Gavin's FIRST Basketball Game!

I was so darn proud of Gavin at his first game. We didn't have our jerseys at first and he was very concerned that he didn't have "a shirt with numbers". You could see him stand a little taller when the jerseys finally arrived and he slipped it on. Then the game started...at first he was a little hesitant and then once he caught on to offense and defense then he really got into it. I was having a hard time pulling myself away to leave for the Priest and Laurel retreat, but I was super excited that I was there to witness him score his FIRST basket!!!!! I can't wait for the rest of the season!

2011 Priest and Laurel Retreat!

YW: Savannah Sardan, Shaina Machado, Christina Padilla, Sara Slaughter, Lindsey Owens, Kinsey Lopez, Katelyn (from another ward).

YM: Doug Moore, Mason Dowdy, Josh Whetman, Adam Hawkes

Every year the Stake plans a retreat for the Laurels and Priests and I think it is a wonderful idea because they are so close to the time that they need to really be thinking and preparing for the temple. I didn't go last year, one of my counselors went for me. I really felt like I should be there this time, and it helped that they asked me to speak at one of the Saturday workshops. I knew it would be tricky, with getting the kids situated, etc., and I knew Eva would have to tag along, but it worked out smoothly and I am so grateful I had the opportunity to be there. My day Friday leading up to it was crazy....I had to pack the kids overnight bag which had to include football clothes for Luke's game, basketball clothes for Gavin's game, their piano books, and a present for Cooper Lopez's birthday. Thank goodness AGAIN for friends like Amy Lopez who ran my kids to piano, Luke's football game, and let Eva and Gavin hang out all day Friday when I was with Emma at her field trip. And then thank goodness for a wonderful sister and brother-in-law who drove up to take care of the kids Saturday and Morgan went to Gavin's game for me. For things like this it takes sooooo many people for it to work out and I am so grateful I have friends and family to help me out. Luckily they let me check out the kids early from school after the field trip so I was able to go and drop them off and then pick up 4 of my Laurels. Whew it was crazy but we made it!

So to start off the retreat we had dinner and then President Hawkes spoke to the kids and introduced the theme. He was very serious with them and told them that this time it is a more spiritual retreat focused on the temple and bluntly told them that if they were there to play pranks, etc. that they could leave now (just before he spoke some stinker YM let off a fire cracker and I know they had more up their sleeves....he put an end to that quick :)

Then they had a man named Brother Stanley speak to them. Talk about an inspiring man. Brother Stanley has Cerebral Palsy, so he walks with a major limp. He talked about being obedient and preparing for the temple. He told of a story of a man that he worked with at the State Corrections (I think that's right). This man had hair down to his waist that he had been growing for 20 years and was having trouble getting a job. Brother Stanley was straight forward with him and told him that if he cut his hair then he would get a job. The Amway arena was hiring some of these folks that were coming out of the correction facility but they told Brother Stanley that they didn't want the rough looking men there during the game but that they could come after the basketball games to clean up. So Brother Stanley told them they could be on the first string clean up crew if they cut their hair and looked sharp or on the second string crew that cleaned up after the game. This man cut his hair and things really changed for him. He knew Brother Stanley was coming to speak to the youth and so he wrote a letter for him to share with the kids and told of his experience. Brother Stanley urged the boys to look the part of a missionary and start now to be obedient to the counsel of their leaders.

He also told them an amazing story of overcoming trials and tribulations. With his handicap he didn't know if he would be able to serve a mission. When he got his patriarchal blessing it said he would serve a mission and so he had faith that it would be possible. He went to California and one of his first days there the President asked him if he could ride a bike. Brother Stanley told him he could, he didn't tell him how well he could, but that he could. His first day out on his bike his companion took off and was way ahead. He finally stopped and looked back to find Brother Stanley walking with his bike. He had to find a parked car to start on his bike. He would lean his bike up against the car, swing his legs on, and then push off from the car. Then to stop he had to find some soft grass to crash into! Talk about a devoted and faithful servant. The kids were silent as they listened and the spirit was very strong. I'm sure they will think of Brother Stanley when the time comes to go on their missions and they know there is NO excuse for not going!

