Christmas in Delaware

Hello, Family! We enjoyed a wonderful Christmas holiday here in Delaware. We were especially happy Doug and Emily could join us this year.

Here are a few of the highlights:

Kaylee made the cast list for our Nativity play.

The girls were very excited when they woke up Christmas morning!

Ashlyn loved the monkey Brandon and Angela sent her, and Kaylee got the two Barbies (a boy and a girl) she had been dreaming of.

Saturday night we went on a Holiday Lights train ride.

Monday the girls had their first experience bowling. Russ won. By a lot. But Ashlyn came in 3rd!

We all had a wonderful time together!

Mouse Story

Merry Christmas family! Brandon, Abby, Emily and I hope you liked the book. We also made a website to go along with it. We all love you! Emily and I are having a blast here in Delaware. More updates to come!

Mouse Story Website

Animation project

Hey fam. I am taking a 3D animation class and I just finished this week's project. Just thought I would share. It took 40 hours worth of computer time to render it!

Watch it on YouTube

Guess it was our turn this year

One kid who is going around telling all her friends that Santa isn't real (yet was very quick to tell him what she wanted anyway) and the other who is terrified of him--this will be an interesting Christmas.

A Visit with Santa

Last year Ashlyn's visit with Santa wasn't a smashing success.

She did MUCH better this year - she actually sat on his lap, answered his questions, and smiled for the picture.

Kaylee, however, has yet to approach the big man in red, in spite of repeated claims that THIS will be the year. Her excuse this time around is that Santa always gives out candy canes to the children who sit on his lap, and she doesn't need a candy cane now since she already put "candy cane" down on her Christmas list. :) NEXT year, right?

Brandon...go read this

Everyone would love to see this, but Brandon especially will enjoy. We love you!

(I just posted a ton to our blog to get caught up. I wish I could post videos, but even on this site the option seems to be disabled. I'll keep trying.)

The Oyster and the Grain

Hey Fam. Here is my Thanksgiving Day poem for this year. I ended up doing it as the final project for my 2D Animation class. The video here is just an "animatic" meaning that it is the storyboard with the actual timing. I am still working on the final version but I wanted to share it. Dad, I'm not trying to replace the official oyster poem but wanted to use the story to apply to gratitude even more. Emily and I love you all and are so grateful for you all.

Watch the video on YouTube

Here is also the most recent animated version

There was an oyster with a grain,

His gritted mouth had tasted pain.

A sanded victim of the sea,

Complained, complained did he.

The oyster oozed the victim's groan,

"The fault of all," he did bemoan,

"Hath poured upon me," yet come see,

Remained, remained did he.

The oyster stewed there in his shell,

But over time, the anger fell.

A gritted tongue epiphany,

Explained, explained did he.

"If I cannot remove the grain,

I must indeed improve the same.

For happiness is always free."

Proclaimed, proclaimed did he.

But oyster's time on waves before

Did roll along until the shore.

And oyster stewed but yet the grain

A pearl, a pearl became.

There was an oyster and a grain,

And every oyster just the same.

We are an oyster; let us be,

Grateful, gratefully.

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

I thought about saving this for Thanksgiving Day, but since I will be caught up in the day's preparation, I will do it now. Just click on the link and enjoy a wonderful message about being thankful.

I hope you each have a wonderful Thanksgiving. We carry on our tradition here at our home but miss the days of having our children with us. I hope the memories of Thanksgivings past bring warmth and joy to your hearts. I love you all. Enjoy the message!

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Poem

Thought I would share a poem about Thanksgiving:

While on the way on the store yesterday,

We anticipated a delectable feast.

With hopes high, Thanksgiving nigh

And no impediment in the least.

We went to the shelf in the store by itself

To catch us a turkey main course.

But looking in the empty bin,

Our hunting hopes had scoped remorse.

"There's no Thanksgiving meal without turkey feel,

Of unfrozened fowl cut in sliver."

But in that shelf, I came to myself,

There's no Thanksgiving without the Giver.

The Giver of breath, the saver from death,

So bountifully blesses us here.

What portion to great at this thankful plate,

Can we give to him this year.

And this honey ham sow, so much sweeter now,

As though on alter lay.

Let us give Him, hearts full to brim,

To live in Thanksgiving each day.

the transfer of an inspirational mentor...

