Going to give this a try!

Christmas was great. Everyone home and feeling a little old. Courtney came from Utah and brought her friend Brigham. It was great to see her and this may sound weird but one of the best christmas gifts is to hear that one of your daughters is going to finish her second year of college. She is doing great and we are greatful to have instilled in our daughters how important schooling is. She has some of the greatest examples in her mother and two older sisters. Another wonderful gift comes from Jordan, knowing that he is working, finishing up his first semester in college and swimming. I remeber how I just wanted to do nothing until my mission and he has it all together. A great example for his younger brothers. The other brothers keep the sports events coming, both are playing basketball and keep us busy all around the town. Just a bit of fatherly pride, Mason went 10-0 in football and his basketball team is 14-0,pretty exciting to go and watch,makes for a happy teenager. Logan's team hasn't lost either. Melanie continues to teach us all how important the gospel is in our lives. Faamily prayer, family home evening and scripture reading all because of her spiritual reminders(not always her brothers favorite person, but someday will thank her -I do). It is also a different christmas when you see your grand-daughter open presents and play. A bit of pride comes when her favorite person is grandpa (don't tell anyone I said that) Favorite quote" Come on grandpa". Linda wishes she had that power. Another great gift was Nicole telling us she was having another child. We were excited for her and for me. Nothing like little ones to remind you what pure love truly is. Christmas is a great time of year and a great time to start our new goals. Would like to hear your goals, might encourage me to have some more. My first goal-Like always is to get back in shape-big summer hike is right around the corner. So starting the gym and helping boys get to their goals and it all seems to include weights and lifting, which I am not a big fan of, but they want to start and want to include me. I think so they can show how much stronger they are than me. Oh well! That would be great as long as they don.t want to pay me back for beating them in every sport. Oh yeah working on becoming more humble is one of my goals, so let's try this. I hope that they reach all their goals and I hope I can help them anyway I can. Never too late to start on the humble goal. My last goal is to find something Linda and I enjoy doing together. We read that couples who find hobbies they love to do together enjoy life longer. Hope this doesn't cause trouble for others. If you have ideas let us know. Well that is my first attempt and I hope I can keep up we all of you wonderful bloggers. To let you know swimming is right around the corner and I'm excited, not only to coach,to be able to coach another son, but more important is to coach with my daughter, Great times! Until next time.

One to Watch

I have a movie to recommend - Freedom Writers - this is coming from a person who watches probably 5 movies a year. We rented it last night and it moved me in every way possible. It made me grateful for many things. I love that I live in America where people are still willing to listen to someone else's story. I love that I have a family of teachers who believe that you can influence the youth of America. I love that I live in California where my children are exposed to people from every race. I love that I was raised to be tolerant and view every human being as a precious child of God with infinite potential. I love that there is an opportunity for each of us to love more and accept others. I love being able to watch a movie with my kids and being able to talk to them about how they can be an influence for good in this world. We watched it last night and I stayed up past my bedtime so I have to include this last item - I love Sunday naps. If you have a chance to rent this movie I hope you will be as moved as I was.

Oh me oh my, I finally had time to read my blog and notice some horrific spelling (typo) errors. I am lame at blogging and don't know how to go back and edit so for now please accept my apologies for my mistakes and hopefully none of my children will read my blog and see that mom makes spelling mistakes.
Off to another football game tonight. Last week I missed Logan's game which was filled with action. Uncle Nathan captured a great picture with his i-phone so I will try to post it and have Marc give the full scoop!
There are not many things I enjoy more than a football game in the brisk fall weather. Bakersfield is finally rewarding us for loving our town even with its faults -which we all know but definitely overlook because of the wonderful people who live here. Temperatures this week below 90 (even during the fair) deserve to be mentioned in a blog and nights that require a blanket to snuggle up with.

Our Story

Once in a while right in the middle of life a fairytale comes along.


After a two week wait-School started and the football season is here- I have finally sat down to complete the tag from one of my fabulous family members!
1. Where did you meet your husband?
I met my husband when he wasn't even there. He was serving a mission and his mom was giving a talk in Stake Conference about the blessings of having a son on a mission. While she was talking I kept thinking this sounds like someone I could fall in love with. She continued talking about what a great brother he was and loved kids. That was it, I know that somehow he would be my husband. (Little did I know that it would be a four year wait, but sometimes I can be patient)
2. What was the first thing you said?
I'm not sure when I finally did meet him but it was probably at the famous Country Club deli so I would venture to say it was "Would you like avocado on that" or something else profound and romantic.
3. Our first date was "just dreamy" He had found out from his sister Carrie some of my favorite things. Famous Amos cookies- Haagen Daaz ice cream- songs I can't even remember (due to my children taking over all my brain cells) We went to see Karate Kid. (ouch am I really that old?) I am totally creeped out by theatre floors and imagine mice running around so I can't put my feet on the fround. I put my legs over on his and had no idea that he would think I was forward-Whatever- After the movie we went to Scott Elison's condo overlooking the bluffs and he played his tape of recorded songs and we danced most the night away. He definitely made a mark in my book for most romantic dates. He hasn't dissapointed me yet. He still makes a weekly date a priority.
4. First Kiss
I had heard around the institue (it was the coolest place to hang out under the supervision of Bro. Glen Wahlquist and Sis. Julie Chambers) that he had kissed most the girls so I decided not to be kissed so it was months before we kissed and it was under the street light on Foothill drive while we were out for a walk one evening.
5. Courtship
We dated one summer then he dated around but he could not get me out of his system (ie I made sure he knew I was around)so after three summers, watching every game he coached for his little brothers, I made the cut and was the keeper.
6. Where did you get engaged?
We were at a party at Lisa Reno Harding's house on the fourth of July. It is a fun date because there are always fireworks which pretty much described how crazy in love I was with him.
7. Wedding and Reception
We were married in his parent's house and had a reception in their backyard which was a beautiful place for a reception.
9. Honeymoon
We were married in August and our honeymoon was in Arizona. Needless to say with an airconditioned room and the outside temp well over 100 we didn't leave our room much.