Wow, what a day! Rachael got her license today!!! Yea, we are so excited. I called up our insurance company today and added her - I was not expecting the sticker shock. Another $500 every 6 months. But after I got over the initial shock, I realized that the price of sanity is well worth it. Of course there will be added insanity - like my daughter now has more freedom to come and go. This leads to other opportunities for her to make mistakes. But at this point we have to let her be more independant. We have taught her well, now it is time for her to begin to test her own freedom.
And freedom will be great for us as well. As I am posting this blog, Rachael is at cheer - and we did not have to drive her! So now we have some freedom too. She can drive to cheer, to her friends across town, to the physical therapist, etc etc etc. That in and of itself is well worth the added insurance premium.
So today is a brand new day. A day of freedom, a day of liberation...and yes, a day to be worried that she is out in the world and we are not there with her. Rachael, we love you and are so proud. Congratulations!!!
Monday, May 19, 2008
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Slow to Update
Ok - so I have been pretty slow to update my blog lately. What am I talking about lately? I have historically been slow to update my blog. So, here it is; consider it updated :)
Really I have a lot to update and chat about. This past weekend Becky and I attended a conference about money management. It has really changed the way Becky and I look at our finances. Of course time will tell, but I can honestly say that I am ready to practice what we have learned about. Saving, investing, paying debt, etc. All things we have learned about in school, family, and life, but never in such a profound way. Let is just suffice to say we are better people today than we were last week.
Isn't that the goal of life? To be better today then you were yesterday? I don't think that anyone can expect perfection, but we can expect to make stides in the direction of perfection. Ok, with that being said, I think I need to sign off for the night. I will honestly try to update my blog more (at least 3 times a month from here on out!)
Really I have a lot to update and chat about. This past weekend Becky and I attended a conference about money management. It has really changed the way Becky and I look at our finances. Of course time will tell, but I can honestly say that I am ready to practice what we have learned about. Saving, investing, paying debt, etc. All things we have learned about in school, family, and life, but never in such a profound way. Let is just suffice to say we are better people today than we were last week.
Isn't that the goal of life? To be better today then you were yesterday? I don't think that anyone can expect perfection, but we can expect to make stides in the direction of perfection. Ok, with that being said, I think I need to sign off for the night. I will honestly try to update my blog more (at least 3 times a month from here on out!)
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Birthday
Aren't birthdays interesting. It seems the older I get the less stressed I become over birthdays. Let's face it, each and everyday you are a day older than you were before. Birthdays don't really change anything.
What I can say is that the day was just want I needed. We had some great friends come over and share a wonderful meal together. By the way, I love my wife. She made me one of my favorite meals - home made refried beans, mexican rice, and chicken taquitos. Then we finished it up with some lemon bars that Rachael made. My day could not have been better - my kids treated me like royalty. They got up early and made me breakfast, a sign that they all signed, and just basic take care of Dad day. I love it. That was the best present I could have received. And to wrap it all up my wife wrote the most amazing post on her blog about me. I LOVE HER! She is the best and makes this crazy life all worth it. I could not imagine life without her.
What I can say is that the day was just want I needed. We had some great friends come over and share a wonderful meal together. By the way, I love my wife. She made me one of my favorite meals - home made refried beans, mexican rice, and chicken taquitos. Then we finished it up with some lemon bars that Rachael made. My day could not have been better - my kids treated me like royalty. They got up early and made me breakfast, a sign that they all signed, and just basic take care of Dad day. I love it. That was the best present I could have received. And to wrap it all up my wife wrote the most amazing post on her blog about me. I LOVE HER! She is the best and makes this crazy life all worth it. I could not imagine life without her.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Stress
There is an old song by David Bowie and Queen call Pressure. So I am feeling the pressure of life and work. It seems like everywhere I turn it is there. So all I can do is just climb over it. My dear bride quoted me a line from a book that she is reading that states that "You are Bigger than you Problems!" If not the problems will be bigger than you. So my main goal for the day (work...nope) is to overcome my problems. NOT let them overcome me. To the day I say "Here I am...sure I have pressue and stress, but I will NOT let them beat me. I am bigger than my problems!"
Now that I say that how do I overcome my problems? ...I don't know. Ok, I do know how. One step at a time. Some are baby steps, others are larger than life. But if I move forward when I fall I will fall forward. (wow it is just starting to feel like a good cliche day. I wonder how many more I can use this day. Funny how a good cliche just makes you feel better.) I think what I really need is my flip flops and a good hawaiin shirt.
Oh and Becky...yes I am writing on my blog. I may not do it every day (ok or even every week) but I am writing...occasionally.
Another song just came to mind. To Life from Fiddler on the Roof.
A great message indeed. May we all take what the Lord blesses us with.
Now that I say that how do I overcome my problems? ...I don't know. Ok, I do know how. One step at a time. Some are baby steps, others are larger than life. But if I move forward when I fall I will fall forward. (wow it is just starting to feel like a good cliche day. I wonder how many more I can use this day. Funny how a good cliche just makes you feel better.) I think what I really need is my flip flops and a good hawaiin shirt.
Oh and Becky...yes I am writing on my blog. I may not do it every day (ok or even every week) but I am writing...occasionally.
Another song just came to mind. To Life from Fiddler on the Roof.
To life, l'chai-im!
L'chai-im, l'chai-im, to life!
One day it's honey and raisin cake,
Next day a stomach ache,
Drink L'chai-im, to life!
Our great men have written words of
Wisdom to be used
When hardship must be faced;
Life obliges us with hardship
So the words of wisdom
shouldn't go to waste.
