Happy Birthday to Me!

Typically I would not be writing my own birthday blog, but I just got back from an awesome outing with my kids and Dad. Monica said that since it was my birthday I should go shooting. She tried to get a baby sitter, but was unable to, so she suggested that I ask my Dad and take the boys.

Sam, Ammon and Bella were all excited to go shooting with me. I guess that it didn't hurt that it meant not having to go to school. It was a beautiful day, I was afraid that it would be cold so I had everybody dress really warm, but it turned out to be a great day for some target shooting.

Samuel did as he always does. He is an amazing shot. He takes his time and places his shots on target.

Bella was a little hesitant at first. This was her second time going out and she still gets a little scared holding the gun, but once she got going she liked it.

Ammon, did good, he really likes the .22 handgun and shot that the most.

I had fun shooting and watching my kids enjoy something that I love to do. That was the best gift of the day, being able to spend time with Sam, Ammon, Bella and my Dad. Joshua really wanted to go, but he is too young right now to fully understand. He gets to participate in the safety lessons that we do for Family Night, but maybe next time he can go and shoot the BB gun.

Well I have to get older, I might as well get older doing something that I love, with those that I love, in my truck!!!!!!!!

Mom's right to brag

So I am sitting here thinking about how wonderful my children are, and just have to brag for a minute. Yesterday, Ammon and Bella had a recital for discovery. Ammon performed a song and then a dance he learned. It was fun to watch. We'll just say he is a good leader. Bella, did a song with actions. She was saying how scared she was before, but got up there and did an amazing job. She remembered all the actions and really got into it. I thought she was the best up there.

Sam got student of the month in Jan. Sam's teacher just can't get over how good Sam is doing behavior wise, and he has always been good at reading and math. Ammon and Bella got student of the month back in Oct. So now all my children have gotten student of the month awards at Entheos.

Sam and Ammon gave talks in sacrament meeting back in Jan. and every week I go to church I still get different people telling me what an amazing job they did. They really did. Ammon only looked at his papers once. He gave it all in his own words, and he even got the congregation laughing. Sam bore a strong testimony and with both talks I felt the spirit. The amazing thing is that Al just handed them the materials and they prepared them all on there own.

Tomorrow Ammon gets to be an "Entheos Ambassador". He is going to the State Capitol to represent Entheos. They are setting up a booth and talking to the state legislators and local representatives about Entheos. He was one of twelve of the whole student body grades k-9 chosen to go. The school has been helping him prepare to answer questions and such. Ammon is excited for this opportunity.

Joshua is just getting bigger and bigger. He is talking more, and lately he has been doing better about cleaning up his toys. He likes to try to make you feel better. If you don't feel good he'll kiss you, and ask, "Is that better?" He also likes to help with what ever your doing. He's a good kid.

I love all my children. I am truly blessed!

I'ts Coming!

Typically at this time of the year I start feeling anxious. Ever since I was a kid, the start of February always meant one thing. Well, OK, two things. First, my birthday, but most importantly...three days after my birthday, baseball always started! That's right, baseball season is just around the corner. Spring training will be kicking in soon, and all those young prospects with big dreams of playing in the big leagues will be showing up for their chance at the big time.

I can't wait to see what this year brings to the game that I love so much. Who will win the World Series? Who will come out of the gate on fire and hold it steady for the entire season, and who will stumble and fall before they even get started? And most importantly when will my Oakland A's finally get it together and put together a team that will be able to compete with the big boys? We lost a pretty promising pitcher to the priesthood last month, who will step up and take his place? Will my A's be considered contenders for the Division Title, League Pennant, or dare I say it a World Championship? Oh so many unanswered questions, and so many possibilities I am shaking with excitement. OK, so I'm not actually shaking, but I am excited.

New Calling

For the past 31/2 years I have been the Young Women's 1st counselor, and loved it. Most the time anyway. It was a bit time consuming, but fun. I was released about 2 weeks ago. I was sad, but excited to do something different. Today I was called as the weeblos leader. I just knew I would be in scouts aventually since I have boys. To tell the truth, I'm a little nervous being over all these little 10 yr olds. I' m excited to work with Sam, but I have no clue when it comes to cub scouts. I guess I'll learn.

A New Year With New Opportunities

Well here we are in a new year with many new opportunities presenting themselves to us as a family. All of which are very exciting in varying degrees.

