Being Spiritually Prepared

Normally my wonderful husband updates our blog. This time I really needed to post. I have been struggling with an assignment that the Bishop gave me for the Primary. At first it seemed very overwhelming and as though I was sacrificing so much and getting so little in return. I new these feeling were not coming from my Father in Heaven so I asked my husband for a blessing. In the blessing he stated, "the Savior sacrificed all even his very life and received no earthly reward." This one statement humbled me a great deal and changed my perspective. If the Lord of the earth can sacrifice all for me than no sacrifice is too great for Him.

I remembered a short video here from the 2011 Leadership Training that talked about being prepared spiritually for your assignments. I went back and watched it again and again. There is so much truth and comfort in this short clip for what my Primary Presidency and I are about to undertake. Just a few days ago I was wondering where my faith was and now I feel so much closer to the Lord. I am excited about where this assignment will take me spiritually. I feel a raising of the bar is taking place.

Old Geezers

We had a family picnic today and Amber and I were sitting in the park just enjoying ourselves when Amber leaned over to me, pointed over to a bench across the playground at my father and my grandfather said "look at those two old geezers over there." I just had to go take a picture. Compared to Amber's family, my family doesn't do a whole lot together. so we do have family gatherings, sometimes it's hard to have a conversation with my cousins. But we had fun anyway.

We had stake conference today and learned about how to prepare our children for missions. sometimes you think about that stuff and tell your kids get older, maybe teenage years, but really the preparation starts now when they are young.


"The single most important thing you can do to prepare for a call to serve is to become a missionary long before you go on a mission. Please notice that . . . I emphasized becoming rather than going. . . .".. It is possible . . . to go on a mission and not become a missionary, and this is not what the Lord requires or what the Church needs."

(David A. Bednar, "Becoming a Missionary," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 45)

Standing in the Wrong Spot!

I was at work today on an accident scene where someone had to get airlifted to the hospital. I must've not been paying attention with the pilot said "we will be coming in from the southwest" because I got pelted with rocks and sand.

It was pretty cool anyway. Typically, whenever I am close to a helicopter at work I take a video of it so I can show it to the boys. Here is a shot of the Mesa Temple when I got to fly from Florence to the Maricopa County Medical Center in Phoenix:Can't get a shot like this everyday! That's what makes my job fun, I get to do so many different things on a daily basis.


"I express special gratitude to the Lord Jesus Christ. I am thankful
for His loving-kindness and for His open invitation to come unto Him
(see Matthew 11:28-30). I marvel at His matchless power to heal. I
testify of Jesus Christ as the Master Healer. It is but one of many
attributes that characterize His incomparable life."

(Russell M. Nelson, "Jesus Christ--the Master Healer," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 85)

Boys Baptism & Pumpkins

The boys were baptized in September 2011. I can't believe they will be 9 years old this year! It still seems like Amber & I just got married last month. Amazing how time flies. We are so proud of the decisions the boys are making. They really are special. They also get lots of attention at school and at home. So many kids want to play with them. Who wouldn't want to play with two kids that look the same?

Then in October, the boys carved pumpkins for the first time. Here is how they turned out:









Pretty good huh? Of course we used a tracing pattern, but they cut them out.

"Each family prayer, each episode of family scripture study, and each family home evening is a brushstroke on the canvas of our souls. No one event may appear to be very impressive or memorable. But just as the yellow and gold and brown strokes of paint complement each other and produce an impressive masterpiece, so our consistency in doing seemingly small things can lead to significant spiritual results."

David A. Bednar, "More Diligent and Concerned at Home," Ensign, Nov. 2009, 19–20

Never a Dull Moment

So, I was scrolling through the pics in my phone and stumbled upon a couple of funny ones.

With our family, there never seems to be a dull moment. I just hope the kids look back on all the things we did as parents and focus on the good times we had. Sometimes it's hard to be positive all the time when you are disciplining kids and teaching three 3yr olds how to go potty in the toilet. Things can get stressful. I never knew how crazy a house could get. I never had really young brothers or sisters, we were all about the same age. I remember Amber had to to teach me how to change a diaper and to feed babies. I never grew up around that stuff. One of the things Amber and I have implemented is the opportunity for the boys to earn a date night with either of us. this picture was one that I went on with ammon & Thomas. We went to the Phoenix Rock Gym in Tempe. This was a really cool place, it has like 15,000 sq. ft. of climbing area in an indoor 2 story building. they have different areas for the different skill level of climber you are. All climbers are connected with repelling gear so when you get to the top, you just repel down. There's an area where you don't have to be hooked up and the walls only go about 8 ft. up.

