Happy Easter!

We had a great Easter weekend. We got to see Tammy's wedding to Nic. Amber did the wedding video and I DJ'd the reception, it was a blast. I would much rather have a reception outside the church than inside. You can't crank up the tunes like you can outdoors. Then we got to sing in the choir at church and Amber go to sing a trio. After that, we went to spend time with both sides of the family. It was definitely exhausting, but tons of fun.

Amber does such a good job on the videos. She has quite the talent for it. I forgot to bring the camera to show some of the good times, so they will just have to live in our memories (Unless I can get some pics to post).

"Our Savior lived again. The most glorious, comforting, and reassuring of all events of human history had taken place—the victory over death. The pain and agony of Gethsemane and Calvary had been wiped away. The salvation of mankind had been secured. The Fall of Adam had been reclaimed. The empty tomb that first Easter morning was the answer to Job’s question, 'If a man die, shall he live again?' To all within the sound of my voice, I declare, If a man die, he shall live again. We know, for we have the light of revealed truth."

—President Thomas S. Monson, "He Is Risen: A Prophet’s Testimony", Liahona, Apr. 2012

Bazooka

I went to a call recently and noticed a freakin' bazooka! As you can imagine the family was retired military but this is a rare thing to see in someone's house. I asked the homeowner if he had any ammo for it and he laughed and said, "No." He explained it was not functional because there was some kind of broken ring inside. Still......kinda weird.

Amber has been explaining to me how stressed out she is because of our busy lives. On top of that we are in the process of making some potential big decisions. There has been a thought in the back of my mind that keeps popping up. We haven't told many people (especially family) because we don't want anyone to freak out for no reason. If I pray and receive an answer that it is not the right choice, then family will never know and that will be the end of that. The decision is to move to Utah, more specifically, the Provo area..ish.

Just think, would you rather see this..

 

 ....or this

That's not the reason we're (I'm) thinking about moving, but it's a bonus :)

We will explore the options and see if it makes sense to do it, then approach the Lord about it.

“While testimonies can come as dramatic manifestations, they usually do not. Sometimes people think they need to have an experience like Joseph Smith’s vision before they gain testimonies. If we have unrealistic expectations of how, when, or where answers come, we risk missing the answers which come as quiet, reassuring feelings and thoughts that most often come after our prayers, while we are doing something else. These answers can be equally convincing and powerful. “Over time we will receive answers and learn how inspiration comes. This is something each person learns for himself.” 

Allan F. Packer, “Finding Strength in Challenging Times!” Ensign, May 2009, 18

Date with Ammon

Click to enlarge

Ammon and I went on a date yesterday. We went mountain biking at the San Tan Mountain Regional Park. We have been there before but this time he wanted to go on a different trail. Needless to say, he took me on a 4.4 mile trial which ended up to be quite the workout. Ammon had a hard time riding up the hills toward the end and would always walk his bike when he saw a hill.. I told him he needed to at least try and ride up the hills.

Start with the green trail upper right, then follow upper green to red, then back around to the green

We passed several groups of hikers and just about all of them called Ammon "little man." Pretty funny. We got to this one point where we saw some interesting mountains. I said to myself, "where are we, I can't believe this exists near our house." The view just looked out of place, but it was worth the time spent. I'm glad Ammon likes to go bike riding. Trying to do stuff like this with Amber is difficult. I know she's going to read this so I just want to let her know that she has so many other great qualities about her, even though she's not much for nature. Her idea of nature is watching it on National Geographic. I love you Amber! Hehe.

 

"We are all in the process of becoming who we will one day be. Fathers and sons can play a critical role in helping each other become the best that they can be." 

