tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73152752558483180142024-03-08T12:41:10.077-07:00Welcome To Our WorldThe TudorsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13466894348157326248noreply@blogger.comBlogger94125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315275255848318014.post-27963756270799542032015-11-09T12:16:00.004-07:002015-11-09T17:27:58.752-07:00And By the Power of the Holy Ghost, Ye May Know the Truth of All Things<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Due to the flurry of opinions, accusations, and rebuttals that have flooded the world of social media concerning the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints recent policy changes, I felt impressed to document my personal feelings regarding these changes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As a firm believer that "man will be punished for his own sins..." I struggle to understand some parts of the policy change. After the Supreme Court ruling on same-gender marriage, it seemed obvious that the language used by the church in certain policies and procedures would need to be changed, but the baptismal requirements for children of same-gender couples felt harsh and overbearing. I knew that I needed to seek understanding, and I also knew that the understanding I was seeking would not be found on Facebook. I knew that the understanding I sought would only come through the power of the Holy Ghost.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Since that time my mind has been inundated with a cluster of thoughts and ideas, some shaking my testimony, and others strengthening my testimony, but in the end I am on the Lord's side. In the words of Jeffrey R. Holland, "We must constantly remind ourselves that He is God, and we are not." (Morgan, I stole this quote from you.) Do I have all the answers? No. Do I understand the reasons for the changes? No. Have I gained MY OWN confirmation to trust the Lord? Yes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To my "church" friends who feel the policy change is un-Christian, and discriminatory, or really, any friends who are struggling to process the changes, I ask you to consider the young widow. Does she not carry an undeserved burden? Is she not an innocent? Carrying only the "sin" of marrying someone who died too soon? What advice do you give to her? Should she remarry and deny her new partner the opportunity of an eternal family? She should remain single and live out the rest of her life alone? Raise her children as a single mother? Would it shake your testimony, and cause you to question your church membership? And what about the man that fall's in love with her? Should he abandon her because she cannot offer him eternity, or should he sacrifice what he could have in the next life, for what he has in this life? Or do you tell them that things will work out, that the Lord has a plan; that He loves them and is aware of their unique circumstances? Or would you not give it a second thought because it doesn't push any of your personal hot buttons? As a member of the church whose life does not fit into the neat, tidy, Mormon box, I know that there will always be policies that are exclusionary, but more importantly, I know that I have a loving Heavenly Father who more than compensates when you are innocently excluded from receiving certain blessings.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now, I could list a slew of reasons why I have come to terms with the policy changes, but in the end, they don't really matter to anyone but me. They are the oil that fill my lamp, and as much as I want to, I can't give you that oil. We have to fill our own lamps. We can do that by relying on the promise given in Moroni 10: 4:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost."</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13466894348157326248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315275255848318014.post-87238363720374675332012-03-30T16:32:00.001-06:002012-03-30T16:33:51.257-06:00Photoshoot<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You know how it has become very popular to have your own glamour photoshoot? Then you can photoshop the crap out of every shot until you look like America's Next Top Model, post them on your facebook wall, and count how many "friends" tell you how beautiful you are. This trend has not caught on in my family; they are still stuck in the "take a funny one" stage.</span> </div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hOfFqmREHc0/T3Yvsi4-nvI/AAAAAAAABI4/L32nvtQJGuI/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hOfFqmREHc0/T3Yvsi4-nvI/AAAAAAAABI4/L32nvtQJGuI/s320/012.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Pretend I'm reading the book with this family."</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fc336QRhAb4/T3YvwrmEe_I/AAAAAAAABJA/R_89tnNWaQ0/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fc336QRhAb4/T3YvwrmEe_I/AAAAAAAABJA/R_89tnNWaQ0/s320/019.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Take a serious one; so we both look like prophets."</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GA3IEoDxf-Y/T3Yz0DhyT3I/AAAAAAAABJo/HE507lNbVJ0/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GA3IEoDxf-Y/T3Yz0DhyT3I/AAAAAAAABJo/HE507lNbVJ0/s320/021.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"What do you mean this isn't Santa Clause?"