Swim Team

Brad and Jake tried out for the swim team last night.  They didn't make the team.  The coach said to Jake, "you did great, but you need to work on your endurance and improve your strokes."  To Brad, she said, "you need to work on your breaststroke and butterfly."  I have failed my sons with teaching them to swim.  We always go swimming, but we don't work on the strokes and technique improvement.  Jake, upon finishing the tryout, came out in tears because of being embarrassed.  I felt horrible for him.  He tried hard, but just didn't have what it took to make the team.   So, I am going to coach them.  We started this morning.  I told them for our time in the pool, I am "coach" and not "dad."  I used to teach swim lessons as a teenager.  I need to do it for my boys.  Surprisingly, they were stoked and so excited to have me coach them.  The first practice went good.  We'll see how it goes.  We're going to do it every morning from 6:00 to 6:30ish or so

 

cute kids

Here's my cute kids.  They get along pretty good.  The one good thing about having kids spread apart is that they can help take care of each other.  Eli is like 5 weeks old now...incredible!

Ava loves her new purse that she got from her cousin, Alexis.  Alexis was so anxious to give it to Ava.  I don't know what Ava loves better...the color or the size of it.  I swear it's bigger than she is

Family time

Big brother and little sister just hangin out together, which they love to do.  Aren't they cute!  Ava got her new little purse and wanted to show it off.  The funny thing is she ruined it the first day.  She soaked it in water and the water won.  Good thing she only spent $2 on it. 

Jake took a picture of daddy and his little girl.  I think he's going to be a photographer some day or some type of artist.  He's very creative and artistic.  He creates anything.  Maybe he'll be like his dad who loves to create things.  He loves to write and draw.  I think he's started about 10 journals and lately he's been doing his own blog.  His posts are so cute.  It's fun to read his perspectives and outlooks on life's events

One of these days, Ava will start to ride a bike without training wheels.  But, for now, she'll keep riding whatever she can.  In this case, it's grandma and grandpa Merrill's trike

Is a hammock relaxing or a workout?  After trying to relax a little bit myself, these kids just took over and it soon turned into a workout.  They beat me up and then took over.  Those crazy monkeys!

Here's Tess, grandma and grandpa Merrill's latest dog.  And, this is the dog they got after they vowed to never have another.  Funny how that works.  That vow, I swear, didn't last longer than a year.  Lucinda is such a softie when it comes to dogs.  Our dog, Lacy and Tess were best friends until the day Lacy took Tess down and punctured her kneck.  That is what was so weird with our dog, Lacy.  She was the sweetest dog 99% of the time and then it was just that 1% of pure fiery indignation that you don't know where that aggression would come from.  That was the last straw for Lacy.  After that incident with Tess is when we had to put Lacy, down.

Binky power

We got Eli some new binkies.  Well, it turns out that Ava has been a little jealous of Eli lately.  She's no longer the baby of the family and has needed a little attention.  Sucking on the new binkies was just the way to show she was still the baby.  She said she just wanted to try the new binkies out.

O Ava, what do we do with you?!  Luckily, this only lasted a day.

President Brad

Brad did a President's report at school on President Andrew Jackson.  Doesn't he look semi business like and studly?!  I love the picture of him with his hair all styled back and of him wearing Ethan's old suit coat with the collars lifted.  What a stud!

Virginia home

1510 N. Dinwiddie St.,

Sterling, VA 22170

This is the house I grew up in.  I lived here my whole life until I was 19.  My mom and dad sold this house while I was on the mission when they built the Provo house.  I sometimes wonder what the place looks like now.  A lot of good memories!

