Ethan's Homecoming

A few weeks ago Ethan went to Lehi HS Homecoming with his first girlfriend, Savannah.  He downloaded some cute pictures for his mom and dad that he got in an email from her.

After asking Ethan what they did, he only let me know that they had a day date, went to a friend's house for a fancy dinner, and then went to the dance...and that was it.  He wouldn't give his dad any juicy details, just the facts.  But, hey, at least I got something out of him.  When I looked at these pictures with him, I had to joke with him, "well, at least half the picture looks good."  He just laughed.  But, I then told him he's a good looking man and that he gets his good looks from his mama's side of the family.  I also told him that I'd have to show him my homecoming pictures to which he agreed.

A fun thing occurred in that a week or so before homecoming he actually brought Savannah over to the house to meet Nichole and I and his siblings.  I was upstairs on the computer and heard them come in, but not knowing who it was, I stayed upstairs for a couple minutes.  Then, I realized he had brought someone over.  I met Savannah, and I'd have to say that it was fun.  I was glad he brought her over to meet us.  It meant a lot to me that he would do that.  Brad and Jake loved talking to her because Savannah had gone to Lakeview as well.  They just talked and talked with Savannah about the school and some of the teachers they like.  Apparently, they have had some of the same teachers.  Ava adored her.  Ava especially lit up when Savannah told her how pretty she was.  I kept thinking to myself, "wow, my boy is all grown up now...craziness!!  I sure hope I'm being a good dad and have taught him well and have been a good example and that he would like to still "hang out" with his daddy even after being all grown up."  I love ya, son!!

At our family, our famous departure from each other when leaving the house is:
Be good.  Remember who you are.  Make good choices.

With a girlfriend now, I guess this has even more meaning

Best buddies

Jake is pretty talented.  He braided Ava's hair for her.  Yeah, that's right, he did it.  I mean, seriously, what boy knows how to braid hair?  I don't think even Ava's mom knows how to do that.  These two like to do things together.  The latest crave they've been pleading with me to do...hip hop dance lessons.  Hmmmm......we'll see how that goes

A lesson learned

I spent the day working up in Brighton this past week with Skip.  As I drove up there, I was dressed only in clothes not adequate for cold weather and could sense it getting colder the further we drove up the canyon road.  After a couple hours in Brighton, it started to snow and hail on us.  I had heard reports a couple days earlier that the temperature was dropping and a winter storm was possible.  But, I chose not to heed the forecasted storm or prepare for it; being in denial because it had been summer weather the days prior.  I was caught inside the cloud for many hours.  Though beautiful at first, the snow-filled trees could not be enjoyed due to my lack of preparedness.  The result was near frostbitten hands and physical exhaustion.

Such is life as I do not prepare for different storms that I weather in life.  Initially, I need to be prepared for the different storms that arise and heed given promptings or warnings.  I can face the upcoming challenge or storm much more easily or endure it better if I am prepared.  And, I will come out victorious   

Willow Park

Jake and I went camping to Willow Park with some of the other 11-year old scouts.  We road our bikes over to the park from our house which was just a few miles away.  I do appreciate the chance I have as a father to go with Jake and be a part of doing something fun and good together.  It is so great to sit around a campfire at night and just pass the time.