</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While other families enjoy pretty pictures, we will continue to enjoy this</span>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13466894348157326248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315275255848318014.post-56193540210553633752012-03-17T14:07:00.001-06:002012-03-17T14:08:33.624-06:00The Second Amendment: Bringing Families Together Since 1791<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What to do on a pleasant, sunny day in St. George? We went with shooting bottles, clay pigeons, and blowing up tannerite.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R5Q17_OSygY/T2TdO4O-DoI/AAAAAAAABIA/WjY2rZGu7Ks/s1600/19454421981_w5LCw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R5Q17_OSygY/T2TdO4O-DoI/AAAAAAAABIA/WjY2rZGu7Ks/s320/19454421981_w5LCw.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I sometimes worry Cameron might go all anti-establishment, take my little Cassidy to the backwoods country, and try to fend off tax collectors with his shotgun.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q1PF9g6HDqE/T2J2wYT2wfI/AAAAAAAABHA/OGRMses4HgQ/s1600/19454406703_W8jqb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q1PF9g6HDqE/T2J2wYT2wfI/AAAAAAAABHA/OGRMses4HgQ/s320/19454406703_W8jqb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cassidy looks like a natural. I can almost hear her saying, "<span class="ft">I'm gonna give you to the count of 10, to get your ugly, yella, no-good keister off my property."</span> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">Home Alone</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kqu_MG3tXVM/T2J25AvJ5vI/AAAAAAAABHI/YB33tp1eSgc/s1600/19454353270_qXJNX.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kqu_MG3tXVM/T2J25AvJ5vI/AAAAAAAABHI/YB33tp1eSgc/s320/19454353270_qXJNX.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Me, not a natural; I prefer handguns. But, my shadow looks kind of cool.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SFGUuPyYVvE/T2J5x1qr26I/AAAAAAAABHQ/hQY9ROO-N5s/s1600/19454302498_SxzvG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SFGUuPyYVvE/T2J5x1qr26I/AAAAAAAABHQ/hQY9ROO-N5s/s320/19454302498_SxzvG.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can you see the wheels turning? Brian is obsessing about all the shooting accessories he needs to purchase. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mUW57jRMOl8/T2J58gIRQmI/AAAAAAAABHY/RNPUWH929Ro/s1600/19454225816_QsBcd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mUW57jRMOl8/T2J58gIRQmI/AAAAAAAABHY/RNPUWH929Ro/s320/19454225816_QsBcd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tannerite detonations occur at a very high velocity, producing a large explosion and cloud of water vapor. Using bricks to prop the tannerite in place, may result in flying shrapnel...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n4xXUOVMaxg/T2J6VX98xPI/AAAAAAAABHo/sNrG6NuWFPQ/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n4xXUOVMaxg/T2J6VX98xPI/AAAAAAAABHo/sNrG6NuWFPQ/s320/022.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...physical damage to your truck...</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N4NIKDf1bNo/T2J6coaKirI/AAAAAAAABHw/goW0GV57CnI/s1600/19454372753_ptcc8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N4NIKDf1bNo/T2J6coaKirI/AAAAAAAABHw/goW0GV57CnI/s320/19454372753_ptcc8.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...and emotional damage to your puppy. (Poor Tulo was so traumatized; he jumped out of our truck and into Cameron's friend, Mark's, truck. I guess it seemed safer there.)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zPj7kA-DwfM/T2J6iXm5t1I/AAAAAAAABH4/LtMC1fs81bE/s1600/19454171729_3JJpc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zPj7kA-DwfM/T2J6iXm5t1I/AAAAAAAABH4/LtMC1fs81bE/s320/19454171729_3JJpc.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Look, I am sparkly. I think I might be a vampire!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13466894348157326248noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315275255848318014.post-20893912093770679862012-03-12T00:46:00.000-06:002012-03-12T00:46:58.116-06:00Did I Mention...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I still hate (I know, we don't say hate) the science fair.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FgNId4fRniI/T12PVSLL6zI/AAAAAAAABFg/5pCZ7BovFuw/s1600/19436017263_hwssk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FgNId4fRniI/T12PVSLL6zI/AAAAAAAABFg/5pCZ7BovFuw/s320/19436017263_hwssk.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even though our puppet/stage making skills are obviously well above average,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-msjiNGZyOg0/T12RgqKKj3I/AAAAAAAABFw/tv09q6jk5Cc/s1600/19436145782_jDFhK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-msjiNGZyOg0/T12RgqKKj3I/AAAAAAAABFw/tv09q6jk5Cc/s320/19436145782_jDFhK.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">not really a fan of the Puppet Show either.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Though I do not have a picture, The Battle of Hastings would have to get my vote for Least Favorite School Project. Maybe it wasn't the actual project that wasn't my favorite; maybe it was my son that wasn't my favorite. This is how Colin tends to get things done:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wednesday, 11:30 pm</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Colin (in his really, whiny voice): "Mom, I am not going to get to do anything at school tomorrow."