I know that I will be getting a new job this year that I can feel good about. That is exciting in itself because I don't feel that I could say that I am honest in all my dealings with my fellow man while doing title loans. It makes me feel guilty to be doing that which I deep down feel is wrong, just to get a paycheck.

We will be buying a new house this year, which we've been anxiously waiting for, for the past 7.5 years. We've been told by one agent that the bank told them that they will most likely accept our offer, but it won't be until February 10. I've placed some pictures of the house here because unless something else comes along or we decide not to purchase it this will probably be the house that we get.

Along with everything else, life's possibilities are limitless. I've enjoyed learning everything that I have over the past 7 years, and I look forward to learning a lot more. My faith in my Lord Jesus Christ is unmovable. I have a firm determination to serve Him who is my God. I am the only one who can put limits on my possibilities through my lack of faith and disobedience which follows.

I love Monica and my children. Everything that I do is for them. I know that I make and have made and will continue to make mistakes, but Monica has never faltered in her love and support of me. That is all I need to succeed in life, is to know that my best friend supports me.

Happy New Year!

Ward Christmas Party

Last night was our ward Christmas party. It's always fun to gather with friends and have a yummy dinner and program staring our children. Ammon and Bella were our only stars last night. Sam I guess is feeling too old for this sort of thing. However, He was all excited to sit on Santa's lap to say what he want's for christmas. Joshua on the other hand would have nothing to do with the big fat man in the red suit that came in saying, "HO, HO, HO!

The Holidays are here at last!

For those of you who didn't know, I love this time of the year! I always consider Thanksgiving and Christmas and the time that intervenes in between as one long holiday, and I love it. I love the feel of the season, and I don't mean the weather. Having just celebrated Thanksgiving my mind is centered on the family aspect of the holidays. My whole family was able to get together this year for Thanksgiving and it was great. David came up from Texas with his family and when we went by to see them the day that they arrived our kids just couldn't get enough of each other. Bella and her cousin Angelina were inseparable the entire weekend while they were together except for one brief moment when Bella wanted to play chase and Angelina didn't, and Angelina started crying because Bella wouldn't play with her, but other than that they were together at all times. I got to see my niece Taya for the first time and I hadn't seen Haley since she was essentially a newborn. It was sad to see them leave. I know Monica feels the same way about being able to see Merilee and Michael and their families too.

Family is great.

As we get prepared for Christmas I can't help but continue to give thanks to a loving Heavenly Father who has in a very real sense opened up the windows of Heaven and poured out His blessings upon us not only during this time but throughout the entire year. Monica and I had set the goal at the end of last year like we do every year to be in a new home before the end of the year, and about mid-way through I think we had pretty much given up on that idea and were planning on being here for the next 2-3 years, and then the unthinkable happened, we decided to buy a home. What a blessing to be in this situation in life. We will be in our own home early next year and who knows what else lies before us.

I have so much to be grateful for. Words cannot describe my joy and happiness as I watch my children grow not only in stature, but in the knowledge of the Lord. As they experience His matchless power and His love for them, it causes my heart to swell with great joy.

I would be an ungrateful servant if I didn't give thanks for my job, which God provided for me. I might not like what I do, but that doesn't diminish the fact that I view the job as a blessing from on high. And being the eternal optimist and dreamer that I am I look forward to the opportunities which will be presenting themselves in my near future. These opportunities have the potential to bless my family even more.

I recognize God's hand in all things and I don't fear that which I can't see. I am grateful for His love, and the testimony which I have of that matchless love which He so freely extends to me His unworthy servant. I know my weaknesses and my shortcomings before God, and I don't pretend to be anything more than unworthy before God. I fully understand that the blessings of God have permeated my life for the blessing of my wife and children despite me being the great impediment to them. Yet despite this, God still loves me and continues to extend His hand towards me with the petition to take hold and come unto Him. Someday, I hope soon, I will have the strength to take hold of His hand and come unto Him with full purpose of heart, until then I pray that His patience will not run thin with me.

I come back to my original theme. I love the holidays. I am grateful for this time of the year, and I am grateful for friends and family with whom to celebrate. May the blessings of God forever penetrate the hearts of those who truly seek after Him and may His love shine forth in the countenances of all those who confess His holy name this holiday season.