if you have ever seen a school picture, you are probably laughing at this point. School pictures are so rarely flattering. Gunnar, lucky guy that he was, has his fair share of school pictures. Flattering or not, you can judge for yourself. Unfortunately, I only have about half of his school pictures. I may scan his year books for a couple more at some point, but I am missing a lot of the early years.

Here we are though, cutie pie Gunnar:

That should should say 1983, Mission Park Elementary.

After he moves to San Diego, they got a lot more fun. Who doesn't love his hair in this picture? And everyone needs a good braces picture.
And Jr. year. Oh so good looking. No wonder all those girls from High School had crushes on him.

Flashback Friday: Cafe con leche

This flashback Friday doesn't take us that far back. Only 7 years actually. The first Christmas Gunnar and I were married we took a trip to Spain. Whenever it comes up, Gunnar always says his favorite part was the coffee....aka Cafe con leche. However, I don't think most people realize how much he LOVED that part of the trip. So in case you were one of those doubters, now you can see for yourself. Besides that, I am thinking thee pictures alone might be enough to motivate Gunnar for another trip. :)

Flashback Friday-Can you even see this post?

So one of the things that I love about my awesome husband, is his ability to deal with new and challenging situations. He also has the ability to appear confident and blend in to his surroundings. For example, I have seen him appear completely comfortable at missions conferences, hippy birthing centers, weddings with lots of drunk cowboys, military ceremonies and hymn sings with my family in my brother's livingroom. It takes a unique and skilled person to be able to handle the extent of diffrent situations Gunnar finds himself in. And for the record, I think he was actually uncomfortable in some of those situations (like the first time around in the hippy birthing center), but he manages to make it look easy, no matter how he feels on the inside.

Skills like this are not common and take many years to cultivate. Gunnar has had this unique training and knows how to camouflage himself into the situation he finds himself in. Apparently, he has had this skill for quite some time. The pictures in this flashback Friday come from spring of 1995 in 3rd phase of SEAL training.

He is in all of these pictures, although you may not see him or recognize him, becuase he blends in so well. :)

Flashback Friday-Thanksgiving edition

I love holidays. Thanksgiving is my favorite, Easter is second followed by 4th of July and finally Christmas. Thanksgiving, in my opinion is the embodiment of the Christan spirit, as contentment and thankfulness are two main virtues that we should be striving for.

Growing up in Spain, we always celebrated Thanksgiving, regardless of the fact that it obviously isn't a holiday there. I have many happy memories of spending Thanksgivings with other American missionaries celebrating that holiday. Someday I will have to scan those pictures too, but for now, they are all at my mom's house.

The only year we were in the US was when Maria was born. We celebrated Thanksgiving at my grandparents house. I remember it being a happy time and my grandma was super excited we were there. Being at my grandparents was always fun and special, and although it isn't the same without my grandma, I am glad that I can share going up there with my girls. That year (1990) we combined our thanksgiving celebration with Christmas, as we were going to be gone by Christmas.

We took some pictures that day which I thought would be appropriate to share today.

Flashback Firday-Our dad's were awesome

Today on Flashback Friday, I thought I would share a pictures of my girls Grandpa's from back in the day. I ran across this website recently dedicated to sharing pictures of how cute your parents were back in their fashion peak.

This picture of Dick doesn't have a date on it, but judging from Gunnar's brother Bart's age, I would guess it to be around the time of Gunnar's birth. I am not sure if I love the coordination with the airplane or the fact that they are both wearing white shoes, but I am pretty sure it is safe to say that even if you don't know them, you are still smiling.

Next I move on to my dad. I found this picture years ago at my grandma's house and begged her to give it to me. Probably taken around the same time as Gunnar's dad's picture (mid 70's).
My mom bought him the pants. And he looks just like Daniel. Nice, dad, nice.

Lastly, for your viewing enjoyment, I have one last picture of my dad's dad, my girls other living Grandpa. Really more adorably than funny, don't they make a cute couple?
I know one day my kids will want to laugh at their parents old pictures, so I should probably work at being more stylish so they can get a better chuckle. It only seems fair.