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mom: "Why not?"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Colin: "Because you haven't helped me make my sword and shield for The Battle of Hastings tomorrow."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mom: "Did I know you were suppose to make a sword and shield by tomorrow?"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Colin: "Didn't you see that cardboard in the mudroom?"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mom (in my frustrated, I am trying not to want to beat you voice): "Colin, really? How am I suppose to know what the cardboard is for if you don't tell me?"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Colin: "Don't you read your emails? Don't my teachers send you an email about what we are doing?"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Really, Colin. Sometimes I have to remind myself that I love this kid. Needless to say, Colin did have a sword and shield to take to school the next morning and did get to participate in the battle. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think I should write a book: "Surviving the Irresponsible Child" or "Responsibility: It Skips a Generation" </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As an added bonus, the sword and shield needed to be personalized using symbols from our coat of arms. Tip of the day: Fingernail Polish (It is, also, good for painting pinewood derby cars.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13466894348157326248noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315275255848318014.post-91553317923171175532012-03-02T00:36:00.000-07:002012-03-02T00:36:10.990-07:00A Proud Moment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-33h-Jir3NYk/T1B0vYBTgoI/AAAAAAAABFY/QIZNgzyfJy0/s1600/19256507060_rbwJV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-33h-Jir3NYk/T1B0vYBTgoI/AAAAAAAABFY/QIZNgzyfJy0/s320/19256507060_rbwJV.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tony Parker is my new best friend; well, at least in my books, this makes us friends. I have long held the belief that professional athletes get paid to be heckled; it's just part of their job description. I kind of enjoy this part of the sport. OK, I'll admit it, I think I am funny, and so I like it a lot. Not long ago, Tony Parker totally shafted Eva Longoria (not Evan's twin sister (inside joke)). So, at the Jazz game the other night, early in the game before the crowd is really into it, I yelled, "EVA." Tony, nonchalantly, flipped me off!! A subtle, wave of the bird down by his leg. It was pretty much awesome, and encouraged me to continue being obnoxious.</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13466894348157326248noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315275255848318014.post-20303942813322582842012-02-25T18:18:00.001-07:002012-03-19T02:27:08.833-06:00Remind me again, when does basketball start being fun to watch??<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are few things in life as painful as watching city league basketball. The offensive strategy tends to be: if you have the ball...shoot. There is no passing, lots of traveling, and really bad reffing. But, like many other unpleasantries, it is impossible to avoid</span>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZUiWdwhpxzk/T0lxVVy6WXI/AAAAAAAABE0/JORpVHVqJAI/s1600/143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZUiWdwhpxzk/T0lxVVy6WXI/AAAAAAAABE0/JORpVHVqJAI/s320/143.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first game of the season, Colin's team was down by about 20 points; it felt more like I was watching a rugby scrum than a basketball game. Colin (if you have forgotten, Colin has some anger issues), after being bumped, scratched, slapped, pushed, and elbowed, received his first flagrant foul and game ejection. I immediately attributed his behavior to Brian's genetic contibution. Then, I remembered a few people with Nilsen DNA (Randy, Colton, Nickole, Kicker, etc.) that may have gotten caught up in their "competitive spirit". Man, maybe it's not his Tudor side.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I'm not sure what happened, but a couple weeks later the refs called EVERYTHING; the normally 40 minute game lasted 1 hour 15 minutes. After that things really calmed down, and the game started to look a little more like basketball. Each game, we were still able to catch a glimpse or two of Colin's temper, but he never let it boil over. Colin evolved into a mad shot-clocker and a rebounding machine. He, frequently, enjoyed disputing calls with the refs. (Colin...It's city league, not the NBA!!) Even though I feared during each game that I might be asked to take my son and never come back, Colin started to really like basketball, and I survived another year of city league basketball.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J9AOAHAPJRs/T0mHr8MUqfI/AAAAAAAABFE/jTqIkLzRdao/s1600/145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J9AOAHAPJRs/T0mHr8MUqfI/AAAAAAAABFE/jTqIkLzRdao/s320/145.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On a side note, Colton had his coaching debut (filling in for one game) and led the team to a one point win, without beating up his brother.