Goodies

I get to go visit Grandpa and Grandma once a week. We usually eat lunch while we are there. I like to go to their house. They always have chips and pop. Whenever I have potato chips or cheetos, Grandpa will ask me if I have a bag of goodies. I think that is funny.
--Chalise

When the Saints play

I know my Grandpa likes football. When I played football last year, he held special practices for me and Jared to get extra practice. Grandpa likes to watch football games too. He always tells me that we can only watch football on Sunday if the Saints are playing. So according to Grandpa the Saints must play every Sunday.
--Brandon

Life Lessons

Claude is a great man with true integrity. I have known Claude for 23 years and I have had the privilege of learning many life lessons from him. The top three lessons I have learned are:
1. Family is paramount. Claude values his family and works hard to keep relationships close. Examples of this are the monthly family dinners, Labor Day vacations, Wolf Creek, weeding parties etc. He has provided many family traditions that are so meaningful. As I look back on all the activities we have done as a family, I am grateful for the fun memories.
2. Be generous with praise. If you want to build up your self-esteem, go hang around Claude. He is quick to tell you he loves you and other nice compliments. Some of my favorite compliments he has given me are..."you're a great mother," or "you're a wonderful cook." With tears in his eyes as he says it, you know the compliment is genuine and heartfelt.
3. Look on the bright side of things. Claude knows all too well that life can be difficult. The death of his father at a young age, and being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in his 40's are a couple of examples. Although Claude has had many difficult situations in his life, he doesn't let it get him down. He always has a smile on his face and spends his time focusing on the positive aspects of his life, even though it would be so easy to complain about hardships. I have always admired that Claude chooses to dwell on all the lessons he has learned in his life and the blessings he has received.
I have always considered myself lucky to be able to call Claude my father-in-law!
Happy Birthday, I love you!
--Jodi

Work Ethic

My strongest memory of Grandpa is his work ethic. I remember being woken up in the dark to have family prayer so Grandpa could get to work. What a great example!
--Bethany

Little Green Trees

One of my memories of Grandpa is whenever I eat broccoli with Grandpa, he tells me they are little green trees.
--Lauren

Pass the Bloomin' Onion Please

Grandpa Mills is a great man. Grandpa has always gone out of his way to make sure that I felt a part of the family. He made sure that I was included in the family dinners, and I think I have said the prayer at those more than any other married granchild. :) One of the best times of the year is Priesthood session. We always get together to listen to the session, and then go out for steak. I have very fond memories of the great discussions I have had with Grandpa over a steak dinner. One of the best memories is when Grandpa asked the table next to us if he could have the rest of their Bloomin' Onion because his grandsons were hungry! Here is to many more good memories! Happy Birthday Grandpa, we love you!!
--Andrew

Personal Interviews

On fast Sunday each month we would each get to go in and talk to Dad about our goals for the coming week. Dad had a huge folding table set up as his desk in his bedroom and I’d sit on the bed and he’d sit behind his table and we had a private moment in a house filled to capacity. We’d talk about goals and school and what was going on in my little life. It was special because I got time alone with Dad.
--Marilyn