Hometeaching

Last night, Garrett's hometeaching companion had finally been able to find a time to meet with one of their hometeaching families, who have been really, really busy. Then, his work kept him out of town longer than planned and he called and asked Garrett to go without him. Garrett suggested that Jonathan go with him.

Jonathan was elated. We talked about our hometeachers - one of whom he calls our "special angel" (I think partly because he works out one of our local grocery stores and always gives the boys cookies). Jonathan remembered that a hometeacher is supposed to see how you're doing, so he practiced shaking hands and saying, "How are you?"

Then, he wanted to share a story like our hometeachers do and he picked Joseph Smith as the topic. He practiced on me and said (more or less - actually a lot more), "Joseph was a prophet who built a temple for Church Jesus Saints and Jesus was very proud of him." Then, he wanted to tell the family to stop drinking coffee - also his plan of what to do on his mission. We had to explain that whole thing for a while and finally, the two of them left.
I got this shot after they came home. Jonathan's talk is in his pocket (actually a paper from preschool with his name written in beans). Jonathan is standing in his hometeaching pose - I have no idea what his hands are doing - maybe it's a hammer in his right hand, ready to smash the cup of coffee in his left hand....

Happy Birthday Mel-Belle!

A = the Angel that was born today.
B = your Birthday cheer – Hip, Hip, Horray!
C = the way your humor Charms us all.
D = the Delight I feel whenever you call!

E = your patience when I speak an Earfull.
F = those great Funny Faces you pull.
G = the Giggles we sisters all get;
H = Hard time as we try not to wet! ;)

I = the Immaculate house you keep.
J = the Joy you feel buying things cheap.
K = the Kcal’s you so caref’ly evade.
L = the Luscious recipes you’ve made.

M = your love of being a Mother!
N = Nurturing Brooke and her brother.
O = how you “Olvidar” other’s failings. (Spanish)
P = Patience with all of your callings.

Q = you never Quit - It seems you're always gone!
R = the way that you Ran it – your marathon!
S = your Study of the principles of wealth.
T = your Talent to care for your body's health

U = your Understanding of God’s plan.
V = the Volumes your kids learn at your hand.
W = your heart’s name, Beth, Will always be.
X = an “X”cellent sis - my Melanie.

Y = You’ve been such a choice sister and a friend;
Z = of my love for you, you won’t see “Z” end.
Mel, you're "Terrif" – Don’t you ever forget!
May your 27th year be the best yet!

Happy Birthday Princess Brooke!

Once upon a time there lived a wise king and noble queen
Living such a carefree life in Land Destiny so green.
But there was something missing in this perfect life they led
“I think you need a baby,” a trusted servant calmly said.

They felt the truth of his words, got their castle all prepared.
Soon they welcomed little Brooke – though they still felt kind of scared.
And Brooke didn’t make things easy – Fussing and crying in the start
But it didn’t matter to her folks – She’d already won their hearts!

If to bed they gently laid her, hoping for a little rest,
She would decide not to nap, letting yells escape her chest.
The queen would lift her princess – giving her a little kiss
The King would say, “My Pumpkin – Oh! How you were missed!”

With this loving, kind atmosphere – the little princess grew
First came birthday number one, then two and three came too.
This year we’d like to wish Brooke Happy Birthday #4.
And we hope the princess has many, many more.

Happy Birthday Brooke!

Happy 1st Birthday Jacob!

Our little Jacob's birthday was today.
Those little eyes have oh! so much to say.

At the age of one, he has learned quite well.

When his brothers tease, he knows how to yell.

Here he appears calm - without any care

But he's watching that his new toys stay there!Here he's nestled close in the arms of his dad
You would think he never ever could get mad
You can see it's easy to for us to love
This special boy who was a gift from above! Here is the before shot of the b-day cake.

Scroll right down to see the mess that he did make!

The joy he feels he surely will not hide;

Opening his mouth, he lets out what's inside!

Happy Birthday little Jacob! - We sure do love you!

Happy Birthday Corbin!

For Garrett's family, the first grandson
Came from Aunt Mandi and Uncle Brandon.
All the wives of the oldest sons three
Were expecting each a little baby.

And each of those babies were boys, it's true!
Painting parent's lives with the color blue.
And the first baby came five years ago today.
In Mandi's arms for the first time he did lay.

Corbin has grown to quite a little man,
Helping out his parents, his growing body can.
Wrestling, playing, running with those bright eyes!
Exploring it all - I'm sure that he tries.

Corbin, on this special day of your birth -
Your anniversary of coming down to Earth.
Your aunts and uncles and growing cousins too
Send a huge hug and happy birthday to you!

And What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up....

So, Jonathan decided what he wants to be when he grows up....

After his mission, he's going to ride his horse up to outer space and find the planet with the dinosaurs and kill them with his sword and then go to the "Jesus Planet" and visit Jesus. Then, he's coming back to put the dinosaur bones in a "zoozeum" (museum). Then, he's going to come back home and give me a hug and kiss because I'll have really missed him.

And he's right....I will have really missed him.

Happy Birthday Garrett (once again)!

Yesterday was the birthday of my lover and my friend
The man I hope I be with until the very end.

