Does Anyone Else love watching "The Middle?"

Last night we watched "The Middle"  in that episode their daughter Sue won a trip.  While enjoying this show together we happened to win something!  Now we are all excited...

and the browncurse strikes again
(not to mention we have to wait 8-10 weeks for our my chocolate fix)

A Poem by Spencer for Father's Day

Reflection...

A week ago today I got a phone call that would change our world.  Jeff's sweet father was in the hospital, and suddenly.  No warning, no notice, no pain.  We were up all night receiving phone calls of his worsening condition.  That was an awful night.  Tuesday morning he passed away, and Jeff was on an airplane to Utah.

 I was frantically washing clothes, packing, cancelling Dr. appointments, writing excuse notes for my children to miss school, getting my car looked at, and preparing to drive to Utah  on Wednesday and Thursday.  That drive was bitter sweet.  I know dad was watching out for us.  Jeff wanted us to fly, but it felt irresponsible paying so much for last minute flights.  We both agreed I would drive.  The drive was trouble free, the roads were clear and not a drop of percepitation fell.  That is a miracle considering all the passes between Seattle and Salt Lake in February!  The sun was out and it felt like no one else was on the road.  Every turn and bend I would take was another beautiful photography opportunity, and I kept thinking to dad, "Can you see this?  Isn't it beautiful?"  Then my next thought to him would be "Why?"  I have been constantly talking to dad in my head since last Monday.  My sister in law said to me, " That's ok, dad's a good listener."

Friday we had the funeral.  Really?  I have not had much time alone or to process these events.  I don't really even want to post about it, because it's not real to me.  But I am, because I want to record my thoughts and memories for my children.  I think it is important to record our life's journeys by journaling and photography.

The funeral was beautiful, we were all dreading that day.  No one wants to face the reality of a loss, and we were no different.  Dad looked so peaceful, and it was wonderful to see him in his temple clothes.  Jeff spoke, and I was so proud of him.   He wrote and rewrote the talk 4 times.  He was sure he would not be able to legibly speak those written words, he was so emotional.  But somehow he did, and he was spot on about the gospel, the plan of salvation and his dad.  We laughed, we cried and we felt peace.  One memorable part of the talk told of how Gary would take them on unplanned vacations.  He would detour off the main roads and take what he called, " The Back Door."  They have several fond memories of these trips.  Spencer sang a solo, "Nearer My God to Thee."  It was also beautiful.   Spencer always comes through for us.  He gave Jeff a blessing the morning of the funeral ; as a mother, that was something to witness.  I was also blessed to witness Jeff give his mother and his baby sister a blessing that morning.  We are so fortunate for the blessings of having worthy priesthood holders in our family.  Everyone did an amazing job under the circumstances, and I even remember saying to someone, " Even if we had 6 months to plan it would not have been any better."

We did the long 13 hour drive home Sunday.  We were in a hurry because we had to drive straight through without an overnight stay.  Dad was also with us on that drive.  Funny enough in Idaho the freeway ended up being completely closed down due to a load spill and we were rerouted through a small town.  We took "The Back Door."  How can you not say Dad was somehow involved?

 Now that I am home I have been up for several hours this morning.  In the quiet of the moment I started madly going through all my digital photos...looking for dad.  That ended up frustrating me more because there are not a lot.  Dad was the quiet observer, often in the background of a picture.  I have pictures of the back of his head, pictures half cut off, and pictures where you can barely see him in the background.  When Jeff awoke, I told him I am going to make a picture book for all the grandkids called, "Where's Grandpa?"  It will be similar to "Where's Waldo?"  If you have pictures to contribute please email them to me.  In the meantime here are a few of my favorite pictures with him actually looking at the camera.  I love you pop! 

All fancy for a baptism!



Mom flipping her hair for a good picture...dad thinking "Oh Janet."

The great picture...loving dad's smirk! 

Another great picture!  Love you dad!

Our little "Spicy Gymnist"

Jensen Basketball Season Ends



It's a bittersweet moment when I realize another season has ended for Jensen's school ball.  He only participates in basketball and while it's a busy and difficult schedule, I sure do love to watch him play.  This year he made the JV team.  He is number 15.  He is a great athlete and we can't wait to see what he does his junior year.  Good Job Jensen!  We love you!