M. Russell Ballard, "Fathers and Sons: A Remarkable Relationship," Ensign, Nov. 2009, 47

So cute

So Amber left me with the girls yesterday and said as she left, "Make sure to get the girls dressed." I think she worries when she leaves me alone with the kids because she's a mom and mom's worry. So I sent her a picture of the girls in close to show her that I am such a responsible than. When I took the picture I noticed that the girls are really growing up. They are already 3 1/2 years old and are almost done being a trained. We have occasional accidents every once in a while but is not as bad as when we started doing it on our first attempt in September 2011. That's right this is our third attempt at potty training the girls and it is very successful this time. Speaking of potty time, Faith seems to have a hard time going poop. So every time she's in the bathroom until her to push it out and I make a "pushing out" face. When I was making the face she started to imitate it and this is what she did:

 

It was a little bit different than face I was making, but it was funny so I had to capture the moment.

“There are cycles of good and bad times, ups and downs, periods of joy and sadness, and times of plenty as well as scarcity. When our lives turn in an unanticipated and undesirable direction, sometimes we experience stress and anxiety. One of the challenges of this mortal experience is to not allow the stresses and strains of life to get the better of us—to endure the varied seasons of life while remaining positive, even optimistic. Perhaps when difficulties and challenges strike, we should have these hopeful words of Robert Browning etched in our minds: 'The best is yet to be' ("Rabbi Ben Ezra," in Charles W. Eliot, ed., The Harvard Classics, 50 vols. [1909–10], 42:1103).” 

L. Tom Perry, "Let Him Do It with Simplicity", Ensign, Nov. 2008, 7

All Weapons Weekend!

I had a totally awesome weekend thanks to a military friend of mine. I've never been involved in any type of shooting competition before so I was a little nervous but I was invited to get a team of four people together for this competition. It took place on the National Guard training facility off of Arizona State Route 79. Our group represented PCSO and we came in seventh overall in the civilian category of the competition, and 13th place overall.. Me personally I came in 63rd in the individual competition out of around 150 participants. We mainly shot targets with our AR-15s and the courses included pop-up targets an unknown distance targets from 100 to 500 m. One of the courses was a machine gun range which was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Many of the military instructors said that our team did very well but we were just there to have a good time and get sunburned. Amber isn't too big into guns so I know she would've been bored if she was there watching the competition by being involved was definitely a good time. So much so that the people I invited to be on the team want to do it again next year. even though some of the courses were geared toward military engagement, it was still useful to myself and my team in the line of work that we do. Here are some of the pics from the weekend:

 

   

“We must know and realize that, just as Winston Churchill said in a critical hour during World War II, ‘to every man [and young woman] there comes . . . that special moment when [they are] figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a special thing unique to [them].’ ”

Elaine S. Dalton, “Come Let Us Go Up to the Mountain of the Lord,” Ensign, May 2009, 123

Cuddle Time

Amber and I were sitting on the couch today and Faith came over and cuddled up next to Amber. She seems to be the most needy when she wakes up from her nap. For some reason she gets all worked up and has some kind of anxiety. I guess I am the same way sometimes so I know where she gets it from.

Amber had to go make dinner so she left Faith on the couch. Of course, she started to cry so she told her to cuddle with me. She crawled over and curled up in a little ball on my lap. She was pretty cute and Amber took advantage of the tender moment by grabbing a pic.

Too bad Amber doesn't do this with me all the time. She's the best!

"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

Day at the Beach

This was so fun! In September 2010 we took the boys to the beach for the first time, it was part of our trip to Disneyland. Since the boys were 2 we have tried to take them every two years to Disneyland, but it hasn't worked out that way. We took them when they were two years old, four years old, then seven years old, and we will take them again when they are 10 years old. these pictures are pretty funny of the boys because they look so tiny, but they had a good time at the beach. The water was really cold so they didn't really want to get in to the ocean, but Amber did and had a great time. I got in a little bit but it was too cold for me too. I guess the middle of September isn't really the best time to jump into the water but it is a great time to go to the beach because the weather is perfect. During that one day at the beach we built a sand castle which you can see the pictures above. The boys helped out to make that thing castle and we were trying to make it as big as possible the problem was we didn't have that many tools to build it with. We buried the boys in the sand which they thought was pretty funny and we blew up the inflatable alligator. They love to sit on the alligator and wait for the ways to come and take them out to sea. I can't wait till next year when we take all the kids I think they will have a blast!

