FOREVER8ANDMORE....

Little bit of sun and a little bit of fun makes Florida Style

2009-07-05T22:32:00.000-07:00

We had such a fun trip with very much needed R&R. The beach was great and Dad, Brit and Jake said the golf course was amazing. Of course I think the girls spa day was the best of all! Loop did a great job picking the hotel, way to go!

We found this old and obviously very used boat with my name....kinda fits me too!

What's a vacation without great food!

Good thing everyone had sunglasses, the beach was such a beautiful white!

A little bit of rain didn't stop us from enjoying the beach!

Brittany loving time with Lindsey!

Aspen Lueen

2009-07-05T22:19:00.000-07:00

Dad and I had a treat this weekend when we visited Jennifer and Brady's new baby girl. She is so tiny and as you can see Dad never loses his touch with putting them to sleep.

Kristin's Beautiful Wedding

2009-06-14T19:08:00.000-07:00

This was such a fun weekend and we especially loved being on the spectator side! The reception was so beautiful! Sorry about not taking very many pictures.

MOTHERS DAY

2009-05-15T19:06:00.000-07:00

I have to say Mothers Day was a little different this year without any children home. I never really thought about that before but Dad was so sweet trying to make it fun. The best treat of all was at church. It was so cute and someone actually taped it so here it is. Hopefully our sons will still have the moves like Dad when you're 53 too!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omBotxoUGSk

ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN

2009-04-06T05:15:00.000-07:00

We always love relaxing and enjoy watching conference. Just wanted to show how much we ALL loved watching! If you can't see, look at Toby on the side of the bed. (Jenny this is just for you!!!)

Stand for Who You Are!

2009-01-26T11:17:00.000-08:00

This blog really has nothing to do with me but I just loved this video that I wanted to share it with everyone! I've been teaching as a substitute Seminary teacher this week. I love the time spent with the youth of the Church and paticularily listening and learning from their testimonies and I'm always so amazed with their strength and knowledge. I was sent this video clip and sat in awe with this young woman who obviously was in a forum setting and I'm sure in front of many people which would have been extremely intimidating! I hope you enjoy it as well!

http://vimeo.com/2120177

THE SILENT ASSASIN

2009-01-17T11:05:00.001-08:00

Dad was so quiet about doing "The Biggest Loser" contest and really wasn't too enthusiastic about participating. I remember sitting at dinner and listening to the conversations about who to worry about winning the contest. Well, you better start worrying because...Dad weighed in this morning and can you say

15 lbs

You read it right....Dad has lost 15 pounds and is now ready for the challenge!!!

A Christmas to Remember

2009-01-17T11:03:00.001-08:00

IT'S CHRISTMASTIME!

2008-12-21T05:58:00.000-08:00

THE CHRISTMAS DISHES ARE OUT AND THE TABLE IS SET

THE LIGHTS ON THE EMPTY STAIRCASE WAITING FOR EVERYONE TO GATHER ON CHRISTMAS MORNING

THE STOCKINGS ARE HUNG AND READY TO BE FILLED

EVEN TOBY IS STANDING AT THE WINDOW WAITING FOR EVERYONE TO ARRIVE! WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU BUT YOU BETTER HURRY OR ALL THE TRASH WILL BE EATEN! WE HOPE THE WEATHER HOLDS OUT FOR SAFE AND FAST FLYING!!!!

2008-11-30T18:40:00.000-08:00

I have to admit, when I was posting the blog pics last night I was nodding asleep but I promised myself if these cute Moms with their busy busy schedules had time to post a blog I could at least post something once every 3 months. So, does this count for the next 3 months as well since I posted twice in 1 week......just thought I would ask! Ok so here are the last pics I'm going to post and the rest you will have to see in person.

Family Room Before

Family Room After

Family Room 2 Before

Family Room After

THIS ROOM IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE CHANGES!

Kitchen Before

Kitchen After

Breakfast Room Before

Breakfast Room After

This will be fun! It will be like "Finding Waldo" except you can see if you can tell me what changes have happened since I blogged with the new pictures. I dare you to notice.....