Happy Chinese New Year! Gung Hay Fat Choy! (Gong xi fa cai) Means "Congratulations and Prosperity."

Year of the Rabbit!



A long, long time ago, the Jade Emperor in the heavens was celebrating his birthday. Unfortunately, at that time there was no way of counting the years, so he couldn’t be sure how old he was. He decided to come up with a method to count the years.




He sent his servant into the forest to announce that there would be a race among the animals with a special prize for the 12 winners. When the animals heard the news they all wondered what the prize would be.



On the day of the race, the emperor arrived on a golden chariot. As he cleared his voice to speak, the animals fell silent. “There will be a race across the river. The first 12 animals to reach the opposite bank will have a year named after them. The first year will be named after the first animal across, and so on,” said the emperor.



On the day of the race all the animals lined up on the starting line. With the drop of a flag the race began, and the animals sprinted toward the river. The first to arrive were the cat and the rat, but they soon realized that it was further than they had thought. In fact, it looked pretty dangerous. They sat wondering what to do, when the ox arrived. Suddenly the rat had an idea. “Hey ox, do you mind carrying us across the river?” he asked. The ox was a kind animal, so he readily agreed.



The cat and the rat jumped on the ox’s head and together they crossed the river. Just as they were about to make landfall on the opposite the bank, the rat jumped off the ox’s head, making him the first one across.



“Congratulations!” said the emperor. “The first year shall be named after you.” The ox was furious about being cheated, but as the second animal across he got the second year.



There was a long gap until the tiger arrived, exhausted after a difficult swim. The emperor was pleased with his efforts and named the third year after him. The tiger was followed by the rabbit, which surprised the emperor. “Everyone knows rabbits can’t swim. Surely you cheated!”



The rabbit explained that it was true, he couldn’t swim, but he had managed to cross the river by jumping across the stones and sailing on a log. This impressed the emperor who awarded him the fourth year.



The emperor was delighted with what he had seen so far. All the animals had shown tremendous resourcefulness to cross the river, but he had expected the dragon, which could both swim and fly, to easily win. Yet the dragon was nowhere in sight.



Just then a shadow descended over the animals as the dragon swooped in to land. “You finally made it. Where have you been?” asked the emperor. “I had to make it rain and then I saw a rabbit trying to cross the river on a log, so I had to create some wind to help him cross,” said the dragon. “Very well. You’re the fifth animal so you get the fifth year,” said the emperor.



The successful animals gathered on the bank and watched as the rest of the contestants swam across. Before long, the horse came into view. The horse was swimming furiously and was just about to make land when a snake slithered out from under his hooves. The horse was so surprised that he reared up in shock, allowing the snake to slither across the line for sixth place. The horse got seventh, and was happy enough with that.



Then came the most amazing sight of an amazing day — a rooster, a monkey and a goat traveling together on a raft. The rooster had found the raft and the other two had helped to navigate and clear away reeds. When they finally touched down on the bank, the emperor was delighted. “I have never seen such a remarkable display of teamwork!” and with that he granted the goat the eighth year, the monkey the ninth and the rooster the tenth.



There was long gap until the next animal arrived. The emperor was beginning to wonder if any other animals would make it across and if he had made his challenge too difficult. But he needn’t have worried because just then the dog appeared, nearing the shore. The dog explained that the water had been so clean that he couldn’t resist bathing in it. The emperor laughed and duly awarded him the eleventh year.



So it just remained to be seen which animal would get the final place. The animals were discussing the subject when the pig appeared on the bank, earning him the twelfth year. The emperor’s trumpet players issued a fanfare and the emperor began to speak. “Congratulations to all the animals that made it across the river today. Your names will be remembered forever because of your amazing efforts today,” he said.



But whatever happened to the cat that had sat on the ox’s head? The rat pushed him back into the river and he was swept back to the other bank, and since that day rats and cats have been enemies.


A Legend of the Chinese ZodiacHow the 12 animals got their months


Dawu Wang



Faith is ready for a party!

No Shadow = Early Spring!!!! Hooray!