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13466894348157326248noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315275255848318014.post-21514230818323216972012-01-31T22:25:00.001-07:002012-01-31T22:26:11.427-07:00I Suck at Blogging<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blogging has not been at the top of my priority list. But my friend Melanie has motivated me to find my inner-blog. So, I am giving it another go. We'll see how long it lasts. Haha</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13466894348157326248noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315275255848318014.post-58603747011788286402011-08-26T18:33:00.001-06:002011-08-26T18:36:50.421-06:00Your Call Cannot Be Completed...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wednesday morning at 5:30 a.m. I was sleeping soundly when the phone rang. My first thought is, "Who in the freak is calling at five in the morning." I look at the caller id which reads, security screen 043-910-1800; my next thought, "Seriously, telemarketers at five in the morning." So I immediately think, "I am not answering this." and I let the phone ring. The caller calls right back and I think, "What the crap, leave me alone." I pick up the phone and hang it up. And the phone rings AGAIN!! I answer the phone and in my most annoyed tone I say "Hello."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> A heavily accented male voice cheerfully responds "Hello, Mrs. Loftus?" </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What?? Loftus?? Definitely a telemarketer. I reply "You have the wrong number." </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Caller "Mrs. Loftus?" </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Me (using a tone to display my disgust),"You have the wrong number." </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Caller (still cheerful), "Oh, Mrs. Tudor?" </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Me again "Wrong number."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then I hear a very sweet, not nearly as accented male voice say "Mom, don't hang up. It's me Colton; I'm in the hospital."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After I picked myself up off the floor, Colton was able to explain that he had three kidney stones and they needed my permission to do surgery. Would it be considered bad parenting if you are happy your child is in the hospital because it allows you the chance to talk to him? Well, I was. We talked to him before and after the procedure and he is all fixed up and back to work.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh, and the heavily accented male voice... Mission President Tavares!!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13466894348157326248noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315275255848318014.post-34160371478816286032011-07-21T13:28:00.000-06:002011-07-21T13:28:19.590-06:00The Trouble With Blogging<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I first started writing a blog I thought it would be a nice way of keeping track of my life. Blogging has had an affect I did not anticipate; I now realize how repetitve my life is. Same people, same place, same pictures, just a new year.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13466894348157326248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315275255848318014.post-60176847146309384152011-04-03T22:38:00.000-06:002011-04-03T22:38:39.280-06:00Nothing Says American Hero Like "John Lennon"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7FwYcRyKO-E/TZlJETy2v2I/AAAAAAAABCg/Bnsk21M82s0/s1600/003+ps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7FwYcRyKO-E/TZlJETy2v2I/AAAAAAAABCg/Bnsk21M82s0/s320/003+ps.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was time for the annual 5th Grade Wax Museum. The theme is American Heroes. I'm thinking Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, maybe James Madison. Colin was thinking John Lennon. I tried to explain that he was not an American. Colin informed me that he revolutionized American rock music, which makes him an American hero. Can't argue with that logic. He was awfully cute and did a great job. <span style="font-size: x-small;"> (Thanks Janae, for the help with the wardrobe.)</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxrve7xOdjZQokujiZM2DezzwpMLN3IyCiqXuLnsixgECuNTOhHEhNKJZdSWEn06-VauHeXFn7GRSKre3YfRw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13466894348157326248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315275255848318014.post-46655373529083905622011-03-27T10:45:00.001-06:002011-03-27T17:36:59.930-06:00The Science Fair<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AHkhkOiIJbc/TY9owJrkDPI/AAAAAAAABCY/qalKwCe8Qzc/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AHkhkOiIJbc/TY9owJrkDPI/AAAAAAAABCY/qalKwCe8Qzc/s320/014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Needless to say, I am not a fan of the Science Fair. I think Colin summed up our feelings when he said, "Mom, can we just do something really boring so there is no chance I will have to move on?" Sounds perfect to me!!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13466894348157326248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315275255848318014.post-49533509076357676812011-01-16T23:25:00.000-07:002011-01-16T23:25:14.277-07:00Who Knew...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dmk9lk-ouh8/TTPgGUg2eBI/AAAAAAAABBY/um4pnJahpSs/s1600/104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dmk9lk-ouh8/TTPgGUg2eBI/AAAAAAAABBY/um4pnJahpSs/s320/104.