Tuesday, January 21, 2014

yep...a new car

I decided it was time to get myself a car that I can scoot around in.  Nichole and I gave the Focus to Ethan (and the kids), so I was kind of left without a car.  I have my work truck, but that is exactly what it is...a work truck.  It's kind of annoying driving a dirty truck around to different events.  So, the past few months I had been looking.  The first car I was going to get was the Ford Mustang.  That evolved to either the Chevy Camaro, which was my dream car, or the Dodge Challenger.  I really wanted a muscle car...and so did definitely the kids.  Brad was in love with the Challenger.  Ethan knew more about the muscle cars than I did.  We would even get on line and "build our car" from the different maker's websites.  We had a blast doing this together and would spend countless time doing that together.  After coveting these beautiful vehicles, which I would have loved to have either one of them, practicality and functionality ultimately won out.  I needed something that would work for whatever occasion, whether that was to take the family if needed, throw triathlon gear all together, go on dates with my cute wife, or whatever life threw at me.  So, after looking up cars on the computer for nearly every night for the last couple months, this is what I came up with.  And, the great thing is that I bought it with very low miles and thousands below low blue book value.  It was a Dodge Journey.  Hopefully, it all works out and is a good car.  The ironic thing is that when I made it over to the dealership, the salesman asked me where I lived and where I was from.  I came to find out that the original owner of the car was my neighbor from just a few houses away.  So, my neighbor and I had a good chuckle.  He told me it was a good car, but that he just wanted to change it out for a van to fit his family a little easier




Be still, my soul

I have always loved the harmony and music to the hymn, "Be Still, My Soul", but I had never learned the lyrics.  Well, I got tired of just humming the tune.  So, I learned them.  I also wanted to learn the lyrics because it made me feel exactly what I needed to overcome the stresses I had been feeling.  So, a couple weeks ago, I started trying to learn the words.  I thought I was doing better in dealing with stress until yesterday morning when, before 8:30 am, I was asked on 2 separate occasions if I was mad, upset or in a bad mood.  I was none of the above and it made me ponder if I am always grumpy.  I try not to be.  Usually when I am in my stupor, it is just because I am contemplating things in my head or pondering about scenarios whether they be related to work or whatever the case.  So, being able to sing the words to this 400-year old song brings calmness and tranquility to my heart.  I feel the spirit every time I think of these words, which I love...

Be still, my soul.  The Lord is on thy side.
With patience bear thy cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide.
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul. Thy God, thy heavenly friend.
Through thorny ways, leads to a joyful end.

I was reading a talk this morning by Elder Soares while going through my morning ritual. He was referencing us being able to develop our Christlike attributes.  I like what he said, "brothers and sisters, I believe the Savior Jesus Christ is the supreme example of meekness.  Even during the last moments of His mortal life, being unfairly accused and condemned, painfully carrying His cross up to Golgotha, being mocked and cursed by His enemies, being abandoned by many who knew Him and witnessed His miracles, He was nailed on the cross.  Even after the most intense physical suffering, the Lord turned to His Father and spoke from the bottom of His meek and humble heart: "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."  Christ faced extreme physical and spiritual suffering, giving us the opportunity to change our spiritual character and become meek like him...it is possible to change.  It is possible to leave our weaknesses behind.  It is possible to reject the evil influences in our lives, control our anger, become meek, and develop the attributes of our Savior...follow Him, follow His example, and become like Him.

I also like the quote from Richard G. Scott..."we become who we want to be by consistently being who we want to become."

Nichole, the other day during Family Home Evening, reminded me of a great quote, and it was one that she had memorized and read after reading the book, "The Miracle of Forgiveness."  I don't recall who said it, but...

"You sow a thought, you reap an action.  You sow an action, you reap a habit.  You sow a habit, you reap a character.  You sow a character, you reap an eternal destiny."

Those are some good words and thoughts to live by.  I love my family so much and hope to always make them proud to be a part of our family.  Some day, I might even be able to develop some of those Christlike attributes that make Our Elder Brother the supreme example


Sunday, January 12, 2014

Ma...Ma...Ma!!

Eli is so funny.  Every morning when he wants to get up and out of bed he yells and screeches "ma".  It's never in a full complete name of "mom" or "mama".Whenever he yells for or at Nichole at other times throughout the day, it's always in an angry or demanding voice to get her attention.  Contrast that to the way he asks for me or tries to get my attention.  It is always in such a sweet, happy and innocent voice with a tone of softness and respect..."dada".  There's always a happy face when asking for the dad.  However, there is always a stern face when trying to get mom.

Monday, January 6, 2014

Thanksgiving

The holidays are meant to be spent with family.  This year was no different.  Typically, it seems there is always a Turkey Bowl with neighbors and church members.  But, this year we spent Thanksgiving Day with Nichole's side of the family.  It was good to get with them.  We had the dinner over at our house this year as opposed to Nichole's parent's house.  Nichole's parents were there along with all her siblings.   Sometimes I wonder to myself, "what will heaven be like when we spend most of our time with family?"  Well, the weather was perfect for our own Turkey Bowl, the food was awesome and  it was nice to sit back and relax together and just pass the time.  We were even able to watch a little bit of football.  The day prior, we had gotten together with my parents and Darin with his family.  It was great to have two Thanksgiving dinners two days in a row!

 












Thursday, January 2, 2014

Thanksgiving 2013 Family Pictures

Nichole went and got us some color-matching clothes for family pictures...  




Little Eli

"Mr. Sensitive" loves to wear hats.  He's wearing Jake's here

These two "rugrats" are best friends and always getting into trouble.  They love to fight each other all the time

I've been telling Nichole that Eli's  a long-hair boy.  I think he looks handsome with long hair...so cute!