Dear Family,
I just learned of the shocking and tragic departure of one of my favorite BYU professors, Kay Mortensen. This is the text of the link (it wouldn't appear when I used the "link option"):
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705345273/Payson-slaying-victim-identified.html

Professor Mortensen is an important mentor in my educational development, and I could not proceed without taking the time to post the following commment on the website of the news story. I want to share it with all of you.
Love, Dad

"I, too, wish to add my condolences to all that knew and loved Kay Mortensen. I'm sure there were many other contributions of which I am unaware, but to me, he was a consummate professor. I very much enjoyed 'sitting at his feet' to learn about metallurgy, materials science, and machine design. Although that was over 30 years ago, I have vivid memories of his enthusiasm for learning, his competence on so many subjects, and his inspiring stories of real-life experiences. For his master's thesis, he accurately predicted the surface density of the moon, just before the astronauts landed there. After some practical experiments, he shut himself in a room for a couple days to work out the theory. "Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection." I'm sure he will continue to teach and inspire others, on the other side of the veil. Until we meet again..."

Though I have been home from my visits to Chicago, Rochester, and Miami for a few weeks, I have not given up on sharing my experiences on the blog, particularly since I consider this a journal of sorts. Fortunately, I wrote many of them down in emails to the sisters in my ward as a way for a Relief Society president to stay connected while away for so long. Rather than try to edit those emails, I think I will just share my thoughts as I wrote them at that time...

OCTOBER 18, 2009
"Dear Sisters, I am thinking about you tonight and wanting to share with you some of my experiences and feelings from this sabbath day. I am currently in Rochester, NY visiting my son Doug and his wife Emily. Doug recently moved here to go to graduate school, which is fun since Doug was born in Rochester. This was our first location after Blaine graduated from college and we were here 4 1/2 years. I was 23 and Blaine 25. Our first baby was just 6 weeks old and I had only been a member of the church for a few years. We bought a home in the country and then learned we were part of a small branch in Lyons, NY - just east of Palmyra where the church had its beginnings. The branch met in a Masonic Lodge and Blaine was the only person who had been born in the church. They were real growing years for us both as I served in Relief Society and Young Womens and Blaine as Elders Quorum President. Anyway, today we attended church there. Now it is a ward with a wonderful church building of their own. And 30 years later, many of them are still here, living in the same home and serving each other faithfully. I can't adequately describe how wonderful it was to reconnect with these dear people. It reminds me of the story in the Book of Mormon when Alma and the sons of Mosiah meet up after serving their mission to the Lamanites...

Now these sons of Mosiah were with Alma at the time the angel first appeared unto him; therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.

It made me think of what it will be like passing to the next life and being greeted by loved ones and dear friends. Yes, we will "rejoice exceedingly"!

After church, Doug and Emily and I drove out to the Peter Whitmer farm where the Book of Mormon was completed the and church was organized. Then we went to the Grandin Building where the Book of Mormon was published. Yesterday we had gone to the Hill Cumorah and to the Joseph Smith farm and to the Sacred Grove. At each of these places we were met by sister missionaries and given the "tour". What powerful witnesses we received that Joseph Smith was truly a prophet! I am so grateful for my personal testimony of that.. it makes all the difference.

I leave Tuesday to go to Miami to be with my parents for 8 days. My mom just had her gall bladder out and is having some challenges recovering so I am hoping to be a big help there. So forget the picture of me sunning out by the pool in 80+ degree weather! Well, maybe I will get to do that just a little..."

OCTOBER 25, 2009
"Hello from Miami where it is still hot and humid, but beautiful nonetheless. I have been here since Tuesday and have spent the majority of every day at the hospital since. I mentioned in my email last Sunday night that my mom had had her gall bladder removed and was having complications. She is still dealing with the effects of that. We hope she will be released from the hospital by the middle of this week and put into a rehabilitation center for a short time until she can function at home. When I scheduled this trip in July, I had no idea how much I would be needed here. A tender mercy indeed.

I wanted to share another tender mercy that happened last Monday when I was still in Rochester, NY with my son Doug and his wife Emily. I shared with you how on Saturday and Sunday we had visited all of the church sites, but I didn't share that I was just a little disappointed in my visit to the Sacred Grove. Prior to going to NY, this was the site I was most anxious to return to after almost 30 years away. I pictured walking in the grove on a picture perfect fall day, with the beautiful fall leaves, the bees humming, the sweet birds singing, you know, like the song, "Oh, How Lovely Was the Morning" (only it was spring when Joseph went to the woods to pray!). I forgot the reality of the weather in western NY. Still, we were fortunate on Saturday that the rain held off until we were out of the grove, but there were several people around, including some children who were taking advantage of the chance to run around and play. In other words, it wasn't the perfect setting that I had pictured and I was just a little disappointed.