Then they had all kinds of fun games that the kids really enjoyed. After the games they had all the bishops go up to the front and answer questions that the youth had written down earlier in the night. They had great questions like: Why is french kissing bad? There are some rated R movies that are really good with a good message...are there some exceptions to the rule or is it black and white NO rated R movies? What do you know now that you wish you would have known when you were our age? How can I make my prayers more meaningful? Single vs. group dating? What is your favorite scripture? If you were to read just 1 chapter in the Book of Mormon what would it be? Why do men work and women are expected to stay home?

I thought they were all great questions and I thought the bishops did an amazing job. In fact one of the girls in my ward was called upon to get up in Sacrament meeting and tell about the retreat and she said she has always had a testimony of the Prophet, but she really felt the spirit and gained a testimony of supporting the local leaders with the way the Bishops answered with such inspiration. After this I knew I better head home, I didn't want to sleep there in the cabins with Eva....can you imagine "GIRLS - you have to be quiet or you'll wake my baby!" So Eva and I drove home around midnight...yes she lasted that long in the cold and was such a trooper! I had her all bundled up and she stayed in my arms for a good portion of the night and then stayed in her stroller! What a great baby.

The next morning I was dying at the fact that I was going to miss Gavin's FIRST EVER basketball game and so I went to about 30 minutes of his game and then went back to the retreat. It was perfect timing and I got there about 30 minutes before Matt and I had to speak. They had 3 workshops that morning. The first workshop President Hawkes, a counselor in the Stake Presidency, and Brother Munns, one of Matt's YM counselors spoke about preparing for the temple and a mission. The second workshop they had 3 recently returned missionaries speak on the blessings of serving a mission, and then the third workshop a couple from our ward spoke and so did Matt and I. We talked on the blessings of a temple marriage. Matt started out and talked about how small and simple decisions can really impact your life and the lives of others down the road. He talked about Ammon and how his decision to go out and serve impacted nations after him with the Stripling Warriors going out and saving the people. He told of his own experience and how he knew he was going to go on a mission, he just didn't know when. He thought he had it planned out that he would get a whole year of school in first. Then his dad called and urged him to go earlier. He was a little bugged at his dad for trying to change his original plan and was a bit defensive. After he got off the phone with his dad he noticed a picture of the Savior staring at him and he really felt he needed to heed his father's counsel. He wondered if he didn't decide to go then and put it off if he wouldn't have had the same mission call to Russia and met the same people, etc. AND that is kind of how I met Matt...after institute I heard him talking about his mission to Russia and butted into the conversation asking "You went to Russia?" For his talk he made it sound like I was in awe that he went to Russia and that's why I butted in...when in reality I had a missionary out and his friend was in Russia on his mission and I just wanted to see if he knew him :) BUT I didn't want to bring that up :) He talked more of the blessings of a temple marriage and did a great job.

Then it was my turn...I started out asking if anyone had an item that they loved and took great care of. I used my own example that I always wanted a silver car with a sun roof, and leather seats...at the time I was picturing a mini-van, but I really do love my mini van now. :) I love it and try my hardest to take care of it...I keep after the kids and rarely let them eat in the car and make them vacuum it out if they do. I said Matt's item is his phone, you don't mess with his phone. :) They gave example like their ipod, their violin, their camera, their book collection, etc. I then gave a quote from Elder F. Burton Howard "If you want something to last forever, you treat it differently - it becomes special become you have made it so." He told the following story: "We started as poor college students, but her vision for our marriage was exemplified by a set of silverware. As is common today, when we married she registered with a local department store. Instead of listing all the pots and pans and appliances we needed and hoped to receive, she chose another course. She asked for silverware. She chose a pattern and the number of place settings and listed knives, forks, and spoons on the wedding registry and nothing else. No towels, no toasters, no television—just knives, forks, and spoons.

The wedding came and went. Our friends and our parents’ friends gave gifts. We departed for a brief honeymoon and decided to open the presents when we returned. When we did so, we were shocked. There was not a single knife or fork in the lot. We joked about it and went on with our lives.

Two children came along while we were in law school. We had no money to spare. But when my wife worked as a part-time election judge or when someone gave her a few dollars for her birthday, she would quietly set it aside, and when she had enough she would go to town to buy a fork or a spoon. It took us several years to accumulate enough pieces to use them. When we finally had service for four, we began to invite some of our friends for dinner.