Love you

It's A Glimpse

2008-11-29T20:10:00.000-08:00

Master Bathroom Before

Master Bathroom After

Study Before Study After

Dining Room Beforedining Room After

Ok, so don't have a heartattack! I won't make this blog long although you all know I could blog FOREVER right now trying to catch up। It's not that spending 3 absolutely fun and memorable days at State with my family or attending Brit's Graduation or decorating for ProGrad, or Lindsey's proposal, or house hunting, or Wedding planning, or our trip to Europe, or Jake and Lindsey's Wedding, or the MOVE, or Hurricane Ike, or the remodeling crisis, are any less important but I've decided to unveil a couple of rooms which are close to being finished. After you get over the shock of an updated blog let me know what you think!

GOING TO STATE!

2008-04-23T04:59:00.000-07:00

HURRAY! Dad and I exhausted and feel as though we actually played but finally, after 4 years of Lady Rangers Basketball with Christy and Round 1 Regional Playoff, 4years of Theatre and UIL Competition with David, 4 years of Rangers Baseball with John and 1 year Semi-Finals Regional Playoff, 4 years of Lady Rangers Basketball and Softball with Jacquelyn and 1 year Regional Finals Softball, 1 year Regional Semi-Finals Softball, 1 Round Regional Playoff Basketball, 4 years Lady Rangers Volleyball with Lindsey and 1 year Quarter Finals Regional Playoff, 4 years Lady Rangers Golf with Brittany and 3 years Finals Regional Playoff....2008 REGIONAL CHAMPS....WE'RE GOING TO STATE! CONGRATULATIONS THIS WILL BE A FUN ENDING TO HIGH SCHOOL EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES!

CATCH UP TIME

2008-04-23T02:58:00.000-07:00

Sorry about our 4 month absence. It's certainly not as if we've been sitting around with nothing to do! Ya'll have been so patient and we couldn't possibly post our exciting news from yesterday without a couple of pictures and recap from the last few months. The pictures below are from As you can see from our pictures below we've been busy with Golf, Senior Year activities, 50th Birthday, Easter, Trip to NY,and Brits 18th Birthday!

Julies Baby Blue Shower

2008-01-27T09:59:00.000-08:00

Nancy and I gave Julie Harris a Baby Shower on Thursday and had such a fun time! I can't believe I'm now giving baby showers to my friend's children instead of my friends. I think I have even more fun now because I'm not juggling babies myself while trying to set everything up. I found some beautiful blue hydrangas which are only in season now. The flowers really turned out even prettier than the pictures. I also found this really cute recipe for the punch which looked like white clouds in blue and I put 3 little rubber duckies floating in the punch. Here are a few pics of the evening.

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CHRISTMAS VACATION IN THE BAHAMAS

2007-12-31T05:26:00.000-08:00

I couldn't believe we pulled off this surprise! I thought for sure the girls would catch on to some of the things we did to make it a surprise. In the first few pictures you can see we put the clues in the balloons and they had to pop them to get it. I can't believe we forgot what a nightmare popping the balloons would be to Lindsey. It was so funny watching Brit pop the balloons and Lindsey holding her ears. We had a video but somehow it got deleted. Oh well. The weather was beautiful and we really had a wonderful relaxing vacation. We were so relaxed that we were all in bed by 9:00 every night. I tried to get a picture of the clock time but it didn't show up. Anyway, we may not have had a "White Christmas" in the snow but we loved our "White" Christmas at the beach.

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Christmas Eve and Christmas Morning 2007

2007-12-31T04:53:00.000-08:00

Here are the last pictures of Christmas Eve and Christmas Morning. It was an extra special Christmas Eve for Lance with all his kids there for the first time. I hope you can hear the background music when Dad and I were opening our BIG PRESENT! Thank you again for everything WE LOVED IT ALL but especially that it came from your heart!!!

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Christmas Morning Memories

2007-12-25T09:54:00.000-08:00

We only had time to show a few pictures but before we left I wanted to tell you THANK YOU!!! I'll have time to show the video of opening our package when we get home but here are just a few of the pictures. We love you.

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Christmas in the Bahamas

2007-12-24T08:46:00.000-08:00

We gave the girls their "Pre-Christmas" gift on Christmas Eve morning. I laughed and laughed at the whole scenerio with the popping balloons and both of them trying to figure out the clues. It's probably not as funny to you but Dad and I got a kick out of watching them.

