The 2009 Christmas Letter

Christmas 2009

We love life, enjoy laughter and delight in the joys of the season. We marvel at the tender mercies extended through the gift our Savior. How grateful we are!

Our family continues to evolve. Each person contributes to bring joy and happiness to the lives of each other. We love our added sons and are glad to gather as occasions arrive. It is always an adventure with our ever expanding family. What a joy!

Jenna made the lead in the High School Musical, The Secret Garden. She did a great job playing Mary! We are proud of her and the hard work she put into it! She was also part of the Homecoming royalty at Davis this year! She looked very pretty! Now she is talking of internships and college. Gearing up for the next adventure while reminding her parents how glad they are she is at home with them.

Lara and Joey spent the summer in New York and South Carolina. What an adventuresome extravaganza they had! It is nice having them close by again! Lara is working as a Communications Assistant. Joey had a successful hunt even though "his" showcase buck eluded him. Both are savoring the last few weeks before jumping back into school in January.

Janeal and Terry are both working full time! Terry finished his schooling and graduated in June. He is busy exploring the slopes and started Eye First Graphic Design. Janeal continues to beautify the world one head at a time as a "Stylist". They have a good time together.

Tyler is still working for Farmington City. He works hard and fills many different positions. More recently, he got me to work with him building his RevvNRG business. It's fun to work together in a "GOOD Enterprise" as we tackle the challenges of building a business.

Lanae and Ryan are both in school again. Lanae is working on her masters degree in Nursing Instruction. Ryan is finishing his MBA in May and working full time! Their oldest, Nathan, started Kindergarten and is thriving. Ruthie is talking everyone's ears off! They sure have their hands full. Somehow they managed to remodeled their kitchen cabinets too. Really nice. We love to see the "grand" kids! (Their parents are OK too!)

Kaylene and I decided to update several rooms. We started with the bathroom, went through our bedroom, and then changed the music room! We finished it off by adding color to the living room and hall. We love our home and are happy with the results especially when our family and friends come by to enjoy it with us!

There was a time when bedtime stories were in the daily flow, Christmas stories from long ago. Now, the stories of the past become the presents they bring as we build our future festive memories.

Merry Christmas to all, every one.

No Volleyball this Week.

Bregetta, our neighbor died today. She was 100 years old and called me a "Smart Alec" just 4 weeks ago. I was honored. The last few weeks have been hard on the family and on Bregetta.

Life is amazing. Bregetta made you appreciate what you can do with what you are given. The last few years she lived in the chair in the living room serving the world. That is right. She knitted caps and socks for premature newborns, Leper wraps and doilies for friends and family. She was always a joy to visit with as she would share a story of service from her past.

Today at church they announced her passing. The significance of the event did not seem to register. The announcement came across as just another event. It was not intended to be disrespectful. Here is how it came out:

... We got news just before this meeting. Earlier today Bregetta died. (slight pause) There is no vollyball this week. (pause) Next week Thursday there is a skills clinic for volleyball at ....

The announcement was likely made in the context of "life goes on" even on the day a centurion dies. It left me with an empty and hollow feeling.

Life goes on for each of us. Tomorrow will again be "The first day of the rest of your life... Live it like it is your last because someday it will be." Like it was today for Bregetta.

Reading earlier this week in The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson I read some thoughts about what others think about us. How at our funeral only a few people are likely to cry. It also stated that what will determine if people come to the actual burial is the weather. If it is raining 50% are likely to be "No Shows".

So, what is it we can do today to be of good in the world like Bregetta was from her chair. Can we see our own funeral or the last day of our life? What will those we love be saying about us? Can we visualize today what those attending our funeral will say to about us. It is likely many will not be crying. What will the people in our lives today remember when they hear about us in a passing announcement someday:

"... Earlier today we got news that __________ passed away. (Slight pause) There will be no volleyball this week..."

Sabbath, A day of Rest

Little children teach great lessons. Some of us go to church on the Sabbath day. Some of us practice a "Day of Rest" each week. This little guy understands and fully practices keeping the Sabbath day as a day of rest at church. Despite my efforts, my lovely wife would not allow me to put into practice fully the lesson this little guy taught.