Before they came, we would have a little discussion in the kitchen. Which utensils would we use, the battered and mismatched stainless or the special silverware? In those early days I would often vote for the stainless. It was easier. You could just throw it in the dishwasher after the meal, and it took care of itself. The silver, on the other hand, was a lot of work. My wife had it hidden away under the bed where it could not be found easily by a burglar. She had insisted that I buy a tarnish-free cloth to wrap it in. Each piece was in a separate pocket, and it was no easy task to assemble all the pieces. When the silver was used, it had to be hand washed and dried so that it would not spot, and put back in the pockets so it would not tarnish, and wrapped up and carefully hidden again so it would not get stolen. If any tarnish was discovered, I was sent to buy silver polish, and together we carefully rubbed the stains away.

Over the years we added to the set, and I watched with amazement how she cared for the silver. My wife was never one to get angry easily. However, I remember the day when one of our children somehow got hold of one of the silver forks and wanted to use it to dig up the backyard. That attempt was met with a fiery glare and a warning not to even think about it. Ever!

I noticed that the silverware never went to the many ward dinners she cooked, or never accompanied the many meals she made and sent to others who were sick or needy. It never went on picnics and never went camping. In fact it never went anywhere; and, as time went by, it didn’t even come to the table very often. Some of our friends were weighed in the balance, found wanting, and didn’t even know it. They got the stainless when they came to dinner.

The time came when we were called to go on a mission. I arrived home one day and was told that I had to rent a safe-deposit box for the silver. She didn’t want to take it with us. She didn’t want to leave it behind. And she didn’t want to lose it.

For years I thought she was just a little bit eccentric, and then one day I realized that she had known for a long time something that I was just beginning to understand. If you want something to last forever, you treat it differently. You shield it and protect it. You never abuse it. You don’t expose it to the elements. You don’t make it common or ordinary. If it ever becomes tarnished, you lovingly polish it until it gleams like new. It becomes special because you have made it so, and it grows more beautiful and precious as time goes by.

Eternal marriage is just like that. We need to treat it just that way. I pray that we may see it for the priceless gift that it is"

I told them that right now they don't have a marriage to "treat differently" but they need to prepare NOW for their marriages in a way that is different then what the world does. If they want their marriage to last forever start acting now and preparing now. I mentioned how in 1995 I thought it was so weird that the First Presidency had to define what the family is and how now I realize how inspired it was and is because the family is under attack. We have gay marriage, people living together, children born out of wedlock, divorce, abuse, unfaithfulness, etc. Matt read a statistic that 41% of the babies born today are out of wedlock and that is up from 3% in the 1960's. SAD! They have to act differently and not partake of the worldly pleasures but live the standards set out in the Strength of Youth pamphlet, then they will have the marriage that lasts forever!

It was fun to speak and I really felt the spirit. What a great group of Youth that were at the retreat. After the workshops we drove out to the temple and had lunch at the chapel across from it and then went and listened to the Temple President speak and then it came to a close. I am so proud of Matt and the rest of the Stake YM and YW Presidencies for a wonderfully planned and inspired event. I know the kids really felt the spirit and were uplifted.

Goodbye Grandma Dimond

When I was about 8 years old, or maybe I was younger, I can't remember, the Primary did a little activity/project where we all adopted a Grandma/Grandpa in the ward. The ward I grew up in had TONS of elderly people and so this was the perfect activity for our ward. The Grandma that I picked or was assigned was Grandma Dimond. She was this peppy and flashy dressing Grandma and we hit it off right away. I would visit her and she would do things for me too. I remember her giving me the cutest little clown bank that was red and white and I thought it was so special because my "adopted Grandma" gave it to me. Our friendship continued for years and years. Soon my sister Kim and I were old enough to drive and we continued to go and visit Grandma Dimond or take her to lunch. It was almost like we were visiting teaching as teenagers :) As a teenager I loved to drive fast and maybe I followed the cars in front of me a little too closely. Kim used to bug me about it. One day Kim and Grandma Dimond and I were in the car and I was driving, we got talking about traffic tickets and I mentioned that I had received one. Grandma Dimond then replied "Was it for speeding or following too close!?" Kim and I got a good laugh out of that one. Kim a little more then me :) I will never forget the one visit where she was telling Kim and me all about her gall stones. Before we knew it she went into her room and came out with a little jar with the ACTUAL stone that she had removed! She had the funniest little dog named Shooter I think (KIM please remind me of the details my memory is failing me!!!!) that she loved and would talk to.