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UVU Here She Comes!

2007-12-02T06:04:00.000-08:00

I know this so late but I still wanted to dedicate this blog to Brittany. Congratulations on your Scholarship with UVU and all your hard work to accomplish that. I know you've sacrificed your time with friends because of practice and it wasn't always fun playing in Houston and carrying your bag 18 holes during the hot humid 100 degree summer heat. You've developed a beautiful golf swing which I know I've heard many golfers say. It's been a great test of patience, concentration and endurance not to mention a life long talent you now have. Later in life you will be able to look back on your time you've spent with Dad and Pom Pom on the golf course as treasured memories and a choice time to bond. I remember first, it was a challenge to make 18 holes, then a challenge to break 100, after that to try and beat Pom Pom and ultimately beat your Dad. Now that beating your Dad is common I'm sure you have your sight on something else. Remember to always keep making goals in everything you do and the lessons you have already learned through making goals will continue to help you. I know Utah with your brothers and sisters is where you want to be and it was so fun to have everyone there to watch you sign after all those years you watched them with their extracirricular activities! We love you!

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Also, check out the first public announcement:(you will have to copy and paste, I couldn't get it to link)

wolverinegreen.cstv.com/sports/w-golf/utva-w-golf-body.html

Senior Highschool Homecoming

2007-10-28T17:04:00.000-07:00

Ahhhhh, those were the days, carefree memories of Highschool Homecoming and to top it off our Senior year!!!! We began the Homecoming weekend with flying home with a 6:45am Friday morning flight from Utah, checking on work related issues, picking up last minute items for the last Homecoming Boutinere. I received a phone call from Brittany at 5:00pm that I needed to have his boutinere ready before they left for dinner at 7:00pm. So, thank goodness before I left town I knew basically what we were putting on his armband and just needed to put it all together. We were hot glueing the golf ball on the mum when Blake arrived to take Brittany to dinner with their group. Whewww, that was close!!! The next morning we were off and running! Brittany left at 7:30am to pick up Shipleys, as our bribe of course, to feed all our helpers at the school for Homecoming Decorations. David helped me load up both cars and then our Homecoming decorations Committee began working frantically until all the decorations were complete. It went pretty well since we had held 2 work parties previously to help prepare for the big day. I almost lost it though when I was told at about 10:00am that 400 German students were coming to the school for a "luncheon" held in the Commons (school cafeteria) where we were decorating and that everything needed to be moved out of the way in order for them to set up their tables. I was also told that one of the areas could not be decorated yet because they needed to use that area to move their ice coolers out for the luncheon. "What!!!" I said "You've got to be kidding me, who in their right mind would schedule a luncheon with 400 students on the same day we were trying to decorate for Homecoming for 1,000 students?" The reply was "Well, I did because I've never been involved with Homecoming". "I never knew it was this big!!!"the school counselor said. I then took a deep breath, knew there was nothing I could do and would argue later when I had more time and energy which will probably be never since I won't ever have to worry about this again!!! Can I say that with enough entusiasm so you understand....I WILL NEVER HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT DECORATING FOR HOMECOMING AGAIN!!!! I love you all but some things I truly will not miss. Anyway....back to our day. We finished everything by about 12:30, loaded up the cars and went home for a few minutes before the 4:00pm Salon appointments began. Dad and I decided to run to the grocery store before 4:00 to pick up all the breakfast food for our.......yes, you guessed it, our 2:00am post Homecoming Breakfast at our house. We were in line at the grocery store when Brittany called and said, "Mom, did you know that my appointment started at 3:15 and not 4:00?" I said "No, but I will meet you at the Salon". We were driving to the Salon and saw Brittany behind us so I quickly switched cars at the light. Brittany and I drove to the front of the salon and I told Brittany that I would park the car and she could just run in. I ran around to the driver's side found a park nearby and quickly ran into the Salon. I walked back to the area where they took Brittany so I could take my traditional pictures and was walking around looking at the Makeup Artist work on Brittany's makeup, taking pictures, and one of the Stylist (Lilly) came up to me and whispered in my ear "Miss Lisa, you have something on the back of your pants." I thought, what in the world could that be? I quickly walked into the restroom, and looked in the mirror and sure enough there was a huge, dark brown spot right in the middle of my bum about 8" long and 4" wide. (Yes, my one cheek is large enough for a spot that large). So, I proceeded to take off my pants to see if I could wipe it off. Thank goodness this was a large bathroom with 1 single toilet and a sink in the same room or I was going to have to explain my peculiar underwear. As I began wiping off this dark stain, I thought to myself, could this actually be dog poo? Or the other thought was, how could chocolate have gotten on my pants? I wiped off most of the stain and walked out to the salon area and Brittany began laughing. She knew exactly what it was. She then proceeded to remind me about the chocolate cake she brought home from work on Friday, and that the top was not on securely and while she was driving home the cake fell out of the container. And, yes you guessed it, the chunk of chocolate frosting is what was smushed on my right cheek. Sorry, to get so side tracked,I was talking about Homecoming. So, we rushed home after her appointment and Brittany's hair was so beautiful. Her makeup was gorgeous. Just as we pulled into the driveway, Blake arrived to pick her up for the game. She put on her hat and letterman jacket then off to the football game. Dad and I had just enough time to grab a bite to eat and go over to the school to turn on the lights to the decorations. After the game, Blake dropped Brittany off and she quickly transformed into a beautiful princess! Blake came back over dressed very handsome and Grandma and PomPom were there for the pictures. It was about 9:30pm and Dad and I were exhausted but we needed to cut up the fruit for our "after Homecoming guests". After we prepared the table and a few foods Dad and I decided to take a short nap. We slept for about an hour and then it was time to run up to the school at 1:00am to remove the decorations. This went pretty smoothly and around 1:30am we were on our way back home to make breakfast. Thank goodness with full tummies and tired football players everyone went home at about 3:00am so off to bed we went for a very short night! (Especially for Dad since he had an 8:30am meeting at the church) Well, that wraps up the Homecoming Weekend and on to the anticipation of the rest of the Senior year activities!

