For those of you who have already read it, I want you to realize that I'm not an across-the-board holiday-hater. In fact...I love most holidays. I'm very discriminatory about the ones that I can do without.
I can usually find some way to have fun for even the random, obscure holidays. Like Casimir Pulaski Day.
Anyway - another holiday is approaching that celebrates the noble calling of parenthood, and that holiday is Father's Day. Father's Day doesn't cause as much angst and chaos in my house as Mother's Day does. For one thing, my hubby doesn't have insecurity issues. And for another...not as many people go out to eat on Father's Day as they do on Mother's Day. I'm not really sure why that is...is it because we take Moms out because they traditionally cook all the time, and a dinner gives them a break? Don't Dad's like to go out too?
I don't know the answer, but I guess on Mother's Day people go out, and on Father's Day people grill big juicy steaks. Go figure.
I could write about how great MY dad is (but that might make some of you wonder why I didn't write how great my Mom is...just so you know, they're both THE BOMB). Or I could write about my wonderful father-in-law (who we lost in 1994 after a decade-long battle with brain cancer, at the much-too-young age of 53). But I'm going to write about another guy...my husband.
I am ridiculously crazy in love with my husband. He is my very best friend, and my most trusted confidant. We'll have been married a dozen years (yikes!! Time flies in the jungle!!), and I am more addicted to him now than I ever have been.
Did I mention that he is HOT?!?!
I guess you probably knew that. How else do you get five kids?
He is THE BEST daddy...every spare minute he has is spent with our kids. This Saturday he has a very rare day off, and he has divided the day into blocks so he spend one-on-one time with each one of our five children doing something that THEY like. And he's super excited about it.
Jason is a very hard worker, and takes the responsibilities of providing for his family seriously. He is often working 70-85 hours a week. He gets up every morning at 4:45 am and takes our oldest daughter to early morning Seminary, and then he drives her to school in the next city over. Sometimes after that, he goes straight to work, arriving around 7:30 am. Sometimes, if he has a later day, he drops her off and heads to the gym. Jason is addicted to the gym. It's his stress relief. Then he'll go to work after that. He arrives at work around 10am on those days. He gets home around 11pm on most nights, sometimes as late as 1 or 2am on weekends. He can only take Mondays or Tuesdays off...but often there are meetings on those days, so he has to go in anyway. Or a holiday, such as Memorial Day or Labor Day, are on Mondays, and he has to be there. So he doesn't get a lot of time at home...but he makes sure that the time he has COUNTS.
Sometimes he'll be sitting on the floor in the girls room with My Little Ponys spread all over his lap and Nicolette is sitting next to him and brushing pony hair and talking in her little non-stop chattery-way, and I'll peek my head in the room to see whats going on...and he's fallen asleep, sitting up with a Pony brush in his hand, and Nicolette hasn't noticed, she's just talking about this and that. I feel so bad...I know he is SO tired, but he wants so badly to be with his kids, that he'd rather be brushing plastic pony hair with a chatterbox 4-year-old than taking a well-deserved nap.
So, most of you know that my husband runs a restaurant. He is the General Manager of The Grand Lux Cafe in the Sawgrass Mills Mall in Sunrise, Florida. This is his store.
It's huge. It seats 420, and he has 120 employees. They serve a global cuisine and their menu boasts over a 150 items. They are famous for their baked-to-order desserts...desserts that are ordered at the beginning of your visit, and then baked while you enjoy your appetizers and entrees, and delivered fresh and piping hot to your table when you've finished. Desserts like Chocolate Molten Cake, and a Rustic Apple Tart, or Warm Homemade Chocolate-Pecan Cookies. Or my personal favorite...the Roasted Pineapple Upside-Down Cake (and you know it must be AWESOME if I'm actually turning down the Chocolate Molten Cake for it). My kids LOVE the Beignets...especially with the Jack Daniels Cream Sauce.
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That's just the baked-to-order stuff...there's Deep Dark Chocolate Fudge Cake, and a brand new Red Velvet Cake, Creme Brulee, Cupcakes, Carmel Bread Pudding...oh, and did I mention that they are the little sister of The Cheesecake Factory? Yup - same company, different concept. So guess what? They've got cheesecake, too.
Oh - I'm sorry - I went straight to dessert before dinner!! Well - I told you it was global, and there is Asian, Italian, Mediterranean, and Caribbean-influenced dishes, among others. My friend Tina LOVES the Sesame Tofu, and I love the Shaking Beef and Crispy Carmel Chicken. My friend Melodee loves the pasta dishes and items like the Chicken Royale. My parents love the "comfort foods"...the HUGE Chicken Pot Pie, Braised Yankee Pot Roast, and Grilled Pork Chop. But there are so many things on the menu, that you can something different EVERY TIME you go, and it will all be good.
Maybe now would be a good time to direct you to their web-site...so you can see for yourself? Oh - alright...here you go...