These are the times that you forget about all about how much trouble kids can get into and lose yourself in the fun times. It's kind of like the "you know, my kids aren't all that bad" moment when you are on a date with your kids. All the negative stuff gets washed away and the spirit of gratitude fills your heart for the wonderful children you have.

"Parents play an essential role in helping their children to understand the things pertaining to righteousness. In the Book of Mormon we find that Alma the Younger...taught and gave his children their charge separately, adapting his instructions to each son, according to that son's needs. He bore testimony and taught doctrine and principles, preparing them to preach those same principles to others."

Francisco J. Vinas, "Things Pertaining to Righteousness," Ensign, May 2010, 107

Give Me Sweets!

All I want is some Oreos and milk! It's only been three days of this competition and I'm having a craving for sweets. I don't think I'm going to make it very far without losing my mind. I do have some strawberry milkshake protein powder I could mix up with some milk and that might be okay, but nothing beats a moist, double stuff Oreo cookie dripping in milk.

In case I did not post before, Amber is the Primary President and I am a Den leader, primary teacher, and prison ministry correspondent. Those callings keep us pretty busy but they are all fun and worthwhile. It's fun to see the boys in Scouts trying to earn their Wolf badge. They are the shortest kids in our den and when we went to the Cub Scout day camp last Saturday, one of the leaders looked at the boys and asked them if they were eight years old yet. Our little short boys are so cute, but even the girls are catching up. I think Charity is a head shorter than the boys now. The last time we measured the boys was December 2011. They had only grown a half an inch within that year. Pretty crazy! we are planning a Disneyland trip next year and I don't know if the boys will be able to ride all the rides. Thomas is 3'9" and Ammon is 3'8" and a half. Yep, I guess they have the short gene, and there's not too much hope for them since Amber and I aren't that tall either.


“We knew that our purpose was to gain a physical body, to overcome trials, and to prove that we would keep the commandments of God. Our Father knew that because of the nature of mortality, we would be tempted, would sin, and would fall short. So that we might have every chance of success, He provided a Savior, who would suffer and die for us.”

Thomas S. Monson, “He Is Risen!” Ensign, May 2010, 88

Best Vacation Ever!

Amber and I celebrated our 10th year wedding anniversary in August 2011. We had the best time! We went on a seven day cruise to the Mexican Riviera. While we were on the boat I told Amber that I could not remember the last time we went on a vacation together just the two of us. Of course, the last time we went on a cruise was on our honeymoon back in 2001. But that was only for four days (which was not long enough). I'm not going to go into all the details of our trip here because I don't have enough time. I was thinking of it just now and remembering the good times we had. When we got home we decided not to wait another 10 years to go on another cruise, so we booked one for 2014. The trip gave us a sense of renewed love for each other and helped us recharge our batteries from the previous 10 years. That is one of the most important parts of marriage, the time spent alone with each other. Whether it be on a date night or other activity, anything to get away from the kids and fall in love again. It is definitely helped our marriage stay strong for these 10 years and Amber has been so supportive, I could not ask for a better companion!





"The relationship between love and appropriate action is demonstrated repeatedly in the scriptures and is highlighted by the Savior's instruction to His Apostles: 'If ye love me, keep my commandments' (John 14:15). Just as our love of and for the Lord is evidenced by walking ever in His ways (see Deuteronomy 19:9), so our love for spouse, parents, and children is reflected most powerfully in our thoughts, our words, and our deeds (see Mosiah 4:30)."Feeling the security and constancy of love from a spouse, a parent, or a child is a rich blessing. Such love nurtures and sustains faith in God. Such love is a source of strength and casts our fear (see 1 John 4:18). Such love is the desire of every human soul."We can become more diligent and concerned at home as we express love—and consistently show it."