When Grandma Dimond had one of her milestone birthdays her son, who owned a night club, had a big party at his club! Wowzers talk about a party! Anyway we always had a great time visiting and our friendship was priceless! My mom just let me know that cute little Grandma Dimond just passed away. I will never forget my sweet adopted Grandma and the love she showed for me. I have been digging in all my pictures to find this one that she gave to me. It was of her, Kim and me at a restaurant and the picture is totally blurry, she couldn't see well and so it probably looked fine to her :) When I find it I will definitely post it!

Now it's Emma's turn for a field trip!

Thank goodness Emma's class had a field trip scheduled for shortly after Luke's because she was a little jealous the day I went with him to the Art Museum, so it was her turn. We got to go to the Orlando Science Center and we had a great time. It brought back memories of when the kids were younger and I had a membership and would take them there all the time. We got to have a picnic, watch a movie in the Cinedome, and play in Kids Town. They had a great time and it really made me appreciate first grade teachers :) There's nothing like sitting next to your child on the school bus...Emma had a headache from the Cinedome movie and even fell asleep on my lap. It was still a great day!

Bring on tomorrow...

My kids laid out their clothes for school tomorrow...they are so creative :)

Emma's turn for the baptism preview...

I can't believe that it is Emma's turn to prepare for baptism. Can she really be that old? It was just last January that we went to the same event for Luke.

Emma was sooo excited and woke up ready to go, the only problem is it didn't start until 7:00 pm. At first she thought this was her baptism interview and was a little disturbed when I told her the whole family was coming. She kept saying it was just for her and that even I couldn't be in the room with her. Then it hit me that she was remembering when Luke had his baptismal interview. After we got that cleared up then she was ok with the family tagging along. After church she was patiently waiting and then about dinner time she was ready before I could even tell her to get ready and I heard her telling the boys to go get dressed. Finally we were in the car and on the way and I hear this wailing in the back seat. I guess she "told" Luke to give her a noogie (how in the world do you spell that????). You know, the thing where someone rubs your head obnoxiously with their knuckles...well that's what he did and I almost died laughing as I looked in the rear view mirror and saw her Medusa hair! It was a ratted mess, sticking up everywhere on top. She was so mad and it didn't help that Luke could not contain himself and was laughing profusely! She was so upset and was totally appalled when I asked if I could take a picture before I attempted to fix her hair, that is as much as I could without a brush.

She finally got over the hair fiasco and then we had a beautiful evening. The Primary Presidency did a great job talking about baptism and getting the kids excited. The future 8 year olds all sat on the front row and I'm sure that is the quietest they have ever been. They were spoiled with a cute little baptism preparedness folder and a white towel with the cutest little poem that they can use on their baptism day.

After we got home I asked Emma how she felt and she said "Really relaxed." Then she ran upstairs and proceeded to read the whole booklet that they had given them. She is such a sweet girl and is always striving to do what is right. It's funny how much she watched and observed about Luke's baptism. She has even said that both sets of Grandparents better be here for her baptism because they were for Luke's. So I hope your calendars are free Mom and Dad and Greg and Wendy :) She's all about equality :)

My Little GQ Man

I just found a suit that I had bought for Luke when he was getting baptized but it was too big for him then....check him out now! He looks so darn grown up!

Gavinisms

Gavin cracks me up...literally. Tonight I just sat there and watched him as he did a funny little jig/tap dance for me in his Sunday shoes. He is just too cute and I hope he always has that zest for life. I have to write some of the funny things he has been saying:

Emma: My teacher drinks coffee everyday at school.

Gavin: Why? Does she have a cough?

Emma & Luke: Gavin hurry and get your pants on so we are not late for church. (As I am ironing them)

Gavin: I can't mom is "Iron Manning" them

Gavin: Mom, if dad wouldn't have married you I would have! :)

Gavin: (While at the dinner table) Mom you are Mrs. Marvelous!

Me: Gavin stop bugging Emma

Gavin: I amn't

Gavin (singing Book of Mormon Stories...):

Book of Mormon stories that my teacher said to me

All about the Lamanites and their history

And about the Lamanites who traveled in the sea

If it cares and it cares on our sleeves

Me: Gavin you have to have something healthy with your lunch. Your choices are (I put a finger up for each one I list) grapes, a banana, an orange, or carrots. What do you want?

