Happy Valentine's Day Honey

It is good to have a day set aside to remember those closest to us.  I need this, but honey you do not.  You always demonstrate your love to our family from doing fun things with the kids to making a favorite dinner.  You are the glue that holds us all together.  It is great to think that through thick and thin we have grown in our love.  Let's have a great Valentine's Day!   I love you!

Whoa!? Birthday what!? The case for celebrating the Birthee.

Okay.  So birthdays are on my mind right now.  Recently my wife and I were talking about the birthday party for our daughter who is turning 5.  She was telling me ideas for what she thought would be fun activities at the party.  She started browsing some websites to get some ideas...and all I have to say is that there are some ridiculous parents out there.  I mean really cakes shaped like castles; food and decorations that look better than the stuff at most weddings; activities so elaborate that they need their own special equipment?

Now maybe I am just overreacting here.  Maybe this all good for kids.  Maybe watching their parents grant every wish and more; being at their beck and call is a good thing.  However, I would submit that first, this all misses the point, and second, it only teaches our kids that parents are servants and they are the masters. 

I am not trying to say this in Stalinesque we-must-silence-all-dissenters sort of way.  What I am saying is--why are we essentially celebrating Disney characters and comic book heroes on our kids' birthdays.  Should we not be celebrating the life of the birthee?  I mean, really the day that is our kids' day turns into a day all about the food, decorations and activities.  How backwards and dumb is that.  Why are we not celebrating real tangible people that are great and special.  Instead, the birthday celebration becomes all about the stuff and the theme.  On your anniversary you don't make it a 49ers or Pottery Barn anniversary? (If you do, then your issues are probably deep and you likely need help).  You celebrate the fact that you and your spouse have been able to build enough love in your marriage that you are still happy to be around each other.  All the themes, characters, and stuff are just red herrings (just ask Jesus) and just like in a legal argument, these are meant to distract from, and minimize the real point, which is--we are celebrating the life of one our beloved children.

Finally, our kids don't need more friends--they need loving parents who are going to give them guidance and support as they make their way in this world.  Not sure it helps a young person to basically be granted everything they want.  See Veruca Salt..and oh, yeah, Justin Bieber.  I am not saying it is not bad to offer our kids opportunities and spend some money on them, but all things in moderation.  I mean what message do we send our kids when we put such emphasis on pleasure and happiness coming from the next purchase?  I think we have seen this story before and it does not end well.  

All the Disney characters already have giant multi-million dollar monuments to them--let's let our kids have their day in the sun without someone or something else stealing the show.    

Happy Birthday You Wonderful Little Light You!!

Dear Laney:

Happy Birthday to you, you sweet little kid.  I am so proud to be your father and proud to see what you are becoming.  It was five years ago that you were born and Mom, Joaquin and I welcomed you into the family.  I remember being excited and apprehensive about having a little girl.  This is because I grew up with four older sisters and remember the fun times as well as the difficult times that often visit cute sweet girls during their young lives.  We will always be there for you and expect the best for you and from you.

Remember that life is about people and not things.  Your Mom will teach you this if you watch closely.  Your brother will teach you how to love all things and how to have fun.  You have a special gift for making people feel good about themselves and encouraging others in their struggles.  Keep it up.  You are a beautiful and sweet daughter.  I love you very much.

Family Night Basketball

Last night Utah played Washington up at the Huntsman Center.  We have season tickets to the football games, but I am a basketball guy at heart.  Basketball has great memories for me in all stages of my life.  Joaquin wants to play football, which is fine, but I would rather not deal with the thought of head injuries.  So I will try to get him to pick up the basketball more often.  Shooting hoops outside in the front yard is one of my favorite activities.

Utah won 78-69.  Here are a few shoots of the action courtesy of the Deseret News.

Better

Have the feeling that I should share the things I want to do better going forward in my life with our family blog.  Just want to be something I see on a regular basis for the foreseeable future. Its about people, not things.

Progress 2014

-          Work to develop personal relationship with Father in Heaven and Christ

o   Meaningful prayer

o   Service – Magnify calling

o   Temple on monthly basis

-          Work to develop personal relationship with Shauna

o   Prayer

o   Dates (Spend Time Together)

o   Compliments

o   Practice love

-          Work to develop personal relationship with Joaquin, Elena and Ruby

o   Take them out on adventures

o   Some things can wait

o   Spend time with each individually

o   Practice Love

-          Work to develop personal relationships with others

o   Engage in activities with others

o   Practice contentment with who you are and what you have

-          Do you best work

o   Keep procrastination to a minimum

o   Be thorough

Dreaming

Since I was a young boy Hawaii has always had a place in my heart.  I never actually went until I was invited by Shauna's parents before we were married.  In my church when you graduated from primary at 12, you were given a picture of any temple of your choosing.  Guess which temple my twelve-year-old self chose?  If you said the Hawaii, Laie temple you would be correct.  So here are a few pictures of what I am dreaming about today.  Might not hurt to listen to some Bon Iver whilst you dream too.  Enjoy.  

God has a special place in his heart as well.

Smooth.

Lush.

Warm.

Cool.

Troubles...?

2014 is looking bright!

So here we are, we just met--and it is sort of awkward.  We don't quite know each others names yet and we're not sure what to expect from each other, but we are stuck with each other for an entire year.  However, we trust that as we do our best and do good our lives will give us its unexpected and rich rewards.  Generally, I am not given to much sentiment or emotion, but I really think I am a little like Clark Griswold--a stroll down memory lane should be a grand stroll indeed.  

Looking back at 2013, I can see that our family had a great year.  Not only did we have health and prosperity, but my parents came home from their mission and between, homecomings, reunions, games, performances, weekend trips, and meals--we spent a lot of time with the people that we dearly love.  Christmas was busy as usual, but we got to hangout with friends and family and enjoy some of the many events that make Christmas so special.

So here is to a great 2014 and what it may bring.  Also, some pictures of Christmas and other stuff.

Looks nice, but maybe someone should plow this sucker.

Looks kinda like a Christmas card.

Joaquin's Christmas program at school. (Better photos coming from mom).

Getting in the Christmas spirit with the Robbins.  It was freaking frosty though.

Christmas Eve at Nana and Papa's.

All Ruby wants for Christmas is a blanky.  

More gift exchange.  

Cousins in their new hats.  

Ruby riding the dog like its a horse.

Is that a dog-hair shirt?