Oh, that we all could participate fully in such fully dedicated Sabbath day devotion.

But ... I Thought It WAS Important!

In that moment of excitement, I did what seemed important. I was wrong. Boy was I dead wrong. And yes, I did hear about it. Not so much in complaints or comments. In looks and in silence, I heard about it. At times silence and looks can scream. In this situation, the sound was deafening.

I've learned a little more about what is interesting and what is important.

Our family went to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple open house on Friday night. It was a marvelous experience. Beautiful architecture, immaculate interior and peaceful feelings. The grandchildren were all in awe and the experience was memorable. Each of us found beauty and peace of sort in our temple visit. Nice to have family with us to enjoy it.

On our way out it was raining dramatically. A down pour. With refreshment eaten and some visiting winding down we when outside in a sprinkle. Then we saw it. Wow, only one other time had I seen such a powerful image. The sun was perfectly placed and a strong brilliant rainbow was before us. From our vantage point on the temple grounds we could see this breath taking sight.

The last time I saw such a site I did not have my camera so I missed capturing it. I was going to get this sight. I jogged ahead noticing the light was ever changing and there was a chance the brilliance of this moment just might fade. I might miss it.

At the car I unlocked the trunk grabbed the camera only to have it get stuck in the bag. I tugged and it finally came free. I've got to get this shot. It is important to capture such a marvel that happens so rarely. Perfect light. Even stronger now. Full double rainbows. Yes. This is going to happen. I closed the trunk and readied the camera. I got a shot or two with the rainbow by the Jordan River Temple near it's end.

If I go a few yards to the right I wonder if the rainbow will be situated exactly over the Jordan River Temple. Just as I start to move I hear cries from the girls. The rain is intensifying and they want to get in the car. I start toward the car reaching for the keys to unlock the doors.... "The keys...." "Not in that pocket...." "maybe..." "Oh man, where can they be?" My mind raced. As I look up to see my wife and daughter getting wetter by the moment.

I had to confess I did not have the keys. Then reality set in. While I was involved in what seemed to be an important activity to me I had neglected a far more important matter. The keys were locked in the car. IN THE TRUNK! There was laughing, crying, looks and silence. Nothing we could do. It was done.

Perspectives change in a moment sometimes in life. So, it did for me at that moment. Pictures were not nearly so important anymore(though I did take a few more). Attention change to the really important matter of getting the problem solved and taking care of our transportation needs.

What is IMPORTANT so often seems so clear until we get a little different perspective. We always need to take care of the really important stuff while we participate in the interesting kinds of "important" actives.

The matter was solved by my driving an hour round trip to home and back to pick up the spare key. After all the screaming looks and yelling silence were past we had a good laugh as we got home hours beyond our plans.

We did something important. We stuck together. Solved the problem and now have something to look back on. Indeed going through the temple open house was memorable and now it is fixed with emotion and memories of what is really important in life.

Oh and the pictures turned out OK too.

Tee Ball - Priceless!

You have to love the determination and drive. The passion for the game and the admiration of the fans. Few places combine the pure joy of the sport an the perspective of what matters most than at the local Tee Ball game.

We had a great time. Recommended (Should be required) attendance for all.

Many a lesson of life can be taught at a Tee Ball Game. Go check one out at your earliest opportunity.

Thanks for sharing such a fun game with us Nathan.

Kaylene In Concert with a Choir

Kaylene when to the choir concert to night to get ready. And ready she was when they handed her two more pieces she had never seen. She is amazing. Sight reading the music flawlessly.

Well the weather had other plans. As Jenna and I arrived We enjoyed watching the equipment get put away.

I finally found Kaylene as she was playing for some of the specialty acts. They were enjoyable. The group then performed several of their numbers. Turns out there were a few guest in from out of town. Rather than have them miss it completely the choir had a mini concert for a few in the green room.

Kaylene played and the singers sang. All was good in the world despite the buckets of water pounding the building outside.

In the end they get to do it all over again next week 8pm Layton Amphitheater.

In the end the ducks were pretty happy and so were the participants.

UP Made me look around.