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It's not Halloween without the WITCH

2007-10-17T07:14:00.000-07:00

How could you have Halloween without hearing the Witch! So, I was talking to Christy the other day about putting out all the Halloween/Fall decorations and I said "I don't know how much longer I'll be doing this because who am I doing this for?" Anyway, Christy talked me into it and said Mom, you have to do it, and anyway I love looking at them so, the rest of the tour is for you Christy since I really want to justify spending hours putting up Halloween decorations. Sorry about adding the new bedding but I told Christy I would show her our new bedroom too.

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CAN YOU SAY HOMECOMING?

2007-10-09T19:37:00.000-07:00

Well, after rumors of Britt being asked to Homecoming by a new "friend" Blake seemed to perk up a bit getting a little worried Britt may go to Homecoming with someone else. So, we heard day after day then week after week he was going to ask. Believe it or not, we even found the Homecoming dress before he asked. But, after much talk, even from the Golf Coach and teachers Blake finally asked. Here is a picture of the roses he gave her and her cute dress we found. More to come on October 27th, the day of Homecoming.

THE BUTLER WARRIORS

2007-10-07T20:00:00.000-07:00

I know, I know Jake reminded me I haven't blogged in a while. I've really been waiting for..... to ask Britt to Homecoming and do a blog on that but he's taking his time. So, thank goodness we had something today to blog about. Terri invited everyone over for Family dinner and before we ate we had a surprise visitor. Bryan saw it sliding down into the water so Kevin quickly grabbed his shovel then the snake slithered into the rocks to hide. I wish I had more room on my card to video longer because it was so funny watching everyone give directions....from across the pool of course. You will notice that Dad was the best instruction giver of all and was of course the farthest away until the snake was dead. But, nevertheless our big strong warriors won the battle and as you can see in the pictures were so proud of their trophy!

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A WINNING TOURNAMENT

2007-09-24T06:01:00.000-07:00

We're off to a great start with the opening tournament for Clements Golf. It was the Katy Taylor Tournament held at River Ridge Golf Course. There were 32 girls with 10 schools represented. Brittany took 2nd Place as an Individual with 2 strokes behind 1st. She was tied for the low tournament score shooting 75. Clements girls Team won 1st Place 60 strokes ahead of 2nd Place. Unfortunately I didn't get my camera out in time for the announcement of her 2nd Place but you can hear the applause. Also, the Tournament Director didn't have the trophies ready so in their Team picture they're holding a "paper plate" in replacement of their trophy.

