Inspiration anyone?

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I had to write this post in response to some friends of mine. Some of you out there seem to be having a difficult time with things in your life. It's interesting how easily we can become discouraged, and how often it seems that life is just completely unfair. Whether it is drug use in the family, or someone close to you going through divorce, or perhaps you have just lost a child, it is important to remember who is ultimately in charge. I had the opportunity last week to go up to our wards young womans camp. It was an amazing thing to see how strong these young women can be. There were some there who were going through very difficult times, and when I had the opportunity to addresss them, all I wanted them to know was that I knew how important they were to their Heavenly Father, and that he is aware of what they are going through, and that he is ultimately incharge of everything that happens. It is the same with all of us. We aren't left alone, and the help will come, but it requires action on our part. Perhaps we have to change what we are doing, or perhaps all that is required is to simply get on our knees and pray. If we ask for his help, it will come, perhaps not always in the way we may think or want, but it will come. I love the Hymn "Be Still my Soul", and I have put on here an arrangement that I really enjoy. While i would like to take credit for it, I didn't arrange it. I am however the one playing it, and I hope that if you are going through some difficult times, that it would serve to remind you that you have a Heavenly Father who does indeed care about you.

Has it really been 8 years?

Seems like it was only yesterday that I was graduating high school, and here Erin and I are celebrating our 8th anniversary. Perhaps the reason it seems as though it has gone by so fast is because it has been so thoroughly enjoyable.
Erin and I met february of 1999. Her roommate "forced" her to go to a dance with me. The very first question I asked her was "Does this (my butt) look Big to you." (thank you Cody Hancuff). She must have thought i was such a dork. Ha, look at us now.
The second dance we went to at Snow, I knew i wanted to spend eternity with her. I got together with a couple of guys from my chorus class and we serenaded our dates right there on the dance floor. I remeber dancing with her afterwards, and crying (I know, i am a dork) because i was so in love with her. She must have thought I was insane.
It wasn't long after that we had our first kiss (she made the move), and then it was ring shopping, and then a short wait until December to get married. Well, it was supposed to be a short wait, but due a another wedding in the family (thank you Richard), and Erins grandma boycotting December, we ended up waiting until the following year. And so it was that i found myself on June 8th, 2000 kneeling across the altar from the most beautiful woman i have ever met. It is still the best decision i have ever made.
It has been eight years, and we still have the best realtionship of any married couple i know. The fights are very few and far between, and there is nothing I enjoy more than time spent with my wife and my children. Erin, thank you for everything you have given me. I love you more than you will ever know and i very much look forward to an eternity with you spent at my side. THANK YOU!

Magoon (Actually Ethan, i think it is spelled Lagoon)

We Just got home from a day at Lagoon, and on the way home we had a conversation with Ethan because the other two kids had fallen asleep. Poor Ethans mind is constantly running about 100 miles per hour, and he was bouncing from one topic to another. For some reason he started talking about our dog. The conversation went a little like this.

Ethan- Toby really likes me.
Erin- i know he does honey
Ethan- He jumps on me, and lickeds (pronounced lick-eds) my face.
Erin- oh really
Ethan- yeah, he was happy we came home from the mountains (girls camp), and he was happy we came home from magoon.
Erin- he really likes you doesn't he?
Ethan-Yeah he does. Hey, my birthday is in October. I know what rhymes with toby.
Erin- what rhymes with toby Ethan?
Ethan- Tober rhymes with toby.
Erin- you mean October?
Ethan- no i mean tober and toby rhyme.
Erin- well, they have the same beginning sound, don't they.
Ethan- no mom, toby and tober rhyme.
Erin- you are absolutely right Ethan.
I hope he gets rhyming figured out for real. There just isn't any arguing with him on anything right now. It just turns into a fight, so we have to just let some things go. After we got home and got Tanner and Brennan in bed, Ethan was loking for his pajama shirt. Erin asked me if I would help him, and when i went upstairs i couldn't find him. Lets see if you know where he is.

Three of the Four, and the Lady

For those of you that are interested, these are three of the aformentioned (Check the header) boys. I'm the fourth, and since it's my page I get to decide if and when you get a picture of me. I am fortunate to have three very wonderful children. Although it can be hard raising three boys, it is one of he most worthwhile things I do. Tanner is almost seven years old, and he is about as tenderhearted as they come. While he will fight with his brothers on occasion, he is always concerned about everyones well-being. He cries more often than not, and while he may not ever be a sport star, I wouldn't change him for anything in the world.

Ethan will be four in October, and being the second child has served to toughen him up a bit. His personality, while difficult at times, is so fun. He always has to have things a particular way. He really is borderline OCD. On the days when I am patient enough, I have learned that a hug and a quiet voice go a long way in helping to ease Ethan's sometimes overwhelming amount of frustration.

Brennan is our youngest, and still at that age where he can't do anything wrong. He loves his older brothers, and when the three of them get going, and then I get into the mix, it's time for mom to watch out. It doesn't take long for the four of us to make a mess of moms recently cleaned house. I look forward to the wrestling matches, and sometimes wonder if I will ever know how to treat a daughter if God decides to send one my way.

What can I say about my wife except that she is far more than I deserve. I imagine she wants desperately to add another girl to the mix, but I also know that she recieves great joy from the three little boys that she has. The fighting among siblings is new to her (she was an only child), and I try to convince her that it is a normal part of life. She takes it all in stride though, and deals quite well with being the only girl in the home. She works part time, teaches dance at night, and still manages to have dinner ready, and the laundry done, and still find time to take the boys on bike rides around the neighborhood. I am fortunate that the Lord has decided to bless my life so greatly. She is my life, and between her and the boys, all it takes for me to forget a bad day is to remember what is waiting for me at home.

Time for a change

Well, I decided to move my blog from MSN to here. I think these ones just look better. Besides, I can put music on here that I like which is something I couldn't do on MSN. I am not the best at updating my blog, so sometimes the posts are months apart, and while I will mostly write about my family you will also get a good dose of politics and religion. Hey, it's my blog I get to write what i want.