Gavin: (He reaches up and puts my thumb up) Fruit snacks

Gavin: (As he is wiping his eggs on his tummy because he couldn't find his napkin) It's like egg lotion!

Gavin: (looking for his Tampa Bay Rays hat) Where's my raisin hat?

Gavin's Primary Teacher: Where do we get baptized?

Gavin: Not in orange juice, not in Sprite, but in water!

Rub-A-Dub-Dub Eva loves the tub

Eva LOVES her baths. It is so cute because she gasps and gasps and her eyes go WIDE like you are putting her in a pot of scalding hot water when you are first put her in, and then she settles right in and the smiles begin. She is so relaxed and just STARES up at you. It really melts your heart. Matt decided to give her a bubble bath and I ran in with the camera as she was staring up at him....SO CUTE!!!

The things that come to mind...CH words

I loved this little drawing that Emma brought home from school. I love to see what comes to their little minds when the teacher tells them to draw. This time she said to draw things with CH in them and I LOVE the cute picture of Matt's cousin Mitch who has the most handsome red hair. Then our family is the biggest Nacho Libre fans and I thought it was so funny that she drew Nacho :) Too cute!

2 Month Old Cuteness!

Eva is growing like CRAZY! It makes me sad, I just want her to stay my little baby. But at the same time it is fun because he is getting more and more social. Here are some fun shots of her this last month...

January 4, 2011


January 5, 2011 (Thanks Grandma for the cute outfit!)

January 7, 2011
Kim and Morgan's family came for the weekend so Morgan could go take his boards here in Orlando...I love this picture and the way Eva was cooing at Kim




January 13, 2011

It has been so cold!!!! Brrr...thank goodness for this ADORABLE hat!





January 15, 2011
As you can see the kids still can't get enough of her! :)

I love Eva's expression in this picture :)

January 16, 2011
One of my counselors crocheted this adorable hat! So dang cute!

Meet the newest basketball star...Gavin!

I don't know if I have mentioned in past posts how much Gavin has been dying to play organized sports. He wanted to play Fall soccer, but by the time I got my act together and called, I was not only late but they were competely filled up :( It was killing me because EVERY night in his prayers he would tell Heavenly Father how excited he was for soccer. I finally broke it to him that we couldn't get him in and I told him I would be the FIRST in line for Spring soccer. Well then I found out about Winter basketball! Last night was Gavin's first practice and it was awesome! Gavin was so excited and took it very seriously. He was very attentive when his coach was talking and he is catching on to dribbling and shooting very well. We went and splurged and bought him some basketball shoes. I didn't feel a bit bad about it because the kid never gets new anything...everything is hand-me-downs! He felt like a super star in his new shoes :) It's going to be a fun season! I'm sure there will be many more posts and pictures

This is when Gavin had to stand and introduce himself to his team

Big girl in her big bed (well kind of big)

Eva has been sleeping through the night pretty much since her second week of life! So it was time for her to move into Emma's room with her in her crib. I have to admit it was HARD for me to let her go. It's just fun to be sleeping, wake up and glance over at her bassinet and admire her when ever I wanted to :) Emma was sooooooo excited! She did great! Here she is her first time in her "big" bed!

I love her face in this one....it's like she's saying "WHAT is going on???"

Steelers fans? Who us?

Go Steelers! I hope they make it to the Super Bowl!

Orlando Art Museum field trip

There aren't very many opportunities to be with Luke at school now that he is a big independant 3rd grader, so I was excited to go on this field trip with him. He even sat with me on the way to the Art Museum! How lucky am I??? :) Not on the way home because his little "friend" Sydnee took priority.

It was a very fun and hands on field trip. We had a picnic lunch then went in where they got to not only see displays and artifacts, but they got to do a little dig for some. What a fun day :)

Graduation!

Gavin is so excited to be in Primary with Luke and Emma now, but it stinks because Emma just moved up into Sr. Primary with Luke and so Gavin still isn't "with" them but he is still excited to be a big boy. And he has the cutest teacher - Marissa Johansen (Luke is friends with her son Grant). What a big day...

Do you need a good party planner?

Emma got all excited about Gavin's little birthday party and organized all the activities...as you can see she had designated places for pizza, Rock Band, presents, and a dance party :) I love when she gets into her projects :)