Simple truths

Teaching singing time to the junior primary kids is a calling that I have enjoyed. Most of the time it feels more like entertaining 30 kids, rather than being spiritual. but sometimes the simplicity of the principles I am teaching through song just hit me and the spirit is able to confirm again the truth of the things I know.
The past Sunday I was teaching the song "I lived in Heaven" about our pre-mortal life. The second verse starts with. "Father said He needed someone who had enough love . . . to give his life so we all could return there above". As I repeated these word to the kids and asked them who loved us so much that he gave his life, my eyes filled with tears and my throat filled with a lump thinking about the precious gift that Jesus Christ has given us. He truly is our Savior, who volunteered from the beginning to give his life for us. My brother and my Redeemer. I love Him and am so grateful (this word seems so lacking in the thanks I want to express) for his sacrifice in my behalf. The simplicity of this truth taught through the song enables the spirit to confirm and to testify.
Here is a link to the song if you'd like some simple upliftment.
Listen to music

Parents fail attempt at babyproofing

Parents of an active 6 month old tried, on Wednesday, to make their house safer for their son. The father was quoted, "Our TV, DVD player, VHS, and play station were all out in the open and on the floor. We wanted to put them behind closed doors to take away the temptation to touch or lick the electronics." These conciencious and caring parents bought a brand new TV stand and rearranged the electronics to accomodate their sons quickly expanding moving skills. However, Jack (names have been changed to protect the innocent) quickly adjusted to the new item and learned the "ins" and "outs" of the "child proof" system. As soon as the stand was in the living room, Jack was able to see his reflection in the glass and was facinated as he tried to reach out and touch what he saw. Within one minute of installing the new device, Dad noticed that the door had been opened . . . and not by himself. The DVD packages were quickly pulled out and eaten. Finally, with a bit of practice, Jack was able to use this new furniture as leverage to stand up (and to fall down for that matter). Parents are distressed and confused. They are reaching out for help in the process of making the house a safe harbor for the little one to play. If you have any assistance for this lost and dimayed couple, please email savebabyjack@pleamail.com

I don't know about you, but this SCARES me!

To get a job

Jackson turned 6 months old, so I decided it was about time for him to join the work force. His resume is superb and I am sure he will have no problem finding someone willing to hire him for his good looks and unique skills. (click on image to read detailed stats and developments)

Talking skills

Eating/Attack skills

High Enthusiasm and Sense of Humor

Dramatic facial expressions

Sitting and reaching goals

Achieving goals

General happy nature

Top Ten Excuses for not blogging:

Com'mon you know you've seen ALL of these on at least one of your friends blog:

10. Saying: I have been busy

Meaning: I am just so busy with a productive and exciting life that I don't have time to blog about it . . . oh, you do? Well, I guess your life must be empty of fun and exciting things

9. My life is boring and I have nothing exciting to say.

8. My camera broke

7. We bought a new camera, but I can't figure out how to upload

6. My internet is being weird (Why do people always say it like the internet is alive or something?)

5. I've been living in Africa with very litte internet access (see Chelsea and Mike's blog if you don't believe this one)

4. I've been chasing kids around

3. The unspoken, but known excuse: "Life is really difficult right now and I don't have the energy to try and make it sound all perfect like the movies so I'd rather not try."

2. I'm lazy (like it is a job that you have to blog?)

and my #1 excuse that you may not have seen before, but is the reason it has been a month without blogging for me . . .

My blog is my way of creatively displaying the events and feeling of my life. I have struggled for a month trying (and failing) to think of a "fun" way to post about the exciting (and not so exciting) events of the holidays to captivate and inspire my loving readers . . .

I want to keep my readers (all 3 of them- thanks Alissa, Sandra and Mom) entertained so they continue to read about my life and

I am worried if I post big long paragraphs they will get bored a stop reading

so if I keep hitting enter it looks less daunting to read, so people will still read it

and then they

will

be

entertained . . .

right?

Lame excuse huh?

So I will include a picture of a handsome scantily clad male for your entertainment (doesn't he look like he is lounging in a hot tub? so cute!)

I should probably just skip the holidays since everyone's blog followers are overloaded with Christmas events and you have probably stopped reading them by now so I don't have you undivided attention anyway (am I vain or what?)