Growing up, I used to think the window on the right of the home was huge.  When I look at that "huge" window, I just think of the discipline Darin and Dale got from Dad one day as they got into major trouble.  I know Dad loved us, but Darin and Dale did their best this one time to try my dad's patience and long suffering.  They had skipped school one day.  I don't remember who's idea it was or why they skipped, but I just know that they did.  I think I was only like 10 years old, but I can still remember pretty vividly what occurred as a result of their mischief.  If I was only about 10, then Darin was like 14 or 15 and Dale would have been 16 or 17.  Apparently, they had an idea to go with a few friends that day and came up with the bright idea of stealing some stuff out of a house near ours.  Somehow, they got caught.  I don't know by whom or how, but they did and were brought home by the cops.  Someday, I'll have to ask Darin and Dale the actualities of why, how and what happened.  But, I just remember my dad getting home that night early from work just steaming and very upset.  The next thing I know, my dad says in a very stern voice, "Dennis and Don, go to your room."  He then pulls out a big board and shuts the curtains to the "huge" window.  For the next 20 minutes or so, all I hear is "whack, whack, whack."  That's right, Dale and Darin were getting the beating of their lives across their rear ends.  That was the one and only time I recall my dad "correcting" his children.  The sounds of "whack, whack, whack" still ring vividly in my memory even after all these years.  I'm pretty sure in our society today, "correcting" our children like this is pretty much not tolerated or accepted.  If only we could do the same. (haha)

Through the years...part 1

My dad had some pictures which I just had to borrow from him. 

1972 - brand new

1973 - age 1

1974 - age 2



1976 - age 4



1977 - age 5 - kindergarten



1978 - age 6 - 1st grade

1981 - age 9 - 3rd grade

1983 - age 11 - 5th grade

1984 - Don and I got the Priesthood



1984 - age 12 - 6th grade - w/Don

1986 - age 14 - 8th grade

1989 - age 16 - 11th grade

1990 - age 17 - 12th grade

A teaching moment for Ava

In Moroni chapter 8, we read that "little children are whole, for they are not capable of committing sin...and their little children need no repentance and that repentance is for those who are accountable and capable of committing sin."  So, the question arises from this little incident with Ava today.

Ava has a fiery disposition and gets frustrated really easy and fast.  Nichole was the same way when she was a little girl, so Ava comes by it naturally and inherits this godly trait from her mother! She truly is a little spitfire who stands her ground. 

I was not there for the said occurrence and am relaying what Nichole related to me.  Today, while I was at work, Ava was desperately trying to get into the Expedition.  Being angry and filled with frustration, she exclaimed with a frustrated and upset voice, "I can't shut this damn door."  Huh, my little 4 year old girl actually swore and said a bad word.  Where did she hear that from?  We never swear at our house, so where did she pick up on that one?  I tried to remember if any of the boys swore or said a bad word at that age and I can't recall that they did.  In response to Ava's little outbreak, Nichole just looked at her with those shocked eyes and said, "if you ever swear like that or talk like that again, you will get soap in your mouth and a spanking.  Where did you learn that from?"  Poor little Ava could only muster out a tearful response, "I'm sorry, mom.  I don't know.  I don't know!"  So, it looks like daddy is going to have to have a little one on one with his little girl!

FHE

 I wrote out some thank you cards for friends and neighbors of those who had offered so much service and had brought us over dinners and given us gifts when Eli was born.  That was so nice of them.  We were humbled so many just randomly helped us out.  As part of family home evening, I took the 3 crazy kids around with me on a walk handing out these thank you cards.  Well, we had to stay a little longer at the Hanks' house with all the goats, chickens, turkeys and ducks. 

 

Amber was so friendly and nice with Ava and wanted to help her pet the chickens.  The Hanks ended up giving Brad, Jake and Ava each an egg that had just hatched.  They thought it was pretty cool and tried keeping it warm the whole way home, not realizing these eggs will not hatch because they're not fertilized.  O, my boys. 

Brad and Jake were so cute.  While walking, they told me their bright idea of how to save money for the family..."sell the house and live in a big camper.  we can save $2000/month and no more taxes.  we can share beds.  there'd be plenty of room in the camper"  O, to be young again and have brilliant ideas!