To us and our good fortune
Be happy be healthy, long life!
And if our good fortune never comes
Here's to whatever comes,
Drink l'chaim, to life!
A great message indeed. May we all take what the Lord blesses us with.
Monday, March 24, 2008
I Hate my Dodge
Yup, basically I can not stand Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge. I think it is criminal what they are doing to us. Ok, the long and short, is that I bought a very nice truck in March 2007. I brought it home and I had finally bought my dream vehicle....then the issues began. In the first year of ownership I have had the vehicle in the shop for more that 30 days for repairs. According to the Utah Lemon Law, this vehicle should be repurchased from Chrysler. So I filed a complaint in January of 2008 with the Utah Division of Consumer Protection and have been fighting it ever since!
Well I am tired of it. So I decided to post all of my notes about my truck so that the world can read my experience and be warned when they go to purchase a Chrysler product. One of the big stinkers about this is that my brother-in-law is a salesman for Ken Garff West Valley Dodge. He is a great guy, but unfortunately the product he stands behind is not. So world feel free to read all of my notes (updated almost daily) and make a decision for yourself.
Well I am tired of it. So I decided to post all of my notes about my truck so that the world can read my experience and be warned when they go to purchase a Chrysler product. One of the big stinkers about this is that my brother-in-law is a salesman for Ken Garff West Valley Dodge. He is a great guy, but unfortunately the product he stands behind is not. So world feel free to read all of my notes (updated almost daily) and make a decision for yourself.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
The Sweet Spirit of Children
Today I had the opportunity to substitute in primary for Clairissa's class. I marveled at how strong and wise their spirits are at the tender age of 9 and 10. Their teacher called me this morning and told me that she had hurt her back yesterday doing to much around the yard, so she needed somebody to help out. Of course it was a bad day to ask only because we are in the ward choir who was performing today and we had practice early this morning. So, needless to say, I did not get a chance to prepare a lesson. These children were so fun though. They worked hard at participating and they were so patient with me as I fumbled through reading the lesson as I taught. We had a beautiful moment though as I challenged them to find out for themselves if Jesus really did live and die for us. The spirit was strong as we spoke of gaining knowledge and a witness of the truth. Then, we went into sharing time where I got to listen to them sing a song that struck my heart. I know I can do better in my life and this thought was brought home so well by the sweet voices of children singing. The words to the song they sang are as follows:
1. If the Savior stood beside me,
would I do the things I do?
Would I think of His commandments,
and try harder to be true?
Would I follow His example?
Would I live more righteously
if I could see the Savior standing nigh,
watching over me?
2. If the Savior stood beside me,
would I say the things I say?
Would my words be true and kind
if He was never far away?
Would I try to share the gospel?
Would I speak more rev’rently
if I could see the Savior standing nigh,
watching over me?
though I do not see Him there,
And because He loves me dearly,
I am in His watchful care.
So I’ll be the kind of person
that I know I’d like to be
if I could see the Savior standing nigh,
watching over me.
Bread of Life
Today is Easter Sunday and we are getting ready to go to church. What a blessing it is to be able to go and celebrate Christ; his life, his ministry, his resurrection. This is such a special day - a day to rejoice in Christ!
During sacrament we will be singing an amazing arrangement of How Great the Wisdom and the Love. As we were practicing the song, our choir directory Katie Delahunty encouraged us to really focus on the words. Wow, what a difference. I instantly felt the Spirit fill my soul and I had to hold back the tears. I am not sure how I will be able to when we sing it for the congregation today.
I love this song and the message it gives. Christ has given all to us; then why can we not give just a little more to him. I love this gospel that has testifies of the life of Christ. The joy He has brought in my life. It is my testimony that Christ lives. That he overcame death! Because he has, we will be able to return to our Heavenly Father! Oh if this is so, why can we not be better? Better at serving other, at giving, at helping those in need, and at giving forgiveness. The power of mercy is great! I love my Heavenly Father! I love my life as a follower of Christ. It is my humble Easter prayer that each of us will renew our faith in Him.
During sacrament we will be singing an amazing arrangement of How Great the Wisdom and the Love. As we were practicing the song, our choir directory Katie Delahunty encouraged us to really focus on the words. Wow, what a difference. I instantly felt the Spirit fill my soul and I had to hold back the tears. I am not sure how I will be able to when we sing it for the congregation today.
How great the wisdom and the love that filled the courts on high and sent the Savior from above. To suffer, bleed and die! His precious bleed he freely spilt; his life he freely gave. A sinless sacrifice for guilt, a dying world to save. By strict obedience Jesus won the prize with glory rife: "Thy will, O god, not mine be done," adorned his mortal life. He marked the path and led the way, and every point defines to light and life and endless day where God's full presence shines. In mem'ry of the broken flesh we eat the broken bread, and witness with the cup, afresh, our faith in Christ, our Head. How great, how glorious, how complete, redemption's grand design, where justice, love, and mercy meet in harmony divine!
I love this song and the message it gives. Christ has given all to us; then why can we not give just a little more to him. I love this gospel that has testifies of the life of Christ. The joy He has brought in my life. It is my testimony that Christ lives. That he overcame death! Because he has, we will be able to return to our Heavenly Father! Oh if this is so, why can we not be better? Better at serving other, at giving, at helping those in need, and at giving forgiveness. The power of mercy is great! I love my Heavenly Father! I love my life as a follower of Christ. It is my humble Easter prayer that each of us will renew our faith in Him.
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