Newest pictures

When Jackson turned 4 months old we got these great pictures, they are a little old now, but still super cute right?

Christmas Parties!

Jackson has absolutely loved Santa. Everytime he gets with him he comes up with the happiest biggest smile. I guess he knows where the good stuff is.

The MBA put on a great party for the students and spouses. We listened to a John schmitt concert and ate great food. We are loving our new friends through the program and are happy to get to spend fun time with them.

It is always nice to have an excuse to get dressed up!

12 events of Thanksgiving

12 siblings gathered

we missed Tyler and Kacey, but Ry and MaryAnn (plus Dayton!), Shane and girlfriend Kim, Carly and Doug, Melinda, and Marcie all joined us on Thanksgiving day. I love having family so close in location and so close in relation. I love you guys!

11 pounds and gaining!

We had an amazing turkey dinner on Thanksgiving. I made a sweet yams and sweet potato crunch that I think will become a yearly tradition . . . it's vegetable that is also dessert! THEN we ate at Schnieders (at Zermatts) an All-you-can-eat Seafood buffet complete with Sushi, shrimp, crab, all types of fish AND a 3 table dessert bar. The following day we at "big platters" at Matty's Bistro (also at Zermatts) and finished it off with another Turkey dinner at Dave's parents.

At Matty's German style Bistro.

10s and 100s of blessings

As we said our "Thanks" around the table this year I found it hard to choose just one thing to be thankful for. My life is full of good friends, close family, a wonderful marriage, a beautiful baby, a job I thoroughly enjoy, a comfortable home, a ward family, good health, and many more blessings. I am so thankful to Heavenly Father for taking care of us so well. I know that life isn't always so peachy, so I will enjoy and relish the time I have with so many blessings. I feel happier than I have ever been before.

My two greatest loves . . .

9 carols a singing

The Messiah sing in is one of Dave's favorite events of the season. WE get to listen to the Utah Symphony, stellar soloist and OURSELVES! Yep, they let us try and pick out our part in Handel's Messiah and sing along with the choir. I think I am getting better every year (It helps to sit next to a strong alto to follow her lead!)

(BOTH of my sister in laws are expecting . . .yeah! more cousins!)

8 Touchdowns!

Post turkey dinner football bowl was exciting and shocking. Despite Dave's go-go gadget arms, we lost due to Shane's secret weapon girlfriend. Having 10 people playing in a narrow backyard made for some great plays and fun times. (We didn't get a pic, so here is our future NBA star palming a basketball (pay no attention to the hand beneath the ball . . .))

7 games of racquetball

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday morning were all spent in the racquetball courts. I love to play different people. Racquetball is always new and exciting and fast paced. I love to play. I have a championship racquetball game with a partner from the MBA program this week. wish us luck!

6 hours of sleeping (without baby interruptions!)

enough said!

5 AM SHOPPING!

Yep, we were among the MANY crazy people out and about early in the morning. We got all the deals we wanted and a few extra ones we didn't know we wanted until we got there . . .

4 hot tub soakings

We used the gym's hot tub, then the hotels. Plus, we got upgraded to the penthouse (Thanks, Marc!!) so we had a hot tub in our bedroom looking over our 4 poster bed and fireplace. It was awesome. Here is the view from our 5th floor room. This is elegant Midway.

3 Games a playing

Checkers, chess and shuffleboard are all the rage at 5 star hotels (at least they are the free activities!)

2 Years of marriage

December 1 marks our 2 year anniversary. Zermatts was the most romantic and relaxing place to spend our weekend. It was nice to have some alone time away from Jackson (Thanks mom!) and remember all the wonderful reasons we are married. We really love being together and building our marriage. I love you Dave!

1 BLACK EYE

Playing racquetball with Dave gave me a black eye. Somehow the ball went from Dave's racquet straight into my eye without giving me time to blink (or move at all for that matter). However, the game continued and I am proud to say I still beat him in all my one-eyed glory.

This is the grossest picture of me (do I say that about all of my pictures?) but it shows the damage. Now the eye just looks like I smudged my masscara. but it was swollen for a couple of days!