Psalms 127:3-5

"Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath is quiver full of them . . ." (Psalms 127:3-5)

First Haircut. . .

See Braden with hair.
See Braden without hair.
See Braden without hair with Paige.

Last Sunday we decided to cut Braden's hair. He is 4 months. We looked in Brock's journal and learned we had cut Brock's hair for the first time at 3 1/2 months. Braden's hair line is lower than Brock's was and his hair is darker, although from the pictures it is hard to tell. These kids haven't lacked for hair.

Having a Blast at Classic!

Here's Brock going through the eye of the needle.
Paige doing her best Herbal Essence pose while sliding.
Together.

P is for . . .

On Sunday we were eating dinner and the subject of Paige's birthday (March 9) came up. We asked her what she wanted for her birthday? Paige thought for a while and then said she would like a scripture bag and her own set of scriptures. I don't know if Charmayne was as surprised as I was? But in that moment I was very proud and amazed and humbled. The last thing on my mind at 7 turning 8 was scriptures, I'm sure of it. And it wasn't an answer we coached or even expected to hear. Paige, Brock and Sidney have really enjoyed reading the scriptures nightly for the past several months (we have been reading them nightly for several years but it was always a fight until recently). Brock maybe is still a little more resistant than the girls. Is it paying off?

Of course, as a parent, I couldn't be happy to just give my girl scriptures. Certainly there had to be something more? So I pressed, what else do you want? A build-a-bear she replied. A build-a-bear is a bear factory where you get to see the stuffed animal of your choice stuffed, sewn, dressed, etc. Great! You can have a build-a-bear, what friend would you like to take with you to get one? This sent Paige into deep thought. What friend can I take that doesn't already have a build-a-bear? she thought out loud. Well Brock and Sidney didn't let that thought pass without responding. They both quietly said, I don't have a build-a-bear. Paige thought a little longer and then said, can I take two friends? Now you know what's coming. She said, I want to take Brock and Sid. I'm probably making more out of this than I should, but I am happy that the kids think of each other, that they consider themselves friends as well as siblings.

All the effort on Sunday's, reading the scriptures nightly (it has become easier but it was hard in the beginning), family home evening preparation, making time to be together. I think those of you who have done these things and those who do them now know it isn't always easy. But it is always worth it, especially in these simple moments at the dinner table or in the car talking or just listening to the kids talk amongst themselves. Paige is growing up, she is spreading her wings. We can't wait to see her fly. We just hope it will slow down a little bit. And that the scriptures will always be at the top of her list.

Super Glue

Charmayne is telling me this story as I type it.
Paige had a friend (Summer) over this past Wednesday. They both wanted Charmayne to take them to the nail salon to get their nails done. Charmayne said no but she would paint their nails for them. So Charmayne got the nail polish out and put it on the table and went to put some things away while the girls picked their nail polish colors. The next thing Charmayne hears is Paige screaming in the bathroom that something isn't right. So Charmayne goes to the bathroom and finds Paige washing her hands. Paige was asked what happened to which she replied her hands were stuck together? It turns out nail polish wasn't enough. The girls wanted fake nails so Paige decided to get the super glue from the cupboard. As she tried to gently squeeze the super glue onto her nail, it exploded in her hands. Frantic she tried to rub her hands together to get the glue off only to find, in terror, her hands were stuck together. She was able to peel them a part and then tried to wash the glue off, again finding her hands stuck, but this time to the faucet. As the glue dried she looked at her hands in horror and said, in tears of course, I cannot go to school tomorrow everyone will think I am a freak! Needless to say Paige spent the rest of the day peeling glue from her hands. I think Summer was traumatized more by Paige's display than the fear of super glue. I think it is safe to say both girls will think twice before they ever touch super glue. Charmayne and I laughed all night! Paige's new nickname, as you might guess, is super glue or simply S.G.

It's late, but here are a few pictures.