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2007-09-21T20:56:00.000-07:00

DAVID'S ABC
A- Attached or single: attached
B- Best Friend: lisa
Cake or Pie: cherry pie
D- Day of choice: Friday. All work and no play.....
E- Essential Item: Driver, 3-wood, 3-pw, and a putter, someone to play with..priceless
F- Favorite Color: black
G- Gummi Bears or Worms: Gummi Bears
H- Hometown: Houston
I- Indulgence(s): Beach vacations with mom, any vacation with mom, being around and sharing our childrens lives, golf
J- January or July: July- I love the 4th, and hate the cold (ditto to Jake)
K- Kids: 10
L: Life is Incomplete Without: Family
M- Marriage Date: August 3, 1977 and we're still waiting to celebrate
N- Number of Siblings: 1 brothers (my name is Kevin) 2 sisters
O- Oranges or Apples: Oranges especially if it's juicy and cold on a hot day!
P- Phobias or Fears: MRI
Q- Quote(s): GOOD CHOICES EQUAL HAPPINES R- Reason To Smile: Watching my family all together
S- Season: Spring because the humidity is gone and its just getting warm enough to sit outside in the sun
T- Tag Three +: Brian, David (son),John,Josh,Brittany
U- Unknown Fact About Me: Called to Bishopric
V- Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animal: I love a great steak at Taste of Texas
W- Worst Habit: Procrastinaton
X- X-Rays or Ultrasounds: Give me a good MRI any day
Y- Your Favorite Food: Room service
Z- Zodiac: Cancer

2007-09-18T10:08:00.000-07:00

ABC
A- Attached or single: attached
B- Best Friend: David
Cake or Pie: This is hard but I think I would have to say Chocolate Cream Pie
D- Day of choice: Sunday because I actually make myself not work and enjoy the day!
E- Essential Item: Big surprise...cell phone
F- Favorite Color: I love all colors but some color combinations are my favorite like ice blue and brown right now
G- Gummi Bears or Worms: Gummi Bears
H- Hometown: Houston
I- Indulgence(s): Ok so here it goes...all spa treatments,eating candy and popcorn for dinner at the movie theater, Eating Tomato Basil Soup at La Madeline in front of a roaring fire on a cold day (which doesn't happen too often), Beach vacation with David or any vacation at all with my family,Girls trips, Tennis trip with Kathy,Visiting the temple in a foreign land, There are a lot more but I better stop now.....
J- January or July: July- I love the 4th, and hate the cold (ditto to Jake)
K- Kids: 10 but actually only gave birth to 6
L: Life is Incomplete Without: Family
M- Marriage Date: August 3, 1977 and we're still waiting to celebrate
N- Number of Siblings: 2 brothers, 1 sister
O- Oranges or Apples: Oranges especially if it's juicy and cold on a hot day!
P- Phobias or Fears: snakes and scarey movies
Q- Quote(s): Poem...Footsteps in the Sand
R- Reason To Smile: Watching my family all together
S- Season: Spring because the humidity is gone and its just getting warm enough to sit outside in the sun
T- Tag Three +: I might be setting myself up for failure but I still would love to see their comments - David (husband),Brian, David (son),John,Josh
U- Unknown Fact About Me: I'm an open book and I think ya'll know me better than I do
V- Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animal: I love a great steak at Taste of Texas
W- Worst Habit: Impatience and saying yes too often
X- X-Rays or Ultrasounds: Ultrasound
Y- Your Favorite Food: Buffet breakfast at a resort hotel (who serves grits), anything sweet but especially Big Mama's brownies and Hot Apple Pie
Z- Zodiac: Pisces

2007-09-01T23:45:00.000-07:00

Grocery Store Trip
Ok, so I have now seen it all! Today Dad and I went to the grocery store and Dad made a comment as we were approaching the store that it sounded as though someone was singing। I quickly said, "No, that just must be the music from the radio playing louder than normal"। Well, I was wrong. Yes, there she was in the front of the GROCERY STORE, just singing away as if we walked into a concert. I just started to laugh. I never would have guessed I would see someone singing with her electric keyboard and her vase for collections. The first thing I thought of was Mia will never believe this! You know how amazed she is with all the frills of America, she will definately get a kick out of this one. And, of course it's in First Colony. So, I had to video it just so you would see it for yourself as well. The next time you make a visit to your grocery store just think how boring it must be without someone singing!

