What a Prophet!

I am so blessed to have the past decade with President Hinckley. I ALWAYS looked forward to General Conference and listening to him speak. I remember attending the first General Conference held in the Conference Center and President Hinckley spoke so fondly of the oak tree used to make the pulpit. I also recall how touched I was listening to Sister Hinckley speak of her husband. Such two wonderful people! He was definitely the "People's Prophet". As much as I will miss his humor and more importantly his counsel, I have no fear for the future of our church. I am just grateful...so grateful for the church, my knowledge, and having a prophet.

January 24th-Happy Birthday Dad!

I found some very special photos of my Dad as a little boy. The first photo is my Dad with his mom, taken December 25, 1950. He is almost three years old.
The family photo didn't have a date but I know my dad is sitting in his mother's arms on the right. I think my Grandpa was a very handsome man!!! I also don't think people liked to smile in Mexico...
Not one day has gone by when I don't think of him or my eyes water up just visualizing him. I still stumble across little reminders of him and his voice is very clear in my mind. I know where my Dad is and who he is with. I know he is busy, very busy telling stories and making so many laugh. I know when he reunited with his parents and siblings, it was glorious and a feeling we can not comprehend. I know my Dad is often close to me or any of us, especially when the empty feeling is just too much to handle. I know it's bugging him when we hurt inside but yet it reminds him how important he was to us. The photo was taken at his 50th Surprise Birthday Party, January 24, 1998. I was holding the cake while my Dad was counting all the candles!

Dad was suppose to be in Utah with us this week, celebrating his 60th birthday. We were planning Taylor's Court of Honor the same weekend. My Dad would have LOVED watching Taylor receive his Eagle and being in the same room with a real Eagle! Even though the plans have changed, Dad will always remain in our hearts where ever our adventures take us! We can't wait to have Cubby and Meagan spend a weekend with us next month for Taylor's Court of Honor.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Just a Little Snowfall!

While the boys were sleeping (no school today), Jordan and I were SHOVELING the enormous amount of snow. No worries, there is much more to shovel for them later!!! It is probably the largest snowfall I have seen since living in Utah!

First Photo: Jordan sweeping the snow off the van. This is after Jason already did it earlier this morning!

Second Photo: Our front house

Third Photo: Jordan quit helping and decided to play in the snow!

First Photo: Our backyard. It's a beautiful, winter wonderland!

Second Photo: Jordan jumping and diving into the snow piles.

We shoveled for over an hour and grateful for the assistance of our neighbors and their snowplower. I doubt the plowers will reach our road anytime soon!!! The snow is so light and fluffy. More to shovel. It hasn't stopped snowing for hours.

Peanut Butter does NOT take away FRECKLES!

It's been a few weeks of craziness!!! Broken washer, kids getting sick, vertigo for Tiff, broken wrist for Tan Man, shoveling snow, baseball schedule, and much, much more. Some highlights...washer is fixed for a hefty price, Tiff feels much better, Missy and I took a weekend off and spent it in St. George with Kathy Olson, Tanner had a great time at a snow camp out and Nationals Figure Skating starts this week!!! Jason has held up the fort and I even made dinners for 4 nights in a row. My mom bought me a terrific Crock Pot cookbook. Missy and I had a wonderful weekend spending it with Kathy in sunny St. George (even though she was sick). While we were gone, Jordan was trying to get rid of her freckles. Jason told her peanut butter takes them away. She fell for it!!!

Happy Birthday Tan Man!!!

Tanner turned 15 today! Wow, has time gone by fast. My little grumpy terror has turned into a funny, lovable young man. Tan Man is a great kid, full of personality. When he started school his teachers described him as a grumpy old man inside this youthful body. That statement is still true!!! He is busy with a new play called "Take Five" produced and directed by High School students. He also plans to play baseball this season for East. Happy Birthday Tan Man! I love you...

My mom bought us new chairs for our dining room table and for Christmas I received new "square" dishes and silverware. The family, even the kids love to eat dinner together and it's not the same if Aunt Missy isn't with us. The table is always set up with all the silverware and plates ready for us to eat together. Tonight we had a great dinner then we sang "Happy Birthday" to Tanner.

Happy New Year!!!

We had a great time bringing in the New Year with our friends. We spent the evening with Colleen and her family. It was great to catch up and have the kids spend some time together. Now we start the new year, back to school and skating but best of all...BASEBALL is almost here!!! The boys will start training this week. I worked on the 2008 Calendar with all the competitions, shows, baseball games, camps, etc. We have another busy year ahead that will be filled with memories and experiences!!!

First Photo: Jordan and McKaylie

Second Photo: Tanner and Brooke

Third Photo: Tanner (playing Cranium-making a high heel)

Tanner and Austin celebrating the New Year!!!

Four years ago...

I can't believe it's been four years. Most of us can look back and recall a day that has changed your life. Our family has faced a few. Four years ago today, Tanner was racing for the Brighton Ski Team and he was training that evening. Taylor also had a season pass and went snowboarding that evening. Jason had just switched employment to Protel and was picking up the boys from the mountain. Usually the boys ride the bus home but that even Jason offered to pick them up at the lodge. When he arrived the boys weren't ready so he decided to take a run down the slopes. It was a clear, crispy cold night. As he snowboard down the mountain, he hit a few ruts and felt his leg break (multiple times). The boys got the message from ski patrol and met Jason at Brighton's medical office. Jason called me in a very calm voice that he couldn't drive home and needed help getting home. I wasn't worried until I saw the ambulance ready to transport Jason. Well, long story short, he broke his leg in over 8 places, had 9 surgeries and a nasty infection that would not leave him alone. Even though our family faced such difficult challenges with his leg, it also brought us incredible opportunities and blessings. Since he spent so many days in the hospital with various surgeries, I would have Jordan skate in SLC. This is where she met her coach. In September the following year with a leg refusing to mend, it forced us to sell our house and move to SLC. We live in a wonderful neighborhood and a kind,loving ward. None of this would have happened if he didn't break his leg. Moving to SLC was the best change for our family. So here is to four years...what an adventure and I look forward to many more. The photos were taken of his last attempt to save his leg. A fixator was placed on his lower leg for 5 months. I have other graphic photos but Jason would not be happy with me if I posted those. THANK YOU to all those who made a difference and got us through a very difficult time in our lives...and Jason thank you for being an amazing person. I can never comprehend the level of pain your experienced.