Da boys.
Excitement.
My girls.
Yummy!

Looking Forward

We watched old video's all Sunday evening. Paige asked "why when you watch videos of yourself does it makes you wish you were little again?" She wished Brock and Sidney were little again too. The videos were enough to wet my eyes but when Paige said that I couldn't hold back the tears. The video quality isn't great. I purchased a new PC with an HD video card but it will not recognize my camera. I'll figure it out in time. So this is an oldy but a goody. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young never get old.

Preston

A Classic Post

Paige and Brock getting things started together at Classic Fun Center.
Jaxon breakin' it down. Hands down the best skater. If you look closely you can see Rob and Booker on a razor.
Fun on the sidelines.
Braden enjoyed the extra loud music blaring in his ears!
We all learned from Scott that helmets aren't required to protect your head from the ground but from 300 lb. women on roller skates. We were all relieved he was ok. But as you can see his forehead and the stroller he was pushing were severely damaged by the mammoth fall. We had a great time, it was unfortunate the evening ended in injury.

A Journal Entry

It was hard to want to make another post. I have really enjoyed logging onto the blog and seeing the picture of the kids. But I guess it would defeat the purpose if we didn't post again and I can always just scroll down or use the link. I keep a journal. Not because I think my life is worth reading about but because I want the kids to know what I think about and what matters to me. I often wish I could read my mom's thoughts or my dad's thoughts about certain life situations they faced. How did they solve problems? What did they do in situations that I now face? My mom and dad were great parents as we were growing up. They were not perfect but they tried to love us perfectly. I know that. I hope our kids can look past my many weaknesses and the few that Charmayne has. I hope they will always feel our love for them. I hope that by keeping a journal they will one day really know that I for some reason always think I need to be the underdog. In every situation. Why? Maybe so when I win I can say I overcame the odds, or worse maybe when I lose I can say I didn't have a chance anyway. I hope my kids will be content to be winners! Confident in being the best, in trying to be the best, always striving for excellence in their lives and not settling for good enough. I fear I am only good enough. I want them to know that my job and its taking me away from home is hard on me because it creates seperation from them. That I don't think money is the end, rather it is a means to an end. The end to me is family and faith. I am happiest when I am home with the people I love the most. I happiest when we are at Franklin Covey Field watching a baseball game together or at the Huntsman Center watching the Runnin' Utes together. But the games are always secondary. The highlight is sharing time together. What else do we have? All each of has is - our time. So keep a journal, it will benefit more than just yourself.

Preston

PS I promise pictures in the next post.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words!

What more could I possibly say?

Our home December 2, 2007 after Braden's blessing.

Our New Favorite Pastime

One of my favorite activities from the time I was 8 until high school was going to Classic Skating. Like me the kids are in their own world while on their Razor scooters or on roller skates. In the above video Paige and Brock are on their Razor's with their cousins Ryan and Brett at Classic Skating.

Preston

I will strengthen thee; I will help thee

Two nights ago we read Barbara Thompson's talk from this past General Relief Society Meeting. There were several things that touched us a family and especially as parents. For her full talk please visit this link http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=2f781b3e50cf5110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1

Here are a few of our favorites: "Dear sisters, love and nurture your children. Tell them you love them. Put your arms around them. Appropriate physical affection will accomplish miracles. Express kind words. Show them by example how to work. Teach them to pray."

"Read to your children. Read from the scriptures. Help them learn that the scriptures will guide them throughout their entire lives. Have family home evening with them. Let them know that family time together is very important to you."

"The greatest help we will have in strengthening families is to know and follow the doctrines of Christ and rely on Him to help us. So often as I have worked with families with problems, I have found myself wishing that these families knew of the Savior and were teaching their children the doctrines of Jesus Christ."

Our lives improve everyday when we try to follow such wise words. We are watching our children mature before our eyes and the confidence the gospel brings into their lives is unmatched by any other influence.