However, on Monday Doug cleared his schedule long enough that we could attend the Palmyra Temple in the morning. We woke up to a beautiful day - crisp, but not cold - and sunny. We got out of the temple (which has a window in it that overlooks the Sacred Grove) in time to walk through the grove one last time. This time we were all alone. It was so quiet we could here the leaves falling. Suddenly, it came to me - this was it. This was exactly what I had pictured. I was overwhelmed with gratitude and recognized what a gift I had been given... a tender mercy which has helped me be strong for the challenge in Miami. Oh, how the Lord knows our hearts and seeks for ways to communicate to us He is there. How important it is we recognize those moments and let them bring us peace and comfort in a world full of trouble.

Today I attended church with my Dad. The minister gave a sermon about Reformation Sunday, celebrated this time of year to remember Martin Luther beginning the Protestant movement. As I sat listening, my thoughts returned to the Sacred Grove, to Joseph Smith's home where Moroni first appeared to him, to the Hill Cumorah where he was led to the plates, to the Peter Whitmer farm where much of the translation took place, and to the Grandin building where the Book of Mormon was published. Yes, I am grateful for Martin Luther and the other reformers because those reforms made RESTORATION possible. We do not have to live with just part of the truth - we have the fullness of the gospel! My testimony was strengthened and my gratitude deepened."

Though it has been 2 weeks since my return, I find myself reflecting on the events during that trip and feeling deep gratitude for each of them... beginning with special moments with Rebekah, James, Nikki and Jason, spiritual times experienced with Doug and Emily, and the miracle of being with my mom and dad in their hour of need. I have felt my Heavenly Father's love in them all and am grateful to know He lives and loves each of us.

HELP!

Russ and I are having a little trouble coming up with a name for the baby. So, we thought we'd request a little family input. Please cast your vote for one of the following names:

1. Nailey Burnett (Kaylee's choice of the day)

2. Lulu Burnett (Ashlyn's permanent pick)

3. Carol Burnett

4. Burnice Burnett (Dad's pick)

5. Other (please specify)

Thanks for your help!

The Difference Between Men and Women by Dave Barry

Today Ashley and I were discussing different communication styles. It didn't take me long to ask, "Have you read Dave Barry's article on the difference between men and women?" When she replied no, I quickly found it and read it to her. I remembered I had never put it on the blog, so here it is. I think those who have been married a loooong time may find it funnier than that other group!

Let's say a guy named Fred is attracted to a woman named Martha. He asks her out to a movie; she accepts; they have a pretty good time. A few nights later he asks her out to dinner, and again they enjoy themselves. They continue to see each other regularly, and after a while neither one of them is seeing anybody else.

And then, one evening when they're driving home, a thought occurs to Martha, and, without really thinking, she says it aloud: "Do you realize that, as of tonight, we've been seeing each other for exactly six months?"

And then, there is silence in the car.

To Martha, it seems like a very loud silence. She thinks to herself: I wonder if it bothers him that I said that. Maybe he's been feeling confined by our relationship; maybe he thinks I'm trying to push him into some kind of obligation that he doesn't want, or isn't sure of.

And Fred is thinking: Gosh. Six months.

And Martha is thinking: But, hey, I'm not so sure I want this kind of relationship either. Sometimes I wish I had a little more space, so I'd have time to think about whether I really want us to keep going the way we are, moving steadily towards, I mean, where are we going? Are we just going to keep seeing each other at this level of intimacy? Are we heading toward marriage? Toward children? Toward a lifetime together? Am I ready for that level of commitment? Do I really even know this person?

And Fred is thinking: ...so that means it was...let's see...February when we started going out, which was right after I had the car at the dealer's, which means...lemme check the odometer...Whoa! I am way overdue for an oil change here.

And Martha is thinking: He's upset. I can see it on his face. Maybe I'm reading this completely wrong. Maybe he wants more from our relationship, more intimacy, more commitment; maybe he has sensed - even before I sensed it - that I was feeling some reservations. Yes, I bet that's it. That's why he's so reluctant to say anything about his own feelings. He's afraid of being rejected.

And Fred is thinking: And I'm gonna have them look at the transmission again. I don't care what those morons say, it's still not shifting right. And they better not try to blame it on the cold weather this time. What cold weather? It's 87 degrees out, and this thing is shifting like a garbage truck, and I paid those incompetent thieves $600.

And Martha is thinking: He's angry. And I don't blame him. I'd be angry, too. I feel so guilty, putting him through this, but I can't help the way I feel. I'm just not sure.

And Fred is thinking: They'll probably say it's only a 90-day warranty...scumballs.

