April Nuts and Bolts (our monthly family newsletter)

April 2011 brought the following for our family, lots of highs and a few lows:


• The girls thought I was magic as I made green eggs and ham, plus orange milk for April Fool’s Day.

• We were well taught at General Conference. The kids did a good job for the most part. We gathered at Dad’s for the Priesthood session. Loved especially talks by Presidents Eyring and Uchtdorf.

• Our hearts go out to Junola and Brian at Chuck’s passing. It was a spiritual service and we’re all so much better thanks to Chuck’s example. We also attended the funeral of Elizabeth’s great aunt, Edith.

• We met out newest niece and cousin, Sierra. Such a cutie!

• We attended an amazing documentary debut of I Am Not My Body, directed and produced by Elizabeth’s cousin Mark Williams. It was about a boy in Romania whose body was mostly burned in a fire and how so many strangers and friends, coupled with his inspirational attitude, has led him to a totally new life.

• Church-related items: our bishop was out of town for 15 days, so things were a bit busier here; Relief Society birthday dinner for Elizabeth; ward baptisms; visits with the stake presidency; a culture night for our youth, where the YM and I presented a booth on Japan; service project working on Hobble Creek (which runs through our ward boundaries)

• Stockton had his momentous entry into Nursery. So far, so good! He was also pretty sick this month, necessitating a trip to the doctor for a viral infection. He aced his 18-month check-up with flying colors.

• You would never tell it was spring thanks to April’s weather!

• Work-related events: BYU—Hawaii PLC meetings where Elder Oaks spoke; end of semester celebration for the Telefund; LDS Business College graduation where Elder Nelson spoke; BYU convocation where our director was honored; being an audience member at a BYU Alumni Association webcast.

• Elizabeth and I enjoyed several nights out on dates. We had several fun outings as a family, including the Hobble Creek Boutique, daddy daughter dates, and many dinners out.

• A nice, big tax return never hurts!

• Easter was wonderful, with our ward party and fun family activity.

• Tayah was tested for preschool and is excited to go to three-times a week in the fall! She has tried her parents’ patience numerous times with her dramatics. We’re glad to hear we’re not the only parents who’ve gone through this phase .

• Kadence is gearing up for kindergarten in the fall and we’re hoping to enroll her in a Spanish immersion class. She dreads her upcoming check-up…she abhors shots!

• The largely disappointing Utah Jazz season ended on a high note. We had a pair of fun get-togethers with the other writers, including the season finale where the Jazz hosted us for dinner and the Utah/Denver Nuggets game. I still love blogging at utahjazz360.com!

• The biggest low was Elizabeth going through a miscarriage. We were about nine weeks along and she had to experience a D&C. We were very sad for a few days, but know that Heavenly Father is with us always. Thanks for family who were such helps to us for a long hospital day, meals, etc.

• Elizabeth’s finger is getting better, as she attending physical therapy every other week for a while.

• We had a fun get-together with my high school friends. I could not ask for better friends growing up and now.

For Madison

Easter Enjoyment and Some Catching Up

Bear with us...this is going to be a random post full of this and that.  You've been forewarned. 

We have had an wonderful Easter, doing a lot of things to really help our children understand the true meaning of the holiday.  Today Kadence gave her first talk in Primary, talking about Jesus Christ being our Savior and Redeemer.  She did a wonderful job!  We also had a special Easter lesson for them today and watched The Lamb of God.  The best part?  We were able to be together!

Here are our sweet children with their new outfits, an Easter tradition.  Aren't they cute?  Stockton had a nice purple tie with his pinstripe, but as 18-month olds go, he loved taking it off! 
Other than that, we've had a pair of funerals this week, one for my uncle Chuck and another for Elizabeth's great aunt Edith.  Both were amazing examples and we're sad to have to say good bye, for now, to them. 

Kadence had a fun field trip to Thanksgiving Point, accompanied by everyone but yours truly.  Tayah continues to hone her fit-throwing skills, but is adorable the rest of the time.  And Stockton is doing pretty good in Nursery, although he was tired and cranky (thanks, we learned later, to a fever) today.  We love our three little ones!

Dayton's Legs

LDS Church News article: Blindness

As I was looking at some old files, I found this.  This was a little article I wrote that was published in the Church News several years ago.  Enjoy!

Blindness is a prevalent theme in the scriptures. The textual accounts of Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry are laced with examples of the Savior restoring sight to those who could not physically see. While these acts were truly miraculous and faith-building, more moving were the occasions where He helped others—believers and non-believers alike—overcome varying forms of spiritual blindness.



No account has illustrated this more vividly for me than that of the disciples on the path to Emmaus found in Luke 24:13-32. In my opinion, these were diligent, faithful followers of Christ who tried their hardest to fully live the gospel. As they traversed the road while discussing the Savior’s recent crucifixion, Jesus Himself “drew near and went with them.” Despite their desire to see Him again, their eyes were “holden” and they could not recognize that Christ was walking with them, teaching them of the scriptures and of His own divine mission.


After blessing and breaking bread with them, the Savior disappeared, leaving the two men to exclaim, “Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?”


How often is Jesus Christ walking life’s roads with us, and how frequently are our eyes “holden” from His love, mercy, and goodness? There are indeed times when we are impervious to what He has done and what He now does for us. I know there have been many instances when I personally was unable to “see” His hand in my life even though I have a deep testimony that it is always there helping and guiding me. This scripture has done much to help me avoid those blind moments and keep my focus on His reality and on the personal relationship I have with Him.

-LDS Church News, March 17, 2007

Recent Girlisms

Kadencisms;

"Repent ye, repent ye...let down your golden hair!"  (this has us rolling around in laughter :)
"Mommy, I don't want to ride the Pirates of the Carrot Bean (Pirates of the Caribbean)
"Daddy, do you boss people around at work?"

Tayahisms

"Mommy, you have four eyes.  Daddy, you have ten." (right after Tayah come to in the emergency room from the anesthesia.  It makes perfect sense that I have more eyes!)
"On the Mainflower, the Pilgrims ate biscuits and gravy.  Oh, and apples!"

Our girls are so adorable and say the funniest things.  We love you two!

His Sacred Name - An Easter Declaration