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!!!!!

Just one that makes me smile

Mandi's Birthday Bash

Our little sweet Mandi turned 12. (in December) And even though I sort of wish it hadn't happenned yet, we still wanted to celebrate in a big fun way. I'll share what we did because it was SO WAY FUN!!!!

We have an outdoor shopping mall near us. So we had all the girls meet us there at 3. Then we split them into groups of 4 or 5. We gave each group $10 and told them to buy as much as they possibly could in 15 mintues. They took off. They were SO excited. One group came back with 15 things and spent just under $10. Then we redivided the groups and gave them a list of things to take pictures of while doing. Very fun!! Here is what we did:

"Riding up an escalator
Wearing a tiara
Wearing one high heel shoe
Washing hands in a bathroom
Looking at an information map of town square
Everyone in the group wearing sunglasses
Sitting on one of the town square cows
Trying to hide behind a tree or bush
Asking someone politely for the time
Wearing hats
Wearing a feather boa
One team member trying on an unmatched outfit
Spelling out YMCA with a store employee
Holding hands with a guy
Singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star together
Standing on the Second Floor waving down to the first
1 team member getting makeup applied
Laying on a bench
Sitting around the fountain in funny poses
Asking for an employment application (give it back) J
Opening the door for 4 people
Doing the wave

Put a check next to each task completed. Take a picture. First one to the Theater wins! If you can’t complete it, all teams must be at the theater by 4:00 PM sharp!! Winner will be the team with the most completed first."

THEN we saw a movie. Tooth Fairy. It was OK. The girls thought it was hilarious. My only criteria was that it was clean. It was a matinee and they all still qualify as children (much to their dismay) and then we went to a nearby pizza place for dinner. It was so much fun. I wish I could do it again this weekend. When I get around to it, I'll flip through the pics and see if there are any memorable ones. :)

What means Most this week?

Hi! I have been doing a lot these past couple weeks. Busy Busy Busy. But it is interesting. The thing I did that brings me the most satisfaction, that I am most proud of, the one I really wanted to blog about.... I took lots of pictures of me and Audrey close together.

Then she painted a small wood heart frame.

And we picked a picture, put it inside her frame and hung it on her wall. (sorry no picture of the finished product yet) But that is my favorite thing I have done lately. Isn't that interesting. Love that girl!!!

Give to Help Haiti

https://secure3.convio.net/ldsp/site/Donation2?df_id=1861&1861.donation=form1&s_src=14703

I saw this on my church website http://www.lds.org

Please click on the above link and donate to help the people in Haiti. All funds go directly to help those in need.

Thanks!!!