Clothes

Ok so today as I was coming home I noticed some people walking. Granted it was hot out but I do believe they could not be more undressed. Now they were not the type you would see on advertisements…(is that a nice way to say it?)…but it sure made me grateful for clothes and the laws that require us to wear them. It would be scary to have everyone walking around naked!A few years ago I went to Barcelona Spain for work. My hotel was less than a block from the beach so I went down to look around. After a few minutes I thought something looks different, then I noticed a girl approx 18 yr in the beach shower topless, I looked around and saw 80% of the women were dressed the same. When I got back home I told the young men I was teaching about this and they thought it was a great trip. I then told them that right behind her was her 80 yr old grandmother (I assume) and her 40 something mother. Topless as well. I think I scarred them as the images came to their minds and burned in . (hehehehe) sometimes I miss teaching the youth

Shoe Laces

Ok so I have to admit that one of the great unsung heroes of life are shoe laces! If you don’t believe me then take the lace out of one shoe and go the rest of the day…kind of a pain!

Toilet Paper

So I was sitting at work today taking care of some business and looked up to see that the TP dispenser was empty. Fortunately there was a spare roll…thank goodness. So I have to say I am grateful for the simple invention of TP! The alternatives just are not pleasant to think about.(shudder, memories of scout camp come crashing into my brain) (How in the world did the 3 shells work any way in the Stallone movie “Demolition Man” )
I also am grateful for people who keep the restroom clean and stocked…and for toilet paper.

Rediscovering simple things

Yesterday late afternoon I took Maggie outside and lay in the hammock we have on our deck. It was cool temp since a storm was coming in. Maggie loves to be outside. Daily we sit out there and I marvel as I watch her process the trees and leaves, a group of birds that come to our tree often, the quail that live in the hedge and yesterday a few bugs flying around. As we looked up the storm started to come in, she was just amazed at the clouds and the trees moving.
I am so grateful that I can rediscover the simple things of the world through her.

She even seems to love cotton candy as much as Nat does...oh boy two of them hyped up on suger!

Sunday Afternoon Photos

For the last month or so we have started a new tradition with our family...Sunday photo shoot of Maggie. I think it stems from the fact that she looks so cute in her church clothes. It also helps that we need new pictures to send to our wonderful birth mother when we email each Sunday night. Any way...I love the fact that we have so many photos of Maggie. She is only 5 1/2 months old and we have over 3000 shots of her. I am grateful for my wife's talent as well as the great weather we have to do the photos. I am also glad we have such a assume backyard in which to take the pics.

Working/living in safety

I work with people around the world. I have a team that works for me in Juarez Mexico as well as a team in Sandy Utah and a large team in Bangalore India. Today I have to be grateful for my teams as well as being able to live where I do. For the past several months Juarez has been having troubles with drug cartels battling with police etc. In fact a travel warning was issued but I went any way. That trip was weird in that we did not see any cops any where as we drove from the border to the site. This morning I got notice that 7 bombs went off in India. All my people are ok but a bit shook up. This makes me very grateful to live in Utah and work where I do.

My own "Sacred Grove"

A good definition for a “sacred grove” is basically the place where the Lord can communicate with you.
I am grateful that I have such a spot. It is not out in the woods, it usually isn’t quiet and it defiantly isn’t still and peaceful all the time but it works for me.
Years ago when the boys were younger and I had to drive to pick them up every other weekend I had 30 minutes in the car alone as I went to get them or on returning from dropping them off at their mom’s. This started my own scared grove. I loved the time I had with the boys as we drove. Often on my way home after a wonderful weekend with them I would be in tears. That is when I started to have the best talks with the boss upstairs. Often it was prompted by what I had playing for music but it was quiet, peaceful and very humbling. Now that the boys are driving and I have no reason to have to drive them I still have the moments in my car. Just last night as I drove the 30 minutes to get home I had a nice talk and got insight into some poems I think will be great. (at least to me) I have received ideas on how to do my monthly high council talks in Church or how to reach the kids or how to make my wife feel more appreciated and try to make her day to day better and easier.

A good Burp

I talked about this on one of the very first posts I did on this blog. Over the past couple of days I have thought again about the need and joy of a good burp. Maggie (my 5 month old) is the best example, sometimes she will squirm and be upset, you know that she is uncomfortable, then a big burp will come out and she is all happy.
The other day in Church she let a burp out, the old ladies turned to glare at me so I pointed to the baby and instantly they were all smiles and saying how cute it was.
Now if only she can take the blame for other things that happen….

Podcasts and my iPod

SO I have been listening to this Pod Cast on my iPod for the past week. I think I am almost done with all that are available. I really like this format. The LDS Music market is small but full of passionate people.
It is nice to be able to listen to something that entertains and informs.
I have gotten very bored with the regular radio no matter what format it is. However, I must admit that I do also listen to Radio from Hell here in Salt Lake. It too is podcasted but I just listen on my way onto work.
(I wonder what that says about my personality?)