And Martha is thinking: Maybe I'm just too idealistic, waiting for a knight to come riding up on his white horse, when I'm sitting right next to a perfectly good person, a person I enjoy being with, a person I truly do care about, a person who seems to truly care about me. A person who is in pain because of my self-centered, schoolgirl romantic fantasy.

And Fred is thinking: Warranty? They want a warranty? I'll give them a warranty. I'll take their warranty and stick it right up their...

"Fred," Martha says aloud.

"What?" says Fred, startled.

"Please don't torture yourself like this," she says, her eyes beginning to brim with tears. "Maybe I should never have...oh dear, I feel so..."(She breaks down, sobbing.)

"What?" says Fred.

"I'm such a fool," Martha sobs. "I mean, I know there's no knight. I really know that. It's silly. There's no knight, and there's no horse."

"There's no horse?" says Fred.

"You think I'm a fool, don't you?" Martha says.

"No!" says Fred, glad to finally know the correct answer.

"It's just that...it's that I...I need some time," Martha says.

(There is a 15-second pause while Fred, thinking as fast as he can, tries to come up with a safe response. Finally he comes up with one that he thinks might work.)

"Yes," he says. (Martha, deeply moved, touches his hand.)

"Oh, Fred, do you really feel that way?" she says.

"What way?" says Fred.

"That way about time," says Martha.

"Oh," says Fred. "Yes." (Martha turns to face him and gazes deeply into his eyes, causing him to become very nervous about what she might say next, especially if it involves a horse. At last she speaks.)

"Thank you, Fred," she says.

"Thank you," says Fred.

Then he takes her home, and she lies on her bed, a conflicted, tortured soul, and weeps until dawn, whereas when Fred gets back to his place, he opens a bag of Doritos, turns on the TV, and immediately becomes deeply involved in a rerun of a college basketball game between two South Dakota junior colleges that he has never heard of. A tiny voice in the far recesses of his mind tells him that something major was going on back there in the car, but he is pretty sure there is no way he would ever understand what, and so he figures it's better if he doesn't think about it.

The next day Martha will call her closest friend, or perhaps two of them, and they will talk about this situation for six straight hours. In painstaking detail, they will analyze everything she said and everything he said, going over it time and time again, exploring every word, expression, and gesture for nuances of meaning, considering every possible ramification.

They will continue to discuss this subject, off and on, for weeks, maybe months, never reaching any definite conclusions, but never getting bored with it either.

Meanwhile, Fred, while playing racquetball one day with a mutual friend of his and Martha's, will pause just before serving, frown, and say: "Norm, did Martha ever own a horse?"

And that's the difference between men and women.

First Look

Last week I went in for a follow-up ultrasound (I'm a little higher risk because of my thyroid condition), and at the end they showed me a 3-D image of the baby. Ultrasounds already amaze me, but the fact that they can show me in 3-D what an unborn baby looks like is incredible. So, here she is . . .

You can see her little hand up by her face, palm out, with the thumb on the end and the fingers curled down. We're excited to meet her in person in a few months!

Happy Birthday, DOUG!

Along with bringing our birthday greetings, this should also demonstrate how much we've enjoyed the birthday post you created for our Dad. :)

Happy Halloween!

Kaylee the Clown

Ashlyn the Monkey

We hope everyone else had as much Halloween fun as we did this year!

Lifting Burdens

I hope you all are aware of these new "Mormon Messages" the Church is producing. I thought this one was worth sharing in the many ways I could think of.

Lifting Burdens

Crystal Lake Memories

I have wanted to "post as I go" during this long journey I am on, and now I am finally finding some time. I spent 10 wonderful days in Crystal Lake, Illinois with Jason, Nikki, REbekah (her new preferred name), and James.

A Few Memories with Rebekah (6)

• Graciously, she shared her room with me - giving me the bed while she was on a mattress on the floor. I loved waking up with her close by.
• One morning we studied the Book of Mormon together and I was reminded what a spiritual girl she is.
• Playing school together. On the white board, we wrote about things we like to do, lists of words that she would then underline the vowels, a word game, etc.
• We put on a puppet show - Cinderella, of course.
• Playing Barbies with her cool Barbie house.
• Pushing her on the swing outside.
• Playing together at Chuck E Cheese.
• Learning about clouds from an expert 6 year old.
• Our day together shopping.

A Few Memories with James (1)

• Watching him get the walking thing down more and more.
• Singing songs to him at bedtime - the ones I used to sing to his mother.
• His laugh. His smile. His charm.
• Feeling sad knowing how much he will change before I see him next.