Salt Lake Century

My sweetie, Freaky Nicky, was so nice to let me do this race while she held down the fort with the kids.  Thanks babe!  This picture is of Don and I after the ride/race with his kids, Regan (who I'm holding), Whitney and Nick and their funny little dog Rocket.  I had already changed out of my racing gear.  We did the century ride up in Salt Lake with a couple other guys.  So, I was totally humbled by this race after coming in pretty confident from doing pretty well with the marathon a couple weeks ago.  I was definitely reminded of the weakest portion of my triathlon training.  The good cyclists were going so fast.  Don was nice enough to stay back with me, even though I know he wanted to go faster.  There are 3 things I need to work on, assuming I had the time to do so.  They would be bike endurance (basically more time on the bike), stronger legs and a new bike.  I, maybe wrongfully, attibute a lot of the lack of good performance, to the bike I have.  The other guys with their newer and better bikes were going so much faster with minimal effort.  It really is amazing the difference it makes being able to go just a couple more mph faster.  Maybe, one of these days, after paying off the baby bills, I might be able to splurge.  So, with the tri events coming up later in the next few months, I definitely need to focus more on cycling.  Having said that, as a father and husband, where do I find the time?  I was seriously no good around the house after getting home due to being so tired.  Brad wants me to play soccer with him.  Jake was out playing basketball by himself.  Ethan, being into his basketball league, will most assuredly want/need me to come to his games.  Mom needs a break from taking care of the baby and Ava misses her daddy.  It is tough balancing time as a parent.  It just feels at times, no matter what I do, I just can't keep up with everything.  It's the question of the ages for me, how to best balance time?  And then, how to stay happy and positive about it.  I feel I'm always typically involved in good things, but I just need to follow our apostle's advice, and Nichole's advice, and focus on what is best.

swimming with the kiddos

Ava got a new Ariel kickboard, so she was dying to go swimming.  She had Nichole call me at work early Friday morning wondering when daddy was coming home to take her swimming.  She held the kickboard all day waiting for me to get home...so cute.  And as soon as I walked in the door, when I was walking upstairs, she gave me a huge hug and said, "I love you, daddy. We going swimming?"  So, how could I say no to that.  She recruited the brothers and off we went.  The cute thing is that she kept saying she didn't need a life jacket anymore because she had the kickboard...like that's going to keep her afloat.  Oh, the mindset of a 4 year old.  The nachos made a good treat at the end

The dwelling abode

We moved into this house just before Pioneer Day of 2007 and just a few months before Ava was born.  Our previous home was in Eagle Mountain and Holladay before that.  We've loved being in Lehi.  It's a central location and the people around us are great.  It's so interesting where you end up, especially for this Virginia boy.

So, a few things I've done to this place:  the house came just all stucco.  The first thing I did was put the stone and brick on the house.  The stone is the Abalone limestone which is the same stone used on the Manti temple.  It's not my favorite stone but it was a nice fit for this house and the neighborhood.  And, seeing how it's an HOA subdivision and not really asking for approval, I did what I could without getting into too much trouble.  It's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.  

The next thing I had to do was to finish off the yard.  After planting a few trees and shrubs, we left space for a garden.  I know you're supposed to plant by Mother's Day, so hopefully I'm not too late.  This will be the first time in my married life planting a garden.  We'll see how it goes...look forward to getting the hands dirty with the kids.

I wanted to carry the stone around to the back, but Nichole told me to stop working so much and just enjoy it if it's already finished.  It just bugs me when something's not the way I'd like it to be and I know I can do better. She did let me do a little stone with the patio and fire pit.  The wood bench was built in Eagle Mountain from wood that had been soaked in the Great Salt Lake.  It's a heavy bugger.  The cherry tree next to the bbq produced some good cherries last year!  I loved the red maple tree.  I thought it was a good accent and shade tree.

  

I built the basketball court to be about 25' x 25'.  I don't recall the exact size, but the kids have a great time using that.  I grew up with a bball court and knew I would have to have 1.  I built the addition on the back corner, which is currently being used as a shed.  The plan is to incorporate it into living space as soon as I have enough time to do that.  Our trampoline gave out, so I'm currently wondering what to do with that spot, whether to get another one or do something entirely different. 

Daddy daughter time

I was just thinking how awesome it is to have a little princess, my little girl.  She loves to be catered to by me, not that she has me wrapped around her finger or is the boss!  She had me feed her a macademia nut chocolate, which she could have easily done herself simply because she didn't want the chocolate to melt in her hand.  Then, she also had me carry her up the stairs while telling me, "I love you, daddy," in her cute little voice.  Even after 4 weeks of being kicked out of my own bed because of Eli and sleeping with Ava, she has me give her a massage and scratch her back as part of the nightly ritual. 