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Yea!!! We have a flag!

2007-08-15T11:41:00.000-07:00

Britt started out the summer with her eye on the trophy flag. After each tournament the top 3 winners were awarded a flag and Brittany really wanted it. She kept knocking on the door all summer but after 16 tournaments, Quarter-Finals in the Match Play tournament, Top 5 in Houston area at the Invitational HGA Tournament of Champions, Four play-offs.....and not only did we win a flag but WE HAVE A CHAMPION! Congratulations, not only for your victory but for never giving up!

Happy 10th Anniversary

2007-08-08T11:47:00.000-07:00

We couldn't possibly celebrate a 10 year anniversary without going down memory lane....
We love you,
Mom and Dad

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Happy Birthday Dad

2007-06-25T18:58:00.000-07:00

I know you're shocked to see 2 blogs in one week but since we really don't have much to blog about I thought I would add another one since we finally have something! I can't believe it's been 2 years since we all celebrated Dad's 50th at Disney Land. We started out the evening opening a gift from G amd Pom Pom then Loop, Dad and I went to........yep, Taste of Texas! YUMMMMMM. Afterward we sang Happy Birthday and Dad blew out his candle on his homemade apple pie. We then opened his gift and that was the night. Here are some pictures to share:

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We introduce to you Mr. and Mrs. Brent Weaver

2007-06-24T06:57:00.000-07:00

We had a busy weekend with the Woolston/Winn wedding on Friday and then the long awaited wedding of Brent and Kelly on Saturday. We wish you all could have been there! President Delamare was the sealer and he of course gave an inspiring message and blessing to them. Brent was so cute and very, very nervous. He said he almost fainted in the Sealing Room. Kelly was a beautiful bride and all smiles. Her family was very supportive and were all waiting for her outside the temple.

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A Fathers Day Tribute

2007-06-17T13:16:00.000-07:00

This blog is nothing short of just a few thoughts I've had lately through a few extra hours of down time after surgery. First of all I want all my family to know that each of you are so awesome and I love each of your different personalities and extraordinary traits you have. That statement comes from catching up on all the blogs lately. I missed reading them before the surgery because I was so busy trying to get as much done as I could not knowing how long I would be at home. I finally began to catch up a couple days ago and it was so fun and I can't tell you how much joy I receive when I read your "blog" journals. It's the next best thing Dad and I have to being there with you and how much it means to be able to see all your pictures and videos of everything you are doing. Most of all though I love to watch and read about each of you as you continue to develop relationships one with another. I am finally able to see and feel what it means to have an unconditional love and support of each other as brothers and sisters whether it's an inlaw or blood. Although I was given many blessings, a family with love and support was not one of them and so I want to thank you for giving me that complete and overwhelming feeling of joy through your love of each other. It truely is all a mother could ever ask for.

Now, enough of that....here is my tribute to all the Fathers in my life....my own father, my father in law, my husband as a father to my children, my sons and son in law as fathers to my grandchildren and of course my Heavenly Father.

Today in church we reflected on the different attributes of a father and one comment was made. "The first and most important responsibility of a father is to bring happiness and joy into your home." They didn't say your work or church calling which will change over the years, they said the first responsibility is to bring happiness and joy into your home.

Elder Richard L. Evans gave the proper dimension for all fathers when he said: “First of all, fathers are giving a name and a heritage to their children—clean and honorable. Fathers are for long, hard work, mostly their own kind of work; … for trying to give their children things [their] fathers never had. Fathers are for talking with, for encouraging, for putting arms around; for understanding mistakes, but not condoning them; for disciplining when needed, then loving all the more; for being strong and forceful, and for being tender and gentle.”