A Few Working Memories

Nikki and Jason have taken a broken house and made it into a wonderful home. With some of the remodeling projects about done, it was time to get organized. First came the kitchen, part of the basement, a closet, and finally the master bedroom. That last one Nikki and I treated like an HGTV show with a deadline of 10:00 PM when Jason would get home. I added the final touches as she left to pick him up at the train station. Along the way came times for good talks and lots of laughs.

Thanks everyone for letting me come and be a part of your lives!

A New Day I Can See...

Some of you may remember Emer Bundy. He was 80 years old when he moved in to our ward after marrying Helen Herrera, who was 75. Both of their spouses has passed away previously. Emer was definitely one of the 'stalwarts'. Years ago, when he was a stake missionary, he found Roy Lohse's family while tracting, and was instrumental in them joining the Church.

Yesterday, I served in the temple cafeteria, and was trained in my duties by Emer's daughter, Sherie Bundy. She recited one of Emer's favorite poems, and later gave me a copy of it. I'd like to share it with all of you...

TODAY
Outside my window, a new day I can see,
and only I can determine what kind of day it will be.

It can be busy and sunny, laughing and gay,
or boring and cold, unhappy and grey.

My own state of mind is the determining key,
for I am only the person I let myself be.

I can be thoughtful, and be a helpful little elf,
or be selfish and mean, and think just of myself.

I can enjoy what I do, and make it seem fun,
or gripe and complain and make it hard on someone.

I can be patient with those who may not understand,
or belittle and hurt them as much as I can.

But I have faith in myself, and believe what I say,
and I personally intend to make the best of each day.

If not, I have failed indeed.

Brandon and I were able to go to the Sunday morning session of Conference last week. On our way back to the car, we were a part of the exodus of people rushing from one corner to the other, waiting upon lights to change green. It was cold, windy and rainy.

We had just barely heard not only words from several leaders, but most importantly from the prophet of our day, the Lord's chosen servant. He talked to us about serving others, implored us to ask ourselves each day, "What have I done for someone today?". Even more, we heard the Spirit speak to us through the hymn "Have I Done Any Good In the World Today" sung to us by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, one of the best choirs in the nation.

As we were at one corner waiting for a white man to appear in a black box, I noticed a woman dressed in a winter coat, holding a sign in one hand and a small bucket in the other; not a new scene for any one of us. This oh so common scene is one that I always struggle with. I usually spend the entire rest of my day thinking about that person with the sign I saw, whether I imparted with him some of what I have been financially blessed with - gifted - or not. It has been many years since I ever felt ok with saying to myself, "Well if she would get off her rear and do something..." or "I'm sure he's faking it; he probably has a large home to return to". For some reason, the vast numbers of people who live in poverty is a reality I struggle to cope with and something I will not let stand.

Thoughts of newly wed finances, this internal struggle I always have of whether to give or not, and a prophets words filled my mind. Then I began to notice the hundreds of people walking by this woman; where was their struggle of decision, their hesitation? Seemingly missing. I was appalled with my own people. "Did they not just listen to our prophet? Please do not tell me that this many people did not even listen to what the Prophet just said."

My sadness increased as I saw that my dollar was the only thing in her bucket. If anything, on that day and in that spot, she should have received more than on any other occasion.

I regret, from the moment I took my first step away from her, that I did not give her more that I didn't even say something like, "God loves you" or "Everything will be fine", words that I have not only heard since infancy but words that are so easy to believe because my life is so easy. May God always bless me with a dollar in my pocket.

"Happy Birthday" Song

Ashlyn totally stole the Green Stuff "Cake" when it was time to blow out the candles; I had to re-light them afterwards just so Kaylee could have a turn to blow them out, too.

P.S. The three of them are sporting the BYU T-shirts they had just opened. Ashlyn LOVES her shirt and refers to it as her "rah-rah, rah-rah-rah" shirt. :)

ASL

A couple weeks ago, Brandon and I attended an ASL session of the temple. They provide extra screens which have every word of the session projected on them, along with several actors signing the session as well. Though some might find it distracting, I found it very edifying. If ya'll get a chance, you should attend an ASL session.

Happy Birthday to Russ

Happy Birthday, Russ! I thought you might enjoy this piece. Have a wonderful day! (This picture was taken at your 1st birthday and is one of my favorites!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwHgeDPhkts

A Classical Birthday Card

Happy Birthday Russ! Since Emily and I don't have kids to sing to you, we thought we would employ the help of some others. Enjoy! Click here to view.