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> under all that hair...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dmk9lk-ouh8/TTPgQjiJA0I/AAAAAAAABBc/isR1aaNkgks/s1600/118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dmk9lk-ouh8/TTPgQjiJA0I/AAAAAAAABBc/isR1aaNkgks/s320/118.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center">there was such a good looking kid?!!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13466894348157326248noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315275255848318014.post-49140184188135501462010-12-31T23:23:00.001-07:002011-01-02T21:35:27.607-07:00Top Ten Things I've Learned in 2010<ol><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can do hard things.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am a crazy dog person.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Golf...Who Knew?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blogs are so 2008.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">B Willie Smith...still the best band ever!!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am a little bit of a U.S. History nerd.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Brazil is very far away.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reality is not absolute, everyone has their own.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can do anything for thirty seconds.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Forgiveness is a sign of strength, not a show of weakness.</span></li>
</ol>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13466894348157326248noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315275255848318014.post-1394053020658676532010-12-27T12:31:00.001-07:002010-12-28T17:52:45.405-07:00This is just sad...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dmk9lk-ouh8/TRjpNs_1S-I/AAAAAAAABA8/ZThdgYxRPys/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dmk9lk-ouh8/TRjpNs_1S-I/AAAAAAAABA8/ZThdgYxRPys/s320/001.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The traditional "top of the stairs" picture.<br />
Christmas 2010</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13466894348157326248noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315275255848318014.post-54816773087857915832010-12-23T18:32:00.001-07:002010-12-28T18:57:16.630-07:00Look at My Over Achiever<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dmk9lk-ouh8/TQ2H6nv1cbI/AAAAAAAABAs/tvDlEJAvxLY/s1600/106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dmk9lk-ouh8/TQ2H6nv1cbI/AAAAAAAABAs/tvDlEJAvxLY/s320/106.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cassidy called me the other day and said, "Guess what? I just found out I am the Student of the Semester for the Health/Science Department. I know it's kind of nerdy, but it's still kind of cool. I get to go to lunch." </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't think it's nerdy at all, I think it's way cool. And Cassidy can no longer claim that Colton is the smart one!</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13466894348157326248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315275255848318014.post-79294205464502186102010-12-12T16:34:00.002-07:002010-12-12T23:34:32.626-07:00I Miss This Kid<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dmk9lk-ouh8/TQVZTGtJVKI/AAAAAAAABAg/ERvvYwU577w/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dmk9lk-ouh8/TQVZTGtJVKI/AAAAAAAABAg/ERvvYwU577w/s320/022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today Cody Christensen spoke at church. He just returned home from a mission in Chile. He entered the MTC exactly one year before Colton. As he started his talked, he apologized for his poor English skills. I started to tear up. I continued crying through out his talk. I'm not talking a little watery eyes crying, I am talking full on tears streaming down my cheeks crying, quite possibly crossed over into sobbing. Maybe it was just hormonal, but sometimes I really miss Colton. Bright side...one year down, one to go.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13466894348157326248noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315275255848318014.post-74973987793683412852010-12-10T16:31:00.002-07:002010-12-24T21:05:03.048-07:00Why I Like Winter<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This post was originally going to be "Why I Don't Like Winter." But, man oh man, who has time to write a post that long. So, I decided to go with the much shorter version (I will be lucky to be able to come up with five) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Reason's I like Winter:</span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Boots- Yes, I really, really like boots. I wish it was possible to go straight from sandal season to boot season. Who needs those inbetween shoes?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fireplaces-Just flip the switch and within minutes you are warm and snugly.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coats- I like coats. I don't if this really fits in "winter" category, because I often wear a coat in the summer (or at least have one with me-just in case.) Oh well, it's going on my list.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Layers and Long sleeves-What up with those people wearing tank tops?!! It's winter, for heaven's sake!