So here's the deal...I promised another giveaway, and this is it...in honor of Father's Day and my hard-working man, I am giving away a $50 Gift Card to the Grand Lux Cafe. They have locations in South Florida, Dallas, Houston, New York (Roosevelt Field), New Jersey (Paramus), Chicago, Phoenix, Denver, Las Vegas (in the Venetian AND in the Palazzo), and in Beverly Hills.
The gift card will pretty much take care of a dinner for two (unless you go crazy at the bar with all their amazing drinks, which has been known to happen...)
In order to enter...here's what you gotta do...
Leave a comment about what makes the father figure in your life...dads, husbands, sons who are dads...WHATEVER...the BEST DAD EVER!! Don't forget to leave your e-mail address so I can get a hold of you if you win!! That's it!!
One entry per person UNLESS you do one of these - and I will give EXTRA ENTRIES for these reasons (a separate comment MUST be posted for each additional entry):
1. Become a follower, or remind me that you already are one.
2. Blog about this giveaway on your blog (leave a link so I can check up on you!!)
Giveaway ends at 8pm Eastern Time on June 14 (that gives me enough time to mail you your gift card in case you're wanting to give it away for Father's Day...ya, right!!). The Winner will be chosen by Random. org and announced that night. I will notify the Winner by e-mail and they will have 48 hours to respond before a default winner is chosen.
Good Luck!!!
- Shannan
18 comments:
My Dad is a rock. He grew up the oldest of 5 kids of divorced parents with anything but a sure family foundation, so he became the solid formation on which to build his future. I am amazed that he turned out to be as "normal" as he is.
My Dad is a leader. I've heard stories about how he was always the one in the neighborhood coming up with ideas of what to do, that the boys would wait around until Mike was done with his chores so he could lead them in adventures. He still has great ideas today and was an amazing leader in his role as head of the household in which I grew up. He lead by example and by the motto, "Teach them correct principles and let them govern themselves."
My Dad is amazing. He's creative, inventive, knowledgeable, and flexible. He never ceases to amaze me with his incredible library of knowledge. Even though he never attended college, he has a thirst for learning and knows the answer to just about any question. He cooks and sews and can fix or build anything and turns junk into treasures. It's truly amazing.
I love my dad and am so glad I married someone who will be just as amazing a leader and foundation for my kids.
I'm already a follower!
Okay..last one. Here's the post on my blog about your give-away!
http://melodeecooper.blogspot.com/2009/05/another-jungle-give-away.html
Here is my advertisement on my blog... http://mackenzieandco.blogspot.com/2009/05/50-gift-card-to-grand-lux-cafe.html
I just became a follower. I didn't know you had a blog!
Well, what I can say is that what makes Carter a phenomenal Father is that he is EXTREMELY committed to our relationship. He is an excellent roll model for Kenzi, in that when it comes time for Kenzi to find her mate, she will know what to look for. Someone who is loving, patient, humurous, and persistent. Someone who holds his priesthood with much respect and is willing to help anyone anytime. He takes time with Kenzi where ever possible. So much so that she just had a Batman birthday party! I can't wait for Kenzi's wedding so the Daddy/Daughter dance can be to Michael Buble's Spiderman song! It is a high compliment when a child wants to identify with their dad!
I am not leaving this comment for myself...but for a friend. Every once in awhile, someone contacts me and cannot leave a comment. I tell them to sign up with a google account and then they can...they don't HAVE to be a blogger. Here is her comment:
From Princess Fiona of the 909:
Hey sweets!!
I cannot comment "inside" your blog - I've tried on several occasions, but it won't let me. So...here's what I tried to leave today: Shannan, you're so friggin awesome! I LOVE your blog...you guys are phenomenal parents and Jason is an excellent father.
I don't want a gift card, but watned to give you an ego-booster :)
You R-O-C-K!!!
Love you
My dad is a very funny guy. He always has so many interesting things to do. And he works very hard to support his family.
samandsassy AT gmail DOT com
My Dad is incredible. He is the most generous guy that I know. Right now I am studying abroad in Spain for a month, and then my sister is going to come meet me here for a trip through Italy, Switzerland, and Germany. It is all possible because my Dad works hard and is generous with the money he earns when it comes to his kids. I have been blessed enough to not ever have to miss out on an opportunity because of a lack of funds for it. This is all because my Dad is such a hard worker and is willing to share. I am more and more grateful for my Dad every day. He loves us all and wants the best for us. He's also brilliant, definitely the smartest person I know. My Dad is the best!!
My email is laurahervey@gmail.com
And just so you know, I am Mel Coopoer's sister-in-law Julia's sister. :)
I'm a follower too!