A Preview to Eternity

Last night Dad and I went to the temple. For those who aren't familiar with the temple, at the end of a session you walk through a hallway and into the celestial room - representing "heaven". I like to ponder as I walk through that hallway (which reminds me of the "tunnel of light" that after-life accounts often refer to) of how it will be when it is my turn to pass into the next life. Will family be there to greet me? I was the first from our session into the room and I as I walked in, there was Cheryl Burnett Garner, my sister-in-law who works in the temple, walking directly towards me. How wonderful it was to see her, but made more so by my thoughts just moments before. I don't see Cheryl very often since the passing of Blaine's brother, Smiley, and her 2nd marriage. It seemed significant to me that she was there to greet me. It was really good to see her.

Family Night Tonight

Tonight just as I was about to ask Bekah if she would be in charge of the lesson for tonight's Family Night she asked me, "Mom, please can I do the lesson?" She typically likes to be in charge of everything she can be, so since tonight wasn't really structured, with Jason being gone, I said "Sure." Her favorite topic the last few months is "The Plan of Salvation"...this is because it was her favorite lesson I've taught her about six months ago for family night. I know the ideas for that lesson were inspired from above on how to teach it on her level. She was struggling with being six, being the oldest, having to obey her parents instead of tell her parents how things were going to be done...I don't remember all the challenges she kept having but things weren't going too well with behavior and emotions. Suddenly it struck me that maybe it might help if she knew why she was here, where she was going, and what Heavenly Father wants her to do so she can see the big picture and how bad days can be overcome. So one Monday (we're usually alone for family night since Jason has class late and James goes to bed early) I said to Bekah that I had a very important plan to tell her about and we each got a piece of paper and I drew a part of "The Plan of Salvation" just like it had been shown to me in primary and she copied what I drew on her paper. It was amazing! That lesson lasted about a half hour and she was excited and kept asking all kinds of questions! I realized she listens much better when she can hear, touch, feel, and see what we are learning all at the same time. And she felt so important getting to copy what mom was doing. I share this here because I was so amazed by this experience and thought maybe others might benefit from what I learned from the Spirit that day.

So today she taught me about The Plan. And she asked me to pretend I didn't know anything about it. She made a sort of game out of it where you had to guess the answers to what was on the pictures. Then this last page was really precious.

It says "3 planets. Heavenly Father wants us to be here..." complete with sun, moon, stars, happy, okay and sad faces.

She gets it. Boy does that feel good to a parent when something you taught your kid sticks...or should I say something the Spirit taught. Now she reminds me on bad days what the big picture is. Heavenly Father sure knew what He was doing, putting us in families.

what matters most...

We were all in different settings on the morning of September 11th, 2001, but for a time, everyone's focus shifted to what matters most.

"And thus we see that except the Lord doth chasten his people with many afflictions, yea, except he doth visit them with death and with terror, and with famine and with all manner of pestilence, they will not remember him." (Helaman 12:3)

Gradually, people gravitated back to where their hearts are, but some people were changed forever. I cannot think of that day without thinking about children whose mommies and daddies didn't come home that night, for such a senseless reason...

8:46am: Flight 11 smashes into the North Tower
9:03am: Flight 175 smashes into the South Tower
9:38am: Flight 77 smashes into the Pentagon
9:59am: The South Tower collapses
10:06am: Flight 93 crashes near Shanksville
10:29am: The North Tower collapses

This is a link to a video on the main page of the Church's web site. It is a wonderful way to review the long term effects of what happened that day. It lasts about 8 1/2 minutes, but I highly recommend it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkWc_EKLs4E

Whatever else you do today, remember what matters most... remember to say what needs to be said... remember to do what needs to be done... remember to pour your hearts out in gratitude to our Father for his Grace to all of us.

Although I have been given the opportunity to experience fear, uncertainty, and depression, I have been lifted above all that. I know that His yoke is easy, and his burden is light. I know that in a much deeper way than I ever did before.

I feel that I have always remembered what matters most -- my Father, His Son, and my family. Perhaps the value in what I have been through is that I know that I know, more deeply.

You are all the joy of my life! I thank each of you for being who you are.
I Love You Eternally! -- Dad

Happy Birthday Emily!

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, dear Emily, happy birthday to you!

Stand up, stand up, stand up and show us your face, your face! Stand up, stand up, stand up and show us your face.

Many love you today, many love you today. Many love you, dear Emily, many love you toooooodaaaaay.

PRESCHOOL - Here I Come!

Here's Kaylee ready to head off for her very first day of Preschool! She's been waiting anxiously for this day since we registered her back in February. She's in a small class with 9 students (5 girls, 4 boys) and 2 teachers. One of the little boys attends our ward (his Mom recommended the school). School is every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning.