Christmas Video...

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Christmas Photos

First Photo: Missy trying to keep me quiet!

Second Photo: Lady Coach, Foxy Lady and Sister Coach! Missy, Meagan and I have named our purses over the past few months!

Oh Mom...always planning, cleaning, organizing and making sure we are all having fun. I like the photo of her cooking and the kitchen that Dad painted in the background. The second photo is mom telling us, "Just one more thing to do...."

Missing Dad

My dad had MANY hats. We each took one to wear.

Last night we spent the evening going through Dad's "treasures". My mom did an AMAZING job organizing his "treasures" the past 6 weeks. She put so much time figuring out what would be important to us and helping us go through his things. We all gathered around his room and went through bins and bins of his "treasures"...I couldn't believe how much work my mom and Cubby have done. My dad collected everything and anything he could find. We had a fun evening. I even made dinner and it wasn't bad!!! That is what I have missed the most, the smell of his cooking.

Trip to San Francisco and Seeing Santa

Jason took the kids to San Francisco and met Uncle Tom and his family. Taylor took many photos and here are a few I liked.

First Photo: Taylor took this photo from the reflection of a Christmas Bulb.

Second Photo: Cable Car filling up...imagine that gas bill!!!

Third Photo: Uncle Tom and his son Roy.

Great photos of Tom and Jason. I love being around Tom and Jason when they are silly. We have terrific memories over the past ten years together. We miss Uncle Tom!!!

Trip to California

We finally left Utah after shoveling 4 inches of snow and watching more snow coming fast! Our first hour was tricky but we carefully drove and it took us a few hours just to get on the freeway. Once we hit Wendover it was very clear. Jason drove the WHOLE distance and through the night. Missy was a terrific co captian and kept Jason awake talking about business and singing for 10 hours.

Making a Difference

I was tagged with the following questions:

1. In your opinion, what does it mean to make a difference?

A person who is honest, sincere and compassionate makes a difference for me. You can see their character in their eyes and it's something you can feel and someone you always want to be around. Money, of course can make a difference but not everyone has it but meeting someone that shows compassion and is sincere and tries to be honest can really make a difference to their family, friends and strangers.

2. What is an example of a unique way to make a difference?

SMILE - We all face different challenges and trials that can weigh us down but what a difference a smile makes. Someone told me once you take care of yourself, you can then take care of others. Not that you put yourself first every minute but instead strengthen your values and your beliefs...you become a better person and in return you have the strength and desire to strengthen others.

3. Who has made a difference in YOUR life this week?

Where to begin??? I never realized the difference my Dad made until I went to his work and his funeral. It was overwhelming witnessing how many lives he touched. Now that he is not here, everyday I realize what a difference he made to me. Of course, Mom...she is constantly showing me her strength, determination and love getting us through the past few months. She is always an anchor for me. We arrived in California Friday morning and came home to the Christmas tree with all it's light and decorations. It really made a difference for me yet I know it was hard to do without Dad and my mom returning back to work. Eating dinner together - this past week all the kids helped to have dinner together then spend the evening at the Zoo. That made me smile! I also spent last weekend with two of my old young women leaders (Kathy and Gail). They made a difference in my life!

4. If I didn’t have a blog, would you still be making a difference.

I don't know if my blog makes a difference for others??? It gives me an opportunity to organize my photos and capture moments to share with family and friends. I enjoy letting my kids read about how much I care for them. It also provided a way to communicate and show information and photos of my Dad with others who couldn't make it but yet can still feel connected.

5. What is your favorite thing about the internet?

The information and finding ways to reconnect with friends throughout the country...however, I have also seen it used for wrong resources and destroy families, making life challenging for others. Sometimes I spend too much time on the internet and less time communicating with my family.

Go to the Zoo for Christmas Spirit...

Oh, we had a great evening spending it at the zoo. We live down the street from the zoo (literally) and this year they added a new attraction called Zoo Lights. After my adventure of lights in St. George, I thought it couldn't be any worse! We had a blast...the most incredible neon lights that covered nearly every tree. Snow was on the ground and most of the animals were sleeping but I am sure they enjoyed the Christmas music playing throughout the zoo. We purchased these terrific glasses that make all the lights into snowmen. I saved them to share with Mom when we see her on Friday. It was a perfect start to get into the Christmas mood. It was the first time I started to feel "cheery" about Christmas. Tanner was in a bad mood because we received his midterm report card...he has a lot of explaining to do! I am confident he will fix his situation but it at least explains his sour look in some of the photos. It reminded me when we took him to the closing ceremonies of the 2002 Paralympics in SLC. He did not like the loud sounds or all the lights. He was moody the whole evening. Dad wasn't far from our thoughts, he would have loved this and I knew he was near when I started to hear "Feliz Navidad" playing in the background!