If you need some help planning to go out of doors
Or need a food you can cook on a fire (besides s’mores).

If you ever shoot your gun and your bullet is a dud.
Or if you wonder what made the track in the mud.

If something gets broken and is impossible to fix
Or if you need to make a fire with only wooden sticks!

If you need someone who is the world’s greatest listener
Or if you wonder whose lips are the finest kissers.

Well – all this describes the Garrett of my heart
And just the tip of the iceburg of the talents in his kart!

And as the saying goes from the 80’s, he is rad!
And I’m the lucky girl whose kids can call him dad.

Happy Brithday Garrett!

I haven't gotten Garrett's poem done yet, but we're going to celebrate his birthday tomorrow, so maybe I get an extra day....He's been at work this whole weekend, so we are hoping to surprise him today. When he finishes work, this is what he'll find in his truck.

I hope that when he sees it.......he's still willing to come home.....We love you Garrett!

P.S. By the way, I've added some pictures to the entries Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Eugene...

Happy Birthday Rachel!

My parent’s first grandchild is Rachel kind and sweet.
Her bible name is one I always thought was neat.
From the start, her personality was very strong.
And you had take care not to look at her wrong.

But since then she has grown and has changed even more
And though she can be quiet – she’s one you won’t want to ignore!
With her huge, contagious smile and her lovely, golden hair
She could sing and dance her way to the arms of Fred Estair.

Today is her birthday – She’s up to number six,
So she’s getting more and more of those candlesticks.
And from our small family – we’d like to send our best
To our darling Rachel – Our favorite in all the west!

Happy Birthday Rachel!!!

OB1 KaJonathan

We gave Jonathan and Gabe lightsabers for Christmas. Star Wars is a favorite around our house and they always got so excited when they saw these at the store.

So the other day, I see Jonathan giving Gabe his lightsaber and he explains, "Gabe, remember, THIS is your life."

For those of you who aren't familiar with this phrase, it's one that OB1 Kanobee says to young Anakin Skywalker as he trains him to be a Jedi Knight!

Happy Birthday Grandma LaVene!

Here’s a story of a very special little girl
Who grew to a woman – an “of great price” pearl.
Her life, one might say, had a sad sort of start;
At three years old, she lost the mother of her heart.
But blessed she was with another woman grand
Who made home a place where love did abound.

Within that loving home, my grandma changed and grew.
In the eyes of a handsome soldier, she was quite a view.
And he asked for her hand from my great grandpa
And Oh! What a treasure he caught in that paw.
They started their lives together and in twenty more years
Three boys and five girls came with blood, sweat, and tears.

A few more years later, the grandkids started to come
Of this couple’s great posterity, I am but one.
At Grandma’s side, I’ve spent hours and hours,
Assisting in cooking, cleaning, gardens and flowers.
In fact, one of my earliest memories was so cool
She took me to her first grade class at school.

Because we always lived so close to her home
I went with her and grandpa the country for to roam.
Always willing to talk to me when I had a need
Grandma’s ability to talk is a talent indeed!
But it’s just one of the things that she could do
To magnify her family in the eyes of not a few!

Caring for people is a great talent of my grandpa’s wife
Spending time with loved ones at the end of their life.
So willing to serve and when the tables are turned
A big hearty thank you – she’s sure you have earned!
This nurturing woman is good with people of all kinds
From young to old - She doesn’t seem to mind.

Grandma, You've been the perfect grandma for me.
I'm so thankful to be part of your posterity.
You're one of the "noble and great" of my life.
A huge happy birthday to my grandpa's wife!

Happy Birthday Grandpa Eugene!

Today I will send (if my writing mind can)
A big happy birthday for Garrett’s old man
Now – “Old” is a relative term, I have heard
And Eugene is my relative – in a word.
He’s lived for a while – experiencing plenty
And he knows much more than he did at twenty.

“And what has he done since twenty?” you ask.
Well, I will tell you the little I know of his past.
Since my husband Garrett was only a wee little lad,
The local boyscout leader was almost always his Dad.
Hunting and fishing, guns, safety, knots, and knives
He made this great program a huge part of their lives.

Another great concept instilled in his childrens’ heads
Somewhere between wrestling mats and their bunk beds
He taught them how to be consumers truly great
And how to make sure their deals are first rate.
Now I can tell you this skill does come in handy
When checking out things from cars to red candy.

But finally, he showed by example most steady
That for sharing the gospel – Always be ready.
Fulfilling your duties at church is a must.
For in you Lord has place his great trust.
Dad – Happy Birthday – You’ve done a great job
May a joyous birthday from you not be robbed!

We had such a great time with you and Grandma this weekend.
Have a fantastic b-day!

Happy Birthday Hadley!

In the family of Brandon and Mandi,
There are three sweet young fellows handy.
The middle child has a birthday today
To Hadley we send out a birthday horay!

His smiles brings all joy
He’s mommy’s sweet boy
The toys he is hoardin’
To keep some from Corbin.
At least one cool toy and no less.

That’s how sharing’s covered
When you’ve got older brothers.
His dad could have taught him
‘bout the times Garrett got him
They all survive it, I guess!

Happy Birthday, Hadley!