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Soda-I love when you can leave your soda in the car for four hours and when you come back it is still cold. Can't get much better than that. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Christmas Lights-Don't confuse this with Christmas decorations. I like to see festive Christmas lights. I don't like putting them up, taking them down, or any of that other Christmas "fun." I just like the lights.</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think that is pretty much everything that is good about winter!!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13466894348157326248noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315275255848318014.post-49229209845534663912010-10-19T22:49:00.000-06:002010-10-19T22:49:46.371-06:00Seriously...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I was told by my health teacher that he gave me a "B" on my Family Health History paper because he could tell I was one of those people that always had to get an "A." Not to worry I would still get the grade I "wanted" in the class, but I would just have to be mad at him about the paper. True story!!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13466894348157326248noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315275255848318014.post-12201669551354601452010-09-14T05:50:00.003-06:002010-09-14T15:14:38.226-06:00...You Might Be Colton<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div align="left"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dmk9lk-ouh8/TI7V9y-IenI/AAAAAAAAA98/zcuvaZSN2uM/s1600/july+2006+lake+powell+083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dmk9lk-ouh8/TI7V9y-IenI/AAAAAAAAA98/zcuvaZSN2uM/s320/july+2006+lake+powell+083.jpg" /></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><ul><li><br />
<div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">If you eat five bowls of cereal for breakfast...you might be Colton.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span></div></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">If you have over 12,000 songs on you ipod and actually listen to them...you might be Colton.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span></div></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">If you have 9 1/2 toes...you might be Colton.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span></div></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">If you have ever had to ask why your "ABS" came on...you might be Colton.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span></div></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">When asked how many siblings you have, if you have ever answered : 1 whole, 1 half and 2 steps...you might be Colton.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span></div></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">If you can order off the dollar menu and still spend over $10...you might be Colton.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span></div></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">If your favorite television program is "Web Gems"...you might be Colton.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span></div></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">If you frequently buy video games and beat them the same day...you might be Colton.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span></div></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">If you have ever been awarded a certificate for scoring in the top 10% on the<strong> science</strong> section of the ACT, but you struggle writing a complete sentence...you might be Colton.</span></div></li>
<li><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">If your hair has been every color of the rainbow...you might be Colton.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span></div></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">If you refuse to wear flipflops...you might be Colton.</span></div><div align="left"></div></li>
<li><br />
<div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">If the tailgate of your Xterra is covered in random stickers...you might be Colton.</span></div><div align="left"></div></li>
<li><br />
<div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">You you have never bought a random sticker...you might be Colton</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span></div></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">If you can text, read and listen to your ipod at the same time...you might be Colton.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span></div></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">If your best friend dates all your x's...you might be Colton.</span></div><div align="left"></div></li>
<li><br />
<div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">If you have ever told your prom date "This is what I am wearing, if you want to match me."...you might be Colton.</span></div><div align="left"></div></li>
<li><br />
<div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">If everyone thinks you are your mom's favorite...you might be Colton.</span></div><div align="left"></div></li>
<li><br />
<div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">If you are the best Brazilian missionary ever...you might be Colton.</span></div></li>