There is a cute primary song about Fathers which goes like this:
v1. The father of our home leads our family with wisdom's light in all that's right; My fathers good to me.
chorus: Father are so special with a very special love. They watch us and protect us. They guide us and direct us back to our home above.
v3. And now we'll sing great praise and reverently recall the Holy One who gave his Son, the Father of us all.

I feel it's such a blessing to really know there is a Father in heaven who knows us and loves us no matter what choices we make. Sometimes it seems as though it's so overwhelming, juggling a job, a church calling, your relationship with your family but we are given a chance to begin to understand what love really is when you become a parent. It is such a great teaching tool but also an opportunity to our obedience to our Father in Heaven that you will guide and protect and teach his children (your children) how to return and live with him. The question is...are we good enough for God to use as an instrument for His children? I loved this cute short story that was read today. I copied it and here it is:

The next time you feel like God can't use you, just remember...
Abraham was too old
Isaac was a daydreamer
Jacob was a liar
Leah was ugly
Joseph was abused
Moses had a stuttering problem
Sampson had long hair and was a womanizer
Rahab was a prostitute
Timothy was too young
David had an affair and was a murderer
Jonah ran from God
Naomi was a widow
Job went bankrupt
John the Baptist ate bugs
Peter denied Christ
The diciples fell asleep while praying
Martha worried about everything
The Samaritan woman was divorced
Zacaheus was too small...
AND Lazarus was dead!

No excuses, God can use YOU!

Where are the answers to how we can do it? If we just remember through the example of Christ and follow in his footsteps who never forgot as it reads in John 8:29 ‘For I do always those things that please him’ we will have all the answers.

HAPPY FATHERS DAY

"THE CHAIR"

2007-06-15T07:26:00.000-07:00

IS IT THE NEWEST RAGE IN HOME DECOR...........NO

IS IT A NEW FANCY RECLINER FOR DAD FOR FATHER'S DAY..........NO

HOW ABOUT A NEW APPROACH TO HELP IMPROVE BRITTANY'S GOLF SWING.......NO

YOU ASK, WHAT IS IT......

The Chair

P.S. Sorry guys I couldn't get this to work the right way so I had to link it.

CAN YOU SAY 5.5?

2007-05-26T08:30:00.000-07:00

"God has given me the ability. The rest is up to me. Believe, believe, believe."
- Billy Mills before winning the Tokyo Olympics 10,000 meters

I know, I know this is so boring but this is sooooo hard but rewarding! Brit and I went on our long run this morning and made 5.5 today. I hope the next 5 will come just as easy!

WE MADE THE 4 MILE CHALLENGE

2007-05-19T08:45:00.000-07:00

WHOOHOOOOO!!!! I JUST WANT YOU TO SEE HOW HARD THIS IS FOR ME BUT I DID IT! I WAS SO EXCITED AND I THOUGHT, OK SO MAYBE IT CAN BE DONE! HOWEVER, MY OPTOMISTIC HUSBAND SAID...WOW, 13 MILES IS A LONG WAY....AND YOU ONLY WENT 1/3 OF THE WAY. SO WHOEVER SAID THE THEORY OF THE GLASS IS HALF EMPTY HALF FULL ISN'T TRUE! HOPEFULLY ALL OF YOU WILL INSPIRE ME TO KEEP GOING RIGHT????BRIT DID REALLY WELL TOO, SHE JUST HAD LOTS OF SIDE CRAMPS AND STOPPED AT MILE 3. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY POINTERS?

I THINK WE NEED TO NAME OUR RACE AND HAVE T-SHIRTS MADE. LET'S ALL THINK OF A NAME TO CALL IT AND I'LL BE IN CHARGE OF THE T-SHIRTS. MY SUGGESTION IS "CHUNKY'S CHALLENGE" SINCE IT'S ON CHUNK'S 1ST BIRTHDAY. SO EVERYONE HAS A WEEK TO COME UP WITH A NAME AND WE'LL PUT THEM ALL ON A BLOG AND THEN EVERYONE CAN VOTE.

Texas Twister

2007-05-14T20:54:00.000-07:00

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Ok here's the big question for all you Texans.....

What did it mean to be a "widow maker"?

We had so much fun with Josh and Jake visiting this week and I can't believe it's already over. Here are a few pics from this really neat Texas hotel we stayed in while visiting Austin.