Since Kaylee was bringing a backpack, Ashlyn, of course, wanted to bring one as well.

First day of school, and she already has homework! She is supposed to practice writing her name at home every day. Here's her very first attempt (she rejected all of my efforts to help her learn this skill in the past, but, happily, seems more excited about it now.)

And the verdict is . . .

GIRL!!!

A Day at the Dam

Once the wedding was over, I told Dad we would visit the Bonneville Dam since he loves to go there. In our minds this was almost a yearly occurrence, but to our surprise we learned we hadn't been there since 2001! The fish ladder was ladden with fish and the sturgeon bigger than ever. It rained that day in Portland but we enjoyed beautiful weather in the gorge. We met Marlin and Cindy Harker for dinner that night at the Stone Cliff Restaurant on the Clackamas River. Wonderful food enjoyed with wonderful friends. I guess it was just a wonderful day!

"They sound like idiots"

For several months now, I have been bugging Brandon to take me kayaking. We thought our honeymoon would be a perfect time. We called the kayak rent shop and asked about conditions vs. skill level and such. He said the sea was a bit choppy and that, especially since we were inexperienced to sea kayaking, it would be difficult to row against the current and wind, but you should be fine.

"Is the bar open today?" I asked. (The bar, for those who don't know, is a place where the river and ocean meet. On days that is it open, boats are allowed to roam the sea, on days that it is closed boats must remain in the harbor area.)
"Yep, it's open" he said.

Brandon and I felt pretty dang cool clad in our rented wet suits and carrying a tandem kayak down toward the harbor. We had to wind down a stair case, passing several people who, no doubt, were thinking to themselves, "They must be so hardcore. If only we were as cool as that."
I figured I'd be nervous, but it was worth the adventure. It wasn't that bad actually. It was really fun rowing out and getting comfortable with the rhythmical waves and it was even cooler once we left the Depoe Bay Harbor and got out into the open ocean.

Now, let me explain something. This is no river kayak; as dinky as those are, sea kayaks are even more so. There are no sides to a sea kayak. It's as though you are in a very narrow canoe with a cover over it, so that the place you sit is almost level with the edge. There isn't anything that you sit into (there there were some chair-like things that you strap, simply just for you to have something to lean back against). So it really is just you and the sea and nothing in-between.

As we got farther out, the waves turned into swells, but we were still having a ton of fun (mostly because we felt so hardcore). Before too long, we capsized. But not a big deal, we were very calm and climbed back in (which proves to be rather tricky). Right after, a whale watching boat drove by and asked if we were doing alright (which, of course, we were) and advised us not to go any father out: the wind was picking up and the swells were getting bigger.

In the course of turning around, we capsized again and as we were just about back in the kayak we flipped over a third time. Bu calm and cool we remained. At this point, the swells were...oh somewhere between 6 and 8 feet. I successfully climbed back in, but Brandon couldn't: the swells were too frequent. The same whale watching boat made a circle around us and announced, "We're coming to pick you up." While I was thinking, "that is a great idea" Brandon was thinking, "Now, I will just swim to shore, tugging Angela and the kayak."

We climbed into the boat, saw a whale (which, turns out, we were headed right towards in our kayak), and then were returned to harbor. Once we unloaded, the Coast Guard came to talk to us. After checking our condition, they told us the bar was closed that day and asked us where we got the kayak. Fortunately, he did not fine us the $1100.00 for disobeying the rules, since we didn't know, and got upset that the same shop continuously rents kayaks out to inexperienced people and tells them the ocean is safe for the day. And then he let us go.

Since we still had the kayak and wet suits, we kayaked around the harbor for a while, which had plenty of sea life, and ran into a few people who asked, "Are you the couple that was kayaking out in the sea??" Yeah, that's right, we're famous.

To top it off, we told Marshall (Brandon's brother) this story, who just happened to go out to Depoe Bay the following day to show a friend the Oregon Coast. They went on a whale watching trip, and were chatting with the captain who said, "Yeah, you never know what you'll find out here in the ocean: whales, kayakers,..."
Marshall: "You saw kayakers?"
Captain: "Yeah, just a few days ago. We had to pick them up; the sea was dangerous."
Marshall: "They sound like idiots!"
Captain: "Yeah."

Either way, we felt cool. Perhaps we should have been nervous...

Who Loves Asha?

Anne (to Ashlyn): Mommy loves Asha!

Ashlyn: NO!

Jesus loves Asha.

Elmo loves Asha.

I suppose I can give half credit for that response.