</ul></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>HAPPY 20TH BIRTHDAY!!</strong></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13466894348157326248noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315275255848318014.post-9415926314307158462010-09-11T23:00:00.000-06:002010-09-11T23:00:41.227-06:00Remember when I went on vacation?<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had really good intentions to blog all about my cool Baltic vacation...oops, doesn't look like that is going to happen. Maybe I should just blog about my favorite unconventional parts.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let me start with an explanation as to why this is my favorite. Several years ago, while traveling with Cassidy and some high schoolers through Europe, I was introduced to the "There's your boy/girl friend game." To play this game you find the wackiest, most inappropriate person you can and then exclaim to the person you are with "There's your boyfriend." Digital technology has actually allowed us to take this game one step further as you try to take a picture of them (preferably with them!)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dmk9lk-ouh8/TIxV8nGTqII/AAAAAAAAA88/fV-ckf7tak8/s1600/234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dmk9lk-ouh8/TIxV8nGTqII/AAAAAAAAA88/fV-ckf7tak8/s320/234.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This dude deserves two pics, one with both me and Brian. Really, can you get any better than a drug addicted, skin head cutter? I think not! (I was a little bit afraid of him.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dmk9lk-ouh8/TIxWUqhpCTI/AAAAAAAAA9E/H3yCBK93KVw/s1600/252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dmk9lk-ouh8/TIxWUqhpCTI/AAAAAAAAA9E/H3yCBK93KVw/s320/252.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dmk9lk-ouh8/TIxXUC0biDI/AAAAAAAAA9U/hAxIZdO2dLg/s1600/581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dmk9lk-ouh8/TIxXUC0biDI/AAAAAAAAA9U/hAxIZdO2dLg/s320/581.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A lovely Estonian couple</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dmk9lk-ouh8/TIxX1eGjPcI/AAAAAAAAA9k/gtnzMl_y0ic/s1600/767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dmk9lk-ouh8/TIxX1eGjPcI/AAAAAAAAA9k/gtnzMl_y0ic/s320/767.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mike! Ha, he didn't even know he was part of the game.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dmk9lk-ouh8/TIxVS7CnY4I/AAAAAAAAA8s/lDhDRz6-2yE/s1600/1260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dmk9lk-ouh8/TIxVS7CnY4I/AAAAAAAAA8s/lDhDRz6-2yE/s320/1260.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finnish boyfriend</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dmk9lk-ouh8/TIxYLEmReVI/AAAAAAAAA9s/M6QXL7_e8zM/s1600/862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dmk9lk-ouh8/TIxYLEmReVI/AAAAAAAAA9s/M6QXL7_e8zM/s320/862.JPG" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And my personal favorite: My nerdy husband!!</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you want to add some excitement to your next vacation, give this game a try!!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13466894348157326248noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315275255848318014.post-25965270388254609822010-08-18T22:07:00.004-06:002010-08-19T18:26:13.666-06:00Hugging is Awkward<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The past few months I have attended several weddings, mission farewells and a funeral or two. These events (and others like them) provide the opportunity to hug, reaffirming my belief that hugging is <strong>AWKWARD</strong>. Come on, we all know it is. But we just keep on doing it. After Casey died, I hugged about 1.27 million people, which qualifies me as an expert hugger. (Pretty impressive for a non-hugger.) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If hugging makes you uncomfortable and even a little stressed out, I suggest finding a hug style that works within your comfort zone.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">HUG STYLES:</span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>The Straight up Embrace:</strong> This hug is commonly used by huggers. It is the "I'm in your personal space, I am bursting you bubble, I am touching your body with as much of my body as I possibly can." type of hug. I reserve this type of hug for family members only and usually just to annoy them.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>The Lean In:</strong> This hug is performed by bending at the waist and leaning your head and shoulders towards the person you are hugging. This hug style allows you to avoid any unnecessary contact below the shoulders.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>The Baby Burp:</strong> Can be used in combination with The Lean In. During the embrace you gently pat the hug recipient on the back and say "Ohhhhhhhhhh."</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>The Shoulder/Handshake: </strong>This hug is done by grabbing shoulders while shaking hands. Men frequently use this hug style because it is more intimate than a plain handshake, but they are still able to avoid any man on man contact.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>The Heimlich Hug:</strong> This is just a regular hug with a quick, tight squeeze added. I like this style because it lets people know the hug is over now. My niece, Morgan, likes this hug and she doesn't even have personal space issues. I think she just likes to shock people.