 

I want to tell the story of how I knew Ava was supposed to come to our family.  After Jake being born, I wanted to be done having kids.  I thought 3 was a good number and it was good to move on with life.  Well, 4 years go by after Jake and I am just as content as I could be with keeping the family the way it was.  Then, a Sunday in Elder's Quorum was the determining factor.  I don't recall the lesson being taught, but the clearest voice and thought came rushing into my heart and mind so as to completely take me over.  The voice said, "Dennis, stop being selfish.  You have a little girl up here waiting to come to you."  I was overcome and after getting home from church, I had to tell Nichole. I knew a little girl was ready to come to our home.  Nichole, who seems to always be more in tune with the spirit, informed me she had been feeling for a while by that time we should have another child.  So, Ava was conceived and the rest is history.  When we went for the ultrasound, there was  never a doubt in my mind the baby was to be a girl.  The only thing in question however, was the name.  I always told Nichole that if we were to have a girl, her name would be Annika, because I had always loved that name.  But, seeing how the woman always wins out with the name choice, Ava is the name that was given her.  That's ok because "Ava" totally fits this little princess

Lacy Girl

We had our Lacy girl for about a year and a half.  She was great to have in the home.  True, I had to spend about 3 or 4 hours a week cleaning up dog hair, which really got annoying, but the kids loved her sooo much.  She was a lab husky mix.  The lab in her was great, but the husky in her was her downfall.  She loved people but had a hard time with other dogs.  She had 2 minor human incidents and 4 dog attacks.  The dog attacks were serious and because she already had the taste of human blood, we couldn't chance it with the new baby.  We were devastated to let her go, but it was just something we had to do.  Nichole took it really hard seeing how she was the one who had to be there when they put Lacy to sleep.  Nichole called me right after leaving the vet's office.  With tears in her quivering voice, she said she never wants to go through that again.  So, it looks like we may not ever have another dog again.  However, I would have felt horrible if something would have happened because of her.  Ava took it the hardest going around the house asking, "Lacy where are you?"  I guess we are just not meant to have a dog...or a cat for that matter having just taken Tatty to the animal shelter.  Because our home cannot be without some type of pet/animal, the kids had to get a few fish.  Ava, even today says, "I miss you Lacy."  She's so cute when she says her prayers and tells Heavenly father that she misses her Lacy. 

Ethan's tender heart

 I have to recall an experience I had with Ethan.  In early February of last year, he and I went on a winter Klondike camp out with the other young men of the ward.  We drove out to Cedar Fort.  It was just he and I together at this time without any of the other young men because I had to use the truck for hauling supplies.  While driving, Ethan kept changing the music station and listening to different stuff.   So, finally after the millionth time of changing the station, I asked him, "do you want to hear what I listen to?"  I then changed it to K-love, the Christian rock station.  Typically, I'd listen to cd's or any other church-related cd, but my cd player was broken and needed cleaning. (And it still does over a year later...oh well)  Well, the next day in church was Fast Sunday.  Ethan got up and related this little story.  After relating the experience in his words, he said, "I was just thinking how I wish the whole church could be like my dad.  I just wish we could all surround ourselves with good things."  Yes, he embarrassed his father, but it was pretty neat to hear a 14-year old say that about his dad and something from the heart.  Funny I still remember that, but he sure has a tender heart, even though he may not want to admit it.  Hopefully, he'll always surround himself with "good things."

Just a thought

Of all the doctrine and theology we can learn and educate our minds and hearts with, if we do not practice the basic principles of service, love and charity, all that we have learned will be for naught.  I love the parable of the Good Samaritan.  It has meant a lot to me, and especially today while thinking of the hymn, "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief."  Those 7 verses are inspiring!

The more I learn of Jesus, the more I appreciate who He is.  As I appreciate who He is, my love for Him grows.  It's easier to follow someone we love and trust because we dedicate ourselves to that individual's cause.  We want to do what He asks.  As I do what He asks, I become who He knows I can be.  As I become who He knows I can be, my love for Him becomes unconditional just as His love for me is unconditional.  As I love Him, I can become perfect even as He is, even if it is in just a few aspects of my life.  Was it easy for Him to love and serve everyone, even those who mistreated Him?  I'm sure it was.  Why was this so?  Because He knows who we are and what our potential is! So, let's let Him into our lives a little more, and maybe, just maybe, we may become a little more like Him, even if it is a little bit at a time.