2007-05-01T20:56:00.000-07:00

Dad and I loved our weekend with you! Congratulations to our graduates Jake and Emma! You are both so beautiful inside and out and we are so very proud of your accomplishments. Visiting the fire station was so much fun! To our sweet baby Christopher, we are so grateful to have another healthy precious grandson and we look forward to seeing you grow up to a handsome young man. The pictures we don't have but had an equally great time was of course our "Sweet Celebrations" party celebrating Jake's graduation, a delicious lunch at Carrabbas celebrating Emma's graduation with family, Justin our magnificent soccer player with his 3 awesome goals, and of course babysitting Chunky and Jackson...playing at the park and our walk to the Temple. We want to thank Emma and her Mom and Dad for a wonderful lunch after the Blessing. John and Emma (and Brian) for all your hard work making your home so beautiful! Thank you so much for such wonderful memories.

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SPLISH SPLASH...GET READY FOR SUMMER!

2007-04-21T19:22:00.000-07:00

LAST ONE UP

2007-04-18T19:15:00.000-07:00

Pressure is off! Last one in the Butler Family with her name in lights. Brit made the famous Clements Marquis for her District win but we hope they'll do it again if they go to State. Keep you fingers crossed, legs crossed, arms crossed and Loop take off your glasses!

P.S. Sorry guys, the picture won't show. If you know why let me know.

THE TIGER STRIKES

2007-04-12T18:58:00.000-07:00

We had a roller coaster ride for a couple days during District Playoffs. Tuesday morning started out with nasty drizzly weather and chance of showers but the sun eventually came out and ended up being a nice day to play golf. Brittany took us for a ride which went just as high as it went low. She walked off one hole with a quadruple bogey and then shot an eagle on the next one followed with a birdie on the next one. The next day was beautiful with blue skys and a crisp breeze so we didn't have the weather to blame for any of our difficulties. Again struggles throughout the day but Brittany came through on the back 9 with a score of 39. The whole team struggled with scores in the 80's and 90's but fought and battled to win 1st place in District. The top 3 individual players were all from Clements with Shang in 1st, Portland in 2nd and Brittany placed 3rd. In a couple weeks will be the true test at Regional Playoffs and we hope to win and move on to the State Tournament. I told the girls let's put things in the right perspective that even though their scores didn't meet expectations, they were certainly the cutest girls out there with their bright pink shirts. Wouldn't you agree?

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IT'S EASTER TIME

2007-04-08T18:15:00.000-07:00

Easter at home was different since we just had 1 searching for eggs which of course we had to give hints for most of them. But we continued with tradition and had a really nice day. Brittany sang a solo at church "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" which sounded beautiful. After church we went to PomPom and Grandma's with their famous annual easter egg hunt. PomPom with his clues and Grandma cooking her famous brisket with all the trimmings. I'm sure you can just taste her chocolate cake. Are you jealous yet? Anyway, here are a couple of snap shots of the day. See if you can see the pink in Brit's hair. We missed you and wish we could all be together but we certainly look forward to seeing an update on your Blogs. By the way, we may have converted the Texas fam here to blogging. We'll see.

BRITTANY'S DISTRICT PREPARATIONS

2007-04-07T09:00:00.000-07:00

We're all in the preparations for the District Golf Tournament next Tuesday and Wednesday. The team is so cute and they decided to "streak" their hair pink for their mental preparations. (No comments from the guys because I do remember a few occasions where there were shaved heads,bleaching and no shaving going on in preparations for your BIG GAMES). Here is a snap shot of the team getting ready!

We're on board!

2007-04-07T08:35:00.000-07:00

HOW COULD WE FORGET TOBY....

Ok, so we have finally created our own "little family" blog and couldn't wait to join all our world famous bloggers. I can't promise we will agree to all the terms and agreements (changing every 3 days...what's up with that!), unless of course our newest computer wizard (dad) learns this very intense computer editing, but we will try to keep you informed of what is happening with our own "little family". Nevertheless, please keep blogging...it's the only compromise I can live with while all of you cute, darling and adorable children and grandchildren are living in Utah. (Yes, we do still love our children and think they are just as amazing as our grandchildren...well almost)
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