As my sister Laura already described, my Dad is amazing. He is incredibly generous, he is incredibly brilliant, and he is incredibly hilarious!!! I love his sense of humor - probably because that's where I got mine from! I love the weekend breakfasts that he always makes for us - waffles, pancakes or biscuits, with bacon and/or sausage, and there is ALWAYS fruit! - Lots and lots of yummy, delicious, mouth-watering fruit! And it's all lovingly prepared by my dad! I'll also share with you my dad's one piece of advice: "Never have any 17 year old boys." When your son is 17, ship him away somewhere until he is 18. (I guess that's saying something about my two older brothers, but they are no longer 17, so it doesn't apply to them anymore!) I love my dad very much. He is simply the best!
juliacooper28@gmail.com
Here is my blog post about your blog post! http://cooperconnectionjj.blogspot.com/2009/06/fathers-day-is-coming.html
I was referred to your blog by my friend, Julia Cooper. I came over when she posted about the Mother's Day blog, as well. You are a great writer. :)
My dad is my hero. He was only 19 when I was born and he had been a very rebellious teen. He had addiction problems and such. But he totally turned his life around when I came along (and 2 years later, my brother). He overcame the problems in his life to become an amazing Christian man and a father that I am so proud to call mine.
My husband grew up with 3 brothers and 2 sisters; him being the 4th boy. His mom died when he was 3 1/2 yrs. old. His dad was a mom and a dad to 6 kids, he was an only child and didn't really know how to be a "DAD" especially to 6 KIDS. He did the best he could. His dad's ways of parenting were simple if you didn't follow the rules you got a whopping'. My husband was emotionally and physically abused. In his dad's defense (if there should even be a defense for abuse!) that is the only way he knew how to keep all 6 kids in line. He was an only child so he didn't really understand what it took to be a dad. He was an extremely hard worker. Their family didn't grow up with a solid FAMILY foundation that we have in our home today. In all fairness his dad did the best he knew how to do with the hand he was dealt. In any case I'm proud to say that my husband is nothing like that (the abuse part). On the other hand Kenny is VERY hard worker and is very patient with the kids.
My husband is the most amazing father to our 2 boys. He is an amazing leader and I am proud to have him be the wonderful dad that he is to our children.
I forgot to tell you that I'm a follower too.
SunniShoemaker_liasophia@cox.net
I don't think I could put into words how wonderful of a father my husband is. We went from just the two of us to parents of a 5 & 6 year old litteraly overnight. It has been just about a year and Dave has stepped up and not only done a great job just being a dad, but quit his job and is now a full time stay at home dad!! He is incredible. I have copied and pasted his tribute to his dad who passed away 11 years ago so you can see where he gets his skills from. I love you Dave!!
Dave's letter to his dad -
Hey Dad, How are you doing? Did you catch up with Dan Hennessey yet? Have you spent time fishing with Worth Bellamy or Grandpa Jack or Grandpa Dale? I know that your mom was glad to see you again. Grandma always felt bad that you went home before her. Is heaven beautiful? Do you feel more at peace or do you regret wrong choices and paths not taken? I am sure that being wraped in the love of our Savior has eased any doubts that you may have had. Today is the day that you went home to be with our Heavenly Father and I still remember it like it was yesterday. I remember your fight with cancer and how it robbed you of your ability to take care of your family. One of my biggest regrets was not being able to say "goodbye" to you before you went into a coma. I will always remember talking to you on the phone as I was working hard and late selling first aid supplies like you did and you said goodbye to me on the phone. Soon after we spent the last night with you as your slowly slipped away from this world. That was a special experience for me. It was hard to let you go but I knew that you would be free of the pain that you had been feeling. After the funeral life settled back to normal but there were customers who knew and missed you, friends who always said that I looked and acted like you and even long lost friends who did not know that you had passed away. One day I was trying to find someplace and I went to call you and I remembered that you were no longer there. It is always the little things that you miss about someone. I want you to know that I am a lot happier this year now that I am a father. It has always been hard having Father's Day come up right after your passing. It only took 12 years for Liz and I to be parents but we finally made it! I want to thank you for preparing our 2 children for this world. I am sure that you had a special talk with them about Liz and I and reminded them to be patient with us. We are new at this parenting gig and it is a bit hard at times. We talk about "Grandpa Larry" often and how specail he is to us. I want to thank you for always being there for me. Sometimes I didn't want you there. sometimes I did not understand you and you did not understand me but no matter what you were always there to pick me back up, dust me off and maybe even remind me of what I did wrong! I have always regretted the fact that we had a disagreement before your last father's day on this earth and I did not come and hear you speak on fatherhood at church. Less then a year later we would be honoring you at that same chapel for your funeral. I want you to know that I am trying to install the same values and beliefs in my kids that you gave to me. It was a rocky road at times but you taught me a lot about life. I have always tried to follow in your example by giving my everything to my family and making my wife feel special and honored. You taught me a lot about marriage and treating your wife special and as a equal partner. You taught me to always defended your wife and kids no matter what. Sometimes you were a little over zealous in this but no one could say that you did not give 100%! I have worked hard at also trying to not make the same mistakes that you did and hopefully my children will do the same someday. I am sad that you are not here to laugh at me as my kids do the same things that I did but I know that you are watching somewhere....
Take care dad, we love and miss you!
Okay I'm a follower and I posted your link!
superdaveswife@sbcglobal.net
Liz
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