Midnight Show Fans and waanabes

Last night at the 11:59 pm showing of “Dark Knight” we had the die hard fans of Batman the so so people who came to see the hype and a good movie, as well as new fans to the whole thing. Most have not read any of the comics. The great thing about midnight first showings is the dress up. It happened with LOTR and last night it was in full force. Batman’s, Jokers, Two face, even a Spiderman or two.
The movie fulfilled all hopes I had for it. As I crawled into bed Nat said "You gonna have nightmares now" I honestly replied "Probably" (good thing I didn't)
I am grateful that my boys and I have the chance to go and then talk about the ins and outs of the movie for days to come. (By the way…the movie ROCKED!)

Midnight Shows

Ok so I have to admit that I am a bit excited that come 12:01 am this evening I will be sitting in the dark with my 2 boys and feeling the excitement grow as Dark Knight will be starting.
I not only am grateful for midnight shows but for a wife who will let me take a early nap come 8pm tonight so I can make it through.

Sick days

So this morning I woke up not feeling 100% (OK so most of it was acting I am sure) But I decided that I would finally use one of my sick days that have been building up.
After sleeping in and also taking a nap I feel so much better.
I am grateful that I have a company that has sick days, as well as vacation and holidays.
I also have enjoyed being home with Maggie and Nat.

Saturdays Warrior 35 years later

35 years ago a LDS play about a modern day family hit the stage in Salt Lake.
I remember the excitement from family and friends about it. I went with a non-member date and enjoyed it. I have enjoyed the music since and have also seen how the music and play are kind of dated. I must admit that I am grateful it came about. It was the first of it’s kind and opened up a whole new area of music and entertainment. I still remember the feelings I had as I drove home all those years ago and for that I am grateful!

Adoption Rocks!

This morning Maggie woke up at 4:30 am had a bottle and change then went back to sleep at 5:15. As I sat on the couch, kind of tired, and looked at her smiling up at me I was over whelmed once more with the miracle she truly is. I am so grateful for adoption and the chance for Nat and I to be parents. LDS Family Services rocks! We have been involved with them for 3 ½ years now and couldn’t be happier. Even after Maggie was placed with us we have stayed active in Families Supporting Adoption, the volunteer arm of Family Services on the adoption part.
Miracles happen some just don’t come when we think they should.

Calculators and Spell check

I remember way back in high school when I got my first fancy calculator. It did more than simple math and was the size of a paper back book.
Now days I have the same functions on the calculator that is on my phone.
I am grateful for having them so handy since I am terrible with math. I also am grateful for spell check (When I use it) It helps me with my spelling problems as well

Shakespeare Rocks!

I must admit that I am a bit of a nerd in that, some days I really enjoy watching-listening to Shakespeare. I enjoy the comedies the most but once in awhile the tragedies really hit the spot. Two weeks ago I watch Hamlet (with Derek Jacobi) wow. This afternoon I have a lot of non thinking work that I need to do on spread sheets so I will be watching King Lear. He is one of my favorite characters with all that he learns and goes through.

A perfect Kids Dog

Our dog Chloe is a great kids dog! She is so patient and puts up with a lot. We saw this first when Nats niece was born and grew up (she is now 3) As an infant the dog just sat there and took whatever was heaped upon her. Maggie has now discovered that the dog is around and moves a lot. She will just sit and watch her. Chloe will come over and lick her and try to play. Every once in awhile Maggie will get a hold of Chloe’s ears or fur and pull. Some times she will not let go but Chloe just sits there and takes it.
I loved having a dog growing up and I am grateful to have Chloe for Maggie to know.

4th of July

This past weekend was a good one. I always enjoy the 4th. I am also very grateful for those that went ahead and have made the 4th possible. We have a few neighbors that served in WWII (as well as my dad) I look up to these men soooo much. Some can talk openly about most of what they went through some can not talk at all and I respect that.
I am also very proud of my neighbors that serve now.
Because of them I am allowed to write this blog as well as celebrate the 4th. Not to mention believe and practice my religion and exercise my other freedoms.

What The Flag Means To Me(written 9-12-01)

The red is the blood of too many people who have given their lives

to provide us the right to fly, or burn it.

It is also the blood of the many innocent lives lost,

simply because they were Americans.

The white is the hopes and dreams

of the families of those who have died,

that their sacrifice was not in vain and meant something.

The blue is the promise of each new generation,

that they will leave the world a better place than their parents did.

It also is the many tears shed among all classes of people,

hoping for this better life.

The stars represent the heavenly guidance

our leaders receive from above,

starting with our founding fathers down

to the present day administration.

(this is given even if they don't deserve it themselves)

What does the flag mean to me?

It's hard to put into words,

but as I stand with hand

over heart and sing

the last words of, "...and the home of the brave."

a tear comes to my eye, and my heart beats a little stronger.

This flag is my heritage

from my father and his father,

and what I leave to my children.

Long may it wave

My Photog Wife

My wife really works magic with her camera. She is very modest but I know she is one of the best I have seen.

Just look at this picture of Maggie. For those that know Maggie they will all agree that this really captures her personality

Not to metion that Maggie is so cute that it is hard to get a bad picture of her!

I am so proud of her and her talant!

Wash Day

Monday has turned into wash day. Now that Nat is home and not working several routine things are popping up, one is Monday all the wash getting done. Not only does she do the wash but folds and hangs it up…I used to think I was such a great hubby when I did the wash each week and then tossed it on the couch or chair to be folded over the next few days… Also she organized my closet wow… I must say I am grateful for my wife and the treat of having clean clothes without much effort on my part. Now about the ironing….