All work, no play for Uncle Scott

We were so so HAPPY to see Uncle Scott this weekend! Dustin's brother is a one of a kind soul who fits right in and makes everyone happy. He and Dustin are really close. Scott's wife Kristy and I really enjoy them and enjoy being together. It is just great all round. Poor Scott came out here to go to a workshop and then have some good ol Texas fun!!! Did we give it to him? Oh yeah!!!!
First, he played Wii with the kids. We had him groovin' to Just Dance to Eye of the Tiger, Girls just wanna have fun, who let the dogs out.... (sorry no pictures)

Then, he fixed our computer until 2:00 AM with Dustin.

Then, he worked all day from our house.

Then, we went to Cheesecake factory, yeah some fun finally.

Then, we didn't take him to see the Grascals (a Blue Grass band)

Then, he worked on the computer some MORE

Then, he woke up and did chores with us, went to Mandi's horse riding lesson, went to an electronics store, fixed the computer some more, did yard work in extreme humidity.

Then, he went to get good hand mixed shakes with us...

Then, he fixed the computer some more

Then he went to bed.

Woke up, fixed the computer some more, and went to the airport.....

Poor Uncle Scott. We love you and hope you still come back again to play and bring Kristy too!!!

Love, Dustin and Jen and the kids

Dustin's Mother's Day Talk...

Dustin gave a really great Mother's Day talk today. This is how he began his talk. I loved it.

Mother’s Day

It is a privilege to get to share with you my thoughts on mother’s and motherhood today. It is a privilege because I think I recognize at least to some extent, what an important role you mothers have in making life better, endurable, enjoyable and comfortable for everyone, and how grateful each of the rest of should be to you for your influence.

Two weeks ago, along with some of you, my wife Jen travelled to Utah to attend Women’s conference at BYU. I was excited that she would be able to relax a little, and be away from the pressures and responsibilities she carries here at home. So off she went.

She was gone only from Wednesday to Saturday. Not long. Shorter than many of the business trips many here take all the time. But during that time, I’m sure I’ve never been busier in my whole life. From waking the kids up in the morning for school, to making breakfast, lunch, and dinner, to driving the kdis to theature practice, baseball practice, and every other activity. To even curling Mandi’s hair for her theatre performance. Yes, both curlers and a curling iron. I had moments of frustration, anxiety, discouragement, tiredness, and hunger. When Jen called home and asked the kids how I was, they answered, “Oh, dad seems stressed.”

If I didn’t appreciate all Jen did before this, I learned to appreciate her then. After watching her give her time, her talents, and everything she can to guiding and rearing our children, I am convinced that there is no role in life more essential and eternal than that of motherhood.

What type of girl are you?

There are all kinds of awesome girls out there... women now aren't we? I was just talking with a group of friends about how we can't believe we are old. But anyway, the female half of the race come in all different emotional shapes and sizes. There are the girls who are totally girly, who LOVED sleepovers, who loved giggles, who had all the dolls, who played house, who loved to babysit, who can get along with girls wherever they go. Always have lots of girlfriends, always will. There are girls who are more active. Who prefer running around to sitting and playing, who bore quickly of dolls and would prefer something more, well, active. They often end up playing with lots of boys because they are the other active ones. :) They tend to be more down to earth. And grow to prefer boy company to girl company. Not real tom boys but not girly either. They usually find it hard to relate to the center of activity in a group of giggling and whispering and complimenting. There are the mean girls who found out they can intimidate people into friendship, there are the controlling girls who try to manipulate their way through life. There are the sweet kind girls, the shy girls, the outgoing student council-leadership types......all kinds of girls in this world. Girls who would hate this post because they try to not fit into any label. (don't like labels myself) Isn't it interesting that with all these different feminine types floating around, we are also all the same in many ways...

Two Internet Browsers

Hi everyone!
This is just a quick blog because I am so happy to be back online. I have spent the last MONTH without Internet!!! I could get emails just fine, but Internet Explorer was broken. The latest update messed with a ton of our software. Anyway, because of that, I have felt seriously deprived!!! You would be amazed at what a useful tool the Internet is in my daily life. (probably in your life too) For example, I couldn't pay the bills, I couldn't research my kids' symptoms, I couldn't look online for advice on my new calling and to do the trainings, I couldn't learn about cubscouts (my new calling is in Primary with the children at church), I couldn't shop for all kinds of things I think I need, I couldn't order pizza!!!!! I couldn't BLOG, I couldn't even download another browser to use on my computer!!!! I was without hope.

So, my advice to all of you is to always have two browsers on your computer to use in case one shuts down. I am using Mozilla Firefox right now, love it!!! And beware updates!!!!!