“Our most important and powerful assignments are in the family. They are important because the family has the opportunity at the start of a child’s life to put feet firmly on the path home. Parents, brothers and sisters, grandparents, aunts and uncles are made more powerful guides and rescuers by the bonds of love that are the very nature of a family.”

Henry B. Eyring, “Help Them on Their Way Home, Ensign, May 2010, 23

Pot of Gold

Many would agree that Amber is the most amazing person, but she is the most amazing at everything she does. I mean, who does this for a bunch of primary kids? This was the first idea that she had from her own creative mind. It's an oreo pop with a sour punch ribbon on top. Of course, that's not all there is, but she could tell you all the details if you ask her. She has such amazing talent; with baking and video montages, is there anything she can't do?

I was tossing around an idea with her today about moving to Utah. It's been something I've thought about for awhile...like 6+ years. I will do my homework to see if it would be a good move. There are so many opportunities that are and will present themselves, and I would hate to miss out because we choose to move to a different state.

".......You add great strength to the  Church when you use your testimony, talents, abilities, and energy to build
the kingdom in your wards and branches. You are great examples of sharing  the gospel, serving missions, sending children on missions, and welcoming  new members. You reach out in kindness to those around you, lifting and  blessing them through inspired service. So much of what is done in the  Church today could not be done without your efforts."

(Paul B. Pieper, "The First Generation," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 11-12  )

Kung-Fu High Impact!

This game is soooo awesome! The other day I decided to do some of this for my workout. I ended up burning over 500 calories in 30 mins. Video games sure have come a long way from Atari! It's amazing you don't have to use a controller to play and the sensor response is pretty impressive. I'm sure when the boys get older they will look back and say that this technology is Old Skool! Who knows where it's gonna go from here.

Technology is pretty amazing, there are so many things that we can no now, I wonder if we are even using even 10% of the capabilities of our devices and computers. I can play music to our DVD player from my computer, which is pretty cool. But even the Xbox console can be used for so many things besides playing video games. It's just mind boggling how many technological advancements have come about in such a short period of time. Then there is the Adversary, who uses that same technology to his advantage to lead away the hearts of the children of men. It's meant for good but you have to be careful how you use it.


"We were given our agency. We must use it wisely and remain close to the Spirit; otherwise, we foolishly find ourselves yielding to the enticements of the adversary. We know that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ our mistakes can be washed clean, and our mortal body will be restored to its perfect frame." 'For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God' (Moroni 7:16)."There is a perfect manner of communication through the Spirit, 'for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God' (1 Corinthians 2:10)."

Boyd K. Packer, "Prayer and Promptings" Ensign, Nov. 2009, 43–44

Finally, Amber Went on a Hike!

Going on a hike with Amber is one of the hardest things to do. For some reason, she just doesn't like hiking. Well today, some friends wanted to hang out with us and invited us on a hike. To my surprise, Amber accepted the invitation and had a great time. They took their kids and we took ours, and enjoyed the nice weather while we still can. We went to the San Tan Mountain Reserve where Ammon and I have gone previously to ride bikes on a date.The Moonlight Trail was fun because it went up and down, keeping the kids excited. That particular trial was 1.2 miles one way. We saw some hot flower action on some cactus (which you don't see all the time), but didn't really see anything exciting i.e. critters and wildlife. It was a good little hike, but I would definitely take the bikes over walking.

"For those who eschew evil and live good lives, who strive for a brighter day and keep the commandments of God, things can get better and better even in the face of tragedy. The Savior showed us the way. From Gethsemane, the cross, and the tomb, He rose triumphant, bringing life and hope to us all. He bids us, 'Come, follow me' (Luke 18:22)."President Thomas S. Monson has counseled: 'If we are to walk with head held high, we must make our contribution to life. If we are to fulfill our destiny and return to live with our Father in Heaven, we must keep His commandments and pattern our lives after the Savior. By so doing, we will not only achieve our goal of eternal life, but we will also leave the world richer and better than it would have been had we not lived and performed our duties' (Thomas S. Monson, used with permission)."

Keith B. McMullin, "Our Path of Duty," Ensign, May 2010, 13