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>The Side Hug:</strong> This is my personal favorite. You just put your arm around the other persons waist and touch shoulders and hips. If you want even less contact, you can just put your hand on their back. I like this style because it allows you to keep all your carefully built walls in tact, you do not need to breathe the same air and you can even avoid eye contact if necessary.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>The High School Dance Picture: </strong>I almost forgot this one. It is usually by accident that you end up with this hug. It happens when one hugger goes for the Side Hug and the other goes for the Shoulder/Handshake. You end up with your arms around each other, holding hands in front. Way awkward!</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are aware of any other hug styles...please share. I am always looking for a better way to avoid any awkward contact.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">***This post is dedicated to Morgan McCaleb...because she is a "bad hugger."</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13466894348157326248noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315275255848318014.post-13048928077046181022010-08-09T07:13:00.000-06:002010-08-09T07:13:10.646-06:00Experiencing Stockholm Syndrome<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brian and I started our Baltic vacation in Sweden. We were very tired, so Stockholm didn't leave much of an impression.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dmk9lk-ouh8/TF_Fcuu4XMI/AAAAAAAAA6I/Q9IkCYCTWlE/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dmk9lk-ouh8/TF_Fcuu4XMI/AAAAAAAAA6I/Q9IkCYCTWlE/s320/022.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But we did get to experience a beautiful Swedish Sunset.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dmk9lk-ouh8/TF_FmBiY8mI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/n3JWK_mwuoU/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dmk9lk-ouh8/TF_FmBiY8mI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/n3JWK_mwuoU/s320/031.JPG" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13466894348157326248noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315275255848318014.post-75063426760026553272010-07-24T13:48:00.000-06:002010-07-24T13:48:06.740-06:00Dear Hollywood Movie Producer,<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Could you <strong>PLEASE</strong> stop making movies longer than 2 hours? My attention span is 2 hours, if you make a movie longer than 2 hrs. (say 148 minutes), I can not stay focused. Your fore-moviemaking-fathers knew the average American could not pay attention for more than 2 hours. They stuck with the format and movies were enjoyed by all. Be aware: All the extra, added "stuff" does not make your movie better, it just makes it longer. If you need help with editing just let me know, because my brain has already edited your movie to 120 minutes.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13466894348157326248noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315275255848318014.post-73519237089349787872010-07-10T13:23:00.002-06:002010-07-10T21:57:59.484-06:00"C" Dogs<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My boys love the water, maybe in a previous life they were sea creatures!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dmk9lk-ouh8/TDjGt0E4qMI/AAAAAAAAA5A/3ePe0N1gGSE/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dmk9lk-ouh8/TDjGt0E4qMI/AAAAAAAAA5A/3ePe0N1gGSE/s320/002.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwGSPOUKOOTMS--cdFCFbxOVUGeKEazQ7JiDK9RtRALdYTJhMdTqssFg_a6mqHlD_qDanAEuzUssZEBKa8JmA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dmk9lk-ouh8/TDlBM9cmPAI/AAAAAAAAA5I/NKO9Hi0kpo0/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dmk9lk-ouh8/TDlBM9cmPAI/AAAAAAAAA5I/NKO9Hi0kpo0/s320/005.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dylK1ibksA7EjkkfjeRvYDZd-ijChC9PG_4zapWhlPnBLUZxAI80mUH7OfWDCUhOxzx_HzZEDqTnGZJszpC' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13466894348157326248noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315275255848318014.post-6211901888284491222010-07-10T13:00:00.000-06:002010-07-10T13:33:31.316-06:00Flo-Rida...More than just a rapper<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dmk9lk-ouh8/TDT3uLcw58I/AAAAAAAAA34/fRTmWNlkBBE/s1600/081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dmk9lk-ouh8/TDT3uLcw58I/AAAAAAAAA34/fRTmWNlkBBE/s320/081.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To celebrate Colin's eleventh birthday, we rented the Flowrider at the Lindon Aquatic Center. Colin invited many, many boys to help him celebrate.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dmk9lk-ouh8/TDT3EUPrlTI/AAAAAAAAA3w/0Sh_Egw_pOo/s1600/048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dmk9lk-ouh8/TDT3EUPrlTI/AAAAAAAAA3w/0Sh_Egw_pOo/s320/048.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They had tons of fun on the boogie boards and a few even mastered the wake skate.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dmk9lk-ouh8/TDT48td5n_I/AAAAAAAAA4I/mLu9QAVAfko/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dmk9lk-ouh8/TDT48td5n_I/AAAAAAAAA4I/mLu9QAVAfko/s320/026.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And everyone enjoyed an awesome crash or two!</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13466894348157326248noreply@blogger.com0