Bekah's first day of first grade

Here is the classic first day of school photo of Bekah from yesterday. She's outgrown all kinds of things lately, including her nickname (at least while at school). She has asked to be called "Rebekah" and many times decides it's not okay to be holding mom's hand anymore. She says goodbye to us from the side door now since she is big enough to walk to school by herself. Hello world of packing school lunches and muddy clothes from recess. But at least she's having great fun. Does this last photo of her lunch box bring back any memories? Got to love that Japanese-style English humor.

Obrigado

Thank you, family, for all the Brandon birthday wishes. That was awfully kind of you! For those of you who called Angela's phone and left a message: do not be offended. Angela's phone charger was lost for several days, so the messages were not received until many days after they were left, but they were still greatly enjoyed.

Things are going well. We are almost all settled in; still putting the finishing touches on the decorations. Brandon has already fixed the refrigerator, replaced the door handle and bolt lock, and jimmy-rigged our microwave to fit in the kitchen. He's just great!

Time for Guesses!

OK, family, our ultrasound is scheduled for next Tuesday, September 1st, so you have until then to cast your votes via the poll at the right.

Happy Anniversary of the 19th Amendment

Yesterday, Emily and I went to the revealing of a new memorial here in Rochester where Susan B. Anthony cast her illegal ballot in 1876 and was arrested. It was a important event in getting people to start talking about Women's Suffrage. There was the official Susan B. Anthony character there. Susan spent the second half of her life here in Rochester.

We also went to her house. It was really neat. This dress was created by the Relief Society in Utah, as a gift to Susan because she did a lot of campaigning out there. Utah was the second state to accept Women's Suffrage!

Susan and Fredrick Douglas were friends and they worked together on getting the right to vote for the African Americans and Women. There is a folk story that they got together to have tea in the park here to discuss their plans.

There was an annual festival and everything yesterday because this coming Wednesday is the anniversary of the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution in 1920, that gave women the right to vote.

Anyway, it was pretty cool and we thought we would share.

Thank you family for the wonderful week!

Here's a pic of my office I relocated to for a while before leaving :) for Portland. Very spacious and empty at 4:00am.

It was so much fun to be all together! I loved spending time with everyone. Abby and Brandon I am so happy for you!

Wedding Memories

We are a week and a day past the big event - "Brangela's" wedding - and I thought I had better record some memories stored in my brain but apparently irretrievable after a short period of time! The pictures added are not professional but they are all I have at the moment.

When Angela and I first discussed what was most important to put money into for her wedding she listed 3 things: the announcements, the dress, and the photographer. In looking back, I would say she hit 100% on all 3. Her announcements were called by some "the classiest ever!"; her dress which she and my dear friend, Linnell Mikkelsen, designed and Linnell created was one of a kind and so perfect for Angela - she just looked radiantly beautiful but not overdone; the photographer was a gift from heaven - a professional looking to do some weddings for free to build his portfolio. Thanks so much, Guy! I will add some of those pictures later.

For Blaine and I, we decided that food was high on the list. After all, once you have stood in line, signed the book, and wished the new couple a happy life, it's all about the food! Some of my warmest memories will always be how hard my dear friends worked to make that come true. Marlin and Cindy Harker took on that request with great zeal and provided a spread that not only tasted fantastic, but looked elegant. Together with their "team", it all came together and made for a wonderful night.

And of course, the food included the wedding cake. Along comes Ashley Kitchen, Blaine's niece who is currently living with us. One day she announces that she would like to do the cake as her payback for a place to live. Though she had never done a wedding cake, she did what it took to learn. We loved doing our part - eating as much of the practice cake as we could! Brandon's brother, Tyler, also got into the act and was Ashley's key helper. The final outcome was so perfectly beautiful and delicious, made even more so to me because of the love put into it. Thank you, Ashley.

Later in the planning, we decided to add a groom's cake, complete with wheat grass and antlers to represent Brandon's love of the great outdoors. Though Brandon had seen the antlers laying around and asked why I was growing wheat grass, we managed to make the cake a surprise. He loved it.

The most important memories of the wedding are centered on family. Having my parents, my sister and many of Blaine's family here added so much. My sister in particular became my go-to girl for all the final preparations. And as we met for a family dinner with the Roses the night before the big event, I felt deep gratitude for Brandon's family. Dave and Laurel have raised a great family and I am honored to be connected to them.

All of our own children (plus 2 of our grandchildren) made financial and other sacrifices to be here, but they wouldn't have had it any other way. Having all of our children together in the sealing room was an experience too great for words. A small taste of the eternities? Truly, creating eternal families is what this life is to be about. This new creation is going to be a great one!