We went an watched UP. What a GREAT movie! I got me thinking a lot about the important things in life. Then Saturday Jenna and I went to the air show. All those people looking UP made me look down and around. It was fun what I found.

There are a ton of important things that happen when you get your feet back on the ground after watching UP. Go see the movie. Then you will know a little more about important things.

Enjoying those moments when we are up!

Some days it is just the best to have a tramp in the back yard.

Just after dinner... doing the dishes and ... you look up and see things are perfect. The sun is at their back and you get that cool back lite hair look. They are a bouncing quite nicely. I wonder if I can get them hair in the air without getting caught. (Once the kids see the camera they are never their natural selves.)

Sneak to the door... raise the camera.... compose the shot.... capture the moment... see what you got. Hey, not too bad for the first and only click. In the air... sun lite hair... joy of childhood all in a single moment.

Do you get the idea that having a tramp in the backyard at times is the best. To feel the joy and delight of taking flight. Reaching for the stars and dreams before you discover the distance required to reach them.

Oh, that everyday we could see the UP in our up and down lives!

Transformation: Good for us all!

"The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of transformation.  It takes us as men and women of the earth and refines us into men and women for the eternities"

Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
 (Ensign Nov 2007, 39-30)

Memorial Day. Again.

Memorial Day is for Remembering

Our lives are blessed each day by those who have gone before.  As we interact with family and friends we sometimes miss moments that affect our future memories.  Thankfully, this Memorial day was memorable again.

Family filled our day as we played, worked and remembered together.  Nathan helped me remember the firm foundations provided by so many who helped to build the society we live in.  We worked construction on a train station.  Nathan was foreman and he the most exacting specifications.  Like so many who have prepared buildings, roads and other infrastructure for us to enjoy we worked and labored until the task was done. It was done in all good fun. 


Fun was followed by food.  Then we went to the cemetery for remembering those loved whom have passed on before...






The past memories bring rich present thoughts as we try to teach those living in the present the gifts of those gone before.  Each person in their own way making the most of this memorial day.

Dear neighbor.  Dear friend.  We contemplate your passing and long to greet you on the other side.

Wondering what your life has done to fully effect ours.


Causes our thoughts and hearts to yearn upward....



Certainly do love Memorial day!

All Hours of the Day

So where are the margins in life?  I mean where is the a blank spot in your day.  With family, friends, work and recreation where are the truly free moments?  You know those moments when you fell the cool breeze.  When the sun hits you just right to give you a moment of bright delight.  Where is peace found in the turmoil of a day?

If you wait for the activity around you to slow down it may be a long wait.  If you think it is when the last task is finished and before the next one begun?  Maybe for you but so often the projects blur and there is nothing between them but double the work! 

For me the moments of peace are in the middle of the mess of any moment.  It is right there!  Not in the waiting for something to be done or for the pressure to go away.  It is instead, inside your head!

Crossing the street earlier today a car whizzed by, about made me cry,  "Watch out you....."  And then it happened, not two steps away.  A overwhelming peace swept through all of me.  I felt a bit of the sunshine mixed with a soft breeze radiating from my pleasant thought.  "Life is good... glad I can enjoy such a wonderful day!"  (as the car continued on its way.)

At that moment.  The miracle of that magical moment, I was glad the margins in my life are sometimes in the middle of the page.

So if anyone ever asks where the margins are. You tell them.  The margins are in the middle!

I wish you the best in delightful, peaceful .... ah...  Isn't life great!

Easter

Easter is amazing.

Dead are alive. Alive are renewed.
Hopelessness, futile. Spring has sprung.

This morning in the dawn I made a discovery. My garden has life!

Two weeks ago I put some seeds in what looked hopelessly dead. Now, two weeks later, I am filled the the hope of full fledged, delightful garden. All because of what I saw this morning...

Just like the hopeless situation of death bears upon all, the bright hope of a new spring day rises with the sun on everyone.

Like the seed planted small, the single act of one, with power from His Father, cast off the demands of death and rose to new life. In His rising from the dead, we all have the hope of life beyond the grave.

Like the seed planted with faith springs to life, I anticipate with firmness of faith the glorious day of life after death, because of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.