David A. Bednar, "More Diligent and Concerned at Home," Ensign, Nov. 2009, 18

Friendly Competition

So today we started a little contest between some friends. Here are the requirements:

1. 7 hrs. of sleep (not necessarily consecutive - naps count too!)
2. 48 oz. of water
3. 30 minutes of exercise (not necessarily consecutive)
4. 2 servings of veggies, 2 servings of fruit
5. No soda, beer, wine, unhealthy snacks (ex: potato chips), or bad fast food (anything fried!)
6. No sweets. (Desserts, pastries, sugary snacks & cereals) * Sugar-Free alternatives are OK.
7. No eating after dinner/8pm
8. 15 min. of scripture reading (or spiritual text if you don't do scripture)
9. One journal entry (any length)
10. Express sincere appreciation, love or praise to your spouse (if single, to another person)

This competition doesn't only involve Amber and I but also other friends. at the end of the required time whoever has the most points for doing these activities gets a free dinner paid for by the other friends. So here I am writing a blog post is part of my journal entry for the day.

Amber and I went to Ammon & Thomas' school today and got to see what they have been doing since January. We switched them to Eduprize school, and they seem to be doing well and enjoying it a lot better than Anthem. Amber and I were so proud of the boys work and Thomas has been doing very well with drawing. We have great boys we're so proud of the progress that they're making school.

I was goofing around at church yesterday and snapped a couple pictures of the boys.




















They are pretty funny! I don't know why Ammon's would not rotate right, but there it is.


"In a time when the family is under attack from the forces of evil . . . , the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve have set forth in "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" that 'parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness.'"This includes nurturing, supporting, and teaching children in all things pertaining to righteousness so that they may remain firm, with their 'loins girt about with truth, having on the breastplate of righteousness, and [their] feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace' (D&C 27:16)."

Francisco J. Viñas, "Things Pertaining to Righteousness," Ensign, May 2010, 107

Christmas 2011

Christmas was awesome (as usual). Amber always comes up with great ideas for presents for the kids. Here was one of them:

The kids went psycho when they saw it. I had the video but for some reason it got screwed up. Myself and my parents put a lot of work into this thing. Somewhere in the vicinity of 77 man hours sanding, staining and sealing it. Here is what it looked like before:

Pretty big comparison huh? Anyway, it was all worth it on Christmas day. Thanks to everyone who helped take it apart, transport and unload it! We bought it from a guy in Goodyear for $500.00. We had to take it apart and transport it though. No biggie, a new one costs like $1500.00, and I wasn't about to spend that much. Speaking of $1500.00, Amber wanted a picnic table as our dining room table for Christmas. So we found one online that we liked and had the prisoners build it. Here is what it looks like..unfinished:














Amber was very excited and the craftsmanship is remarkable! This bad boy seats 12 people. I will post new pics when we finish it.

The boys got some really cool toys, like full auto nerf guns. See for yourself:



Way better than the nerf guns we had growing up. Anyway, there are more pics and stuff but I will post them later. There's soooo much stuff to post since I haven't done it in what seems like forever.

Luckily, I have kept all of my New Year's Resolutions so far; I've worked out every day, I have eaten my 5 to 6 small meals a day, I have read my scriptures everyday, I have updated the blog, I have said my prayers in the evening, I think there's one more, but I can't remember. Guess I need to write them down so I can refresh. I feel very satisfied in my progression so far, and that's what matters the most. It's amazing how much more satisfied life is when you accomplish your goals.

"How I admire men, women, and children who know how to work! How the Lord loves the laborer! He said, 'In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread' (Genesis 3:19), and 'The laborer is worthy of his hire' (D&C 84:79). He also gave a promise: 'Thrust in your sickle with all your soul, and your sins are forgiven you' (D&C 31:5). Those who are unafraid to roll up their sleeves and lose themselves in the pursuit of worthwhile goals are a blessing to their families, communities, nations, and to the Church."

Dieter F. Uchtdorf,, Two Principles for Any Economy, Ensign, Nov. 2009, 56

Happy New Year!

It sure is hard to stay up late as you get older. I'm 32 now and Amber will be 30 tomorrow. So many good things happened in 2011, but one thing that did not happen was I did not do the blog. So, that will be one of my New Year's resolutions. Once you get out of the habit, it's hard to get back into it. The same with just about every good habit out there both spiritually and physically.